bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How often are interventions in cluster-randomised controlled trials of complex interventions in general practices effective and reasons for potential shortcomings? Protocol and results of a feasibility project for a systematic review
Authors: Siebenhofer Andrea , Erckenbrecht Stefanie , Pregartner Gudrun , Berghold Andrea , Muth Christiane
Published: February 2016

Introduction

Most studies conducted at general practices investigate complex interventions and increasingly use cluster-randomised controlled trail (c-RCT) designs to do so. Our primary objective is to evaluate how frequently complex interventions are shown to be more, equally or less effective than routine care in c-RCTs with a superior design. The secondary aim is to discover whether the quality of a c-RCT determines the likelihood of the complex intervention being effective.

Methods and analysis

All c-RCTs of any design that have a patient-relevant primary outcome and with a duration of at least 1 year will be included. The search will be performed in three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)). The screening process, data collection, quality assessment and statistical data analyses (if suitably similar and of adequate quality) will be performed in accordance with requirements of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. A feasibility project was carried out that was restricted to a search in MEDLINE and the CCTR for c-RCTs published in 1 of the 8 journals that are most relevant to general practice. The process from trial selection to data collection, assessment and results presentation was piloted. Of the 512 abstracts identified during the feasibility search, 21 studies examined complex interventions in a general practice setting. Extrapolating the preliminary search to include all relevant c-RCTs in three databases, about 5000 abstracts and 150 primary studies are expected to be identified in the main study. 14 studies included in the feasibility project (67%) did not show a positive effect on a primary patient-relevant end point.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval is not being sought for this review. Findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed journals that frequently publish articles on the results of c-RCTs and through presentations at international conferences.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD201400923.
Association between direct and indirect smoking and osteoarthritis prevalence in Koreans: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kang Kyungrae , Shin Joon-Shik , Lee Jinho , Lee Yoon Jae , Kim Me-riong , Park Ki Byung , Ha In-Hyuk
Published: February 2016

Objectives

To assess the association between smoking patterns and knee and hip joint osteoarthritis (OA) prevalence in Koreans aged 50 years or older with focus on knee OA.

Design

Cross-sectional study using nationally representative data.

Setting

Data were collected at portable Health Examination Centres in Korea.

Participants

Data of 9064 participants of the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012) aged 50 years or older who received knee or hip joint X-rays out of 31 596 total surveyees were analysed.

Primary outcome measures

OA prevalence by smoking behaviour (current smoking, past smoking, indirect smoking and non-smoking).

Secondary outcome measures

Estimated risk of OA by smoking amount, period, pack-years and indirect smoking exposure time to assess the association between smoking-related factors and knee OA by calculating ORs and adjusting for covariates in a complex sampling design. A multinomial logistic regression analysis and backward elimination method was used.

Results

OA prevalence in Koreans aged 50 years or older was 13.9%, with prevalence about 3.5 times higher in women (men 5.7%, women 20.1%). ORs for knee and hip joint OA prevalence by smoking behaviour in male indirect-smokers were lower than those in non-smokers in age and sex (OR 0.271; 95% CI 0.088 to 0.828), and selective adjustments (OR 0.314; 95% CI 0.102 to 0.966). All other analyses for smoking behaviour and total OA prevalence, and knee OA prevalence were not significantly different. Associations between smoking amount, period, pack-years and knee OA prevalence were non-significant in ever-smokers. Associations between indirect smoking exposure time and knee OA prevalence were also non-significant.

Conclusions

This study found that though direct and previous smoking and OA prevalence were not associated, there was a weak relationship between indirect smoking and OA.
Hearing loss in workers exposed to epoxy adhesives and noise: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yang Hsiao-Yu , Shie Ruei-Hao , Chen Pau-Chung
Published: February 2016

Objectives

Epoxy adhesives contain organic solvents and are widely used in industry. The hazardous effects of epoxy adhesives remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the risk of hearing loss among workers exposed to epoxy adhesives and noise.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

For this cross-sectional study, we recruited 182 stone workers who were exposed to both epoxy adhesives and noise, 89 stone workers who were exposed to noise only, and 43 workers from the administrative staff who had not been exposed to adhesives or noise. We obtained demographic data, occupational history and medical history through face-to-face interviews and arranged physical examinations and pure-tone audiometric tests. We also conducted walk-through surveys in the stone industry. A total of 40 representative noise assessments were conducted in 15 workplaces. Air sampling was conducted at 40 workplaces, and volatile organic compounds were analysed using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TO-15 method.

Results

The mean sound pressure level was 87.7 dBA (SD 9.9). The prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss was considerably increased in the stone workers exposed to epoxy adhesives (42%) compared with the stone workers who were not exposed to epoxy adhesives (21%) and the administrative staff group (9.3%). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that exposure to epoxy adhesives significantly increased the risk of hearing loss between 2 and 6 kHz after adjusting for age. Significant interactions between epoxy adhesives and noise and hearing impairment were observed at 3, 4 and 6 kHz.

