bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of a coccygeal axial pattern flap for reconstruction following tumour excision in a cat
Authors: Montinaro Vincenzo , Massari Federico , Romanelli Giorgio
Published: June 2014

A 6-year-old male castrated Chartreux cat was referred for recurrence of an injection site sarcoma at the base of the tail 7 months after the initial surgery. Upon presentation, the physical examination was unremarkable except for a non-painful, subcutaneous mass, 2 cm in diameter, firmly attached to the underlying tissue on the left lateral side of the tail base. Complete blood count, biochemistry and urinalysis were within normal limits; thoracic radiographs and abdominal ultrasound showed no evidence of metastatic disease. After removing the mass with 3 cm margins laterally and two deep fascial planes, the defect was reconstructed after tail amputation using a coccygeal axial pattern flap based on the lateral coccygeal arteries and veins. There were no complications with wound healing and the only visible change was a difference in hair coat direction at the 1 month re-check. This is the first report to describe the utility and feasibility of the coccygeal axial pattern flap to reconstruct a large cutaneous defect over the caudodorsal pelvic region in a cat.
An experimental analysis of the hydrodynamic contribution of textured thrust bearings during steady-state operation: A comparison with the untextured parallel surface configuration
Authors: Henry Y , Bouyer J , Fillon M
Published: June 2014

Textured surfaces are the subject of a great deal of research work in tribology, which mainly involves numerical studies of lubricated contacts. A variety of shapes and arrangements of textures can be found, these being as numerous as the different authors. Depending on the configuration, it has been shown that the presence of the texture can provide better lubrication efficiency through both a reduction of friction and an increase in load-carrying capacity. However, improving bearing performance implies a specific geometrical configuration for given operating conditions. The improvement in lubricated contact performance by texturing the active surface has been demonstrated using experimental studies concerning, for example, pin-on-disk, mechanical seal, camshaft, journal bearing, thrust bearing, and piston ring set-ups. The objective of the present experimental analysis is to provide, using local measurements, a better understanding of the influence of surface texturing on the steady-state behavior of thrust bearings. To achieve this goal, the experimental device is equipped with 80 sensors such as thermocouples and pressure transducers which allowed a proper assessment of the phenomenology at the film/pad interface. The tests are conducted on five hydrodynamic thrust bearings, among which four are textured. Results show that, for the studied configurations, the textured thrust bearings can help to reduce friction up to 30% at low loads while for heavy loads, their performance is equivalent or even lower than that of an untextured planar bearing.
Effects of mixed inhibitors in copper chemical mechanical polishing at a low down pressure
Authors: Gong Hua , Pan Guoshun , Gu Zhonghua , Luo Guihai , Luo Haimei
Published: June 2014

The individual and synergistic effects of benzotriazole and sodium dodecyl sulfonate on copper disc are investigated at a down pressure of 3.4 kpa. The corrosion rate is reduced by using benzotriazole, but the surface quality is poor owing to the slow formation rate of copper–benzotriazole protection film. For sodium dodecyl sulfonate, the corrosion rate is further reduced, but slight corrosions can be still observed due to the incomplete coverage of sodium dodecyl sulfonate molecules. The combination of sodium dodecyl sulfonate and benzotriazole leads to the maximum decrease of corrosion rate. Under the benzotriazole/sodium dodecyl sulfonate ratio of 1:3, the average roughness achieves as low as 1.025 nm owing to the soft and dense coverage of benzotriazole/sodium dodecyl sulfonate molecules. Besides, the trends of removal rate, roughness and friction coefficient are proved to be similar for copper discs and copper wafers in slurries with different inhibitors. Therefore, the results presented here are relevant for further developments in the area of low-pressure chemical mechanical planarization of copper lines overlying fragile low-k dielectrics in the new interconnect structures.
Analysis of dimple textured parallel and inclined slider bearing
Authors: Malik Surajit , Kakoty Sashindra K
Published: June 2014

Textured slider bearing is of immense interest from some time now. The present study takes up both parallel and inclined slider bearing with dimple textured surface. Simple solution scheme is adopted to obtain non-dimensional load-carrying capacity of fully textured and partially textured slider bearings. When bearing with aspect ratio (length-to-width ratio) less than unity performs better with full texturing, while partial texturing performs better for higher aspect ratios. Optimum textured portion of slider width for different aspect ratios are provided. The effect of direction of texturing on the performance of textured slider bearing is investigated and it is observed that forward texturing has better performance than backward texturing.
Wasted tongue in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders due to hypoglossal nerve involvement
Authors: Viswanathan Shanthi
Published: June 2014

We report two cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder with hypoglossal nerve involvement resulting in a wasted tongue associated with other brainstem symptoms of hypogeusia, hypersalivation, hiccough, increased sweating, hyperemesis and myelitis (in the second patient). This occurred due to involvement of the hypoglossal, tractus solitarius and dorsal vagal nuclei. Though the myelitis and other brainstem signs recovered the hypoglossal nerve involvement resulting in a unilateral wasted tongue did not. It is important to consider neuromyelitis optica and its spectrum disorders in the differential diagnosis of a wasted tongue though its occurrence is rare.
A multiple case study on the effects of temperamental traits in Chinese preschoolers learning English
Authors: Sun He , de Bot Kees , Steinkrauss Rasmus
Published: June 2014

Aims:

The current study tests Clarke’s (1999) findings on phases and variations of the English development of young second-language learners in a Chinese English as a Foreign Language setting and explores the cause of these variations under the following questions: 1) What verbal and non-verbal behavior can be observed in Chinese preschoolers in an English-learning classroom? 2) What variation can be observed among the children in such a class? 3) To what extent can the observed variation be interpreted on the basis of the children’s temperament?

