bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Decentralized Behavioral Decision Making on System‐Level Risk
Authors: Kaivanto Kim
Published: July 2014

Certain classes of system‐level risk depend partly on decentralized lay decision making. For instance, an organization's network security risk depends partly on its employees' responses to phishing attacks. On a larger scale, the risk within a financial system depends partly on households' responses to mortgage sales pitches. Behavioral economics shows that lay decisionmakers typically depart in systematic ways from the normative rationality of expected utility (EU), and instead display heuristics and biases as captured in the more descriptively accurate prospect theory (PT). In turn, psychological studies show that successful deception ploys eschew direct logical argumentation and instead employ peripheral‐route persuasion, manipulation of visceral emotions, urgency, and familiar contextual cues. The detection of phishing emails and inappropriate mortgage contracts may be framed as a binary classification task. Signal detection theory (SDT) offers the standard normative solution, formulated as an optimal cutoff threshold, for distinguishing between good/bad emails or mortgages. In this article, we extend SDT behaviorally by rederiving the optimal cutoff threshold under PT. Furthermore, we incorporate the psychology of deception into determination of SDT's discriminability parameter. With the neo‐additive probability weighting function, the optimal cutoff threshold under PT is rendered unique under well‐behaved sampling distributions, tractable in computation, and transparent in interpretation. The PT‐based cutoff threshold is (i) independent of loss aversion and (ii) more conservative than the classical SDT cutoff threshold. Independently of any possible misalignment between individual‐level and system‐level misclassification costs, decentralized behavioral decisionmakers are biased toward underdetection, and system‐level risk is consequently greater than in analyses predicated upon normative rationality.
Improving Risk Management: From Lame Excuses to Principled Practice
Authors: Paté‐Cornell Elisabeth , Cox Louis Anthony
Published: July 2014

The three classic pillars of risk analysis are risk assessment (how big is the risk and how sure can we be?), risk management (what shall we do about it?), and risk communication (what shall we say about it, to whom, when, and how?). We propose two complements as important parts of these three bases: risk attribution (who or what addressable conditions actually caused an accident or loss?) and learning from experience about risk reduction (what works, and how well?). Failures in complex systems usually evoke blame, often with insufficient attention to root causes of failure, including some aspects of the situation, design decisions, or social norms and culture. Focusing on blame, however, can inhibit effective learning, instead eliciting excuses to deflect attention and perceived culpability. Productive understanding of what went wrong, and how to do better, thus requires moving past recrimination and excuses. This article identifies common blame‐shifting “lame excuses” for poor risk management. These generally contribute little to effective improvements and may leave real risks and preventable causes unaddressed. We propose principles from risk and decision sciences and organizational design to improve results. These start with organizational leadership. More specifically, they include: deliberate testing and learning—especially from near‐misses and accident precursors; careful causal analysis of accidents; risk quantification; candid expression of uncertainties about costs and benefits of risk‐reduction options; optimization of tradeoffs between gathering additional information and immediate action; promotion of safety culture; and mindful allocation of people, responsibilities, and resources to reduce risks. We propose that these principles provide sound foundations for improving successful risk management.
Business Cycle Synchronization in EU: A Time‐Varying Approach
Authors: Degiannakis Stavros , Duffy David , Filis George
Published: July 2014

This article investigates the time‐varying correlation between the EU12‐wide business cycle and the initial EU12 member‐countries based on Scalar‐BEKK and multivariate Riskmetrics model frameworks for the period 1980–2012. The paper provides evidence that changes in the business cycle synchronization correspond to major economic events that have taken place at a European level. In the main, business cycle synchronization until 2007 had moved in a direction positive for the operation of a single currency, suggesting that the common monetary policy was less costly in terms of lost flexibility at the national level. However, as a result of the Great Recession of 2007 and the subsequent Eurozone Crisis, a number of periphery countries, most notably Greece, have experienced desynchronization of their business cycles with the EU12‐wide cycle. Nevertheless, for most countries, any questions regarding the optimality and sustainability of the common currency area in Europe should not be attributed to a lack of cyclical synchronization.
A Propositional Model of Implicit Evaluation
Authors: Houwer Jan De
Published: July 2014

Implicit evaluation can be defined as the automatic effect of stimuli on evaluative responses. A major advantage of this definition is that it is neutral with regard to the mental processes and representations that mediate implicit evaluation. Whereas many existing models postulate that implicit evaluation is mediated by the automatic spreading of activation along associations in memory, it is also possible to entertain the idea that implicit evaluation is due to the automatic formation or activation of propositions. In line with such a propositional model of implicit evaluation, evidence suggests that implicit evaluation (a) can be based on instructions and inferences, (b) is sensitive to information about how stimuli are related and (c) can reflect several propositions that differ only with regard to how stimuli are related. Although it might be difficult to differentiate between propositional models on the one hand and association–activation or dual process models on the other hand, merely considering the idea that implicit evaluation might be mediated by propositions offers a new perspective on existing findings and leads to novel predictions about the conditions under which implicit evaluation occurs.
Unpacking East–West Differences in the Extent of Self‐Enhancement from the Perspective of Face versus Dignity Culture
Authors: Lee Hae In , Leung Angela K‐y. , Kim Young‐Hoon
Published: July 2014