Conclusions

Epoxy adhesives exacerbate hearing impairment in noisy environments, with the main impacts occurring in the middle and high frequencies.
Strategies for implementing implementation science: a methodological overview
Authors: Handley Margaret A , Gorukanti Anuradha , Cattamanchi Adithya
Published: February 2016

A key reason for the consistent gaps between evidence and practice across all areas of medicine is that there has been little attempt to identify or target factors critical for successful implementation of an evidence-based intervention. There is either no explicit implementation strategy or the strategy is based on a best guess rather than on a systematic assessment of crucial barriers and enablers. A different approach is needed to close the evidence–practice gap and thereby achieve the triple aim of improved health, improved patient experience and reduced healthcare costs. We present three fundamental principles of implementation science, which is a methodology that offers a systematic and comprehensive approach to improving healthcare practice and a series of ‘how to’ steps to conduct implementation science research. In an accompanying article, a scoping review of the types of implementation science research conducted in emergency medicine is reviewed, and several of the principles related to this review are discussed.
Stroke vision, aphasia, neglect (VAN) assessment—a novel emergent large vessel occlusion screening tool: pilot study and comparison with current clinical severity indices
Authors: Teleb Mohamed S , Ver Hage Anna , Carter Jaqueline , Jayaraman Mahesh V , McTaggart Ryan A
Published: February 2016

Background

Identification of emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) stroke has become increasingly important with the recent publications of favorable acute stroke thrombectomy trials. Multiple screening tools exist but the length of the examination and the false positive rate range from good to adequate. A screening tool was designed and tested in the emergency department using nurse responders without a scoring system.

Methods

The vision, aphasia, and neglect (VAN) screening tool was designed to quickly assess functional neurovascular anatomy. While objective, there is no need to calculate or score with VAN. After training participating nurses to use it, VAN was used as an ELVO screen for all stroke patients on arrival to our emergency room before physician evaluation and CT scan.

Results

There were 62 consecutive code stroke activations during the pilot study. 19 (31%) of the patients were VAN positive and 24 (39%) had a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of ≥6. All 14 patients with ELVO were either VAN positive or assigned a NIHSS score ≥6. While both clinical severity thresholds had 100% sensitivity, VAN was more specific (90% vs 74% for NIHSS ≥6). Similarly, while VAN and NIHSS ≥6 had 100% negative predictive value, VAN had a 74% positive predictive value while NIHSS ≥6 had only a 58% positive predictive value.

Conclusions

The VAN screening tool accurately identified ELVO patients and outperformed a NIHSS ≥6 severity threshold and may best allow clinical teams to expedite care and mobilize resources for ELVO patients. A larger study to both validate this screening tool and compare with others is warranted.
Cardiometabolic risk markers of normal weight and excess body weight in Brazilian adolescents
Authors: Mastroeni Silmara Salete de Barros Silva , Mastroeni Marco Fabio , Gonçalves Muryel de Carvalho , Debortoli Guilherme , da Silva Nilza Nunes , Bernal Regina Tomie Ivata , Adamovski Maristela , Veugelers Paul J. , Rondó Patrícia Helen de Carvalho
Published: February 2016

Excess body weight leads to a variety of metabolic changes and increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in adulthood. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of risk markers for CVD among Brazilian adolescents of normal weight and with excess body weight. The markers included blood pressure, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, tumor necrosis factor alpha, fibrinogen, fasting insulin and glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides. We calculated odds ratios (OR) using logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounders such as age, sex, physical activity, and socioeconomic background. Compared with normal weight subjects, overweight/obese adolescents were more likely to have higher systolic blood pressure (OR = 3.49, p < 0.001), fasting insulin (OR = 8.03, p < 0.001), HOMA-IR (OR = 8.03, p < 0.001), leptin (OR = 5.55, p < 0.001), and LDL-c (OR = 5.50, p < 0.001) and lower serum HDL-c concentrations (OR = 2.76, p = 0.004). After adjustment for confounders, the estimates did not change substantially, except for leptin for which the risk associated with overweight increased to 11.09 (95% CI: 4.05–30.35). In conclusion, excess body weight in adolescents exhibits strong associations with several markers that are established as causes of CVD in adults. This observation stresses the importance of primary prevention and of maintaining a healthy body weight throughout adolescence to reduce the global burden of CVD.
Study on the applicability of a retaining wall using batter piles in clay
Authors: Seo Minsu , Im Jong-Chul , Kim Changyoung , Yoo Jae-Won
Published: February 2016

A retaining wall using batter piles has been developed and studied to improve existing earth-retaining structures at Pusan National University. The earth-retaining method is a temporary excavation method using an integrated system of front supports and batter piles. The batter piles connected to the front supports significantly reduce the earth pressure acting on the front supports by distributing it to batter piles to increase structural stability. In this study, the existence of batter piles, the fixity of the tips of front supports or batter piles, the spacing between batter piles, and the verticality of front supports are varied across model tests. The lateral displacement of the earth-retaining wall decreased by approximately 40% and 15% for the existence and fixity of batter piles, respectively. The applicability of the earth-retaining method using batter piles has been verified with finite element analysis and field test execution in clay ground.
A strength criterion for frozen sodium sulfate saline soil
Authors: Liao Mengke , Lai Yuanming , Wang Chong
Published: February 2016

