bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Small-bore pigtail catheters for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax in young adolescents
Authors: Kuo Hsuan-Chang , Lin Ying-Jui , Huang Chien-Fu , Chien Shao-Ju , Lin I-Chun , Lo Mao-Hung , Liang Chi-Di
Published: April 2012

Objective

Small-bore pigtail catheters have been found to be effective in the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) in adults. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of small-bore pigtail and large-bore catheters in the treatment of PSP in young adolescents.

Materials and methods

Young adolescents (<18 years) with initial PSP were treated with aspiration (control group), small-bore pigtail catheters or large-bore catheters. Treatment was determined on a case-by-case basis with parental consultation. Success rate, recurrence rate (within 12 months), duration of hospital stay, duration of catheter insertion, and complications were analysed.

Main results

There were 41 patients treated: aspiration, n=8; small-bore pigtail catheters, n=10; large-bore catheters, n=23. Demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were similar between groups. The success rates were 50.0% and 65.2% in the small-bore pigtail and large-bore catheter groups, respectively. Corresponding recurrence rates were 20.0% and 56.5%. There was no difference between the small-bore pigtail and large-bore catheter groups in the duration of hospital stay in patients for whom treatment was successful; however, the duration of catheter insertion was significantly shorter in the small-bore pigtail catheter group compared with the large-bore catheter group in patients for whom treatment was successful (p<0.05). There were no major complications in either catheter treatment group and few minor complications (small-bore pigtail catheter, n=2; large-bore catheter, n=4).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that small-bore pigtail catheters may be as effective as large-bore catheters for the initial treatment of PSP in young adolescents.
Past and present socioeconomic circumstances and psychotropic medication: a register-linkage study
Authors: Mauramo Elina , Lallukka Tea , Laaksonen Mikko , Martikainen Pekka , Rahkonen Ossi , Lahelma Eero
Published: April 2012

Background

Various domains of socioeconomic circumstances are associated with self-reported mental health, but we lack evidence from studies using medically confirmed mental health outcomes. This longitudinal study aimed to examine the associations of multiple domains of socioeconomic circumstances with subsequent prescribed psychotropic medication among Finnish public sector employees.

Methods

Baseline survey data among 40–60-year-old employees of City of Helsinki were linked with Social Insurance Institution of Finland register data on psychotropic medication purchases (n=5563). HRs were calculated using Cox regression to examine associations of parental and own education, childhood and current economic difficulties, occupational class, household income and housing tenure with antidepressants, sleeping pills and sedatives and any psychotropic medication during a 5-year follow-up.

Results

In age and previous psychotropic medication adjusted models, the risk of antidepressant medication was higher in those with childhood (women: HR=1.29, men: HR=1.64) and current economic difficulties (women: HR=1.30–1.54), rented housing (women: HR=1.20, men: HR=1.45) and the second lowest income group (men: HR=1.71). Gradual adjustments had little effect on the associations. For sleeping pills and sedatives, similar associations were found in women for current economic difficulties, and in men for housing tenure. Results for any psychotropic medication reflected those observed for antidepressants.

Conclusions

Past and present economic difficulties and housing tenure were more important determinants of subsequent psychotropic medication among employees than the conventional socioeconomic determinants. The associations were somewhat inconsistent between the medication groups and the sexes. The results support the importance of examining multiple domains of socioeconomic circumstances simultaneously.
Changes in suicide rates following media reports on celebrity suicide: a meta-analysis
Authors: Niederkrotenthaler Thomas , Fu King-wa , Yip Paul S F , Fong Daniel Y T , Stack Steven , Cheng Qijin , Pirkis Jane
Published: April 2012

Background

A growing number of studies indicate that sensationalist reporting of suicide is associated with increases in suicide rates, but in the light of some negative findings, the issue has remained controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the best current evidence on the association between celebrity suicide stories and subsequent suicides.

Methods

Literature searches of six data sources (Medline, Psychlit, Communication Abstracts, Education Resources Information Center, Dissertation Abstracts and Australian Public Affairs Database (APAIS)) were conducted. Studies were included if they (1) adopted an ecological design, (2) focused on celebrity suicide, (3) had completed suicide as outcome variable, (4) analysed suicide rates across all suicide methods, (5) used data from after World War II and (6) satisfied basic quality criteria.

Results

10 studies with totally 98 suicides by celebrities met the criteria. The pooled estimate indicated a change in suicide rates (suicides per 100 000 population) of 0.26 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.43) in the month after a celebrity suicide. There was substantial heterogeneity between studies, which was explained by the type of celebrity (entertainment elite vs others) and the region of study, as indicated by mixed-effects meta-regression. The region-of-study–specific effect of reporting a suicide by an entertainment celebrity was 0.64 (95% CI 0.55 to 0.73) in North America, 0.58 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.68) in Asia, 0.36 (95% CI −0.10 to 0.61) in Australia and 0.68 (95% CI 0.51 to 0.85) in Europe. There was no indication of publication bias.

