bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing filter robustness at drinking water treatment plants
Authors: Hartshorn Andrew J. , Prpich George , Upton Andrew , Macadam Jitka , Jefferson Bruce , Jarvis Peter
Published: July 2014

This investigation explores the use of five‐parameter logistic curve fitting in quantifying turbidity robustness and risk scoring in clarification and filtrations stages of several surface water treatment works in the Anglian Water region of the United Kingdom. The approach taken reviews different scoring systems and addresses issues of weighting, averages and variability in robustness performance using turbidity robustness indices (TRIs). It also proposes an area‐based risk scoring profile to assess performance [relative area profile for T90 (RAP90)]. The metrics produced are considered to be a logical and rational way to help prioritise where resources for water treatment operation should be deployed.
Psychometric Analysis of Two New Scales: The Evidence‐Based Practice Nursing Leadership and Work Environment Scales
Authors: Pryse Yvette , McDaniel Anna , Schafer John
Published: July 2014

Background

Those in nursing have been charged with practicing to the full extent of their education and training by the Institute of Medicine. Therefore, evidence‐based practice (EBP) has never been more important to nursing than in the current healthcare environment. Frequently the burden of EBP is the responsibility of the bedside practitioner, but has been found to be a process that requires leadership and organizational support. A key underlying component of a strong EBP environment includes effective communications and collaboration among staff and nursing leadership.

Aims

Developing measurement tools that examine the milieu and nursing leadership in which the staff nurse practices is an important component of understanding the factors that support or hinder EBP. The aim of this study is to report on the development and analysis of two new scales designed to explore leadership and organizational support for EBP. The EBP Nursing Leadership Scale (10 items) examines the staff nurses perception of support provided by the nurse manager for EBP, and the EBP Work Environment Scale (8 items) examines organizational support for EBP.

Methods

Staff nurses who worked at least .5 FTE in direct patient care, from two inner city hospitals (n = 422) completed the scales. The scales were evaluated for internal consistency reliability with the Cronbach alpha technique, content validity using a panel of experts, and construct validity by

Results

The content validity index computed from expert rankings was .78 to 1.0 with an average of.96. Cronbach's alpha was .96 (n = 422) for the EBP Nursing Leadership Scale and .86 (n = 422) for the EBP Work Environment Scale. Factor analysis confirmed that each scale measured a unidimensional construct (p < .000).

Linking Evidence to Action

The EBP Nursing Leadership Scale and the EBP Work Environment Scale are psychometrically sound instruments to examine organizational influences on EBP.
Transcriptional regulation of the stress response by mTOR
Authors: Aramburu Jose , Ortells M. Carmen , Tejedor Sonia , Buxadé Maria , López-Rodríguez Cristina
Published: July 2014

The kinase mTOR may have a greater role in the cellular response to various stresses than currently appreciated.
Functional Genomics for Personalized Cancer Therapy
Authors: Tyner Jeffrey W.
Published: July 2014

Integration of functional and genomic screening in cancer reveals clinically actionable genetic events.
Determinants of Breast Cancer Progression
Authors: Ma Li
Published: July 2014

New therapeutic opportunities may arise as a result of discovering the determinants of breast cancer progression.
A CRISPR Way to Move Things Around
Authors: Faltas Bishoy M.
Published: July 2014

The CRISPR/Cas9 system can be used to replicate oncogenic chromosomal translocations.
A Nonshocking New Way to Prevent Sudden Death
Authors: Stecker Eric C.
Published: July 2014

Cardiac gene transfer in a mouse model of ventricular tachycardia eliminated life-threatening arrhythmias.
Stoichiometry and Turnover of the Bacterial Flagellar Switch Protein FliN
Authors: Delalez Nicolas J. , Berry Richard M. , Armitage Judith P.
Published: July 2014

Some proteins in biological complexes exchange with pools of free proteins while the complex is functioning. Evidence is emerging that protein exchange can be part of an adaptive mechanism. The bacterial flagellar motor is one of the most complex biological machines and is an ideal model system to study protein dynamics in large multimeric complexes. Recent studies showed that the copy number of FliM in the switch complex and the fraction of FliM that exchanges vary with the direction of flagellar rotation. Here, we investigated the stoichiometry and turnover of another switch complex component, FliN, labeled with the fluorescent protein CyPet, in
Escherichia coli
. Our results confirm that,
in vivo
, FliM and FliN form a complex with stoichiometry of 1:4 and function as a unit. We estimated that wild-type motors contained 120 ± 26 FliN molecules. Motors that rotated only clockwise (CW) or counterclockwise (CCW) contained 114 ± 17 and 144 ± 26 FliN molecules, respectively. The ratio of CCW-to-CW FliN copy numbers was 1.26, very close to that of 1.29 reported previously for FliM. We also measured the exchange of FliN molecules, which had a time scale and dependence upon rotation direction similar to those of FliM, consistent with an exchange of FliM-FliN as a unit. Our work confirms the highly dynamic nature of multimeric protein complexes and indicates that, under physiological conditions, these machines might not be the stable, complete structures suggested by averaged fixed methodologies but, rather, incomplete rings that can respond and adapt to changing environments.

