bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quick starting contraception after emergency contraception: have clinical guidelines made a difference?
Authors: Simpson Janine , Craik Julie , Melvin Louise
Published: April 2014

Objective

When initiating contraception after emergency contraception (EC), conventional practice had been to wait until the next menses. Since 2010, UK guidelines have endorsed quick starting (QS) contraception, namely offering immediate start when requested. We conducted an audit to assess clinical practice before and after QS guidance publication.

Methods

A full cycle audit was performed on the clinical notes of women requesting EC during two 2-month periods in 2010 and 2011 in an Integrated Sexual Health Service. All case notes were identified using the National Sexual Health database of sexual health records (Scotland). Information was collated and interpreted using Microsoft Excel and SPSS V.17.

Results

During January and February 2010 and 2011, 190 and 180 women, respectively, attended for EC, of whom 96 and 97 were identified as potential quick starters. Between 2010 and 2011, a statistically significant increase in QS practice was noted from 20.8% (n=20) to 37.1% (n=36) (p=0.011), with a corresponding decrease in the percentage of women traditionally started on hormonal contraception (HC): 24% (n=23) and 14.6% (n=14), respectively. There was also a decrease in those advised to return for commencement of HC [55.2% (n=53) vs 49% (n=47)]. Of those advised to return, 26.4% (n=14) and 31.9% (n=15) had no further contact with the service within at least 6 months.

Conclusions

QS practice increased after the introduction of clinical guidelines. However, overall provision of HC remained low, with only around half of women prescribed a hormonal method.
Soil-water characteristic curves of clays
Authors: Tripathy Snehasis , Tadza Mohd Yuhyi M. , Thomas Hywel Rhys
Published: April 2014

The drying suction – water content soil-water characteristic curves (SWCCs) of three clays (MX80 bentonite, yellow bentonite, and Speswhite kaolin) were experimentally determined using axis-translation, vapour equilibrium, and osmotic techniques. The shrinkage paths of the clays were established from Clod tests. The suction – water content SWCCs in conjunction with the Clod test results enabled establishing the suction – degree of saturation SWCCs and further determination of the air-entry values (AEVs) of the clays. Chemical analyses of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions in the osmotic tests revealed an imbalance of the osmotic suctions between the expelled and the retained salts on either side of semi-permeable membranes. A decrease in the water content due to an applied suction for clays with significant osmotic efficiencies was explained by two mechanisms. In mechanism 1, the water content decrease prior to the air entry is controlled by the interparticle repulsive pressure, and in mechanism 2, a decrease in the degree of saturation following the air entry is primarily due to the matric suction. The agreements between the AEVs of the clays determined based on the osmotic suctions corresponding to various applied suctions and that determined from the suction – degree of saturation SWCCs were found to be very good.
Botryosphaeriales fungi produce extracellular enzymes with biotechnological potential
Authors: Esteves Ana Cristina , Saraiva Márcia , Correia António , Alves Artur
Published: April 2014

Phytopathogenic fungi are known for producing an arsenal of extracellular enzymes whose involvement in the infection mechanism has been suggested. However, these enzymes are largely unknown and their biotechnological potential also remains poorly understood. In this study, the production and thermostability of extracellular enzymes produced by phytopathogenic Botryosphaeriaceae was investigated. Hydrolytic and oxidative activities were detected and quantified at different temperatures. Most strains (70%; 37/53) were able to produce simultaneously cellulases, laccases, xylanases, pectinases, pectin lyases, amylases, lipases, and proteases. Surprisingly for mesophilic filamentous fungi, several enzymes proved to be thermostable: cellulases from Neofusicoccum mediterraneum CAA 001 and from Dothiorella prunicola CBS 124723, lipases from Diplodia pinea (CAA 015 and CBS 109726), and proteases from Melanops tulasnei CBS 116806 were more active at 70 °C than at any of the other temperatures tested. In addition, lipases produced by Diplodia pinea were found to be significantly more active than any other known lipase from Botryosphaeriales. The thermal activity profile and the wide array of activities secreted by these fungi make them optimal producers of biotechnologically relevant enzymes that may be applied in the food and the health industries (proteases), the pulp-and-paper and biofuel industries (cellulases), or even in the detergent industry (lipases, proteases, amylases, and cellulases).
Effect of disorder in the frustrated Ising FCC antiferromagnet: phase diagram and stretched exponential relaxation
Authors: Ngo V. Thanh , Hoang D. Tien , Diep H. T. , Campbell I. A.
Published: April 2014