The question of whether or not the need for self‐enhancement is culturally universal has been a controversial issue in cultural psychology. Though there have been numerous studies arguing that East Asians also have the need for self‐enhancement, the controversy remained. We contend that the field is ready to see a cohesive theory that integrates and explains when and why East Asians do and do not manifest their need for self‐enhancement. In this paper, we provide the theoretical logics of and rationales behind face and dignity cultures as the new theoretical proxies that integrate and explain East Asians' self‐enhancing behaviors, supplementing the former approach that uses the individualism‐collectivism dichotomy. In particular, four representative properties of face culture — humility, public (versus private) concern, prevention regulatory focus, and harmony — are discussed to explain cross‐cultural differences in the extent and ways of manifestations of self‐enhancement motivation between European Americans and East Asians. Theoretical corroborations and empirical findings supporting this approach are also discussed.
Tough Love: The Normative Conflict Model and a Goal System Approach to Dissent Decisions
Authors: Packer Dominic J. , Miners Christopher T. H.
Published: July 2014

Most rebels have a cause, and the expression of internal criticism and dissent is vital for healthy civic and collective functioning. Here, we review the normative conflict model (NCM), which posits that social identities are key to understanding conformity and deviance in group contexts. The NCM hypothesizes that strongly identified group members are willing to articulate critical and dissenting opinions when they believe that doing so is in the interest of the collective. In this paper, we conceptually advance the NCM by exploring how responses to group norms can be understood from a goal system perspective, conceptualizing dissent decisions as often involving choices between conflicting goals. We review the evidence for this approach to dissent and outline a range of future directions.
Weapons of Influence Misused: A Social Influence Analysis of Why People Fall Prey to Internet Scams
Authors: Muscanell Nicole L. , Guadagno Rosanna E. , Murphy Shannon
Published: July 2014

Internet crime, including fraud and spread of malicious software, is a pervasive and costly global issue. Many of these crimes occur not because of technology failure but because of the human element. People can easily be manipulated through social engineering – the use of psychological tactics to influence individuals to assist in their own victimization. We employ a social influence framework, drawing upon ideas from Robert Cialdini, to understand the nature of social engineering techniques and why they are successful in exploiting unsuspecting individuals. Specifically, we discuss how social engineers misuse six pervasive weapons of influence – Liking, Authority, Scarcity, Social Proof, Reciprocity, and Commitment and Consistency – in order to effectively influence individuals to take the initial steps toward their exploitation. We conclude with a discussion of the precautions individuals can take to resist malicious influence attempts online.
Social Policy Preferences and Party Choice in the 2011 Swiss Elections
Authors: Fossati Flavia , Häusermann Silja
Published: July 2014

To what extent do social policy preferences explain party choice? This question has received little attention over the past years, because the bulk of the literature has argued that electoral choice is increasingly shaped by identity‐based attitudes, rather than by preferences for economic‐distributive social policies. We argue that in the wake of this debate, the significance of social policy preferences for electoral choice has been underestimated, because most contributions neglect social policy debates that are specific to post‐industrial societies. In particular, they merely focus on income redistribution, while neglecting distributive conflicts around social investment. The Selects 2011 data allows investigating this crucial distinction for Switzerland. Our empirical analyses confirm that it is pivotal to take the pluridimensionality of distributive conflicts seriously: when looking at preferences for social investment rather than income redistribution, we find that social policy preferences are significant explanatory factors for the choice of the five major Swiss political parties.
Electoral Competition and the New Class Cleavage
Authors: Goldberg Andreas C. , Sciarini Pascal
Published: July 2014

Abstract

The class cleavage has been the most important structuring force in most West European countries. In the last decades, the question regarding whether the social class still influences voting behavior has been intensively debated. One strand of literature suggests a transformation of the old class divide into a new – or reformulated – class cleavage. However, there is still little empirical evidence about the circumstances under which this new divide may become important. The present paper contributes to fill this gap, by analyzing in how far electoral competition conditions the strength of the new class cleavage. Applying data from the Swiss National Elections 2007 and 2011 to a comparative analysis across cantons we find that the impact of the new class cleavage on electoral choice varies according to party system polarization. The proportionality of the electoral system, by contrast, does not have a clear conditional effect.
Disseminated histoplasmosis in allogeneic bone marrow transplant: a diagnosis not to be missed
Authors: Haydoura S. , Wallentine J. , Lopansri B. , Ford C.D. , Saad D. , Burke J.P.
Published: July 2014

Immunosuppressed patients are at highest risk for disseminated histoplasmosis, but only a few cases have been reported in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. We report a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in an allogeneic bone marrow transplant recipient residing in a non‐endemic area. Diagnosis was first suspected based on a peripheral blood smear.
The association of the Thr715Pro P‐selectin genotype with levels of P‐selectin in platelet concentrates
Authors: Jilma‐Stohlawetz P. , Mannhalter C. , Kaider A. , Waidacher T. , Jilma B. , Panzer S.
Published: July 2014

Background and Objectives

P‐selectin is stored in the alpha granules of platelets and in the Weibel Palade bodies of endothelial cells; upon activation, it is translocated to the cell surface and released into the plasma in soluble form. One variant of the P‐selectin gene, the Thr715Pro polymorphism, is strongly associated with the plasma levels of soluble P‐selectin. In platelet concentrates soluble P‐selectin can be regarded mainly platelet derived.