IMPORTANCE
The flagellum is one of the most complex structures in a bacterial cell, with the core motor proteins conserved across species. Evidence is now emerging that turnover of some of these motor proteins depends on motor activity, suggesting that turnover is important for function. The switch complex transmits the chemosensory signal to the rotor, and we show, by using single-cell measurement, that both the copy number and the fraction of exchanging molecules vary with the rotational bias of the rotor. When the motor is locked in counterclockwise rotation, the copy number is similar to that determined by averaged, fixed methodologies, but when locked in a clockwise direction, the number is much lower, suggesting that that the switch complex ring is incomplete. Our results suggest that motor remodeling is an important component in tuning responses and adaptation at the motor.
Comparison of Phylogenetically DistinctHistoplasmaStrains Reveals Evolutionarily Divergent Virulence Strategies
Authors: Sepúlveda Victoria E. , Williams Corinne L. , Goldman William E.
Published: July 2014

Infection with the dimorphic fungusHistoplasma capsulatumresults from the inhalation of contaminated soil. Disease outcome is variable and depends on the immune status of the host, number of organisms inhaled, and theH. capsulatumstrain.H. capsulatumis divided into seven distinct clades based on phylogenetic analyses, and strains from two separate clades have been identified in North America (denoted as NAm strains). We characterized anH. capsulatumisolate (WU24) from the NAm 1 lineage in relation to two other well-characterizedHistoplasmaisolates, the Panamanian strain G186A and the NAm 2 strain G217B. We determined that WU24 is a chemotype II strain and requires cell wall α-(1,3)-glucan for successfulin vitroinfection of macrophages. In a mouse model of histoplasmosis, WU24 exhibited a disease profile that was very similar to that of strain G186A at a high sublethal dose; however, at this dose G217B had markedly different kinetics. Surprisingly, infection with a lower dose mitigated many of the differences during the course of infection. The observed differences in fungal burden, disease kinetics, symptomology, and cytokine responses all indicate that there is a sophisticated relationship between host and fungus that drives the development and progression of histoplasmosis.

IMPORTANCEHistoplasmosis has a wide range of clinical manifestations, presenting as mild respiratory distress, acute respiratory infection, or a life-threatening disseminated disease most often seen in immunocompromised patients. Additionally, the outcome appears to be dependent on the amount and strain of fungus inhaled. In this study, we characterized a recent clinicalH. capsulatumisolate that was collected from an HIV+individual in North America. In contrast to other isolates from the same lineage, this strain, WU24, infected both macrophages and wild-type mice. We determined that in contrast to many other North American strains, WU24 infection of macrophages is dependent on the presence of cell wall α-(1,3)-glucan. Surprisingly, comparison of WU24 with two previously characterized isolates revealed that many conclusions regarding relative strain virulence and certain hallmarks of histoplasmosis are dependent on the inoculum size.
Feasibility of using an epigenetic marker of risk for lung cancer, methylation of p16, to promote smoking cessation among US veterans
Authors: Shofer Scott , Beyea Matthew , Li Sufeng , Bastian Lori A , Wahidi Momen M , Kelley Michael , Lipkus Isaac M
Published: July 2014

Introduction

Providing smokers feedback using epigenetic markers of lung cancer risk has yet to be tested as a strategy to motivate smoking cessation. Epigenetic modification of Rb-p16 (p16) due to tobacco exposure is associated with increased risk of developing lung cancer. This study examined the acceptance of testing for methylatedp16and the understanding of test results in smokers at risk for development of lung cancer.

Methods

Thirty-five current smokers with airways obstruction viewed an educational presentation regardingp16function followed by testing for the presence of methylatedp16in sputum. Participants were offered smoking cessation assistance and asked to complete surveys at the time of enrolment regarding their understanding of the educational material, perception of risk associated with smoking and desire to quit. Participants were notified of their test result and follow-up surveys were administered 2 and 10 weeks after notification of their test result.

Results

Twenty per cent of participants had methylatedp16. Participants showed high degree of understanding of educational materials regarding the function and risk associated withp16methylation. Sixty-seven per cent and 57% of participants with low-risk and high-risk test results, respectively, reported that the information was more likely to motivate them to quit smoking. Smoking cessation rates were similar between methylated and non-methylated participants.

Conclusions

Testing for an epigenetic marker of lung cancer risk is accepted and understood by active smokers. A low-risk test result does not decrease motivation to stop smoking.

Trial registration number

NCT01038492.
Prehospital end-tidal carbon dioxide differentiates between cardiac and obstructive causes of dyspnoea
Authors: Hunter Christopher L , Silvestri Salvatore , Ralls George , Papa Linda
Published: July 2014

Background

Differentiating between cardiac and obstructive causes for dyspnoea is essential for proper management, but is difficult in the prehospital setting.

Objective

To assess if prehospital levels of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) differed in obstructive compared to cardiac causes of dyspnoea, and could suggest one diagnosis over the other.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study among patients transported by emergency medical services during a 29-month period who were diagnosed with either obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive heart failure (CHF) by ICD-9 codes. Initial prehospital vital signs, including ETCO2, were recorded. Records were linked by manual archiving of emergency medical services and hospital data.