Salt content has been proven to be an important influencing factor on the mechanical properties of frozen saline soils, whose strength criterion is different from that of unfrozen saline soils or frozen soils without salts. In this paper, a series of conventional triaxial tests are carried out for frozen saline soils with sodium sulfate at a temperature of –6 °C. A strength criterion of the frozen saline soils, including the influence of salt content, is established by using the generalized nonlinear strength theory. Based on conventional triaxial test results, a modified hydrostatic pressure expression is proposed according to the critical strength function of the modified Cam clay model in the meridian plane. The influence of salt content on the shear strength of the frozen saline soils is investigated according to their freezing temperature curves as well as the formation of salt and ice crystals. The relationship between salt content and friction angle is analyzed. The proposed strength criterion of frozen saline soil is proved to be reliable by extrusion elongation triaxial tests. This criterion can reasonably reflect the major nonlinear strength characteristics of frozen saline soils, including the influences of change in salt content, pressure melting, and ice crushing.
Carbon sequestration and the optimal forest harvest decision under alternative baseline policies
Authors: Asante Patrick , Armstrong Glen
Published: February 2016

The choice of a baseline against which to evaluate changes in carbon stocks is a critical component of any forest carbon offset market. In this paper, we use a discrete dynamic programming model and data from a lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) stand in northeastern British Columbia, Canada, to demonstrate that different baselines have little or no effect on optimal harvest decision but can have a large impact on economic returns to a landowner. The results reveal that the magnitude of the financial return to the landowner is dependent on the starting conditions of both the predetermined baseline and the proposed carbon offset project. The study also shows that when given the choice between alternative baselines, a landowner will always choose a fixed baseline over a business-as-usual baseline.
Energy, fine structure, hyperfine structure, and transitions for the high-lying multi-excited 4Pe,o states of B-like ions
Authors: Zhang Chun Mei , Sun Yan , Chen Chao , Wang Feng , Shao Bin , Gou Bing Cong
Published: February 2016

The energies of the high-lying multi-excited states 1s22s2pnl and 1s22p2nl 4Pe,o (n ≥ 2) for B-like C+, N2+, F4+, and Mg7+ ions are calculated using Rayleigh–Ritz variation method with multiconfiguration interaction, and the inclusion of mass polarization and relativistic corrections. The fine structure and hyperfine structure for these systems are investigated using first-order perturbation theory. The configuration structure of the high-lying multi-excited series is identified not only by energy, but also by its contribution to normalization of the angular spin components, and it is further tested by the addition of relativistic corrections and fine structure splittings. Transition wavelengths including the quantum electrodynamic effects and higher-order relativistic corrections are determined.
Regional patterns of habitat use by a threatened forest bird, the Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli), in Quebec
Authors: Aubry Yves , Desrochers André , Seutin Gilles
Published: February 2016

Conservation of threatened species often uses habitat models to inform management of habitat and populations. We examined habitat use by Bicknell’s Thrush (Catharus bicknelli (Ridgway, 1882)), a federally “Threatened” species, in two Appalachian regions, shaped by forestry activities, of southern Quebec. Within its breeding range, the species inhabits mountain tops and forests subjected to various logging activities. We assessed the role of vegetation and topography at two spatial scales, as well as spatial relationships with Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus (Nuttall, 1840)), identified as a potential competitor by some authors. In both regions, Bicknell’s Thrushes were most likely to be reported at high elevations, in forest stands with high tree stem densities that underwent little or no stem reduction from forestry activities. Swainson’s Thrushes were present at all sites were Bicknell’s Thrushes were reported. These results are consistent with findings from studies in northeastern parts of its breeding range. We conclude that forest-stand thinning should be kept to a minimum throughout the high-elevation nesting habitat of Bicknell’s Thrush.
DETERMINANTS OF DEFENCE INDUSTRY CORRUPTION RISK: FIRM LEVEL EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE USING TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL’S ANTI-CORRUPTION INDEX
Authors: KRISHNAMURTI CHANDRASEKHAR , PENSIERO DOMENICO , VELAYUTHAM ESWARAN
Published: February 2016

Since there is a general perception that the defence industry is more susceptible to corruption compared to other sectors, using a unique database provided by Transparency International (TI), we examine the role of firm level antecedents on firm level corruption risk in the defence industry. We find that larger firms have lower levels of firm level corruption risk. Managerial shareholding is associated with higher levels of corruption risk. Firms that voluntarily disclose more information regarding their corruption control systems tend to have lower levels of corruption risk. Finally, listed firms also have lower levels of firm level corruption risk. We find that the “listing effect” is stronger among firms in financially developed countries ostensibly due to the better scrutiny and monitoring by market participants. In our analysis, we control for country level variables such as a composite index of government effectiveness in controlling defence industry corruption.
Imaginary Scators Bound Set Under the Iterated Quadratic Mapping in 1 + 2 Dimensional Parameter Space
Authors: Fernández-Guasti M.
Published: February 2016

