bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of Tpeak–Tend Interval to Distinguish Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy from Idiopathic Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Tachycardia
Authors: GOLCUK EBRU , YALIN KIVANC , KAYA BILGE AHMET , ELITOK ALI , AKSU TOLGA , AKGUN TAYLAN , BILAL KARAAYVAZ EKREM , EMET SAMIM , ADALET KAMIL
Published: July 2014

Background

The two predominant etiologies of right ventricular tachycardia (VT) are arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) and idiopathic VT arising from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). Discrimination between these two entities is critical, as their prognoses and therapeutic options differ. The Tpeak–Tend (Tpe) interval reflects the transmural repolarization dispersion and its prolongation is associated with high mortality.

Methods

We compared the sinus rhythm electrocardiogram (ECG) of 43 patients (24 male, 43 ± 16 years) with VT originating from right ventricle. Five patients under antiarrhythmic drug therapy were excluded. Tpe interval was measured in each precordial leads and compared among patients with ARVC and RVOT‐VT.

Results

Twenty‐five patients (16 male, 42 ± 16 years) met the Task Force criteria for the diagnosis of ARVC, and 13 patients (seven male, 45 ± 14 years) had idiopathic RVOT tachycardia. Patients with ARVC had significantly prolonged Tpe intervals in all precordial leads compared to patients with idiopathic RVOT VT (137.1 ± 32.6 ms vs 93.8 ± 16.9 ms; P < 0.001 in V1, 133.2 ± 35.5 ms vs 104.7 ± 16.9 ms; P = 0.01 in V2, 125.7 ± 31.5 ms vs 99.1 ± 19.6 ms; P = 0.09 in V3, 121.9 ± 26.5 ms vs 92.3 ± 19.7 ms; P = 0.001 in V4, 123.1 ± 26.5 ms vs 99.5 ± 20:1 ms; P = 0.04 in V5 and 126.9 ± 32.2 ms vs 89 ± 11.3 ms; P < 0.001 in V6, respectively). For the diagnosis of ARVC, Tpe cut‐off value of 97 ms in V1 had 84% sensitivity and 62% specificity (area under curve = 0.880).

Conclusion

In patients with VT of RV origin, the prolonged Tpe interval in sinus rhythm electrocardiogram supports the diagnosis of ARVC.
Delayed bedtime due to screen time in schoolchildren: Importance of area deprivation
Authors: Ogunleye Ayodele A , Voss Christine , Sandercock Gavin R
Published: July 2014

Background

Sleep duration is an important predictor of obesity and health. This study evaluated the association between late bedtime and screen time, and the role of geographical deprivation in English schoolchildren.

Methods

We collected bedtime and waking time, screen time, sociodemographic data and measured body mass index in a cross‐section of 1332 11–15‐year‐old schoolchildren (45.7% female) participating in the East of England healthy heart study. Logistic regression was used to determine the likelihood of late bedtime in schoolchildren with different screen time and from a different geographic location. Mean differences were assessed either on ANOVA or t‐test.

Results

Approximately 42% of boys went to bed late at night compared with 37% of girls. When compared to those with <2 h of daily screen time, schoolchildren with 2–4 h of screen time were more likely [odds ratio (OR) = 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07–2.09] to go to bed late at night while those with >4 h of daily screen time were most likely to go to sleep late at night (OR, 1.97; 95%CI: 1.34–2.89). Late bedtime was associated with deprivation in schoolchildren.

Conclusions

High screen time and deprivation may explain lateness in bedtime in English schoolchildren. This explanation may vary according to area deprivation and geographic location. Family‐centered interventions and parental support are important to reduce screen time, late bedtime and increase sleep duration.
Scoring system for the prediction of severe acute pancreatitis in children
Authors: Suzuki Mitsuyoshi , Saito Nobutomo , Naritaka Nakayuki , Nakano Satoshi , Minowa Kei , Honda Yuka , Ohtsuka Yoshikazu , Yamataka Atsuyuki , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: July 2014

Background

The lack of an accurate scoring system for pediatric acute pancreatitis could cause delays in appropriate clinical management and increase the risk of progressive life‐threatening complications. We investigated a modified Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (JPN) scoring system that uses pediatric systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) score, age, and weight to establish a more useful scoring system for children.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted of pediatric patients with acute pancreatitis who were admitted to Juntendo University Hospital between 1985 and 2011. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the pediatric JPN scoring system were calculated and then compared with those of previously developed scoring systems.

Results

The patient group consisted of 145 patients (88 girls, 57 boys). The pediatric JPN score had greater sensitivity (80%) than the Ranson (60%), modified Glasgow (50%), and DeBanto (60%) scores. The specificity was 96% for the pediatric JPN score, 94% for the Ranson score, 99% for the modified Glasgow score, and 86% for the DeBanto score.

