bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment options beyond IFNα and NUCs for chronic HBV infection: expectations for tomorrow
Authors: Baltayiannis G. , Karayiannis P.
Published: October 2014

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and end‐stage liver failure with time. Interruption of this process can only be achieved through effective antiviral treatment. This approach has so far involved the use of immunomodulators such as pegylated interferon alpha (Peg‐IFNα) for a finite period of up to a year and nucleos‐(t)ide analogues (NUCs) for treatment over much longer periods of time. The latter act by suppressing HBV replication at the level of DNA synthesis by inhibiting the viral reverse transcriptase/DNA polymerase and causing premature termination of DNA synthesis. The ideal treatment end point is loss of HBsAg in both HBeAg+ve and HBeAg−ve patients following monotherapy. This, however, is only achievable in a minority of patients. Secondary outcomes are durable HBeAg loss and seroconversion to anti‐HBe, which occur in about 18–30% of HBeAg+ve patients depending on the antiviral used, and sustained suppression of HBV‐DNA accompanied by biochemical normalization and histological improvement in non‐HBeAg+ve seroconverting and HBeAg−ve patients. There is therefore a need for additional direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) targeting different stages of the life cycle of the virus, as well as immunotherapeutic approaches. Such developments may pave the way for their use either alone or more likely in combination in the fight against chronic HBV infection. Such drugs or approaches, which are currently undergoing preclinical or clinical testing, are the subject of this review.
Kinematics of terrestrial locomotion in harbor seals and gray seals: Importance of spinal flexion by amphibious phocids
Authors: Garrett Jennifer N. , Fish Frank E.
Published: October 2014

Pinnipeds are amphibious mammals with flippers, which function for both aquatic and terrestrial locomotion. Evolution of the flippers has placed constraints on the terrestrial locomotion of phocid seals. The detailed kinematics of terrestrial locomotion of gray (Halichoerus grypus) and harbor (Phoca vitulina) seals was studied in captivity and in the wild using video analysis. The seals exhibited dorsoventral undulations with the chest and pelvis serving as the main contact points. An anteriorly directed wave produced by spinal flexion aided in lifting the chest off the ground as the fore flippers were retracted to pull the body forward. The highest length‐specific speeds recorded were 1.02 BL/s for a gray seal in captivity and 1.38 BL/s for a harbor seal in the wild. The frequency and amplitude of spinal movement increased directly with speed, but the duty factor remained constant. Substrate did not influence the kinematics except for differences due to moving up or down slopes. The highly aquatic nature of phocids seals has restricted them to locomote on land primarily using spinal flexion, which can limit performance in speed and duration.
Sleep in the intensive care unit – nurses' documentation and patients' perspectives
Authors: Ritmala‐Castren Marita , Axelin Anna , Kiljunen Kaija , Sainio Carita , Leino‐Kilpi Helena
Published: October 2014

Background

Inability to sleep is one of the most distressing factors for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Sleep is perceived as light and awakenings are numerous. Nurses' documentations of sleep are narrow, mainly concentrating on the quantity and general quality. Nurses should diversely evaluate, document and promote sleep to provide patient centered care.

Aim

To investigate the content of nurses' documentation about the sleep of ICU patients, patients' own perceptions of sleep, and the correspondence of the two.

Design and methods

Nurses' documentations (n = 90) were analysed retrospectively with quantitative content analysis. A cross‐sectional survey of patients' (n = 114) perspectives was collected with the five‐item Richards‐Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ), on a visual analogue scale from 0 (the poorest quality sleep) to 100 (optimum sleep). The data was analysed statistically. Correspondence was tested with cross‐tabulation.

Results

Nurses documented sleep quantity for 71% and quality for 27% of patients, along with the needs assessment, used interventions and their effect on sleep. Patients' perspectives varied widely. Sleep depth was rated the lowest and falling asleep highest of the RCSQ sleep domains. Age of the patients correlated positively with general quality of sleep, sleep depth and falling asleep. Nurses' documentations and patients' perceptions correlated in over half of the cases.

Conclusions

Nurses' documentation of ICU patients' sleep is not systematic or comprehensive and corresponds only partially with patients' own perception. The sleep of non‐intubated patients is light and awakenings are frequent. Documentation of ICU patients' sleep should include the whole nursing process, i.e. needs assessment, interventions used, and evaluation of sleep and the effects of the interventions, along with patients' own perspective to promote patient‐centered care.

Relevance to clinical practice

Evaluation and documentation of patients' sleep must include patients' own perception to be comprehensive. Nurses' documentation should include all elements of nursing process.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria in diffuse panbronchiolitis
Authors: Tsuji Takahiro , Tanaka Eisaku , Yasuda Ikkoh , Nakatsuka Yoshinari , Kaji Yusuke , Yasuda Takehiro , Hashimoto Seishu , Hwang Moon Hee , Hajiro Takashi , Taguchi Yoshio
Published: October 2014

Background and objective

Nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease secondary to cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported, but there is limited data about NTM prevalence in non‐CF bronchiectasis. We retrospectively investigated the prevalence of NTM associated with diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB), a disorder also characterized by reduced mucociliary clearance with bronchiectasis.