The quadratic iteration is mapped within a nondistributive imaginary scator algebra in [Formula: see text] dimensions. The Mandelbrot set is identically reproduced at two perpendicular planes where only the scalar and one of the hypercomplex scator director components are present. However, the bound three-dimensional S set projections change dramatically even for very small departures from zero of the second hypercomplex plane. The S set exhibits a rich fractal-like boundary in three dimensions. Periodic points with period [Formula: see text], are shown to be necessarily surrounded by points that produce a divergent magnitude after [Formula: see text] iterations. The scator set comprises square nilpotent elements that ineluctably belong to the bound set. Points that are square nilpotent on the [Formula: see text]th iteration, have preperiod 1 and period [Formula: see text]. Two-dimensional plots are presented to show some of the main features of the set. A three-dimensional rendering reveals the highly complex structure of its boundary.
Integrability of Lotka–Volterra Planar Complex Cubic Systems
Authors: Dukarić Maša , Giné Jaume
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we study the Lotka–Volterra complex cubic systems. We obtain necessary conditions of integrability for these systems with some restriction on the parameters. The sufficiency is proved for all conditions, except one which remains open, using different methods.
Hopf Bifurcations in Two-Strategy Delayed Replicator Dynamics
Authors: Wesson Elizabeth , Rand Richard , Rand David
Published: February 2016

We investigate the dynamics of two-strategy replicator equations in which the fitness of each strategy is a function of the population frequencies delayed by a time interval [Formula: see text]. We analyze two models: in the first, all terms in the fitness are delayed, while in the second, only opposite-strategy terms are delayed. We compare the two models via a linear homotopy. Taking the delay [Formula: see text] as a bifurcation parameter, we demonstrate the existence of (nondegenerate) Hopf bifurcations in both models, and present an analysis of the resulting limit cycles using Lindstedt’s method.
On the Long-Term Correlations and Multifractal Properties of Electric Arc Furnace Time Series
Authors: Livi Lorenzo , Maiorino Enrico , Rizzi Antonello , Sadeghian Alireza
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we study long-term correlations and multifractal properties elaborated from time series of three-phase current signals from an industrial electric arc furnace. Implicit sinusoidal trends are suitably detected by considering the scaling of the fluctuation functions. Time series are then filtered via a Fourier-based analysis to remove such strong periodicities. In the filtered time series we detected long-term, positive correlations. The presence of positive correlations is in agreement with the typical V–I characteristic (hysteresis) of the electric arc furnace, thus providing a sound physical justification for the memory effects found in the current time series. The multifractal signature is strong enough in the filtered time series to be effectively classified as multifractal.
Invariant Approach to Existence Problem of Chaos in 3D Autonomous Quadratic Dynamical Systems
Authors: Belozyorov Vasiliy Ye.
Published: February 2016

New existence conditions of chaos for a wide class of 3D autonomous quadratic dynamical systems are suggested. These conditions are based on the construction and study of properties of algebraic invariants for some 2D quadratic system differential equations.
Discrete Fractional Diffusion Equation of Chaotic Order
Authors: Wu Guo-Cheng , Baleanu Dumitru , Xie He-Ping , Zeng Sheng-Da
Published: February 2016

Discrete fractional calculus is suggested in diffusion modeling in porous media. A variable-order fractional diffusion equation is proposed on discrete time scales. A function of the variable order is constructed by a chaotic map. The model shows some new random behaviors in comparison with other variable-order cases.
An Integrated Model Combined ARIMA, EMD with SVR for Stock Indices Forecasting
Authors: Yang Heng-Li , Lin Han-Chou
Published: February 2016

Financial time series forecasting has become a challenge because it is noisy, non-stationary and chaotic. To overcome this limitation, this paper uses empirical mode decomposition (EMD) to aid the financial time series forecasting and proposes an approach via combining ARIMA and SVR (Support Vector Regression) to forecast. The approach contains four steps: (1) using ARIMA to analyze the linear part of the original time series; (2) EMD is used to decompose the dynamics of the non-linear part into several intrinsic mode function (IMF) components and one residual component; (3) developing a SVR model using the above IMFs and residual components as inputs to model the nonlinear part; (4) combining the forecasting results of linear model and nonlinear model. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach, four stock indices are chosen as the forecasting targets. Comparing with some existing state-of-the-art models, the proposed approach gives superior results.
WASD Algorithm with Pruning-While-Growing and Twice-Pruning Techniques for Multi-Input Euler Polynomial Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Yunong , Wang Ying , Li Weibing , Chou Yao , Zhang Zhijun
Published: February 2016