Materials and Methods

The relation of the genotype with soluble P‐selectin, platelet expressed P‐selectin and the sum of all forms of P‐selectin – comprising soluble P‐selectin, platelet surface P‐selectin and P‐selectin from the alpha granules – was assessed in fresh whole blood and in apheresis platelets suspended in 35% plasma/65% SSP+ obtained from 89 platelet donors.

Results

Levels of total P‐selectin were genotype associated (P = 0·025); likewise, in fresh whole blood there was an association of soluble P‐selectin with genotype (P = 0·02). In platelets suspended in additive solution, however, levels of the storage‐associated or TRAP‐6 agonist induced increase of platelets' P‐selectin were not associated with the genotype. A correlation between levels of soluble P‐selectin and surface expression of P‐selectin was observed on day 3 of storage in Thr715Thr individuals (P < 0·0001), but not in heterozygotes (Thr715Pro, P = 0·2).

Conclusion

The donors' genotype has only little influence on levels of soluble P‐selectin in apheresis platelets suspended in 35% plasma/65% SSP+.
Magnetic resonance imaging: a tool to monitor and optimize enzyme distribution during porcine pancreas distention for islet isolation
Authors: Scott William E. , Weegman Bradley P. , Balamurugan Appakalai N. , Ferrer‐Fabrega Joana , Anazawa Takayuki , Karatzas Theodore , Jie Tun , Hammer Bruce E. , Matsumoto Shuchiro , Avgoustiniatos Efstathios S. , Maynard Kristen S. , Sutherland David E. R. , Hering Bernhard J. , Papas Klearchos K.
Published: July 2014

Porcine islet xenotransplantation is emerging as a potential alternative for allogeneic clinical islet transplantation. Optimization of porcine islet isolation in terms of yield and quality is critical for the success and cost‐effectiveness of this approach. Incomplete pancreas distention and inhomogeneous enzyme distribution have been identified as key factors for limiting viable islet yield per porcine pancreas. The aim of this study was to explore the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool to investigate the homogeneity of enzyme delivery in porcine pancreata. Traditional and novel methods for enzyme delivery aimed at optimizing enzyme distribution were examined. Pancreata were procured from Landrace pigs via en bloc viscerectomy. The main pancreatic duct was then cannulated with an 18‐g winged catheter and MRI performed at 1.5‐T. Images were collected before and after ductal infusion of chilled MRI contrast agent (gadolinium) in physiological saline. Regions of the distal aspect of the splenic lobe and portions of the connecting lobe and bridge exhibited reduced delivery of solution when traditional methods of distention were utilized. Use of alternative methods of delivery (such as selective re‐cannulation and distention of identified problem regions) resolved these issues, and MRI was successfully utilized as a guide and assessment tool for improved delivery. Current methods of porcine pancreas distention do not consistently deliver enzyme uniformly or adequately to all regions of the pancreas. Novel methods of enzyme delivery should be investigated and implemented for improved enzyme distribution. MRI serves as a valuable tool to visualize and evaluate the efficacy of current and prospective methods of pancreas distention and enzyme delivery.
State-of-the-art of Metamaterials: Characterization, Realization and Applications
Authors: Ruvio Giuseppe
Published: July 2014

Metamaterials is a large family of microwave structures that produces interesting ε and μ conditions with huge implications for numerous electromagnetic applications. Following a description of modern techniques to realize epsilon-negative, mu-negative and double-negative metamaterials, this paper explores recent literature on the use of metamaterials in hot research areas such as metamaterial-inspired microwave components, antenna applications and imaging. This contribution is meant to provide an updated overview of complex microwave engineering for the generation of different types of metamaterials and their application in topical electromagnetic scenarios.
Hedgehog induces formation of PKA-Smoothened complexes to promote Smoothened phosphorylation and pathway activation
Authors: Li Shuang , Ma Guoqiang , Wang Bing , Jiang Jin
Published: July 2014

The secreted protein Hedgehog stimulates switching of kinase-substrate protein complexes to regulate gene expression.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 1 July 2014
Authors: Ochiya Takahiro , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: July 2014

Exosomes released by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote dormancy of metastatic breast cancer cells.
Alternatively Spliced into an Inhibitor
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: July 2014

A soluble form of a cytokine receptor subunit secreted by T cells blocks cytokine signaling and increases inflammation.
Feeling No Pain
Authors: Berndt Jason D.
Published: July 2014

Mycobacteria secrete a toxin that acts on angiotensin receptors to inhibit pain.
Science Translational Medicine
Podcast: 2 July 2014
Authors: Harris Jeffrey M. , Wu Lawren C. , VanHook Annalisa
Published: July 2014

Jeffrey M. Harris and Lawren C. Wu describe how the drug quilizumab reduced allergen-induced asthmatic airway responses in mild asthmatics.
The Proteasome-Ubiquitin System Is Required for Efficient Killing of Intracellular Streptococcus pneumoniae by Brain Endothelial Cells
Authors: Iovino Federico , Gradstedt Henrik , Bijlsma Jetta J.
Published: July 2014