Results

There were 106 patients with a diagnosis of obstructive or cardiac causes of dyspnoea that had prehospital ETCO2 levels measured during the study period. ETCO2 was significantly lower in patients diagnosed with CHF (31 mm Hg 95% CI 27 to 35) versus obstructive pulmonary disease (39 mm Hg 95% CI 35 to 42; p<0.001). Lower ETCO2 levels predicted CHF, with an area under the Receiver Operating Characteristics Curve of 0.70 (95% CI 0.60 to 0.81). Using ETCO2 <40 mm Hg as a cut-off, the sensitivity for predicting heart failure was 93% (95% CI 88% to 98%), the specificity was 43% (95% CI 33% to 52%), the positive predictive value was 38% (95% CI 29% to 48%), and the negative predictive value was 94% (95% CI 89% to 99%).

Conclusions

Lower levels of ETCO2 were associated with CHF, and may serve as an objective diagnostic adjunct to predict this cause of dyspnoea in the prehospital setting.
Origin of reversal of stereoselectivity for [4+2] cycloaddition reaction between cyclopentadiene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of the chloroloaluminate ionic liquid (1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride): in silico studies
Authors: Sahu Debashis , Kesharwani Manoj K. , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: July 2014

The origin of stereoselectivity for [4+2] cycloaddition reaction of methyl methacrylate with cyclopentadiene was investigated with the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-31+G(d)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory in the presence of the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride (EMI+Cl–) and its acidic chloroaluminate melt, 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium heptachlorodialuminate (EMI+Al2Cl7–). The reaction of methyl methacrylate with cyclopentadiene was examined in the gas phase to rationalize the effect of the ionic liquid ion pairs EMI+Cl– and EMI+Al2Cl7–. The DFT calculated results were found to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed results. The much-discussed hydrogen bonding effect of the imidazolium cation with the dienophile is less important to govern the stereoselectivity for the cycloaddition reaction. The atoms in molecules theory was used to examine the role of hydrogen bonding between the EMI+ cation and methyl methacrylate in the transition state geometries. The calculated activation barriers with the M062X/6-31+G(d)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) and MP2/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31+G(d) levels of theory also predict the similar exo/endo-stereoselectivity trend for the cycloaddition reactions.
Butternut (Juglans cinerea) health, hybridization, and recruitment in the northeastern United States
Authors: Boraks A. , Broders K.D.
Published: July 2014

Butternut (Juglans cinerea L.) trees are being extirpated from their natural range by an epidemic caused by a fungal pathogen. Widespread mortality is reminiscent of past epidemics on American chestnut (Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.) and American elm (Ulmus americana L.). Butternut has remained relatively understudied, resulting in unsampled areas and gaps in our understanding of this forest epidemic and the future outlook of this species in North America. The previously unsampled area consisting of the northeastern United States was surveyed for the presence of J. cinerea, and several population health metrics were recorded, including recruitment, disease pressure, and hybridization. A total of 252 butternut trees were sampled. Analysis indicates that there is insufficient J. cinerea recruitment to maintain population sizes. Further compounding low recruitment, butternut saplings demonstrate elevated levels of disease impact from the fungal pathogen Ophiognomonia clavigignenti-juglandacearum Broders & Boland. Natural hybridization of butternut with introduced congenics such as Juglans ailantifolia Carrière is strongly associated with lower disease impact. Hybrid trees displayed an average of 2.4 cankers per tree compared with 4.5 cankers for nonhybrid butternut. Further niche and resistance studies are required to assess whether butternut hybrids can replace butternut in a natural setting. It still remains uncertain whether tree size or habitat affect disease impact; however, smaller trees, often residing in riparian habitats, were found to have a greater number of cankers. The data presented here, combined with past studies, provide critical information for use in butternut management strategy plans.
The double cover of cubic surfaces branched along their Hessian
Authors: Ikeda Atsushi
Published: July 2014

We establish a relation between the Hodge structure of the double cover of a nonsingular cubic surface branched along its Hessian and the Hodge structure of the triple cover of P3 branched along the cubic surface. Then we introduce a method to study the infinitesimal variations of Hodge structure of the double cover of the cubic surface. Using these results, we compute the Néron–Severi lattices for the double cover of a generic cubic surface and the Fermat cubic surface.
Baryogenesis within the two-Higgs-doublet model in the electroweak scale
Authors: Ahmadvand M.
Published: July 2014

