bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between quality management and performance indicators in Dutch diabetes care groups: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Campmans-Kuijpers Marjo J E , Baan Caroline A , Lemmens Lidwien C , Klomp Maarten L H , Romeijnders Arnold C M , Rutten Guy E H M
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To enhance the quality of diabetes care in the Netherlands, so-called care groups with three to 250 general practitioners emerged to organise and coordinate diabetes care. This introduced a new quality management level in addition to the quality management of separate general practices. We hypothesised that this new level of quality management might be associated with the aggregate performance indicators on the patient level. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between quality management at the care group level and its aggregate performance indicators.

Design

A cross-sectional study.

Setting

All Dutch care groups (n=97).

Participants

23 care groups provided aggregate register-based performance indicators of all their practices as well as data on quality management measured with a questionnaire filled out by 1 or 2 of their quality managers.

Primary outcomes

The association between quality management, overall and in 6 domains (‘organisation of care’, ‘multidisciplinary teamwork’, ‘patient centredness’, ‘performance management’, ‘quality improvement policy’ and ‘management strategies’) on the one hand and 3 process indicators (the percentages of patients with at least 1 measurement of glycated haemoglobin, lipid profile and systolic blood pressure), and 3 intermediate outcome indicators (the percentages of patients with glycated haemoglobin below 53 mmol/mol (7%); low-density lipoprotein cholesterol below 2.5 mmol/L; and systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg) by weighted univariable linear regression.

Results

The domain ‘management strategies’ was significantly associated with the percentage of patients with a glycated haemoglobin <53 mmol/mol (β 0.28 (0.09; 0.46) p=0.01) after correction for multiple testing. The other domains as well as overall quality management were not associated with aggregate process or outcome indicators.

Conclusions

This first exploratory study on quality management showed weak or no associations between quality management of diabetes care groups and their performance. It remains uncertain whether this second layer on quality management adds to better quality of care.
Association of child health and household amenities in high focus states in India: a district-level analysis
Authors: Gouda Jitendra , Gupta Ashish Kumar , Yadav Ajit Kumar
Published: May 2015

Objectives

To assess household amenities in districts of high focus states and their association with child health in India.

Design

The data for the study are extracted from Annual Health Survey (AHS) and Census 2011.

Settings

Districts in high focus states in India.

Participants

Information regarding children below 5 years of age and women aged 15–49 has been extracted from the AHS (2010–2011), and household amenities information has been obtained from the Census (2011).

Measures

Household amenities were assessed from the census at the district level in the high focus states. Child health indicators and wealth index were borrowed from AHS and used in this study to check their linkage with household amenities.

Results

Absence of drinking water from a treated source, improved sanitation, usage of clean cooking fuel and drainage facility in the household were adversely associated with the incidence of acute respiratory infection, diarrhoea, infant mortality rate (IMR) and under 5 mortality rate (U5MR). The mean IMR declined from 64 to 54 for districts where a high proportion of household have improved sanitation. The result of ordinary least square regression shows that improved sanitation has a negative and statistically significant association (β=−0.0067, p<0.01) with U5MR.

Conclusions

Although child healthcare services are important in addressing child health issues, they barely touch on the root of the problem. Building toilets and providing safe drinking water, clean cooking fuel and drainage facilities at the household level, may prevent a number of adverse child health issues and may reduce the burden on the healthcare system in India.
Performance improvement initiative: prevention of surgical site infection (SSI)
Authors: Ng Wai Khuan , Awad Nawal
Published: May 2015

Mafraq Hospital performs an average of 10,000 surgeries every year. The impact of having high volume high risk surgical procedures calls for the need to ensure safe surgery and a prevention of surgical site infection (SSI). SSI represents a significant portion of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The impact on morbidity, mortality, and cost of care has resulted in identifying the need to reduce SSI as a top priority to prevent healthcare associated infections. The good news is that the majority of SSIs are preventable.

Mafraq Hospital performs a range of surgical procedures that covers 14 surgical specialties. The infection prevention and control team performs surveillance for SSI for all patients who undergo operative procedure included in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Operative Procedure Category (40 surgical procedures). Out of the 40 CDC NHSN listed, 33 operative procedures were performed at Mafraq Hospital, of which 17 were reported with SSI for 2013 and 2014. Surgical site infection has implicated an increase average length of stay from seven to 10 additional postoperative hospital days and additional costs of AED 10,000 to AED 100,000/SSI depending on procedure and pathogen.

A multidisciplinary team was formed to develop and implement measures to reduce/eliminate surgical site infection, as well as evaluate and monitor compliance. Hence a group of multidisciplinary teams were initiated to analyse the results, find out the gaps, and implement a quality improvement project to correct the deficits. Recommendations for appropriate improvement measures were formed on evidence-based international guidelines from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and CDC. Evidence based practice supports that many of the causes of surgical site infection can be prevented with proper medical attention and care.
Outcome of surgery versus radiotherapy after induction treatment in patients with N2 disease: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials
Authors: McElnay P J , Choong A , Jordan E , Song F , Lim E
Published: May 2015

Objective

Chemoradiotherapy is often considered the ‘standard of care’ for patients with N2 disease. The aim was to evaluate survival outcomes of patients with N2 disease in multimodality trials of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery.

