bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Qualitative interaction trees: a tool to identify qualitative treatment–subgroup interactions
Authors: Dusseldorp Elise , Van Mechelen Iven
Published: August 2013

When two alternative treatments (A and B) are available, some subgroup of patients may display a better outcome with treatment A than with B, whereas for another subgroup, the reverse may be true. If this is the case, a qualitative (i.e., disordinal) treatment–subgroup interaction is present. Such interactions imply that some subgroups of patients should be treated differently and are therefore most relevant for personalized medicine. In case of data from randomized clinical trials with many patient characteristics that could interact with treatment in a complex way, a suitable statistical approach to detect qualitative treatment–subgroup interactions is not yet available. As a way out, in the present paper, we propose a new method for this purpose, called QUalitative INteraction Trees (QUINT). QUINT results in a binary tree that subdivides the patients into terminal nodes on the basis of patient characteristics; these nodes are further assigned to one of three classes: a first for which A is better than B, a second for which B is better than A, and an optional third for which type of treatment makes no difference. Results of QUINT on simulated data showed satisfactory performance, with regard to optimization and recovery. Results of an application to real data suggested that, compared with other approaches, QUINT provided a more pronounced picture of the qualitative interactions that are present in the data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bestimmung der Dickenzuschläge für wetterfesten Stahl im Brückenbau
Authors: Krřivý Vít , Marek Pavel , Kreislová Kateřina , Knotková Dagmar
Published: August 2013

Die Korrosionsgeschwindigkeiten von wetterfestem Stahl sind im Vergleich mit herkömmlichem Kohlenstoffstahl erheblich niedriger. Trotzdem muss beim Konstruktionsentwurf ein möglicher Einfluss von Korrosion auf die zuverlässig funktionierende Konstruktion für den gesamten Zeitraum ihrer geplanten Nutzungsdauer berücksichtigt werden. Bei der praktischen Gestaltung wird der Einfluss der angenommenen Korrosionsverluste für gewöhnlich über Dickenzuschläge eliminiert, welche zur Dicke der Elemente, die durch statische Berechnung ermittelt wurde, addiert werden. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird eine neue Methode zur Berechnung der Dickenzuschläge angeführt, die bei Entwürfen für Brückenkonstruktionen aus wetterfestem Stahl genutzt werden kann. Dies wird an Hand eines Modellbeispiels erklärt.

Design of corrosion allowances on weathering steel bridges. The corrosion rate of the weathering steel is considerably lower than that of the standard carbon steel. Nevertheless possible effects of corrosion losses on reliable service of the structure throughout the designed service life should be considered when designing the structures. In practice, the effects of the expected corrosion losses are typically eliminated by corrosion allowances which are added to the thickness of the element calculated in static analyses. This paper introduces a new method used for calculation of corrosion allowances on weathering steel bridges. This will be explained using an example of a bridge structure.
Einzelfeldbeulen – Wirklich große Unterschiede zwischen Eurocode EN 1993‐1‐5 und DIN 18800‐3?
Authors: Unterweger Harald , Kettler Markus
Published: August 2013

Für einzelne Beispiele von Einzelfeldern liefert der Beulnachweis nach Eurocode EN 1993‐1‐5 deutliche Abweichungen im Ergebnis gegenüber der Berechnung nach DIN 18800‐3. Diese unerwartet großen Unterschiede bei der Berechnung nach der bisher üblichen Methode – nunmehr in EN 1993‐1‐5 als Methode der reduzierten Spannungen bezeichnet – führten zu einer umfassenden Parameterstudie seitens der Autoren dieses Beitrages. Für unterschiedliche Beulfeldgeometrien, Blechschlankheiten und Beanspruchungskombinationen (σx, σx τ, σx σz) werden die quantitativen Unterschiede beider Normenwerke dargestellt und mit einer realitätsnahen nichtlinearen FEM‐Berechnung verglichen. Ergänzend wird auf die Vorgehensweise beim Beulnachweis nach EN 1993‐1‐5 im Vergleich zu DIN 18800‐3 detailliert eingegangen sowie auf die Vorgehensweise bei den realitätsnahen FEM‐Berechnungen.

Unstiffened panels – Really big differences between Eurocode EN 1993‐1‐5 and DIN 18800‐3? For individual examples of single panels the plate buckling verification based on EN 1993‐1‐5 gives significant differences compared to DIN 18800‐3. These unexpected differences – based on the traditional concept of the reduced stress method – lead to a comprehensive parameter study by the authors. For different geometries of panels, plate slenderness and combination of stresses (σx, σx τ, σx σz) the different results of both codes are presented and compared to a realistic nonlinear FEM‐analyses. In addition the procedure for plate buckling verification based on EN 1993‐1‐5 is presented in detail and compared to DIN 18800‐3, as well as to nonlinear FEM‐analyses.
Noninvasive pulsed focused ultrasound allows spatiotemporal control of targeted homing for multiple stem cell types in murine skeletal muscle and the magnitude of cell homing can be increased through repeated applications
Authors: Burks Scott R. , Ziadloo Ali , Kim Saejeong J. , Nguyen Ben A. , Frank Joseph A.
Published: August 2013

