bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospective cohort study of phenotypic variation based on an anal sphincter function in adults with fecal incontinence
Authors: Brochard C. , Bouguen G. , Bodère A. , Ropert A. , Mallet A‐L. , Morcet J. , Bretagne J‐F. , Siproudhis L.
Published: May 2016

Background

One‐third of patients with fecal incontinence (FI) do not have any anal dysfunction. The aim was to characterize patients with FI with normal anal function compared with patients with anal weakness.

Methods

The general characteristics and data of anal manometry, endosonography, and defecography of patients who were evaluated for FI at a single institution from 2005 to 2015 were prospectively assessed. Fecal incontinence was defined by the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS) >4. Anal weakness was defined by one or more of the three following parameters: <25 mmHg at the upper part of the anal canal, <26 mmHg at the lower part of the anal canal, and <60 mmHg for the mean squeeze pressure.

Key Results

A total of 439 patients with FI were included (152 with normal anal function/287 with anal weakness). Severe constipation (Kess score ≥21) was predominant in patients with normal anal function (44/151 vs 50/284, respectively; p = 0.0054). Fecal incontinence with normal anal function was significantly associated with lower age (>63 years; odds ratio [OR] = 0.29), higher weight (>65 kg; OR = 1.69), fecal urgency (OR = 1.58), less severe FI score (CCIS score >10; OR = 0.52), higher abdominal pressure (>36 mmHg; OR = 2.15), and paradoxical puborectal contraction (OR = 2.07) in a multivariate analysis model.

Conclusion & inferences

Fecal incontinence with normal anal function is a specific phenotype that involves distal constipation and may be an early stage of FI with anal weakness. Physicians should adapt their management to focus on the treatment of constipation.
Prestimulus alpha power influences response criterion in a detection task
Authors: Limbach Katharina , Corballis Paul M.
Published: May 2016

Recent studies have linked variability in near‐threshold stimulus detection to fluctuations in the prestimulus EEG alpha power (α, ∼8–12 Hz). Typically, these studies rely on hit rate as a measure of detection performance and show that detection is enhanced when α power is low compared to when it is high. However, hit rates are determined by both sensitivity to the stimulus and the placement of the response criterion. Here, we investigated the relationships between prestimulus α power and variability in these two measures on a single‐trial basis. We confirm earlier reports that detection is inversely related to power in the individual α‐frequency band. However, our results show a stronger relationship between α power and response criterion than with sensitivity. Higher α power was related to a more conservative response criterion (i.e., more “no” responses). A response criterion that varies depending on α power might help to optimize performance in an excited state and protect against false positives in a relatively disengaged state.
Religion and Non‐traditional Families in the United States
Authors: Perry Samuel L. , Whitehead Andrew L.
Published: May 2016

Family forms that have historically been considered “nontraditional” and even “transgressive” are becoming increasingly accepted in the United States, bringing the United States into greater conformity with other western nations. The United States is still unique, however, in that religion continues to play an exceptionally powerful role in shaping Americans' perceptions of and engagement in non‐traditional families. Focusing our attention on same‐sex and interracial families specifically, we consider the recent work on how religion serves to stimulate and justify opposition or (in a minority of instances) support for such families. We contend that studies typically limit their focus to the cognitive aspects (beliefs, ideologies, identities, schemas, salience, etc.) of religion, while often ignoring the influence of religion's more structural aspects in shaping Americans' relationship to non‐traditional families. Given that religion impacts Americans' approaches to family formation at the micro, meso, and macro levels, we propose a more Durkheimian perspective on the topic, one that synthesizes social psychological and structural frameworks in future studies, thus allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of religion's evolving role in American family formation. We also call for more attention to how religion shapes the functioning of non‐traditional families.
Challenges of bacterial meningitis case management in low income settings: an experience from Ethiopia
Authors: Gudina Esayas Kebede , Tesfaye Markos , Adane Aynishet , Lemma Kinfe , Shibiru Tamiru , Pfister Hans‐Walter , Klein Matthias
Published: May 2016

Objective

To investigate the current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies used in the care of patients with suspected bacterial meningitis at teaching hospitals in Ethiopia.

Methods

This was a hospital‐based retrospective study conducted at four teaching hospitals in different regions of Ethiopia. Participants were patients aged 14 years and older treated for suspected bacterial meningitis. Presenting complaints, diagnostic strategies used and treatments given were obtained from clinical records.

Result

A total of 425 patients were included in the study; 52.7% were men and 83.8% were younger than 50 years. Fever, headache, neck stiffness and impaired consciousness were the most common clinical presentations; 55.5% underwent lumbar puncture. Overall, only 96 (22.6%) patients had cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities compatible with bacterial meningitis. A causative bacterium was identified in only 14 cases. Ceftriaxone was used as the empiric treatment of choice, either alone or in combination with other antibiotics; 17.6% of patients were also given vancomycin. Adjunctive dexamethasone was given to 50.4%.

