bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Language and unintentional injury mortality in Quebec, Canada
Authors: Burrows Stephanie , Auger Nathalie , Lo Ernest
Published: March 2015

Language-based differences in unintentional injury are poorly understood, despite the importance of language as a determinant of health. This study assessed inequalities in unintentional injury mortality between Francophones and Anglophones of Quebec, Canada. We calculated age-standardised rates of death by period, region, residential deprivation and cause of injury, and estimated rate ratios for Francophones relative to Anglophones. Francophones had higher unintentional injury mortality rates than Anglophones. Inequalities decreased over time for men, but rates remained 50% higher for Francophones at the end of the study period. Rates were stable for women, but were 30% higher for Francophones compared with Anglophones. Inequalities were larger at age 15–44 years, in urban areas, and for MVCs. Better understanding of risk factors for MVCs may benefit injury prevention in Quebec. Language-based differences in injury mortality warrant attention in other multilingual populations, especially across different demographic, temporal, regional and cause-of-injury groups.
Simulated Driving Assessment (SDA) for teen drivers: results from a validation study
Authors: McDonald Catherine C , Kandadai Venk , Loeb Helen , Seacrist Thomas S , Lee Yi-Ching , Winston Zachary , Winston Flaura K
Published: March 2015

Background

Driver error and inadequate skill are common critical reasons for novice teen driver crashes, yet few validated, standardised assessments of teen driving skills exist. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the construct and criterion validity of a newly developed Simulated Driving Assessment (SDA) for novice teen drivers.

Methods

The SDA’s 35 min simulated drive incorporates 22 variations of the most common teen driver crash configurations. Driving performance was compared for 21 inexperienced teens (age 16–17 years, provisional license ≤90 days) and 17 experienced adults (age 25–50 years, license ≥5 years, drove ≥100 miles per week, no collisions or moving violations ≤3 years). SDA driving performance (Error Score) was based on driving safety measures derived from simulator and eye-tracking data. Negative driving outcomes included simulated collisions or run-off-the-road incidents. A professional driving evaluator/instructor (DEI Score) reviewed videos of SDA performance.

Results

The SDA demonstrated construct validity: (1) teens had a higher Error Score than adults (30 vs 13, p=0.02); (2) For each additional error committed, the RR of a participant's propensity for a simulated negative driving outcome increased by 8% (95% CI 1.05 to 1.10, p<0.01). The SDA-demonstrated criterion validity: Error Score was correlated with DEI Score (r=−0.66, p<0.001).

Conclusions

This study supports the concept of validated simulated driving tests like the SDA to assess novice driver skill in complex and hazardous driving scenarios. The SDA, as a standard protocol to evaluate teen driver performance, has the potential to facilitate screening and assessment of teen driving readiness and could be used to guide targeted skill training.
Euthanasia of pets: strengthening end‐of‐life care
Authors: O'Dair Hilary
Published: March 2015

Practices often have procedures in place to educate and bond clients when they first visit with young animals, but the significance of having similar policies during pets' end‐of‐life care can be overlooked. Hilary O'Dair discusses how support services can help grieving owners and veterinary staff, while also facilitating client retention and loyalty.
Avoiding pitfalls and conflicts in performing a prepurchase examination
Authors: Stephenson Richard
Published: March 2015

Performing prepurchase examinations (PPEs) for potential purchasers is a common undertaking in equine practice. It can, however, be a bit like negotiating a minefield in terms of declaring conflicts of interests with vendors and ensuring that, as the veterinary surgeon, you always work in the best interests of the purchaser. This article provides advice on how to handle a PPE when both the purchaser and vendor are clients, and explains how to perform and write up a PPE.
Comments on the dilemma in the February issue: ‘Emergency exsanguination of working equids’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: March 2015

The dilemma in the February issue dealt with tackling the subject of emergency euthanasia of equids, while working for an animal welfare charity in a remote community of a developing country. Though working equids in the region frequently experienced catastrophic injuries, there was no established tradition of euthanasia. Animals could experience lingering deaths and the only alternative would be emergency exsanguination (IP, February 2015, vol 37, pp 102‐103). Glen Cousquer suggested that while the vet in this dilemma might at first experience shock at the seemingly unacceptable welfare standards, any attempt to impose, rather than negotiate, a solution could efface indigenous knowledge and discourage engagement. He recommended using education in a way that encouraged individuals to reflect on their work, proposing a community discussion about euthanasia so that members could explore different options. For instance, including community elders who routinely slaughtered cattle could provide an opportunity for learning and shared understanding of traditional techniques and equipment.
Scalar resonances in axially symmetric spacetimes
Authors: Ranea-Sandoval Ignacio F. , Vucetich Héctor
Published: March 2015