Methodology:

Four Chinese children have been followed longitudinally in China and their developmental pattern and variation were compared with what has been found in Clarke’s study. The variation has been related to children’s different temperamental scores.

Data and Analysis:

The four three-year-old English learners in China were videoed and audio-recorded in class for five months. Their class data were transcribed with CLAN software and analyzed with SPSS software. Their temperamental information was provided by the parents by filling in the New York Longitudinal Study questionnaire. The temperamental traits were analyzed with the software MentalList 2.

Findings:

During the initial five months, the four Chinese preschoolers’ English-learning behavior developed from non-verbal reactions, such as non-verbal repetitions to verbal reactions, such as English responses, generally being in line with the first two phases outlined by Clarke. Children varied significantly in terms of time of entry into the verbal phase, in the extent of interaction with teachers and peers and in learning style. Temperamental traits such as adaptability and mood were found to be related to differences in development. A higher level of adaptation, a higher level of activity, more initial reactions and a positive mood were found to be related with more verbal and non-verbal repetitions and responses. A lower level of activity and fewer initial reactions were shown to be related to a smaller amount of verbal and non-verbal production. Finally, a negative mood and a higher threshold of responsiveness seem to have led to the teacher misreading a child’s needs and thus hampered that child’s motivation and incidental learning.

Originality:

Temperamental traits have been introduced into child foreign language development and successfully shown to capture the difference of children’s learning behaviors.

Implications:

Data on temperamental characteristics might enable the teachers to get to know the young learners more quickly and better and thus support their teaching and facilitate their teaching handover.
“Tribal Fixation” and Africa’s Otherness
Authors: Ibelema Minabere
Published: June 2014

This monograph takes a qualitative, content analytical approach in examining U.S. press coverage of Africa from 2000 to 2012. The goal is to learn the degree that the press manifests “tribal fixation” and the broader theme of otherness in the context of advanced globalization. Coverage by The New York Times and the Associated Press is the primary focus. To assess tribal fixation, this monograph examines coverage of the electoral crisis in Kenya in 2008, the Darfur conflict in Sudan, and the civil war in Congo. To assess the portrayal of otherness, the study examines the general framing of African news. While both aspects of coverage have diminished, the element of otherness seems more resilient. Drawing from notions of the “traveler’s tale” and theories of social cognition and news frames, this monograph concludes that perceptual distance remains a factor in the coverage of Africa.
Adult Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse
Authors: Tener Dafna , Murphy Sharon B.
Published: June 2014

Victims of childhood sexual abuse carry the experience of abuse into adulthood. One of the dilemmas victims face during adulthood is the decision to disclose or conceal the abuse. Although adult disclosure may be affected by former disclosure during childhood, adult survivors face new challenges and dilemmas, such as to whom, when, and how to tell. The purpose of this article is to review the domains found in the literature on survivors’ experiences regarding disclosure of child sexual abuse during adulthood, all of which were published between 1980 and 2013. Domains include decisions to disclose during adulthood, barriers and facilitators to disclosure and potential recipients of the disclosure, as well as the process of telling and its impact on survivors’ well-being. The authors present implications for policy, practice, and research.
Structure design and property evaluation of silver/stainless steel composite fabric
Authors: Hwang Po-Wen , Chen An-Pang , Li Ting-Ting , Lou Ching Wen , Lin Jia-Horng
Published: June 2014

This study presents a fabrication method for functional commingled yarns and prepared conductive knitted fabrics for shielding electromagnetic waves and electrostatic discharge. Stainless steel filament was used as core yarn, polyethylene terephthalate filament or silver yarn was used as wrapped yarn producing polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene terephthalate/stainless steel filament or silver/silver/stainless steel filament commingled yarns via filaments hollow spindle spinning system and then knitting into silver/stainless steel composite fabric. The effects of cycle number and metal content on air permeability, surface resistance, and electromagnetic shielding properties of resultant knitted fabrics were discussed. Besides, influences of number of layers and lamination angle on electromagnetic shielding were also investigated intensively. The result shows that, conductive composite fabrics made by silver/silver/stainless steel filament commingled yarns and 450D polyethylene terephthalate plied filaments had higher surface resistance of 3.4 Log(Ω/sq) and 5.6 Log(Ω/sq), respectively, in coursewise and walewise directions. Electromagnetic shielding varied with number of layer, lamination angle, cycle number, and metal content. When six layers of conductive knitted fabrics were laminated with 45°, electromagnetic shielding reached 15 dB at 1–3 GHz frequency. The highest air permeability, 317.6 cm3/cm2/s, occurred at single-layer conductive composite fabric.
Vitamin B6 prevents cognitive impairment in experimental pneumococcal meningitis
Authors: Barichello Tatiana , Generoso Jaqueline S , Simões Lutiana R , Ceretta Renan A , Dominguini Diogo , Ferrari Pâmela , Gubert Carolina , Jornada Luciano K , Budni Josiane , Kapczinski Flávio , Quevedo João
Published: June 2014