Differing from the conventional back-propagation (BP) neural networks, a novel multi-input Euler polynomial neural network, in short, MIEPNN (specifically, 4-input Euler polynomial neural network, 4IEPNN) is established and investigated in this paper. In order to achieve satisfactory performance of the established MIEPNN, a weights and structure determination (WASD) algorithm with pruning-while-growing (PWG) and twice-pruning (TP) techniques is built up for the established MIEPNN. By employing the weights direct determination (WDD) method, the WASD algorithm not only determines the optimal connecting weights between hidden layer and output layer directly, but also obtains the optimal number of hidden-layer neurons. Specifically, a sub-optimal structure is obtained via the PWG technique, then the redundant hidden-layer neurons are further pruned via the TP technique. Consequently, the optimal structure of the MIEPNN is obtained. To provide a reasonable choice in practice, several different MATLAB computing routines related to the WDD method are studied. Comparative numerical-experiment results of the 4IEPNN using these different MATLAB computing routines and the standard multi-layer perceptron (MLP) neural network further verify the superior performance and efficacy of the proposed MIEPNN equipped with the WASD algorithm including PWG and TP techniques in terms of training, testing and predicting.
Shape Classification Based on Geometric Features of Evolution Points via Sparse Representation
Authors: Mahdikhanlou Khadijeh , Ebrahimnezhad Hossein
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a novel shape descriptor for shape recognition is proposed. An evolutionary process is introduced in which a contour is reconstructed from the bounding circle of the shape. In this evolutionary process, circle points always move toward the shape in normal direction until they arrive at the shape contour. Three different descriptors are extracted from this process: the first descriptor is defined as the number of steps that every circle point should pass from circle to shape contour which is called evolution steps (ES). The second descriptor is considered as the boundary distance (BD) of the sample points at the end of the evolution process. The third descriptor is the mean of curvature of the evolution lines that are created by moving points, (MCEL). In matching stage, dynamic programming is employed to best matching between shapes. Finally, normalizing the features makes them to be invariant to scale. Sparse representation as a new framework for classification is applied in the recognition stage. The proposed descriptors are evaluated for task of shape recognition on several data sets. Experimental results demonstrate the advantaged performance of the proposed method in shape recognition.
A note on dual automorphism invariant modules
Authors: Selvaraj C. , Santhakumar S.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we investigate some properties of dual automorphism invariant modules over right perfect rings. Also, we introduce the notion of dual automorphism invariant cover and prove the existence of dual automorphism invariant cover. Moreover, we give the necessary and sufficient condition for every cyclic module to be a dual automorphism invariant module over a semi perfect ring and we prove that supplemented quasi projective module has finite exchange property. Also we give a characterization of a perfect ring using dual automorphism invariant module.
Automorphism-invariant semi-Artinian modules
Authors: Tuganbaev A. A.
Published: February 2016

It is proved that semi-Artinian module [Formula: see text] is an automorphism-invariant module if and only if [Formula: see text] is an automorphism-extendable module.
Modulation of Physical Properties of Sprayed ZnO Thin Films by Substrate Temperature for Optical Applications
Authors: Othmane Mohamed , Attaf Abdallah , Saidi Hanane , Bouaichi Fouad , Lehraki Nadia , Nouadji Malika , Poulain Marcel , Benramache Said
Published: February 2016

We investigated the structural, electrical and optical properties of zinc oxide thin films as the n-type semiconductor. In the present paper, the effect of substrate temperature on the synthesis of ZnO thin films was carried out from 250[Formula: see text]C to 500[Formula: see text]C. ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrates via ultrasonic spray technique with 0.2[Formula: see text]mol/L of zinc acetate dehydrate. The crystal quality of the thin films was analyzed by X-ray diffraction which results in modified substrate temperature. The optical transmittance and electrical conductivity measurements were carried out by Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and four-point methods, respectively. Polycrystalline films with a hexagonal wurtzite structure with (100) and (002) preferential orientation corresponding to ZnO films were observed at high temperature. The optimal values of the average crystallite size of the ZnO films under consideration are observed beginning with 350[Formula: see text]C of substrate temperature. All films exhibit an average optical transparency of about 85% in the visible region. The shift of optical transmittance toward higher wavelength can be shown by the increase of bandgap energy from 3.245[Formula: see text]eV to 3.281[Formula: see text]eV with increasing substrate temperature of 250–500[Formula: see text]C. The observed Urbach energy of ZnO thin films decreases from 0.11311[Formula: see text]eV to 0.04974[Formula: see text]eV. At a high temperature, the electrical conductivity of ZnO films was increased from [Formula: see text] to 41.58 ([Formula: see text].cm)[Formula: see text] with the increasing substrate temperature from 350[Formula: see text]C to 500[Formula: see text]C.
Moment map and gauge geometric aspects of the Schrödinger and Pauli equations
Authors: Spera Mauro
Published: February 2016

In this paper we discuss various geometric aspects related to the Schrödinger and the Pauli equations. First we resume the Madelung–Bohm hydrodynamical approach to quantum mechanics and recall the Hamiltonian structure of the Schrödinger equation. The probability current provides an equivariant moment map for the group [Formula: see text] of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms of [Formula: see text] (rapidly approaching the identity at infinity) and leads to a current algebra of Rasetti–Regge type. The moment map picture is then extended, mutatis mutandis, to the Pauli equation and to generalized Schrödinger equations of the Pauli–Thomas type. A gauge theoretical reinterpretation of all equations is obtained via the introduction of suitable Maurer–Cartan gauge fields and it is then related to Weyl geometric and pilot wave ideas. A general framework accommodating Aharonov–Bohm and Aharonov–Casher effects is presented within the gauge approach. Furthermore, a kind of holomorphic geometric quantization can be performed and yields natural “coherent state” representations of [Formula: see text]. The relationship with the covariant phase space and density manifold approaches is then outlined. Comments on possible extensions to nonlinear Schrödinger equations, on Fisher-information theoretic aspects and on stochastic mechanics are finally made.
Gravitational red shift and time delay of radar echo in f(R)-gravity
Authors: Wang Ying , He Feng
Published: February 2016