Stem cells are promising therapeutics for cardiovascular diseases, and i.v. injection is the most desirable route of administration clinically. Subsequent homing of exogenous stem cells to pathological loci is frequently required for therapeutic efficacy and is mediated by chemoattractants (cell adhesion molecules, cytokines, and growth factors). Homing processes are inefficient and depend on short-lived pathological inflammation that limits the window of opportunity for cell injections. Noninvasive pulsed focused ultrasound (pFUS), which emphasizes mechanical ultrasound–tissue interactions, can be precisely targeted in the body and is a promising approach to target and maximize stem cell delivery by stimulating chemoattractant expression in pFUS-treated tissue prior to cell infusions. We demonstrate that pFUS is nondestructive to murine skeletal muscle tissue (no necrosis, hemorrhage, or muscle stem cell activation) and initiates a largely M2-type macrophage response. We also demonstrate that local upregulation of chemoattractants in pFUS-treated skeletal muscle leads to enhance homing, permeability, and retention of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and human endothelial precursor cells (EPC). Furthermore, the magnitude of MSC or EPC homing was increased when pFUS treatments and cell infusions were repeated daily. This study demonstrates that pFUS defines transient “molecular zip codes” of elevated chemoattractants in targeted muscle tissue, which effectively provides spatiotemporal control and tunability of the homing process for multiple stem cell types. pFUS is a clinically translatable modality that may ultimately improve homing efficiency and flexibility of cell therapies for cardiovascular diseases.
Dynamic compaction of human mesenchymal stem/precursor cells into spheres self-activates caspase-dependent IL1 signaling to enhance secretion of modulators of inflammation and immunity (PGE2, TSG6, and STC1)
Authors: Bartosh Thomas J. , Ylöstalo Joni H. , Bazhanov Nikolay , Kuhlman Jessica , Prockop Darwin J.
Published: August 2013

Human mesenchymal stem/precursor cells (MSC) are similar to some other stem/progenitor cells in that they compact into spheres when cultured in hanging drops or on nonadherent surfaces. Assembly of MSC into spheres alters many of their properties, including enhanced secretion of factors that mediate inflammatory and immune responses. Here we demonstrated that MSC spontaneously aggregated into sphere-like structures after injection into a subcutaneous air pouch or the peritoneum of mice. The structures were similar to MSC spheres formed in cultures demonstrated by the increased expression of genes for inflammation-modulating factors TSG6, STC1, and COX2, a key enzyme in production of PGE2. To identify the signaling pathways involved, hanging drop cultures were used to follow the time-dependent changes in the cells as they compacted into spheres. Among the genes upregulated were genes for the stress-activated signaling pathway for IL1α/β, and the contact-dependent signaling pathway for Notch. An inhibitor of caspases reduced the upregulation of IL1A/B expression, and inhibitors of IL1 signaling decreased production of PGE2, TSG6, and STC1. Also, inhibition of IL1A/B expression and secretion of PGE2 negated the anti-inflammatory effects of MSC spheres on stimulated macrophages. Experiments with γ-secretase inhibitors suggested that Notch signaling was also required for production of PGE2 but not TSG6 or STC1. The results indicated that assembly of MSC into spheres triggers caspase-dependent IL1 signaling and the secretion of modulators of inflammation and immunity. Similar aggregation in vivo may account for some of the effects observed with administration of the cells in animal models.
Early outgrowth cells release soluble endocrine antifibrotic factors that reduce progressive organ fibrosis
Authors: Yuen Darren A. , Connelly Kim A. , Zhang Yanling , Advani Suzanne L. , Thai Kerri , Kabir Golam , Kepecs David , Spring Christopher , Smith Christopher , Batruch Ihor , Kosanam Hari , Advani Andrew , Diamandis Eleftherios , Marsden Philip A. , Gilbert Richard E.
Published: August 2013

Adult bone marrow-derived cells can improve organ function in chronic disease models, ostensibly by the release of paracrine factors. It has, however, been difficult to reconcile this prevailing paradigm with the lack of cell retention within injured organs and their rapid migration to the reticuloendothelial system. Here, we provide evidence that the salutary antifibrotic effects of bone marrow-derived early outgrowth cells (EOCs) are more consistent with an endocrine mode of action, demonstrating not only the presence of antifibrotic factors in the plasma of EOC-treated rats but also that EOC conditioned medium (EOC-CM) potently attenuates both TGF-β- and angiotensin II-induced fibroblast collagen production in vitro. To examine the therapeutic relevance of these findings in vivo, 5/6 subtotally nephrectomized rats, a model of chronic kidney and heart failure characterized by progressive fibrosis of both organs, were randomized to receive i.v. injections of EOC-CM, unconditioned medium, or 106 EOCs. Rats that received unconditioned medium developed severe kidney injury with cardiac diastolic dysfunction. In comparison, EOC-CM-treated rats demonstrated substantially improved renal and cardiac function and structure, mimicking the changes found in EOC-treated animals. Mass spectrometric analysis of EOC-CM identified proteins that regulate cellular functions implicated in fibrosis. These results indicate that EOCs secrete soluble factor(s) with highly potent antifibrotic activity, that when injected intravenously replicate the salutary effects of the cells themselves. Together, these findings suggest that an endocrine mode of action may underlie the effectiveness of cell therapy in certain settings and portend the possibility for systemic delivery of cell-free therapy.
Possible regulation of connexin function through gene duplication events
Authors: Iovine M. Kathryn
Published: August 2013