Conclusion

Most patients treated as bacterial meningitis did not receive a proper diagnostic workup. The choice of antibiotic was not tailored to the specific clinical condition of the patient. Such an approach may result in poor treatment outcomes and lead to antibiotic resistance. Management of patients with suspected bacterial meningitis should be supported by analysis of cerebrospinal fluid, and treatment should be tailored to local evidence and current evidence‐based recommendations.
Determinants of Audit Committee Independence in the Financial Sector of Bangladesh
Authors: Adhikary Bishnu Kumar , Mitra Ranjan Kumar
Published: May 2016

This paper examines the determining factors of the audit committee independence in the financial sector of Bangladesh by employing a cross-sectional regression analysis on 72 financial firms. The paper reveals that firms with large boards and more non-executive directors tend to provide more independence to the auditors. Also, large firms with potential growth opportunities show less interest in giving freedom to the audit committee members; whereas firms with the higher leverage demand more audit committee independence to confirm quality monitoring and quality financial statements. The study, however, reveals a negative relationship between the size of the audit committee and its work independence. The study also does not find any significant association between audit committee independence and presence of experts in the audit committee, percentage of insider ownership, free cash flow, and firms’ profitability.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: May 2016

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 2   Abdul Azim Akhtar, Abdul Zahoor Khan, Bashar Malkawi, Begoña Montero-Fleta, Hanaa Youssef Shaarawy Jenny Tonsing, K.O. Aramide, MANZOOR KHAN AFRIDI, Mónica Martínez Gómez, Patricia Wiener, Priyono, Rachael Walsh, Rachita Shrivastava Roy, Seyyedeh Mina Hamedi Hamedi, Zitha Mokomane,     James Young Editorial Assistant On behalf of, The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science Studies Redfame Publishing 9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416 Beaverton, OR 97008, USA URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Young James
Published: May 2016

International Journal of Social Science Studies (IJSSS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether IJSSS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue. Reviewers for Volume 4, Number 4 Abdul Azim Akhtar Abdul Zahoor Khan Aslan,Yasin Dipankar Chatterjee Jangraiz Khan JEHU ONYEKWERE NNAJI Julia M. Mack Luigia Simona Sica Małgorzata Haładewicz Maria Virginia G Aguilar Michael Brooks Patricia Wiener Priyono Rachita Shrivastava Roy Remigiusz Kijak         James Young Editorial Assistant On behalf of, The Editorial Board of International Journal of Social Science Studies Redfame Publishing 9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416 Beaverton, OR 97008, USA URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com
Whistle comparison of four delphinid species in Southeastern Brazil
Authors: Lima Isabela M. S. , Andrade Luciana G. , Bittencourt Lis , Bisi Tatiana L. , Flach Leonardo , Lailson-Brito José , Azevedo Alexandre F.
Published: May 2016

The present study evaluates variations in frequency and duration parameters of whistles of four dolphin species (Sotalia guianensis, Steno bredanensis, Stenella frontalis, and Tursiops truncatus), recorded in the Rio de Janeiro State Coast, Southeastern Brazil. A total of 487 whistles were analyzed. Acoustic parameters of the whistles were classified to species by discriminant function analysis. Overall classification score was 72.5%, with the highest classification score obtained for whistles of S. bredanensis and the lowest obtained for S. frontalis. Most differences were among S. bredanensis and S. guianensis, species that did not have their repertoires compared in other studies.
The Effect of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program on Physical Activity and Health-Related Fitness in Children From Low-Income Families
Authors: Brusseau Timothy A. , Hannon James , Burns Ryan
Published: May 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) on physical activity and health-related fitness (HRF) in children from low-income families.

Methods:

Participants included 1390 children recruited from kindergarten through sixth grade (mean age = 8.4 ± 1.8 years). Physical activity measures were collected at baseline and at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after program implementation, and HRF measures were collected at baseline and at 12 weeks after program implementation.

Results:

There were significant but weak-to-moderate increases in step counts (mean difference = 603.1 steps, P < .001, d = 0.39) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (mean difference = 4.9 minutes, P < .001, d = 0.39) at 12 weeks compared with baseline. There were also significant but moderate increases in Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run laps (mean difference = 6.5 laps, P < .001, d = 0.47) at 12 weeks compared with baseline. Generalized mixed models respectively yielded 3.02 and 2.34 greater odds that a child would achieve step count and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity standards and 2.26 greater odds that a child would achieve aerobic fitness standards at 12 weeks compared with baseline (P < .001).

