bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alveolar Macrophages and Neutrophils Are the Primary Reservoirs for Legionella pneumophila and Mediate Cytosolic Surveillance of Type IV Secretion
Authors: Copenhaver Alan M. , Casson Cierra N. , Nguyen Hieu T. , Fung Thomas C. , Duda Matthew M. , Roy Craig R. , Shin Sunny
Published: August 2014

Legionella pneumophila, an intracellular pathogen responsible for the severe pneumonia Legionnaires' disease, uses itsdot/icm-encoded type IV secretion system (T4SS) to translocate effector proteins that promote its survival and replication into the host cell cytosol. However, by introducing bacterial products into the host cytosol,L. pneumophilaalso activates cytosolic immunosurveillance pathways, thereby triggering robust proinflammatory responses that mediate the control of infection. Thus, the pulmonary cell types thatL. pneumophilainfects not only may act as an intracellular niche that facilitates its pathogenesis but also may contribute to the immune response againstL. pneumophila. The identity of these host cells remains poorly understood. Here, we developed a strain ofL. pneumophilaproducing a fusion protein consisting of β-lactamase fused to the T4SS-translocated effector RalF, which allowed us to track cells injected by the T4SS. Our data reveal that alveolar macrophages and neutrophils both are the primary recipients of T4SS-translocated effectors and harbor viableL. pneumophiladuring pulmonary infection of mice. Moreover, both alveolar macrophages and neutrophils from infected mice produced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1α in response to T4SS-sufficient, but not T4SS-deficient,L. pneumophila. Collectively, our data suggest that alveolar macrophages and neutrophils are both an intracellular reservoir forL. pneumophilaand a source of proinflammatory cytokines that contribute to the host immune response againstL. pneumophiladuring pulmonary infection.
The Agr Quorum-Sensing System Regulates Fibronectin Binding but Not Hemolysis in the Absence of a Functional Electron Transport Chain
Authors: Pader Vera , James Ellen H. , Painter Kimberley L. , Wigneshweraraj Sivaramesh , Edwards Andrew M.
Published: August 2014

Staphylococcus aureus
is responsible for numerous chronic and recurrent infections, which are frequently associated with the emergence of small-colony variants (SCVs) that lack a functional electron transport chain. SCVs exhibit enhanced expression of fibronectin-binding protein (FnBP) and greatly reduced hemolysin production, although the basis for this is unclear. One hypothesis is that these phenotypes are a consequence of the reduced Agr activity of SCVs, while an alternative is that the lack of a functional electron transport chain and the resulting reduction in ATP production are responsible. Disruption of the electron transport chain of
S. aureus
genetically (
hemB
and
menD
) or chemically, using 2-
n
-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline
N
-oxide (HQNO), inhibited both growth and Agr activity and conferred an SCV phenotype. Supplementation of the culture medium with synthetic autoinducing peptide (sAIP) significantly increased Agr expression in both
hemB
mutant strains and
S. aureus
grown with HQNO and significantly reduced staphylococcal adhesion to fibronectin. However, sAIP did not promote hemolysin expression in
hemB
mutant strains or
S. aureus
grown with HQNO. Therefore, while Agr regulates fibronectin binding in SCVs, it cannot promote hemolysin production in the absence of a functional electron transport chain.
A reappraisal of the Pipeline embolization device for the treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms
Authors: Albuquerque Felipe C , Park Min S , Abla Adib A , Crowley R Webster , Ducruet Andrew F , McDougall Cameron G
Published: August 2014

Background

Use of the Pipeline embolization device (PED) in the posterior circulation is of some controversy.

Objective

Recent publications have described adverse outcomes associated with the PED for vertebral and/or basilar artery pathology. We assessed our results in the treatment of this challenging subset of aneurysms after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

Methods

We prospectively reviewed our series of PED cases in this cohort. Patients were assessed for aneurysm type, technical success, periprocedural complications, and aneurysm obliteration.

Results

Since FDA approval, 17 patients with posterior circulation aneurysms were treated with the PED. These included aneurysms of the vertebral artery (V4) segments (n=8), basilar trunk (n=6), basilar apex (n=2), and cervical vertebral artery (n=1). Two patients had a prior subarachnoid hemorrhage. All of the aneurysms treated were either saccular, had a saccular component, or were dissecting in nature. No dolichoectatic aneurysms were treated. Technical success was achieved in all patients. One complication (1/17 patients; 5.9%), a parenchymal hematoma after ventriculostomy replacement, resulted in permanent disability. Angiographic follow-up has been obtained to date in 14 of the 17 patients and shows complete or near-complete (>90%) obliteration in all cases.