Methods

Systematic review and meta-analyses (random and fixed effects) were performed. Searches of Medline and Embase (1980–2013) were conducted. Abstracts from thoracic scientific meetings were searched. Reference lists of all relevant studies were reviewed. All studies of patients with N2 disease who received induction chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy and randomised to surgery or radiotherapy were included. No language restrictions were imposed. The main outcome was overall survival.

Results

805 publications were identified. 519 and 281 were excluded because they were not primary results from randomised trials (or did not include N2 disease) or did not compare surgery with radiotherapy, respectively. The final six trials consisted of 868 patients. In four trials, patients received induction chemotherapy and in two trials patients received induction chemoradiotherapy. The HR comparing patients randomised to surgery after chemotherapy was 1.01 (95% CI 0.82 to 1.23; p=0.954) whereas for patients randomised to surgery after chemoradiotherapy was 0.87 (0.74 to 1.02; p=0.078). The overall HR of all pooled trials was 0.92 (0.81 to 1.04; p=0.179).

Conclusions

In trials where patients received surgery as part of bimodality (with chemotherapy) or trimodality (with chemoradiotherapy) treatment, overall survival was not significantly better than radiotherapy (with chemotherapy) or combination chemoradiotherapy alone.
Optimization of surgical outcomes with prehabilitation
Authors: Santa Mina Daniel , Scheede-Bergdahl Celena , Gillis Chelsia , Carli Francesco
Published: May 2015

The concept of preparing surgical candidates with various modalities designed to increase physical, physiological, metabolic, and psychosocial reserves is known as prehabilitation. Prehabilitation has garnered significant attention in recent years as evidence grows describing benefits to clinical and quality of life outcomes. Recent research examining hospital length of stay and readmission rates provides promising findings with respect to the value of prehabilitation in economic and sustainable healthcare models. The role of prehabilitation across the surgical experience exploits common surgical wait-times and the teachable moment that many patients experience upon the identification of a surgical requirement to improve the pre-, peri-, and postoperative experience. Prehabilitation incorporates numerous systemic and regional approaches to conditioning the surgical candidate. These include exercise, nutrition, education, and/or psychosocial approaches that are intended to improve preoperative fitness and preparedness. Importantly, this also promotes and facilitates health behaviour changes not only preoperatively but during the postoperative period and over the long-term. In this paper, we briefly review the historical and current perspectives on prehabilitation and comment on opportunities for greater clinical and empirical understanding in this field.
In situ Raman and 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis of gas hydrates formed in confined water: application to natural gas capture
Authors: Park Juwoon , Shin Kyuchul , Lee Jong-Won , Lee Huen , Seo Yutaek
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the formation characteristics of gas hydrate from bulk water as well as dispersed water in silica gel and dry water particles when they are exposed to natural gas. The inclusion process of methane, ethane, and propane molecules in hydrate cages were observed with in situ Raman spectroscopy, and the resulting cage occupancies were estimated from 13C NMR spectra. A high-pressure autoclave was used to monitor the formation process to determine hydrate onset time, initial growth rate, and conversion ratio. The obtained data from Raman spectra and gas consumption profiles suggested that hydrate formed within less than 20 min when the temperature is sufficiently lower than the hydrate equilibrium condition at a given pressure. Methane molecules started to occupy the small cages of structure II, but about 6 min later ethane and propane were also included in hydrate cages. 13C NMR spectroscopy confirms that only 23% of large cages of structure II are occupied by methane molecules when hydrate formed from dispersed water in silica gel, which was much less than 68% from dry water. These results suggest that the dispersion of water in silica gel and dry water would enhance the formation process by increasing gas-to-water ratio, although the composition of hydrate phase may vary depending on the formation condition. However the formation of hydrate in silica gel and dry water still provide an effective option to capture the natural gas without using complex rotating machineries.
Titanium amidate complexes as active catalysts for the synthesis of high molecular weight polyethylene
Authors: Horrillo-Martinez Patricia , Leitch David C. , Ryken Scott A. , Thomson Robert K. , Beard J. David , Patrick Brian O. , Schafer Laurel L. , Giesbrecht Garth R.
Published: May 2015