In this paper, we study the phase transition in a face-centered-cubic antiferromagnet with Ising spins as a function of the concentration p of ferromagnetic bonds randomly introduced into the system. Such a model describes the spin-glass phase at strong bond disorder. Using the standard Monte Carlo simulation and the powerful Wang–Landau flat-histogram method, we carry out in this work intensive simulations over the whole range of p. We show that the first-order transition disappears with a tiny amount of ferromagnetic bonds, namely p ~ 0.01, in agreement with theories and simulations on other 3D models. The antiferromagnetic long-range order is also destroyed with a very small p (≃5%). With increasing p, the system changes into a spin glass and then to a ferromagnetic phase when p > 0.65. The phase diagram in the space (Tc, p) shows an asymmetry, unlike the case of the ±J Ising spin glass on the simple cubic lattice. We calculate the relaxation time around the spin-glass transition temperature and we show that the spin autocorrelation follows a stretched exponential relaxation law where the factor b is equal to ≃1/3 at the transition as suggested by the percolation-based theory. This value is in agreement with experiments performed on various spin glasses and with Monte Carlo simulations on different SG models.
Magnetoelectric effect in a hydrogen molecule
Authors: Brechet Sylvain D. , Reuse Francois A. , Maschke Klaus , Ansermet Jean-Philippe
Published: April 2014

The symmetry breaking due to a magnetic field applied on a hydrogen molecule H2 generates an electric polarization. This magnetoelectric effect occurs for electrons in a triplet state provided the magnetic induction field is not aligned with the symmetry axis of the molecule.
A cosmology of a trans-Planckian theory and dark energy
Authors: Bolognesi S.
Published: April 2014

We investigate a model based on a generalized version of the Fourier transform for curved spacetime manifolds. This model is possible if the metric has an asymptotic flat region which allows a duality to be implement between coordinates and momenta, hence, the model's name, trans-Planckian. The theory and the action are based on the postulate of the absolute egalitarian relation between coordinates x and momenta p. We show how to implement this construction in a cosmological setting, on a Friedman–Robertson–Walker (FRW) metric background, where the asymptotic time infinity plays the role of the required asymptotic flat region. We discuss the effect of gravity, and, in particular, of the Hubble expansion of the universe scale factor on the Fourier map. The dual-inflationary stage is responsible for making the dual-sector of the action inaccessible at ordinary low energies. We propose a scenario in which an effective positive cosmological constant is caused by how the dual-sector of the theory affects the equation of state for matter particles.
A SEQUENTIAL LEARNING METHOD FOR DETECTION AND CLASSIFICATION OF EXUDATES IN RETINAL IMAGES TO ASSESS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Authors: PONNIBALA M. , VIJAYACHITRA S.
Published: April 2014

One of the greatest concerns to the personnel in the current health care sector is the severe progression of diabetes. People can often have diabetes and be completely unaware as the symptoms seem harmless when they are seen on their own. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is an eye disease that is associated with long-standing diabetes. Retinopathy can occur with all types of diabetes and can lead to blindness if left untreated. The conventional method followed by ophthalmologists is the regular testing of the retina. As this method takes time and energy of the ophthalmologists, a new feature-based automated technique for classification and detection of exudates in color fundus image is proposed in this paper. This method reduces the work of the professionals while examining every fundus image rather than only on abnormal image. The exudates are detected from the color fundus image by applying a few pre-processing techniques that remove the optic disk and similar blood vessels using morphological operations. The pre-processed image was then applied for feature extraction and these features were utilized for classification purpose. In this paper, a novel classification technique such as self-adaptive resource allocation network (SRAN) and meta-cognitive neural network (McNN) classifier is employed for classification of images as exudates, their severity and nonexudates. SRAN classifier makes use of self-adaptive thresholds to choose the appropriate training samples and removes the redundant samples to prevent over-training. These selected samples are availed to improve the classification performance. McNN classifier employs human-like meta-cognition to regulate the sequential learning process. The meta-cognitive component controls the learning process in the cognitive component by deciding what-to-learn, when-to-learn and how-to-learn. It is therefore evident that the implementation of human meta-cognitive learning principle improves efficient learning.
ANALYSIS OF STRAIN-RATE DEPENDENT MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF SINGLE CHONDROCYTE: A FINITE ELEMENT STUDY
Authors: NGUYEN TRUNG DUNG , GU YUANTONG , OLOYEDE ADEKUNLE , SENADEERA WIJITHA
Published: April 2014