Conclusions

Patient selection is essential for safe and effective PED treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms. The PED is equally effective in achieving aneurysm obliteration with an acceptable risk profile as it is in the anterior circulation. Dolichoectatic aneurysms were not included in this treatment cohort. PED may be a preferable alternative to open surgical treatment of posterior circulation aneurysms.
Effects of intravenous caffeine on fractional flow reserve measurements in coronary artery disease
Authors: Mutha Vivek , Asrar ul Haq Muhammad , Van Gaal William J
Published: August 2014

Background

Intravenous adenosine is used to minimise the coronary micro-resistance to achieve maximal hyperaemia along with nitrates for optimal fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements. We hypothesise that caffeine, being a competitive inhibitor of adenosine, would influence adenosine-mediated FFR readings.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing angiogram and FFR measurements were enrolled after abstaining from caffeine for 24 h. Patients with any contraindications to intravenous adenosine or caffeine were excluded. FFR measurements were taken using nitrates and adenosine pre and post 4 mg/kg intravenous caffeine administration and results were compared.

Results

10 patients were analysed (80% men, age 59.9±9.4, weight 87.5±15.6). Baseline caffeine levels were undetectable in all patients and increased significantly postintravenous caffeine administration (16.4±5.5 μg/mL). Baseline preadenosine FFR values were similar before and after caffeine administration (0.91±0.06 vs 0.91±0.07; p=0.41). Postadenosine FFR readings were 0.79±0.07, which increased non-significantly to 0.82±0.11 postcaffeine (p=0.15). Two significant FFR readings (≤0.8) changed to non-significant after caffeine administration (0.77–0.93 and 0.8–0.91).

Conclusions

Caffeine may affect FFR results in some patients. Larger studies are warranted to clarify the extent and magnitude of caffeine/adenosine interaction particularly due to ubiquitous nature of caffeine and increasing importance of FFR in clinical practice.
Prevalence of depression in patients with type 2 diabetes attending an outpatient clinic in India
Authors: Siddiqui Samreen , Jha Sujeet , Waghdhare Swati , Agarwal Nidhi Bharal , Singh Kalpana
Published: August 2014

Background

Clinical studies have suggested that depression is common among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Depression is an important factor which affects the management and complications of diabetes. However, the available data regarding its prevalence in India are limited.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of depression in patients in India with T2D and to compare it with a non-diabetic group; and to determine the association of depression with glycaemic control and complications of diabetes in patients with T2D.

Methods

This case–control study was carried out over 5 months from May to September 2012 at a tertiary care hospital in India. Cases were patients with T2D and controls were individuals without diabetes. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9. The sociodemographic profile, duration of diabetes, presence of complications and other medical variables were also analysed.

Results

260 subjects of Indian origin (162 men and 98 women; 130 with known T2D and 130 controls without T2D) were evaluated. The prevalence of depression in subjects with T2D was almost twice that in control subjects (46/130 (35.38%) vs 26/130 (20%); p=0.006). A statistically significant difference was found in the fasting blood glucose levels of subjects with depression and those without depression among the patients with T2D (145.70±53.92 vs 130.61±42.39; p=0.022), but depression was not found to be associated with any of the diabetic complications and glycaemic control.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that there is a higher prevalence of depression in Indian patients with T2D, which is almost twice that in those without T2D. Since patients with T2D are at higher risk of developing depression, assessment of depression should be performed as part of the routine practice in India.

Trial registration number

CTRI/2012/06/002747.
Variable viscous generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas cosmology in presence of the cosmological constant and space curvature
Authors: Naji J. , Karimiyan K. , Heydari S. , Amjadi A.
Published: August 2014

Variable viscous generalized cosmic Chaplygin gas (GCCG) was constructed in the presence of cosmological constant and space curvature. Using the numerical analysis we find behavior of some cosmological quantities such as Hubble and deceleration parameters. Observational data is used to fix solution and stability of model is discussed.
Tuning of Kalman Filter Parameters via Genetic Algorithm for State-of-Charge Estimation in Battery Management System
Authors: Ting T. O. , Man Ka Lok , Lim Eng Gee , Leach Mark
Published: August 2014

In this work, a state-space battery model is derived mathematically to estimate the state-of-charge (SoC) of a battery system. Subsequently, Kalman filter (KF) is applied to predict the dynamical behavior of the battery model. Results show an accurate prediction as the accumulated error, in terms of root-mean-square (RMS), is a very small value. From this work, it is found that different sets ofQandRvalues (KF’s parameters) can be applied for better performance and hence lower RMS error. This is the motivation for the application of a metaheuristic algorithm. Hence, the result is further improved by applying a genetic algorithm (GA) to tuneQandRparameters of the KF. In an online application, a GA can be applied to obtain the optimal parameters of the KF before its application to a real plant (system). This simply means that the instantaneous response of the KF is not affected by the time consuming GA as this approach is applied only once to obtain the optimal parameters. The relevant workable MATLAB source codes are given in the appendix to ease future work and analysis in this area.
Matroidal Structure of Generalized Rough Sets Based on Tolerance Relations
Authors: Li Hui , Liu Yanfang , Zhu William
Published: August 2014