The conventional baryogenesis mechanism is based on the one Higgs doublet within the Standard Model, at the electroweak scale T ~ 100 GeV . In this model, the strong first-order phase transition due to the spontaneous symmetry breaking imposes the following condition on the mass of the Higgs field: mH≲ 40 GeV , which is contrary to the recently observed value mH≃ 126 GeV . In this paper, we propose a baryogenesis mechanism within a two-Higgs-doublet model in which the phase transition occurs in one stage. This model is consistent with the observed mass of the Higgs. We obtain the true vacuum bubble wall velocity and thickness in this model. Then, we use nonlocal baryogenesis mechanism in which the interaction of fermions with the boundary of the expanding bubbles leads to CP violation and sphaleron mediated baryogenesis.
ROBUST THERMAL FACE RECOGNITION USING REGION CLASSIFIERS
Authors: SEAL AYAN , BHATTACHARJEE DEBOTOSH , NASIPURI MITA , GONZALO-MARTIN CONSUELO
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a robust approach for recognition of thermal face images based on decision level fusion of 34 different region classifiers. The region classifiers concentrate on local variations. They use singular value decomposition (SVD) for feature extraction. Fusion of decisions of the region classifier is done by using majority voting technique. The algorithm is tolerant against false exclusion of thermal information produced by the presence of inconsistent distribution of temperature statistics which generally make the identification process difficult. The algorithm is extensively evaluated on UGC-JU thermal face database, and Terravic facial infrared database and the recognition performance are found to be 95.83% and 100%, respectively. A comparative study has also been made with the existing works in the literature.
From nonlinear to linearized elasticity via Γ-convergence: The case of multiwell energies satisfying weak coercivity conditions
Authors: Agostiniani V. , Blass T. , Koumatos K.
Published: July 2014

Linearized elasticity models are derived, via Γ-convergence, from suitably rescaled nonlinear energies when the corresponding energy densities have a multiwell structure and satisfy a weak coercivity condition, in the sense that the typical quadratic bound from below is replaced by a weaker p bound, 1 < p < 2, away from the wells. This study is motivated by, and our results are applied to, energies arising in the modeling of nematic elastomers.
Riemann problem for a particle–fluid coupling
Authors: Aguillon Nina
Published: July 2014

We present a model of coupling between a pointwise particle and a compressible inviscid fluid following the Euler equations. The interaction between the fluid and the particle is achieved through a drag force. It writes as the product of a discontinuous function and a Dirac measure. After defining the solution, we solve the Riemann problem with a fixed particle for arbitrary data. We exhibit a set of condition on the drag force under which there exists a unique self-similar solution.
Multiscale homogenization for fluid and drug transport in vascularized malignant tissues
Authors: Penta R. , Ambrosi D. , Quarteroni A.
Published: July 2014

A system of differential equations for coupled fluid and drug transport in vascularized (malignant) tissues is derived by a multiscale expansion. We start from mass and momentum balance equations, stated in the physical domain, geometrically characterized by the intercapillary distance (the microscale). The Kedem–Katchalsky equations are used to account for blood and drug exchange across the capillary walls. The multiscale technique (homogenization) is used to formulate continuum equations describing the coupling of fluid and drug transport on the tumor length scale (the macroscale), under the assumption of local periodicity; macroscale variations of the microstructure account for spatial heterogeneities of the angiogenic capillary network. A double porous medium model for the fluid dynamics in the tumor is obtained, where the drug dynamics is represented by a double advection–diffusion–reaction model. The homogenized equations are straightforward to approximate, as the role of the vascular geometry is recovered at an average level by solving standard cell differential problems. Fluid and drug fluxes now read as effective mass sources in the macroscale model, which upscale the interplay between blood and drug dynamics on the tissue scale. We aim to provide a theoretical setting for a better understanding of the design of effective anti-cancer therapies.
Hydrodynamic limit of the kinetic Cucker–Smale flocking model
Authors: Karper Trygve K. , Mellet Antoine , Trivisa Konstantina
Published: July 2014

The hydrodynamic limit of a kinetic Cucker–Smale flocking model is investigated. The starting point is the model considered in [Existence of weak solutions to kinetic flocking models, SIAM Math. Anal.45 (2013) 215–243], which in addition to free transport of individuals and a standard Cucker–Smale alignment operator, includes Brownian noise and strong local alignment. The latter was derived in [On strong local alignment in the kinetic Cucker–Smale equation, in Hyperbolic Conservation Laws and Related Analysis with Applications (Springer, 2013), pp. 227–242] as the singular limit of an alignment operator first introduced by Motsch and Tadmor in [A new model for self-organized dynamics and its flocking behavior, J. Stat. Phys.141 (2011) 923–947]. The objective of this work is the rigorous investigation of the singular limit corresponding to strong noise and strong local alignment. The proof relies on a relative entropy method. The asymptotic dynamics is described by an Euler-type flocking system.
On commutative A-loops of order PQ
Authors: Jedlička Přemysl , Simon Denis
Published: July 2014

We study a construction introduced by Drápal, giving rise to commutative A-loops of order kn where k and n are odd numbers. We show which combinations of k and n are possible if the construction is based on a field or on a cyclic group. We conclude that if p and q are odd primes, there exists a non-associative commutative A-loop of order pq if and only if p divides q2 - 1 and such a loop is most probably unique.
Upper central series for elementary-abelian-over-cyclic regular wreath product p-groups
Authors: Riedl Jeffrey M.
Published: July 2014

We compute the upper central series for the regular wreath product finite group C ≀ E where C is a cyclic p-group and E is an elementary abelian p-group for some prime p. The notion of a pattern subgroup enables us to describe the upper central series in a natural way.
A note on solubly saturated formations of finite groups
Authors: Ballester-Bolinches A. , Kamornikov S. F.
Published: July 2014

