bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Grounded Guide to Gluten: How Modern Genotypes and Processing Impact Wheat Sensitivity
Authors: Kucek Lisa Kissing , Veenstra Lynn D. , Amnuaycheewa Plaimein , Sorrells Mark E.
Published: February 2015

The role of wheat, and particularly of gluten protein, in our diet has recently been scrutinized. This article provides a summary of the main pathologies related to wheat in the human body, including celiac disease, wheat allergy, nonceliac wheat sensitivity, fructose malabsorption, and irritable bowel syndrome. Differences in reactivity are discussed for ancient, heritage, and modern wheats. Due to large variability among species and genotypes, it might be feasible to select wheat varieties with lower amounts and fewer types of reactive prolamins and fructans. Einkorn is promising for producing fewer immunotoxic effects in a number of celiac research studies. Additionally, the impact of wheat processing methods on wheat sensitivity is reviewed. Research indicates that germination and fermentation technologies can effectively alter certain immunoreactive components. For individuals with wheat sensitivity, less‐reactive wheat products can slow down disease development and improve quality of life. While research has not proven causation in the increase in wheat sensitivity over the last decades, modern wheat processing may have increased exposure to immunoreactive compounds. More research is necessary to understand the influence of modern wheat cultivars on epidemiological change.
New Zealand Emergency Medicine Network: A collaboration for acute care research in New Zealand
Authors:   The New Zealand Emergency Medicine Network
Published: February 2015

The specialty of emergency medicine in Australasia is coming of age. As part of this maturation there is a need for high‐quality evidence to inform practice. This article describes the development of the New Zealand Emergency Medicine Network, a collaboration of committed emergency care researchers who share the vision that New Zealand/Aotearoa will have a world‐leading, patient‐centred emergency care research network, which will improve emergency care for all, so that people coming to any ED in the country will have access to the same world‐class emergency care.
New agent to treat advanced or metastasized thyroid cancer, its efficacy, safety, and mechanism
Authors: Zhu Huan‐gao , Zhao Jun‐yu , Zhang Rui , Liao Lin , Dong Jian‐jun
Published: February 2015

Background

Vandetanib is the first US Food and Drug Administration approved agent to treat advanced or metastasized thyroid cancer. To gain a better understanding of the drug, we conducted a systematic review of its efficacy and safety in patients with thyroid cancers.

Methods

Trial data was retrieved from Pubmed, EMBASE, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and the Cochrane database without restrictions on language. A systematic review of the literature was performed to assess median progression‐free survival (PFS) and adverse events associated with vandetanib therapy for advanced or metastasized thyroid cancers.

Results

Vandetanib statistically prolonged PFS in comparison with the placebo (30.5 vs. 19.3 months, hazard ratio 0.46), It even prolonged PFS in surgically unresectable or metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer cases compared with the placebo (11.1 vs. 5.9 months, hazard ratio 0.63). Rash, diarrhea, neutropenia, and hypertension were the most frequent side effects.

Conclusion

Vandetanib can significantly improve PFS. Though it has some side effects, it is still a promising agent in the treatment of advanced or metastasized thyroid cancer, especially in those with metastasized or advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma.
Understanding gestational weight gain: the role of weight‐related expectations and knowledge
Authors: Mcphie Skye , Skouteris Helen , Hill Briony , Hayden Melissa
Published: February 2015

Background

Health behaviour theories acknowledge that beliefs, attitudes and knowledge contribute to health behaviours, yet the role of these cognitions in predicting weight gain during pregnancy has not been widely researched.

Aims

To explore and compare the predictive nature of gestational weight gain (GWG) expectations and knowledge on weight gain during pregnancy.

Materials and Methods

One hundred and sixty‐six women were tracked during pregnancy. Participants provided information on prepregnancy weight, height, GWG expectations and knowledge at 16–18 weeks’ gestation (Time 1). To calculate gestational weight gain, prepregnancy weight was subtracted from weight at 36 weeks’ gestation (collected at Time 2). Gestational weight gain above the Institute of Medicine's GWG recommendations was classified as excessive. A hierarchical regression examined the predictive nature of GWG expectations for actual GWG. Chi‐square significance tests determined whether the accuracy of GWG knowledge differed depending on GWG status and prepregnancy BMI category.

Results

GWG expectations were a significant predictor of weight gain during pregnancy. Women who experienced excessive GWG were more likely to overestimate the minimum amount of weight that they needed to gain to have a healthy baby.

Conclusions

GWG expectations are predictive of actual GWG, and GWG knowledge among women is generally poor. In particular, overestimating of the minimum amount of weight to gain during pregnancy is associated with excessive GWG. As such, it may be beneficial to design interventions to prevent excessive GWG that targets these cognitions.
When Government Subsidizes Its Own: Collective Bargaining Laws as Agents of Political Mobilization
Authors: Flavin Patrick , Hartney Michael T.
Published: February 2015

Government policies can activate a political constituency not only by providing material resources to, or altering the interpretive experiences of, individual citizens, but also by directly subsidizing established interest groups. We argue that state laws mandating collective bargaining for public employees provided organizational subsidies to public sector labor unions that lowered the costs of mobilizing their members to political action. Exploiting variation in the timing of laws across the states and using data on the political participation of public school teachers from 1956 to 2004, we find that the enactment of a mandatory bargaining law significantly boosted subsequent political participation among teachers. We also identify increased contact from organized groups seeking to mobilize teachers as a likely mechanism that explains this finding. These results have important implications for the current debate over collective bargaining rights and for our understanding of policy feedback, political parties and interest groups, and the bureaucracy.
Improving regional and rural cancer services in Western Australia
Authors: Platt Violet , O'Connor Kathleen , Coleman Rhonda
Published: February 2015

Objective

This paper examines health reform which has been designed to improve cancer services across Western Australia.