Rough set theory provides an effective tool to deal with uncertain, granular, and incomplete knowledge in information systems. Matroid theory generalizes the linear independence in vector spaces and has many applications in diverse fields, such as combinatorial optimization and rough sets. In this paper, we construct a matroidal structure of the generalized rough set based on a tolerance relation. First, a family of sets are constructed through the lower approximation of a tolerance relation and they are proved to satisfy the circuit axioms of matroids. Thus we establish a matroid with the family of sets as its circuits. Second, we study the properties of the matroid including the base and the rank function. Moreover, we investigate the relationship between the upper approximation operator based on a tolerance relation and the closure operator of the matroid induced by the tolerance relation. Finally, from a tolerance relation, we can get a matroid of the generalized rough set based on the tolerance relation. The matroid can also induce a new relation. We investigate the connection between the original tolerance relation and the induced relation.
Linear Quadratic Nonzero Sum Differential Games with Asymmetric Information
Authors: Chang Dejian , Xiao Hua
Published: August 2014

This paper studies a linear quadratic nonzero sum differential game problem with asymmetric information. Compared with the existing literature, a distinct feature is that the information available to players is asymmetric. Nash equilibrium points are obtained for several classes of asymmetric information by stochastic maximum principle and technique of completion square. The systems of some Riccati equations and forward‐backward stochastic filtering equations are introduced and the existence and uniqueness of the solutions are proved. Finally, the unique Nash equilibrium point for each class of asymmetric information is represented in a feedback form of the optimal filtering of the state, through the solutions of the Riccati equations.
Andrographolide Induces Apoptosis of C6 Glioma Cells via the ERK-p53-Caspase 7-PARP Pathway
Authors: Yang Shih-Hung , Wang Seu-Mei , Syu Jhih-Pu , Chen Ying , Wang Sheng-De , Peng Yu-Sen , Kuo Meng-Fai , Kung Hsiu-Ni
Published: August 2014

Background.Glioma is the most malignant tumor of the central nervous system. Efforts on the development of new chemotherapy are mandatory. Andrographolide (AND), a diterpenoid lactone isolated from theAndrographis paniculata, has been shown to have antitumor activities in several types of cancer cells. Whether AND can exert its antitumor activity in glioblastoma cells remains unknown. This study examined the anticancer effects of AND, bothin vitroandin vivo.Methods.Cell apoptosis was assayed by flow cytometry and nuclear staining. The signaling pathway for AND was determined by western blotting. The effects of AND on tumor growth was evaluated in a mouse model.Results and Conclusion. In vitro, with application of specific inhibitors and siRNA, AND-induced apoptosis was proven through ROS-ERK-P53-caspase 7-PARP signaling pathway.In vivo, AND significantly retarded tumor growth and caused regression of well-formed tumorsin vivo. Furthermore, AND did not induce apoptosis or activate ERK and p53 in primary cultured astrocyte cells, and it may serve as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of glioma.
Coronary CT Angiography in the Quantitative Assessment of Coronary Plaques
Authors: Sun Zhonghua , Xu Lei
Published: August 2014

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has been recently evaluated for its ability to assess coronary plaque characteristics, including plaque composition. Identification of the relationship between plaque composition by CCTA and patient clinical presentations may provide insight into the pathophysiology of coronary artery plaque, thus assisting identification of vulnerable plaques which are associated with the development of acute coronary syndrome. CCTA-generated 3D visualizations allow evaluation of both coronary lesions and lumen changes, which are considered to enhance the diagnostic performance of CCTA. The purpose of this review is to discuss the recent developments that have occurred in the field of CCTA with regard to its diagnostic accuracy in the quantitative assessment of coronary plaques, with a focus on the characterization of plaque components and identification of vulnerable plaques.
First Reported Case of Lorazepam-Assisted Interview in a Young Indian Female Presenting with Dissociative Identity Disorder and Improvement in Symptoms after the Interview
Authors: Mushtaq Raheel , Shoib Sheikh , Arif Tasleem , Shah Tabindah , Mushtaq Sahil
Published: August 2014

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is one of the most fascinating disorders in psychiatry. The arduous search to reveal the obscurity of this disorder has led to colossal research in this area over the years. Although drug-assisted interviews are not widely used, they may be beneficial for some patients that do not respond to conventional treatments such as supportive psychotherapy or psychopharmacotherapy. Drug-assisted interviews facilitate recall of memories in promoting integration of dissociative information. We report a case of a 16-year-old female with dissociative identity disorder (DID) that was treated with lorazepam-assisted interview and there was rapid improvement in symptoms after the interview.
Enhanced Solid-State Biogas Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass by Organosolv Pretreatment
Authors: Mirmohamadsadeghi Safoora , Karimi Keikhosro , Zamani Akram , Amiri Hamid , Horváth Ilona Sárvári
Published: August 2014