The main aim of this note is to give a criterion for a subgroup-closed formation to be solubly saturated, which we hope may provide a useful proving ground for outstanding questions about this family of formations.
The quasitriangular structures for a class of group twisted product Hopf group coalgebras
Authors: Chen Quan Guo
Published: July 2014

For a group π, we study the quasitriangular structures of π-twisted tensor biproduct Hopf π-coalgebra [Formula: see text] which is constructed by the first author and Tang. The necessary and sufficient conditions for such π-twisted tensor biproduct Hopf π-coalgebra to admit quasitriangular structures. As applications of our results, some corollaries are given as well.
Noninvasive and Multidisciplinary Approach to the Functional and Esthetic Rehabilitation of Amelogenesis Imperfecta: A Pediatric Case Report
Authors: Souza Juliana Feltrin de , Fragelli Camila Maria Bullio , Paschoal Marco Aurélio Benini , Campos Edson Alves , Cunha Leonardo Fernandes , Losso Estela Maris , Cordeiro Rita de Cássia Loiola
Published: July 2014

Case Report. An 8-year-old girl with amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) reported unsatisfactory aesthetics, difficulty in mastication, and dental hypersensitivity. The intraoral examination observed mixed dentition, malocclusion in anteroposterior relationships, anterior open bite, and dental asymmetry. A hypoplastic form of AI was diagnosed in the permanent dentition. A multidisciplinary planning was performed and divided into preventive, orthopedic, and rehabilitation stages. Initially, preventive treatment was implemented, with fluoride varnish applications, in order to protect the fragile enamel and reduce the dental sensitivity. In the second stage, the patient received an interceptive orthopedic treatment to improve cross-relationship of the arches during six months. Finally, the rehabilitation treatment was executed to establish the vertical dimension. In the posterior teeth, indirect composite resin crowns were performed with minimally invasive dental preparation. Direct composite resin restorations were used to improve the appearance of anterior teeth.Follow-Up. The follow-up was carried out after 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. After 18 months of follow-up, The restoration of integrity, oral hygiene, and patient satisfaction were observed .Conclusion. Successful reduction of the dental hypersensitivity and improvement of the aesthetic and functional aspects as well as quality of life were observed.
System Coverage and Capacity Analysis on Millimeter-Wave Band for 5G Mobile Communication Systems with Massive Antenna Structure
Authors: Kim Jun Suk , Shin Jae Sheung , Oh Sung-Min , Park Ae-Soon , Chung Min Young
Published: July 2014

The use of a millimeter-wave band defined as a 30–300 GHz range is significant element for improving performance of 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems. However, since the millimeter-wave signal has peculiar propagation characteristics especially toward non-line-of-sight regions, the system architecture and antenna structure for 5G mobile communications should be designed to overcome these propagation limitations. For realization of the 5G mobile communications, electronics and telecommunications research institute (ETRI) is developing central network applying various massive antenna structures with beamforming. In this paper, we have introduced the central network and evaluated the system coverage and capacity through C++ language-based simulations with real geospatial information.
Randomized Comparison of Isosorbide Mononitrate and PGE2 Gel for Cervical Ripening at Term including High Risk Pregnancy
Authors: Agarwal Kavita , Batra Achla , Batra Aruna , Aggarwal Abha
Published: July 2014

Aims. Prostaglandin E2 is the most commonly used drug for cervical ripening prior to labour induction. However, there are concerns regarding uterine tachysystole and nonreassuring fetal heart (N-RFH). Isosorbide mononitrate (IMN) has been used successfully for cervical ripening. The present study was conducted to compare the two drugs for cervical ripening at term in hospital.Methods. Two hundred women with term pregnancies referred for induction of labour with Bishop score less than 6 were randomly allocated to receive either 40 mg IMN tablet vaginally (n=100) or 0.5 mg PGE2 gel intracervically (n=100). Adverse effects, progress, and outcomes of labour were assessed.Results. PGE2 group had significantly higher postripening mean Bishop score, shorter time from start of medication to vaginal delivery (13.37 ± 10.67 hours versus 30.78 ± 17.29 hours), and shorter labour-delivery interval compared to IMN group (4.53 ± 3.97 hours versus 7.34 ± 5.51 hours). However, PGE2 group also had significantly higher incidence of uterine tachysystole (15%) and N-RFH (11%) compared to none in IMN group, as well as higher caesarean section rate (27% versus 17%).Conclusions. Cervical ripening with IMN was less effective than PGE2 but resulted in fewer adverse effects and was safer especially in high risk pregnancies.
The Mechanical Behavior of Fiber Reinforced PP ECC Beams under Reverse Cyclic Loading
Authors: ChiaHwan Yaw , JianBo Han
Published: July 2014

When a structure is hit by earthquake, tremendous amount of seismic energy is released and structure is subjected to reverse loads. The mechanical properties of FRP reinforced PP ECC beams and coupon RC beam under reverse cyclic load controlled by displacement are investigated. Curing ages, reinforcement ratio, and volume fraction of PP fiber are parameters under survey. It is shown that multiple saturated cracking occurred in PP ECC beam and no crushing appeared. The PP ECC can enhance strength and energy dissipation capacity which are important to evaluate the performance of structures subjected to reverse cyclic loading.
Involvement of the Inconstant Bursa of the Fifth Metatarsophalangeal Joint in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Clinical and Ultrasonographic Study
Authors: Ciancio Giovanni , Volpinari Stefania , Fotinidi Maria , Furini Federica , Farina Ilaria , Bortoluzzi Alessandra , Ferracin Manuela , Bandinelli Francesca , Orzincolo Carlo , Trotta Francesco , Govoni Marcello
Published: July 2014