We study properties of resonant solutions to the scalar wave equation in several axially symmetric spacetimes. We prove that nonaxial resonant modes do not exist neither in the Lanczos dust cylinder, the extreme (2 + 1) dimensional Bañados–Taitelboim–Zanelli (BTZ) spacetime nor in a class of simple rotating wormhole solutions. Moreover, we find unstable solutions to the wave equation in the Lanczos dust cylinder and in the r2 < 0 region of the extreme (2 + 1) dimensional BTZ spacetime, two solutions that possess closed timelike curves. Similarities with previous results obtained for the Kerr spacetime are explored.
FLOWER-LIKE NANOPARTICLES OF Pt–BiIII ASSEMBLED ON AGMATINE SULFATE MODIFIED GLASSY CARBON ELECTRODE AND THEIR ELECTROCATALYSIS OF H2O2
Authors: XIAO MINGSHU , YAN YUHUA , FENG KAI , TIAN YANPING , MIAO YUQING
Published: March 2015

A new electrochemical technique to detect hydrogen peroxide ( H 2 O 2) was developed. The Pt nanoparticles and Bi III were subsequently assembled on agmatine sulfate (AS) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and the prepared GCE–AS- Pt – Bi III was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with result showing that the flower-like nanostructure of Pt – Bi III was yielded. Compared with Pt nanoparticles, the flower-like nanostructure of Pt – Bi III greatly enhanced the electrocatalysis of GCE–AS- Pt – Bi III towards H 2 O 2, which is ascribed to more Pt – OH obtained on GCE–AS- Pt – Bi III surface for the presence of Bi III . Based on its high electrocatalysis, GCE–AS- Pt – Bi III was used to determine the content of H 2 O 2 in the sample of sheet bean curd with standard addition method. Meantime, its electrocatalytic activity also was studied.
MICROSTRUCTURE AND WEAR RESISTANCE OF COMPOSITE COATING BY LASER CLADDING Al/TiN ON THE Ti–6Al–4V SUBSTRATE
Authors: ZHANG H. X. , YU H. J. , CHEN C. Z.
Published: March 2015

The composite coatings were fabricated by laser cladding Al / TiN pre-placed powders on Ti –6 Al –4 V substrate for enhancing wear resistance and hardness of the substrate. The composite coatings were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The sliding wear tests were performed by MM200 wear test machine. The hardness of the coatings was tested by HV-1000 hardness tester. After laser cladding, it was found that there was a good metallurgical bond between the coating and the substrate. The composite coatings were mainly composed of the matrix of β- Ti  ( Al ) and the reinforcements of titanium nitride ( TiN ), Ti 3 Al , TiAl and Al 3 Ti . The hardness and wear resistance of the coatings on four samples were greatly improved, among which sample 4 exhibited the highest hardness and best wear resistance. The hardness of the coating on sample 4 was approximately 2.5 times of the Ti –6 Al –4 V substrate. And the wear resistance of sample 4 was four times of the substrate.
Semilinear elliptic equations of the Hénon-type in hyperbolic space
Authors: Carrião P. C. , Faria L. F. O. , Miyagaki O. H.
Published: March 2015

This paper deals with a class of the semilinear elliptic equations of the Hénon-type in hyperbolic space. The problem involves a logarithm weight in the Poincaré ball model, bringing singularities on the boundary. Considering radial functions, a compact Sobolev embedding result is proved, which extends a former Ni result made for a unit ball in [Formula: see text] Combining this compactness embedding with the Mountain Pass Theorem, a result of the existence of positive solution is established.
Stationary Kirchhoff systems in closed high dimensional manifolds
Authors: Hebey Emmanuel , Thizy Pierre-Damien
Published: March 2015

We discuss existence of solutions, compactness and stability properties for Kirchhoff-type systems in closed [Formula: see text]-manifolds [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. The Kirchhoff systems we consider are written as [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the Laplace–Beltrami operator, [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-map from [Formula: see text] into the space [Formula: see text] of symmetric [Formula: see text] matrices with real entries, the [Formula: see text]’s are the components of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the Euclidean norm of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is the critical Sobolev exponent, and we require that [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text].
Constructions of compressed sensing matrices based on the subspaces of symplectic space over finite fields
Authors: Gao You , Zhang Xiaojuan
Published: March 2015

The paper provides two constructions of compressed sensing matrices using the subspaces of symplectic space and singular symplectic space over finite fields. Then we compare the matrices constructed in this paper with the matrix constructed by DeVore, and compare the two matrices based on symplectic geometry and singular symplectic geometry over finite fields.
Units on the Gauss extension of a Galois ring
Authors: Chen Weining , Tang Gaohua , Su Huadong
Published: March 2015

Ring extensions are a well-studied topic in ring theory. In this paper, we study the structure of the Gauss extension of a Galois ring. We determine the structures of the extension ring and its unit group.
Descending projections from the nucleus accumbens shell excite activity of taste-responsive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract in the hamster
Authors: Li Cheng-Shu , Lu Da-Peng , Cho Young K.
Published: March 2015