Methods

We reviewed mycobacterial cultures, patient characteristics and computed tomography findings of 33 patients with DPB between January 2000 and December 2012. Prevalence was based on at least one positive NTM culture.

Results

Mean patient age was 51.5 years. During a mean 162.8‐month follow‐up, the prevalence of NTM in sputum was 21.2% (seven patients). Of the seven positive patients, six had Mycobacterium avium complex, one had M. kansasii and M. chelonae co‐cultured with M. avium complex. Three patients were positive twice, and two had positive smears. The mean time from DPB diagnosis to the first positive result was 194.6 months. NTM‐positive patients tended to have lower forced expiratory volume in 1 s (% predicted) than NTM‐negative patients (50.0% vs 77.3%, P = 0.03), but there were no radiological or clinical differences between the two groups.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that NTM is found more often in DPB. Defects of mucociliary clearance may predispose individuals to NTM infection.
Evaluation of Superposition Predictions for Showerhead Film Cooling on a Vane
Authors: Anderson Joshua B. , Winka James R. , Bogard David G. , Crawford Michael E.
Published: October 2014

The leading edge of a turbine vane is subject to some of the highest temperature loading within an engine, and an accurate understanding of leading edge film coolant behavior is essential for modern engine design. Although there have been many investigations of the adiabatic effectiveness for showerhead film cooling of a vane leading edge region, there have been no previous studies in which individual rows of the showerhead were tested with the explicit intent of validating superposition models. For the current investigation, a series of adiabatic effectiveness experiments were performed with a five-row and three-row showerhead. The experiments were repeated separately with each individual row of holes active. This allowed evaluation of superposition methods on both the suction side of the vane, which was moderately convex, and the pressure side of the vane, which was mildly concave. Superposition was found to accurately predict performance on the suction side of the vane at lower momentum flux ratios, but not at higher momentum flux ratios. On the pressure side of the vane, the superposition predictions were consistently lower than measured values, with significant errors occurring at the higher momentum flux ratios. Reasons for the underprediction by superposition analysis are presented.
Wasting Our Time? Allocated Versus Accumulated Physical Activity in Afterschool Programs
Authors: Brazendale Keith , Beets Michael William , Weaver Robert Glenn , Huberty Jennifer , Beighle Aaron E. , Pate Russell R.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Afterschool programs (ASPs) can provide opportunities for children to accumulate moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The optimal amount of time ASPs should allocate for physical activity (PA) on a daily basis to ensure children achieve policystated PA recommendations remains unknown.

Methods:

Children (n = 1248, 5 to 12 years) attending 20 ASPs wore accelerometers up to 4 nonconsecutive week days for the duration of the ASPs during spring 2013 (February–April). Daily schedules were obtained from each ASP.

Results:

Across 20 ASPs, 3 programs allocated ≤ 30min, 5 approximately 45 min, 4 60 min, 4 75 min, and 4 ≥ 105 min for PA opportunities daily (min·d-1). Children accumulated the highest levels of MVPA in ASPs that allocated ≥ 60 min·d-1 for PA opportunities (24.8–25.1 min·d-1 for boys and 17.1–19.4 min·d-1 for girls) versus ASPs allocating ≤ 45 min·d-1 for PA opportunities (19.7 min·d-1 and 15.6 min·d-1 for boys and girls, respectively). There were no differences in the amount of MVPA accumulated by children among ASPs that allocated 60 min·d-1 (24.8 min·d-1 for boys and 17.1 min·d-1 for girls), 75 min·d-1 (25.1 min·d-1 for boys and 19.4 min·d-1 for girls) or ≥ 105 min·d-1 (23.8 min·d-1 for boys and 17.8 min·d-1 for girls). Across ASPs, 26% of children (31% for boys and 14% for girls) met the recommended 30 minutes of MVPA.

Conclusions:

Allocating more than 1 hour of PA opportunities is not associated with an increase in MVPA during ASPs. Allocating 60 min·d-1, in conjunction with enhancing PA opportunities, can potentially serve to maximize children’s accumulation of MVPA during ASPs.
Rhinovirus-induced IL-25 in asthma exacerbation drives type 2 immunity and allergic pulmonary inflammation
Authors: Beale Janine , Jayaraman Annabelle , Jackson David J. , Macintyre Jonathan D. R. , Edwards Michael R. , Walton Ross P. , Zhu Jie , Ching Yee Man , Shamji Betty , Edwards Matt , Westwick John , Cousins David J. , Hwang You Yi , McKenzie Andrew , Johnston Sebastian L. , Bartlett Nathan W.
Published: October 2014

IL-25 critically links rhinovirus infection and allergic asthma exacerbations.
Metagenome-Wide Association of Microbial Determinants of Host Phenotype in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Chaston John M. , Newell Peter D. , Douglas Angela E.
Published: October 2014