Conclusion

The pediatric JPN score can be used to predict severe acute pancreatitis during the initial medical assessment.
Limited antigenic variation in the Trypanosoma cruzi candidate vaccine antigen TSA‐1
Authors: Knight J. M. , Zingales B. , Bottazzi M. E. , Hotez P. , Zhan B.
Published: July 2014

Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases in the Western Hemisphere. The toxicities and limited efficacies of current antitrypanosomal drugs have prompted a search for alternative technologies such as a therapeutic vaccine comprised of T. cruzi antigens, including a recombinant antigen encoding the N‐terminal 65 kDa portion of Trypomastigote surface antigen‐1 (TSA‐1). With at least six known genetically distinct T. cruzi lineages, variability between the different lineages poses a unique challenge for the development of broadly effective therapeutic vaccine. The variability across the major lineages in the current vaccine candidate antigen TSA‐1 has not previously been addressed. To assess the variation in TSA‐1, we cloned and sequenced TSA‐1 from several different T. cruzi strains representing three of the most clinically relevant lineages. Analysis of the different alleles showed limited variation in TSA‐1 across the different strains and fit with the current theory for the evolution of the different lineages. Additionally, minimal variation in known antigenic epitopes for the HLA‐A 02 allele suggests that interlineage variation in TSA‐1 would not impair the range and efficacy of a vaccine containing TSA‐1.
A proposed process for applying a structured decision‐making framework to restoration planning in the Atchafalaya River Basin, Louisiana, U.S.A.
Authors: Kozak Justin P. , Piazza Bryan P.
Published: July 2014

Environmental decision‐making issues in the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB), Louisiana require innovative approaches that combine scientific understanding and local stakeholder values. Management of the ARB has evolved from strong federal control to establish the ARB as a primary floodway of the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project to a state and federal collaboration to accommodate fish and wildlife resource promotion, recreational opportunities, and economic development. The management policy has expanded to include a growing number of stakeholders, but the decision‐making process has not kept pace. Current conflicts among many local stakeholder groups, due in part to their lack of involvement in the decision‐making process, impede restoration efforts. The absence of a long‐term collective vision for the ARB by both local stakeholder groups and management agencies further confounds these efforts. This paper proposes a process to apply a structured decision‐making framework, a values‐based approach that explicitly defines objectives, to promote stakeholder‐driven restoration efforts in the ARB and to better prepare for and manage long‐term environmental issues. The goals of this approach are: (1) to create a process founded on stakeholder values and supported by rigorous scientific assessment to meet management agency mandates and (2) to establish a transparent process for restoration planning in the ARB that incorporates current and future non‐governmental stakeholders into the decision‐making process. Similar frameworks have been successful in other river basins; we feel the structure of current restoration efforts in the ARB is well‐suited to adopt a values‐focused management framework.
From Big Data to Knowledge: An Ontological Approach to Big Data Analytics
Authors: Kuiler Erik W.
Published: July 2014

The introduction of Big Data sets in the healthcare domain has presented opportunities to engage in analytics of very large sets containing both structured and unstructured data. With advances in information technology (IT), these data sets have become available from diverse sources at greatly increased rates. The availability of Big Data sets has introduced complexities that we must address, not only in terms of semantics and analytics but also in terms of data management, storage, and distribution. Currently, the capabilities to ingest, analyze, and manage multipetabyte data sets have underscored the limitations of our analytics capabilities supported by relational database management systems. This essay argues that an ontology‐based approach to data analytics provides a practical framework to address the semantic challenges presented by Big Data sets. No ontological framework can address the operational and management requirements introduced by the availability of Big Data sets, however. There are also a number of IT architectural factors that must be considered in implementing such a framework.
Government Information Policy in the Era of Big Data
Authors: Washington Anne L.
Published: July 2014

Reliable public sector information serves as a pivotal source for big data. Government postal codes, for instance, have been crucial for predicting demographics. Confidentiality, however, may be at risk when combined with other sources. Public sector information not only describes government activity but contains material, such as campaign finance filings, produced by outside sources. How does information production impact policy concerns if material is reused for big data projects? Information production is analyzed using a framework of five methods of production. The framework considers information that the public sector writes, publishes, manages, produces through research, and compiles through legal mandates. This paper examines the policy implications of using U.S. federal public sector information in big data projects.
Cowden syndrome—a case report emphasizing the role of the dental surgeon in diagnosis
Authors: Webber Liana Preto , Martins Manoela Domingues , Carrard Vinícius Coelho , Trevizani Martins Marco Antônio , Munerato Maria Cristina
Published: July 2014

Cowden syndrome or multiple hamartoma syndrome, is a rare genetic condition inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern characterized by cutaneous manifestations, polyps, thyroid gland neoplasias, and macrocephaly. This report presents the case of a 36‐year‐old patient who looked for dental treatment for a gingival nodule. Current and past medical history and oral and facial manifestations led to the diagnosis of Cowden syndrome. This case report emphasizes the role of the dental surgeon in the diagnosis of this systemic disease, based on the analysis of medical history and manifestations in the oral cavity.
Measles and rubella vaccination coverage in Haiti, 2012: progress towards verifying and challenges to maintaining measles and rubella elimination
Authors: Tohme Rania A. , François Jeannot , Wannemuehler Kathleen , Magloire Roc , Danovaro‐Holliday M. Carolina , Flannery Brendan , Cavallaro Kathleen F. , Fitter David L. , Purcell Nora , Dismer Amber , Tappero Jordan W. , Vertefeuille John F. , Hyde Terri B.
Published: July 2014

Objectives

We conducted a nationwide survey to assess measles containing vaccine (MCV) coverage among children aged 1–9 years in Haiti and identify factors associated with vaccination before and during the 2012 nationwide supplementary immunisation activities (SIA).