The nucleus of the solitary tract (NST) and the parabrachial nuclei (PbN) are the first and second relays in the rodent central taste pathway. A series of electrophysiological experiments revealed that spontaneous and taste-evoked activities of brain stem gustatory neurons are altered by descending input from multiple forebrain nuclei in the central taste pathway. The nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) is a key neural substrate of reward circuitry, but it has not been verified as a classical gustatory nucleus. A recent in vivo electrophysiological study demonstrated that the NAcSh modulates the spontaneous and gustatory activities of hamster pontine taste neurons. In the present study, we investigated whether activation of the NAcSh modulates gustatory responses of the NST neurons. Extracellular single-unit activity was recorded from medullary neurons in urethane-anesthetized hamsters. After taste response was confirmed by delivery of sucrose, NaCl, citric acid, and quinine hydrochloride to the anterior tongue, the NAcSh was stimulated bilaterally with concentric bipolar stimulating electrodes. Stimulation of the ipsilateral and contralateral NAcSh induced firings from 54 and 37 of 90 medullary taste neurons, respectively. Thirty cells were affected bilaterally. No inhibitory responses or antidromic invasion was observed after NAcSh activation. In the subset of taste cells tested, high-frequency electrical stimulation of the NAcSh during taste delivery enhanced taste-evoked neuronal firing. These results demonstrate that two-thirds of the medullary gustatory neurons are under excitatory descending influence from the NAcSh, which is a strong indication of communication between the gustatory pathway and the mesolimbic reward pathway.
The Framework Dedicated to Three Phase Flows Wellbore Modelling
Authors: Bielecki Bartlomiej , Krajka Andrzej
Published: March 2015

To predict physical properties in a wellbore during oil and gas production, scientists use empirical correlations or mechanistic approach algorithms. The typical research in this field is concentrated on a single property analysis as heat transfer, pressure, temperature, and so forth. Here the most proper correlations, regarding the subject, are presented. And the authors studied how to join all correlations into the full framework which returns all production parameters at every depth in a wellbore. Additionally, the presented simulation results are studied here. Based on presented algorithms, the proper tool has been applied and the results shown in this paper are taken from this application.
If Hunters End Up in the Emergency Room: A Retrospective Analysis of Hunting Injuries in a Swiss Emergency Department
Authors: Bestetti Valentina , Fisher Emma E. , Srivastava David S. , Ricklin Meret E. , Exadaktylos Aristomenis K.
Published: March 2015

Aim. to characterize the mechanisms, patterns, and outcomes of nonfatal hunting-related injuries in patients presenting to Bern University Hospital, Switzerland, and compare these to reports of hunting injuries worldwide.Methods. patients presenting with hunting-related injuries to the Emergency Department at Bern University hospital from 2000 to 2014 were identified by retrospectively searching the department database using the keyword “hunt.” Each case was analyzed in terms of the patient age and gender, the mechanism and pattern of injury, and management and patient follow-up.Results. 19 patients were identified. 16 were male with a mean age of 50 years (range: 16–74). Mechanisms of injury included firearm-related injuries, falls, and knife wounds. The most common patterns of injury were head injuries (7), followed by injuries to the upper (5) or lower limb (5) and trunk (2). Over half of the patients were admitted, and nine required emergency surgery.Conclusion. Nonfatal hunting accidents in Bern, Switzerland, are largely caused by firearms and falls and tend to occur in male hunters with a mean age of 50 years. The most common patterns of injury are orthopedic and head injuries, often requiring surgery. These findings are consistent with international studies of nonfatal hunting accidents.
The Story of CD4+CD28−T Cells Revisited: Solved or Still Ongoing?
Authors: Maly Kathrin , Schirmer Michael
Published: March 2015

CD4+CD28−T cells are a unique type of proinflammatory T cells characterised by blockade of costimulatory CD28 receptor expression at the transcriptional level, which is still reversible by IL-12. In healthy individuals older than 65 years, these cells may accumulate to up to 50% of total CD4+T lymphocytes as in many immune-mediated diseases, immunodeficiency, and specific infectious diseases. Here we focus on CD4+CD28−T cells in chronic immune-mediated diseases, summarizing various phenotypic and functional characteristics, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disease activity, and concurrent treatment. CD4+CD28−T cells present as effector/memory cells with increased replicative history and oligoclonality but reduced apoptosis. As an alternative costimulatory signal instead of CD28, not only natural killer cell receptors and Toll-like receptors, but also CD47, CTLA-4, OX40, and 4-1BB have to be considered. The proinflammatory and cytotoxic capacities of these cells indicate an involvement in progression and maintenance of chronic immune-mediated disease. So far it has been shown that treatment with TNF-αblockers, abatacept, statins, and polyclonal antilymphocyte globulins (ATG) mediates reduction of the CD4+CD28−T cell level. The clinical relevance of targeting CD4+CD28−T cells as a therapeutic option has not been examined so far.
Incidence and Diversity of Antimicrobial Multidrug Resistance Profiles of Uropathogenic Bacteria
Authors: Linhares Inês , Raposo Teresa , Rodrigues António , Almeida Adelaide
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the most frequent multidrug resistant (MDR) profiles of the main bacteria implicated in community-acquired urinary tract infections (UTI). Only the MDR profiles observed in, at least, 5% of the MDR isolates were considered. A quarter of the bacteria were MDR and the most common MDR profile, including resistance to penicillins, quinolones, and sulfonamides (antibiotics with different mechanisms of action, all mainly recommended by the European Association of Urology for empirical therapy of uncomplicated UTI), was observed, alone or in association with resistance to other antimicrobial classes, in the main bacteria implicated in UTI. The penicillin class was included in all the frequent MDR profiles observed in the ten main bacteria and was the antibiotic with the highest prescription during the study period. The sulfonamides class, included in five of the six more frequent MDR profiles, was avoided between 2000 and 2009. The results suggest that the high MDR percentage and the high diversity of MDR profiles result from a high prescription of antibiotics but also from antibiotic-resistant genes transmitted with other resistance determinants on mobile genetic elements and that the UTI standard treatment guidelines must be adjusted for the community of Aveiro District.
Thinning of Concentric Circular Antenna Arrays Using Improved Binary Invasive Weed Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Wu Huaning , Liu Chao , Xie Xu
Published: March 2015