Animal-associated bacteria (microbiota) affect host behaviors and physiological traits. To identify bacterial genetic determinants of microbiota-responsive host traits, we employed a metagenome-wide association (MGWA) approach in two steps. First, we measured two microbiota-responsive host traits, development time and triglyceride (TAG) content, in
Drosophila melanogaster
flies monoassociated with each of 41 bacterial strains. The effects of monoassociation on host traits were not confined to particular taxonomic groups. Second, we clustered protein-coding sequences of the bacteria by sequence similarity
de novo
and statistically associated the magnitude of the host trait with the bacterial gene contents. The animals had been monoassociated with genome-sequenced bacteria, so the metagenome content was unambiguous. This analysis showed significant effects of pyrroloquinoline quinone biosynthesis genes on development time, confirming the results of a published transposon mutagenesis screen, thereby validating the MGWA; it also identified multiple genes predicted to affect host TAG content, including extracellular glucose oxidation pathway components. To test the validity of the statistical associations, we expressed candidate genes in a strain that lacks them. Monoassociation with bacteria that ectopically expressed a predicted oxidoreductase or gluconate dehydrogenase conferred reduced
Drosophila
TAG contents relative to the TAG contents in empty vector controls. Consistent with the prediction that glucose oxidation pathway gene expression increased bacterial glucose utilization, the glucose content of the host diet was reduced when flies were exposed to these strains. Our findings indicate that microbiota affect host nutritional status through modulation of nutrient acquisition. Together, these findings demonstrate the utility of MGWA for identifying bacterial determinants of host traits and provide mechanistic insight into how gut microbiota modulate the nutritional status of a model host.

IMPORTANCE
To understand how certain gut bacteria promote the health of their animal hosts, we need to identify the bacterial genes that drive these beneficial relationships. This task is challenging because the bacterial communities can vary widely among different host individuals. To overcome this difficulty, we quantified how well each of 41 bacterial species protected
Drosophila
fruit flies from high fat content. The genomes of the chosen bacterial strains were previously sequenced, so we could statistically associate specific bacterial genes with bacterially mediated reduction in host fat content. Bacterial genes that promote glucose utilization were strongly represented in the association, and introducing these genes into the gut bacteria was sufficient to lower the animal’s fat content. Our method is applicable to the study of many other host-microbe interactions as a way to uncover microbial genes important for host health.
Adult asthma increases dementia risk: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Peng Yi-Hao , Wu Biing-Ru , Su Ching-Hua , Liao Wei-Chih , Muo Chih-Hsin , Hsia Te-Chun , Kao Chia-Hung
Published: October 2014

Background

Studies on the association between adult asthma and dementia are few. We investigated the risk of dementia in patients diagnosed with adult asthma compared with that of people without asthma who were age and sex matched to the study patients.

Methods

We used data from the National Health Insurance Research Database. A total of 12 771 patients with newly diagnosed asthma between 2001 and 2003 were evaluated and 51 084 people without asthma were used as the comparison cohort. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to measure the HR of dementia for the asthmatic cohort, compared with that of the non-asthmatic cohort.

Results

The HR of dementia was 1.27 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15 to 1.41) for the asthmatic cohort, compared with the non-asthmatic cohort after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, annual outpatient department visits and medicine used. The HR of dementia development increased substantially as frequency of asthma exacerbation and hospitalisation increased.

Conclusions

This nationwide cohort study suggests that the risk of dementia development is significantly increased in patients with asthma compared with that of the general population. In addition, dementia risk increases substantially with asthma exacerbation and hospitalisation frequency increases.
Capturing the complexity of first opinion small animal consultations using direct observation
Authors: Robinson N. J. , Brennan M. L. , Cobb M. , Dean R. S.
Published: September 2014

Various different methods are currently being used to capture data from small animal consultations. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to record detailed data from consultations by direct observation. A second aim was to investigate the complexity of the consultation by examining the number of problems discussed per patient. A data collection tool was developed and used during direct observation of small animal consultations in eight practices. Data were recorded on consultation type, patient signalment and number of problems discussed. During 16 weeks of data collection, 1901 patients were presented. Up to eight problems were discussed for some patients; more problems were discussed during preventive medicine consultations than during first consultations (P<0.001) or revisits (P<0.001). Fewer problems were discussed for rabbits than cats (P<0.001) or dogs (P<0.001). Age was positively correlated with discussion of specific health problems and negatively correlated with discussion of preventive medicine. Consultations are complex with multiple problems frequently discussed, suggesting comorbidity may be common. Future research utilising practice data should consider how much of this complexity needs to be captured, and use appropriate methods accordingly. The findings here have implications for directing research and education as well as application in veterinary practice.
THE NUMBER OF REGIMES ACROSS ASSET RETURNS: IDENTIFICATION AND ECONOMIC VALUE
Authors: GATUMEL MATHIEU , IELPO FLORIAN
Published: October 2014

A shared belief in the financial industry is that markets are driven by two types of regimes: bull markets, characterized by high returns and low volatility, and bear markets, characterized by low returns coupled with high volatility. Modeling the dynamics of different asset classes (stocks, bonds, commodities and currencies) with a Markov switching (MS) model and using a density-based test, we reject the hypothesis that two-regimes are enough to capture asset return evolutions for many of the investigated assets. Once the accuracy of our test methodology has been assessed through Monte Carlo experiments, our empirical results point out that between two and five regimes are required to capture the features of each asset's distribution. Moreover, we show that only a part of the underlying number of regimes is explained by the distributional characteristics of the returns such as kurtosis. A thorough out-of-sample analysis provides additional evidence that there are more than just bulls and bears in financial markets. Finally, we highlight that taking into account the real number of regimes allows both improved portfolio returns and density forecasts.
Wavelet transformed Gaussian network model
Authors: Zhan Meng , Li Suhong , Li Fan
Published: October 2014