Organosolv pretreatment was used to improve solid-state anaerobic digestion (SSAD) for methane production from three different lignocellulosic substrates (hardwood elm, softwood pine, and agricultural waste rice straw). Pretreatments were conducted at 150 and 180°C for 30 and 60 min using 75% ethanol solution as an organic solvent with addition of sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The statistical analyses showed that pretreatment temperature was the significant factor affecting methane production. Optimum temperature was 180°C for elmwood while it was 150°C for both pinewood and rice straw. Maximum methane production was 152.7, 93.7, and 71.4 liter per kg carbohydrates (CH), which showed up to 32, 73, and 84% enhancement for rice straw, elmwood, and pinewood, respectively, compared to those from the untreated substrates. An inverse relationship between the total methane yield and the lignin content of the substrates was observed. Kinetic analysis of the methane production showed that the process followed a first-order model for all untreated and pretreated lignocelluloses.
Computer Implementation of a New Therapeutic Model for GBM Tumor
Authors: Jamali Nazari Ali , Sardari Dariush , Vali Ahmad Reza , Maghooli Keivan
Published: August 2014

Modeling the tumor behavior in the host organ as function of time and radiation dose has been a major study in the previous decades. Here the effort in estimation of cancerous and normal cell proliferation and growth in glioblastoma multiform (GBM) tumor is presented. This paper introduces a new mathematical model in the form of differential equation of tumor growth. The model contains dose delivery amount in the treatment scheme as an input term. It also can be utilized to optimize the treatment process in order to increase the patient survival period. Gene expression programming (GEP) as a new concept is used for estimating this model. The LQ model has also been applied to GEP as an initial value, causing acceleration and improvement of the algorithm estimation. The model shows the number of the tumor and normal brain cells during the treatment process using the status of normal and cancerous cells in the initiation of treatment, the timing and amount of dose delivery to the patient, and a coefficient that describes the brain condition. A critical level is defined for normal cell when the patient’s death occurs. In the end the model has been verified by clinical data obtained from previous accepted formulae and some of our experimental resources. The proposed model helps to predict tumor growth during treatment process in which further treatment processes can be controlled.
TDMA-Based Control Channel Access for IEEE 802.11p in VANETs
Authors: Yang Weidong , Liu Wei , Li Pan , Sun Limin
Published: August 2014

Motivated by an efficient broadcast service in vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs), we propose a TDMA-based channel access scheme for IEEE 802.11p control channel (CCH). The scheme reduces the rate of transmission collisions and improves the availability of time slots on the control channel by adjusting disjoint sets of time slots to vehicles moving in opposite directions and to the left and right slot frames. Further, the location information of a node is used to allocate the time slot, which efficiently decreases the rate of access collisions. Analysis and simulation results in city scenarios are presented to evaluate the performance of our scheme, which reduces significantly the transmission conflict and has shorter time delay than ADHOC and VeMAC.
Consensus of the Multiagent System with a Dynamic Leader Based on Directed Topology Using Laplace Transform
Authors: Liu Bo , Han Fei , Mei Yang , Zhu Xinmao
Published: August 2014

The consensus of the multiagent system with directed topology and a
leader is investigated, in which the leader is dynamic. Based on Laplace transform
method, the accurate upper error bound between the leader and the followers can
be obtained. It is also proved that all agents of the system will aggregate and
eventually form a cohesive cluster following the leader if the leader is globally
reachable. Finally, some simulation examples are given to illustrate the theoretical
results.
Multiattribute Group Decision Making with Unknown Decision Expert Weights Information in the Framework of Interval Intuitionistic Trapezoidal Fuzzy Numbers
Authors: Jiang Zongcai , Wang Yan
Published: August 2014

The aim of this paper is to investigate an approach to multiattribute group decision making with interval intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy numbers, in which the decision expert weights are unknown. First, we introduce a distance measure between two interval intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy matrixes, and based on the distance between individual matrix and extreme matrix, as well as the average matrix, we obtain the decision expert weights. Second, we utilize the interval intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy weighted geometric (IITFWG) operator and the interval intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy ordered weighted geometric (IITFOWG) operator to aggregate all individual interval intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy decision matrices into a collective interval intuitionistic trapezoidal fuzzy decision matrix and then derive the group overall evaluation values of the given alternatives. Finally, an illustrative example of emergency alternatives selection is given to demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
Systemic Inflammatory Response during Laparotomy
Authors: Mahamid Ahmad , Jabarin Basel , Almogy Gidon
Published: August 2014

Background. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of laparotomy on the systemic inflammatory response in human patients suffering from secondary peritonitis.Study Design. A prospective study investigating the levels of white blood cells, C-reactive protein, platelets, interleukin-six, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha during laparotomy in five patients who suffered from secondary peritonitis. Six venous blood samples were collected perioperatively from each patient. The data were summarized by descriptive statistics and presented in a box plot. The hypothesis was that laparotomy increases the systemic inflammatory response, as has been described in animal models in previous studies.Results. The median age of the patients in this study was 84 years, the male to female ratio was 2 : 3, and the mortality rate was 80%. The most common cause of generalized peritonitis was ischemia of the colon. Analysis of the data showed no significant changes in the level of plasma inflammatory mediators during the surgical procedure, except for the platelet count which showed a significant decrease(P=0.001).Conclusions. In contrast to experience with animal models, laparotomy in human patients with secondary peritonitis did not significantly increase the systemic inflammatory response. Furthermore, it contributed in significantly decreasing some of the systemic inflammatory mediators.
An Obstacle Recognizing Mechanism for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Powered by Fuzzy Domain Ontology and Support Vector Machine
Authors: Mi Zhen-Shu , Bukhari Ahmad C. , Kim Yong-Gi
Published: August 2014