This study presents a novel optimization algorithm based on invasive weed optimization (IWO) for reduction of the maximum side lobe level (SLL) with specific half power beam width (HPBW) of thinned large multiple concentric circular arrays of uniformly excited isotropic elements. IWO is a powerful optimization technique for many continuous problems. But, for discrete problems, it does not work well. In this paper, the authors propose an improved binary IWO (IBIWO) for pattern synthesis of thinned circular array. The thinning percentage of the array is kept equal to or more than 50% and the HPBW is attempted to be equal to or less than that of a fully populated, uniformly excited, and half wavelength spaced concentric circular array of the same number of elements and rings. Simulation results are compared with previous published results of DE, MPSO, and BBO to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method for concentric circular arrays.
A Functional Variant at miR-520a Binding Site in PIK3CA Alters Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Ding Lifang , Jiang Zao , Chen Qiaoyun , Qin Rong , Fang Yue , Li Hao
Published: March 2015

An increasing body of evidence has indicated that polymorphisms in the miRNA binding site of target gene can alter the ability of miRNAs to bind their target genes and modulate the risk of cancer. We aimed to investigate the association between a miR-520a binding site polymorphism rs141178472 in the PIK3CA 3′-UTR and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Chinese Han population. The polymorphism rs141178472 was analyzed in a case-control study, including 386 CRC patients and 394 age- and sex-matched controls; the relationship between the polymorphism and the risk of colorectal cancer was examined. Individuals carrying the rs141178472 CC genotype or C allele had an increased risk of developing CRC (CC versus TT, OR (95% CI): 1.716 (1.084–2.716),P=0.022; C versus T, OR (95% CI): 1.258 (1.021–1.551),P=0.033). Furthermore, the expression of PIK3CA was detected in the peripheral blood mononucleated cell of CRC patients, suggesting that mRNA levels of PIK3CA might be associated with SNP rs141178472. These findings provide evidence that a miR-520a binding site polymorphism rs141178472 in the PIK3CA 3′-UTR may play a role in the etiology of CRC.
ANN Approach for State Estimation of Hybrid Systems and Its Experimental Validation
Authors: Vellayikot Shijoh , Vaidyan M. V.
Published: March 2015

A novel artificial neural network based state estimator has been proposed to ensure the robustness in the state estimation of autonomous switching hybrid systems under various uncertainties. Taking the autonomous switching three-tank system as benchmark hybrid model working under various additive and multiplicative uncertainties such as process noise, measurement error, process–model parameter variation, initial state mismatch, and hand valve faults, real-time performance evaluation by the comparison of it with other state estimators such as extended Kalman filter and unscented Kalman Filter was carried out. The experimental results reported with the proposed approach show considerable improvement in the robustness in performance under the considered uncertainties.
Parareal Algorithms Implemented with IMEX Runge-Kutta Methods
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Wu Shulin
Published: March 2015

Parareal algorithm is a very powerful parallel computation method and has received much interest from many researchers over the past few years. The aim of this paper is to investigate the performance of parareal algorithm implemented with IMEX Runge-Kutta (RK) methods. A stability criterion of the parareal algorithm coupled with IMEX RK methods is established and the advantage (in the sense of stability) of implementing with this kind of RK methods is numerically investigated. Finally, numerical examples are given to illustrate the efficiency and performance of different parareal methods.
Overexpression of Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase in MTX- and Age-Related Epstein-Barr Virus-Associated B-Cell Lymphoproliferative Disorders of the Head and Neck
Authors: Kikuchi Kentaro , Ishige Toshiyuki , Ide Fumio , Ito Yumi , Saito Ichiro , Hoshino Miyako , Inoue Harumi , Miyazaki Yuji , Nozaki Tadashige , Kojima Masaru , Kusama Kaoru
Published: March 2015

Recent research has shown that activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) triggers somatic hypermutation and recombination, in turn contributing to lymphomagenesis. Such aberrant AID expression is seen in B-cell leukemia/lymphomas, including Burkitt lymphoma which is associated withc-myctranslocation. Moreover, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) increases genomic instability through early growth transcription response-1 (Egr-1) mediated upregulation of AID in B-cell lymphoma. However, few clinicopathological studies have focused on AID expression in lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs). Therefore, we conducted an immunohistochemical study to investigate the relationship between AID and LMP-1 expression in LPDs (MTX-/Age-related EBV-associated), including diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs). More intense AID expression was detected in LPDs (89.5%) than in DLBCLs (20.0%), and the expression of LMP-1 and EBER was more intense in LPDs (68.4% and 94.7%) than in DLBCLs (10.0% and 20.0%). Furthermore, stronger Egr-1 expression was found in MTX/Age-EBV-LPDs (83.3%) than in DLBCLs (30.0%). AID expression was significantly constitutively overexpressed in LPDs as compared with DLBCLs. These results suggest that increased AID expression in LPDs may be one of the processes involved in lymphomagenesis, thereby further increasing the survival of genetically destabilized B-cells. AID expression may be a useful indicator for differentiation between LPDs and DLBCLs.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning during Pregnancy: Presentation of a Rare Severe Case with Fetal Bladder Complications
Authors: Delomenie Myriam , Schneider Floriane , Beaudet Joëlle , Gabriel René , Bednarek Nathalie , Graesslin Olivier
Published: March 2015