Gap junctions are proteinaceous channels that allow direct cell–cell communication via the exchange of small molecules and ions among neighboring cells. The subunits of gap junction channels found in chordates are termed connexins. Remarkably, a large number of connexin genes have been identified in all vertebrate species examined to date. It is not fully understood why so many connexin genes are required for what appears to be a simple function. Phylogenetic analyses have revealed connexin losses and gains during evolution. Presently, it is of interest to clarify why so many connexin genes are retained within genomes. One possibility is that additional connexins provide novel coupling properties for gap junction channels. Alternatively, connexin genes may be capable of establishing novel functions in order to regulate their paralogous connexin, which retains a more typical gap junction activity. Two examples of the latter have been identified. Both mouse Cx33 and zebrafish Cx40.8 can be found intracellularly, and both are implicated in the regulation of Cx43‐based gap junctional communication. Continuing studies will provide mechanistic details into how these non‐gap junction channel connexins regulate the function of gap junction channels. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2013, 2:221–225. doi: 10.1002/wmts.92

Conflict of interest: The author has declared no conflicts of interest for this article.

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
WIF1 causes dysfunction of heart in transgenic mice
Authors: Lu Dan , Dong Wei , Zhang Xu , Quan Xiongzhi , Bao Dan , Lu Yingdong , Zhang Lianfeng
Published: August 2013

Wnt activity is a key regulator of cardiac progenitor cell self-renewal, differentiation and morphogenesis. However, Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1), a antagonists of Wnt signaling activity, its potential effects on heart development has not yet been approached by either in vivo or in vitro studies. Here, the expression of WIF1 was regulated in a different way in the dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy heart from transgenic mice by mutations in cardiac troponin T, cTnTR141W and cTnTR92Q. The heart tissue specific transgenic mice of WIF1 was studied using M-mode echocardiography and histologic analyses. Production levels of an array of effectors and transcription factors that impact cellular organization and tissue morphology were measured. The effects of WIF1 on β-catenin pathway could be reversed by LiCl regarding signaling pathways and effector and respondent molecules in H9c2 cells, consistent with the expression levels of c-myc, natriuretic peptide precursor type B and skeletal muscle actin α1. Among the most noteworthy findings were that WIF1 impaired the function and structure of heart, and the effects on β-catenin pathway maybe the course of the former. It is anticipated that our findings will contribute to expansion of our understanding of WIF1 biological function on heart development and possible modes of treatment of heart diseases.
Effect of COMT Val158Met polymorphism on personality traits and educational attainment in a longitudinal population representative study
Authors: Lehto K. , Akkermann K. , Parik J. , Veidebaum T. , Harro J.
Published: August 2013

The COMT Val158Met polymorphism has been associated with anxiety and affective disorders, but its effect on anxiety-related personality traits varies between studies. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of COMT Val158Met on personality traits from adolescence to young adulthood in a population representative Caucasian birth cohort. Also its association with educational attainment and anxiety and mood disorders by the age 25 were examined. This analysis is based on the older cohort of the Estonian Children Personality Behavior and Health Study (original number of subjects 593). The personality traits were assessed when the participants were 15, 18 and 25 years old. COMT Val158Met had an effect on Neuroticism in females by age 25 (p = 0.001, Bonferroni-corrected for five traits), whereas female Val homozygotes scored the highest. In addition, the Conscientiousness scores of subjects with Val/Val genotype were decreasing in time, being the lowest by the age 25 (p = 0.006, Bonferroni-corrected for five traits). By the age 25, males with the Val/Met genotype had mainly secondary or vocational education, whereas female heterozygotes mostly had obtained or were obtaining university education. COMT Val158Met was not associated with anxiety or mood disorders in either gender. These results suggest that genes affecting dopamine system are involved in the development of personality traits and contribute to educational attainment.
Thematic Discrepancy Analysis: A Method to Gain Insights into Lurkers and Test for Non-Response Bias
Authors: Thompson Scott A. , Loveland James M. , Fombelle Paul W.
Published: August 2013

Word of mouth (WOM), long recognized as a highly influential source of information, has taken on new importance with the proliferation of online WOM. Research in online environments has focused on individuals who actively participate in generating WOM. However, over 90% of those that read WOM are non-participants, commonly called “lurkers.” This paper develops and tests a thematic discrepancy analysis (TDA) approach that combines commonly available information on Views and Replies with content analysis to provide new insights into differences between WOM participants and lurkers. TDA provides managers with market-sensing information to identify hidden opportunities and threats, as well as to test for non-response bias. Given the lack of approaches to address non-response bias due to lurkers, TDA represents a significant contribution to research methodology. We demonstrate the efficacy of TDA by applying it to a large scale WOM dataset containing over 80,000 messages from a brand-specific online forum.
Surgical Approaches, Pitfalls and Outcomes of Posterior Fracture Dislocations of the Shoulder—A Critical Review
Authors: Angela Ho Wing-Hang , Stephen Chung Chor-Yat , Yuen-Fong Ho
Published: August 2013

Posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulder is rare injury. Treatment is challenging especially for a complex type fracture dislocation with delayed presentation or a reverse Hill-Sachs lesion. We reviewed the surgical approaches, the reduction and fixation techniques, management of reverse Hill-Sachs lesion, pitfalls, and outcomes. We also shared our experience in treating a short case series of posterior fracture dislocation of the shoulder. There were no major complications such as wound infection, nerve palsy, non-union or avascular necrosis of the humeral head in our patients. All could cope with the original activities and had satisfactory recoveries of shoulder functions. The anterior deltopectoral approach alone had some limitation especially in the delayed cases and with complex fracture dislocation. The Utility approach was noted to be a versatile approach for the chronic or delayed cases.
Stiffener Insertion Based Variance in Radial Stiffness of Multi-Concentric Hollow Tubes
Authors: Sato Motohiro , Shima Hiroyuki , Park S.-J.
Published: August 2013

Shell theory solutions for radial buckling of multiply-concentric hollow cylinders are presented. Multi-cylindrical systems are those composed of two or more concentically mounted hollow tubes, wherein the annular space mediates inter-tube forces, attractive or repulsive depending on structural details of composites. Reflecting the multiple core-shell structures, the systems often exhibit peculiar radial buckling modes, which should be relevant to macro scale applications for deep water oil and gas transportation andmicroscale realization in lipid bilayer tubes. In this article, we focus on an illustrative example of such the multiply-tubular systems with nanometric dimension, the so-called multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Theoretical analysis based on a thin shell theory allows us to find anomalous radial buckling behaviors of MWNTs driven by hydrostatic pressure. The obtained buckling modes are characterized by petal-like wavy cross sections, which is what we call the radial corrugation of MWNTs. An important observation is the mechanical consequence of stiff core-tube insertion into the innermost hollow region of a given MWNT. The insertion results in a significant variance in the critical buckling pressure, above which the MWNT undergoes radial corrugation. The insertion-induced-variance in the critical pressure is due to the primary role of inter-tube interaction between adjacent constituent tubes, as explained within our theoretical model.
TEATIME: BOREDOM AND THE TEMPORALITIES OF YOUNG MEN IN NIGER
Authors: Masquelier Adeline
Published: August 2013

To fight boredom, un(der)employed young men in Niger have joined fadas (youth clubs) where they listen to music, play card games and strike up new friendships – or nurture old ones. Membership in these organizations cuts across social divides, educational backgrounds and religious affiliations, affirming the spirit of egalitarianism and comradeship that drives these largely urban projects. At the fada, conversation routinely takes place around the making and sharing of tea, a ritual idle young men have come to value greatly as they struggle to fill their days with purpose and direction. Whereas elders largely condemn fadas as futile, self-indulgent, and occasionally criminal endeavours, samari (young men) defend their pastimes, claiming that they engage in meaningful activities. In this essay I explore the temporalities of teatime at the fada. Rather than focus on what is lost under conditions of crisis and privation, I consider instead what is produced, and in particular how value, exchange, and affect emerge in the context of daily routines at the fada. In the absence of other temporal markers punctuating daily life, the practice of preparing and consuming tea becomes a key happening, enabling samari to carve out meaningful temporalities and reconfigure their relation to the future.
Effect of dietary macronutrients on postprandial incretin hormone release and satiety in obese and normal-weight women
Authors: Wikarek Tomasz , Chudek Jerzy , Owczarek Aleksander , Olszanecka-Glinianowicz Magdalena
Published: August 2013

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of dietary macronutrients on postprandial incretin responses and satiety and hunger sensation in obese and normal-weight women. A total of eleven obese and nine normal-weight women were recruited for the assessment of plasma concentrations of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and insulin and the sensation of satiety and hunger using a visual analogue scale before and during a 6 h period after administration of three different macronutrient test meals. The AUCtotalGLP-1 and AUCtotalGIP values were decreased in obese women after the consumption of a fatty meal and all the test meals, respectively. However, the AUCtotal insulin value after a carbohydrate meal was greater in the obese group. The AUCtotal satiety value was decreased only after the intake of the protein meal in obese women when compared with normal-weight women. After the consumption of the fatty meal, a significant positive correlation between maximum satiety sensation and the AUCtotal GLP-1 value in the obese group and that between minimum hunger sensation and the AUCtotal GLP-1 value in the normal-weight group were observed. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggest that: (1) satiety sensation after consumption of carbohydrate and protein meals in the obese group is related to the postprandial insulin response, while after consumption of a fatty meal, it is related to the postprandial GLP-1 release; (2) the postprandial GIP response does not influence the sensation of satiety and hunger; (3) the reduced GLP-1 release after the intake of a fatty meal in obese individuals may explain impaired satiety sensation; (4) the impaired postprandial GIP response is not related to the consumption of macronutrients and may be the early indicator of incretin axis dysfunction in obese women.
Methionine improves the performance and breast muscle growth of broilers with lower hatching weight by altering the expression of genes associated with the insulin-like growth factor-I signalling pathway
Authors: Wen Chao , Wu Ping , Chen Yueping , Wang Tian , Zhou Yanmin
Published: August 2013