The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and the problems associated with its safe navigation have been studied for the last two decades. The real‐time underwater obstacle recognition procedure still has many complications associated with it and the issue becomes worse with vague sensor data. These problems can be coped with the merger of a robust classification mechanism and a domain knowledge acquisition technique. In this paper, we introduce a hybrid mechanism to recognize underwater obstacles for AUV based on fuzzy domain ontology and support vector machine (SVM). SVM is an efficient algorithm that was developed for recognizing 3D object in recent years and is a new generation learning system based on recent advances in statistical learning theory. The amalgamation of fuzzy domain ontology with SVM boosts the performance of the obstacle recognition module by providing the timely semantic domain information of the surrounding circumstances. Also the reasoning ability of the fuzzy domain ontology can expedite the obstacle avoidance process. In order to evaluate the performance of the system, we developed a prototype simulator based on OpenGL and VC++. We compared the outcomes of our proposed technique with backpropagation algorithm and classic SVM based techniques.
Decomposition of the Equations of Motion in the Analysis of Dynamics of a 3‐DOF Nonideal System
Authors: Awrejcewicz Jan , Starosta Roman , Sypniewska-Kamińska Grażyna
Published: August 2014

The dynamic response of a nonlinear system with three degrees of freedom, which is excited by nonideal excitation, is investigated. In the considered system the role of a nonideal source is played by a direct current motor, where the central axis of the rotor is not coincident with the axis of rotation. This translation generates a torque whose magnitude depends on the angular velocity. During the system operation a general coordinate assigned to the nonideal source grows rapidly as a result of rotation. We propose the decomposition of the equations of motion in such a way to extract the solution which is directly related to the rotation of an unbalanced rotor. The remaining part of the solution describes pure oscillation depending on the dynamical behaviour of the whole system. The decomposed equations are solved numerically. The influence of selected system parameters on the rotor vibration is examined. The presented approach can be applied to separate vibration and rotation of motions in many other engineering systems.
A Case of Kawasaki Disease with Coronary Aneurysm Responding to the 4th IVIG Treatment
Authors: Kim Ju Young , Kim Hyun Jung
Published: August 2014

Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness that usually occurs in children younger than 5 years of age. The use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) within the first 10 days of illness has been shown to reduce the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms significantly. The relative roles of repeated doses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are controversial in refractory Kawasaki disease (KD). Most experts recommend the second retreatment with IVIG, 2 g/kg in refractory KD. However, the dose-response effect of the third or fourth IVIG was uncertain. Although there have been a significant number of reports on new therapeutic options for refractory KD, such as steroid, infliximab, methotrexate, and other immunosuppressants, their effectiveness in reducing the prevalence of coronary artery aneurysms was unproven. We present here KD patient with small coronary artery aneurysm who is resistant to the third IVIG and steroid pulse therapy but showed improvement immediately after the infusion of the 4th IVIG on fever day 18.
Exponential Stability of Stochastic Systems with Delay and Poisson Jumps
Authors: Zhu Wenli , Huang Jiexiang , Zhao Zhao
Published: August 2014

This paper focuses on the model of a class of nonlinear stochastic delay systems with Poisson jumps based on Lyapunov stability theory, stochastic analysis, and inequality technique. The existence and uniqueness of the adapted solution to such systems are proved by applying the fixed point theorem. By constructing a Lyapunov function and using Doob’s martingale inequality and Borel‐Cantelli lemma, sufficient conditions are given to establish the exponential stability in the mean square of such systems, and we prove that the exponentially stable in the mean square of such systems implies the almost surely exponentially stable. The obtained results show that if stochastic systems is exponentially stable and the time delay is sufficiently small, then the corresponding stochastic delay systems with Poisson jumps will remain exponentially stable, and time delay upper limit is solved by using the obtained results when the system is exponentially stable, and they are more easily verified and applied in practice.
Compact Double-P Slotted Inset-Fed Microstrip Patch Antenna on High Dielectric Substrate
Authors: Ahsan M. R. , Islam M. T. , Habib Ullah M. , Mahadi W. N. L. , Latef T. A.
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a compact sized inset-fed rectangular microstrip patch antenna embedded with double-P slots. The proposed antenna has been designed and fabricated on ceramic-PTFE composite material substrate of high dielectric constant value. The measurement results from the fabricated prototype of the antenna show −10 dB reflection coefficient bandwidths of 200 MHz and 300 MHz with center resonant frequency of 1.5 GHz and 4 GHz, respectively. The fabricated antenna has attained gains of 3.52 dBi with 81% radiation efficiency and 5.72 dBi with 87% radiation efficiency for lower band and upper band, respectively. The measured E- and H-plane radiation patterns are also presented for better understanding. Good agreement between the simulation and measurement results and consistent radiation patterns make the proposed antenna suitable for GPS and C-band applications.
In-Line Sputtered Gallium and Aluminum Codoped Zinc Oxide Films for Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Chang Shang-Chou
Published: August 2014