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the relevant cause of bacterial meningitis, with a high-mortality rate and long-term neurological sequelae, affecting up to 50% of survivors. Pneumococcal compounds are pro-inflammatory mediators that induce an innate immune response and tryptophan degradation through the kynurenine pathway. Vitamin B6 acts as a cofactor at the active sites of enzymes that catalyze a great number of reactions involved in the metabolism of tryptophan, preventing the accumulation of neurotoxic intermediates. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of vitamin B6 on memory and on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the brain of adult Wistar rats subjected to pneumococcal meningitis. The animals received either 10 µL of artificial cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or an equivalent volume of S. pneumoniae suspension. The animals were divided into four groups: control, control treated with vitamin B6, meningitis, and meningitis treated with vitamin B6. Ten days after induction, the animals were subjected to behavioral tests: open-field task and step-down inhibitory avoidance task. In the open-field task, there was a significant reduction in both crossing and rearing in the control group, control/B6 group, and meningitis/B6 group compared with the training session, demonstrating habituation memory. However, the meningitis group showed no difference in motor and exploratory activity between training and test sessions, demonstrating memory impairment. In the step-down inhibitory avoidance task, there was a difference between training and test sessions in the control group, control/B6 group, and meningitis/B6 group, demonstrating aversive memory. In the meningitis group, there was no difference between training and test sessions, demonstrating impairment of aversive memory. In the hippocampus, BDNF expression decreased in the meningitis group when compared to the control group; however, adjuvant treatment with vitamin B6 increased BDNF expression in the meningitis group. Thus, vitamin B6 attenuated the memory impairment in animals subjected to pneumococcal meningitis.
The Use of TachoSil as Sealant in an Experimental Model of Colonic Perforation
Authors: Tallón-Aguilar Luis , Lopez- Bernal Francisco de Asis , Muntane–Relat Jordi , García-Martínez Juan Antonio , Castillo–Sanchez Esteban , Padillo–Ruiz Javier
Published: June 2014

Background. The suture dehiscence has traditionally represented a major surgical problem that has not fully resolved. Surgeons should perform sutures in nonoptimal conditions using different methods of sealing and/or reinforcement of suture. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of TachoSil in an experimental model of colon perforations in a simulated precarious situation. Methods. Forty Wistar rats of both genders (14-24 weeks old) were equally divided in 2 groups; study group was submitted to extended starvation and segmental ischemia. The surgical complications analyzed were animal death, colonic leaks, or intra-abdominal infection, either as local abscesses or diffuse peritonitis. The burst pressure was measured in millimeters of mercury. The histological analysis was performed according to Ehrlich and Hunt numerical scale modified by Phillips. Results. Only 1 animal belonging to the study group died as a consequence of the colonic ischemia. The eventual colonic leak or diffuse peritonitis was reported. Three local abscesses were observed in the study group and one in the control group, and numerous microscopic abscesses in histological analysis (12 vs 11) were detected. The average burst pressure in the study group was 209.47 ± 50.274 versus 203 ± 51.514 mm Hg in the control group. No differences were observed in any of the variables analyzed in the histological activity. Conclusion. TachoSil has proven useful as a sealant of colonic perforations in our experimental study. We therefore conclude that its use in situations of insecurity may be adequate, even in optimal conditions in which reinforcement of previous suture is not strictly required.
Feasibility and Safety of Laparoscopic Colon Surgery Performed Under Intravenous Sedation and Local Anesthesia Using Microinvasive (<3 mm) Instruments
Authors: Milsom Jeffrey W. , Trencheva Koiana , Ezell Paula , Maggiori Léon , Pavoor Raghava , Vitellaro Marco , Zhuo Changhua , Makino Tomoki , Lee Sang W. , Shukla Parul J.
Published: June 2014