Sobouti proposes an action-based [Formula: see text] modification of Einstein’s gravity, which admits a similar Schwarzschild metric. A test star moving in such a space–time acquires a constant asymptotic speed at large distances. As we are concerned with two classical tests of Einstein’s theory which are gravitational red shift of spectral lines and time delay of radar echo passing the sun, we shall calculate them in the [Formula: see text]-gravity and show that the results are consistent with the experimental observation data.
Vitamin D attenuates inflammation in CFTR knockdown intestinal epithelial cells but has no effect in cells with intact CFTR
Authors: Morin Geneviève , Orlando Valérie , St-Martin Crites Karoline , Patey Natacha , Mailhot Geneviève
Published: February 2016

The cystic fibrosis (CF) intestine is characterized by chronic inflammation. CF patients are instructed to ingest supplemental vitamin D on a daily basis thereby exposing their intestinal tract to pharmacological amounts of this vitamin. It has been shown that vitamin D exerts intestinal anti-inflammatory properties. We therefore postulate that vitamin D may be beneficial in the management of CF intestinal inflammation by attenuating cellular inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of the oral form of vitamin D3(cholecalciferol) and its metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, on cytokine-induced inflammatory responses in intestinal epithelial Caco-2/15 cells with intact expression of CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and knockdown for CFTR. We show that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3inhibited p38MAPK phosphorylation and that these effects were not mediated by changes in the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1). However, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3exhibited superior anti-inflammatory effects as it furthermore reduced cytokine-induced NF-κB nuclear translocation and interleukin-8 mRNA stability and secretion. Intriguingly, the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin D metabolites were only observed in CFTR knockdown cells, which may be explained by alterations in its catabolism associated with changes in CYP24A1 expression. These observations were supported in vivo whereby Cftr−/−mice fed large amounts of vitamin D3for 2 mo led to a reduction in the number of eosinophils and apoptotic cells in the duodenal mucosa of females but not males. Altogether, these findings suggest that vitamin D exerts intestinal anti-inflammatory actions under specific circumstances and may thus prove beneficial in CF.
WISE 2005: Aerobic and resistive countermeasures prevent paraspinal muscle deconditioning during 60-day bed rest in women
Authors: Holt Jacquelyn A. , Macias Brandon R. , Schneider Suzanne M. , Watenpaugh Donald E. , Lee Stuart M. C. , Chang Douglas G. , Hargens Alan R.
Published: February 2016

Microgravity-induced lumbar paraspinal muscle deconditioning may contribute to back pain commonly experienced by astronauts and may increase the risk of postflight injury. We hypothesized that a combined resistive and aerobic exercise countermeasure protocol that included spinal loading would mitigate lumbar paraspinal muscle deconditioning during 60 days of bed rest in women. Sixteen women underwent 60-day, 6° head-down-tilt bed rest (BR) and were randomized into control and exercise groups. During bed rest the control group performed no exercise. The exercise group performed supine treadmill exercise within lower body negative pressure (LBNP) for 3-4 days/wk and flywheel resistive exercise for 2–3 days/wk. Paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured using a lumbar spine MRI sequence before and after BR. In addition, isokinetic spinal flexion and extension strengths were measured before and after BR. Data are presented as means ± SD. Total lumbar paraspinal muscle CSA decreased significantly more in controls (10.9 ± 3.4%) than in exercisers (4.3 ± 3.4%; P < 0.05). The erector spinae was the primary contributor (76%) to total lumbar paraspinal muscle loss. Moreover, exercise attenuated isokinetic spinal extension loss (−4.3 ± 4.5%), compared with controls (−16.6 ± 11.2%; P < 0.05). In conclusion, LBNP treadmill and flywheel resistive exercises during simulated microgravity mitigate decrements in lumbar paraspinal muscle structure and spine function. Therefore spaceflight exercise countermeasures that attempt to reproduce spinal loads experienced on Earth may mitigate spinal deconditioning during long-duration space travel.
Mechanical Thrombectomy-Ready Comprehensive Stroke Center Requirements and Endovascular Stroke Systems of Care: Recommendations from the Endovascular Stroke Standards Committee of the Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN)
Authors: English Joey D. , Yavagal Dileep R. , Gupta Rishi , Janardhan Vallabh , Zaidat Osama O. , Xavier Andrew R. , Nogueira Raul G. , Kirmani Jawad F. , Jovin Tudor G.
Published: February 2016