Conclusions

Reports on celebrity suicide are associated with increases in suicides. Study region and celebrity type appear to have an impact on the effect size.
Potentials of possible machine systems for directly loading logs in cut-to-length harvesting
Authors: Ringdahl Ola , Hellström Thomas , Lindroos Ola
Published: April 2012

In conventional mechanized cut-to-length systems, a harvester fells and cuts trees into logs that are stored on the ground until a forwarder picks them up and carries them to landing sites. A proposed improvement is to place logs directly into the load spaces of transporting machines as they are cut. Such integrated loading could result in cost reductions, shorter lead times from stump to landing, and lower fuel consumption. However, it might also create waiting times for the machines involved, whereas multifunctional machines are likely to be expensive. Thus, it is important to analyze whether or not the advantages of any changes outweigh the disadvantages. The conventional system was compared with four potential systems, including two with autonomous forwarders, using discrete-event simulation with stochastic elements in which harvests of more than 1000 final felling stands (containing in total 1.6 million m3) were simulated 35 times per system. The results indicate that harwarders have substantial potential (less expensive on ≥80% of the volume and fuel consumption decreased by ≥18%) and may become competitive if key innovations are developed. Systems with cooperating machines have considerably less potential, limited to very specific stand conditions. The results conform with expected difficulties in integrating processing and transporting machines’ work in variable environments.
DISTRIBUTED VIDEO CODING: FEEDBACK-FREE ARCHITECTURE AND IMPLEMENTATION
Authors: KODAVALLA VIJAY KUMAR , MOHAN P. G. KRISHNA
Published: April 2012

Distributed video coding (DVC) is new video coding paradigm for emerging applications such as wireless video cameras, wireless low-power surveillance networks, disposable video cameras, sensor networks, networked camcorders, etc. In traditional video coding standards (MPEG/H.264/DivX/VC1), typically the encoder is five to 10 times more complex than the decoder, which is well suited for broadcast and streaming video-on-demand systems, where video is compressed once and decoded many times. However, the emerging applications require dual system, i.e. low complex encoders, possibly at the expense of high complex decoders. Here, low complexity encoders are must because memory, computational power and energy are scarce at the encoder. Distributed coding exploits source statistics in decoder and hence encoder can be very simple, at the expense of the more complex decoder. In literature, various DVC Architectures proposed depend on availability of feedback channel from decoder to encoder, to achieve minimum rate for target quality. In practical systems usually bidirectional communication channels are not available. Other implications are in terms of decoding delay and decoder complexity, due to usage of feedback channel. Hence it is highly desirable to design DVC without need for feedback channel. In this paper, feedback-free DVC Architecture is proposed and C model implementation results are presented.
Glycoforms of UT-A3 urea transporter with poly-N-acetyllactosamine glycosylation have enhanced transport activity
Authors: Su Hua , Carter Conner B. , Fröhlich Otto , Cummings Richard D. , Chen Guangping
Published: April 2012

Urea transporters UT-A1 and UT-A3 are both expressed in the kidney inner medulla. However, the function of UT-A3 remains unclear. Here, we found that UT-A3, which comprises only the NH2-terminal half of UT-A1, has a higher urea transport activity than UT-A1 in the oocyte and that this difference was associated with differences in N-glycosylation. Heterologously expressed UT-A3 is fully glycosylated with two glycoforms of 65 and 45 kDa. By contrast, UT-A1 expressed in HEK293 cells and oocytes exhibits only a 97-kDa glycosylation form. We further found that N-glycans of UT-A3 contain a large amount of poly- N-acetyllactosamine. This highly glycosylated UT-A3 is more stable and is enriched in lipid raft domains on the cell membrane. Kifunensine, an inhibitor of α-mannosidase that inhibits N-glycan processing beyond high-mannose-type N-glycans, significantly reduced UT-A3 urea transport activity. We then examined the native UT-A1 and UT-A3 glycosylation states from kidney inner medulla and found the ratio of 65 to 45 kDa in UT-A3 is higher than that of 117 to 97 kDa in UT-A1. The highly stable expression of highly glycosylated UT-A3 on the cell membrane in kidney inner medulla suggests that UT-A3 may have an important function in urea reabsorption.
The relative impact of microstimulation parameters on movement generation
Authors: Katnani Husam A. , Gandhi Neeraj J.
Published: April 2012

Microstimulation is widely used in neurophysiology to characterize brain areas with behavior and in clinical therapeutics to treat neurological disorder. Current intensity and frequency, which respectively influence activation patterns in spatial and temporal domains, are typically selected to elicit a desired response, but their effective influence on behavior has not been thoroughly examined. We delivered microstimulation to the primate superior colliculus while systematically varying each parameter to capture effects of a large range of parameter space. We found that frequency was more effective in driving output properties, whereas properties changed gradually with intensity. Interestingly, when different parameter combinations were matched for total charge, effects on behavioral properties became seemingly equivalent. This study provides a first level resource for choosing desired parameter ranges to effectively manipulate behavior. It also provides insights into interchangeability of parameters, which can assist clinical microstimulation that looks to appropriately control behavior within designated constraints, such as power consumption.
Correlation of Power Consumption for Several Kinds of Mixing Impellers
Authors: Furukawa Haruki , Kato Yoshihito , Inoue Yoshiro , Kato Tomoho , Tada Yutaka , Hashimoto Shunsuke
Published: April 2012