Carbon monoxide poisoning during pregnancy is a rare and potentially serious condition. Fetal complications are uncommon, related to anoxic lesions. The severity of these complications does not depend on the level of maternal COHb. We report the case of a 22-year-old pregnant woman who at 30 weeks of gestation had carbon monoxide poisoning secondary to a fire in her home, complicated by cardiac arrest and severe fetal damage. The child had not brain damage, but presented bladder lesions not previously described, with urinary ascites complicating megacystis.
Flutter Instability Speeds of Guided Splined Disks: An Experimental and Analytical Investigation
Authors: Mohammadpanah Ahmad , Hutton Stanley G.
Published: March 2015

“Guided splined disks” are defined as flat thin disks in which the inner radius of the disk is splined and matches a splined arbor that provides the driving torque for rotating the disk. Lateral constraint for the disk is provided by space fixed guide pads. Experimental lateral displacement of run-up tests of such a system is presented, and the flutter instability zones are identified. The results indicate that flutter instability occurs at speeds when a backward travelling wave of a mode meets a reflected wave of a different mode. Sometimes, the system cannot pass a flutter zone, and transverse vibrations of the disk lock into that flutter instability zone. The governing linear equations of transverse motion of such a spinning disk, with assumed free inner and outer boundary conditions, are derived. A lateral constraint is introduced and modeled as a linear spring. Rigid body translational and tilting degrees of freedom are included in the analysis of the total motion of the spinning disk. The eigenvalues of the system are computed numerically, and the flutter instability zones are defined. The results show that the mathematical model can predict accurately the flutter instability zones measured in the experimental tests.
The Complex Role of Having Confidant on the Development of Alzheimer's Disease in a Community-Based Cohort of Older People in Brazil
Authors: Camozzato Analuiza , Godinho Cláudia , Varela Juliana , Kohler Cristiano , Rinaldi Juciclara , Chaves Márcia L.
Published: March 2015

Background: Social interaction is a lifestyle factor associated with a decreased risk of dementia in several studies. However, specific aspects of these social factors influencing dementia are unknown. This study aimed at evaluating the role of the distinct aspects of social support on the incidence of dementia in a community-based cohort of older people in Brazil. Methods: A total of 345 healthy and independent elderly subjects living in the community were followed by 12 years. Incident cases of dementia and probable Alzheimer's disease were defined by DSM-IV criteria and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria, respectively. Social variables evaluated were marital status, living arrangement, living children, living sibling, confidant and attending recreational groups. Sex, age, education, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, depressive symptoms and family income were entered as co-variates in a Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The absence of confidant was the only social variable associated to higher risk of developing dementia (HR = 5.31; p < 0.001), even after adjustment for age (HR = 1.08; p = 0.048) and baseline MMSE score (HR = 0.79; p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our data suggest that to have a confidant could be an important lifestyle factor associated with dementia.
Cerebral Lesions on 7 Tesla MRI in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia
Authors: van der Land Veronica , Zwanenburg Jaco J.M. , Fijnvandraat Karin , Biemond Bart J. , Hendrikse Jeroen , Mutsaerts Henri J.M.M. , Visser Fredy , Wardlaw Joanna M. , Nederveen Aart J. , Majoie Charles B.L.M. , Nederkoorn Paul J.
Published: March 2015

Background: Patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at a high risk to develop cerebral damage. Most common are silent cerebral infarctions (SCIs), visible as white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on MRI in a patient without neurological deficits. The etiology of SCIs remains largely unclear. In addition, patients are at an increased risk for overt stroke, which is associated with large vessel disease. This classification based on the presence or absence of neurological deficits may not be the most fitting for research purposes, as it does not match the different underlying pathology. A classification based on imaging findings may therefore be a more straightforward approach for research purposes. We explored the feasibility to identify imaging features of SCIs in young, asymptomatic patients with SCA using ultra high-field 7 Tesla (7T) MRI. 7T MRI has a high resolution, which offers a unique chance to investigate small subclinical brain lesions in detail. To explore the superiority of 7T in identifying imaging abnormalities, we compared our results with 3T MRI. Methods: Ten young, neurologically asymptomatic patients with SCA underwent 7T and 3T MRI; 10 healthy, age-matched controls underwent 7T MRI. We used existing neuroimaging standards to classify the brain lesions. We scored 7T and 3T scans separately, blinded for all other results. Results: Using 7T MRI, we identified more patients with intracerebral lesions (9/10 vs. 5/10), a higher total count of WMHs (203 vs. 190, p = 0.016) and more lacunes (5 vs. 4) compared to 3T MRI. Abnormalities seen on 7T, which could not be identified on 3T, were cortical hyperintensities (in 3/10) and a different aspect of irregular WMHs, closely associated with cortical hyperintensities in a patient with large vessel stenosis. In 7 controls, a total of 13 WMHs were present. Conclusion: Using 7T MRI, we identified more intracerebral lesions compared to 3T, and found several abnormalities not visible on 3T. 7T MRI in SCA seems of particular interest to study the cortical involvement and the relation between WMHs and the cortex. We found some imaging features that are thought to be representative for small vessel disease, including WMHs, lacunes and prominent perivascular spaces; to understand whether small vessel disease plays a role in SCA requires further research.
Tinea Pedis Presenting as Asymmetric Purpuric Papules on the Sole of the Foot: A Case Report
Authors: Chen Jennifer Yan Fei , Stroz Marianne J. , Adam David N.
Published: March 2015