Objective. To evaluate the involvement of the bursa located next to the head of the 5th metatarsal bone in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in comparison with the other seronegative spondyloarthritis (SpA).Methods. All patients with PsA seen during a period of 24 months were enrolled. The control group included healthy subjects and patients with the other SpA. All subjects underwent clinical and ultrasound (US) examination of the lateral surface of the 5th metatarsal.Results. 150 PsA patients (88 M; 62 F), 172 SpA (107 M; 65 F), and 95 healthy controls (58 M; 37 F) were evaluated. Based on clinical and US evaluation, bursitis was diagnosed in 17/150 (11.3%) PsA patients but in none of the SpA (P<0.0001) and healthy (P=0.0002) controls. In detecting bursitis, US was more sensitive than clinical examination, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.09).Conclusion. The bursa of the 5th metatarsophalangeal joint appears to be involved in PsA more frequently than by chance. If confirmed by other studies, this finding could be considered as a distinctive clinical sign of PsA, useful for differential diagnosis with the other SpA. In asymptomatic patients, US proved to be more sensitive in the detection of bursitis.
Thirteen‐Week Study of PM014 Subchronic Oral Toxicity in Rats
Authors: Chung Hwan-Suck , Lee Hyunil , Bae Hyunsu
Published: July 2014

PM014 is a modified herbal formula based on Chung‐Sang‐Bo‐Ha‐Tang, which is a well‐known prescription drug used for curing various inflammatory pulmonary diseases. We previously showed that PM014 attenuated lung inflammation in a murine model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the chronic oral toxicity of PM014 in rats. PM014 was administered to rats orally once daily at doses of 0, 750, 1500, and 3000 mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. The PM014 treatment did not result in any toxicologically significant changes between the control and treatment groups in body weight, clinical signs, food consumption, dermatological and serum biochemical parameters, organ weight ratio, or histopathology. We concluded that no PM014‐related toxicity was detected even at the highest doses investigated in this repeated dose oral toxicity study. Based on our results, the no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level (NOAEL) of PM014 was 3000 mg/kg/day in both genders. These results might provide supportive evidence of the safety of PM014 to develop a new drug.
Soil Saturated Simulation in Embankment during Strong Earthquake by Effect of Elasticity Modulus
Authors: Gordan Behrouz , Adnan Azlan , Aida Mariyana A. K.
Published: July 2014

The dynamic analysis process was started after failure in some embankments during an earthquake. In this context, maximum displacement was reported at the crest based on interaction between structure and reservoir. This paper investigates the dynamic behavior of short embankment on soft soil. For this purpose, numerical analysis was carried out using ANSYS13 program based on finite-element method. Simulated models were vibrated by strong earthquake, so the peak ground acceleration (PGA) and duration were 0.65 g and 5.02 seconds, respectively. The comparison results were discussed in key points of plane strain analysis based on modulus ratio between saturated embankment and foundation. As concluded, the modulus ratio between 0.53 and 0.66 led to having a minimum value of horizontal displacement, relative displacement in vertical direction, and shear stress. Consequently, the shear stress was increased while the modulus ratio was decreased. Finally, to avoid more rigidity in the embankment on the soft soil, optimum modulus ratio was recommended at 0.66 in order to reduce the probabilistic of body cracks at the crest with respect to homogeneous behavior during an earthquake.
Laboratory Evaluation of Oviposition Behavior of Field Collected Aedes Mosquitoes
Authors: Panigrahi Subrat K. , Barik Tapan K. , Mohanty Satyabrata , Tripathy Niraj Kanti
Published: July 2014

Wild female Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were allowed to lay eggs in (i) ovitraps with different concentrations of NaCl, (ii) different coloured ovistrips, (iii) water from different sources, (iv) larva holding water, and different sized ovitraps for oviposition preference. Oviposition cycle was also studied in different photoperiod regimens. The number of eggs laid was observed to gradually decrease with increase in NaCl concentration in both the species. Experiments were conducted to determine egg laying preference for any specific colour of the ovistrip and black ovistrip was found to be most preferred by both the species. For oviposition preference, eight water samples collected from different sources were used and it was observed that the maximum number of eggs was laid in ovitraps containing distilled water followed by tap water. In addition, Aedes mosquitoes laid more number of eggs in ovitraps containing larval holding water than ovitraps containing distilled water. Further, both the species did not lay any egg in the smallest used ovitrap although the number of eggs was maximally deposited in the largest ovitrap used. In the present studies, both the Aedes species laid the maximum number of eggs in the 4th quarter of the light period with normal 12 h light and dark phases (LD 12 : 12).
Big Bubble Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Management of Deep Fungal Keratitis
Authors: Gao Hua , Song Peng , Echegaray Jose J. , Jia Yanni , Li Suxia , Du Man , Perez Victor L. , Shi Weiyun
Published: July 2014