The authors reviewed the correlations of power consumption in unbaffled and baffled agitated vessels with several kinds of impellers, which were developed in a wide range of Reynolds numbers from laminar to turbulent flow regions. The power correlations were based on Kamei and Hiraoka's expressions for paddle and pitched paddle impellers. The calculated correlation values agreed well with experimental ones, and the correlations will be developed the other types of impellers.
The Gut Microbiota and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Friend or Foe?
Authors: Ghoshal Uday C. , Shukla Ratnakar , Ghoshal Ujjala , Gwee Kok-Ann , Ng Siew C. , Quigley Eamonn M. M.
Published: April 2012

Progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), once thought to be a purely psychosomatic disease, has advanced considerably and low-grade inflammation and changes in the gut microbiota now feature as potentially important. The human gut harbours a huge microbial ecosystem, which is equipped to perform a variety of functions such as digestion of food, metabolism of drugs, detoxification of toxic compounds, production of essential vitamins, prevention of attachment of pathogenic bacteria to the gut wall, and maintenance of homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract. A subset of patients with IBS may have a quantitative increase in bacteria in the small bowel (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Qualitative changes in gut microbiota have also been associated with IBS. Targeting the gut microbiota using probiotics and antibiotics has emerged as a potentially effective approach to the treatment of this, hitherto enigmatic, functional bowel disorder. The gut microbiota in health, quantitative and qualitative microbiota changes, and therapeutic manipulations targeting the microbiota in patients with IBS are reviewed in this paper.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Authors: Scaramuzza Andrea , Macedoni Maddalena , Tadini Gian Luca , De Angelis Laura , Redaelli Francesca , Gazzarri Alessandra , Comaschi Valentina , Giani Elisa , Zuccotti Gian Vincenzo
Published: April 2012

Necrobiosis lipoidica is a rare disorder that usually appears in the lower extremities and it is often related to diabetes mellitus. There are few reported cases of necrobiosis lipoidica in children. We present an interesting case in that the patient developed lesions on the abdomen, which is an unusual location.
Infusing Oral Health Care into Nursing Curriculum: Addressing Preventive Health in Aging and Disability
Authors: Hahn Joan Earle , FitzGerald Leah , Markham Young Kee , Glassman Paul , Guenther Nancy
Published: April 2012

Access to oral health care is essential for promoting and maintaining overall health and well-being, yet oral health disparities exist among vulnerable and underserved populations. While nurses make up the largest portion of the health care work force, educational preparation to address oral health needs of elders and persons with disabilities is limited across nursing curricula. This descriptive study reports on the interdisciplinary development, implementation, and testing of an oral health module that was included and infused into a graduate nursing curriculum in a three-phase plan. Phase 1 includes evaluation of a lecture presented to eight gerontological nurse practitioner (GNP) students. Phase 2 includes evaluation of GNP students’ perceptions of learning, skills, and confidence following a one-time 8-hour practicum infused into 80 required practicum hours. The evaluation data show promise in preparing nurse practitioner students to assess and address preventive oral health needs of persons aging with disabilities such that further infusion and inclusion in a course for nurse practitioners across five specialties will implemented and tested in Phase 3.
Mechanisms behind Functional Avidity Maturation in T Cells
Authors: von Essen Marina Rode , Kongsbak Martin , Geisler Carsten
Published: April 2012

During an immune response antigen-primed B-cells increase their antigen responsiveness by affinity maturation mediated by somatic hypermutation of the genes encoding the antigen-specific B-cell receptor (BCR) and by selection of higher-affinity B cell clones. Unlike the BCR, the T-cell receptor (TCR) cannot undergo affinity maturation. Nevertheless, antigen-primed T cells significantly increase their antigen responsiveness compared to antigen-inexperienced (naïve) T cells in a process called functional avidity maturation. This paper covers studies that describe differences in T-cell antigen responsiveness during T-cell differentiation along with examples of the mechanisms behind functional avidity maturation in T cells.
The Tikhonov Regularization Method for Set‐Valued Variational Inequalities
Authors: He Yiran
Published: April 2012

This paper aims to establish the Tikhonov regularization theory for set‐valued
variational inequalities. For this purpose, we firstly prove a very general existence
result for set‐valued variational inequalities, provided that the mapping involved
has the so‐called variational inequality property and satisfies a rather weak coercivity
condition. The result on the Tikhonov regularization improves some known results
proved for single‐valued mapping.
Metacognitive Performance, the Tip-of-Tongue Experience, Is Not Disrupted in Parkinsonian Patients
Authors: Oh-Lee Justin D. , Szymkowicz Sarah M. , Smith Stefanie L. , Otani Hajime
Published: April 2012