Streptococcus pneumoniae
(pneumococcus) is a Gram-positive bacterium that causes serious invasive diseases, such as pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis, with high morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Before causing invasive disease,
S. pneumoniae
encounters cellular barriers, which are often composed of endothelial cells, like the alveolar-capillary barrier and the blood-brain barrier.
S. pneumoniae
adheres to endothelial cells and may invade them, which requires an efficient host response to the intracellular bacteria. The precise intracellular fate of
S. pneumoniae
during infection still remains a subject of debate. The proteasome-ubiquitin system is largely responsible for the degradation of misfolded, damaged, or no-longer-useful proteins. Recently, the role of the proteasome-ubiquitin system in the clearing of invading bacteria and viruses has been more closely studied. In this study, we show that inhibition of the proteasome-ubiquitin system leads to a marked increase in
S. pneumoniae
survival inside host cells. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that intracellular pneumococci colocalized with proteasome and ubiquitin in human endothelial cells
in vitro
. Confocal imaging analysis demonstrated that in the brains of mice intravenously infected with
S. pneumoniae
, the bacteria were inside endothelial cells, where they colocalized with proteasome and ubiquitin signals. In conclusion, our data indicate that a fully functional proteasome-ubiquitin system in endothelial cells is crucial for efficient killing of intracellular
S. pneumoniae
.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial meningitis is a serious invasive disease with high morbidity and mortality. How bacteria traverse the blood-brain barrier
in vivo
and what mechanisms are employed by the host to prevent invasion are still unclear. Our data show that inhibition of the proteasome-ubiquitin system
in vitro
leads to a significant increase in
S. pneumoniae
survival inside brain endothelial cells. Confocal imaging analysis of brain tissue from mice intravenously infected with pneumococci demonstrated that the bacteria are inside brain microvascular endothelial cells, where they associate with the proteasome and ubiquitin. This is, as far as we know, the first report that demonstrates that
Streptococcus pneumoniae
invades endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier
in vivo
. The host requires the proteasome-ubiquitin system for an efficient decimation of intracellular
S. pneumoniae.
Murine AKAP7 Has a 2′,5′-Phosphodiesterase Domain That Can Complement an Inactive Murine Coronavirus ns2 Gene
Authors: Gusho Elona , Zhang Rong , Jha Babal K. , Thornbrough Joshua M. , Dong Beihua , Gaughan Christina , Elliott Ruth , Weiss Susan R. , Silverman Robert H.
Published: July 2014

Viral 2′,5′-phosphodiesterases (2′,5′-PDEs) help disparate RNA viruses evade the antiviral activity of interferon (IFN) by degrading 2′,5′-oligoadenylate (2-5A) activators of RNase L. A kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) bind the regulatory subunits of protein kinase A (PKA) to localize and organize cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling during diverse physiological processes. Among more than 43 AKAP isoforms, AKAP7 appears to be unique in its homology to viral 2′,5′-PDEs. Here we show that mouse AKAP7 rapidly degrades 2-5A with kinetics similar to that of murine coronavirus (mouse hepatitis virus [MHV]) strain A59 ns2 and human rotavirus strain WA VP3 proteins. To determine whether AKAP7 could substitute for a viral 2′,5′-PDE, we inserted AKAP7 cDNA into an MHV genome with an inactivated ns2 gene. The AKAP7 PDE domain or N-terminally truncated AKAP7 (both lacking a nuclear localization motif), but not full-length AKAP7 or a mutant, AKAP7H185R, PDE domain restored the infectivity of ns2 mutant MHV in bone marrow macrophages and in livers of infected mice. Interestingly, the AKAP7 PDE domain and N-terminally deleted AKAP7 were present in the cytoplasm (the site of MHV replication), whereas full-length AKAP7 was observed only in nuclei. We suggest the possibility that viral acquisition of the host AKAP7 PDE domain might have occurred during evolution, allowing diverse RNA viruses to antagonize the RNase L pathway.

IMPORTANCEEarly virus-host interactions determine whether an infection is established, highlighting the need to understand fundamental mechanisms regulating viral pathogenesis. Recently, our laboratories reported a novel mode of regulation of the IFN antiviral response. We showed that the coronavirus MHV accessory protein ns2 antagonizes the type I IFN response, promoting viral replication and hepatitis. ns2 confers virulence by cleaving 2′,5′-oligoadenylate (2-5A) activators of RNase L in macrophages. We also reported that the rotavirus VP3 C-terminal domain (VP3-CTD) cleaves 2-5A and that it may rescue ns2 mutant MHV. Here we report that a cellular protein, AKAP7, has an analogous 2′,5′-phosphodiesterase (2′,5′-PDE) domain that is able to restore the growth of chimeric MHV expressing inactive ns2. The proviral effect requires cytoplasmic localization of the AKAP7 PDE domain. We speculate that AKAP7 is the ancestral precursor of viral proteins, such as ns2 and VP3, that degrade 2-5A to evade the antiviral activity of RNase L.
Conservation of Transcription Start Sites within Genes across a Bacterial Genus
Authors: Shao Wenjun , Price Morgan N. , Deutschbauer Adam M. , Romine Margaret F. , Arkin Adam P.
Published: July 2014