Gallium and aluminum codoped zinc oxide (GAZO) films were deposited at different temperatures by in-line sputtering. Aluminum is thermally unstable compared to other elements in GAZO films. The grains of GAZO films increase with deposition temperature. Coalescence between grains was observed for GAZO films deposited at 250°C. The deposition temperature exhibits positive influence on crystallinity, and electrical and optical properties of GAZO films. The carrier concentration and mobility of GAZO films increase, while the electrical resistivity of GAZO films decreases with deposition temperature. The average optical transmittance of GAZO films rises with deposition temperature. In-line sputtering demonstrates a potential method with simplicity, mass production, and large-area deposition to produce GAZO films with good electrical and optical quality. The electrical resistivity of 4.3×10−4 Ω cm and the average optical transmittance in the visible range from 400 to 800 nm of 92% can be obtained for GAZO films deposited at 250°C. The hybrid organic solar cells (OSC) were fabricated on GAZO-coated glass substrates. Blended poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) were the photoactive materials in OSC. The power conversion efficiency of OSC is 0.65% for the OSC with the 250°C deposited GAZO electrode.
Association of Medical Treatment Nonadherence With All-Cause Mortality in Newly Treated Hypertensive US Veterans
Authors: Gosmanova Elvira O. , Lu Jun L. , Streja Elani , Cushman William C. , Kalantar-Zadeh Kamyar , Kovesdy Csaba P.
Published: August 2014

Nonadherence to antihypertensive drugs is associated with adverse outcomes; however, mediators of this relationship are poorly understood. We examined the association between the
International Classification of Diseases
-
Ninth Revision
code for medical treatment nonadherence (V15.81) assigned before initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of incident hypertensive US veterans. A propensity score–matched cohort of 18 822 patients (9411 patients with and without a V15.81 code) was generated based on variables predictive of the presence of the V15.81 code to assess its independent association with all-cause mortality during 3.8 years of follow-up. We used Cox models before and after adjustment for antihypertensive drug adherence (measured as the proportion of days covered) and for measures of blood pressure to determine whether the association of nonadherence with mortality was mediated through consequences of not following prescribed antihypertensive drugs. At baseline, the mean age of patients was 50.0 years, 91.4% were men, and 33.2% were blacks. The V15.81 code presence was associated with higher all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.38, 95% confidence interval, 1.26–1.52;
P
<0.001). Adjustment for medication adherence, blood pressure levels, and blood pressure variability during follow-up did not alter the association between the V15.81 code and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.20–1.52;
P
<0.001). In conclusion, assignment of a V15.81 code before antihypertensive drug therapy was associated with higher all-cause mortality in incident hypertensive US veterans and can be useful to identify high-risk patients in administrative databases. This association was not mediated by worse adherence to antihypertensive drugs or differences in follow-up blood pressure.
Treatment-Resistant Hypertension and the Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease and End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Muntner Paul , Davis Barry R. , Cushman William C. , Bangalore Sripal , Calhoun David A. , Pressel Sara L. , Black Henry R. , Kostis John B. , Probstfield Jeffrey L. , Whelton Paul K. , Rahman Mahboob
Published: August 2014

Apparent treatment-resistant hypertension (aTRH) is defined as uncontrolled hypertension despite the use of ≥3 antihypertensive medication classes or controlled hypertension while treated with ≥4 antihypertensive medication classes. Although a high prevalence of aTRH has been reported, few data are available on its association with cardiovascular and renal outcomes. We analyzed data on 14 684 Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) participants to determine the association between aTRH (n=1870) with coronary heart disease, stroke, all-cause mortality, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and end-stage renal disease. We defined aTRH as blood pressure not at goal (systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg) while taking ≥3 classes of antihypertensive medication or taking ≥4 classes of antihypertensive medication with blood pressure at goal during the year 2 ALLHAT study visit (1996–2000). Use of a diuretic was not required to meet the definition of aTRH. Follow-up occurred through 2002. The multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) comparing participants with versus without aTRH were as follows: coronary heart disease (1.44 [1.18–1.76]), stroke (1.57 [1.18–2.08]), all-cause mortality (1.30 [1.11–1.52]), heart failure (1.88 [1.52–2.34]), peripheral artery disease (1.23 [0.85–1.79]), and end-stage renal disease (1.95 [1.11–3.41]). aTRH was also associated with the pooled outcomes of combined coronary heart disease (hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–1.71) and combined cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–1.64). These results demonstrate that aTRH increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and end-stage renal disease. Studies are needed to identify approaches to prevent aTRH and reduce risk for adverse outcomes among individuals with aTRH.
Painting Mountains and Rivers: Gary Snyder, Dōgen, and the Elemental Sutra of the Wild
Authors: Wirth Jason Martin
Published: August 2014