Purpose. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of performing laparoscopic intestinal surgery using local anesthesia and intravenous sedation with instruments <3 mm in diameter. Methods. Porcine model with acute (n = 2) and the survival studies (n = 8): all female pigs, weight (median 36.4 kg, range 33.2-38.4 kg). Surgeries were performed using only intravenous sedation with ketamine-midazolam and local anesthetic infiltration at the sites of trocar insertion, with airway protection. CO2 pneumoperitoneum was maintained using pressure of 3 to 5 mm Hg. Commercially available instruments, sizes <3 mm in diameter were used. Surgical steps were as follows: ( a) exploration of all quadrants of the abdomen and pelvis, ( b) “running” the entire length of small bowel, ( c) dissection of bowel attachments to the peritoneal sidewall, and ( d) creating a 2.5 cm enterotomy in the colon and suture repair of this defect. Results. All 10 surgeries were completed successfully. Animals tolerated the procedure well, with no requirement of intubation. There were no decrements in vital signs during pneumoperitoneum or surgery. Despite spontaneous respiration movements, all planned surgical maneuvers were feasible. The median length of operations was 74 minutes (range 56-165 minutes). All survival animals had an uneventful recovery; there were no infectious complications, oral intake and bowel function returned within 24 hours. Conclusions. It appears feasible and safe to perform simple laparoscopic intestinal procedures using instruments <3 mm in diameter and low CO2 insufflation pressure under local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. This methodology holds promise in the development of new approaches to intestinal surgery and disease diagnosis.
The Impact of Marketing Language on Patient Preference for Robot-Assisted Surgery
Authors: Dixon Peter R. , Grant Robert C. , Urbach David R.
Published: June 2014

Robot-assisted surgery is gaining momentum as a new trend in minimally invasive surgery. With limited evidence supporting its use in place of the far less expensive conventional laparoscopic surgery, it has been suggested that marketing pressure is partly responsible for its widespread adoption. The impact of phrases that promote the novelty of robot-assisted surgery on patient decision making has not been investigated. We conducted a discrete choice experiment to elicit preference of partial colectomy technique for a hypothetical diagnosis of colon cancer. A convenience sample of 38 participants in an ambulatory general surgery clinic consented to participate. Each participant made 2 treatment decisions between robot-assisted surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery, with robot-assisted surgery described as “innovative” and “state-of-the-art” in one of the decisions (marketing frame), and by a disclosure of the uncertainty of available evidence in the other (evidence-based frame). The magnitude of the framing effect was large with 12 of 38 subjects (31.6%, P = .005) selecting robot-assisted surgery in the marketing frame and not the evidence-based frame. This is the first study to our knowledge to demonstrate that words that highlight novelty have an important influence on patient preference for robot-assisted surgery and that use of more neutral language can mitigate this effect.
Body-Related Self-Conscious Emotions Relate to Physical Activity Motivation and Behavior in Men
Authors: Castonguay Andree L. , Pila Eva , Wrosch Carsten , Sabiston Catherine M.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the body-related self-conscious emotions of shame, guilt, and pride and physical activity motivation and behavior among adult males. Specifically, motivation regulations (external, introjected, indentified, intrinsic) were examined as possible mediators between each of the body-related self-conscious emotions and physical activity behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted with adult men ( N = 152; Mage = 23.72, SD = 10.92 years). Participants completed a questionnaire assessing body-related shame, guilt, authentic pride, hubristic pride, motivational regulations, and leisure-time physical activity. In separate multiple mediation models, body-related shame was positively associated with external and introjected regulations and negatively correlated with intrinsic regulation. Guilt was positively linked to external, introjected, and identified regulations. Authentic pride was negatively related to external regulation and positively correlated with both identified and intrinsic regulations and directly associated with physical activity behavior. Hubristic pride was positively associated with intrinsic regulation. Overall, there were both direct and indirect effects via motivation regulations between body-related self-conscious emotions and physical activity ( R2 shame = .15, guilt = .16, authentic pride = .18, hubristic pride = .16). These findings highlight the importance of targeting and understanding self-conscious emotions contextualized to the body and links to motivation and positive health behavior among men.
Investigation of the expression of mediators of neovascularization from mononuclear leukocytes in thromboangiitis obliterans
Authors: Fazeli Bahare , Rafatpanah Houshang , Ravari Hassan , Hosseini Reza Farid , Rezaee S A Rahim
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the cytokines, chemokines and effective molecules of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that play a role in neovascularization in thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO). Lymphocytes from TAO patients ( n = 20) and control subjects (healthy smokers [ n = 16] and non-smokers [ n = 17]) were evaluated using realtime polymerase chain reaction in order to examine the mRNA expression of CXCL1 and interleukin 8 (IL-8; inducers of collateral development by recruitment of circulating progenitor cells [CPCs]), endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGF-A) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS; inducers of angiogenesis) and interferon gamma (IFN- γ) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1; inhibitors of angiogenesis). CXCL1 expression was significantly higher in the TAO patients than control subjects. The expressions of IL-8, VEGFR-1 and IFN- γ were significantly higher in the TAO patients and smokers than in non-smokers. However, no differences in iNOS and VEGF-A expression were noted. In conclusion, PBMCs from TAO patients expressed cytokines that potentially recruit CPCs and promote arteriogenesis. However, TAO patients typically have low CPC levels, perhaps due to high oxidative stress. Further studies are recommended in order to investigate the efficacy of antioxidant therapy on the outcome of TAO before administration of angiogenic factors.
A rare complication after axillofemoral bypass operation: disruption of the proximal anastomosis: single case after 12 years’ experience in extra-anatomic bypass surgery
Authors: Chousein Serchat , Yuksel Volkan , Geldi Onur , Canbaz Suat
Published: June 2014