The present study aimed to investigate the responses of broilers with different hatching weights (HW) to dietary methionine (Met). A total of 192 1-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks with different HW (heavy: 48·3 (sem 0·1) g and light: 41·7 (sem 0·1) g) were allocated to a 2 (HW) × 2 (Met) factorial arrangement with six replicates of eight chicks. Control starter (1–21 d) and finisher (22–42 d) diets contained 0·50 and 0·43 % Met, respectively. Corresponding values for a high-Met treatment were 0·60 and 0·53 %. Light chicks had poorer (P< 0·05) growth performance and breast muscle weight and lower (P< 0·05) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) concentration and mRNA level in breast muscle than heavy chicks when both were fed the control diets. High-Met diets improved performance and promoted breast muscle growth and IGF-I concentration in light chicks (P< 0·05). Increased IGF-I and target of rapamycin (TOR) mRNA levels as well as decreased eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4EBP1), atrogin-1 and forkhead box O 4 (FOXO4) mRNA levels were induced by high-Met diets in light chicks (P< 0·05). In conclusion, the Met requirement of broilers might depend on their HW and Met levels used in the control diets in the present study were adequate for heavy chicks but inadequate for light chicks, resulting in poorer performance and breast muscle growth, which were improved by increasing dietary Met supply presumably through alterations in IGF-I synthesis and gene expression of the TOR/4EBP1 and FOXO4/atrogin-1 pathway.
Effects of bovine lactoferrin on the immature porcine intestine
Authors: Nguyen Duc Ninh , Li Yanqi , Sangild Per T. , Bering Stine B. , Chatterton Dereck E. W.
Published: August 2013

Bioactive milk proteins may be important in protecting preterm infants from developing inflammation and necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). A preterm pig model was used to investigate the protective effects of enteral bovine lactoferrin (bLF) against NEC development and inflammation. Caesarean-delivered preterm pigs were fed parenteral and minimal enteral nutrition for the first 2 d followed by 2 d of total enteral nutrition before euthanasia. Pigs were stratified into two groups and fed with either a control formula (CON,n15) or a 10 g/l of bLF-enriched formula (LF,n13). NEC incidence, gut functions and inflammatory cytokines were analysed. NEC incidence and nutrient absorption were similar between the two groups. In pigs that developed NEC, disease outcome was more severe in the colon accompanied by increased intestinal permeability in LF pigs. In contrary, the LF pigs had a lowered IL-1β level in the proximal small intestine. Dose-dependent effects of bLF on cell proliferation, intracellular signalling and cytokine secretion were tested in porcine intestinal epithelial cells (PsIc1)in vitro.Low doses (0·1–1 g/l) increased cell proliferation via extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), limited IL-8 secretion and prevented NF-κB and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) activation, suggesting anti-inflammatory effects. In contrast, at a higher dose (10 g/l), bLF exerted adverse effects by reducing cell proliferation, stimulating IL-8 release, inhibiting ERK activation and up-regulating NF-κB and HIF-1α activation. Overall, at a dose of 10 g/l, bLF exacerbated disease severity in pigs that developed NEC, while thein vitrostudies indicated the positive effects of bLF at low doses (0·1–1 g/l). Supplementation of infant formulas with bLF should therefore be optimised carefully.
Treatment of paediatric laryngeal papillomas: web survey of British Association of Paediatric Otolaryngologists
Authors: Manickavasagam J , Wu K , Bateman N D
Published: August 2013

Background and objective:

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx in children. Intralesional injection of cidofovir may have some potential as an adjunctive treatment. There is no standardised protocol in the UK for the management of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. This study aimed to investigate the management practices of surgeons treating paediatric recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in the UK.

Method:

A web questionnaire survey was sent by e-mail to all members of the British Association of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology.

Results:

Out of 35 respondents, 23 were at that time treating children with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Nineteen respondents preferred to use a microdebrider, 12 preferred laser, and 5 preferred cold steel along with either laser or a microdebrider. Twelve surgeons used cidofovir for selected patients and 12 surgeons did not use cidofovir for any patients. Cidofovir was considered after 0–4 surgical procedures by seven respondents, after 4–6 surgical procedures by four respondents and after 6 surgical procedures by six respondents. Eleven respondents warned patients about the possible side effects of cidofovir and five gave no warning.

Conclusion:

There was no consensus as to when it would be appropriate to use cidofovir, indicating the need for cidofovir usage guidelines.
The Global Cholera Pandemic Reaches Chinese Villages: Population Mobility, Political Control, and Economic Incentives in Epidemic Prevention, 1962–1964
Authors: FANG XIAOPING
Published: August 2013