Transcription start sites (TSSs) lying inside annotated genes, on the same or opposite strand, have been observed in diverse bacteria, but the function of these unexpected transcripts is unclear. Here, we use the metal-reducing bacterium
Shewanella oneidensis
MR-1 and its relatives to study the evolutionary conservation of unexpected TSSs. Using high-resolution tiling microarrays and 5′-end RNA sequencing, we identified 2,531 TSSs in
S. oneidensis
MR-1, of which 18% were located inside coding sequences (CDSs). Comparative transcriptome analysis with seven additional
Shewanella
species revealed that the majority (76%) of the TSSs within the upstream regions of annotated genes (gTSSs) were conserved. Thirty percent of the TSSs that were inside genes and on the sense strand (iTSSs) were also conserved. Sequence analysis around these iTSSs showed conserved promoter motifs, suggesting that many iTSS are under purifying selection. Furthermore, conserved iTSSs are enriched for regulatory motifs, suggesting that they are regulated, and they tend to eliminate polar effects, which confirms that they are functional. In contrast, the transcription of antisense TSSs located inside CDSs (aTSSs) was significantly less likely to be conserved (22%). However, aTSSs whose transcription was conserved often have conserved promoter motifs and drive the expression of nearby genes. Overall, our findings demonstrate that some internal TSSs are conserved and drive protein expression despite their unusual locations, but the majority are not conserved and may reflect noisy initiation of transcription rather than a biological function.

IMPORTANCE
The first step of gene expression is the initiation of transcription from promoters, which have been traditionally thought to be located upstream of genes. Recently, studies showed that in diverse bacteria, promoters are often located inside genes. It has not been clear if these unexpected promoters are important to the organism or if they result from transcriptional noise. Here, we identify and examine promoters in eight related bacterial species. Promoters that lie within genes on the sense strand are often conserved as locations and in their sequences. Furthermore, these promoters often affect the bacterium’s growth. Thus, many of these unexpected promoters are likely functional. Fewer promoters that lie within genes on the antisense strand are conserved, but the conserved ones seem to drive the expression of nearby genes.
Rare event of biliary papillomatosis arising in a choledochal cyst
Authors: Nishant Kumar , Singh Varun Kumar , Sharma Barun Kumar
Published: July 2014

A 31-year-old man presented with features of recurrent cholangitis for 7 months. Examination revealed icterus and a palpable 10×8 cm lump in the right hypochondrium extending into the epigastrium. Total and direct bilirubin was raised (8.4, 6.7 mg/dL). Alkaline phosphatase (468 U/L) was raised but other liver enzymes were normal. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed dilated intrahepatic biliary radicals (IHBRs) and common hepatic duct (CHD) with a significant intrahepatic portion. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen showed similar findings. MR cholangiopancreatography demonstrated diffusely dilated IHBRs and choledochal cyst involving the CHD. The common bile duct was mildly dilated without any filling defect. Tumour markers (carcinoembryonic antigen and cancer antigen 19-9) were normal. The patient underwent complete excision of the extrahepatic biliary system including choledochal cyst and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Opening up the bile duct showed very thick gelatinous material and multiple pedunculated papillary type structures arising from the wall of the choledochal cyst.
Cemented total hip arthroplasty with retention of some existing hardware
Authors: Judas Fernando Monteiro , Rodrigues Joana Bento , Lucas Francisco Manuel , Freitas João Paulo
Published: July 2014

We report a case of a 63-year-old man who presented an end stage hip osteoarthritis 42 years after a proximal femoral osteotomy performed for the treatment of an intracapsular femoral neck fracture. A cemented total hip arthroplasty was implanted using a standard posterior approach. The osteotomy hardware was totally covered with a new cortical bone formation. A layer of bone tissue was removed, the screw heads were broken and the nail plate was also removed. The screw threaded portions were retained because they did not interfere with cemented femoral stem implantation. Fourteen years after total hip arthroplasty, the patient reported no pain and expressed high satisfaction with the surgery. The hip radiograph showed wear of the polyethylene cup and no periprosthetic osteolysis. Retention of hardware can be considered, especially in patients who have had hardware for several years, without any negative symptoms.
What is the current NHS service provision for patients severely affected by chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis? A national scoping exercise
Authors: McDermott Clare , Al Haddabi Atheer , Akagi Hiroko , Selby Michelle , Cox Diane , Lewith George
Published: July 2014

Background

Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), in its most severe clinical presentation, can result in patients becoming housebound and bedbound so unable to access most available specialist services. This presents particular clinical risks and treatment needs for which the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises specialist medical care and monitoring. The extent of National Health Service (NHS) specialist provision in England for severe CFS/ME is currently unknown.

Objectives

To establish the current NHS provision for patients with severe CFS/ME in England.

Setting and participants

All 49 English NHS specialist CFS/ME adult services in England, in 2013.

Method

Cross-sectional survey by email questionnaire.

Primary outcome measures

Adherence to NICE guidelines for severe CFS/ME.

Results

All 49 services replied (100%). 33% (16/49) of specialist CFS/ME services provided no service for housebound patients. 55% (27/49) services did treat patients with severe CFS/ME and their interventions followed the NICE guidelines. The remaining services (12%, 6/49) offered occasional or minimal support where funding allowed. There was one NHS unit providing specialist inpatient CFS/ME provision in England.