A series of titanium and zirconium bis(amidate) complexes of the type L2MX2, where L is an amidate ligand, and X is either –NMe2 or –Cl, were prepared in 60%–83% yield and fully characterized. Multiple binding motifs are observed as the amidate ligand can bind in κ1- and κ2-modes. These complexes were then subjected to screening the catalytic polymerization of ethylene. All catalysts, after reaction with suitable co-catalyst, were functional for ethylene polymerization, though not for the copolymerization of ethylene and longer linear 1-alkenes. Polyethylene was formed in the range of 1000–4000 kDa, and with PDI values as low as 1.3. These long polymeric chains are considered as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
Stereospecific cyclization reaction of alkenyl esters and amides of ethenetricarboxylate
Authors: Yamazaki Shoko , Wada Junya , Kakiuchi Kiyomi
Published: May 2015

The stereospecificity of the cyclization reaction of (E)- and (Z)-2-alkenyl esters and amides of ethenetricarboxylate has been examined. The reaction of (E)/(Z)-2-butenyl esters with AlCl3 or FeCl3 gave trans-substituted chlorinated γ-lactone diastereomers stereospecifically. (E)/(Z)-2-butenyl and pentenyl amides undergo an intramolecular ene reaction at room temperature gradually. At 80 °C, the (Z)-alkenyl amides were transformed to cis-substituted ene adducts and the (E)-amides were transformed to cis- and trans-substituted ene adduct mixtures. The reaction of (E)/(Z)-2-alkenyl amides with ZnI2 gave trans-substituted γ-lactam diastereomers stereospecifically along with the ene adducts.
Solar zenith angles for biological research and an expected catch model for diel vertical migration patterns that affect stock size estimates for longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii)
Authors: Jacobson Larry D. , Hendrickson Lisa C. , Tang Jiashen
Published: May 2015

Solar zenith angles are useful in diel studies because they are directly related to potential solar irradiance at the point of sampling and can be calculated from location, date, and time of day. We used zenith angles to quantify diel vertical migration effects on both the probability of a positive tow and catch size for longfin squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) using two-stage generalized additive models (GAMs). Zenith angles were better than time of day for modeling diel effects on inshore longfin squid bottom trawl survey catches and were particularly suitable for data collected over large areas and extended time periods. Diel effects were size-specific in most cases. Our expected catch method can be used to account for diel effects when estimating swept-area stock size from research survey data. Differences in observed day–night catches and model results show the potential for bias in swept-area stock size estimates that ignore diel migration effects. Zenith angles may be useful in specifying prior distributions for survey catchability parameters in stock assessment models.
Novel experimental results in human cardiac electrophysiology: measurement of the Purkinje fibre action potential from the undiseased human heart
Authors: Nagy Norbert , Szél Tamás , Jost Norbert , Tóth András , Gy. Papp Julius , Varró András
Published: May 2015

Data obtained from canine cardiac electrophysiology studies are often extrapolated to the human heart. However, it has been previously demonstrated that because of the lower density of its K+ currents, the human ventricular action potential has a less extensive repolarization reserve. Since the relevance of canine data to the human heart has not yet been fully clarified, the aim of the present study was to determine for the first time the action potentials of undiseased human Purkinje fibres (PFs) and to compare them directly with those of dog PFs. All measurements were performed at 37 °C using the conventional microelectrode technique. At a stimulation rate of 1 Hz, the plateau potential of human PFs is more positive (8.0 ± 1.8 vs 8.6 ± 3.4 mV, n = 7), while the amplitude of the spike is less pronounced. The maximal rate of depolarization is significantly lower in human PKs than in canine PFs (406.7 ± 62 vs 643 ± 36 V/s, respectively, n = 7). We assume that the appreciable difference in the protein expression profiles of the 2 species may underlie these important disparities. Therefore, caution is advised when canine PF data are extrapolated to humans, and further experiments are required to investigate the characteristics of human PF repolarization and its possible role in arrhythmogenesis.
Two novel multidrug resistance associated protein (MRP/ABCC) from the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis): characterization and expression patterns in detoxifying tissues
Authors: Lozano V. , Martínez-Escauriaza R. , Pérez-Parallé M.L. , Pazos A.J. , Sánchez J.L.
Published: May 2015

Multidrug resistance associated proteins (MRP) belong to the ABCC branch of the ABC transporters. The MRP together with P-gp (P-glycoprotein; MDR1; ABCB1) and BCRP (breast cancer resistance protein; ABCG2) confer multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) in marine vertebrates. In aquatic invertebrates, little is known about the presence and role of these ABC transporters. The ABC transporters play an important role in the absorption, distribution, and excretion of drugs, xenobiotics, and endogenous compounds and are predominantly expressed in excretory organs. In the present study, we identified and characterized two MRP/ABCC transporters (mrp1 and mrp2) from the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819). The two cDNAs finally obtained were 4648 bp for mrp1 and 5065 bp for mrp2 with open reading frames of 1500 and 1524 residues, respectively. Analysis of the amino acid sequences revealed the structural organization of ABC transporters with the typical and highly conserved motifs. The expression levels of these genes revealed that the highest expression of mrp1 and mrp2 genes was found in the digestive gland followed by gills, and the lowest expression of the three tissues was detected in the mantle. The expression of these genes was also studied in mussels naturally contaminated with okadaic acid (from a bloom of Dinophysis acuminata Claparède and Lachmann, 1859). The overexpression of mrp2 in the digestive gland suggests that this gene is involved in the process of detoxification of okadaic acid in M. galloprovincilais. These expression patterns agree with the suggested role of these genes in the protection against endogenous or exogenous compounds in aquatic organisms.
Copulation rate declines with mating group size in dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchusobscurus)
Authors: Orbach D.N. , Rosenthal G.G. , Würsig B.
Published: May 2015