Methods

Haiti was stratified into five geographic regions (Metropolitan Port‐au‐Prince, North, Centre, South and West), 40 clusters were randomly selected in each region, and 35 households were selected per cluster.

Results

Among the 7000 visited households, 75.8% had at least one child aged 1–9 years; of these, 5279 (99.5%) households consented to participate in the survey. Of 9883 children enrolled, 91% received MCV before and/or during the SIA; 31% received MR for the first time during the SIA, and 50.7% received two doses of MCV (one before and one during the 2012 SIA). Among the 1685 unvaccinated children during the SIA, the primary reason of non‐vaccination was caregivers not being aware of the SIA (31.0%). Children aged 1–4 years had significantly lower MR SIA coverage than those aged 5–9 years (79.5% vs. 84.8%) (P < 0.0001). A higher proportion of children living in the West (12.3%) and Centre (11.2%) regions had never been vaccinated than in other regions (4.8–9.1%). Awareness, educational level of the mother and region were significantly associated with MR vaccination during and before the SIA (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The 2012 SIA successfully increased MR coverage; however, to maintain measles and rubella elimination, coverage needs to be further increased among children aged 1–4 years and in regions with lower coverage.
Catheter use in gynaecological practice
Authors: Aslam Nosheen , Moran Paul A
Published: July 2014

Key Contents

Indications for catheter use in gynaecological practice.

Types of catheters and catheterisation.

Evidence for early versus delayed removal of catheters postoperatively.

Complications.

Learning objectives

To understand the properties of different types of catheters.

To understand the possible role of catheters in gynaecology.

To be aware of limitations and complications of different types of catheters.

Ethical Issues

Gaining appropriate consent for using catheters.

Operating on patients who are at high risk of postoperative long‐term catheterisation.

Long‐term use of indwelling urethral catheters versus suprapubic catheters.
Early abdominal ectopic pregnancy: challenges, update and review of current management
Authors: Agarwal Nilesh , Odejinmi Funlayo
Published: July 2014

Key content

Early abdominal ectopic pregnancy (EAP), though rare, has a high mortality rate.

There are no pathognomic symptoms of abdominal pregnancy. Symptoms are akin as for other types of ectopic pregnancy, thus a high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis.

The tool of choice for diagnosis is ultrasound but it only gives 50% accuracy when used along with clinical evaluation. On occasion, magnetic resonance imaging may help to diagnose EAP.

Medical management is commonly used where potential life‐threatening bleeding is anticipated. A number of women who are treated medically may need subsequent treatment with multiple therapies.

Surgical management requires a great deal of surgical expertise and in most cases a multidisciplinary approach in anticipation of possible life‐threatening bleeding during the operation.

Learning objectives

To outline the classification of EAP.

To understand the common risk factors associated with EAP.

To understand how to diagnose EAP.

To be aware of the different medical and surgical management of EAP and the ethical issues associated with diagnosis and treatment.

Ethical issues

Distinguishing an abdominal pregnancy from the more common variants of ectopic pregnancy remains difficult and a definitive diagnosis is usually made at surgery.

There is no established guidance available for the diagnosis and management of EAP.

Many EAP are never diagnosed because of a successful response to medical management for a pregnancy of unknown location.

As it is not uncommon to diagnose EAP for the first time during surgery, the difficulties in diagnosis prior to surgery means that patients require life‐saving surgery beyond the scope of the preoperative signed consent form.
The conservative (non‐pharmacological) management of female urinary incontinence
Authors: Saleh Sepeedeh , Majumdar Amitabha , Williams Kate
Published: July 2014

Key content

Urinary incontinence (UI) affects up to 69% of the female population at some point in their lives but remains under‐reported. There are three main types of UI: stress, urgency and mixed.

It is recommended to try conservative approaches as first‐line measures in the management of all types of UI. These include lifestyle interventions such as adjustment of fluid intake and weight loss, physical and behavioural therapies (pelvic floor muscle training, electrical stimulation, vaginal cones and bladder training programmes) and occasionally containment devices.

Initial management of UI, in most cases, renders itself to primary care settings: this involves appropriate assessment of women's symptoms, including quality of life (QOL) assessment, appropriate simple investigations (such as urine analysis) and conservative treatment.

Appropriate referral pathways to secondary and tertiary levels of care are necessary. Regular audit should take place to assess the efficacy of management options and referral pathways.

UI has significant adverse affects on women's QOL. Hence patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been highlighted in recent NHS reports as a means of assessing effectiveness of care from the patient's perspective by gauging patient health status or health‐related QOL.

Learning objectives

To gain an understanding of the assessment and various conservative management options for common types of UI in women.