Setting

Western Australia is a large state divided into nine regions each with differing demographics. The diversity of the state and the distribution of the population over a large area of land create significant challenge in ensuring equality in service delivery.

Design

A comparison was conducted looking at cancer services in Western Australia pre‐2005 and service delivery in 2014. A review of the partnership initiatives and programs provides a clear discussion on the need for coordination of care between service providers.

Main Outcome

The approach undertaken in Western Australia has seen an increase in the delivery of cancer services closer to the patient's home as well as greater involvement of primary care professionals in cancer care. This work has resulted in demonstrated improvements in patient care and support.

Conclusion

Services for cancer patients need to be accessible closer to home with distance being an appreciable barrier to treatment access.A statewide approach needs to be developed to ensure all people have equitable access to service delivery.
Reduced DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation in patients with systemic mastocytosis
Authors: Leoni Cristina , Montagner Sara , Deho' Lorenzo , D'Antuono Rocco , De Matteis Giovanna , Marzano Angelo V. , Merante Serena , Orlandi Ester M. , Zanotti Roberta , Monticelli Silvia
Published: February 2015

Objective

As disruption of epigenetic control is a frequent event in solid tumors and leukemia, we investigated changes in DNA methylation (5mC) and hydroxymethylation (5hmC) in patients with systemic mastocytosis (SM), a rare myeloproliferative disease with a wide spectrum of severity, characterized by the accumulation of mast cells in various organs.

Methods

We measured overall genomic levels of 5hmC and 5mC in patients with SM by dot blot, as well as by quantitative immunofluorescence in samples of cutaneous mastocytosis.

Results

Overall 5hmC levels were reduced in all patients with SM, but to a greater extent in the presence of higher D816V mutational load in the KIT oncogene, which affects prognosis and therapeutic options in these patients. Loss of 5hmC was likely due to systemic effects of SM as it did not correlate with overall mast cell burden in these patients, nor it was due to inactivating mutations of TET2 or reduced TET2 expression.

Conclusions

The correlation between SM diagnosis and significantly low 5hmC levels suggests that reduction of 5hmC represents a systemic effect of SM that may be useful for patient stratification and that measurements of 5hmC levels may serve as a better prognostic marker than TET2 mutations.
Carbon balance indicator for forest bioenergy scenarios
Authors: Pingoud Kim , Ekholm Tommi , Soimakallio Sampo , Helin Tuomas
Published: February 2015

A carbon (C) balance indicator is presented for the evaluation of forest bioenergy scenarios as a means to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A bioenergy‐intensive scenario with a greater harvest is compared to a baseline scenario. The relative carbon indicator (RC) is defined as the ratio between the difference in terrestrial C stocks – that is the C debt – and the difference in cumulative bioenergy harvest between the scenarios, over a selected time frame T. A value of zero indicates no C debt from additional biomass harvests, while a value of one indicates a C debt equal to the amount of additionally harvested biomass C. Multiplying the RC indicator by the smokestack emission factor of biomass (approximately 110 t CO2/TJ) provides the net cumulative CO2 emission factor of the biomass combustion as a function of T, allowing a direct comparison with the emission factors of comparable fossil fuels. The indicator is applied to bioenergy cases in Finland, where typically the rotation length of managed forests is long and the decay rate of harvest residues is slow. The country‐level examples illustrate that although Finnish forests remain as a C sink in each of the considered scenarios, the efforts of increasing forest bioenergy may still increase the atmospheric CO2 concentrations in comparison with the baseline scenario and use of fossil fuels. The results also show that the net emission factor depends – besides on forest‐growth or residue‐decay dynamics – on the timing and evolution of harvests as well. Unlike for the constant fossil C emission factor, the temporal profile of bioenergy use is of great importance for the net emission factor of biomass.
The association of CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism with colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Wang Y. , Wang X. , Zhao R.
Published: February 2015

Cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen‐4 (CTLA‐4) is expressed in T cells and plays an important role in the regulation of T cell. CTLA‐4 has long been considered to be associated with various kinds of diseases. With the attempt to examine the association between CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese Han population, we employed TaqMan assay to genotype the CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism in 311 colorectal cancer cases and 389 cancer‐free controls. We found evidence of the association between CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk (GG vs. AA: OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.29–3.07, P = 0.002; GA vs. AA: OR = 2.32, 95% CI = 1.53–3.57, P = 0.001; GA + GG vs. AA: OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.46–3.21, P = 0.001). Next, we performed a meta‐analysis to comprehensively examine the association between CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk. We found a significant association between CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk among Asians, which is consistent with our result. However, we found no evidence for the association between CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk among Caucasians. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the CTLA‐4 A49G polymorphism increased the susceptibility of colorectal cancer in Asian population.
Relationship between motor skill competency and executive function in children with Down's syndrome
Authors: Schott N. , Holfelder B.
Published: February 2015

Background

Previous studies suggest that children with Down's syndrome (DS), a genetically based neurodevelopmental disorder, demonstrate motor problems and cognitive deficits. The first aim of this study was to examine motor skills and executive functions (EFs) in school‐age children with DS. The second aim was to investigate the relationship between these two performance domains.