In 1961 the seventh global cholera pandemic, El Tor cholera, broke out in Indonesia. Between 1962 and 1964, El Tor infected the southeast coastal areas of China. This pandemic occurred at a time of significant reorganization for both the rural medical and health systems and the people's communes following the failures of the Great Leap Forward. This paper explores how local governments led rural medical practitioners, health care workers, and villagers to participate in the campaign against the spread of El Tor cholera despite the readjustment and retrenchment of the people's communes as social, administrative, and political units. I argue that, during this period of flux, the local government strengthened its control over rural medical practitioners by institutionalizing their daily work practices and reducing their freedom of movement, whilst simultaneously providing incentives for health care workers to join the vaccination campaign. The people's communes and the household-registration system after 1961 put further restrictions on population mobility. This cellularization of village society greatly facilitated the vaccination, quarantine, and epidemic-reporting processes, and contributed to the formation of an epidemic-prevention system and eventually a response scheme for managing public health emergencies in rural China. This process reflected the complexity of the mutual interactions between the political and medical systems under socialism.
Riparian old-growth forests provide critical nesting and foraging habitat for Blakiston's fish owl Bubo blakistoni in Russia
Authors: Slaght Jonathan C. , Surmach Sergei G. , Gutiérrez R.J.
Published: August 2013

Conservation efforts for Blakiston's fish owl Bubo blakistoni in Russia are limited, partly because habitat use by these rare owls is poorly known. We therefore studied nesting and foraging habitat characteristics of Blakiston's fish owls in Primorye, Russia. We sampled habitat at 14 nest sites, 12 nest stand sites and 13 random sites; we also sampled rivers within 14 fish owl home ranges across our 20,213 km2 study area. We found that large old trees and riparian old-growth forest were the primary characteristics of nest and foraging sites, respectively. Large trees were probably used as nest sites because they have cavities large enough to accommodate these birds. Big trees are also important because they are primary sources of large woody debris in rivers, which enhances suitable habitat for salmon, the owl's primary prey. Based on habitat characteristics, nest sites were correctly distinguished from random sites 74% (Kappa = 0.48) of the time, nest stands from random sites 56% (Kappa = 0.12) of the time, and used sites from available foraging sites 68% (Kappa = 0.36) of the time. The management and conservation of old-growth forests is essential for sustaining this species because they are central to the owls' nesting and foraging behaviour. Moreover, conservation of these forests sustains habitat for many other species.
Generation and evolution of plasma during femtosecond laser ablation of silicon in different ambient gases
Authors: Chen Zhandong , Wu Qiang , Yang Ming , Tang Baiquan , Yao Jianghong , Rupp Romano A. , Cao Yaan , Xu Jingjun
Published: August 2013

Generation and evolution of plasma during femtosecond laser ablation of silicon are studied by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy in air, N2, SF6, and under vacuum. The plasma is generated faster than 200 ps (time resolution of our experiment) after excitation and mainly contains atoms and monovalent ions of silicon. Time-resolved spectra prove that silicon ions are faster than the silicon atoms which may be attributed to Coulomb repulsion and a local electric field when they are ejected from the silicon surface. During plasma evolution, ambient gas causes a confinement effect that enhances the dissociation of ambient gas molecules and the re-deposition of the removed material and leads to higher intensity and longer lifetime of the emission spectra. In SF6, a chemical reaction increases the plasma density and weakens the re-deposition effect. The different processes during plasma evolution strongly influence microstructure formation.
Laser interferometry measurements based calibration and error propagation identification for pose estimation in mobile robots
Authors: Jiménez Paulo A. , Shirinzadeh Bijan
Published: August 2013

A widely used method for pose estimation in mobile robots is odometry. Odometry allows the robot in real time to reconstruct its position and orientation from the wheels' encoder measurements. Given to its unbounded nature, odometry calculation accumulates errors with quadratic increase of error variance with traversed distance. This paper develops a novel method for odometry calibration and error propagation identification for mobile robots. The proposed method uses a laser-based interferometer to measure distance precisely. Two variants of the proposed calibration method are examined: the two-parameter model and the three-parameter model. Experimental results obtained using a Khepera 3 mobile robot showed that both methods significantly increase accuracy of the pose estimation, validating the effectiveness of the proposed calibration method.
Practical feasibility of a high-precision 3-UPU parallel mechanism
Authors: Bhutani Gaurav , Dwarakanath T. A.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we revisit the 3-degrees of freedom (DOF) pure translational mechanism. The mathematical model and the design considerations are discussed. A detailed sensitivity and error analysis is carried out and the results are discussed in a new perspective. The feasibility of the practical 3-DOF pure translational mechanism is established with novel design considerations to take care of theoretical mobility and geometrical constraints. We describe and validate the theoretical observations with stage-wise prototype models and experiments. The experimental results concur that all is well with 3-UPU in contrast to what is presented in refs. [6, 9, 10].
TESTING AND INFERENCE IN NONLINEAR COINTEGRATING VECTOR ERROR CORRECTION MODELS
Authors: Kristensen Dennis , Rahbek Anders
Published: August 2013

We analyze estimators and tests for a general class of vector error correction models that allows for asymmetric and nonlinear error correction. For a given number of cointegration relationships, general hypothesis testing is considered, where testing for linearity is of particular interest. Under the null of linearity, parameters of nonlinear components vanish, leading to a nonstandard testing problem. We apply so-called sup-tests to resolve this issue, which requires development of new(uniform) functional central limit theory and results for convergence of stochastic integrals. We provide a full asymptotic theory for estimators and test statistics. The derived asymptotic results prove to be nonstandard compared to results found elsewhere in the literature due to the impact of the estimated cointegration relations. This complicates implementation of tests motivating the introduction of bootstrap versions that are simple to compute. A simulation study shows that the finite-sample properties of the bootstrapped tests are satisfactory with good size and power properties for reasonable sample sizes.
Older Adults with Acquired Brain Injury: Outcomes After Inpatient Rehabilitation
Authors: Chan Vincy , Zagorski Brandon , Parsons Daria , Colantonio Angela
Published: August 2013