Accurate prediction of the Debye–Waller temperature factor of proteins is of significant importance in the study of protein dynamics and function. This work explores the utility of wavelets for improving the performance of Gaussian network model (GNM). We propose two wavelet transformed Gaussian network models (wtGNM), namely a scale-one wtGNM and a scale-two wtGNM. Based on a set of 113 protein structures, it shows that the mean correlation with experimental results for the scale-one wtGNM is 0.714 and that for the scale-two wtGNM is 0.738. In contrast, the mean correlation for the original GNM is 0.594. Therefore, the wtGNM is a potential algorithm for improving the GNM prediction of protein B-factors.
Growth of gas bubbles in the biotissues with convective acceleration
Authors: Mohammadein S. A. , Mohamed K. G.
Published: October 2014

This paper presents formulae and explanation about the growth of a convective gas bubble in the blood and other tissues of divers who surface too quickly, concentration distribution around the growing bubble is also presented. The formulae are valid all over the growth stages, i.e. under variable ambient pressure while the diver is ascending, and under constant ambient pressure at diving stops or at sea level. The mathematical model is solved analytically by using the method of combined variables. The growth process is affected by tissue diffusivity, concentration constant and the initial void fraction, which is the dominant parameter. Results show that, the time of the complete growth, in the convective growth model, is shorter than those earlier presented by Mohammadein and Mohamed [Concentration distribution around a growing gas bubble in tissue, Math. Biosci.225(1) (2010) 11–17] and Srinivasan et al. [Mathematical models of diffusion-limited gas bubble dynamics in tissue, J. Appl. Physiol.86 (1999) 732–741] for the growth of a stationary gas bubble, this explains the effect of bubble motion on consuming the oversaturated dissolved gas from the tissue into growing bubble which leads to increment in the growth rate to be more than those presented in the previous stationary models.
Exposing Photo Manipulation from Shading and Shadows
Authors: Kee Eric , O'brien James F. , Farid Hany
Published: October 2014

We describe a method for detecting physical inconsistencies in lighting from the shading and shadows in an image. This method imposes a multitude of shading- and shadow-based constraints on the projected location of a distant point light source. The consistency of a collection of such constraints is posed as a linear programming problem. A feasible solution indicates that the combination of shading and shadows is physically consistent, while a failure to find a solution provides evidence of photo tampering.
Adaptive Rendering Based on Weighted Local Regression
Authors: Moon Bochang , Carr Nathan , Yoon Sung-Eui
Published: October 2014

Monte Carlo ray tracing is considered one of the most effective techniques for rendering photo-realistic imagery, but requires a large number of ray samples to produce converged or even visually pleasing images. We develop a novel image-plane adaptive sampling and reconstruction method based on local regression theory. A novel local space estimation process is proposed for employing the local regression, by robustly addressing noisy high-dimensional features. Given the local regression on estimated local space, we provide a novel two-step optimization process for selecting bandwidths of features locally in a data-driven way. Local weighted regression is then applied using the computed bandwidths to produce a smooth image reconstruction with well-preserved details. We derive an error analysis to guide our adaptive sampling process at the local space. We demonstrate that our method produces more accurate and visually pleasing results over the state-of-the-art techniques across a wide range of rendering effects. Our method also allows users to employ an arbitrary set of features, including noisy features, and robustly computes a subset of them by ignoring noisy features and decorrelating them for higher quality.
Future Tense: Garden of Life
Authors: Wilson Daniel H.
Published: October 2014

From the intersection of computational science and technological speculation, with boundaries limited only by our ability to imagine what could be. When machines are in the natural world, what in the world is still unnatural?
Mortar
Authors: Hwang Jinho , Uppal Ahsen , Wood Timothy , Huang Howie
Published: October 2014

Data center servers are typically overprovisioned, leaving spare memory and CPU capacity idle to handle unpredictable workload bursts by the virtual machines running on them. While this allows for fast hotspot mitigation, it is also wasteful. Unfortunately, making use of spare capacity without impacting active applications is particularly difficult for memory since it typically must be allocated in coarse chunks over long timescales. In this work we propose re- purposing the poorly utilized memory in a data center to store a volatile data store that is managed by the hypervisor. We present two uses for our Mortar framework: as a cache for prefetching disk blocks, and as an application-level distributed cache that follows the memcached protocol. Both prototypes use the framework to ask the hypervisor to store useful, but recoverable data within its free memory pool. This allows the hypervisor to control eviction policies and prioritize access to the cache. We demonstrate the benefits of our prototypes using realistic web applications and disk benchmarks, as well as memory traces gathered from live servers in our university's IT department. By expanding and contracting the data store size based on the free memory available, Mortar improves average response time of a web application by up to 35% compared to a fixed size memcached deployment, and improves overall video streaming performance by 45% through prefetching.
A fast abstract syntax tree interpreter for R
Authors: Kalibera Tomas , Maj Petr , Morandat Floreal , Vitek Jan
Published: October 2014