To explore the existing evidence base for such conservative management modalities and to analyse the effect of the current economic climate and reorganisation of services on the conservative management approach.

To recognise the important role of patient reported outcome measures as well as service and user involvement, in the assessment of clinical and cost‐effectiveness of various treatment options of UI in women.

Ethical issues

Should conservative measures such as weight loss and smoking cessation be a pre‐requisite for offering further management options?

In the present climate of scarce health resources should more emphasis be placed on the active role of patients in their own management? Will reorganisation of the NHS pose any threat to the conservative measures for treating UI in women?

Is it acceptable to take a ‘one size fits all’ approach to management of common types of UI?
Polyhydramnios in singleton pregnancies: perinatal outcomes and management
Authors: Karkhanis Pallavi , Patni Shalini
Published: July 2014

Key content

Polyhydramnios is a common obstetric condition, but its management can often be challenging.

Mild polyhydramnios resolves frequently and is not usually associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

There is a higher prevalence of aneuploidy (10–20%) in severe polyhydramnios.

Unexplained polyhydramnios has been associated with increased rates of perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Learning objectives

To gain an overview of the aetiology and investigations for polyhydramnios in singleton pregnancies.

To understand the implications of mild and unexplained polyhydramnios for both mother and fetus.

To develop an evidence‐based approach for managing this condition and provide a surveillance strategy.

Ethical issues

Can we justify the benefits of early induction in unexplained polyhydramnios in the face of associated risks?
Implication of spot position error on plan quality and patient safety in pencil‐beam‐scanning proton therapy
Authors: Yu Juan , Beltran Chris J. , Herman Michael G.
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

To quantitatively and systematically assess dosimetric effects induced by spot positioning error as a function of spot spacing (SS) on intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plan quality and to facilitate evaluation of safety tolerance limits on spot position.

Methods:

Spot position errors (PE) ranging from 1 to 2 mm were simulated. Simple plans were created on a water phantom, and IMPT plans were calculated on two pediatric patients with a brain tumor of 28 and 3 cc, respectively, using a commercial planning system. For the phantom, a uniform dose was delivered to targets located at different depths from 10 to 20 cm with various field sizes from 22 to 152 cm2. Two nominal spot sizes, 4.0 and 6.6 mm of 1 σ in water at isocenter, were used for treatment planning. The SS ranged from 0.5 σ to 1.5 σ, which is 2–6 mm for the small spot size and 3.3–9.9 mm for the large spot size. Various perturbation scenarios of a single spot error and systematic and random multiple spot errors were studied. To quantify the dosimetric effects, percent dose error (PDE) depth profiles and the value of percent dose error at the maximum dose difference (PDE [ΔDmax]) were used for evaluation.

Results:

A pair of hot and cold spots was created per spot shift. PDE[ΔDmax] is found to be a complex function of PE, SS, spot size, depth, and global spot distribution that can be well defined in simple models. For volumetric targets, the PDE [ΔDmax] is not noticeably affected by the change of field size or target volume within the studied ranges. In general, reducing SS decreased the dose error. For the facility studied, given a single spot error with a PE of 1.2 mm and for both spot sizes, a SS of 1σ resulted in a 2% maximum dose error; a SS larger than 1.25 σ substantially increased the dose error and its sensitivity to PE. A similar trend was observed in multiple spot errors (both systematic and random errors). Systematic PE can lead to noticeable hot spots along the field edges, which may be near critical structures. However, random PE showed minimal dose error.

Conclusions:

Dose error dependence for PE was quantitatively and systematically characterized and an analytic tool was built to simulate systematic and random errors for patient‐specific IMPT. This information facilitates the determination of facility specific spot position error thresholds.
An annexin A1–FPR1 interaction contributes to necroptosis of keratinocytes in severe cutaneous adverse drug reactions
Authors: Saito Nao , Qiao Hongjiang , Yanagi Teruki , Shinkuma Satoru , Nishimura Keiko , Suto Asuka , Fujita Yasuyuki , Suzuki Shotaro , Nomura Toshifumi , Nakamura Hideki , Nagao Koji , Obuse Chikashi , Shimizu Hiroshi , Abe Riichiro
Published: July 2014

Annexin A1 secreted from drug-stimulated monocytes contributes to keratinocyte necroptosis in serious drug-related adverse events in skin.
Biological pacemaker created by minimally invasive somatic reprogramming in pigs with complete heart block
Authors: Hu Yu-Feng , Dawkins James Frederick , Cho Hee Cheol , Marbán Eduardo , Cingolani Eugenio
Published: July 2014

TBX18
gene therapy reprogrammed cardiomyocytes to become pacemaker cells in a pig model of heart block.
Protein misfolding, congophilia, oligomerization, and defective amyloid processing in preeclampsia
Authors: Buhimschi Irina A. , Nayeri Unzila A. , Zhao Guomao , Shook Lydia L. , Pensalfini Anna , Funai Edmund F. , Bernstein Ira M. , Glabe Charles G. , Buhimschi Catalin S.
Published: July 2014