In this essay I hope to make some new contributions to the philosophical opening occasioned by John Sallis’ articulation of an “elementology” more broadly and by his turn to Guo Xi’s exquisite Song Dynasty shan-shui scroll painting, Early Spring (in his forthcoming work, Senses of Landscape) more particularly. I do so by bringing the remarkable writings by the American poet and thinker Gary Snyder, especially in relationship to his reading of the great Kamakura Zen Master Eihei Dōgen, directly into the fray of contemporary Continental discourses on the elemental and the ecological. At the heart of this project is Snyder’s development of Dōgen’s elemental discourse of “mountains, rivers, and the great earth.” Like Sallis’ own efforts to recast language into a more elemental discourse, this essay will also focus on the manners of speaking specific to the philosophical and poetic self-presentation of the elements, including the relationship between the philosophical and the artistic as such.
Acquiring the Habit of Changing Governments Through Elections
Authors: Przeworski Adam
Published: August 2014

Changing governments through elections is a rare and a recent practice. Yielding office the first time is foreboding because it entails the risk that the gesture would not be reciprocated, but the habit develops rapidly once the first step is taken. This article provides evidence for these assertions by examining about 3,000 elections in the world since 1788.
Situation Awareness Measures for Simulated Submarine Track Management
Authors: Loft Shayne , Bowden Vanessa , Braithwaite Janelle , Morrell Daniel B. , Huf Samuel , Durso Francis T.
Published: August 2014

Objective:

The aim of this study was to examine whether the Situation Present Assessment Method (SPAM) and the Situation Awareness Global Assessment Technique (SAGAT) predict incremental variance in performance on a simulated submarine track management task and to measure the potential disruptive effect of these situation awareness (SA) measures.

Background:

Submarine track managers use various displays to localize and track contacts detected by own-ship sensors. The measurement of SA is crucial for designing effective submarine display interfaces and training programs.

Method:

Participants monitored a tactical display and sonar bearing-history display to track the cumulative behaviors of contacts in relationship to own-ship position and landmarks. SPAM (or SAGAT) and the Air Traffic Workload Input Technique (ATWIT) were administered during each scenario, and the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and Situation Awareness Rating Technique were administered postscenario.

Results:

SPAM and SAGAT predicted variance in performance after controlling for subjective measures of SA and workload, and SA for past information was a stronger predictor than SA for current/future information. The NASA-TLX predicted performance on some tasks. Only SAGAT predicted variance in performance on all three tasks but marginally increased subjective workload.

Conclusion:

SPAM, SAGAT, and the NASA-TLX can predict unique variance in submarine track management performance. SAGAT marginally increased subjective workload, but this increase did not lead to any performance decrement.

Application:

Defense researchers have identified SPAM as an alternative to SAGAT because it would not require field exercises involving submarines to be paused. SPAM was not disruptive, but it is potentially problematic that SPAM did not predict variance in all three performance tasks.
Depression and health-seeking behaviour among migrant workers in Shenzhen
Authors: Lam Kelvin KF , Johnston Janice M
Published: August 2014

Background:

This study describes the prevalence of depression symptoms and its impact on health-seeking behaviour among Chinese migrant workers in a sample of 1,533 Shenzhen residents.

Methods:

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was administered in Shenzhen with a random sample of 859 registered and 674 non-registered residents. The 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D) scale was used to measure depression symptoms. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to assess healthcare services utilisation.

Results:

Non-registered residents were more likely to have clinically significant depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥ 16) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.81; confidence interval (CI) = 1.18, 2.76). Despite this, depressed non-registered residents had no significant difference in health-seeking behaviour when compared to those without depression (OR = 2.86; CI = 0.98, 8.32), while in contrast, depressed registered residents had a positive and stronger association with healthcare services utilisation and/or self-medication (OR = 3.34; CI = 1.28, 8.71).