Dynamic languages have been gaining popularity to the point that their performance is starting to matter. The effort required to develop a production-quality, high-performance runtime is, however, staggering and the expertise required to do so is often out of reach of the community maintaining a particular language. Many domain specific languages remain stuck with naive implementations, as they are easy to write and simple to maintain for domain scientists. In this paper, we try to see how far one can push a naive implementation while remaining portable and not requiring expertise in compilers and runtime systems. We choose the R language, a dynamic language used in statistics, as the target of our experiment and adopt the simplest possible implementation strategy, one based on evaluation of abstract syntax trees. We build our interpreter on top of a Java virtual machine and use only facilities available to all Java programmers. We compare our results to other implementations of R.
DBILL
Authors: Lyu Yi-Hong , Hong Ding-Yong , Wu Tai-Yi , Wu Jan-Jan , Hsu Wei-Chung , Liu Pangfeng , Yew Pen-Chung
Published: October 2014

Dynamic Binary Instrumentation (DBI) is a core technology for building debugging and profiling tools for application executables. Most state-of-the-art DBI systems have focused on the same instruction set architecture (ISA) where the guest binary and the host binary have the same ISA. It is uncommon to have a cross-ISA DBI system, such as a system that instruments ARM executables to run on x86 machines. We believe cross-ISA DBI systems are increasingly more important, since ARM executables could be more productively analyzed on x86 based machines such as commonly available PCs and servers. In this paper, we present DBILL, a cross-ISA and re- targetable dynamic binary instrumentation framework that builds on both QEMU and LLVM. The DBILL framework enables LLVM-based static instrumentation tools to become DBI ready, and deployable to different target architectures. Using address sanitizer and memory sanitizer as implementation examples, we show DBILL is an efficient, versatile and easy to use cross-ISA retargetable DBI framework.
The case for the three R's of systems research
Authors: Vitek Jan
Published: October 2014

Computer systems research spans sub-disciplines that include embedded systems, programming languages, network- ing, and operating systems. In this talk my contention is that a number of structural factors inhibit quality systems re- search. Symptoms of the problem include unrepeatable and unreproduced results as well as results that are either devoid of meaning or that measure the wrong thing. I will illustrate the impact of these issues on our research output with examples from the development and empirical evaluation of the Schism real-time garbage collection algorithm that is shipped with the FijiVM -- a Java virtual machine for embedded and mobile devices. I will argue that our field should fos- ter: repetition of results, independent reproduction, as well as rigorous evaluation. I will outline some baby steps taken by several computer conferences. In particular I will focus on the introduction of Artifact Evaluation Committees or AECs to ECOOP, OOPLSA, PLDI and soon POPL. The goal of the AECs is to encourage author to package the soft- ware artifacts that they used to support the claims made in their paper and to submit these artifacts for evaluation. AECs were carefully designed to provide positive feedback to the authors that take the time to create repeatable research.
Identification of genes whose expression is altered by obesity throughout the arterial tree
Authors: Padilla Jaume , Jenkins Nathan T. , Thorne Pamela K. , Martin Jeffrey S. , Rector R. Scott , Davis J. Wade , Laughlin M. Harold
Published: October 2014

We used next-generation RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology on the whole transcriptome to identify genes whose expression is consistently affected by obesity across multiple arteries. Specifically, we examined transcriptional profiles of the iliac artery as well as the feed artery, first, second, and third branch order arterioles in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and diaphragm muscles from obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) and lean Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats. Within the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, the number of genes differentially expressed with obesity tended to increase with increasing branch order arteriole number (i.e., decreasing size of the artery). This trend was opposite in the diaphragm. We found a total of 15 genes that were consistently upregulated with obesity (MIS18A, CTRB1, FAM151B, FOLR2, PXMP4, OAS1B, SREBF2, KLRA17, SLC25A44, SNX10, SLFN3, MEF2BNB, IRF7, RAD23A, LGALS3BP) and five genes that were consistently downregulated with obesity (C2, GOLGA7, RIN3, PCP4, CYP2E1). A small fraction (∼9%) of the genes affected by obesity was modulated across all arteries examined. In conclusion, the present study identifies a select number of genes (i.e., 20 genes) whose expression is consistently altered throughout the arterial network in response to obesity and provides further insight into the heterogeneous vascular effects of obesity. Although there is no known direct function of the majority of 20 genes related to vascular health, the obesity-associated upregulation of SREBF2, LGALS3BP, IRF7, and FOLR2 across all arteries is suggestive of an unfavorable vascular phenotypic alteration with obesity. These data may serve as an important resource for identifying novel therapeutic targets against obesity-related vascular complications.
Treatment Outcome of Tuberculosis Patients Registered at DOTS Centre in Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria: A 4-Year Retrospective Study
Authors: Sunday Olarewaju , Oladimeji Olanrewaju , Ebenezer Folorunso , Akintunde Babatunde , Abiola Temitayo-Oboh , Saliu Abdulsalam , Abiodun Oluwatoyin
Published: September 2014