Males in polygamous species often engage in intrasexual competition for mates. If females actively evade mating attempts, it may benefit males to cooperate to restrict female movement, as has been found in some mammals. We tested if male dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus (Gray, 1828)) cooperate or compete during group mating chases. If they cooperate, then the per-male probability of copulating should increase with group size; if they compete, then the probability should decrease. We followed mating groups by boat during the breeding season (October 2013 – January 2014) off Kaikoura, New Zealand. The copulation rate per male decreased with increasing group size and with the number of noncopulating males in proximity to a copulating female. Male dusky dolphins have multiple mates and appear to use sperm and exploitative scramble competition. Males may remain in mating groups despite competition because there are alliances within the groups, they are unable to exclude rivals from joining a group, the time and energy costs of searching for unescorted females exceed the costs of reduced mating opportunities in a group, they receive other direct or indirect benefits that offset the costs of reduced mating opportunities, or they are in the group largely for social learning rather than procreation.
Apocynum venetum Attenuates Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury in Mice
Authors: Xie Wenyan , Chen Chen , Jiang Zhihui , Wang Jian , Melzig Matthias F. , Zhang Xiaoying
Published: May 2015

Apocynum venetum L. (A. venetum) has long been used in oriental folk medicine for the treatment of some liver diseases; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Acetaminphen (APAP) is a widely used analgesic drug that can cause acute liver injury in overdose situations. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of A. venetum leaf extract (ALE) against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Mice were intragastrically administered with ALE once daily for 3 consecutive days prior to receiving a single intraperitoneal injection of APAP. The APAP group showed severe liver injury characterized by the noticeable fluctuations in the following parameters: serum aminotransferases; hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione (GSH). These liver damages induced by APAP were significantly attenuated by ALE pretreatments. A collective analysis of histopathological examination, DNA laddering and western blot for caspase-3 and cytochrome c indicated that the ALE is also capable of preventing APAP-induced hepatocyte death. Hyperoside, isoquercitrin and their derivatives have been identified as the major components of ALE using HPLC-MS/MS. Taken together, the A. venetum possesses hepatoprotective effects partially due to its anti-oxidant action.
The Hexane Fraction ofCyperus rotundusPrevents Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Through the Inhibition of Liver X Receptor α-Mediated Activation of Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein-1c
Authors: Oh Gyun-Sik , Yoon Jin , Lee Gang Gu , Kwak Jong Hwan , Kim Seung-Whan
Published: May 2015

The goals of this study were (1) to examine the effects of Cyperus rotundus (CR) rhizome on cellular lipogenesis and non-alcoholic/diet-induced fatty liver disease, and (2) to elucidate the molecular mechanism behind its actions. The present investigation showed that the hexane fraction of CR rhizome (CRHF) reduced the elevated transcription levels of sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) in primary hepatocytes following exposure to the liver X receptor α (LXRα) agonist. The SREBP-1c gene is a master regulator of lipogenesis and a key target of LXRα. CRHF inhibited not only the LXRα-dependent activation of the synthetic LXR response element (LXRE) promoter, but also the activation of the natural SREBP-1c promoter. Moreover, CRHF decreased (a) the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the LXRE of the SREBP-1c gene; (b) the LXRα-dependent up-regulation of various lipogenic genes; and (c) the LXRα-mediated accumulation of triglycerides in primary hepatocytes. Furthermore, CRHF ameliorated fatty liver disease and reduced the expression levels of hepatic lipogenic genes in high sucrose diet (HSD)-fed mice. Interestingly, CRHF did not affect the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1, another important LXR target gene that is required for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and protects against atherosclerosis. Taken together, these results suggest that CRHF might be a novel therapeutic remedy for fatty liver disease through the selective inhibition of the lipogenic pathway.
Ostericum koreanum Reduces LPS-Induced Bone Loss Through Inhibition of Osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Kim Ju-Young , Ahn Sung-Jun , Baek Jong Min , Yoon Kwon-Ha , Lee Myeung Su , Oh Jaemin
Published: May 2015