Methods

The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD‐2), the Movement Assessment Battery Children‐2 checklist (MABC2‐checklist) and the Trail‐Making Test for young children (Trails‐P) were used to assess motor and cognitive performances of 18 children (11 boys, 7 girls) with DS aged between 7 and 11 years (9.06 ± 0.96) and an age‐ and sex‐matched sample of 18 typically developing (TD) children (11 boys, 7 girls; 8.99 ± 0.93).

Results

Individuals with DS showed the expected difficulties in attentional control, response suppression and distraction, as well as in locomotor and object control skills, as indicated by poorer performance than TD individuals. Motor performance (bottom‐up as well as top‐down measures) and EF correlated positively, with regard to the group with DS only though. In the most complex task (distraction), the children of the DS group achieving lower locomotor scores showed lower efficacy scores on the Trails‐P. Additionally, strong relationships were found for the perspective of teachers on all sections of the MABC2‐Checklist and EF.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that children with DS are not only impaired in higher‐order EF, but showing also deficits in locomotor and object control skills. This study stresses the importance of early interventions facilitating cognitive abilities and motor skills.
Communication elements supporting patient safety in psychiatric inpatient care
Authors: Kanerva A. , Kivinen T. , Lammintakanen J.
Published: February 2015

Accessible summary

Communication is important for safe and quality health care. The study provides needed insight on the communication elements that support patient safety from the psychiatric care view.

Fluent information transfer between the health care professionals and care units is important for care planning and maintaining practices. Information should be documented and implemented accordingly.

Communication should happen in an open communication culture that enables discussion, the opportunity to have debriefing discussions and the entire staff can feel they are heard. For effective communication, it is also important that staff are active themselves in information collecting about the essential information needed in patient care.

In mental health nursing, it is important to pay attention to all elements of communication and to develop processes concerning communication in multidisciplinary teams and across unit boundaries.

The study aims to describe which communication elements support patient safety in psychiatric inpatient care from the viewpoint of the nursing staff. Communication is an essential part of care and one of the core competencies of the psychiatric care. It enables safe and quality patient care. Errors in health care are often connected with poor communication. The study brings needed insight from the psychiatric care view to the topic. The data were gathered from semi‐structured interviews in which 26 nurses were asked to describe the elements that constitute patient safety in psychiatric inpatient care. The data were analysed inductively from the viewpoint of communication. The descriptions connected with communication formed a main category of communication elements that support patient safety; this main category was made up of three subcategories: fluent information transfer, open communication culture and being active in information collecting. Fluent information transfer consists of the practical implementation of communication; open communication culture is connected with the cultural issues of communication; and being active in information collecting is related to a nurse's personal working style, which affects communication. It is important to pay attention to all the three areas and use this knowledge in developing patient safety practices and strategies where communication aspect and culture are noted and developed. In mental health nursing, it is important to develop processes concerning communication in multidisciplinary teams and across unit boundaries.
Oximes Induce Erection and Are Resistant to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Pauwels Bart , Boydens Charlotte , Brouckaert Peter , Van de Voorde Johan
Published: February 2015

Introduction

Because of their nitric oxide (NO)-donating capacities, oxime derivatives have shown to offer some therapeutic perspective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) as well as cardiovascular diseases. However, to date the in vivo effect of these oximes on erectile function remains unknown. In many disease states oxidative stress occurs, impairing NO-mediated relaxations. Hence the influence of oxidative stress on oxime-induced effects is also of interest.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effect of formaldoxime (FAL) and formamidoxime (FAM) on blood pressure and intracavernosal pressure (ICP); and to examine the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and the influence of oxidative stress on the FAL and FAM responses.

Methods

Blood pressure and ICP were monitored in vivo after resp. intravenous or intracavernosal injection of FAL and FAM. Moreover isometric tension was measured in vitro on isolated mice corpora cavernosa (CC), thoracic aorta, and femoral artery in organ baths. The role of sGC was investigated using transgenic mice lacking the alpha 1 subunit of sGC.

Main Outcome Measures

Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and ICP were measured after FAL/FAM injection. In vitro relaxation of CC strips was evaluated in response to addition of FAL/FAM.