Conclusions:

The 12-week CSPAP improved physical activity and HRF in children from low-income families; however, the magnitude of the effects was weak to moderate.
Transplanting a Microbial Organ: the Good, the Bad, and the Unknown
Authors: Antonopoulos Dionysios A. , Chang Eugene B.
Published: May 2016

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has received increased attention as a therapy for correcting intestinal dysbiosis and restoring a state of health in patients suffering from either recalcitrant infection by
Clostridium difficile
or more complex disease states, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The “gut microbial organ” from the donor that is used in these transplants may serve to transfer genetic material between donor and recipient via virus-like particles, specifically bacteriophages, that infect the bacterial component of the microbiota. The recently published study by Chehoud et al. provides evidence for not only the transfer of bacteriophages during FMT but also the transfer of multiple populations of bacteriophages to recipients from the donor microbiota used (C. Chehoud et al., mBio 7:e00322-16, 2016,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00322-16
). While the clinical significance of these findings remains unclear, nothing short of a diligent and persistent effort is needed to define the intended and unintended consequences of FMT.
A balancing act: a phenomenological exploration of medical students' experiences of using mobile devices in the clinical setting
Authors: Rashid-Doubell F , Mohamed S , Elmusharaf K , O'Neill C S
Published: May 2016

Objective

The aims of this study were to describe the experiences of senior students using mobile devices in a clinical setting while learning and interacting with clinical teachers, patients and each other, and to identify challenges that facilitated or impeded the use of such devices in the hospital.

Design

Interpretative phenomenology was chosen to guide our enquiry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine the experiences of five senior medical students using mobile devices in the clinical setting.

Setting and participants

Senior medical students at an international medical school in the Middle East.

Results

Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: learning; professional identity and transitioning from student to doctor. The findings showed that using mobile devices in the clinical area as a learning tool was not a formalised process. Rather, it was opportunistic learning at the bedside and on occasion a source of distraction from clinical teaching. Students needed to negotiate relationships between themselves, the clinical teacher and patients in order to ensure that they maintained an acceptable professional image. Participants experienced and negotiated the change from student to doctor making them mindful of using their devices at the bedside.

Conclusions

Mobile devices are part of daily life for a medical student and there is a need to adapt medical education in the clinical setting, to allow the students to use their devices in a sensitive manner.
Taurine Prevents Apoptosis Induced by High Ambient Glucose in Human Tubule Renal Cells
Authors: Verzola Daniela , Bertolotto Maria Bianca , Villaggio Barbara , Ottonello Luciano , Dallegri Franco , Frumento Guido , Berruti Valeria , Gandolfo Maria Teresa , Garibotto Giacomo , Deferrari Giacomo
Published: May 2016

Background

Hyperglycemia selectively triggers apoptosis in tubule and endothelial cells. Taurine, a conditionally essential amino acid, is abundant in several tubule segments, but its role has not been defined fully. It can serve as an osmolyte or as an endogenous antioxidant. Taurine metabolism is altered in diabetes mellitus, with extracellular and intracellular pools reduced. It is still unknown whether taurine can play a role as a protective agent in apoptosis induced by high glucose in tubular cells.

Methods

Apoptosis (by annexin V binding and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling method), cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation (by fluorescent probe 2′-7′ dichlorofluorescin diacetate and FACScan flow cytometry), and Bcl-2 and Bax proteins (by immunostaining) were studied in a human proximal tubular cell line (HK-2) grown in a medium with physiologic (5.5 mM) or high (30 mM) glucose concentrations for 48 hours. In separate experiments, taurine (3-24 mM) was added to the media.

Results

The exposure of human tubule cells to 30 mM glucose for 48 hours resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis compared with 5.5 mM glucose (35±8% vs. 6±3%, p<0.001). Thirty mM mannitol failed to induce the effects of high glucose. High glucose-mediated apoptosis was associated with a decrease in the expression of Bcl-2 (-87%) and a twofold increase in the expression of Bax protein. Taurine had a dose-dependent effect in preventing high-glucose-induced apoptosis (-78%, p<0.001 at 24 mM). Moreover, with taurine, intracellular ROS decreased by 34% (p<0.05), and changes in intracellular ROS formation induced by taurine at 24 hours predicted the variations in the apoptotic index at 48 hours (r=0.87, p<0.02). Other antioxidants, such as glutathione and N-acetylcysteine, also attenuated the high glucose-induced apoptosis.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that taurine attenuates hyperglycemia-induced apoptosis in human tubular cells via an inhibition of oxidative stress. Taurine might act as an endogenous antioxidant in tubule cells and could exert a beneficial effect in preventing tubulointerstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy.
Idiopathic Pancreatitis Related to CFTR: Complex Inheritance and Identification of a Modifier Gene
Authors: Cohn Jonathan A. , Noone Peadar G. , Jowell Paul S.
Published: May 2016

Idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) is the leading cause of nonalcoholic chronic pancreatitis. This study examined a series of patients with ICP to determine the prevalence and role of mutations of the cystic fibrosis gene ( CFTR) and of a trypsin inhibitor gene ( PSTI). Genetic testing was done in 39 patients with ICP. In this series, 17 patients had CFTR mutations and 9 had PSTI mutations. Pancreatitis risk was increased 14-fold by having the N34S PSTI mutation, 40-fold by having two abnormal copies of CFTR, and 600-fold by having both. In patients with two CFTR mutations, extrapancreatic clinical findings and nasal bioelectric responses suggested reduced residual CFTR protein function. Thus, pancreatitis risk showed complex inheritance and was highest in individuals who have abnormalities in both the pancreatic ducts ( CFTR) and acini ( PSTI). These findings indicate that PSTI is a modifier gene for CFTR-related ICP and have implications for the classification, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis.
Gastrointestinal tract development in fattening lambs fed diets with different amylose to amylopectin ratios
Authors: Ren W. , Zhao F.F. , Zhang A.Z. , Jiang N. , Wu Q. , Qi L. , Liu X.M. , Yang K. , Liu W. , Zhu S. , Wang L.X. , Mu Y.
Published: May 2016