Background Information. Monitoring outcome of tuberculosis treatment and understanding the specific reasons for unsuccessful treatment outcome are important in evaluating the effectiveness of tuberculosis control program. This study investigated tuberculosis treatment outcomes and predictors for unsuccessful treatment outcome in Ogbomoso town, Southwestern Nigeria.Methodology. Medical records of all tuberculosis patients registered from January 2008 to December 2011 in 5 Local Government areas, Ogbomoso, Southwestern Nigeria, were reviewed. Treatment outcome and tuberculosis type were categorized according to the national tuberculosis control guideline. Bivariate analysis was used to analyse the association between treatment outcome and potential predictor variables.Results. Out of the 965 total TB patients (579 males and 386 females) with mean age 42.4 ± 1.9 years, 866 (89.74%) were categorized as pulmonary tuberculosis and 109 (11.30%) as extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Treatment outcome among total 914 subjects was as follows: 304 (33.26%) patients got cured, 477 (52.19%) completed treatment, 87 (9.52%) died, 9 (0.98%) defaulted, and 1 (0.11%) failed treatment while 36 (3.94%) were transferred out. Higher treatment success rate was associated with those on Category 1 treatment (P<0.05).Conclusion. The treatment success rate of tuberculosis patients was high (85.45%) compared to national target. However, certain proportion of patients died (9.52%) and defaulted (0.98%), which is a serious public health concern that needs to be addressed urgently.
Fast Method for DOA Estimation with Circular and Noncircular Signals Mixed Together
Authors: Zeng Yaoping , Yang Yixin , Lu Guangyue , Huang Qiongdan
Published: October 2014

Most of the existing algorithms to estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) of signals deal with the situation that all signals are circular. However, it is quite often in practical engineering that circular and noncircular signals appear in the same time. To effectively detect DOA of signals in such circumstances, we propose a novel algorithm. Firstly, using received data and its conjugate, we can detect more signals because of the doubled array aperture. Secondly, through unitary transform and multistage Wiener filter (MSWF) technology, we can obtain the noise subspace of array without performing eigendecomposition. Finally, by employing the improved MUSIC algorithm,we can acquire the DOA of the mixed circular and noncircular signals through two-stage search. Simulation results clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Phantom Tumor of the Lung: Localized Interlobar Effusion in Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Lozo Mislav , Lozo Vukovac Emilija , Ivancevic Zeljko , Pletikosic Ivan
Published: September 2014

Localized interlobar effusions in congestive heart failure (phantom or vanishing lung tumor/s) is/are uncommon but well known entities. An 83-year-old man presented with shortness of breath, swollen legs, and dry cough enduring five days. Chest-X-ray (CXR) revealed massive sharply demarked round/oval homogeneous dense shadow 10 × 7 cm in size in the right inferior lobe. The treatment with the loop diuretics and fluid intake reduction resulted in complete resolution of the observed round/oval tumor-like image on the control CXR three days later. Radiologic appearance of such a mass-like configuration in patients with congestive heart failure demands correction of the underlying heart condition before further diagnostic investigation is performed to avoid unnecessary, expensive, and possibly harmful diagnostic and treatment errors.
The Static WKB Solution to Catenary Problems with Large Sag and Bending Stiffness
Authors: Hsu Yuhung , Pan Chanping
Published: September 2014

Large sag with a bending stiffness catenary is a subject that draws attention in the realm of fatigue analysis, estimation of suspension cable sag for bridge cable hoisting, and ocean engineering of the employment of mooring systems. However, the bending stiffness is the cause of boundary layers at the anchorage of cables, thereby finding a solution of the differential equation can be extremely difficult. Previous studies have tackled this problem with the perturbation method; yet, due to the complexity of the matching process and solution finding, the method might not be an ideal solution for engineering applications. Moreover, the finite difference method and the finite element method in numerical analysis can often be ineffective because of inappropriate parameter configuration and the drastic variation of functions in the boundary layers. Therefore, this study proposed a novel bending moment expression of a large sag catenary. The expression was derived from the sag identified using bending moment equations, and a solution was found by applying the WKB method (Wentzel‐Kramers‐Brillouin method) to overcome the complex problem of boundary layers. Consequently, a simple solution of various mechanical properties in a cable with bending stiffness and large sag could be obtained.
Intraoperative Visualization of Bilateral Thrombosis in the Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Apparent in the Telovelomedullary Segment
Authors: Nevzati Edin , Schatlo Bawarjan , Fathi Ali-Reza , Fandino Javier , Muroi Carl
Published: September 2014

Unilateral posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) thrombosis is frequent. However, bilateral PICA thrombosis is rare. Herein we report about an intraoperative visualization of a bilateral thrombosis of the telovelomedullary segment of the PICA. A 74-year-old woman was admitted to our department on day two of a bilateral PICA thrombosis with developing cerebellar infarction. Her Glasgow Coma Scale score dropped from 15 to 13, and cranial computed tomography revealed compression of the fourth ventricle with consecutive occlusive hydrocephalus. After the insertion of an external ventricular drainage, the patient underwent urgent suboccipital decompressive craniectomy with removal of infarcted cerebellar tonsils, which allowed the bilateral visualization of the thrombosed telovelomedullary segments. The surgical access may offer surgical therapeutic options in a hyperacute occlusion, such as thromb-/embolectomy or bypass procedures.
Consensus Analysis for a Class of Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems with Time Delay Based on Frequency Domain Method
Authors: Sun Yi-Jie , Zhang Guo-liang , Zeng Jing
Published: September 2014