Results

In vivo both FAL and FAM elicit a dose-dependent lowering of blood pressure (maximal ΔMAP: 33.66 ± 4.07 mm Hg [FAL] and 20.43 ± 2.06 mm Hg [FAM] ) as well as an increase of ICP (maximal increase of ICP/MAP: 70.29 ± 2.88% [FAL] and 52.91 ± 8.61% [FAM] ). The FAL/FAM effect is significantly lower in knockout vs. wild-type mice. Oxidative stress has an inhibitory effect on corporal NO-mediated relaxations induced by electrical field stimulation, acetylcholine, and sodium nitroprusside whereas the responses to 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate sodium salt, FAL and FAM were not influenced.

Conclusions

Oximes induce erection which is mediated by sGC. The oxime-induced relaxations are resistant to oxidative stress, which increases their therapeutic potential for the treatment of ED.
Afp14 is involved in regulating the length of Anti‐feeding prophage (Afp)
Authors: Rybakova Daria , Schramm Peter , Mitra Alok K. , Hurst Mark R. H.
Published: February 2015

The anti‐feeding prophage (Afp), a phage‐tail‐like particle that causes cessation of feeding in the New Zealand grass grub, Costelytra zealandica, is encoded by 18 open reading frames (afp1–18). C‐terminal truncations of afp14 resulted in shortened Afp particles, suggesting that Afp14 is involved in Afp length determination. We constructed an Afp assembly system (afp1–18), wherein Afp14 was truncated after the N‐terminal 88 residues. This construct, when expressed in trans in Escherichia coli expressing a N‐terminal 98‐amino acid Afp14 construct, yielded fully assembled Afp but no assembled Afp was detected in the case of a N‐terminal 96‐amino acid Afp14 construct. These results suggested that the 98 N‐terminal, amino acid residues of Afp14 is crucial for the initiation of Afp assembly via baseplate formation. Trans‐based expression of wild‐type afp14 resulted in Afp particles of varying lengths, all of which were shorter than the wild‐type Afp particle. On the other hand, similar expression of Afp14 harboring a C‐terminal extension (KLLEH6) resulted in elongated Afp particles. This information, combined with bioinformatics data, allowed us to propose a model delineating the mechanism and role of Afp14 in the maturation of the Afp particle.
The combined augmentation/vestibuloplasty procedure preventing gingival recession in orthodontically/surgically treated prognathic patient: a 14 year follow‐up
Authors: Stajčić Z. , Stajčić LJ.Stojčev , Aditya P. , Rodić M. , Mileusnić B. , Aditya A.
Published: February 2015

A novel technique is presented combining bone augmentation with vestibuloplasty to prevent gingival recession in prognathic mandible treated surgically and orthodontically that was followed up for 14 years.
Varicella-zoster meningitis with a late-onset of skin eruption
Authors: Sanguankeo Anawin , Upala Sikarin , Sornprom Suthanya , Thamcharoen Natanong
Published: February 2015

Viral meningitis caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is an uncommon neurological complication of herpes zoster. It may occur before or after the onset of the vesicular rash along the dermatomal distribution, which is the classic presentation of herpes zoster. We describe a case of a 51-year-old immunocompetent Caucasian man who presented with neck and severe right-sided facial pain. Eight days later, he had photophobia and papular rash on his forehead. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination confirmed aseptic meningitis and CSF PCR detected the presence of VZV DNA. Neurological complications of VZV infection, such as aseptic meningitis, may be difficult to diagnose and can cause delay in treatment, especially in cases with late onset of dermatological manifestations of herpes zoster. Definite diagnosis requires evidence of acute VZV infection in blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
A nomogram to estimate the HbA1c response to different DPP-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 98 trials with 24 163 patients
Authors: Esposito Katherine , Chiodini Paolo , Maiorino Maria Ida , Capuano Annalisa , Cozzolino Domenico , Petrizzo Michela , Bellastella Giuseppe , Giugliano Dario
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To develop a nomogram for estimating the glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) response to different dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in type 2 diabetes.

Design

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of DPP-4 inhibitors (vildagliptin, sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin and alogliptin) on HbA1c were conducted. Electronic searches were carried out up to December 2013. Trials were included if they were carried out on participants with type 2 diabetes, lasted at least 12 weeks, included at least 30 participants and had a final assessment of HbA1c. A random effect model was used to pool data. A nomogram was used to represent results of the metaregression model.

Participants

Adults with type 2 diabetes.

Interventions

Any DPP-4 inhibitor (vildagliptin, sitagliptin, saxagliptin, linagliptin or alogliptin).

Outcome measures

The HbA1c response to each DPP-4 inhibitor within 1 year of therapy.

Results

We screened 928 citations and reviewed 98 articles reporting 98 RCTs with 100 arms in 24 163 participants. There were 26 arms with vildagliptin, 37 with sitagliptin, 13 with saxagliptin, 13 with linagliptin and 11 with alogliptin. For all 100 arms, the mean baseline HbA1c value was 8.05% (64 mmol/mol); the decrease of HbA1c from baseline was −0.77% (95% CI −0.82 to −0.72%), with high heterogeneity (I2=96%). Multivariable metaregression model that included baseline HbA1c, type of DPP-4 inhibitor and fasting glucose explained 58% of variance between studies, with no significant interaction between them. Other factors, including age, previous diabetes drugs and duration of treatment added low predictive power (<1%). The nomogram estimates the absolute HbA1c reduction from baseline using the type of DPP-4 inhibitor, baseline values of HbA1c and fasting glucose.