In this report we describe a unique case of tinea pedis. A 29-year-old man presented with a 3-day history of asymptomatic purpuric papules predominantly on his left foot. Potassium hydroxide preparation demonstrated fungal hyphae and culture yielded Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This patient presented unusually with purpuric papules, unlike the three commonly described types of tinea pedis. Given the morphology, positive potassium hydroxide slide preparation, T. mentagrophytes on fungal culture and clinical response to ketoconazole cream, we conclude that this represents a unique variant of tinea pedis. We recognize that even common dermatological diagnoses can have unique presentations, and it is important for clinicians to maintain a broad differential for new dermatologic cases.
Tracking Rotors With Minimal Electrodes
Authors: Balasundaram Krishnanand , Umapathy Karthikeyan , Jeyaratnam Joyce , Niri Ahmed , Massé Stephane , Farid Talha , Nair Krishnakumar , Asta John , Cusimano Robert J. , Vigmond Edward , Nanthakumar Kumaraswamy
Published: March 2015

Background—

High-frequency periodic sources during cardiac fibrillation can be detected by phase mapping techniques. To enable practical therapeutic options for modulating periodic sources (existing techniques require high density multielectrode arrays and real time simultaneous mapping capability), a method to identify electrogram morphologies colocalizing to rotors that can be implemented on few electrograms needs to be devised.

Method and Results—

Multichannel ventricular fibrillation electrogram data from 7 isolated human hearts using Langendorff setup and intraoperative clinical data from 2 human hearts were included in the analysis. The spatial locations of rotors were identified using phase maps constructed from 112 electrograms. Electrograms were analyzed for repeating patterns and discriminating signal morphologies around the locations of rotors and nonrotors were identified and quantified. Features were extracted from the unipolar electrogram patterns, which corroborated well with the spatial location of rotors. The results suggest that using the proposed modulation index feature, and as low as 1 sample point in the vicinity of the rotors, an accuracy as high as 86% (
P
<0.001) was obtained in separating rotor locations versus nonrotor locations. The analysis of bipolar electrogram signatures in the vicinity of the rotor locations suggest that 62.5% of the rotors occur at locations where the bipolar electrogram demonstrates continuous activities during ventricular fibrillation.

Conclusions—

Unipolar electrogram extracted modulation index–based detection of rotors is feasible with few electrodes and has greater detection rate than bipolar approach. This strategy may be suitable for nonarray-based single mapping catheter enabled detection of rotors.
Vaginal Cytology of the Laboratory Rat and Mouse
Authors: Cora Michelle C. , Kooistra Linda , Travlos Greg
Published: March 2015

Microscopic evaluation of the types of cells present in vaginal smears has long been used to document the stages of the estrous cycle in laboratory rats and mice and as an index of the functional status of the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis. The estrous cycle is generally divided into the four stages of proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus. On cytological evaluation, these stages are defined by the absence, presence, or proportion of 4 basic cell types as well as by the cell density and arrangement of the cells on the slide. Multiple references regarding the cytology of the rat and mouse estrous cycle are available. Many contemporary references and studies, however, have relatively abbreviated definitions of the stages, are in reference to direct wet mount preparations, or lack comprehensive illustrations. This has led to ambiguity and, in some cases, a loss of appreciation for the encountered nuances of dividing a steadily moving cycle into 4 stages. The aim of this review is to provide a detailed description, discussion, and illustration of vaginal cytology of the rat and mouse estrous cycle as it appears on smears stained with metachromatic stains.
Abuses and Mysteries at the Association of Social Work Boards
Authors: Woodcock Ray
Published: March 2015

Under contract with the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), Pearson VUE reportedly performs much of the work of developing and administering the social work licensing exams required by most states. ASWB charges substantial fees for such exams and, after paying Pearson, has been able to bank considerable sums. One of the key contributions to the arrangement of ASWB is its supply of draft exam questions – which, after statistical pretesting by Pearson, may ultimately appear on licensing exams. Prior research indicates that students may find it relatively easy to guess the answers to such questions. Independent researchers have been unable to verify whether such questions accurately distinguish qualified from unqualified practitioners. In addition, ASWB refuses to disclose the rates at which various schools’ graduates pass licensing exams. Generally, ASWB engages in an unusual degree of information suppression. Such suppression appears inconsistent with ethical obligations but consistent with revenue maximization.
Identification and risk assessment of Swedish youth at risk of chlamydia
Authors: Hammarström Sofia , Tikkanen Ronny , Stenqvist Karin
Published: March 2015