Conclusions

Study findings highlight substantial variation in access to specialist care for patients with severe presentation of CFS/ME. Where treatment was provided, this appeared to comply with NICE recommendations for this patient group.
Posterior circulation flow diversion: a single-center experience and literature review
Authors: Toth Gabor , Bain Mark , Hussain M Shazam , Moskowitz Shaye , Masaryk Thomas , Rasmussen Peter , Hui Ferdinand
Published: July 2014

Background

Flow diverters have been used predominantly for large anterior circulation aneurysms. Data on the safety and efficacy of this treatment for posterior circulation aneurysms are limited.

Objective

To present our posterior circulation flow diverter experience, outcomes and morbidity in comparison with recent studies.

Methods

A retrospective chart and imaging review of six patients with seven aneurysms in posterior circulation vessels, treated with flow diverter technology was carried out. A literature review was performed using standard online search tools.

Results

We included five saccular and two fusiform posterior circulation aneurysms. An average of two flow diverters was placed for each patient. Adjunctive coiling was used in three cases. Follow-up at an average of 14.5 months showed complete angiographic occlusion in 4 (57.1%) cases, including one patient with in-stent thrombosis and major brainstem stroke at 4.5 months, a week after self-discontinuing dual antiplatelet therapy. Two other patients developed small periprocedural strokes but had excellent recovery. One death occurred 18 months after the initial procedure. No aneurysm rupture or parenchymal hemorrhage was seen. Overall, 5 (71%) cases, all with saccular aneurysms, had good clinical outcome (modified Rankin score (mRS) 0–1). Fusiform basilar aneurysms had markedly worse outcomes (mRS 5 and 6). Our literature review yielded six other studies with 100 additional patients. Overall, good outcome was seen in 74.3%, with a 12.3% average mortality and 11% permanent neurologic deficit rate. Complete occlusion varied from 43% to 100%.

Conclusions

Flow diversion may be a possible treatment in carefully selected patients with high-risk atypical posterior circulation aneurysms, with poor natural history and no optimal treatment strategy. Symptomatic and fusiform large aneurysms appear to carry the highest risk. Further studies are necessary to assess the role of flow diversion in the posterior circulation.
Physiology, genetics, and biochemistry of carbon metabolism in the alphaproteobacteriumSinorhizobium meliloti
Authors: Geddes Barney A. , Oresnik Ivan J.
Published: July 2014

A large proportion of genes within a genome encode proteins that play a role in metabolism. The Alphaproteobacteria are a ubiquitous group of bacteria that play a major role in a number of environments. For well over 50 years, carbon metabolism in Rhizobium has been studied at biochemical and genetic levels. Here, we review the pre- and post-genomics literature of the metabolism of the alphaproteobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti. This review provides an overview of carbon metabolism that is useful to readers interested in this organism and to those working on other organisms that do not follow other model system paradigms.
Simulation study of traffic accidents on a three-lane highway
Authors: Chang Jau-Yang , Lai Wun-Cing
Published: July 2014

Unsuitable driving behaviors often lead to the occurrence of traffic accidents. To reduce accidents and to prolong human life, simulated investigations are highly desirable to evaluate the effect of traffic safety in terms of number of traffic accidents. In this paper, a three-lane traffic flow model is proposed to analyze the probability of the occurrence of traffic accidents on highway. We define appropriate driving rules for the forward moving and lane changing of the vehicles. Three types of vehicle accidents are designed to investigate the relationships between different driving behaviors and traffic accidents. We simulate four road driving strategies, and compute the traffic flow, velocity, lane-changing frequency and the probability of the occurrence of traffic accidents for different road driving strategies. According to the simulation and analysis, it is shown that the probability of the occurrence of traffic accidents can be reduced by using the specified road driving strategies. Additionally, we found that the occurrence of traffic accidents can be avoided when the slow vehicles are suitably constrained to move on a three-lane highway.
Shifts of generators and delta sets of numerical monoids
Authors: Chapman S. T. , Kaplan Nathan , Lemburg Tyler , Niles Andrew , Zlogar Christina
Published: July 2014

Let S be a numerical monoid with minimal generating set 〈n1, …, nt〉. For m ∈ S, if [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is called a factorization length of m. We denote by ℒ(m) = {m1, …, mk} (where mi < mi+1 for each 1 ≤ i < k) the set of all possible factorization lengths of m. The Delta set of m is defined by Δ(m) = {mi+1 - mi | 1 ≤ i < k} and the Delta set of S by Δ(S) = ⋃m∈SΔ(m). In this paper, we expand on the study of Δ(S) begun in [C. Bowles, S. T. Chapman, N. Kaplan and D. Reiser, On delta sets of numerical monoids, J. Algebra Appl. 5 (2006) 1–24] in the following manner. Let r1, r2, …, rt be an increasing sequence of positive integers and Mn = 〈n, n + r1, n + r2, …, n + rt〉 a numerical monoid where n is some positive integer. We prove that there exists a positive integer N such that if n > N then |Δ(Mn)| = 1. If t = 2 and r1 and r2 are relatively prime, then we determine a value for N which is sharp.
A kinetic theory approach to the dynamics of crowd evacuation from bounded domains
Authors: Agnelli J. P. , Colasuonno F. , Knopoff D.
Published: July 2014