Thirty-six, 7-d-old male lambs of similar weights were used in the current study to examine the effects of dietary amylose to amylopectin ratios (amylose/amylopectin) on gastrointestinal development in fattening lambs fed concentrates with different sources of starch (tapioca, wheat, maize, and pea) and amylose/amylopectin (0.12, 0.23, 0.24, and 0.48, respectively). The maize starch (MS) and wheat starch (WS) diets improved weight and volume of gastrointestinal. The pea starch diet significantly increased papillar height (P < 0.001), papillar surface area (P = 0.019), and density of papillae (P = 0.001) in the rumen. Additionally, the pea starch diet significantly enhanced villus height, crypt depth, and villus surface area and villus/crypt ratio (P < 0.05) in small intestine. Expressions of insulin-like growth factors I (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factors’ receptors (IGF-1R) significantly increased in the duodenum mucosa (P = 0.021, P = 0.006, respectively), jejunum mucosa (P = 0.002, P = 0.005, respectively), and ileum mucosa (P = 0.003, P < 0.01, respectively) in the pea starch diet group. The results of the present study show that MS and WS accelerated physical development of rumen and intestine compartments, whereas pea starch increased development of their some morphological parameters, possibly through enhanced expression of genes such as IGF-1 and IGF-1R in fattening lambs.
Modulation of renal ischemia/reperfusion in rats by a combination of ischemic preconditioning and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs)
Authors: Hussein Abdelaziz M. , Barakat Nashwa , Awadalla Amira , Gabr Mahmoud M. , Khater Sherry , Harraz Ahmed M. , Shokeir Ahmed A.
Published: May 2016

The present study investigated the effects of combination of ischemic preconditioning (Ipre) and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) on renal ischemia–reperfusion (I–R) injury in rats. 90 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 equal groups; sham operated, control (45 min left renal ischemia), Ipre group as control group with 3 cycles of Ipre just before renal ischemia, ADMSCs-treated group (as control with ADMSCs 106 cells in 0.1 mL via penile vein 60 min before ischemia time), and Ipre + ADMSCs group as ADMCs group with 3 cycles of Ipre. Ipre and ADMSCs groups showed significant decrease in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and caspase-3 and CD45 expression in kidney and significant increase in HIF-1α, SDF-1α, CD31, and Ki67 expressions in kidney compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the Ipre + ADMSCs group showed significant decrease in serum BUN and caspase-3 and CD45 expression in kidney with significant increase in HIF-1α, SDF-1α, CD31, and Ki67 expression in kidney compared with the Ipre and ADMCs groups (p < 0.05). We concluded that Ipre potentiates the renoprotective effect of ADMSCs against renal I/R injury probably by upregulation of HIF-1α, SDF-1α, CD31, and Ki67 and downregulation of caspase-3 and CD45.
Cayley Automatic Representations of Wreath Products
Authors: Berdinsky Dmitry , Khoussainov Bakhadyr
Published: May 2016

We construct the representations of Cayley graphs of wreath products using finite automata, pushdown automata and nested stack automata. These representations are in accordance with the notion of Cayley automatic groups introduced by Kharlampovich, Khoussainov and Miasnikov and its extensions introduced by Elder and Taback. We obtain the upper and lower bounds for a length of an element of a wreath product in terms of the representations constructed.
Set Automata
Authors: Kutrib Martin , Malcher Andreas , Wendlandt Matthias
Published: May 2016

We consider the model of deterministic set automata which are basically deterministic finite automata equipped with a set as an additional storage medium. The basic operations on the set are the insertion of elements, the removing of elements, and the test whether an element is in the set. We investigate the computational power of deterministic set automata and compare the language class accepted with the context-free languages and classes of languages accepted by queue automata. As result the incomparability to all classes considered is obtained. Furthermore, we examine the closure properties under several operations. Then we show that deterministic set automata may be an interesting model from a practical point of view by proving that their regularity problem as well as the problems of emptiness, finiteness, infiniteness, and universality are decidable. Finally, the descriptional complexity of deterministic and nondeterministic set automata is investigated. A conversion procedure that turns a deterministic set automaton accepting a regular language into a deterministic finite automaton is developed which leads to a double exponential upper bound. This bound is proved to be tight in the order of magnitude by presenting also a double exponential lower bound. In contrast to these recursive bounds we obtain non-recursive trade-offs when nondeterministic set automata are considered.
Debates with Small Transparent Quantum Verifiers
Authors: Yakaryilmaz Abuzer , Say A. C. Cem , Demirci H. Gökalp
Published: May 2016