Axillofemoral bypass operation is an alternative approach for patients at high risk for aortofemoral reconstruction and for patients with comorbid factors. Proximal anastomotic disruption, upper extremity thromboembolism, graft infection and seroma formation are known postoperative complications after axillofemoral bypass. Proximal anastomotic disruption is a severe complication in the early postoperative period and is usually secondary to technical errors in anastomosis, mechanical distress and infections. We performed a left axillofemoral bypass and left femoropopliteal bypass operation under general anesthesia by using an 8 mm full ringed polytetrafluoroethylene graft. On the seventh postoperative day, patient complained a sudden pain and swelling on left subclavian incision after a hyperabduction of the left arm. Patient was taken into operation theatre just after this complaint for suspicion of disruption of the proximal anastomosis. We report a case with proximal anastomotic disruption after axillofemoral bypass operation in accordance with literature data.
New development for aorto bifemoral bypass – a clampless and sutureless endovascular and laparoscopic technique
Authors: Segers Bernard , Horn David , Bazi Michel-Olivier , Lemaitre Jean , Van Den Broeck Vanessa , Stevens Etienne , Roman Alain , Bosschaerts Thierry
Published: June 2014

The classic procedure for aortobifemoral bypass is open surgery. Laparoscopy has been accepted by several authors as a minimal invasive alternative for aortoiliac occlusive disease. The totally retroperitoneal laparoscopic procedure has been described as an alternative to the transperitoneal approach. Whatever the approach, the aortoprosthetic anastomosis is a major difficulty making those techniques unpopular despite obvious advantages for the patients. We report a clampless and sutureless approach for the proximal anastomosis of a totally retroperitoneal laparoscopic aortobifemoral bypass using an EndoVascular REtroperitoneoScopic Technique (EVREST). This approach was proposed to a 56-year-old man with severe aortoiliac occlusive disease. There was no indication for endovascular re-vascularization. The patient was placed in a 30° right lateral decubitus position. The dissection of the retroperitoneal space was performed and the infrarenal aorta was exposed. A bifurcated graft was inserted into the retroperitoneal space. Under videoscopic control the prosthetic limbs were brought to the groins. The main body of the graft was connected on the left side of the aorta by an intra and extra aortic covered stent-graft. This connection was performed without the use of an aortic clamp and without suture. The femoral anastomoses were performed by classic open surgery.
Customized fenestrated endovascular graft repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm with concomitant horseshoe kidney
Authors: Brown Kai , Robinson David , Bray Alan
Published: June 2014

The occurrence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with horseshoe kidney (HSK) is an uncommon but complex surgical problem. This report outlines three such cases, the particular issues encountered and how customized endovascular grafts were successfully used to overcome them. Case one shows an accessory renal artery arising from the left common iliac artery, case two shows a right accessory renal artery from the AAA sac and case three has the right renal artery coming off the distal abdominal aorta within the sac. Across three patients, each graft had a single custom fenestration, which preserved a total of three major vessels with no change in renal function. Customized endografts are a viable tool to preserve aberrant vessels and thus renal mass in AAA and HSK. Customized endografts require an extensive work-up and are currently expensive to fabricate. However they are rapidly evolving as a mainstream tool in vascular surgery and provide a solution in cases of aberrant visceral vasculature.
Successful endovascular extraction of newer generation Angio-Seal collagen plug and anchor after acute embolization
Authors: Rafeh Nidal Abi , Saiful Faisal B , Khoueiry Georges , Zgheib Mohammad , Arain Salman
Published: June 2014

A 75-year-old woman with past medical history of coronary bypass, atrial fibrillation, mitral valve repair undergoes percutaneous coronary intervention of left circumflex artery with a drug eluting stent. An Angio-Seal vascular closure device was used post procedure to obtain hemostasis. Shortly after deployment, frank bleeding was observed necessitating manual compression at the arteriotomy site. After hemostasis was achieved, the right lower extremity was found to be pale, bluish with feeble pulses. Doppler ultrasound was emergently performed revealing decreased blood flow after mid superficial femoral artery (SFA) and an echo lucent object lodged luminally in the SFA. Patient was urgently taken to the vascular laboratory where an Angio-Seal device, including the collagen plug and anchor, was successfully removed endovascularly patient made full recovery and was discharged home the following day.
The ‘sentient’ city and what it may portend
Authors: Thrift Nigel
Published: June 2014

The claim is frequently made that, as cities become loaded up with information and communications technology and a resultant profusion of data, so they are becoming sentient. But what might this mean? This paper offers some insights into this claim by, first of all, reworking the notion of the social as a spatial complex of ‘outstincts’. That makes it possible, secondly, to reconsider what a city which is aware of itself might look like, both by examining what kinds of technological practices are becoming commonplace and by considering the particular case of spatial awareness. In turn, this leads to a third rumination on how cities might become aware as different kinds of sprite, channelling outstincts in spatially variable ways. Whatever the case, it is clear that new technical-artistic interventions are required if these sprites are not to become simply servants of the security–entertainment complex. Some of these interventions are examined in the fourth part of the paper.
What difference does quantity make? On the epistemology of Big Data in biology
Authors: Leonelli S
Published: June 2014