Five landmark multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded end point clinical trials have recently demonstrated significant clinical benefit of endovascular therapy with mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients presenting with proximal intracranial large vessel occlusions. The Society of Vascular and Interventional Neurology (SVIN) appointed an expert writing committee to summarize this new evidence and make recommendations on how these data should guide emergency endovascular therapy for AIS patients.
Granzymes A and B Regulate the Local Inflammatory Response during Klebsiella pneumoniae Pneumonia
Authors: García-Laorden M. Isabel , Stroo Ingrid , Blok Dana C. , Florquin Sandrine , Medema Jan Paul , de Vos Alex F. , van der Poll Tom
Published: February 2016

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common cause of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Granzymes (gzms), mainly found in cytotoxic lymphocytes, have been implicated as mediators of infection and inflammation. We here sought to investigate the role of gzmA and gzmB in the host response to K. pneumoniae-induced airway infection and sepsis. For this purpose, pneumonia was induced in wild-type (WT) and gzmA-deficient (gzmA-/-), gzmB-/- and gzmAxB-/- mice by intranasal infection with K. pneumoniae. In WT mice, gzmA and gzmB were mainly expressed by natural killer cells. Pneumonia was associated with reduced intracellular gzmA and increased intracellular gzmB levels. Gzm deficiency had little impact on antibacterial defence: gzmA-/- and gzmAxB-/- mice transiently showed modestly higher bacterial loads in the lungs but not in distant organs. GzmB-/- and, to a larger extent, gzmAxB-/- mice displayed transiently increased lung inflammation, reflected in the semi-quantitative histology scores and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Most differences between gzm-deficient and WT mice had disappeared during late-stage pneumonia. Gzm deficiency did not impact on distant organ injury or survival. These results suggest that gzmA and gzmB partly regulate local inflammation during early pneumonia but eventually play an insignificant role during pneumosepsis by the common human pathogen K. pneumoniae.
Sorafenib Monotherapy in a Patient with Unresectable Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma
Authors: Kobayashi Noritoshi , Shimamura Takeshi , Tokuhisa Motohiko , Goto Ayumu , Ichikawa Yasushi
Published: February 2016

A 49-year-old Japanese man had multiple huge masses (max. size 60 mm diameter) in his liver. These tumors were pathologically diagnosed by tumor biopsy as epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas of the liver. In this case, multiple liver tumors existed in both lobes. Also this patient did not agree to receive surgical resection including liver transplantation. Chemotherapy with sorafenib at a dose of 400 mg/body twice a day was started. About 6 months later, CT findings revealed that these tumors were shrinking slightly; 33 months later, the tumors obviously showed a partial response in accordance with the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST). Also 60 months later, the partial response continued with sorafenib monotherapy.
How Protective Mechanisms Interact to Prevent Overnight Calcium Phosphate Precipitation - An Observational Study to Determine Factors Against Calcium Phosphate Lithogenesis in a Healthy Cohort
Authors: Shafiee Mohammad A. , Logan Alexander G. , Halperin Mitchell L.
Published: February 2016

Background/Aims: As restful, non-interrupted sleep is essential for normal mental and physical functioning, the urine flow rate (UFR) overnight remains low. Due to this reduced UFR, the kidneys produce a lower urine volume, which may lead to supersaturation of lithogens in the renal collecting system. The protective mechanisms that prevent the rise in the concentration of the lithogenic substances in urine, such as calcium phosphate, are explored. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 26 subjects every 2-3 h during daylight with one nocturnal collection; the UFR was calculated in the median time for each collection period. Urinary constituents for calcium phosphate precipitation including electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, citrate, and pH were measured. Comparisons within individuals were done by paired t test. Results: The calcium excretion rate fell significantly overnight (from 2.4 ± 0.2 µmol/min during the daytime to 1.5 ± 0.3 µmol/min, p < 0.05), in parallel with sodium excretion (54 ± 16 µmol/min from its daytime 127 ± 12 µmol/min, p < 0.05), preventing nocturnal calcium concentration from increasing (3.0 ± 0.3 mmol/l daytime to 2.5 ± 0.5 mmol/l overnight), while citrate concentration did not change significantly. The total urine phosphate concentration rose significantly overnight (daytime 18.7 ± 1.4 µmol/min vs. nocturnal 20.9 ± 1.7 µmol/min), but the concentration of divalent phosphate did not increase in the overnight period. Conclusions: Although the UFR was lower overnight, there was no evidence that the risk of calcium phosphate precipitate formation in healthy subjects was increased.
Adjuvant Dose-Dense Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer: Standard of Care in High-Risk Patients
Authors: Möbus Volker
Published: February 2016