We study a model where two opposing provers debate over the membership status of a given string in a language, trying to convince a weak verifier whose coins are visible to all. We show that the incorporation of just two qubits to an otherwise classical constant-space verifier raises the class of debatable languages from at most NP to the collection of all Turing-decidable languages (recursive languages). When the verifier is further constrained to make the correct decision with probability 1, the corresponding class goes up from the regular languages up to at least E. We also show that the quantum model outperforms its classical counterpart when restricted to run in polynomial time, and demonstrate some non-context-free languages which have such short debates with quantum verifiers.
The 1-loop self-energy of an electron in a strong external magnetic field revisited
Authors: Machet B.
Published: May 2016

I calculate the 1-loop self-energy of the lowest Landau level of an electron of mass [Formula: see text] in a strong, constant and uniform external magnetic field [Formula: see text], beyond its always used truncation at [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. This is achieved by evaluating the integral deduced in 1953 by Demeur and incompletely calculated in 1969 by Jancovici, which I recover from Schwinger’s techniques of calculation. It yields [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. The [Formula: see text] truncation exceeds the precise estimate by 45% at [Formula: see text] and by more at lower values of [Formula: see text], due to neglecting, among others, the single logarithmic contribution. This is doubly unjustified because it is large and because it is needed to fulfill appropriate renormalization conditions. Technically challenging improvements look therefore necessary, for example, when resumming higher loops and incorporating the effects of large [Formula: see text] on the photonic vacuum polarization, like investigated in recent years.
A semiclassical formulation of the chiral magnetic effect and chiral anomaly in even d + 1 dimensions
Authors: Dayi Ömer F. , Elbistan Mahmut
Published: May 2016

In terms of the matrix valued Berry gauge field strength for the Weyl Hamiltonian in any even space–time dimensions a symplectic form whose elements are matrices in spin indices is introduced. Definition of the volume form is modified appropriately. A simple method of finding the path integral measure and the chiral current in the presence of external electromagnetic fields is presented. It is shown that within this new approach the chiral magnetic effect as well as the chiral anomaly in even [Formula: see text] dimensions are accomplished straightforwardly.
Three-loop cusp anomalous dimension and a conjecture for n loops
Authors: Kidonakis Nikolaos
Published: May 2016

I present analytical expressions for the massive cusp anomalous dimension in QCD through three loops, first calculated in 2014, in terms of elementary functions and ordinary polylogarithms. I observe interesting relations between the results at different loops and provide a conjecture for the n-loop cusp anomalous dimension in terms of the lower-loop results. I also present numerical results and simple approximate formulas for the cusp anomalous dimension relevant to top-quark production.
Generalized Gramians: Creating frame vectors in maximal subspaces
Authors: Jorgensen Palle , Tian Feng
Published: May 2016

A frame is a system of vectors [Formula: see text] in Hilbert space [Formula: see text] with properties which allow one to write algorithms for the two operations, analysis and synthesis, relative to [Formula: see text], for all vectors in [Formula: see text]; expressed in norm-convergent series. Traditionally, frame properties are expressed in terms of an [Formula: see text]-Gramian, [Formula: see text] (an infinite matrix with entries equal to the inner product of pairs of vectors in [Formula: see text]); but still with strong restrictions on the given system of vectors in [Formula: see text], in order to guarantee frame-bounds. In this paper, we remove these restrictions on [Formula: see text], and we obtain instead direct-integral analysis/synthesis formulas. Applications are given to reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces, and to random fields.
Existence theorems for fractional p-Laplacian problems
Authors: Piersanti Paolo , Pucci Patrizia
Published: May 2016

The paper focuses on the existence of nontrivial solutions of a nonlinear eigenvalue perturbed problem depending on a real parameter [Formula: see text] under homogeneous boundary conditions in bounded domains with Lipschitz boundary. The problem involves a weighted fractional [Formula: see text]-Laplacian operator. Denoting by [Formula: see text] a sequence of eigenvalues obtained via mini–max methods and linking structures we prove the existence of (weak) solutions both when there exists [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] and when [Formula: see text]. The paper is divided into two parts: in the first part existence results are determined when the perturbation is the derivative of a globally positive function whereas, in the second part, the case when the perturbation is the derivative of a function that could be either locally positive or locally negative at [Formula: see text] is taken into account. In the latter case, it is necessary to extend the main results reported in [A. Iannizzotto, S. Liu, K. Perera and M. Squassina, Existence results for fractional [Formula: see text]-Laplacian problems via Morse theory, Adv. Calc. Var. 9(2) (2016) 101–125]. In both cases, the existence of solutions is achieved via linking methods.
Rate of Benefit Gain-Based Greedy Algorithms for Finding Near-Optimal Repair Schedules for Recovery of Lifeline Networks
Authors: Cicekci Ozan C. , Muhammad Nabeel , Wijerathne M. L. L. , Hori Muneo , Ichimura Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2016