Is Big Data science a whole new way of doing research? And what difference does data quantity make to knowledge production strategies and their outputs? I argue that the novelty of Big Data science does not lie in the sheer quantity of data involved, but rather in (1) the prominence and status acquired by data as commodity and recognised output, both within and outside of the scientific community and (2) the methods, infrastructures, technologies, skills and knowledge developed to handle data. These developments generate the impression that data-intensive research is a new mode of doing science, with its own epistemology and norms. To assess this claim, one needs to consider the ways in which data are actually disseminated and used to generate knowledge. Accordingly, this article reviews the development of sophisticated ways to disseminate, integrate and re-use data acquired on model organisms over the last three decades of work in experimental biology. I focus on online databases as prominent infrastructures set up to organise and interpret such data and examine the wealth and diversity of expertise, resources and conceptual scaffolding that such databases draw upon. This illuminates some of the conditions under which Big Data needs to be curated to support processes of discovery across biological subfields, which in turn highlights the difficulties caused by the lack of adequate curation for the vast majority of data in the life sciences. In closing, I reflect on the difference that data quantity is making to contemporary biology, the methodological and epistemic challenges of identifying and analysing data given these developments, and the opportunities and worries associated with Big Data discourse and methods.
Carotid sinus malfunction presenting with presyncopal episodes during radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Georgakopoulos John , Katsilieris John , Papaloucas Christos , Kelekis Nikolaos , Kouloulias Vassilis
Published: June 2014

Lesson

We report the case of a 67-year-old Caucasian man with unexplained presyncopal episodes during radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer.
Takayasu’s arteritis and an elevated antistreptolysin O titre – a potentially expensive diagnostic conundrum
Authors: Lloyd Oliver , Lammy Simon , Edwards Rebecca , Laing Robert
Published: June 2014

Lesson

Takayasu's arteritis is a chronic large vessel vasculitis which may be associated with a false positive antistreptolysin O titre.
Measuring the acute cardiovascular effects of shisha smoking: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kadhum Murtaza , Jaffery Ali , Haq Adnaan , Bacon Jenny , Madden Brendan
Published: June 2014

Objectives

To investigate the acute cardiovascular effects of smoking shisha.

Design

A cross-sectional study was carried out in six shisha cafes. Participants smoked shisha for a period between 45 min (minimum) and 90 min (maximum). The same brand of tobacco and coal was used.

Setting

London, UK.

Participants

Participants were those who had ordered a shisha to smoke and consented to have their blood pressure, heart rate and carbon monoxide levels measured. Excluded subjects were those who had smoked shisha in the previous 24 h, who smoke cigarettes or who suffered from cardiorespiratory problems.

Main outcome measures

Blood pressure was measured using a sphygmomanometer. Pulse was measured by palpation of the radial artery. Carbon monoxide levels were obtained via a carbon monoxide monitor. These indices were measured before the participants began to smoke shisha and after they finished or when the maximum 90 min time period was reached.

Results

Mean arterial blood pressure increased from 96 mmHg to 108 mmHg ( p < 0.001). Heart rate increased from 77 to 91 bpm ( p < 0.001). Carbon monoxide increased from an average of 3 to 35 ppm ( p < 0.001). A correlation analysis showed no relationship between carbon monoxide and the other indices measured.

Conclusion

The acute heart rate, blood pressure and carbon monoxide levels were seen to rise significantly after smoking shisha. The weak correlation between carbon monoxide levels and the other variables suggests that carbon monoxide levels had not contributed to their significant increase.
The Sexual Experience of Latino Young Adults in College and Their Perceptions of Values About Sex Communicated by Their Parents and Friends
Authors: Manago Adriana M. , Ward L. Monique , Aldana Adriana
Published: June 2014

This study examines the values in Latino young adults’ perceptions of messages about sex during their formative years and their current level of sexual exploration and sexual assertiveness. Latino young adults in college ( N = 218) rated the prevalence of four types of messages they heard from parents and friends: Sex is only for marriage (procreational), sex is only appropriate in a loving relationship (relational), sex is for pleasure (recreational), and the sexual double standard. Relational sex was most prominent in parental messages; recreational sex was most prominent in friend messages. Women reported more relational sex messages and men reported more recreational sex messages from parents and friends. Fewer procreational sex messages from parents and more recreational sex messages from friends were associated with higher reported levels of sexual exploration and assertiveness. We propose that sexual exploration and assertiveness are behavioral manifestations of individualistic values embedded in sexual discourses among friends and family.
Viral Loads among Young HIV-Infected Men with Early Syphilis
Authors: Taylor Melanie M. , Li Whitney Y. , Skinner Julia , Mickey Tom
Published: June 2014