Objective. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of big bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) in patients with deep fungal keratitis.Methods. Consecutive patients who had DALK for deep fungal keratitis at Shandong Eye Hospital between July 2011 and December 2012 were included. In all patients, the infiltration depth was more than 4/5ths of the corneal thickness. DALK surgery was performed with bare Descemet membrane (DM) using the big bubble technique. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), graft status, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were monitored.Results. Big bubble DALK was performed in 23 patients (23 eyes). Intraoperative perforation of the DM occurred in two eyes (8.7%) during stromal dissection. The patients received lamellar keratoplasty with an air bubble injected into the anterior chamber. Double anterior chamber formed in 3 eyes (13.0%). Mean CDVA of the patients without cataract, amblyopia, and fungal recurrence was improved from preoperative HM/20 cm−1.0 (LogMAR) to0.23 ± 0.13(LogMAR) at the last followup (P<0.01). Fungal recurrence was found in two patients (8.7%). Corneal stromal graft rejection was noted in one patient (4.3%).Conclusions. DALK using the big bubble technique seems to be effective and safe in the treatment of deep fungal keratitis unresponsive to medication.
Advance in ERG Analysis: From Peak Time and Amplitude to Frequency, Power, and Energy
Authors: Gauvin Mathieu , Lina Jean-Marc , Lachapelle Pierre
Published: July 2014

Purpose. To compare time domain (TD: peak time and amplitude) analysis of the human photopic electroretinogram (ERG) with measures obtained in the frequency domain (Fourier analysis: FA) and in the time-frequency domain (continuous (CWT) and discrete (DWT) wavelet transforms).Methods. Normal ERGsn=40were analyzed using traditional peak time and amplitude measurements of the a- and b-waves in the TD and descriptors extracted from FA, CWT, and DWT. Selected descriptors were also compared in their ability to monitor the long-term consequences of disease process.Results. Each method extracted relevant information but had distinct limitations (i.e., temporal and frequency resolutions). The DWT offered the best compromise by allowing us to extract more relevant descriptors of the ERG signal at the cost of lesser temporal and frequency resolutions. Follow-ups of disease progression were more prolonged with the DWT (max 29 years compared to 13 with TD).Conclusions. Standardized time domain analysis of retinal function should be complemented with advanced DWT descriptors of the ERG. This method should allow more sensitive/specific quantifications of ERG responses, facilitate follow-up of disease progression, and identify diagnostically significant changes of ERG waveforms that are not resolved when the analysis is only limited to time domain measurements.
Climate Change Impact on Photovoltaic Energy Output: The Case of Greece
Authors: Panagea Ioanna S. , Tsanis Ioannis K. , Koutroulis Aristeidis G. , Grillakis Manolis G.
Published: July 2014

Solar power is the third major renewable energy, constituting an increasingly important component of global future—low carbon—energy portfolio. Accurate climate information is essential for the conditions of solar energy production, maximization, and stable regulation and planning. Climate change impacts on energy output projections are thus of crucial importance. In this study the effect of projected changes in irradiance and temperature on the performance of photovoltaic systems in Greece is examined. Climate projections were obtained from 5 regional climate models (RCMs) under the A1B emissions scenario, for two future periods. The RCM data present systematic errors against observed values, resulting in the need of bias adjustment. The projected change in photovoltaic energy output was then estimated, considering changes in temperature and insolation. The spatiotemporal analysis indicates significant increase in mean annual temperature (up to 3.5°C) and mean total radiation (up to 5 W/m2) by 2100. The performance of photovoltaic systems exhibits a negative linear dependence on the projected temperature increase which is outweighed by the expected increase of total radiation resulting in an up to 4% increase in energy output.
Unloading of Right Ventricle and Clinical Improvement after Ultrasound-Accelerated Thrombolysis in Patients with Submassive Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Jain Sachin Kumar Amruthlal , Patel Brijesh , David Wadie , Jazrawi Ayad , Alexander Patrick
Published: July 2014

Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) can be devastating. It is classified into three categories based on clinical scenario, elevated biomarkers, radiographic or echocardiographic features of right ventricular strain, and hemodynamic instability. Submassive PE is diagnosed when a patient has elevated biomarkers, CT-scan, or echocardiogram showing right ventricular strain and no signs of hemodynamic compromise. Thromboemboli in the acute setting increase pulmonary vascular resistance by obstruction and vasoconstriction, resulting in pulmonary hypertension. This, further, deteriorates symptoms and hemodynamic status. Studies have shown that elevated biomarkers and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction have been associated with increased risk of mortality. Therefore, aggressive treatment is necessary to “unload” right ventricle. The treatment of submassive PE with thrombolysis is controversial, though recent data have favored thrombolysis over conventional anticoagulants in acute setting. The most feared complication of systemic thrombolysis is intracranial or major bleeding. To circumvent this problem, a newer and safer approach is sought. Ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis is a relatively newer and safer approach that requires local administration of thrombolytic agents. Herein, we report a case series of five patients who underwent ultrasound-accelerated thrombolysis with notable improvement in symptoms and right ventricular function.
Emerging Urinary Markers of Renal Injury in Obstructive Nephropathy
Authors: Lucarelli Giuseppe , Mancini Vito , Galleggiante Vanessa , Rutigliano Monica , Vavallo Antonio , Battaglia Michele , Ditonno Pasquale
Published: July 2014