This paper presents two greedy scheduling algorithms for recovery of the damaged lifeline network. Unlike genetic algorithm or simulated annealing, the proposed algorithms do not involve random processes. One of the algorithms is for assigning multiple heterogeneous engineers and preparing schedules for repairing independent damaged components, while the other is for finding repair schedule for a single engineer considering network constraint. Both the algorithms use rate of benefit gain as an index in deciding which component should be repaired next, and by whom. The target use of these algorithms is to serve as an initial solution for a multi-agent system which includes fine grain details. With numerical experiments, it is demonstrated that the proposed algorithms can find near-optimal repair schedules and solve problems involving large number of variables.
ALOHA 1.55μm Implementation on the CHARA Telescope Array: On-Sky Sensitivity Tests
Authors: Baudoin R. , Darré P. , Gomes J.-T. , Fabert M. , Grossard L. , Delage L. , Reynaud F. , Scott N. J. , Sturmann J. , Ten Brummelaar T. A. , Coudé du Foresto V.
Published: May 2016

We intend to implement the ALOHA at 1.55[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m up-conversion interferometer on the CHARA Array. After a full laboratory investigation, a sensitivity evaluation is conducted on several stars using a single interferometric arm in a photometric mode. The on-sky photometric results allows us to calibrate a numerical simulation of the interferometric configuration, and to predict the future performance of ALOHA at 1.55[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m as a function of the seeing conditions.
Increased ADAMTS1 mediates SPARC-dependent collagen deposition in the aging myocardium
Authors: Toba Hiroe , de Castro Brás Lisandra E. , Baicu Catalin F. , Zile Michael R. , Lindsey Merry L. , Bradshaw Amy D.
Published: May 2016

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is a collagen-binding matricellular protein highly expressed during fibrosis. Fibrosis is a prominent component of cardiac aging that reduces myocardial elasticity. Previously, we reported that SPARC deletion attenuated myocardial stiffness and collagen deposition in aged mice. To investigate the mechanisms by which SPARC promotes age-related cardiac fibrosis, we evaluated six groups of mice ( n = 5–6/group): young (3–5 mo old), middle-aged (10–12 mo old), and old (18–29 mo old) C57BL/6 wild type (WT) and SPARC-null (Null) mice. Collagen content, determined by picrosirius red staining, increased in an age-dependent manner in WT but not in Null mice. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-like motifs 1 (ADAMTS1) increased in middle-aged and old WT compared with young, whereas in Null mice only old animals showed increased ADAMTS1 expression. Versican, a substrate of ADAMTS1, decreased with age only in WT. To assess the mechanisms of SPARC-induced collagen deposition, we stimulated cardiac fibroblasts with SPARC. SPARC treatment increased secretion of collagen I and ADAMTS1 (both the 110-kDa latent and 87-kDa active forms) into the conditioned media as well as the cellular expression of transforming growth factor-β1-induced protein (Tgfbi) and phosphorylated Smad2. An ADAMTS1 blocking antibody suppressed the SPARC-induced collagen I secretion, indicating that SPARC promoted collagen production directly through ADAMTS1 interaction. In conclusion, ADAMTS1 is an important mediator of SPARC-regulated cardiac aging.
Albumin contributes to kidney disease progression in Alport syndrome
Authors: Jarad George , Knutsen Russell H. , Mecham Robert P. , Miner Jeffrey H.
Published: May 2016

Alport syndrome is a familial kidney disease caused by defects in the collagen type IV network of the glomerular basement membrane. Lack of collagen-α3α4α5(IV) changes the glomerular basement membrane morphologically and functionally, rendering it leaky to albumin and other plasma proteins. Filtered albumin has been suggested to be a cause of the glomerular and tubular injuries observed at advanced stages of Alport syndrome. To directly investigate the role that albumin plays in the progression of disease in Alport syndrome, we generated albumin knockout ( Alb−/−) mice to use as a tool for removing albuminuria as a component of kidney disease. Mice lacking albumin were healthy and indistinguishable from control littermates, although they developed hypertriglyceridemia. Dyslipidemia was observed in Alb+/− mice, which displayed half the normal plasma albumin concentration. Alb mutant mice were bred to collagen-α3(IV) knockout ( Col4a3−/−) mice, which are a model for human Alport syndrome. Lack of circulating and filtered albumin in Col4a3−/−; Alb−/− mice resulted in dramatically improved kidney disease outcomes, as these mice lived 64% longer than did Col4a3−/−; Alb+/+ and Col4a3−/−; Alb+/− mice, despite similar blood pressures and serum triglyceride levels. Further investigations showed that the absence of albumin correlated with reduced transforming growth factor-β1 signaling as well as reduced tubulointerstitial, glomerular, and podocyte pathology. We conclude that filtered albumin is injurious to kidney cells in Alport syndrome and perhaps in other proteinuric kidney diseases, including diabetic nephropathy.
Heterosexual Transmission of Hepatitis B virus: A Public Health Perspective
Authors: Robert Jean
Published: May 2016