Conclusion:

The findings suggest higher prevalence of depression but less utilisation of healthcare services or self-medication among migrant residents. That migrants with depression lack access to healthcare suggests healthcare inequality. Psychological disorders require careful management and treatment; the mismatch in their health needs and access to care may contribute to the Inverse-care law.
When Good Intentions and Reality Meet
Authors: Johnson Carla C. , Bolshakova Virginia L. J. , Waldron Tammy
Published: August 2014

This study examined the ability of Transformative Professional Development (TPD) to transform science teacher quality and associated impact on science achievement, including particular focus on English Language Learners (ELL). TPD was implemented in a large, low-performing, urban district in the southwest with predominantly Latino ELL populations. Findings revealed TPD enabled significant growth in teacher quality and participants in TPD experienced gains in student science achievement on state assessments. Most importantly, ELL student achievement in science Grades 4 to 8 was improved. Challenges to implementation of TPD are discussed along with implications for future research.
Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life Among Patients With Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Wang Wenru , Chow Aloysius , Thompson David R. , Koh Karen , Kowitlawakul Yanika , He Hong-Gu
Published: August 2014

This cross-sectional correlational study aimed to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its predictors among patients with myocardial infarction (MI). One hundred and twenty-eight outpatients with MI were recruited from a university hospital. The 12-item Short-Form Health Survey version 2, Myocardial Infarction Dimensional Assessment Scale (MIDAS), and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to measure the study variables. Compared with the findings of similar studies of patients with MI, this sample, despite having significant coronary risk factors, reported generally better HRQoL. Predictors of physical HRQoL included low monthly household income, whereas predictors of mental HRQoL included ex-smoker, alcohol use, hypertension, anxiety, and depression. Special attention may need to be given to those people with a low income level, who are ex-smokers, use alcohol, or have hypertension, anxiety, or depression.
Use-Adoption Gaps in Food Retailing
Authors: Hino Hayiel
Published: August 2014

This research addresses the use-adoption gaps in food retailing in the context of an emerging economy (Jordan). In particular, the study attempts to shed light on the intensity of use of supermarket formats by employing a new research approach. For this purpose, we propose a measurement that identifies determinants of use-adoption gap in hypermarket shopping. Thus, the study examines how various factors typically associated with food consumption drive consumers to shop for food items across various food formats. The study employs data collected from a survey involving 433 households. The conceptual framework and hypotheses are tested using multiple regression analyses. The empirical results support our claim that the research approach applied in this study better explains use-adoption gaps in hypermarket shopping.
Rethinking the Principle of (Sovereign) Equality as a Standard of Civilisation
Authors: Aalberts Tanja E.
Published: August 2014

The standard of civilisation is most often identified as the infamous legal doctrine that legitimised imperialist rule and the exclusion of non-European non-Christian states from the international society. In disciplinary narratives of both International Relations and International Law this colonial project is usually presented as a mere interlude on the way to a mature and inclusive international society based sovereign equality as its organising principle. In line with more critical historiography, which shows how colonialism is the condition of possibility for both sovereignty and international law, this article investigates how a standard of civilisation is inherent in political legal practices of international ordering. Moreover, while usually presented as a practice of exclusion, this article will analyse the more intricate dynamic of inclusion and exclusion as a basis for international order by addressing the legal politics of subjecthood (as objects and subjects of the imagined global regime). More specifically, it will address how law operates as a technology through the interplay between a standard of civilisation, the principle of equality and legal subjectivity. The article will look into legal practices of different historical periods (in the age of discovery, during the colonial expansion, and in modern international society) to analyse the workings and transformations of these legal technologies. Together this will show how an (implicit) standard of civilisation is entrenched in the operation of law as a technology of international order. This does not stop with the universalisation of sovereign equality as the organising principle of an inclusive or ‘global’ international society. This article will argue that this reveals the productive power of law which functions not just as a juridical rule to regulate relations between independent and equal sovereign subjects, but operates as the norm to produce appropriate sovereigns as members of the international society.
Τhe effect of silica nanoparticles on the thermomechanical properties and degradation behavior of polylactic acid
Authors: Georgiopoulos P , Kontou E , Meristoudi A , Pispas S , Chatzinikolaidou M
Published: August 2014

In this work a series of polylactic acid/SiO2 nanocomposites have been prepared by a melt mixing procedure. The dispersion quality was examined by scanning electron microscopy. To study the degradation behavior of the polylactic acid/nanocomposites prepared, the samples were immersed in a buffer solution at a temperature of 37℃ with a pH of 7.4 for a time period of up to 23 weeks. These conditions simulate those in the human body, appropriate in medical applications. In order to assess their suitability in biomedical applications, we investigated the biocompatibility of these materials in terms of cell viability, growth, and morphology. A good initial cell adhesion has been detected, supporting their potential use in bone tissue engineering applications. The hydrolytic degradation of polylactic acid, under the prescribed conditions, was studied by the molecular weight reduction in terms of size exclusion chromatography, whereas the progress of thermal stability of polylactic acid and polylactic acid/nanocomposites during aging was tested by thermogravimetric analysis. The evolution of the materials’ thermomechanical properties during aging was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and tensile testing. The crystallization behavior in polylactic acid and the way it is affected by the presence of nanofillers during degradation procedure has been studied and values of 44% crystallinity increment have been found. At the specific aging conditions studied, silica nanoparticles accelerate the degradability of polylactic acid, having a higher impact on Young’s modulus, under the specified aging conditions, for 7 weeks and hereafter this acceleration is retarded, due to the crystallinity increment, as a result of the molecular weight reduction.