The effects of obstruction on renal function are the consequence of many factors that profoundly alter all components of glomerular function. Besides the acute effects on glomerular filtration rate and tubule function, a chronic obstruction induces tubular and interstitial injury that results from the activation of different pathways. The progression of tubulointerstitial injury leads to chronic renal damage characterized by tubular atrophy, inflammatory cell infiltration, and interstitial fibrosis. Obstructive nephropathy is an evolving disease in which the renal damage continues even after relief of the obstruction. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the time of relief is the most important factor in predicting long-term renal function deterioration. In this setting, the EGF/MCP-1 ratio, urinary NGAL, and urinary KIM-1 are useful early biomarkers of progressive renal damage and could have a potential role in predicting the long-term renal outcome. This minireview summarizes the role of these emerging urinary biomarkers of obstructive nephropathy based on the current understanding of the pathophysiology of renal injury.
An Improved Method for Solving Multiobjective Integer Linear Fractional Programming Problem
Authors: Ait Mehdi Meriem , Chergui Mohamed El-Amine , Abbas Moncef
Published: July 2014

We describe an improvement of Chergui and Moulaï’s method (2008) that generates the whole efficient set of a multiobjective integer linear fractional program based on the branch and cut concept. The general step of this method consists in optimizing (maximizing without loss of generality) one of the fractional objective functions over a subset of the original continuous feasible set; then if necessary, a branching process is carried out until obtaining an integer feasible solution. At this stage, an efficient cut is built from the criteria’s growth directions in order to discard a part of the feasible domain containing only nonefficient solutions. Our contribution concerns firstly the optimization process where a linear program that we define later will be solved at each step rather than a fractional linear program. Secondly, local ideal and nadir points will be used as bounds to prune some branches leading to nonefficient solutions. The computational experiments show that the new method outperforms the old one in all the treated instances.
Low Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus Markers among Children and Adolescents
Authors: Villar Livia Melo , Amado Luciane Almeida , de Almeida Adilson José , de Paula Vanessa Salete , Lewis-Ximenez Lia Laura , Lampe Elisabeth
Published: July 2014

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV and HCV among children and adolescents attending schools and daycare centres in Rio de Janeiro State, located in southern Brazil. Serum samples from 1,217 individuals aged 0 to 18 years were collected from 1999 to 2012 and tested for HBsAg, total anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV by ELISA. Reactive HBsAg and anti-HBc samples were tested for HBV DNA. Reactive anti-HCV samples were tested for HCV RNA and genotyped by RFLP. HBsAg was detected in 1.8% of individuals, and total anti-HBc was detected among 3.6% of individuals. Anti-HBs reactivity was found among 25.3% (322/1,217) of the individuals and increased from 6.28% in the years 1999-2000 to 76.2% in the years 2001–2012(P<0.0001). HBV DNA was detected in 18 of 51 individuals who presented with HBsAg or isolated anti-HBc, and nine were considered occult hepatitis B cases. Three individuals were anti-HCV- and HCV RNA-positive: two of them were infected with genotype 1, and the other was infected with genotype 3. Low levels of HBV and HCV markers were observed in children and adolescents. HBV immunity increased during the period of study, indicating that childhood universal HBV vaccination has been effective for controlling HBV infection in Brazil.
Osteoponin Promoter Controlled by DNA Methylation: Aberrant Methylation in Cloned Porcine Genome
Authors: Shen Chih-Jie , Tsou Yung-An , Chen Hsiao-Ling , Huang Hung-Jin , Wu Shinn-Chih , Cheng Winston T. K. , Chen Calvin Yu-Chian , Chen Chuan-Mu
Published: July 2014

Cloned animals usually exhibited many defects in physical characteristics or aberrant epigenetic reprogramming, especially in some important organ development. Osteoponin (OPN) is an extracellular-matrix protein involved in heart and bone development and diseases. In this study, we investigated the correlation betweenOPNmRNA and its promoter methylation changes by the 5-aza-dc treatment in fibroblast cell and promoter assay. Aberrant methylation of porcineOPNwas frequently found in different tissues of somatic nuclear transferred cloning pigs, and bisulfite sequence data suggested that theOPNpromoter region −2615 to −2239 nucleotides (nt) may be a crucial regulation DNA element. In pig ear fibroblast cell culture study, the demethylation ofOPNpromoter was found in dose-dependent response of 5-aza-dc treatment and followed theOPNmRNA reexpression. In cloned pig study, discrepant expression pattern was identified in several cloned pig tissues, especially in brain, heart, and ear. Promoter assay data revealed that four methylated CpG sites presenting in the −2615 to −2239 nt region cause significant downregulation ofOPNpromoter activity. These data suggested that methylation in theOPNpromoter plays a crucial role in the regulation ofOPNexpression that we found in cloned pigs genome.