Given the objectives of the medical aspects of
public health, the ′heterosexual transmission′ approach may be restrictive and too conventional
as it considers transmission only through two individuals of different sexes and only by
peno‐vaginal penetration, to the exclusion of all other sexual activities. Bloodborne disease
transmission in intravenous drug users must be considered as well as anal transmission of
this disease. Three sine qua non conditions must be met before public health interventions
are initiated: the disease agent must be known or presumed; a causal relationship must exist
between the agent and disease; and the proposed intervention must be both pertinent and
effective. The first two conditions have been established in the case of hepatitis B virus infection.
The latter condition, however, has proven difficult to fulfill. It must be determined whether the
approach of immunizing all infants, drug addicts and prostitutes is cost effective and accepted
by a moral society. Consideration must be given to all possible modes of transmission in order
to develop an effective public health strategy to combat hepatitis B.
Preclinical Science Regarding Cannabinoids as Analgesics: An Overview
Authors: Lynch ME
Published: May 2016

Modern pharmacology of cannabinoids began in 1964 with the isolation and partial synthesis of delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol, the main psychoactive agent in herbal cannabis. Since then, potent antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic effects of cannabinoid agonists in animal models of acute and chronic pain; the presence of cannabinoid receptors in pain‐processing areas of the brain, spinal cord and periphery; and evidence supporting endogenous modulation of pain systems by cannabinoids has provided support that cannabinoids exhibit significant potential as analgesics. The present article presents an overview of the preclinical science.
Addiction and Pain Medicine
Authors: Gourlay Douglas
Published: May 2016

The adequate cotreatment of chronic pain and addiction disorders is a complex and challenging problem for health care professionals. There is great potential for cannabinoids in the treatment of pain; however, the increasing prevalence of recreational cannabis use has led to a considerable increase in the number of people seeking treatment for cannabis use disorders. Evidence that cannabis abuse liability is higher than previously thought suggests that individuals with a history of substance abuse may be at an increased risk after taking cannabinoids, even for medicinal purposes. Smoked cannabis is significantly more reinforcing than other cannabinoid administration methods. In addition, it is clear that the smoked route of cannabis delivery is associated with a number of adverse health consequences. Thus, there is a need for pharmaceutical‐grade products of known purity and concentration using delivery systems optimized for safety. Another factor that needs to be considered when assessing the practicality of prescribing medicinal cannabinoids is the difficulty in differentiating illicit from prescribed cannabinoids in urine drug testing. Overall, a thorough assessment of the risk/benefit profile of cannabinoids as they relate to a patient’s substance abuse history is suggested.
Prevalence of Neuropathic Pain and the Need for Treatment
Authors: Morley-Forster Pat
Published: May 2016

Recent publications have suggested that more than two million adults in the United States suffer from neuropathic pain, but this number seems to be a significant underestimate. The prevalence of neuropathic pain from diabetes and postherpetic neuralgia alone, using the most conservative estimates of incidence, would equal two million Americans. Lesions of the nervous system responsible for pain genesis can occur either in the central or the peripheral nervous system. The most common causes of peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes worldwide are diabetes, HIV infection, cancer‐related neuropathy (due to tumour invasion, surgical nerve damage, radiation or chemotherapy‐induced nerve damage) and lumbar degenerative disc disease. Other less common, but significant, sources of suffering are postherpetic neuralgia, complex regional pain syndrome, phantom limb pain and postsurgical nerve trauma. Central neuropathic pain can be caused by stroke (infarct or hemorrhage), multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and syringomyelia. Certain pain syndromes such as trigeminal neuralgia and vulvodynia, although clearly neuropathic and a source of tremendous suffering, are not discussed in the present article due to space constraints.
There is an unmet need for the treatment of neuropathic pain as evidenced by reports of pain despite the use of opioids and anticonvulsants, continuing psychological difficulties, lack of access to treatments and patients seeking access to complementary therapy.
Fast and Energy Efficient Multihop D2D Routing Scheme
Authors: Park Jaesung
Published: May 2016

Device-to-device (D2D) communications are expected to offload cellular networks and enhance public safety. In addition to the capability of direct communication between devices, the capability of delivering data over multihops in an ad hoc manner by autonomous decision of each device is highly desired to expand application areas of D2D communications. To address this issue, we propose a fast and energy efficient D2D multihop routing method using the geographic locations of nodes. To expedite data delivery while saving transmission powers of nodes, we devise the next hop selection method considering the congestion levels of potential next hops. In addition, we devise a detour scheme to move around a routing hole that is encountered when a node cannot find a neighbor that is closer to the destination of a packet than itself. We also propose management procedures so that each node acquires the locations of destinations and its neighboring nodes. Through extensive simulations, we validate the proposed method by comparing the performance of the proposed method with those of maximum progress method (MaxP), cost over progress method (CoP), and congestion-aware forwarder selection method (CAFS). Even though the number of hops obtained by the proposed method is larger than those obtained by MaxP and CAFS, our method is superior to them in terms of the probability of successfully delivering packets to destinations and total amount of energy consumption. We also show that our method can reduce end-to-end delay considerably compared with CoP.
A Mathematical Model of Regenerative Axon Growing along Glial Scar after Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Chen Xuning , Zhu Weiping
Published: May 2016