The consensus problem of heterogeneous multiagent systems composed of first‐order and second‐order agent is investigated. A linear consensus protocol is proposed. Based on frequency domain method, the sufficient conditions of achieving consensus are obtained. If communication topology contains spanning tree and some conditions can be satisfied on control gains, consensus can be achieved. Then, a linear consensus protocol with time delay is proposed. In this case, consensus is dependent only on system coupling strength, each agent input time delay, but independent of communication delay. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical result.
Energy‐Efficient Network Transmission between Satellite Swarms and Earth Stations Based on Lyapunov Optimization Techniques
Authors: Fang Weiwei , An Yuan , He Kaidi , Li Jiancheng , Wang Baohua , Li Jing , Wang Qiancheng , Guo Qiwang
Published: September 2014

The recent advent of satellite swarm technologies has enabled space exploration with a massive number of picoclass, low‐power, and low‐weight spacecraft. However, developing swarm‐based satellite systems, from conceptualization to validation, is a complex multidisciplinary activity. One of the primary challenges is how to achieve energy‐efficient data transmission between the satellite swarm and terrestrial terminal stations. Employing Lyapunov optimization techniques, we present an online control algorithm to optimally dispatch traffic load among different satellite‐ground links for minimizing overall energy consumption over time. Our algorithm is able to independently and simultaneously make control decisions on traffic dispatching over intersatellite‐links and up‐down‐links so as to offer provable energy and delay guarantees, without requiring any statistical information of traffic arrivals and link condition. Rigorous analysis and extensive simulations have demonstrated the performance and robustness of the proposed new algorithm.
Risk Factors for Preterm Birth among HIV-Infected Tanzanian Women: A Prospective Study
Authors: Zack Rachel M. , Golan Jenna , Aboud Said , Msamanga Gernard , Spiegelman Donna , Fawzi Wafaie
Published: September 2014

Premature delivery, a significant cause of child mortality and morbidity worldwide, is particularly prevalent in the developing world. As HIV is highly prevalent in much of sub-Saharan Africa, it is important to determine risk factors for prematurity among HIV-positive pregnancies. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors of preterm (<37 weeks) and very preterm (<34 weeks) birth among a cohort of 927 HIV positive women living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, who enrolled in the Tanzania Vitamin and HIV Infection Trial between 1995 and 1997. Multivariable relative risk regression models were used to determine the association of potential maternal risk factors with premature and very premature delivery. High rates of preterm (24%) and very preterm birth (9%) were found. Risk factors (adjusted RR (95% CI)) for preterm birth were mother <20 years (1.46 (1.10, 1.95)), maternal illiteracy (1.54 (1.10, 2.16)), malaria (1.42 (1.11, 1.81)),Entamoeba coli(1.49 (1.04, 2.15)), no or low pregnancy weight gain, and HIV disease stage ≥2 (1.41 (1.12, 1.50)). Interventions to reduce pregnancies in women under 20, prevent and treat malaria, reduceEntamoeba coliinfection, and promote weight gain in pregnant women may have a protective effect on prematurity.
Investigation of a Two‐Dimensional Hot Jet’s Infrared Radiation Using Four Different Turbulence Models
Authors: Huang Wei , Ji Hong-hu
Published: September 2014

A two‐dimensional (2D) jet flow and temperature field are simulated by using k‐ε T. C. model and compared with other three nontemperature corrected models, which are standard k‐ε, RNG k‐ε, and SST k‐ω model. Then based on the calculated results, the spectral infrared radiation characteristics within 4∼5 μm of the 2D jet flow were calculated. By comparing the computed results of the velocity, temperature field, and infrared radiation with the experimental measurements, it shows that the k‐ε T. C. model predicts mean flow mixing more rapidly and the turbulent kinetic energy dissipates earlier than with no temperature correction; the k‐ε T. C. model could give a good prediction for the velocity and temperature distributions on the centerline of the 2D hot gas jet, but not on the locations off the centerline. The maximum computation error of the 2D hot jet infrared radiation is decreased from 86% to 26%, and the accuracy of the computation is greatly improved.
Ab Initio Studies on Hematite Surface and the Adsorption of Phosphate
Authors: Chaudhury Swati , Varadachari Chandrika , Ghosh Kunal
Published: September 2014

This investigation explores the ab initio DFT method for understanding surface structure of hematite and the nature and energetics of phosphate adsorption. Using the full potential linearized plane wave method (FP-LAPW), we derived the structure and energies of various magnetic forms of hematite. The antiferromagnetic (AFM) form was observed to be the most stable. Hematite surfaces with Fe-termination, O-termination, or OH-termination were studied. The OH-terminated surface was the most stable. Stability of hematite surfaces follows the order OH-termination > Fe-termination > O-termination. Thus, surface reaction with hematite would occur with the OH at the surface and not with Fe atoms. The structure of phosphate adsorbed on hematite was derived. Bonding is through the H atom of the OH at the surface. An alternative mechanism of phosphate adsorption on hematite has been derived. Adsorption energy is high and suggests chemisorption rather than physisorption of phosphate on hematite.
Transverse Strains in Muscle Fascicles during Voluntary Contraction: A 2D Frequency Decomposition of B-Mode Ultrasound Images
Authors: Wakeling James M. , Randhawa Avleen
Published: September 2014