The roots of Ostericum koreanum (OK) Maximowicz have traditionally been used to produce an herbal medicine reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activities; however, its effect on bone metabolism has not yet been reported. The present study examined the effects of OK extract on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone loss in mice by investigating bone structure and the levels of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in serum and bone marrow fluid (BMF). The effects of OK extract on osteoclastogenesis were also investigated in mouse bone marrow macrophages by examining the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, the actin ring, and bone resorption activity. OK reduced LPS-induced bone destruction in vivo via a decrease in the RANKL/OPG ratio. Furthermore, it suppressed the formation of TRAP-positive cells and the actin ring, and reduced the bone-resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts. OK also significantly down-regulated the expression of various osteoclast-specific genes. However, it did not affect osteoblast differentiation, or the expression of genes involved in this process. These results demonstrated that OK prevented LPS-induced bone loss by decreasing the RANKL/OPG ratio in serum and BMF, and inhibited osteoclast differentiation and function, suggesting that OK represents a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of osteoclast-associated bone diseases.
Paeoniflorin, a Monoterpene Glycoside, Protects the Brain from Cerebral Ischemic Injury via Inhibition of Apoptosis
Authors: Zhang Yuqin , Li Huang , Huang Mingqing , Huang Mei , Chu Kedan , Xu Wei , Zhang Shengnan , Que Jinhua , Chen Lidian
Published: May 2015

Paeoniflorin (PF) is a principal bioactive component, which exhibits many pharmacological effects, including protection against ischemic injury. This paper aimed to investigate the protective effect of PF both in vivo and in vitro. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed on male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat for 2 h, and different doses of PF or vehicle were administered 2 h after reperfusion. Rats were sacrificed after 7 days treatment of PF/vehicle. PF treatment for 7 days ameliorated MCAO-induced neurological deficit and decreased the infarct area. Further study demonstrated that PF inhibited the over-activation of astrocytes and apoptosis of neurons, and PF promoted up-regulation of neuronal specific marker neuron-specific nuclear (NeuN) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2) in brain. Moreover, NMDA-induced neuron apoptosis was employed. The in vitro study revealed that PF treatment protected against NMDA-induced cell apoptosis and neuronal loss via up-regulation of neuronal specific marker NeuN, MAP-2 and Bcl-2 and the down-regulation Bax. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that PF produces its protective effect by inhibiting the over-activation of astrocytes, apoptosis of neurons and up-regulation of neuronal specific marker NeuN, MAP-2, and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and down-regulation Bax. Our study reveals that PF may be a potential neuroprotective agent for stroke and can provide basic data for clinical use.
Neutrino masses and flavor mixing
Authors: Fritzsch Harald
Published: May 2015

We discuss the neutrino oscillations, using texture zero mass matrices for the leptons. The reactor mixing angle θl is calculated. The ratio of the masses of two neutrinos is determined by the solar mixing angle. We can calculate the masses of the three neutrinos: m1 ≈ 0.003 eV , m2 ≈ 0.012 eV , m3 ≈ 0.048 eV .
Treatment planning aspects and Monte Carlo methods in proton therapy
Authors: Fix Michael K. , Manser Peter
Published: May 2015

Over the last years, the interest in proton radiotherapy is rapidly increasing. Protons provide superior physical properties compared with conventional radiotherapy using photons. These properties result in depth dose curves with a large dose peak at the end of the proton track and the finite proton range allows sparing the distally located healthy tissue. These properties offer an increased flexibility in proton radiotherapy, but also increase the demand in accurate dose estimations. To carry out accurate dose calculations, first an accurate and detailed characterization of the physical proton beam exiting the treatment head is necessary for both currently available delivery techniques: scattered and scanned proton beams. Since Monte Carlo (MC) methods follow the particle track simulating the interactions from first principles, this technique is perfectly suited to accurately model the treatment head. Nevertheless, careful validation of these MC models is necessary. While for the dose estimation pencil beam algorithms provide the advantage of fast computations, they are limited in accuracy. In contrast, MC dose calculation algorithms overcome these limitations and due to recent improvements in efficiency, these algorithms are expected to improve the accuracy of the calculated dose distributions and to be introduced in clinical routine in the near future.
The nonlinear behaviors of movement of electron in the atoms
Authors: Pang Xiao-Feng
Published: May 2015

In view of difficulties and questions of quantum mechanics in description of motion of electrons in hydrogen atom, we here established their nonlinear theory of motion based on the true motions of electron and nucleon and the real interactions between them, in which the motion of electron is depicted by a nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a Coulomb potential, the nonlinear interaction b∣φ∣2φ is produced by the change of Coulomb interaction between nucleon and electron due to the motion of nucleon. Thus the natures of the electron are thoroughly changed relative to those in quantum mechanics due to the nonlinear interactions, it not only is stable and localized, but also possesses a wave–corpuscle duality. Meanwhile, if its eigenenergy is still quantized and distributed in accordance with the energy levels, then we can use the new theory to explain perfectly the spectrum features of hydrogen atom, which resembles quantum mechanics, but its sizes of eigenenergy are depressed relative to that in quantum mechanics. This means that the nonlinear interaction enhances the localized and stable nature of the electron. Therefore, the new nonlinear theory is successful and correct to the hydrogen atom.
Lower Bound Axisymmetric Limit Analysis Using Drucker–Prager Yield Cone and Simulation with Mohr–Coulomb Pyramid
Authors: Chakraborty Manash , Kumar Jyant
Published: May 2015