Cette étude a examiné un profil basé sur la population des personnes âgées atteintes des lésions cérébrales acquises (LCA), et de leur résultats fonctionnels, en réadaptation en milieu hospitalier au Canada. Les personnes âgées de 65 ans et plus qui ont été admises en réadaptation en milieu hospitalier de soins aigus pour un traumatisme cranio-cérébrale (TCC) (n = 1 214) ou une lésion cérébrale non pas traumatique (nTCC) (n = 1 530) ont été identifiées en Ontario de 2003/04 à 2009/10. Les caractéristiques démographiques et cliniques et les notes fonctionnelles totales de l’instrument (FIMMD) ont eté examinées. On a utilisé le Base de données sur les congés des patients (BDCP) et le Système nationale d’information sur la réadaptation (SNIR). Les résultats ont montré que les personnes plus âgées atteintes d’un traumatisme cranio-cérébrale (TCC) présentaient un niveau d’indépendence fonctionelle plus élevé que celles sans TCC à l’admission et à la sortie. Cependant, les deux groupes ont faits des gains importants (p = .001) et similaires (p > .05). Nous concluons que les personnes âgées avec TCC et nTCC font des gains similaires de réadaptation en milieu hospitalier. L’incapacité fonctionnelle initiale plus faible des patients nTCC à l’admission et les profils cliniques différents offrent des implications pour la répartition des soins et des ressources cliniques.
Concordance between Self-Reported and Physician-Reported Chronic Co-morbidity among Disabled Older Adults
Authors: Iecovich Esther , Biderman Aya
Published: August 2013

La discordance entre les auto-rapports et les dossiers médicaux reflètent des éléments concernant les patients et les prestataires qui ont des implications pour la recherche et la gestion. Cette étude a examiné la discordance et les facteurs socio-démographiques qui expliquent la concordance. Un échantillon téléologique de 402 personnes âgées handicapées a été interrogés à l’aide d’un questionnaire structuré. On a trouvé les concordances les plus hauts pour le diabète, l’accident cardiovasculaire (CVA), et le cancer, et les plus bas pour l’arthrite, et les conditions rénales et digestives. Les facteurs explicatifs importants inclurent: (a) l’âge dans l’explication de la concordance dans l’hypertension; (b) l’ethnicité en expliquant la concordance dans l’arthrite et le cancer; (c) la situation de famille en expliquant la concordance dans les maladies de la thyroïde; (d) l’éducation pour expliquer la concordance dans les conditions gastro-intestinales, et (e) l’état fonctionnel en expliquant la concordance dans maladies respiratoires, gastro-intestinales et thyroïdiennes. La comorbidité a accrue la concordance dans toutes les conditions de santé, et a diminué la concordance pour l’hypertension. Une enquête plus poussée est nécessaire pour examiner la cause des disparités entre les deux sources d’information.
Human Rights, Claimability and the Uses of Abstraction
Authors: ETINSON ADAM
Published: August 2013

This article addresses the so-called ‘claimability objection’ to human rights. Focusing specifically on the work of Onora O'Neill, the article challenges two important aspects of her version of this objection. First: its narrowness. O'Neill understands the claimability of a right to depend on the identification of its duty-bearers. But there is good reason to think that the claimability of a right depends on more than just that, which makes abstract (and not welfare) rights the most natural target of her objection (section II). After examining whether we might address this reformulated version of O'Neill's objection by appealing to the specificity afforded to human rights in international, regional and domestic law (in section III), the article challenges a second important feature of that objection by raising doubts about whether claimability is a necessary feature of rights at all (section IV). Finally, the article reflects more generally on the role of abstraction in the theory and practice of human rights (section V). In sum, by allaying claimability-based concerns about abstract rights, and by illustrating some of the positive functions of abstraction in rights discourse, the article hopes to show that abstract rights are not only theoretically coherent but also useful and important.
Ambulance Collisions in an Urban Environment
Authors: Saunders Charles E. , Heye Constance J.
Published: August 2013

Introduction:

Decisions to send an ambulance with or without lights and siren are made every day. While travel with lights and siren is presumed to have relatively more risk associated with it than travel without, little epidemiologic analysis has been conducted to compare the two modes of travel or to characterize collisions in general.

Objective:

To characterize ambulance collisions and assess the risk of traveling with lights and siren in an urban 9-1-1 environment.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of all consecutive ambulance collisions of the Paramedic Division of the San Francisco Department of Public Health during a 27-month period.