The present study investigated whether a form of metamemory, the tip-of-tongue phenomenon (TOT), was affected in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The PD patient (), age-matched elderly control (), and college student control () groups were compared on a motor timing task and TOT measures. Motor timing was assessed using a cued hand-clapping task, whereas TOT was assessed using general knowledge questions. The results indicated that motor timing was significantly impaired in the PD group relative to both control groups. However, all of the TOT metacognitive measures: frequency, strength, and accuracy were statistically equivalent between the PD patients and elderly control groups, both of whom showed significantly better memory performance than college controls. These findings demonstrate that TOT metamemory is not compromised in PD patients, and that further insight into TOT mechanisms in PD may prove helpful in developing novel intervention strategies to enhance memory and general cognitive functions in these patients.
The Emerging Role of TLR and Innate Immunity in Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Spirig Rolf , Tsui Janice , Shaw Sidney
Published: April 2012

Cardiovascular disease is a complex disorder involving multiple pathophysiological processes, several of which involve activation of toll-like receptors (TLRs) of the innate immune system. As sentinels of innate immunity TLRs are nonclonally germline-encoded molecular pattern recognition receptors that recognize exogenous as well as tissue-derived molecular dangers signals promoting inflammation. In addition to their expression in immune cells, TLRs are found in other tissues and cell types including cardiomyocytes, endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. TLRs are differentially regulated in various cell types by several cardiovascular risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia and may represent a key mechanism linking chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease progression, and activation of the immune system. Modulation of TLR signaling by specific TLR agonists or antagonists, alone or in combination, may be a useful therapeutic approach to treat various cardiovascular inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, secondary microvascular complications of diabetes, autoimmune disease, and ischemia reperfusion injury. In this paper we discuss recent developments and current evidence for the role of TLR in cardiovascular disease as well as the therapeutic potential of various compounds on inhibition of TLR-mediated inflammatory responses.
The Effect of Nonnative Interactions on the Energy Landscapes of Frustrated Model Proteins
Authors: Oakley Mark T. , Wales David J. , Johnston Roy L.
Published: April 2012

The 46- and 69-residue BLN model proteins both exhibit frustrated folding to β-barrel structures. We study the effect of varying the strength of nonnative interactions on the corresponding energy landscapes by introducing a parameterλ, which scales the potential between the BLN (λ=1) and Gō-like (λ=0) limits. We study the effect of varyingλon the efficiency of global optimisation using basin-hopping and genetic algorithms. We also construct disconnectivity graphs for these proteins at selected values ofλ. Both methods indicate that the potential energy surface is frustrated for the original BLN potential but rapidly becomes less frustrated asλdecreases. For values ofλ≤0.9, the energy landscape is funnelled. The fastest mean first encounter time for the global minimum does not correspond to the Gō model: instead, we observe a minimum when the favourable nonnative interactions are still present to a small degree.
Electroacupuncture Pretreatment as a Novel Avenue to Protect Brain against Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Li Xin , Luo Peng , Wang Qiang , Xiong Lize
Published: April 2012

Electroacupuncture (EA) pretreatment is a recent observation which has been shown to induce ischemic tolerance mimicking the ischemic pretreatment, suggesting that EA pretreatment may be a promising preventive strategy for the patients with high risk of acute ischemia/reperfusion injury. It was first described in the brain, then in the heart where EA stimulation at acupoint prior to ischemia led to neuroprotection and myocardial protection and induced rapid and delayed ischemic tolerance. Then the optimal parameters and acupoint specificity of EA pretreatment to induce protective effect were proved. Many studies have shown that protective mechanisms of EA pretreatment may involve a series of regulatory molecular pathways including activity enhancement of antioxidant, regulation of the endocannabinoid system, involvement ofbeta-adrenergic receptor, and postreceptor signaling pathway, inhibition of apoptosis. Recently, the neuroprotective and cardioprotective effect of EA pretreatment had been demonstrated in patients undergoing craniocerebral tumor resection or heart valve replacement surgery. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to collect the evidence for the neuroprotective effect of EA pretreatment, to summarize the proposed protective mechanisms of EA pretreatment, and to discuss the possibility of EA pretreatment as a new preventive strategy for patients with high risk of ischemia in clinic.
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery Failures: A Review
Authors: Harroud Adil , Bouthillier Alain , Weil Alexander G. , Nguyen Dang Khoa
Published: April 2012

Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) are refractory to antiepileptic drugs in about 30% of cases. Surgical treatment has been shown to be beneficial for the selected patients but fails to provide a seizure-free outcome in 20–30% of TLE patients. Several reasons have been identified to explain these surgical failures. This paper will address the five most common causes of TLE surgery failure (a) insufficient resection of epileptogenic mesial temporal structures, (b) relapse on the contralateral mesial temporal lobe, (c) lateral temporal neocortical epilepsy, (d) coexistence of mesial temporal sclerosis and a neocortical lesion (dual pathology); and (e) extratemporal lobe epilepsy mimicking TLE or temporal plus epilepsy. Persistence of epileptogenic mesial structures in the posterior temporal region and failure to distinguish mesial and lateral temporal epilepsy are possible causes of seizure persistence after TLE surgery. In cases of dual pathology, failure to identify a subtle mesial temporal sclerosis or regions of cortical microdysgenesis is a likely explanation for some surgical failures. Extratemporal epilepsy syndromes masquerading as or coexistent with TLE result in incomplete resection of the epileptogenic zone and seizure relapse after surgery. In particular, the insula may be an important cause of surgical failure in patients with TLE.
Traffic Rerouting Strategy against Jamming Attacks in WSNs for Microgrid
Authors: Lim Yujin , Kim Hak-Man , Kinoshita Tetsuo
Published: April 2012