Preeclampsia is characterized by protein misfolding, aggregation, and amyloid-like plaque formation, suggesting that this pregnancy-related condition shares pathophysiologic features with protein conformational disorders.
Fishing for Drugs That Mitigate Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Haldar Saptarsi M.
Published: July 2014

A small-molecule agonist of the G protein–coupled receptor Gpr120 ameliorates metabolic syndrome in obese mice.
An Unexpected Player in Diabetes
Authors: Round June
Published: July 2014

Heme oxygenase-1 is associated with insulin resistance in obese individuals, and excessive amounts in mouse liver exacerbate inflammation, leading to metabolic disease.
Message in a bottle: decoding medication injury patterns in the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Voltaggio Lysandra , Lam-Himlin Dora , Limketkai Berkeley N , Singhi Aatur D , Arnold Christina A
Published: July 2014

Medication injury in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a rapidly evolving topic. Increasing endoscopy together with an ageing population, polypharmacy, and a burgeoning drug industry offer heightened opportunities to observe the unintended side effects of therapeutic ingestants. In this review, we emphasise the most commonly encountered medication injuries involving the GIT, as well as emerging agents and mimics. While topics are organised by organ system, the reader should keep in mind that injury patterns are generally not site-specific. As such, awareness of these major morphologic patterns can be translated to multiple tissue sites to more broadly facilitate the diagnostic process.
Telemetry reveals how catch and release affects prespawning migration in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Richard Antoine , Bernatchez Louis , Valiquette Eliane , Dionne Mélanie
Published: July 2014

With the decline of many exploited fish populations, catch and release has become an increasingly used management practice to allow sport fishing while reducing its impact on wild populations. However, survival and reproductive success can vary according to the catch and release technique and environmental conditions, suggesting a potential impact of this practice on prespawning behaviour. Here we evaluate how some critical aspects of salmon freshwater migration are influenced by catch and release and by environmental factors. For this purpose, 40 multi-sea-winter Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) (20 catch and release and 20 control) were followed by telemetry from June 2011 to March 2012. Temperature was found to influence movements and the daily probability that a fish would cross a fish ladder, while water discharge influenced daily distance travelled during the prespawning migration. Catch and release was found to influence the daily probability of fish to cross a barrier as well as the total distance traveled in the river. Overall, this study suggests that salmon caught and released by fishermen survive and reproduce, but that prespawning exploration behaviours could be altered compared with those of uncaught salmon.
Vector inflation by kinetic coupled gravity
Authors: Darabi F. , Parsiya A.
Published: July 2014

Vector inflation is a newly established model where inflation is driven by nonminimally coupled massive vector fields with a potential term. This model is similar to the model of chaotic inflation with scalar fields, except that for vector fields the isotropy of expansion is achieved either by considering a triplet of orthogonal vector fields or N randomly oriented independent vector fields. We introduce a new model of vector inflation where the vector field has no potential term and is nonminimally coupled to gravity through the kinetic term. This model shows that vector inflation without a potential term is possible and helps to avoid the fine tuning problem in inflationary models having a potential. The nonminimal coupling is established by introducing the Einstein tensor besides the metric tensor within the kinetic term of the vector field. A perturbation analysis is performed to confront the inflation under discussion with Planck and BICEP2 results.
CONTINUOUS OPINION DYNAMICS ON AN ADAPTIVE COUPLED RANDOM NETWORK
Authors: LUO SHUANGLING , XIA HAOXIANG , YIN BORUI
Published: July 2014

In this paper, an agent-based model for opinion dynamics on an adaptive coupled random network is proposed. Based on Festinger's idea of "cognitive dissonance", in the proposed model an agent can either make opinion exchange with a neighbor according to the bounded confidence mechanism, or migrate toward another network position in case that the majority of the adjacent agents are beyond the confidence bound. Through numerical simulations, we test how the key factors, such as the interconnectivity of the two communities, the confidence bound or the communal tolerance to diversity, the initial distributions of the opinions, and the level of sense of community, affect the final opinion state of the system. The overall analyses show a general picture of the dynamics of opinions on an adaptive network with community structure. In particular, the results reveal that the clustering of similar agents has a bifurcating function for the opinion dynamics. Given that the inter-communal influence is high, the clustering fosters the global consensus. If the inter-communal influence is weak, the clustering would instead intensify polarization and thus hinder the formation of global consensus. The factors of the communal tolerances and interconnectivity leverage the bifurcating effect.
Measurement-based quantum computation cannot avoid byproducts
Authors: Morimae Tomoyuki
Published: July 2014

In the circuit model of quantum computation, a desired unitary gate can be implemented deterministically, whereas in the measurement-based model the unitary gate is implemented up to a byproduct operator. In order to compensate byproducts, following measurement angles must be adjusted, or classical results must be corrected. Such a feed-forwarding requires some classical processing and tuning of the measurement device, which cause the delay of computation and the additional decoherence. We show that if we respect the no-signaling principle, which is one of the most fundamental principles in physics, byproducts cannot be avoided in measurement-based quantum computation. Furthermore, we also show by using the idea of the quantum error correcting code that due to the no-signaling principle, not all byproducts are allowed in measurement-based quantum computation.
Influence of Amplitude of Oscillating Magnetic Fields on Magnetic Nanoparticle-Mediated Gene Transfer to Astrocytes
Authors: Tickle Jacqueline A. , Jenkins Stuart I. , Pickard Mark R. , Chari Divya M.
Published: July 2014

Functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are emerging as a major nanoplatform for regenerative neurology, particularly as transfection agents for gene delivery. Magnetic assistive technology, particularly the recent innovation of applied oscillating magnetic fields, can significantly enhance MNP-mediated gene transfer to neural cells. While transfection efficiency varies with oscillation frequency in various neural cell types, the influence of oscillation amplitude has not yet been investigated. We have addressed this issue using cortical astrocytes that were transfected using MNPs functionalized with plasmid encoding a reporter protein. Cells were exposed to a range of oscillation amplitudes (100–1000 μm), using a fixed oscillation frequency of 1 Hz. No significant differences were found in the proportions of transfected cells at the amplitudes tested, but GFP-related optical density measurements (indicative of reporter protein expression) were significantly enhanced at 200 μm. Safety data show no amplitude-dependent toxicity. Our data suggest that the amplitude of oscillating magnetic fields influences MNP-mediated transfection, and a tailored combination of amplitude and frequency may further enhance transgene expression. Systematic testing of these parameters in different neural subtypes will enable the development of a database of neuro-magnetofection protocols — an area of nanotechnology research where little information currently exists.
Impaired mitochondrial function in human placenta with increased maternal adiposity
Authors: Mele James , Muralimanoharan Sribalasubashini , Maloyan Alina , Myatt Leslie
Published: July 2014

The placenta plays a key role in regulation of fetal growth and development and in mediating in utero developmental programming. Obesity, which is associated with chronic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in many tissues, exerts a programming effect in pregnancy. We determined the effect of increasing maternal adiposity and of fetal sex on placental ATP generation, mitochondrial biogenesis, expression of electron transport chain subunits, and mitochondrial function in isolated trophoblasts. Placental tissue was collected from women with prepregnancy BMI ranging from 18.5 to 45 following C-section at term with no labor. Increasing maternal adiposity was associated with excessive production of reactive oxygen species and a significant reduction in placental ATP levels in placentae with male and female fetuses. To explore the potential mechanism of placental mitochondrial dysfunction, levels of transcription factors regulating the expression of genes involved in electron transport and mitochondrial biogenesis were measured. Our in vitro studies showed significant reduction in mitochondrial respiration in cultured primary trophoblasts with increasing maternal obesity along with an abnormal metabolic flexibility of these cells. This reduction in placental mitochondrial respiration in pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity could compromise placental function and potentially underlie the increased susceptibility of these pregnancies to fetal demise in late gestation and to developmental programming.
Data Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing
Authors: Sun Yunchuan , Zhang Junsheng , Xiong Yongping , Zhu Guangyu
Published: July 2014

Data security has consistently been a major issue in information technology. In the cloud computing environment, it becomes particularly serious because the data is located in different places even in all the globe. Data security and privacy protection are the two main factors of user's concerns about the cloud technology. Though many techniques on the topics in cloud computing have been investigated in both academics and industries, data security and privacy protection are becoming more important for the future development of cloud computing technology in government, industry, and business. Data security and privacy protection issues are relevant to both hardware and software in the cloud architecture. This study is to review different security techniques and challenges from both software and hardware aspects for protecting data in the cloud and aims at enhancing the data security and privacy protection for the trustworthy cloud environment. In this paper, we make a comparative research analysis of the existing research work regarding the data security and privacy protection techniques used in the cloud computing.
Segmentation of Intensity Inhomogeneous Brain MR Images Using Active Contours
Authors: Akram Farhan , Kim Jeong Heon , Lim Han Ul , Choi Kwang Nam
Published: July 2014

Segmentation of intensity inhomogeneous regions is a well-known problem in image analysis applications. This paper presents a region-based active contour method for image segmentation, which properly works in the context of intensity inhomogeneity problem. The proposed region-based active contour method embeds both region and gradient information unlike traditional methods. It contains mainly two terms, area and length, in which the area term practices a new region-based signed pressure force (SPF) function, which utilizes mean values from a certain neighborhood using the local binary fitted (LBF) energy model. In turn, the length term uses gradient information. The novelty of our method is to locally compute new SPF function, which uses local mean values and is able to detect boundaries of the homogenous regions. Finally, a truncated Gaussian kernel is used to regularize the level set function, which not only regularizes it but also removes the need of computationally expensive reinitialization. The proposed method targets the segmentation problem of intensity inhomogeneous images and reduces the time complexity among locally computed active contour methods. The experimental results show that the proposed method yields better segmentation result as well as less time complexity compared with the state-of-the-art active contour methods.
Features Extraction of Flotation Froth Images and BP Neural Network Soft-Sensor Model of Concentrate Grade Optimized by Shuffled Cuckoo Searching Algorithm
Authors: Wang Jie-sheng , Han Shuang , Shen Na-na , Li Shu-xia
Published: July 2014