Meta-analyses persistently confirm the superiority of dose-dense chemotherapy in comparison with standard chemotherapy. In contrast, individual studies have shown conflicting results. These may be explained by different risk profiles of the treated patient populations. Some trials show a significant advantage in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in the estrogen receptor (ER)-negative population only, whereas trials with high-risk populations like GIM-2 (Gruppo Italiano Mammella) and AGO-iddETC (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, intense dose-dense epirubicin, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide) show a significant superiority in DFS and OS for both, ER-negative and ER-positive patients even after 7 and 10 years, respectively, of follow-up. In contrast, the 10-year follow-up data of the E1199/Intergroup trial no longer showed any superiority of weekly paclitaxel for ER-positive/HER2-negative patients; superiority was observed in the triple-negative subgroup only. Although a direct head-to-head comparison is missing, iddETC or 4 cycles each of dose-dense epirubicin/cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel are the preferred adjuvant regimens for patients at risk. Patients with ≥ 4 positive lymph nodes should preferentially be treated with iddETC.
Intravitreal Daptomycin for Recalcitrant Postoperative Endophthalmitis
Authors: Sim Jennifer M. , Kapoor Kapil G. , Wagner Alan L.
Published: February 2016

Purpose: To report the first case to our knowledge of intravitreal daptomycin used to successfully treat culture-negative vancomycin resistant to exogenous endophthalmitis. Methods: Case report with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings. Results: A 63-year-old Caucasian male underwent routine pars plana vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane peeling. He developed acute postoperative endophthalmitis, and underwent vitreous tap and injection of intravitreal vancomycin/ceftazidime/dexamethasone. Gram stain showed Gram-positive cocci, but cultures were negative. His infection subsequently proved very recalcitrant and his treatment course involved pars plana vitrectomy with anterior chamber washout and repeat injection of antibiotics, followed by repeat intravitreal vancomycin and ceftazidime. Ultimately, a second vitrectomy with intravitreal daptomycin controlled his intraocular infection. On each occasion, cultures were negative. Conclusion: This case suggests that vancomycin resistance should be considered in culture-negative postoperative endophthalmitis, and intravitreal daptomycin should be considered as an important treatment alternative. Although vancomycin resistance is fairly rare in endophthalmitis, acknowledgment of its increasing occurrence rate is critical for optimal management.
Cognitive Function and White Matter Changes Associated with Renal Transplantation
Authors: Gupta Aditi , Lepping Rebecca J. , Yu Alan S.L. , Perea Rodrigo D. , Honea Robyn A. , Johnson David K. , Brooks William M. , Burns Jeffrey M.
Published: February 2016

Background: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is a disease with an aging population and a high prevalence of cognitive impairment affecting quality of life, health care costs and mortality. Structural changes in the brain with decreased white matter integrity have been observed in ESRD. Understanding the changes in cognition and associated changes in brain structure after renal transplantation can help define the mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment in ESRD. Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational cohort study in ESRD patients listed for renal transplantation and followed them post-transplantation. We assessed their cognitive function with a battery of neuropsychological tests and brain white matter integrity with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) both before transplant and 3 months after transplant. Results: Eleven patients, aged 56.5 ± 10.7 years, completed the study. Cognitive measures of memory and executive function improved after the transplant, specifically on tests of logical memory I (p = 0.004), logical memory II (p = 0.003) and digit symbol (p < 0.0001). DTI metrics also improved post the transplant with an increase in fractional anisotropy (p = 0.01) and decrease in mean diffusivity (p = 0.004). These changes were more prominent in tracts associated with memory and executive function. Conclusions: Cognitive function, particularly memory and executive function, improve post the transplant with concurrent improvements in white matter integrity in tracts associated with memory and executive function. These data suggest that abnormalities in cognition and brain structure seen in the ESRD population are at least partially reversible.
Ascending Aortic Aneurysm in Angiotensin II–Infused Mice
Authors: Trachet Bram , Piersigilli Alessandra , Fraga-Silva Rodrigo A. , Aslanidou Lydia , Sordet-Dessimoz Jessica , Astolfo Alberto , Stampanoni Marco F.M. , Segers Patrick , Stergiopulos Nikolaos
Published: February 2016

Objective—

To understand the anatomy and physiology of ascending aortic aneurysms in angiotensin II–infused ApoE
−/−
mice.

Approach and Results—

We combined an extensive in vivo imaging protocol (high-frequency ultrasound and contrast-enhanced microcomputed tomography at baseline and after 3, 10, 18, and 28 days of angiotensin II infusion) with synchrotron-based ultrahigh resolution ex vivo imaging (phase contrast X-ray tomographic microscopy) in n=47 angiotensin II–infused mice and 6 controls. Aortic regurgitation increased significantly over time, as did the luminal volume of the ascending aorta. In the samples that were scanned ex vivo, we observed one or several focal dissections, with the largest located in the outer convex aspect of the ascending aorta. The volume of the dissections moderately correlated to the volume of the aneurysm as measured in vivo (
r
2
=0.46). After 3 days of angiotensin II infusion, we found an interlaminar hematoma in 7/12 animals, which could be linked to an intimal tear. There was also a significant increase in single laminar ruptures, which may have facilitated a progressive enlargement of the focal dissections over time. At later time points, the hematoma was resorbed and the medial and adventitial thickness increased. Fatal transmural dissection occurred in 8/47 mice at an early stage of the disease, before adventita remodeling.

Conclusions—

We visualized and quantified the dissections that lead to ascending aortic aneurysms in angiotensin II–infused mice and provided unique insight into the temporal evolution of these lesions.