In a microgrid as an energy infrastructure, the vulnerability against jamming attacks is fatal. Thus, the ability to deal with jamming attacks and maintain an acceptable level of service degradation in presence of the attacks is needed. To solve the problem, we propose a traffic rerouting scheme in wireless communication infrastructure for islanded microgrid. We determine disjoint multiple paths as candidates of a detour path and then select the detour path among the candidates in order to reduce the effect of jamming attack and distribute traffic flows on different detour paths. Through performance comparison, we show that our scheme outperforms a conventional scheme in terms of packet delivery ratio and end-to-end delay.
Inferring Functional Neural Connectivity with Phase Synchronization Analysis: A Review of Methodology
Authors: Sun Junfeng , Li Zhijun , Tong Shanbao
Published: April 2012

Functional neural connectivity is drawing increasing attention in neuroscience research. To infer functional connectivity from observed neural signals, various methods have been proposed. Among them, phase synchronization analysis is an important and effective one which examines the relationship of instantaneous phase between neural signals but neglecting the influence of their amplitudes. In this paper, we review the advances in methodologies of phase synchronization analysis. In particular, we discuss the definitions of instantaneous phase, the indexes of phase synchronization and their significance test, the issues that may affect the detection of phase synchronization and the extensions of phase synchronization analysis. In practice, phase synchronization analysis may be affected by observational noise, insufficient samples of the signals, volume conduction, and reference in recording neural signals. We make comments and suggestions on these issues so as to better apply phase synchronization analysis to inferring functional connectivity from neural signals.
Nonuniformly Spaced Linear Antenna Array Design Using Firefly Algorithm
Authors: Zaman Mohammad Asif , Abdul Matin Md.
Published: April 2012

A nonuniformly spaced linear antenna array with broadside radiation characteristics is synthesized using firefly algorithm and particle swarm optimization. The objective of the work is to find the optimum spacing between the radiating antenna elements which will create a predefined arbitrary radiation pattern. The excitation amplitudes of all the antenna elements are assumed to be constant. The optimum spacing between the array elements are obtained using firefly algorithm. The minimum allowed distance between the antenna elements is defined in such a way that mutual coupling between the elements can be ignored. Numerical analysis is performed to calculate the far-field radiation characteristics of the array. Two numerical examples are shown to form two different desired predefined radiation patterns. The performance of the firefly algorithm and particle swarm optimization is compared in terms of convergence rate and global best solution achieved. The performances of the optimized nonuniformly spaced arrays are analyzed. Finally, contour plots of the radiated power from the optimized array in the horizontal plane and vertical plane in the far-field region are provided.
Simultaneous and Direct Determination of Vancomycin and Cephalexin in Human Plasma by Using HPLC-DAD Coupled with Second-Order Calibration Algorithms
Authors: Hu Le-Qian , Yin Chun-Ling , Du Ya-Hui , Zeng Zhi-Peng
Published: April 2012

A simple, rapid, and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of vancomycin and cephalexin in human plasma was developed by using HPLC-DAD with second-order calibration algorithms. Instead of a completely chromatographic separation, mathematical separation was performed by using two trilinear decomposition algorithms, that is, PARAFAC-alternative least squares (PARAFAC-ALSs) and self-weight-alternative-trilinear-decomposition- (SWATLD-) coupled high-performance liquid chromatography with DAD detection. The average recoveries attained from PARAFAC-ALS and SWATLD with the factor number of 4 (N=4) were101±5% and102±4% for vancomycin, and96±3% and97±3% for cephalexininde in real human samples, respectively. The statistical comparison between PARAFAC-ALS and SWATLD is demonstrated to be similar. The results indicated that the combination of HPLC-DAD detection with second-order calibration algorithms is a powerful tool to quantify the analytes of interest from overlapped chromatographic profiles for complex analysis of drugs in plasma.
Complex Dynamic Behaviors in Cellular Automata Rule 14
Authors: Han Qi , Liao Xiaofeng , Li Chuandong
Published: April 2012

Wolfram divided the 256 elementary cellular automata rules informally into four classes using dynamical concepts like periodicity, stability, and chaos. Rule 14, which is Bernoulli στ‐shift rule and is a member of Wolfram’s class II, is said to be simple as periodic before. Therefore, it is worthwhile studying dynamical behaviors of rule 14, whether it possesses chaotic attractors or not. In this paper, the complex dynamical behaviors of rule 14 of one‐dimensional cellular automata are investigated from the viewpoint of symbolic dynamics. We find that rule 14 is chaotic in the sense of both Li‐Yorke and Devaney on its attractor. Then, we prove that there exist fixed points in rule 14. Finally, we use diagrams to explain the attractor of rule 14, where characteristic function is used to describe that all points fall into Bernoulli‐shift map after two iterations under rule 14.
A Comparison of a Traditional Clinical Experience to a Precepted Clinical Experience for Baccalaureate-Seeking Nursing Students in Their Second Semester
Authors: Ownby Kristin , Schumann Renae , Dune Linda , Kohne David
Published: April 2012