This paper presents a lower bound limit analysis approach for solving an axisymmetric stability problem by using the Drucker–Prager (D–P) yield cone in conjunction with finite elements and nonlinear optimization. In principal stress space, the tip of the yield cone has been smoothened by applying the hyperbolic approximation. The nonlinear optimization has been performed by employing an interior point method based on the logarithmic barrier function. A new proposal has also been given to simulate the D–P yield cone with the Mohr–Coulomb hexagonal yield pyramid. For the sake of illustration, bearing capacity factors Nc, Nqand Nγhave been computed, as a function of ϕ, both for smooth and rough circular foundations. The results obtained from the analysis compare quite well with the solutions reported from literature.
A New Approach for Physiological Time Series
Authors: Mao Dong , Wang Yang , Wu Qiang
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we developed a new approach for the analysis of physiological time series. An iterative convolution filter is used to decompose the time series into various components. Statistics of these components are extracted as features to characterize the mechanisms underlying the time series. Studies have shown that many normal physiological systems involve irregularity, while the decrease of irregularity usually implies abnormality. This motivates the use of the statistics for “outliers” in the components as features measuring irregularity. Support vector machines are used to select the most relevant features that are able to differentiate the time series from normal and abnormal systems. This new approach is successfully used in the study of congestive heart failure by heart beat interval time series.
The Research on Peasant Sustainable Livelihood Models in Rural Tourism Areas Under Urbanization — A Case from Jixian, Tianjin
Authors: ZHANG Ruiying , XI Jianchao , ZHANG Nan
Published: May 2015

Livelihood is fundamental for rural families. A good livelihood model can help to increase the happiness of peasants and promote local harmonious development. During the process of urbanization, peasant livelihood is changing constantly. In rural tourism areas, tourism is a strong force for the development of urbanization, and the research of peasant livelihood is especially important. Based on the basic sustainable livelihood theoretical framework, this paper classifies the peasants in Jixian (a county in Tianjin) tourism areas into four types, including working household, tourism household, part-time tourism household, and part-time non-tourism household, to conduct a comprehensive analysis on livelihood capital, livelihood strategy and livelihood outcome by integrating the questionnaire, interview, observation statistical analysis, GIS and data analysis. We draw the following conclusions. First, during the development of rural tourism, there are hierarchy differences in the livelihood capital among different types of peasant households, and the disparity is increasing. The tourism household shows evidence of the best livelihood capital followed by the part-time tourism household, the part-time non-tourism household, and finally the employee household respectively. Second, the livelihood strategy of Jixian households shows a diversity which is dominated by tourism livelihood. However, because the tourism household and part-time tourism households show outstanding advantage in their livelihood strategy that will be constantly imitated by other peasants, which will lead to an increasing professionalization and specialization in rural tourism. Third, according to the comparative analysis, tourism household and part-time tourism household show a livelihood outcome which is wealthier, provides leisure, and of high-quality living standards. Therefore, the livelihood outcome can be improved obviously by following the professional tourism livelihood model through relying on the local tourism resources rather than following the external diverse livelihood model.
Distinct ensembles of medial prefrontal cortex neurons are activated by threatening stimuli that elicit excitation vs. inhibition of movement
Authors: Halladay Lindsay R. , Blair Hugh T.
Published: May 2015

Neural circuits controlling defensive behavior were investigated by recording single units in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dlPAG) while rats expressed conditioned fear responses to an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS; 20-s train of white noise pips) previously paired with an aversive unconditioned stimulus (US; 2-s train of periorbital shocks). The CS elicited conditioned movement inhibition (CMI; characterized by decreased movement speed and freezing) when rats had not recently encountered the US, whereas the CS elicited conditioned movement excitation (CME; characterized by increased movement speed and flight behavior) after recent US encounters. Many mPFC neurons were “strategy-selective” cells that changed their firing rates only when the CS elicited CME (15/71) or CMI (13/71) responses, whereas few mPFC cells (4/71) responded nonselectively to the CS during either response. By contrast, many dlPAG neurons (20/74) responded nonselectively to the CS, but most (40/74) were excited by the CS selectively during CME trials (and none during CMI trials). CME-selective neurons in dlPAG responded phasically after CS pips that elicited CME responses, whereas CME-selective neurons in mPFC showed tonically elevated activity before and after pips that evoked CME responses. These findings suggest that, at the time when the CS occurs, tonic firing rates of CME- and CMI-selective mPFC neurons may bias the rat's choice of whether to express CME vs. CMI responses, perhaps via projections to downstream structures (such as amygdala and PAG) that influence how sensory stimuli are mapped onto motor circuits that drive the expression of competing behaviors.
Synchronous Orbital and Gastrointestinal Metastases from Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Soobrah Ramawad , Tsang Fiona , Grassi Veronica , Hirji Hassan , Mallappa Sreelakshmi , Reichert Robert
Published: May 2015