A mathematical model of the evacuation of a crowd from bounded domains is derived by a hybrid approach with kinetic and macro-features. Interactions at the micro-scale, which modify the velocity direction, are modeled by using tools of game theory and are transferred to the dynamics of collective behaviors. The velocity modulus is assumed to depend on the local density. The modeling approach considers dynamics caused by interactions of pedestrians not only with all the other pedestrians, but also with the geometry of the domain, such as walls and exits. Interactions with the boundary of the domain are non-local and described by games. Numerical simulations are developed to study evacuation time depending on the size of the exit zone, on the initial distribution of the crowd and on a parameter which weighs the unconscious attraction of the stream and the search for less crowded walking directions.
Long-time existence of classical solutions to a one-dimensional swelling gel
Authors: Calderer M. Carme , Chen Robin Ming
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we derived a model which describes the swelling dynamics of a gel and study the system in one-dimensional geometry with a free boundary. The governing equations are hyperbolic with a weakly dissipative source. Using a mass-Lagrangian formulation, the free boundary is transformed into a fixed boundary. We prove the existence of long-time C1-solutions to the transformed fixed boundary problem.
Mechanisms of large red-shift and intensity enhancement of absorption bands by π-bond breaking in a benzoporphyrin sensitizer for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Fujisawa Jun-ichi , Hirakawa Kazutaka
Published: July 2014

A free-base monobenzoporphyrin photosensitizer called verteporfin for photodynamic therapy (PDT) has a benzopyrrole ring with a partial π-bond breaking. The π-bond breaking significantly red-shifts the absorption band (so-called Qy-band) to 688 nm and enhances the absorption intensity. In this paper, we theoretically study the mechanisms of the red-shift and intensity enhancement in verteporfin. Density functional analysis at the B3LYP-6-31G(d,p) level of theory reveals that the π-bond breaking increases the energies of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and second lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO+1) by 0.28 and 0.11 eV, respectively, and decreases the energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) by 0.08 eV, in contrast to the unmoving second lowest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO-1). In the consequence of the higher energy shift of the HOMO and lower energy shift of the LUMO, the HOMO–LUMO gap is significantly narrowed. Therefore, the absorption red-shift in verteporfin is attributed to the HOMO–LUMO gap narrowing. On the other hand, the molecular-orbital shifts split the four electronically excited states, (HOMO, LUMO), (HOMO, LUMO+1), (HOMO-1, LUMO), and (HOMO-1, LUMO+1). The splitting weakens the configuration interactions between the excited states, which enhances the transition probability of the Qy-band.
SWIRLING FLOW OF FIELD DEPENDENT VISCOUS FERROFLUID OVER A POROUS ROTATING DISK WITH HEAT TRANSFER
Authors: RAM PARAS , KUMAR VIKAS
Published: July 2014

The purpose of present study is to investigate the effects of field dependent viscosity on swirling flow of an incompressible electrically non-conducting ferrofluid over a porous rotating disk with suction and heat transfer at the wall. Karman's similarity transformations are used to convert the governing boundary layer equations involved in the problem to a system of nonlinear coupled differential equations. The solution of this system is obtained by using a second-order numerical scheme which combines the features of Finite Difference method and Newton's zero finding algorithms. The flow characteristics including velocity and temperature profiles and boundary layer displacement thickness are studied for various values of MFD (magnetic field dependent) viscosity and suction parameter. Beside these, skin friction coefficients and the rate of heat transfer are also calculated on the surface of the disk. Magnetic field dependent viscosity and suction at the surface of porous rotating disk affect significantly the velocity and temperatures fields, rate of heat transfer and other flow characteristics in the generated ferrofluid boundary layer.
A Vessel Active Contour Model for Vascular Segmentation
Authors: Tian Yun , Chen Qingli , Wang Wei , Peng Yu , Wang Qingjun , Duan Fuqing , Wu Zhongke , Zhou Mingquan
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes a vessel active contour model based on local intensity weighting and a vessel vector field. Firstly, the energy function we define is evaluated along the evolving curve instead of all image points, and the function value at each point on the curve is based on the interior and exterior weighted means in a local neighborhood of the point, which is good for dealing with the intensity inhomogeneity. Secondly, a vascular vector field derived from a vesselness measure is employed to guide the contour to evolve along the vessel central skeleton into thin and weak vessels. Thirdly, an automatic initialization method that makes the model converge rapidly is developed, and it avoids repeated trails in conventional local region active contour models. Finally, a speed-up strategy is implemented by labeling the steadily evolved points, and it avoids the repeated computation of these points in the subsequent iterations. Experiments using synthetic and real vessel images validate the proposed model. Comparisons with the localized active contour model, local binary fitting model, and vascular active contour model show that the proposed model is more accurate, efficient, and suitable for extraction of the vessel tree from different medical images.
Urban and Indoor Weak Signal Tracking Using an Array Tracker with MVA and Nonlinear Filtering
Authors: Ding Jicheng , Zhang Guoli , Zhao Lin
Published: July 2014