Conclusions

Baseline HbA1c level and fasting glucose explain most of the variance in HbA1c change in response to DPP-4 inhibitors: each increase of 1.0% units HbA1c provides a 0.4–0.5% units greater fall.
Analysis of community-detection methods based on Potts spin model in complex networks
Authors: Xiang Ju , Hu Tao , Hu Ke , Tang Yan-Ni , Gao Yuan-Yuan , Chai Chun-Hong , Liu Xi-Jun
Published: February 2015

Detection of community structures in complex networks is a common challenge in the study of complex networks. Recently, various methods have been proposed to discover community structures at different scales. Here, the multiscale methods based on Potts spin model for community detection are described and compared in the analysis of community structures of several networks. We give a critical analysis of the multiscale methods, showing a kind of limitation that the methods may suffer from when the community size difference is very broad, the breakup of (large) communities will appear before the merger of (small) communities disappears. In particular, we give the explicit expressions for the critical points of the merger and breakup of communities and derive the sufficient conditions (in the form of upper limits) that indicate when the Potts model methods suffer from the limitation. We apply the theoretical results to model networks and show that the method using the configuration null model (i.e., a random graph model as comparison that has the same degree distribution as the network under study) may not recover the full structure of the model network, whereas the method using the Erdös-Rényi null model will do so.
Implications of linear developments on northern fishes
Authors: Cott Peter A. , Schein Allison , Hanna Bruce W. , Johnston Tom A. , MacDonald Donald D. , Gunn John M.
Published: February 2015

Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT) is currently the focus of significant exploration and development activity. In particular, increased global demand for oil and gas resources has resulted in an escalation in the search for hydrocarbon deposits. Canada’s north is a landscape defined by water where large numbers of pristine water bodies still exist in remote areas. Northern development activities conducted in these areas will affect these sensitive aquatic ecosystems that support important fish and fish habitat. Fishes in low productivity northern systems grow slowly and mature late, making them particularly sensitive to environmental perturbations. The fishery resources of the NWT are an integral component of our northern ecosystems, and are of significant economic and cultural importance to northern people. By necessity, linear developments constructed in the NWT, such as roads, seismic lines, and pipelines, intersect lakes, rivers, and streams. This paper discusses linear development activities and their impacts on northern fishes, with a focus on oil and gas developments. Once a target area is identified, the development of northern oil and gas reserves typically follows a predictable sequence of events: (i) construction of temporary access roads into the exploration area to conduct seismic surveys to delineate reserves; (ii) exploration well(s) are drilled to assess the potential of the deposit; (iii) if the deposit is of economic interest, then production wells are developed and gathering systems constructed, often coupled with additional transportation infrastructure; (iv) a pipeline is then built to move the hydrocarbons southward to processing facilities; and (v) after the reserve is depleted, closure of all associated infrastructure is conducted and the site is remediated. The main stressors from these activities that may impact fish and aquatic ecosystems include sediment transport to water bodies, noise and pressure impacts from the use of explosives, water withdrawal, obstructions to flow and fish passage, removal of in-stream structure and riparian vegetation, enhanced access and fisheries exploitation, and contaminant spills. These stressors can adversely affect fish directly (e.g., through direct toxicity associated with exposure to elevated contaminants) or indirectly (e.g., through habitat degradation). Such impacts on fish can vary in severity, and on temporal and spatial scales, depending on the nature and extent of the disturbance. These activities can have cumulative impacts and can be exacerbated by natural or indirect stressors, such as a changing climate or forest fires. Appropriate baseline monitoring needs to be conducted, prior to development, to allow for appropriate mitigation to be employed and sound and responsible resource management decisions to be made within an adaptive management framework.
Review of physics results from the Tevatron: Searches for new particles and interactions
Authors: Toback David , Živković Lidija
Published: February 2015

We present a summary of results for searches for new particles and interactions at the Fermilab Tevatron collider by the CDF and the D0 experiments. These include results from Run I as well as Run II for the time period up to July 2014. We focus on searches for supersymmetry, as well as other models of new physics such as new fermions and bosons, various models of excited fermions, leptoquarks, technicolor, hidden-valley model particles, long-lived particles, extra dimensions, dark matter particles and signature-based searches.
The $\bar{\Lambda}{\rm CDM}$ cosmology: From inflation to dark energy through running Λ
Authors: Solà Joan , Gómez-Valent Adrià
Published: February 2015