Results:

The overall collision rate for lights and siren (LS) travel was higher than that for non-lights and siren travel, although the difference was not statistically significant (45.9 collisions per 100,000 LS patient travels, 95% confidence limits 29.7, 62.1, versus 27.0/100,000 for non-LS travel, 95% confidence limits 18.3, 35.7). However, the rates of resulting injuries displayed a statistically significant difference (22.2 injuries per 100,00 LS patient travel, 95% confidence limits 11.0, 33.5, versus 1.5/100,000 for non-LS travel, 95% confidence limits −0.6, 3.5). While the majority of collisions (60.0%) occurred during patient-related travel, 35.6% occurred while the ambulance was available awaiting assignment, and 4.4% in a hospital parking lot. The majority of collisions were due to inattention, failure of on-coming traffic to yield, or unsafe parking; unsafe speed was an infrequent cause. Most crashes occurred during daylight, in dry weather, and involved another vehicle.

Conclusion:

There is some elevated risk for collision and added injury during lights and siren travel compared to travel without LS. The causes for these collisions suggest that interventions designed to improve driver skills and increase citizen awareness of an approaching ambulance could help reduce the number of collisions.
Electron Probe X-Ray Microanalysis in Pathology and Research
Authors: LeFurgey A. , Ingram P.
Published: August 2013

A variety of frequently encountered clinical problems lend themselves readily to investigation by analytical electron microscopy. e.g., a combination of scanning or transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. The most common application is identification of xenobiotics or exogenous substances, such as localization and quantitation of inorganic particulates in lung tissues in patients with pneumoconiosis; identification of foreign materials within granulomas; and analysis of foreign bodies. Electron probe X-ray microanalysis (EPXMA) is also useful in the study of tissue reactions to various surgical implants of foreign materials. A variety of metals and other elements may be detected with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, including copper in tissues of patients with Wilson’s disease, thorium and gadolinium in patients injected with radiographic contrast agents (Figure 1), or gold in patients treated with long-term chrysotherapy. Endogenous particulates such as urinary calculi (Figure 2), gallstones, intraarticular and periarticular crystalline deposits in patients with rheumatic disease, dystrophic or metastatic calcifications, and hemosiderin may be analyzed rapidly and efficiently by means of EDX. Certain organometallic drugs such as amiodarone (iodine) or sodium stibogluconate (antimony) may also be detected in human tissues. Analytical electron microscopy has been a useful adjunct to forensic pathology for many years in diverse areas such as identification of trace evidence constituents or detection of arsenic or lead in victims with heavy metal poisoning. The detailed elucidation of anatomic, physiologic, and pathologic conditions provided by analytical electron microscopy is a useful diagnostic and investigative tool in clinical medicine; the analytical results often have diagnostic, therapeutic, and/or medicolegal implications. This imaging technology should grow in utility in the future as it is complemented by other techniques such as mass spectrometry, and laser Raman and infrared microspectroscopy.
Structural typologies of salivary calculi
Authors: Nolasco P. , Anjos A.J. , Aquino Marques J.M. , Cabrita F. , Pereira M.F.C. , Alves de Matos A.P. , Carvalho P.A.
Published: August 2013

Several theories have been put forward regarding the aetiology and pathogenesis of salivary calculi, although a comprehensive understanding of the nucleation and growth mechanisms involved in the formation of these structures is still lacking.

In general, sialoliths present one core partially or highly mineralized surrounded by concentric layers of organic and mineralized matter that alternate in succession following a chronologic sequence. The layers consist of fine mineralized strata intercalated with fine organic ones and threaded globular structures with variable degrees of mineralization.

The exact mechanism involved in the genesis of sialoliths remains largely unknown, theories defending an initial organic nidus or an initial precipitation of minerals, with subsequent deposition of organic and inorganic layers, can be found in the literature. Nevertheless, it remains object of discussion the etiologic factors responsible for the formation of the first nidus or the initial precipitation, since infection, inflammation of the gland, viscous nature of the mucous secretions or naturally existing sialomicroliths have all have been implicated.

Aiming at an exhaustive systematization of salivary calculi morphogenesis, their morphology has been studied by micro-computed tomography (bCT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CCT studies were done on as-extracted dried samples using uCT SkyScan 1172 instrument with a 1.3 Megapixel camera, operated at the maximum available power of the source (10W). Radiographs acquisition was performed with a rotational step in the 0.70-1° range, until a maximum of 180º, with an exposure time in the 3.1-5 s range. Microscopy observations were carried out with backscattered electron (BSE) signals using a JEOL JSM 7001F operated at 15 kV, samples were previously prepared following metallographic procedures.

The submandibular and parotid calculi investigated presented similar growth patterns, which can follow either concentric (Figure 1) or perturbed-growth typologies (Figure 2), although in most situations a gradation between them has been found. Nevertheless, a single well-defined core constituted by material with low mineralization was frequently present, supporting the nucleation hypothesis of an initial organic nidus.

The combination of TCT with SEM enabled a comprehensive characterization of the sialoliths: (i) the former technique allowed for a precise localization of the core and other morphological features within the calculus volume, while (ii) investigation of details at higher resolution could be achieved with the latter method. However, due to the friable nature of the sialoliths, handling during sample preparation results often in material loss (compare (a) and (b) in both Figures).

The work was carried out with financial support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through PTDC/SAU-ENB/111941/2009 and PEst-OE/CTM-UI0084/2011 grants.