For meeting the forecasting target of key technology indicators in the flotation process, a BP neural network soft-sensor model based on features extraction of flotation froth images and optimized by shuffled cuckoo search algorithm is proposed. Based on the digital image processing technique, the color features in HSI color space, the visual features based on the gray level cooccurrence matrix, and the shape characteristics based on the geometric theory of flotation froth images are extracted, respectively, as the input variables of the proposed soft-sensor model. Then the isometric mapping method is used to reduce the input dimension, the network size, and learning time of BP neural network. Finally, a shuffled cuckoo search algorithm is adopted to optimize the BP neural network soft-sensor model. Simulation results show that the model has better generalization results and prediction accuracy.
The Role of Neurotrophic Factors Conjugated to Iron Oxide Nanoparticles in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration:In VitroStudies
Authors: Ziv-Polat Ofra , Shahar Abraham , Levy Itay , Skaat Hadas , Neuman Sara , Fregnan Federica , Geuna Stefano , Grothe Claudia , Haastert-Talini Kirsten , Margel Shlomo
Published: July 2014

Local delivery of neurotrophic factors is a pillar of neural repair strategies in the peripheral nervous system. The main disadvantage of the free growth factors is their short half-life of few minutes. In order to prolong their activity, we have conjugated to iron oxide nanoparticles three neurotrophic factors: nerve growth factor (βNGF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2). Comparative stability studies of free versus conjugated factors revealed that the conjugated neurotrophic factors were significantly more stable in tissue cultures and in medium at 37°C. The biological effects of free versus conjugated neurotrophic factors were examined on organotypic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cultures performed in NVR-Gel, composed mainly of hyaluronic acid and laminin. Results revealed that the conjugated neurotrophic factors enhanced early nerve fiber sprouting compared to the corresponding free factors. The most meaningful result was that conjugated-GDNF, accelerated the onset and progression of myelin significantly earlier than the free GDNF and the other free and conjugated factors. This is probably due to the beneficial and long-acting effect that the stabilized conjugated-GDNF had on neurons and Schwann cells. These conclusive results make NVR-Gel enriched with conjugated-GDNF, a desirable scaffold for the reconstruction of severed peripheral nerve.
Macrophage Trafficking as Key Mediator of Adenine-Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Correa-Costa Matheus , Braga Tárcio Teodoro , Felizardo Raphael José Ferreira , Andrade-Oliveira Vinícius , Perez Katia Regina , Cuccovia Iolanda Midea , Hiyane Meire Ioshie , da Silva João Santana , Câmara Niels Olsen Saraiva
Published: July 2014

Macrophages play a special role in the onset of several diseases, including acute and chronic kidney injuries. In this sense, tubule interstitial nephritis (TIN) represents an underestimated insult, which can be triggered by different stimuli and, in the absence of a proper regulation, can lead to fibrosis deposition. Based on this perception, we evaluated the participation of macrophage recruitment in the development of TIN. Initially, we provided adenine-enriched food to WT and searched for macrophage presence and action in the kidney. Also, a group of animals were depleted of macrophages with the clodronate liposome while receiving adenine-enriched diet. We collected blood and renal tissue from these animals and renal function, inflammation, and fibrosis were evaluated. We observed higher expression of chemokines in the kidneys of adenine-fed mice and a substantial protection when macrophages were depleted. Then, we specifically investigated the role of some key chemokines, CCR5 and CCL3, in this TIN experimental model. Interestingly, CCR5 KO and CCL3 KO animals showed less renal dysfunction and a decreased proinflammatory profile. Furthermore, in those animals, there was less profibrotic signaling. In conclusion, we can suggest that macrophage infiltration is important for the onset of renal injury in the adenine-induced TIN.
High Steroid Sensitivity among Children with Nephrotic Syndrome in Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Ladapo Taiwo Augustina , Esezobor Christopher Imokhuede , Lesi Foluso Ebun
Published: July 2014

Recent reports from both Caucasian and black populations suggest changes in steroid responsiveness of childhood nephrotic syndrome. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the features and steroid sensitivity pattern of a cohort of black children with nephrotic syndrome. Records of children managed for nephrotic syndrome from January 2008 to April 2013 were reviewed. Details including age, response to treatment, and renal histology were analysed. There were 108 children (median age: 5.9 years, peak: 1-2 years), 90.2% of whom had idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Steroid sensitivity was 82.8% among children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome but 75.9% overall. Median time to remission was 7 days. Median age was significantly lower in steroid sensitive compared with resistant patients. The predominant histologic finding in resistant cases was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (53.3%). No cases of quartan malaria nephropathy or hepatitis B virus nephropathy were diagnosed. Overall mortality was 6.5%. In conclusion, unusually high steroid sensitivity is reported among a cohort of black children. This is likely attributable to the lower age structure of our cohort as well as possible changing epidemiology of some other childhood diseases. Surveillance of the epidemiology of childhood nephrotic syndrome and corresponding modifications in practice are therefore recommended.
Vehicle Delay Estimation for an Isolated Intersection under Actuated Signal Control
Authors: Feng Shumin , Ci Yusheng , Wu Lina , Zhang Fenglin
Published: July 2014