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy among women and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. With the advent of improved imaging techniques and screening programmes, only a small proportion of women present with metastatic disease. Metastases involving the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and orbit are rare occurrences. We describe the case of a woman with simultaneous GI and orbital metastases from breast cancer who initially presented with abdominal pain and blurred vision and also summarise a review of the literature.
A Stability-Indicating HPLC-DAD Method for Determination of Ferulic Acid into Microparticles: Development, Validation, Forced Degradation, and Encapsulation Efficiency
Authors: Nadal Jessica Mendes , Toledo Maria da Graça , Pupo Yasmine Mendes , Padilha de Paula Josiane , Farago Paulo Vitor , Zanin Sandra Maria Warumby
Published: May 2015

A simple stability-indicating HPLC-DAD method was validated for the determination of ferulic acid (FA) in polymeric microparticles. Chromatographic conditions consisted of a RP C18column (250 mm × 4.60 mm, 5 μm, 110 Å) using a mixture of methanol and water pH 3.0 (48 : 52 v/v) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min with UV detection at 320 nm. The developed method was validated as per ICH guidelines with respect to specificity, linearity, limit of quantification, limit of detection, accuracy, precision, and robustness provided suitable results regarding all parameters investigated. The calibration curve was linear in the concentration range of 10.0–70.0 μg/mL with a correlation coefficient >0.999. Precision (intraday and interday) was demonstrated by a relative standard deviation lower than 2.0%. Accuracy was assessed by the recovery test of FA from polymeric microparticles (99.02% to 100.73%). Specificity showed no interference from the components of polymeric microparticles or from the degradation products derived from acidic, basic, and photolytic conditions. In conclusion, the method is suitable to be applied to assay FA as bulk drug and into polymeric microparticles and can be used for studying its stability and degradation kinetics.
Effectiveness and Safety of Controlled Venous Pressure in Liver Surgery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xue Liang , Wang Wen Ji , Wang Wen Jin , Cao Nong
Published: May 2015

Objective. To investigate the effectiveness and safety of controlled venous pressure in liver surgery and further to compare the clinical outcomes of low central venous pressure by infrahepatic inferior vena cava clamping (IVCC) and intraoperative anesthetic control (IAC).Methods. Online databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials.gov, and China biology medicine database were comprehensively searched. After identifying relevant studies out of the search results, quality assessment was performed according to the methods recommended by the Cochrane collaboration. And meta-analysis was performed by both direct comparison and indirect comparison.Results. Thirteen studies containing 1252 patients were included. Compared with control, controlled venous pressure significantly decreased central venous pressure, total blood loss, blood loss during transection, transfusion rate, and total incidence of complications. Further analysis of IVCC and IAC showed that there was no significant difference in aspects of main clinical outcomes.Conclusions. Controlled venous pressure significantly decreased central venous pressure and achieved improvement of bleeding control in liver surgery. It reduced total incidence of complications and chest infection, while it caused concerns about heart disorder. Although IVCC was not worse than IAC in therapeutic effect, a superiority between them still needs to be explored.
Errors on the Trail Making Test Are Associated with Right Hemispheric Frontal Lobe Damage in Stroke Patients
Authors: Kopp Bruno , Rösser Nina , Tabeling Sandra , Stürenburg Hans Jörg , de Haan Bianca , Karnath Hans-Otto , Wessel Karl
Published: May 2015

Measures of performance on theTrail Making Test (TMT)are among the most popular neuropsychological assessment techniques. Completion time onTMT-Ais considered to provide a measure of processing speed, whereas completion time onTMT-Bis considered to constitute a behavioral measure of the ability to shift between cognitive sets (cognitive flexibility), commonly attributed to the frontal lobes. However, empirical evidence linking performance on theTMT-Bto localized frontal lesions is mostly lacking. Here, we examined the association of frontal lesions following stroke withTMT-Bperformance measures (i.e., completion time and completion accuracy measures) using voxel-based lesion-behavior mapping, with a focus on right hemispheric frontal lobe lesions. Our results suggest that the number of errors, but not completion time on theTMT-B, is associated with right hemispheric frontal lesions. This finding contradicts common clinical practice—the use of completion time on theTMT-Bto measure cognitive flexibility, and it underscores the need for additional research on the association between cognitive flexibility and the frontal lobes. Further work in a larger sample, including left frontal lobe damage and with more power to detect effects of right posterior brain injury, is necessary to determine whether our observation is specific for right frontal lesions.
The Lived Experience of Multiple Sclerosis Relapse: How Adults with Multiple Sclerosis Processed Their Relapse Experience and Evaluated Their Need for Postrelapse Care
Authors: Asano Miho , Hawken Karli , Turpin Merrill , Eitzen Abby , Finlayson Marcia
Published: May 2015