Perhaps the deepest mystery of our accelerating universe in expansion is the existence of a tiny and rigid cosmological constant, Λ. Its size is many orders of magnitude below the expected one in the standard model of particle physics. This is a very welcome fact, namely if we care at all about our own existence and fate. However, we do not have a minimally satisfactory explanation for our good fortune and for the failing of the SM at that crucial point. To start with, an expanding universe is not expected to have a static vacuum energy density. We should rather observe a mildly dynamical behavior δΛ(t) ~ R ~ H2(t) with the expansion rate H. At the same time, it is natural to think that the huge value of the primeval vacuum energy (presumably connected to some GUT) was responsible for the initial inflationary phase. In the traditional inflaton models such phase is inserted by hand in the early epoch of the cosmic evolution, and it is assumed to match the standard ΛCDM regime during the radiation epoch. Here, instead, we consider a class of dynamical vacuum models which incorporate in a single vacuum structure [Formula: see text] the rapid stage of inflation, followed by the radiation and cold matter epochs, until achieving our dark energy universe. The early behavior of such "running vacuum model" [Formula: see text] bares resemblance with Starobinsky's inflation in the early universe and is very close to the concordance model for the entire post-inflationary history. Most remarkably, the inflationary period in the [Formula: see text] terminates with "graceful exit" and the large entropy problem can be solved. The model is compatible with the latest cosmological data on Hubble expansion and structure formation, and at the same time presents distinctive observational features that can be tested in the near future.
Circular law for random matrices with unconditional log-concave distribution
Authors: Adamczak Radosław , Chafaï Djalil
Published: February 2015

We explore the validity of the circular law for random matrices with non-i.i.d. entries. Let M be an n × n random real matrix obeying, as a real random vector, a log-concave isotropic (up to normalization) unconditional law, with mean squared norm equal to n. The entries are uncorrelated and obey a symmetric law of zero mean and variance 1/n. This model allows some dependence and non-equidistribution among the entries, while keeping the special case of i.i.d. standard Gaussian entries, known as the real Ginibre Ensemble. Our main result states that as the dimension n goes to infinity, the empirical spectral distribution of M tends to the uniform law on the unit disc of the complex plane.
Plot Generation with Character-Based Decisions
Authors: Barbosa Simone D. J. , Guilherme Da Silva Fabio A. , Furtado Antonio L. , Casanova Marco A.
Published: February 2015

The method proposed here to determine, in a simplified but still plausible way, the behavior of the characters participating in a story is based on rules that associate a given situation with a list of different goals. In view of the rules whose situation holds at the current state, each character engages in a decision-making process along three steps: goal selection, plan selection, and commitment. The selection criteria reflect individual preferences originating, respectively, from drives, attitudes and emotions. Four kinds of inter-character relations are considered, which may lead to goal and plan interferences. A prototype logic, programming tool was developed to run experiments.
HLA and Disease Associations in Iraq
Authors: Jabbar Ammar A. R.
Published: February 2015

The HLA system is deeply involved in susceptibility to a variety of diseases. Relationships between HLA and diseases are of considerable interest and importance, as they provide new tools for studying the inheritance, classification, and pathogenesis of these diseases. Studies on the distribution of HLA antigens in different populations have revealed the existence of racial variation and are therefore a prerequisite for studying HLA and disease associations in different racial groups. This study reviews six articles concerning HLA and disease in the Iraqi population. A comparison of these associations and an analysis of overall antigen frequencies among other Arab population and different ethnic groups are included. Some of our HLA‐disease associations confirm other studies reported in these racial groups, while other diseases showed different HLA antigen associations from those recorded in other racial groups.
Low-Temperature DC Carrier Transport in (Fe0.45Co0.45Zr0.10)x(Al2O3)1−xNanocomposites Manufactured by Sputtering in Pure Ar Gas Atmosphere
Authors: Svito Ivan A. , Fedotov Alexander K. , Saad Anis , Milosavljević Momir , Fedotova Julia A. , Kołtunowicz Tomasz N. , Żukowski Paweł
Published: February 2015

This presented work investigates the structure and temperature relationship/dependence of the DC conductivityσ(T)in the (Fe0.45Co0.45Zr0.10)x(Al2O3)1−xnanocomposites deposited in Ar atmosphere with composition (30<x<100 at.%) and temperature (2<T<300 K). It is shown that VRHσ(T)displayed crossover from Mott-like to Shklovskii-Efros regimes which occurred at temperatures of 100–120 K. It is also noted that the observed shift of the percolation threshold to higher concentrations of metallic fraction can be attributed to the disordering of the metallic nanoparticles due to the incorporation of the residual oxygen in the vacuum chamber during the deposition procedure.
Control of Avian Coccidiosis: Future and Present Natural Alternatives
Authors: Quiroz-Castañeda Rosa Estela , Dantán-González Edgar
Published: February 2015

Numerous efforts to date have been implemented in the control of avian coccidiosis caused by theEimeriaparasite. Since the appearance of anticoccidial chemical compounds, the search for new alternatives continues. Today, no product is available to cope with the disease; however, the number of products commercially available is constantly increasing. In this review, we focus on natural products and their anticoccidial activity. This group comprises fatty acids, antioxidants, fungal and herbal extracts, and immune response modulators with proven anticoccidial activity, many of which exist as dietary supplements. Additionally, we offer an overview of the poultry industry and the economic cost of coccidiosis as well as the classical strategies used to control the disease.
Properties of GH4169 Superalloy Characterized by Nonlinear Ultrasonic Waves
Authors: Yan Hongjuan , Xu Chunguang , Xiao Dingguo , Cai Haichao
Published: February 2015