A major factor in the failure of central nervous system (CNS) axon regeneration is the formation of glial scar after the injury of CNS. Glial scar generates a dense barrier which the regenerative axons cannot easily pass through or by. In this paper, a mathematical model was established to explore how the regenerative axons grow along the surface of glial scar or bypass the glial scar. This mathematical model was constructed based on the spinal cord injury (SCI) repair experiments by transplanting Schwann cells as bridge over the glial scar. The Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) was used in this model for three-dimensional numerical simulation. The advantage of this model is that it provides a parallel and easily implemented algorithm and has the capability of handling complicated boundaries. Using the simulated data, two significant conclusions were made in this study:(1)the levels of inhibitory factors on the surface of the glial scar are the main factors affecting axon elongation and(2)when the inhibitory factor levels on the surface of the glial scar remain constant, the longitudinal size of the glial scar has greater influence on the average rate of axon growth than the transverse size. These results will provide theoretical guidance and reference for researchers to design efficient experiments.
Annexin A2 Coordinates STAT3 to Regulate the Invasion and Migration of Colorectal Cancer CellsIn Vitro
Authors: Xiu Dianhui , Liu Lin , Qiao Fengli , Yang Haishan , Cui Lu , Liu Guifeng
Published: May 2016

The present study aimed to reveal the expression of STAT3 and Anxa 2 in CRC specimens and to investigate the effects of STAT3 and Anxa 2 signaling on the proliferation, invasion, and migration in CRC Caco-2 cells. Results demonstrated that both Anxa 2 and STAT3 were highly expressed in CRC specimens in both mRNA and protein levels, with or without phosphorylation (Tyrosine 23 in Anxa 2 and Tyrosine 705 in STAT3). And the upregulated Anxa 2 promoted the phosphorylation of STAT3 (Tyrosine 705) in CRC Caco-2 cells. The upregulated Anxa 2 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Caco-2 cells in vitro. Moreover, the STAT3 knockdown also repressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Caco-2 cells. In conclusion, the overexpressed Annexin A2 regulated the proliferation, invasion, and migration in CRC cells in an association with STAT3.
A Method to Control Dynamic Errors of the Stylus-Based Probing System for the Surface Form Measurement of Microstructures
Authors: Fang Hui , Xu Bin , Yin Deqiang , Zhao Shiping
Published: May 2016

Dynamic errors of the stylus-based probing system seriously affect the measurement accuracy in surface quality detection on microstructures. A method, which is focused on measuring the surface form of microgears, microholes on the injector nozzle, and so forth, is proposed to control dynamic errors of the stylus-based probing system. Firstly, two kinematical models were built to systematically investigate the dynamic performance of the stylus-based probing system, and the relationship between the measuring force, scanning speed, fidelity, and dynamic errors was described. Then, numerical simulations of the surface form measurement, in which a sine-shaped microstructure was taken as a target surface, were carried out. Results of the numerical simulations reveal that the dynamic errors were affected by the scanning speed and the initial position of the measured specimen. Lastly, a method to control dynamic errors by properly setting up the scanning speed and the initial position of the specimen was proposed for the surface form measurement of microstructures.
Medical Radioisotope Production in a Power-Flattened ADS Fuelled with Uranium and Plutonium Dioxides
Authors: Bakır Gizem , Selçuklu Saltuk Buğra , Yapıcı Hüseyin
Published: May 2016

This study presents the medical radioisotope production performance of a conceptual accelerator driven system (ADS). Lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is selected as target material. The subcritical fuel core is conceptually divided into ten equidistant subzones. The ceramic (natural U, Pu)O2fuel mixture and the materials used for radioisotope production (copper, gold, cobalt, holmium, rhenium, thulium, mercury, palladium, thallium, molybdenum, and yttrium) are separately prepared as cylindrical rods cladded with carbon/carbon composite (C/C) and these rods are located in the subzones. In order to obtain the flattened power density, percentages of PuO2in the mixture of UO2and PuO2in the subzones are adjusted in radial direction of the fuel zone. Time-dependent calculations are performed at 1000 MW thermal fission power (Pth) for one hour using the BURN card. The neutronic results show that the investigated ADS has a high neutronic capability, in terms of medical radioisotope productions, spent fuel transmutation and energy multiplication. Moreover, a good quasiuniform power density is achieved in each material case. The peak-to-average fission power density ratio is in the range of 1.02–1.28.
Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Progression of NAFLD to NASH
Authors: Wan Xingyong , Xu Chengfu , Yu Chaohui , Li Youming
Published: May 2016

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of NAFLD that may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The pathogenesis of disease progression from NAFLD to NASH has not been fully understood. Immunological mechanisms that have been increasingly recognized in the disease progression include defects in innate immunity, adaptive immunity, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, and gut-liver axis. The NLRP3 inflammasome is an intracellular multiprotein complex involved in the production of mature interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and induces metabolic inflammation. NLRP3 inflammasome has been recently demonstrated to play a crucial role in the progression of NASH. This review highlights the recent findings linking NLRP3 inflammasome to the progression of NASH.