Vehicle delay at an actuated signal control (ASC) intersection is analyzed and computed with the aim of reflecting the effects of ASC and optimizing its parameters. The operation characteristics of traffic flows at the intersections serve as the foundation to present the mechanism of vehicle delay under the ASC; given that the arrival of vehicles obeys the Poisson distribution, probability algorithms of vehicle delay are put forward under the semi‐ASC and fully ASC depending on discretization of green time. Computation process is illustrated by case study and CORSIM simulation experiments. Finally, the primary results indicate that the appropriate control modes can decrease vehicle delay, which is significantly affected by unit extension. Hopefully, the study will provide useful information for selecting different ASC modes and optimizing signal control parameters.
Porous Methyltrimethoxysilane Coated Nanoscale‐Hydroxyapatite for Removing Lead Ions from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Ciobanu C. S. , Iconaru S. L. , Popa C. L. , Costescu A. , Motelica-Heino M. , Predoi D.
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to synthetize new porous nanoparticles based on methyltrimethoxysilane coated hydroxyapatite (MTHAp) for lead removal form aqueous solutions. The morphological and compositional analysis of MTHAp were investigated by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with an energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometer (EDS). Removal experiments of Pb2+ ions were carried out in aqueous solutions with controlled concentration of Pb2+ at a fixed pH value of 3 and 5 respectively. After the removal experiment of Pb2+ ions from solutions, porous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were transformed into PbMTHAp_3 and PbMTHAp_5 via the adsorption of Pb2+ ions followed by a cation exchange reaction. The X‐ray diffraction spectra of PbMTHAp_3 and PbMTHAp_5 revealed that the powders, after removal of the Pb2+ ions, were a mixture of Ca2.5Pb7.5(PO4)6(OH)2, Pb2Ca4(PO4)2(SiO4), and Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. Our results demonstrate that the porous hydroxyapatite nanoparticles can be used as an adsorbent for removing Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cotton Field under Different Irrigation Methods and Fertilization Regimes in Arid Northwestern China
Authors: Wu Jie , Guo Wei , Feng Jinfei , Li Lanhai , Yang Haishui , Wang Xiaohua , Bian Xinmin
Published: July 2014

Drip irrigation is broadly extended in order to save water in the arid cotton production region of China. Biochar is thought to be a useful soil amendment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here, a field study was conducted to compare the emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) under different irrigation methods (drip irrigation (D) and furrow irrigation (F)) and fertilization regimes (conventional fertilization (C) and conventional fertilization + biochar (B)) during the cotton growth season. The accumulated N2O emissions were significantly lower with FB, DC, and DB than with FC by 28.8%, 36.1%, and 37.6%, while accumulated CH4uptake was 264.5%, 226.7%, and 154.2% higher with DC, DB, and FC than that with FB, respectively. Irrigation methods showed a significant effect on total global warming potential (GWP) and yield-scaled GWP (P<0.01). DC and DB showed higher cotton yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and lower yield-scaled GWP, as compared with FC and FB. This suggests that in northwestern China mulched-drip irrigation should be a better approach to increase cotton yield with depressed GHG. In addition, biochar addition increased CH4emissions while it decreasedN2Oemissions.
Analysis of Approximation by Linear Operators on VariableLρp(·)Spaces and Applications in Learning Theory
Authors: Li Bing-Zheng , Zhou Ding-Xuan
Published: July 2014

This paper is concerned with approximation on variableLρp(·)spaces associated with a general exponent functionpand a general bounded Borel measureρon an open subsetΩofRd. We mainly consider approximation by Bernstein type linear operators. Under an assumption of log-Hölder continuity of the exponent functionp, we verify a conjecture raised previously about the uniform boundedness of Bernstein-Durrmeyer and Bernstein-Kantorovich operators on theLρp(·)space. Quantitative estimates for the approximation are provided for high orders of approximation by linear combinations of such positive linear operators. Motivating connections to classification and quantile regression problems in learning theory are also described.
Determinants of Household Savings in India: An Empirical Analysis Using ARDL Approach
Authors: Samantaraya Amaresh , Patra Suresh Kumar
Published: July 2014

Indian economy witnessed significant transformations in the postreform period both in terms of change in policy paradigm adopting greater market orientation and overall macroeconomic performance with development of a broad-based financial market and increasing global integration. Guided by the fact that domestic savings play a critical role in augmenting capital accumulation and contributing to achieve and sustain high economic growth, an attempt to review and reassess the role of various factors influencing domestic savings under the changed environment is quite relevant for sustaining the growth momentum. In this backdrop, the present study empirically analyzed the role of various determinants of household savings in India with the latest available data. It employed ARDL approach for this purpose due to its suitability for estimating an equation with a mix of stationary and nonstationary variables of order I(1) and address potential endogeneity problems. The estimated results revealed that GDP, dependency ratio, interest rate, and inflation have statistically significant influence on household savings in India, both in the long run and short run. As regards policy implications, we suggest that ensuring price stability and avoiding any disruption to the growth process will be useful for augmenting savings and sustaining the savings-growth spiral in India.