The shortage of nursing faculty has contributed greatly to the nursing workforce shortage, with many schools turning away qualified applicants because there are not enough faculty to teach. Despite the faculty shortage, schools are required to admit more students to alleviate the nursing shortage. Clinical groups in which preceptors are responsible for student learning extend faculty resources.Purpose.To determine the effectiveness of an alternative clinical experience (preceptorship).Methods.quasi-experimental, randomized, longitudinal design. Students were randomized to either the traditional or precepted clinical group. The clinical experience was a total of 12 weeks. Groups were compared according to several variables including second semester exam scores, HESI scores, and quality and timeliness of clinical paperwork.Sample.Over a two-year period, seventy-one undergraduate nursing students in the second semester medical-surgical nursing course participated. 36 were randomized to the experimental group. The preceptors were baccalaureate-prepared nurses who have been practicing for at least one year.Setting.Two hospitals located in the Texas Medical Center.Statistical Analysis.Descriptive statistics and independentt-test.Results.There was no difference between the groups on the variables of interest.Conclusion.Students in the precepted clinical group perform as well as those in a traditional clinical group.
Elevation of sE-Selectin Levels 2–24 Months following Gestational Diabetes Is Associated with Early Cardiometabolic Risk in Nondiabetic Women
Authors: Sokup Alina , Ruszkowska Barbara , Góralczyk Barbara , Góralczyk Krzysztof , Szymański Marek , Grabiec Marek , Rość Danuta
Published: April 2012

Objective. We hypothesised that the endothelial dysfunction is associated with early glucose dysregulation and/or atherosclerosis risk factors in nondiabetic women with a previous history of gestational diabetes (pGDM).Material/Methods. Anthropometric parameters, glucose regulation (OGTT), insulin resistance (HOMA), lipids, biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation were evaluated in 85 women with pGDM and in 40 controls 2–24 months postpartum.Results. The pGDM group consisted of 67% normoglycemic women (pGDM-N) and 33% with prediabetic state (pGDM-P). The BMI, waist circumference, fasting and 2 h glucose (OGTT), soluble adhesion molecules, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, total-, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides/HDL-cholesterol ratio were higher in the pGDM women compared with the controls. After adjustment for BMI and fasting glucose, only higher triglycerides, higher TG/HDL and lower HDL-cholesterol were associated with pGDM. The pGDM-P differed from pGDM-N for only higher triglycerides and TG/HDL. The plasma level of sE-selectin was not independently associated with glucose concentration in pGDM group. sE-selectin level correlated with triglycerides, TG/HDL, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen, and sICAM-1.Conclusions. sE-selectin level correlated with components of metabolic syndrome, but only the atherogenic lipid profile was independently associated with a previous history of GDM in nondiabetic women 2–24 months postpartum.
Carbon‐Nanofibers‐Based Micro‐/Nanodevices for Neural‐Electrical and Neural‐Chemical Interfaces
Authors: Zhang Hongzhi , Yu Mei , Xie Lei , Jin Linlin , Yu Zhe
Published: April 2012

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have shown great potentials for development of micro‐/nanodevices for neural interfaces due to their suitable properties, such as chemical stability, good electrical conductivity, ultramicro size with low electrical impedance, 3D structures with high surface‐to‐volume ratio, and long‐term biocompatibility. In this paper, we review the applications of CNFs as neural‐electrical interfaces and neural‐chemical interfaces for neural recording and stimulation, electroconductive nanofibrous scaffolds for nerve tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery, and neurochemical sensing. The CNFs‐based micro‐/nanodevices provide new platforms to fine‐tune electrical and chemical cues of neurons at subcellular nanoscale, which can be used for both fundamental studies of material‐cell interactions and the development of chronically stable, implantable neural interface devices. Further development of this technology may potentially enable a highly multiplex closed‐loop system with multifunctions for neuromodulation and neuroprostheses.
Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer with Conventional and Contrast-Enhanced Transvaginal Sonography: Recent Advances and Potential Improvements
Authors: Fleischer Arthur C. , Lyshchik Andrej , Hirari Makiko , Moore Ryan D. , Abramson Richard G. , Fishman David A.
Published: April 2012

Recently, there have been several major technical advances in the sonographic diagnosis of ovarian cancer in its early stages. These include improved assessment of tumor morphology with transvaginal sonography (TVS), and detection and characterization of tumor neovascularity with transvaginal color Doppler sonography (TV-CDS) and contrast-enhanced transvaginal sonography (CE-TVS). This paper will discuss and illustrate these improvements and describe how they enhance detection of early-stage ovarian cancer. Our initial experience with parametric mapping of CE-TVS will also be mentioned.
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Study Comparing 0.0003%Calcitriol with 0.1%Tacrolimus Ointments for the Treatment of Endemic Pityriasis Alba
Authors: Moreno-Cruz Berenice , Torres-Álvarez Bertha , Hernández-Blanco Diana , Castanedo-Cazares Juan Pablo
Published: April 2012