Various studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of impact loading on cartilage damage and chondrocyte death. These have shown that the rate and magnitude of the applied strain significantly influence chondrocyte death, and that cell death occurred mostly in the superficial zone of cartilage suggesting the need to further understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying the chondrocytes death induced at certain levels of strain-rate. To date there is no comprehensive study providing insight on this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to examine the strain-rate dependent behavior of a single chondrocyte using a computational approach based on finite element method (FEM). An FEM model was developed using various mechanical models, which were standard Neo-Hookean solid (SnHS), porohyperelastic (PHE) and poroviscohyperelastic (PVHE) to simulate atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments of chondrocyte. The PVHE showed, it can capture both relaxation and loading rate dependent behaviors of chondrocytes, accurately compared to other models.
MICROSTRUCTURE MODELING AND PREDICTION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ADVANCED HIGH STRENGTH STEELS
Authors: ASGARI ALIREZA , ROLFE BERNARD F. , HODGSON PETER D.
Published: April 2014

Dual phase (DP) steels were modeled using 2D and 3D representative volume elements (RVE). Both the 2D and 3D models were generated using the Monte-Carlo-Potts method to represent the realistic microstructural details. In the 2D model, a balance between computational efficiency and required accuracy in truly representing heterogeneous microstructure was achieved. In the 3D model, a stochastic template was used to generate a model with high spatial fidelity. The 2D model proved to be efficient for characterization of the mechanical properties of a DP steel where the effect of phase distribution, morphology and strain partitioning was studied. In contrast, the current 3D modeling technique was inefficient and impractical due to significant time cost. It is shown that the newly proposed 2D model generation technique is versatile and sufficiently accurate to capture mechanical properties of steels with heterogeneous microstructure.
Magnetic fabric of ignimbrites: a case study from the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province
Authors: Agrò Alessandro , Zanella Elena , Le Pennec Jean-Luc , Temel Abidin
Published: April 2014

The magnetic fabric of the Pliocene Kızılkaya ignimbrite in the Central Anatolian Volcanic Province has been investigated by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) and isothermal remanent magnetization (AIRM). Seven sections were sampled at various stratigraphic heights within the devitrified portion of the ignimbrite. The magnetic mineralogy is complex: titanomagnetite occurs as magmatic grains, and as inclusions in other phenocryst and glass shards; an oxidized phase and hematite occur in deposit levels affected by alteration processes. The disturbance produced by lithic and pumice clasts has been reduced by discarding the specimens that deviate more than ±1σ from the site mean value of the density. The AMS fabric varies along each individual section. Neither the AMS magnetic lineation nor the magnetic foliation plunge clearly define a common area as the vent location. The AIRM fabric of low-coercivity minerals, mainly represented by free titanomagnetite grains of magmatic origin, is consistent between sites and the inferred flow directions converge on a region near Derinkuyu, in the Nevsehir plateau, previously reported as the Kızılkaya ignimbrite source area. This study shows that systematic use of the remanent fabric improves the results given by AMS and aids the identification of the primary magnetic fabric related to the ignimbrite emplacement dynamics.
Neogene landscape evolution in the Andes of north-central Chile between 28 and 32°S: interplay between tectonic and erosional processes
Authors: Rodríguez María Pía , Aguilar Germán , Urresty Constanza , Charrier Reynaldo
Published: April 2014

We combine geomorphological analysis of palaeosurfaces and U–Pb zircon geochronology of overlying tuffs to reconstruct the Neogene landscape evolution in north-central Chile (28–32°S). Prior to the Early Miocene, a pediplain dominated the landscape of the present-day Coastal Cordillera. The pediplain was offset during the Early (Middle?) Miocene, leading to uplift of the present-day eastern Coastal Cordillera and to the formation of a secondary topographic front. During the Late Miocene, the entire Coastal Cordillera was uplifted, with resulting deposition taking place within river valleys similar to those of the present day. A new pediplain developed on top of these deposits between the Early to Middle Pleistocene and was finally uplifted post-500 ka. These three major uplift stages correlate with episodes of increased deformation widely recognized throughout the Central Andes, starting after a Late Oligocene–Early Miocene episode of increased plate convergence. North of 30°S, the previous palaeotopography along the western Coastal Cordillera probably influenced Neogene landscape evolution. The presence of an inherited palaeotopography together with a strong decrease of precipitation to the north of 30°S would have determined differences in landscape development between this area and the area to the south of 30°S since the Early Miocene.
Hydrothermal fluids in epithermal and porphyry Au deposits in the Central Slovakia Volcanic Field
Authors: Koděra Peter , Lexa Jaroslav , Fallick Anthony E. , Wälle Markus , Biroň Adrián
Published: April 2014