High rates of HIV coinfection among men with syphilis suggest HIV transmission opportunities due to biologic and behavioral risk synergy. We abstracted HIV viral loads for HIV-infected males aged 24 years or younger with a diagnosis of early syphilis (ES) in Maricopa County, Arizona, in order to evaluate HIV infectivity. During 2009 to 2012, there were 56 HIV-infected, ES cases meeting the age criteria, of whom 32 (57%) had a detectable viral load performed within 1 year of syphilis diagnosis (median 21 000 copies/mL, range 130-302 844 copies/mL). Only 4 (7%) of the 56 patients had an undetectable viral load (<100 copies/mL) reported within a year of syphilis diagnosis. Twenty (36%) had no reported viral load or a viral load collected after 1 year of syphilis diagnosis. Among this group of young men coinfected with HIV and ES, many had detectable viral loads collected near the time of syphilis diagnosis, suggesting the potential for HIV transmission.
Matriptase-2 is essential for hepcidin repression during fetal life and postnatal development in mice to maintain iron homeostasis
Authors: Willemetz Alexandra , Lenoir Anne , Deschemin Jean-Christophe , Lopez-Otin Carlos , Ramsay Andrew J. , Vaulont Sophie , Nicolas Gaël
Published: June 2014

Key Points

Matriptase-2 is required for hepcidin suppression in fetuses and neonates to ensure iron mobilization to avoid iron deficiency and anemia. In matriptase-2–deficient mice, the constant developmental hyperhepcidinemia is not explained by increased level of hepatic hemojuvelin.
Physicians’ attitudes toward medical and ethical challenges for patients in the vegetative state: comparing Canadian and German perspectives in a vignette survey
Authors: Kuehlmeyer Katja , Palmour Nicole , Riopelle Richard J , Bernat James L , Jox Ralf J , Racine Eric
Published: June 2014

Background

Physicians treating patients in the vegetative state (VS) must deal with uncertainty in diagnosis and prognosis, as well as ethical issues. We examined whether physicians’ attitudes toward medical and ethical challenges vary across two national medical practice settings.

Methods

A comparative survey was conducted among German and Canadian specialty physicians, based on a case vignette about the VS. Similarities and differences of participants’ attitudes toward medical and ethical challenges between the two samples were analyzed with non-parametric tests (Mann-Whitney-U-Test).

Results

The overall response rate was 13.4%. Eighty percent of all participants correctly applied the diagnostic category of VS with no significant differences between countries. Many of the participants who chose the correct diagnosis of VS attributed capabilities to the patient, particularly the ability to feel pain (70%), touch (51%) and to experience hunger and thirst (35%). A large majority of participants (94%) considered the limitation of life-sustaining treatment (LST) under certain circumstances, but more Canadian participants were in favor of always limiting LST (32% vs. 12%; Chi-square: p < 0.001). Finding long-term care placement was considered more challenging by Canadian participants whereas discontinuing LST was much more challenging for German participants.

Conclusions

Differences were found between two national medical practice settings with respect to physicians’ experiences and attitudes about treatment limitation about VS in spite of comparable diagnostic knowledge.
Global existence and blow-up analysis to a cooperating model with self-diffusion
Authors: Zhu Linling , Ling Zhi , Lin Zhigui
Published: June 2014

In this paper, a two-species cooperating model with free diffusion and self-diffusion is investigated. The existence of the global solution is first proved by using lower and upper solution method. Then the sufficient conditions are given for the solution to blow up in a finite time. Our results show that the solution is global if the intra-specific competition is strong, while if the intra-specific competition is weak and the self-diffusion rate is small, blow-up occurs provided that the initial value is large enough or the free diffusion rate is small. Numerical simulations are also given to illustrate the blow-up results.

MSC:35K57, 92D25.
Maternal immunity enhances Mycoplasma hyopneumoniaevaccination induced cell-mediated immune responses in piglets
Authors: Bandrick Meggan , Theis Kara , Molitor Thomas W
Published: June 2014

Background

Passively acquired maternal derived immunity (MDI) is a double-edged sword. Maternal derived antibody-mediated immunity (AMI) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are critical immediate defenses for the neonate; however, MDI may interfere with the induction of active immunity in the neonate, i.e. passive interference. The effect of antigen-specific MDI on vaccine-induced AMI and CMI responses toMycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) was assessed in neonatal piglets. To determine whether CMI and AMI responses could be induced in piglets with MDI, piglets with high and low levels of maternalM. hyopneumoniae-specific immunity were vaccinated againstM. hyopneumoniaeat 7 d of age. PigletM. hyopneumoniae-specific antibody, lymphoproliferation, and delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses were measured 7 d and 14 d post vaccination.

Results

Piglets withM. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI failed to show vaccine-induced AMI responses; there was no rise inM. hyopneumoniaeantibody levels following vaccination of piglets in the presence ofM. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI. However, piglets withM. hyopneumoniae-specific MDI had primary (antigen-specific lymphoproliferation) and secondary (DTH)M. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI responses following vaccination.