Background. Pityriasis alba (PA) is a frequent cause of consultation in tropical areas due to its chronic course, frequent relapses, and notorious hypopigmented lesions in pediatric dark skin populations. Currently, no treatment is widely accepted.Objective. To assess the efficacy of 0.0003% calcitriol and 0.1% tacrolimus ointments compared with placebo in the treatment of endemic PA.Methods. Twenty-eight children aged 3–17 years with 56 symmetrical lesions and phototype IV-V, were randomly assigned to receive the treatments on target lesions on the face. Improvement was evaluated at baseline and 8 weeks later clinically and by digital quantification of the affected area, colorimetry, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL).Results. Tacrolimus and calcitriol ointments induced a mean improvement of 68%, compared to 44% of placebo. We found an elevated TEWL in PA lesions. In the treated plaques, the reduction of the affected area was associated with improvement of pigmentation and TEWL.Conclusions. Calcitriol and tacrolimus induced similar repigmentation in endemic PA lesions. Melanogenic, anti-inflammatory, and barrier defect restoration properties of these drugs may explain these findings.
Increased Caspase-3 Immunoreactivity of Erythrocytes in STZ Diabetic Rats
Authors: Fırat Uğur , Kaya Savaş , Çim Abdullah , Büyükbayram Hüseyin , Gökalp Osman , Dal Mehmet Sinan , Tamer Mehmet Numan
Published: April 2012

Eryptosis is a term to define apoptosis of erythrocytes. Oxidative stress and hyperglycemia, both of which exist in the diabetic intravascular environment, can trigger eryptosis of erythrocytes. In this experimental study, it is presented that the majority of erythrocytes shows caspase-3 immunoreactivity in streptozocin- (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Besides that, caspase-3 positive erythrocytes are aggregated and attached to vascular endothelium. In conclusion, these results may start a debate that eryptosis could have a role in the diabetic complications.
The Observation of Humoral Responses after Influenza Vaccination in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Japanese Oriental (Kampo) Medicine: An Observational Study
Authors: Kogure Toshiaki , Harada Naoyuki , Oku Yuko , Tatsumi Takeshi , Niizawa Atsushi
Published: April 2012

Objective. The efficacy of influenza vaccination in patients treated with Japanese Oriental (Kampo) Medicine is unknown. The objectives of this study were to observe the efficacy of influenza vaccination in RA patients treated with Kampo.Methods. Trivalent influenza subunit vaccine was administered to 45 RA patients who had received Kampo. They were divided into 2 groups: RA patients treated without MTX (“without MTX group”) and treated with MTX (“with MTX group”). Antibody titers were measured before and 4 weeks after vaccination using hemagglutination inhibition assay.Results. Geometric mean titers (GMTs) of anti-influenza antibodies significantly increased for all influenza strains. Response to the influenza vaccination in RA patients treated with Kampo was not lower than that of healthy subjects and the response in the “with MTX group” had a tendency to be higher than that in RA patients treated with MTX in the previous study. There was no significant difference in the GMT after 4 weeks between the “with MTX group” and the “without MTX group.” A decreased efficacy in both seroprotection and seroconversion was not found in the “with MTX group.”Conclusion. These observations may open the way for further clinical trials to establish the efficacy for the influenza vaccination in RA patients treated with Kampo.
Pathologic Rupture of the Spleen in Mantle-Cell-Type Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Authors: Tan Christopher B. , Rajan Dhyan , Majeed Sumreen , Ahmed Shadab , Freedman Lester , Mustacchia Paul
Published: April 2012

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) accounts for less than 10 percent of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Pathologic or spontaneous rupture of the spleen has been reported in patients with lymphoma; however only 5 cases have been reported in patients with MCL. Although splenomegaly occurs frequently in patients with MCL, spontaneous splenic rupture is rare. We present a case of a 51-year-old female with MCL, who presented to the medical emergency room with splenic rupture. This case illustrates that clinicians should be aware of the incidence and presentation of patients with MCL and spontaneous splenic rupture, as early detection and heightened suspicion may prevent potentially fatal outcomes.
SVD-Aided Beamforming and Power Allocation Algorithm for Multiuser Turbo-BLAST System Uplink with Imperfect CSI
Authors: Chen Xiaomin , Yu Xiangbin , Xu Dazhuan
Published: April 2012

The SVD-aided joint transmitter and receiver design for the uplink of CDMA-based synchronous multiuser Turbo-BLAST systems is proposed in the presence of channel state information (CSI) imperfection. At the transmitter, the beamforming and power allocation schemes are developed to maximize the capacity of the desired user. At the receiver, a suboptimal decorrelating scheme is first proposed to mitigate the multiuser interference (MUI) and decouple the detection of different users with imperfect CSI, and then the iterative detecting algorithm that takes the channel estimation error into account is designed to cancel the coantenna interference (CAI) and enhance the bit error rate (BER) results further. Simulation results show that the proposed uplink CDMA-based multiuser Turbo-BLAST model is effective, the detection from every user is completely independent to each other after decorrelating, and the system performance can be enhanced by the proposed beamforming and power allocation schemes. Furthermore, BER performance can be enhanced by the modified iterative detection. The effect of CSI imperfection is evaluated, which is proved to be a useful tool to assess the system performance with imperfect CSI.
Regional Fertility Transition in India: An Analysis Using Synthetic Parity Progression Ratios
Authors: Spoorenberg Thomas , Dommaraju Premchand
Published: April 2012