The nonlinear wave motion equation is solved by the perturbation method. The nonlinear ultrasonic coefficientsβandδare related to the fundamental and harmonic amplitudes. The nonlinear ultrasonic testing system is used to detect received signals during tensile testing and bending fatigue testing of GH4169 superalloy. The results show that the curves of nonlinear ultrasonic parameters as a function of tensile stress or fatigue life are approximately saddle. There are two stages in relationship curves of relative nonlinear coefficientsβ′ andδ′ versus stress and fatigue life. The relative nonlinear coefficientsβ′ andδ′ increase with tensile stress when tensile stress is lower than 65.8% of the yield strength, and they decrease with tensile stress when tensile stress is higher than 65.8% of the yield strength. The nonlinear coefficients have the extreme values at 53.3% of fatigue life. For the second order relative nonlinear coefficientβ′, there is good agreement between the experimental data and the comprehensive model. For the third order relative nonlinear coefficientδ′, however, the experiment data does not accord with the theoretical model.
Use of CuNi/YSZ and CuNi/SDC Catalysts for the Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Lortie Maxime , Isaifan Rima J.
Published: February 2015

Cu50Ni50 nanoparticles were synthesized using a modified polyol method and deposited on samarium-doped ceria, SDC, and yttria-stabilized zirconia, YSZ, supports to form reverse water-gas shift, RWGS, catalysts. The best CO yields, obtained with the Cu50Ni50/SDC catalyst, were about 90% of the equilibrium CO yields. In contrast CO yields using Pt/SDC catalysts were equal to equilibrium CO yields at 700°C. Catalyst selectivity to CO was 100% at hydrogen partial pressures equal to CO2 partial pressures, 1 kPa, and decreased as methane was formed when the hydrogen partial pressure was 2 kPa or greater. The reaction results were explained using a combination of Eley-Rideal and Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanisms that involved adsorption on the metal surface and the concentration of oxygen vacancies in the support. Finally the Cu50Ni50/SDC catalyst was found to be thermally stable for 48 hours at 600/700°C.
Effects of Mobility-Enhancing Nursing Intervention in Patients with MS and Stroke: Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Imhof Lorenz , Suter-Riederer Susanne , Kesselring Jürg
Published: February 2015

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) or stroke causes functional impairment which can have a major impact on patients’ life. Objectives. This RCT investigated the effect of a new nursing intervention (Mobility Enhancing Nursing Intervention—MFP) designed to improve rehabilitation outcomes. Method. The study took place in a rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland. One hundred forty participants diagnosed with MS, stroke, and brain injuries were randomly assigned to control group (CG = standard care) or intervention group (IG). The IG combined standard care with 30 days of MFB. MFP placed patients on a mattress on the floor and used tactile-kinaesthetic stimulation to increase spatial orientation and independency. Outcomes were functionality (Extended Barthel Index, EBI), quality of life (WHOQoL), and fall-related self-efficacy (FES-I). Results. There was a significant main effect of the intervention on functionality (EBI-diff/day mean = 0.30, versus mean = 0.16, P=0.008). There was also a significant main effect on QoL (WHOQoL-diff mean = 13.8, versus mean = 5.4, P=0.046). No significant effect was observed on fall-related self-efficacy. Conclusions. The positive effect of MFP on rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life suggests that this specialized nursing intervention could become an effective part of rehabilitation programs. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of St. Gallen (KEK-SG Nr. 09/021) and registered at ClinicalTrial.gov NCT02198599.
Morel-Lavallée Lesion: Report of a Case of Unknown Mechanism
Authors: Kontis Elissaios , Vezakis Antonios , Psychogiou Vasiliki , Kalogeropoulos Panagiotis , Polydorou Andreas , Fragulidis Georgios
Published: February 2015

Morel-Lavallée lesions are cystic lesions occurring between the subcutaneous tissue and the underlying layer of a fascia. The most frequent mechanism of occurrence is posttraumatic, usually after degloving injuries. The chain of events leading to the occurrence of this lesion is the formation of a potential space between the subcutaneous tissue and the firmly attached deep fascia, which in turn fills with blood and/or lymph and/or necrotic fat, secondary to disruption of the capillaries. We present a case of a 74-year-old male patient with a cystic lesion of the lateral surface of his left thigh increasing in size over a period of six months. Despite the meticulous history acquisition, we were unable to reveal any alleged mechanism of injury of the area. The patient underwent an MRI which revealed an ovoid cyst. The patient underwent surgical excision of the cyst. The pathology examination revealed a simple cyst, lined by a fibrous capsule and filled with serosanguineous fluid, thus confirming the diagnosis. The patient made a full recovery and since has been asymptomatic.
Is Micropercutaneous Nephrolithotomy Technique Really Efficacicous for the Treatment of Moderate Size Renal Calculi? Yes
Authors: Karatag Tuna , Buldu Ibrahim , Inan Ramazan , Istanbulluoglu Mustafa Okan
Published: February 2015