Aims: The aim of the study was to identify youth at high risk of chlamydia including variables related to sexual health and negative experiences of sexuality. Methods: In late 2009, a questionnaire on sexuality was answered by Swedish youth. The study sample was self-selected from different Internet communities. Data from 6544 sexually active participants, aged 15–24 years, were analyzed in a multivariable logistic regression model. Discriminative power was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: In the univariate analysis, self-reported chlamydia was associated with most risk behavior variables, experience of coerced sex, and reimbursement for sex, with slight gender variation. The factors that best predicted self-reported chlamydia among females were number of partners, age, and having been reimbursed for sex. Among males, the number of partners and alcohol consumption were the strongest predictors. Increasing number of partners up to 10 during the past 12 months was the most important predictor for both genders. A skewed distribution of chlamydia was demonstrated, in that 37.6% of cases in females and 38.6% in males were estimated to occur among a tenth of the population. Conclusions: Testing, prevention, and care for chlamydia should be directed toward those most at risk, as they account for a large proportion of the total number of chlamydia cases. The special needs of the high-risk group need to be acknowledged and chlamydia regarded as a possible marker for risk behavior and negative sexuality experiences.
Pathomechanics of the wrist following fractures of the distal radius
Authors: Mifsud Charmaine , Drew Tim
Published: March 2015

Introduction

The wrist positions the hand in space and allows load transmission from the hand to the forearm. This research study aimed to explain the biomechanical changes that occur at the wrist following a fracture of the distal radius and to explore the effect of this fracture on wrist and hand range of motion and muscle strength. It was hypothesised that a fracture of the distal radius interferes with the biomechanical integrity of the wrist limiting the available wrist and hand range of motion. This in turn affects hand muscle strength.

Methods

This prospective research study adopted a quantitative quasi-experimental time-series design where 109 patients followed an occupational therapy programme for 12 weeks. Measurements of forearm, wrist and hand range of motion and hand muscle strength were taken on the initial assessment, and on the 6th and 12th weeks of intervention. A standard evaluation procedure was followed to ensure reliability of the results. Data were analysed using SPSS (PASW version 18).

Results

Forearm and wrist range of motion and muscle strength were significantly impaired. Hand range of motion was also affected even though the hand itself was not directly involved in the injury. Improvements in range of motion were accompanied by an increase in hand muscle strength. Patients with intra-articular fractures experienced greater limitations compared to their counterparts.

Conclusions

These results supported the initial hypothesis. Clinically, this highlights the need for orthopaedic management and rehabilitation to be based on a sound knowledge of the biomechanical interaction of the different structures involved.
Development of a process to disclose amyloid imaging results to cognitively normal older adult research participants
Authors: Harkins Kristin , Sankar Pamela , Sperling Reisa , Grill Joshua D , Green Robert C , Johnson Keith A , Healy Megan , Karlawish Jason
Published: March 2015

Introduction

The objective of this study was to develop a process to maximize the safety and effectiveness of disclosing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) amyloid imaging results to cognitively normal older adults participating in Alzheimer’s disease secondary prevention studies such as the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease (A4) Study.

Methods

Using a modified Delphi Method to develop consensus on best practices, we gathered and analyzed data over three rounds from experts in two relevant fields: informed consent for genetic testing or human amyloid imaging.

Results

Experts reached consensus on (1) text for a brochure that describes amyloid imaging to a person who is considering whether to undergo such imaging in the context of a clinical trial, and (2) a process for amyloid PET result disclosure within such trials. Recommendations included: During consent, potential participants should complete an educational session, where they receive verbal and written information covering what is known and unknown about amyloid imaging, including possible results and their meaning, implications of results for risk of future cognitive decline, and information about Alzheimer’s and risk factors. Participants should be screened for anxiety and depression to determine suitability to receive amyloid imaging information. The person conducting the sessions should check comprehension and be skilled in communication and recognizing distress. Imaging should occur on a separate day from consent, and disclosure on a separate day from imaging. Disclosure should occur in person, with time for questions. At disclosure, investigators should assess mood and willingness to receive results, and provide a written results report. Telephone follow-up within a few days should assess the impact of disclosure, and periodic scheduled assessments of depression and anxiety, with additional monitoring and follow-up for participants showing distress, should be performed.

Conclusions

We developed a document for use with potential study participants to describe the process of amyloid imaging and the implications of amyloid imaging results; and a disclosure process with attention to ongoing monitoring of both mood and safety to receive this information. This document and process will be used in the A4 Study and can be adapted for other research settings.
Lipotoxicity, a Potential Risk Factor for the Increasing Prevalence of Subclinical Hypothyroidism?
Authors: Zhao Meng , Tang Xulei , Yang Tao , Zhang Bingchang , Guan Qingbo , Shao Shanshan , Xue Fuzhong , Zhang Xu , Liu Zhanfeng , Yuan Zhongshang , Song Yongfeng , Zhang Haiqing , Fang Li , Yu Chunxiao , Li Qiu , Zhang Xiaohan , Gao Ling , Xu Chao , Zhao Jiajun
Published: March 2015

Context:

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is an important public health problem worldwide for its increasing prevalence and potential deleterious effects, whereas its etiology has not been fully elucidated. Lipotoxicity exerts extensive and serious impact on human health, but so far, the potential effect of lipotoxicity on thyroid is unclear.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to assess the association between serum triglyceride levels and the risk for SCH.