We focus on the need for weak GPS signal tracking technique at a receiver powered on in urban or indoor environment; the tracking loop is unlocked and data bit edge position is unknown. A modified Viterbi algorithm (MVA) based on dynamic programming is developed and it is applied to GPS bit synchronization to improve bit edge position detection probability. Meanwhile, two combination carrier tracking schemes based on central difference Kalman filter (CDKF) and MVA module are designed for tracking very weak GPS signal. The testing results indicate that the methods can successfully detect bit edge position with high detection probability whether or not the tracking loop is locked. The tested combination tracking scheme is still able to work well when the signal quality deteriorates to 20 dB-Hz without additional large store space.
Previous Early Antenatal Service Utilization Improves Timely Booking: Cross-Sectional Study at University of Gondar Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Belayneh Tadesse , Adefris Mulat , Andargie Gashaw
Published: July 2014

Background.Early booking of antenatal care (ANC) is regarded as a cornerstone of maternal and neonatal health care. However, existing evidence from developing countries indicate that lots of pregnant woman begin ANC booking lately.Objective.It was aimed to assess timing of ANC booking and associated factors among pregnant women attending ANC clinic at University of Gondar Hospital, 2013.Methods.An institution based cross-sectional study design was used to collect data with a face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was used to identify associated factors for early ANC visit using SPSS version 20.Results.From total women (N = 369) interviewed, 47.4% were timely booked. Mothers with younger age (AOR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.89, 10.53), formal education (AOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03, −7.61), previous early ANC visit (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI: 2.23, 9.86), and perceived ANC visit per pregnancy of four and greater were significantly associated with early ANC visit.Conclusions.Although late booking is a problem in this study, previous early utilization of ANC visit favors current timely booking. This indicates that the importance of early booking was appropriately addressed from previous visits. Counseling of timely booking during ANC visit should be strengthened. Moreover, empowering through education is also recommended.
CHADS2Scores in the Prediction of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Cushing’s Syndrome
Authors: Wang Yuh-Feng , Chuang Mei-Hua , Chuang Tzyy-Ling , Huang Kung-Yung , Lyu Shaw-Ruey , Huang Chih-Yuan , Lee Ching-Chih
Published: July 2014

Vascular events are one of the major causes of death in case of Cushing’s syndrome (CS). However, due to the relative low frequency of CS, it is hard to perform a risk assessment for these events. As represented congestive heart failure (C), hypertension (H), age (A), diabetes (D), and stroke (S), the CHADS2score is now accepted to classify the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with atrial fibrillation. In this study, participants were enrolled from the National Health Research Institute Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan, and we reviewed 551 patients with their sequential clinically diagnosed CS data between 2002 and 2009 in relation to MACEs risk using CHADS2score. Good correlation could be identified between the CS and CHADS2score(AUC=0.795). Our results show that patients with CS show significantly higher risk of vascular events and the CHADS2score could be applied for MACEs evaluation. Adequate lifestyle modifications and aggressive cardiovascular risks treatment are suggested for CS patients with higher CHADS2score.
The Tooth and Skin Colour Interrelationship across the Different Ethnic Groups
Authors: Haralur Satheesh B. , Dibas Ahmed Mohammed , Almelhi Nabil Abdullah , Al-Qahtani Dhafer Ali
Published: July 2014

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relation between skin and tooth colour parameters in various ethnic groups.Materials and Methods. Saudi Arabian, Indian, African, and East Asian ethnic groups of 75 each were included in the study. The tooth colour was determined by spectrophotometer in CIELAB parameters. The skin colour was measured at earlobe, forehead, and malar locations by clinical skin photography. The data was statistically analysed by one-way ANOVA and correlation tests.Results. The “L” vale for the Saudi Arabian group had a strong correlation at earlobe location (r=0.275), while correlation was found at forehead (r=0.271) and malar region (r=0.261) with Indian ethnic group. A strong negative correlation was observed in African ethnic group at all three locations for “L” parameter. The redness value “a” is found to have strong negative linear correlation between the earlobe and tooth for Saudi Arabian (r=-0.240) and Indian ethnic groups (r=-0.268). The “b” showed no correlation with skin location in all groups except positive correlation in African ethnic groups.Conclusions. The strong correlation was found between the skin and tooth colour parameters; hence the skin colour can be used as a guide for artificial tooth selection in edentulous patients.
Enhanced Colouration Efficiency of Pulsed DC Magnetron Sputtered WO3 Films Cycled in H2SO4 Electrolyte Solution
Authors: Punitha K. , Sivakumar R. , Sanjeeviraja C.
Published: July 2014

In the present investigation, we report on DC power and pulsing frequency induced changes in electrochromic properties of pulsed DC magnetron sputtered WO3 films by intercalating/deintercalating H+ ions from 0.1 M H2SO4 electrolyte solution. The observed efficient colouration ↔ bleaching mechanism of WO3 films confirms the effective electrochromic nature of the films associated with the electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation of H+ ions and electrons into WO3 lattice. The higher optical modulation was observed in the visible region of the optical transmittance spectra of colored and bleached WO3 films. The maximum coloration efficiency of 79 cm2/C was observed the first time for the film deposited at a DC power of 150 W and a pulsing frequency of 25 kHz.