When skeletal muscle fibres shorten, they must increase in their transverse dimensions in order to maintain a constant volume. In pennate muscle, this transverse expansion results in the fibres rotating to greater pennation angle, with a consequent reduction in their contractile velocity in a process known as gearing. Understanding the nature and extent of this transverse expansion is necessary to understand the mechanisms driving the changes in internal geometry of whole muscles during contraction. Current methodologies allow the fascicle lengths, orientations, and curvatures to be quantified, but not the transverse expansion. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate techniques for quantifying transverse strain in skeletal muscle fascicles during contraction from B-mode ultrasound images. Images were acquired from the medial and lateral gastrocnemii during cyclic contractions, enhanced using multiscale vessel enhancement filtering and the spatial frequencies resolved using 2D discrete Fourier transforms. The frequency information was resolved into the fascicle orientations that were validated against manually digitized values. The transverse fascicle strains were calculated from their wavelengths within the images. These methods showed that the transverse strain increases while the longitudinal fascicle length decreases; however, the extent of these strains was smaller than expected.
Design Optimization and In Vitro-In Vivo Evaluation of Orally Dissolving Strips of Clobazam
Authors: Bala Rajni , Khanna Sushil , Pawar Pravin
Published: September 2014

Clobazam orally dissolving strips were prepared by solvent casting method. A full 32 factorial design was applied for optimization using different concentration of film forming polymer and disintegrating agent as independent variable and disintegration time, % cumulative drug release, and tensile strength as dependent variable. In addition the prepared films were also evaluated for surface pH, folding endurance, and content uniformity. The optimized film formulation showing the maximum in vitro drug release, satisfactory in vitro disintegration time, and tensile strength was selected for bioavailability study and compared with a reference marketed product (frisium5 tablets) in rabbits. Formulation (F6) was selected by the Design-expert software which exhibited DT (24 sec), TS (2.85 N/cm2), and in vitro drug release (96.6%). Statistical evaluation revealed no significant difference between the bioavailability parameters of the test film (F6) and the reference product. The mean ratio values (test/reference) of Cmax (95.87%), tmax (71.42%), AUC0−t (98.125%), and AUC0−∞ (99.213%) indicated that the two formulae exhibited comparable plasma level-time profiles.
A Study on the Quality and Identity of Brazilian Pampa Biome Honey: Evidences for Its Beneficial Effects against Oxidative Stress and Hyperglycemia
Authors: Cruz L. C. , Batista J. E. S. , Zemolin A. P. P. , Nunes M. E. M. , Lippert D. B. , Royes L. F. F. , Soares F. A. , Pereira A. B. , Posser T. , Franco J. L.
Published: September 2014

We characterized, for the first time, the quality and identity of Brazilian Pampa biome honey and its antioxidant propertiesin vitro(FRAP, DDPH and ABTS). The potential protective effect of honey against oxidative stress induced by iron (Fe) and paraquat, (PQ) in aDrosophila melanogastermodel (in vivo) was also tested. The results indicated that all honey samples tested showed antioxidant activityin vitro. Flies treated with honey showed increased lifespan and were protected against oxidative stress induced by Fe and PQ. Despite the high concentration of sugars in honey (approximately 70–80%), our results demonstrate a hypoglycemic-like effect of honey inDrosophila. Thus, this study demonstrates the high quality of Brazilian Pampa biome honey as well as its significant antioxidant activityin vitroandin vivo, pointing to the potential use of this natural product as an alternative in the therapy of oxidative stress-associated diseases.
Activity of Aristolochia bracteolata against Moraxella catarrhalis
Authors: Suliman Mohamed Malik , Timan Idriss Mona , Khedr Amgad I. M. , Abd AlGadir Haidar , Takeshita Satoshi , Shah Mohammad Monir , Ichinose Yoshio , Maki Toshihide
Published: September 2014

A bioassay-guided fractionation of methanol extract of Aristolochia bracteolata whole plant was carried out in order to evaluate its antimicrobial activity and to identify the active compounds in this extract. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of methanol extract against gram-positive, gram-negative, and fungal strains were investigated by the agar disk diffusion method. Among the strains tested, Moraxella catarrhalis and sea urchin-derived Bacillus sp. showed the highest sensitivity towards the methanol extract and hence they are used as test organisms for the bioassay-guided fractionation. From this extract, aristolochic acid 1 (AA-1) has been isolated and has showed the greatest antibacterial activity against both standard strain and clinical isolates of Moraxella catarrhalis with equal minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 25 and 50 μg/mL. Modification of the AA-1 to AA-1 methyl ester completely abolished the antibacterial activity of the compound and the piperonylic acid moiety of AA-1 which suggested that the coexistence of phenanthrene ring and free carboxylic acid is essential for AA-1 antibacterial activity.