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses can take a toll on individuals’ health and quality of life. Given such consequences of relapses, postrelapse care beyond pharmacological approaches may play an important role in recovery. Nevertheless, how individuals with MS process their relapse experience and manage the consequences is still uncertain.Purpose. We conducted a qualitative study to understand relapse experiences and postrelapse care need from perspectives of adults with MS and identify relapse management patterns.Methods. We interviewed 17 adults with MS.Results. By examining combinations of three categories related to relapse experience, we identified four relapse management patterns: (i)Active Relapse Manager, (ii)Early-Stage Proactive Relapse Monitor, (iii)Adapted Passive Relapse Manager, and (iv)Passive Relapse Monitor. The relapse management patterns appear to associate strongly with the appraisal of the experience.Conclusions. The results of this study suggest the importance of understanding each patient beyond their functional limitations and the potential need for multidisciplinary postrelapse care which goes past restoring functional limitations at the acute phase. Future research to further understand the relapse management process at all stages of the healthcare continuum is a crucial step toward developing strategies to advance the current postrelapse care and to facilitate optimal recovery.
Electron Capture Cross Sections for Stellar Nucleosynthesis
Authors: Giannaka P. G. , Kosmas T. S.
Published: May 2015

In the first stage of this work, we perform detailed calculations for the cross sections of the electron capture on nuclei under laboratory conditions. Towards this aim we exploit the advantages of a refined version of the proton-neutron quasiparticle random-phase approximation (pn-QRPA) and carry out state-by-state evaluations of the rates of exclusive processes that lead to any of the accessible transitions within the chosen model space. In the second stage of our present study, we translate the abovementionede--capture cross sections to the stellar environment ones by inserting the temperature dependence through a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution describing the stellar electron gas. As a concrete nuclear target we use the66Zn isotope, which belongs to the iron group nuclei and plays prominent role in stellar nucleosynthesis at core collapse supernovae environment.
Clinical Implications and Prognostic Values ofProstate Cancer Susceptibility CandidateMethylation in Primary Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer
Authors: Kim Young-Won , Yoon Hyung-Yoon , Seo Sung Pil , Lee Sang Keun , Kang Ho Won , Kim Won Tae , Bang Heui Je , Ryu Dong Hee , Yun Seok-Joong , Lee Sang-Cheol , Kim Wun-Jae , Kim Yong-June
Published: May 2015

DNA methylation is the most common and well-characterized epigenetic change in human cancer. Recently, an association betweenprostate cancer susceptibility candidate(PRAC) methylation and genitourinary cancer was proposed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association betweenPRACmethylation status and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in long-term follow-up primary nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The clinical relevance ofPRACmethylation was determined in 136 human bladder specimens (eight normal controls [NCs] and 128 primary NMIBCs) using quantitative pyrosequencing analysis.PRACmethylation was significantly higher in NMIBC patients than in NCs and was significantly associated with higher grade and more advanced stage of cancer. Kaplan-Meier estimates revealed significant difference in tumor recurrence and progression according toPRACmethylation status (bothp< 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that thePRACmethylation status was a strong predictor of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR], 2.652;p= 0.012) and progression (HR, 9.531;p= 0.035) of NMIBC. Enhanced methylation status ofPRACwas positively associated with a high rate of recurrence and progression in NMIBC patients, suggesting thatPRACmethylation may be a promising prognostic marker of NMIBC.
TrkB-Mediated Neuroprotective and Antihypoxic Properties of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Authors: Vedunova Maria V. , Mishchenko Tatiana A. , Mitroshina Elena V. , Mukhina Irina V.
Published: May 2015

The neuroprotective and antihypoxic effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on dissociated hippocampal cultures in a hypoxia model were investigated. These experiments demonstrate that 10 minutes of normobaric hypoxia increased the number of dead cells in primary culture, whereas a preventive application of BDNF increased the number of viable cells. Spontaneous bioelectrical and calcium activity in neural networks was analyzed using multielectrode arrays and functional intravital calcium imaging. The results indicate that BDNF affects the functional parameters of neuronal networks in dissociated hippocampal cultures over the 7-day posthypoxic period. In addition, the effects of k252a, an antagonist of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), on functional bioelectrical activity during and after acute hypoxia were investigated. It was shown that the protective effects of BDNF are associated with binding to the TrkB receptor. Finally, intravital fluorescent mRNA probes were used to study the role of NF-κB1 in the protective effects of BDNF. Our experiments revealed that BDNF application stimulates NF-κB1 mRNA synthesis in primary dissociated hippocampal cells under normal conditions but not in hypoxic state.