This paper examines various aspects of regional fertility transition in India. Using nationally representative data from three rounds of National Family Health Surveys (NFHSs) conducted in India, we compare and contrast fertility patterns in six regions of India for the period between 1977 and 2004. To study the fertility patterns, we use synthetic parity progression ratios which, besides providing estimates for average lifetime parity, also allow for decomposition of lifetime parity by birth order. The paper also examines changes in birth intervals over time and across the six regions. The results confirm the persistence of regional differences in fertility. However, in all regions fertility is declining and it is possible that fertility rates will converge in the near future. The main reason for fertility decline in all regions is the reduction in third- and higher-order births. There has not been any significant decline in first and second births, even in regions with low fertility. In addition to the discussion of the substantive results, the paper also comments on the quality of NFHS data.
Hyaluronan Does Not Affect Bupivacaine’s Inhibitory Action on Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Activities in Bovine Articular Chondrocytes
Authors: Hester William , Yang Jinnan , Wang Guo-Yong , Liu Sen , O'Brien Michael J. , Savoie Felix H. , You Zongbing
Published: April 2012

Objectives.The objective of this paper is to determine if hyaluronan affects bupivacaine’s anesthetic function.Methods.Whole cell patch clamp recordings were performed on bovine articular chondrocytes cultured in 60 mm dishes. The chondrocytes were treated with phosphate-buffered saline (control group), 7.5 mg/mL hyaluronan (Orthovisc), 0.25% bupivacaine, or a mixture of 7.5 mg/mL hyaluronan and 0.25% bupivacaine. Outward currents were elicited by step depolarization from −90 mV to 150 mV with 5 mV increments and holding for 200 ms.Results.The amplitude of outward currents elicited at 150 mV was607.1±135.4 pA (mean ± standard error) in the chondrocytes treated with phosphate buffered saline,550.0±194.9 pA in the chondrocytes treated with hyaluronan,18.4±8.3 pA in the chondrocytes treated with bupivacaine, and12.8±2.6 pA in the chondrocytes treated with a mixture of hyaluronan and bupivacaine.Conclusion.Hyaluronan does not affect bupivacaine’s inhibitory action on the potassium channel activities in bovine articular chondrocytes. This finding suggests that intra-articular injection of a mixture of hyaluronan and bupivacaine may not affect the anesthetic effects of bupivacaine.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial and Antispermatogenic Activity of Bismuth(III) and Arsenic(III) Derivatives of Biologically Potent Nitrogen and Sulfur Donor Ligands
Authors: Dawara Latika , Joshi S. C. , Singh R. V.
Published: April 2012

A series of Bi(III) and As(III) complexes with two N∩S donor ligands, 1-(4-chloro-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-methylene)-thiosemicarbazide (L1H) and N′-[1-(2-oxo-2H-chrome-3yl-ethylidene]-hydrazinecarbodithionic acid benzyl ester (L2H) have been synthesized by the reaction of BiCl3 and Ph3As with ligands in 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 molar ratios. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, melting point determinations, and a combination of electronic, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques, and X-ray diffraction for structure elucidation. In order to evaluate the effect of metal ions upon chelation, both the ligands and their complexes have been screened for their antimicrobial activity against the various pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. The metal complexes have shown to be more antimicrobial against the microbial species as compared to free ligands. Both the ligands and their corresponding metal complexes have been tested for their antifertility activity in male albino rats. The marked reduction in sperm motility and density resulted in infertility. Significant alterations were found in biochemical parameters of reproductive organs in treated animals as compared to control group. It is concluded that all these effects may finally impair the fertility of male rats.
Analytical Model of a Weighted Round Robin Service System
Authors: Hottmar Vladimir , Adamec Bohumil
Published: April 2012

This paper presents a mathematical description of Weighted Round Robin service strategy, on which basis all the perspective QoS tools that serve to manage congestion in converged packet networks work. On the basis of the presented mathematical model, it is possible to suitably configure the operational parameters (maximum queue length, distribution of the available transfer capacity) of these tools according to required values of packet delays. The implementation of the analytical model is demonstrated on a real network segment using advanced network data traffic emulator.
Generation of Transplantable Beta Cells for Patient-Specific Cell Therapy
Authors: Wang Xiaojie , Metzger Daniel L. , Meloche Mark , Hao Jianqiang , Ao Ziliang , Warnock Garth L.
Published: April 2012

Islet cell transplantation offers a potential cure for type 1 diabetes, but it is challenged by insufficient donor tissue and side effects of current immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, alternative sources of insulin-producing cells and isletfriendly immunosuppression are required to increase the efficiency and safety of this procedure. Beta cells can be transdifferentiated from precursors or another heterologous (non-beta-cell) source. Recent advances in beta cell regeneration from somatic cells such as fibroblasts could circumvent the usage of immunosuppressive drugs. Therefore, generation of patient-specific beta cells provides the potential of an evolutionary treatment for patients with diabetes.