Design, Participants, and Methods:

We conducted a population-based case-control study. A total of 24 100 subjects with similar and stable iodine nutrition status were recruited from China. Cases of 5033 SCH patients were identified and equal controls were matched by age, gender, and region. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the association between serum triglyceride levels and risk for SCH.

Results:

Hypertriglyceridemia was associated with an approximately 35% increased risk for SCH in both men (odds ratio 1.325; 95% confidence interval 1.002–1.753) and women (odds ratio 1.397; 95% confidence interval 1.217–1.604), even after adjustment for potential confounders. Notably, the risk for SCH increased progressively following the elevation of serum triglyceride levels. Compared with individuals with serum triglyceride levels less than 0.97 mmol/L, the risk for SCH increased approximately 1.9-fold in men and 1.4-fold in women, respectively, when triglyceride levels were greater than 1.99 mmol/L.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggested that hypertriglyceridemia was positively associated with the risk for SCH.
Direct Cyanation of Picolinamides Using K4[Fe(CN)6] as the Cyanide Source
Authors: Guan Dinghui , Han Lu , Wang Lulu , Song He , Chu Wenyi , Sun Zhizhong
Published: March 2015

The efficient, simple, and environment-friendly route of direct cyanation of picolinamides has been developed with nontoxic K4[Fe(CN)6] as the cyanide source through Pd-catalyzed C–H bond activation. A series of N-(naphthalene-1-yl)picolinamide derivatives were successfully transformed to the corresponding cyanation products. The cyanation mechanism has also been speculated.
Characterization of a novel eukaryal nick-sealing RNA ligase from Naegleria gruberi
Authors: Unciuleac Mihaela-Carmen , Shuman Stewart
Published: March 2015

The proteome of the amoebo-flagellate protozoan Naegleria gruberi is rich in candidate RNA repair enzymes, including 15 putative RNA ligases, one of which, NgrRnl, is a eukaryal homolog of Deinococcus radiodurans RNA ligase, DraRnl. Here we report that purified recombinant NgrRnl seals nicked 3′-OH/5′-PO4 duplexes in which the 3′-OH strand is RNA. It does so via the “classic” ligase pathway, entailing reaction with ATP to form a covalent NgrRnl–AMP intermediate, transfer of AMP to the nick 5′-PO4, and attack of the RNA 3′-OH on the adenylylated nick to form a 3′–5′ phosphodiester. Unlike members of the four known families of ATP-dependent RNA ligases, NgrRnl lacks a carboxy-terminal appendage to its nucleotidyltransferase domain. Instead, it contains a defining amino-terminal domain that we show is important for 3′-OH/5′-PO4 nick-sealing and ligase adenylylation, but dispensable for phosphodiester synthesis at a preadenylylated nick. We propose that NgrRnl, DraRnl, and their homologs from diverse bacteria, viruses, and unicellular eukarya comprise a new “Rnl5 family” of nick-sealing ligases with a signature domain organization.
Sax and the city: New York, New York (Scorsese, 1977), urban decline and the jazz musical
Authors: Shearer Martha
Published: March 2015

This article examines the ways in which ‘jazz musicals’ and their soundtracks were implicated in urban history in terms of production (shooting in studios or on location) and representation (the relationship between cities and their cinematic musical accompaniment). It situates the relationship between jazz and urban representation in the Hollywood musical in the context of the decline and transformation of New York after World War II. While musicals were overwhelming set in cities, and especially New York, the genre’s artificial, anti-realist settings became increasingly out of step with the city’s reality as it entered a long period of urban decline. The article focuses on New York, New York (Scorsese, 1977) arguing that the film’s depiction of jazz and treatment of the musical genre was shaped by the wider context of the expansion of location shooting in the 1970s as well as what Miriam Greenberg has called New York’s ‘image crisis’.
Filming improvisation: Jazz criticism’s neglect of film style
Authors: Pillai Nicolas
Published: March 2015

How is jazz filmed? This article argues that jazz criticism has prioritized the musical and historical authenticity of jazz films, but has neglected the ways in which film style creates and comments upon scenes of improvisation. How do films about jazz negotiate the ‘now’ of diegetic improvisation and the ‘then’ of the recorded, edited event? Analysis of mise-en-scéne, camera movement and the performance of actors are argued to be essential to an understanding of narrative fiction film’s depiction of improvisatory processes. Through close readings of two sequences in Young Man with a Horn (1950) by Curtiz and Round Midnight (1986a) by Tavernier, and by looking at past attempts to analyse these films, I suggest that we need a more refined understanding of what ‘improvisation’ means on film. By attending to the formal properties of film, criticism can discard tired debates around representation and authenticity.