The Neogene Central Slovakia Volcanic Field in the Carpathian arc contains various Au deposits, hosted by central zones of large andesite stratovolcanoes. Fluids involved in mineralization have been studied at three different types of deposit, mostly by fluid inclusion and stable isotope techniques. The Rozália mine in the Štiavnica stratovolcano hosts intermediate sulphidation-style Au–Ag epithermal mineralization in subhorizontal veins related to hydrothermal activity during an early stage of caldera collapse. Associated fluids of low salinity underwent extensive boiling at 280–330 °C on transition from suprahydrostatic towards hydrodynamic conditions at shallow depths (
c.
550 m) from fluids of mixed magmatic and meteoric origin. The Kremnica ore field hosts a large system of low sulphidation-style Au–Ag veins contemporaneous with rhyolite magmatism and situated on resurgent horst faults. Fluids were of low salinity, predominantly of meteoric origin, and showed gradual decrease in temperature along the system (
c.
270–140 °C) related to a decrease in erosion level from
c.
500 to
c.
50 m. The Biely Vrch Au-porphyry deposit in the Javorie stratovolcano is associated with quartz stockwork in diorite porphyry intrusion. The major type of ore-bearing fluid was high temperature magmatic vapour (720–<380 °C) accompanied by Fe-rich salt melt. Gold precipitated in a high-temperature but low-pressure subvolcanic environment.

Supplementary material:

Stable isotope data and fluid inclusion microthermometric data are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18752
.
Investigating the occurrence of hierarchies of cyclicity in platform carbonates
Authors: Pollitt D. A. , Burgess P. M. , Wright V. P.
Published: April 2014

Hierarchies of cyclicity have been described from a wide variety of carbonate platform strata and are assumed to be a consequence of Milankovitch-forced variations in accommodation, although descriptions of hierarchical strata, including ‘cycles’ and what they constitute, are typically qualitative, subjective, and in some cases difficult to reproduce. One reason for this is the lack of any detailed definition of what constitutes a hierarchy, as well as the implicit and largely untested nature of the assumptions underpinning most interpretations of hierarchical strata.

In this study we aim to investigate the response of depositional systems if they were to behave in the way implied by sequence stratigraphic (hierarchical) models, to clearly state the assumptions of these models, and illustrate the consequences of these assumptions when they are employed in a simple, internally-consistent forward model with plausible parameters.

We define hierarchies, in both the time-domain (chronostratigraphic) and thickness-domain (stratigraphic), as two or more high-frequency sequences (HFSs) in which there exists a repeated trend of decreasing high-frequency sequence thickness such that within a single low-frequency sequence (LFS) each high-frequency sequence is thinner than the previous sequence.

Based on this definition, results from 110 000 numerical model runs suggest that ordered forcing via cyclical eustatic sea-level oscillations rarely results in an easily identifiable hierarchy of stacked cycles. Hierarchies measured in the chronostratigraphic time-domain occur in only 9% of model run cases, and in 15% of cases when measured in the thickness-domain, suggesting that vertical thickness trends are probably not a useful way to identify products of ordered periodic external forcing. Variability in relative forcing periodicity results in significant variation in both HFS and LFS thickness trends making accurate identification of hierarchy and any forcing controls from thickness data alone very difficult. Comparison between model results and outcrop sections suggests that hierarchies are often assumed to be present despite a lack of adequate supporting evidence and quantitative analysis of these sections suggests that they are not hierarchical in any meaningful sense.
The importance of doing nothing: stasis in sedimentation systems and its stratigraphic effects
Authors: Tipper John C.
Published: April 2014