Objective: To present our clinical experiences with micropercutaneous nephrolithotomy in the treatment of moderate-sized renal calculi from a single center. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the patients with moderate-sized renal calculi who underwent micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy between December 2012 and Septermber 2013. Results: A total of 68 patients and 70 renal units underwent microperc procedure. Mean age of patients was 41.4 ± 18.8. The mean stone size was 122 ± 83 mm2. The operations were performed under spinal anesthesia in 89.7% of the patients. Stone-free rate was 95.7 % (67/70). Clinically significant residual fragments were observed in three patients. The average duration of operation and mean fluoroscopy time was 40 ± 23 min and 108 ± 72 s, respectively. The mean postoperative drop in hemoglobin was 0.95 ± 0.7 while no patient required blood transfusion. Patients were discharged after an average hospitalization time of 27.5 ± 12.4 h. A total of 4 complications (5.7%), including urinary tract infection (Clavien I) in one patient and renal colics requiring stent insertion (Clavien IIIa) in three patients, were observed postoperatively. Conclusion: Microperc technique is safe, feasible, and efficacious. We suggest that micro-percutaneous nephrolithotomy should be considered for the treatment of moderate-sized renal stones as an alternative to SWL and RIRS failures and also may be considered even primarily.
Expression of Aquaporin-1, Aquaporin-3, and Aquaporin-5 Correlates with Nodal Metastasis in Colon Cancer
Authors: Kang Byung Woog , Kim Jong Gwang , Lee Soo Jung , Chae Yee Soo , Jeong Ji Yun , Yoon Ghil Suk , Park Soo Yeun , Kim Hye Jin , Park Jun Seok , Choi Gyu-Seog , Jeong Ji Yun
Published: February 2015

Objectives: The clinical significance of aquaporin-1 (AQP1), aquaporin-3 (AQP3), and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) expression was analyzed in a large number of patients with colon cancer. Methods: AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 expression was investigated based on the immunohistochemistry of tissue microarray specimens from 486 colon cancer patients who underwent curative surgery. Scores were given to the staining intensity and percentage of positive cells, and the staining score was defined as the sum of these scores then used to categorize the AQP expression as negative, weakly AQP-positive, or strongly AQP-positive. Results: A total of 298 (61.3%) patients were identified as strongly AQP1-positive (staining score ≥6), while 38 (7.8%) were strongly AQP3-positive and 145 (29.8%) were strongly AQP5-positive. The overexpression of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis in a multivariate logistic analysis (AQP1, p = 0.026; AQP3, p = 0.023; AQP5, p = 0.003). While the multivariate survival analysis, which included age, histology, TNM stage, and CEA level showed that the expression of AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 had no effect on the overall survival and disease-free survival. Conclusions: The current study found a significant correlation between AQP1, AQP3, and AQP5 expression and lymph node metastasis in patients with surgically resected colon cancer.
Dynamic Organization: Chromosome Domains in Escherichia coli
Authors: Messerschmidt Sonja Julia , Waldminghaus Torsten
Published: February 2015

Bacteria are small and their chromosomes are several orders of magnitude longer than the cell size. The chromosome is consequently compacted into a structure known as the nucleoid. Zooming into the nucleoid of the model organism Escherichia coli reveals additional layers of organization: the chromosomal domains. These domains are much more than simple compaction devices. Essential cellular processes such as chromosome segregation, gene regulation and DNA replication are dependent on the domain organization of the chromosome. Here, we provide an overview of discoveries about micro- and macrodomains in E. coli and discuss potential routes to be taken in future research.
No Overlap among Serum GAD65, NMDAR and AQP4 Antibodies in Patients with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Xie Longchang , Long Youming , Yang Ning , Shan Fulan , Fan Yongxiang , Zhong Rong , Wu Linzhan , Yin Jianrui , Gao Qingchun , Cong Gao
Published: February 2015

Objective: To evaluate whether serum glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR), and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoantibodies coexist in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO)/NMO spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Methods: Serum samples were collected from 98 patients with NMO/NMOSD. Serum GAD65, NMDAR and AQP4 antibodies were measured using a cell-based assay. Results: A total of 63 patients (64.3%) had myelitis and optic neuritis and satisfied the revised diagnostic criteria for NMO. Longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis was seen on spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging, showing continuous T2-weighted signal abnormalities in at least three vertebral segments in 26 patients (26.5%); 5 patients (5.1%) had recurrent optic neuritis, and 4 patients (4.1%) had brain syndromes with optic neuritis and myelitis. None of the 98 patients had diabetes, stiff-man syndrome, or epilepsy. All 98 patients tested positive for AQP4 antibody. No patients tested positive for GAD65 and NMDAR antibodies. Conclusions: In the present study, we found no simultaneous presence of serum GAD65, NMDAR and AQP4 antibodies in patients with NMO/NMOSD.
Imaginarios sociales de la infancia en la política social chilena (2001-2012)
Authors: Herrera-Seda Constanza , Aravena-Reyes Andrea
Published: February 2015

Este es un estudio cualitativo y descriptivo en el que abordamos la construcción de la categoría de infancia en las políticas sociales en Chile entre los años 2002 a 2012, desde el punto de vista de la Teoría de los Imaginarios Sociales. A partir del análisis de los discursos presidenciales a nivel nacional y de los ejecutores de la política social de infancia en la comuna de Concepción, se evidenció la supremacía de un imaginario social de ‘niño o niña como objeto de protección’ y la emergencia de un imaginario de ‘niño o niña como sujeto social’.