Conclusions

In this study neonatalM. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI was not subject to passive interference by MDI. Further, it appears that both maternal derived and endogenous CMI contribute toM. hyopneumoniae-specific CMI responses in piglets vaccinated in the face of MDI.
The antimicrobial effects of selenium nanoparticle-enriched probiotics and their fermented broth against Candida albicans
Authors: Kheradmand Erfan , Rafii Fatemeh , Yazdi Mohammad Hossien , Sepahi Abas Akhavan , Shahverdi Ahmad Reza , Oveisi Mohammad Reza
Published: June 2014

Background

Lactic acid bacteria are considered important probiotics for prevention of some infections. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of selenium dioxide on the antifungal activity of Lactobacillus plantarum and L. johnsonii against Candida albicans.

Methods

Lactobacillus plantarum and L. johnsonii cells, grown in the presence and absence of selenium dioxide, and their cell-free spent culture media were tested for antifungal activity against C. albicans ATCC 14053 by a hole-plate diffusion method and a time-kill assay.

Results

Both L. plantarum and L. johnsonii reduced selenium dioxide to cell-associated elemental selenium nanoparticles. The cell-free spent culture media, from both Lactobacillus species that had been grown with selenium dioxide for 48 h, showed enhanced antifungal activity against C. albicans. Enhanced antifungal activity of cell biomass against C. albicans was also observed in cultures grown with selenium dioxide.

Conclusions

Selenium dioxide-treated Lactobacillus spp. or their cell-free spent broth inhibited the growth of C. albicans and should be investigated for possible use in anti-Candida probiotic formulations in future.
Adaptive polar transform and fusion for human face image processing and evaluation
Authors: Bhattacharjee Debotosh
Published: June 2014

Human face processing and evaluation is a problem due to variations in orientation, size, illumination, expression, and disguise. The goal of this work is threefold. First, we aim to show that the variant of polar transformation can be used to register face images against changes in pose and size. Second, implementation of fusion of thermal and visual face images in the wavelet domain to handle illumination and disguise and third, principal component analysis is applied in order to tackle changes due to expressions up to a particular extent of degrees. Finally, a multilayer perceptron has been used to classify the face image. Several techniques have been implemented here to depict an idea about improvement of results. Methods started from the simplest design, without registration; only combination of PCA and MLP as a method for dimensionality reduction and classification respectively to the range of adaptive polar registration, fusion in wavelet transform domain and final classification using MLP. A consistent increase in recognition performance has been observed. Experiments were conducted on two separate databases and results yielded are very much satisfactory for adaptive polar registration along with fusion of thermal and visual images in the wavelet domain.
Respiratory viral infection, epithelial cytokines, and innate lymphoid cells in asthma exacerbations
Authors: Kumar Rakesh K , Foster Paul S , Rosenberg Helene F
Published: June 2014

Exacerbations of asthma are most commonly triggered by viral infections, which amplify allergic inflammation. Cytokines released by virus-infected AECs may be important in driving this response. This review focuses on accumulating evidence in support of a role for epithelial cytokines, including IL-33, IL-25, and TSLP, as well as their targets, type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), in the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations. Production and release of these cytokines lead to recruitment and activation of ILC2s, which secrete mediators, including IL-5 and IL-13, which augment allergic inflammation. However, little information is currently available about the induction of these responses by the respiratory viruses that are strongly associated with exacerbations of asthma, such as rhinoviruses. Further human studies, as well as improved animal experimental models, are needed to investigate appropriately the pathogenetic mechanisms in virus-induced exacerbations of asthma, including the role of ILCs.
Technical Advance: Live-imaging analysis of human dendritic cell migrating behavior under the influence of immune-stimulating reagents in an organotypic model of lung
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Anh Thu , Chen Puran , Björnfot Sofia , Högstrand Kari , Lock John G , Grandien Alf , Coles Mark , Svensson Mattias
Published: June 2014

This manuscript describes technical advances allowing manipulation and quantitative analyses of human DC migratory behavior in lung epithelial tissue. DCs are hematopoietic cells essential for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and the induction of tissue-specific immune responses. Important functions include cytokine production and migration in response to infection for the induction of proper immune responses. To design appropriate strategies to exploit human DC functional properties in lung tissue for the purpose of clinical evaluation, e.g., candidate vaccination and immunotherapy strategies, we have developed a live-imaging assay based on our previously described organotypic model of the human lung. This assay allows provocations and subsequent quantitative investigations of DC functional properties under conditions mimicking morphological and functional features of the in vivo parental tissue. We present protocols to set up and prepare tissue models for 4D (x, y, z, time) fluorescence-imaging analysis that allow spatial and temporal studies of human DCs in live epithelial tissue, followed by flow cytometry analysis of DCs retrieved from digested tissue models. This model system can be useful for elucidating incompletely defined pathways controlling DC functional responses to infection and inflammation in lung epithelial tissue, as well as the efficacy of locally administered candidate interventions.