This paper puts forward the proposition that sedimentation systems generally are in stasis. Three lines of evidence suggest the proposition is largely correct: (1) considerations of how sedimentation systems necessarily operate, (2) observations of active systems, and (3) a re-evaluation of ideas about sedimentation rates. There are of course systems to which the proposition cannot apply. A simulation exercise is used to address questions about the stratigraphic effects of stasis. The results show (1) that sedimentation systems that generally are in stasis can be of a variety of types, (2) that stasis is readily preserved in stratigraphic successions, (3) that successions produced by a system in which the time proportion of stasis is high are markedly more complete than successions produced by other systems of the same type, (4) that the proportion of stasis in a system cannot be estimated reliably from stratigraphic successions produced by that system, and (5) that the stratigraphic succession finally left behind by a system is necessarily a systematically biased and partial record of the history of that system. What is always missing is that part of the history before the oldest preserved horizon, which for systems that are in long-term balance will on average be half of the total time.
Measurement and interpretation of electrocardiographic QT intervals in murine hearts
Authors: Zhang Yanmin , Wu JingJing , King James H. , Huang Christopher L.-H. , Fraser James A.
Published: April 2014

Alterations in ECG QT intervals correlate with the risk of potentially fatal arrhythmias, for which transgenic murine hearts are becoming increasingly useful experimental models. However, QT intervals are poorly defined in murine ECGs. As a consequence, several different techniques have been used to measure murine QT intervals. The present work develops a consistent measure of the murine QT interval that correlates with changes in the duration of ventricular myocyte action potentials (APs). Volume-conducted ECGs were compared with simultaneously recorded APs, obtained using floating intracellular microelectrodes in Langendorff-perfused mouse hearts. QT intervals were measured from the onset of the QRS complex. The interval, Q-APR90, measured to the time at 90% AP recovery, was compared with two measures of the QT interval. QT1 was measured to the recovery of the ECG trace to the isoelectric baseline for entirely positive T-waves or to the trough of any negative T-wave undershoot. QT2—used extensively in previous studies—was measured to the return of any ECG trough to the isoelectric baseline. QT1, but not QT2, closely correlated with changes in Q-APR90. These findings were confirmed over a range of pacing rates, in low K+ concentration solutions, and in Scn5a+/Δ KPQ hearts used to model human long QT syndrome. Application of this method in whole anesthetized mice similarly demonstrated a prolonged corrected QT (QTc) in Scn5a+/Δ KPQ hearts. We therefore describe a robust method for the determination of QT and QTc intervals that correlate with the duration of ventricular myocyte APs in murine hearts.
Aging increases capacitance and spontaneous transient outward current amplitude of smooth muscle cells from murine superior epigastric arteries
Authors: Hayoz Sebastien , Bradley Vanessa , Boerman Erika M. , Nourian Zahra , Segal Steven S. , Jackson William F.
Published: April 2014

Large conductance Ca2+-activated K+channels (BKCa) contribute to negative feedback regulation of smooth muscle cell (SMC) tone. However, the effects of aging on BKCafunction are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that aging alters SMC BKCafunction in superior epigastric arteries (SEAs) by using perforated patch recording of enzymatically isolated SMCs from 3- to 4-mo-old male C57BL/6 mice (Young) and 24- to 26-mo-old male C57BL/6 mice (Old). SMC capacitance from Young (15.7 ± 0.4 pF; n = 110) was less than Old (17.9 ± 0.5 pF; n = 104) ( P < 0.05). SMCs displayed spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) at membrane potentials more positive than −30 mV; depolarization increased STOC amplitude and frequency ( P < 0.05; n = 19–24). STOC frequency in Young (2.2 ± 0.6 Hz) was less than Old (4.2 ± 0.7 Hz) at −10 mV ( P < 0.05, n = 27–30), with no difference in amplitude (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 0.9 ± 0.1 pA/pF, respectively). At +30 mV, STOC amplitude in Young (3.2 ± 0.3 pA/pF) was less than Old (5.0 ± 0.5 pA/pF; P < 0.05, n = 61–67) with no difference in frequency (3.9 ± 0.4 vs. 3.2 ± 0.3 Hz, respectively). BKCablockers (1 μM paxilline, 100 nM iberiotoxin, 1 mM tetraethylammonium) or a ryanodine receptor antagonist (100 μM tetracaine) inhibited STOCs (n ≥ 6; P < 0.05 each). Western blots revealed increased expression of BKCaα-subunit protein in Old. Pressure myography revealed no effect of age on SEA maximal diameter, myogenic tone, or paxilline-induced constriction ( n = 10–12; P > 0.05). Enhanced functional expression of SMC BKCa-dependent STOCs in Old may represent an adaptation of resistance arteries to maintain functional integrity.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 activates TGF-β and stimulates fibroblast contraction of collagen gels
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsu , Kim HuiJung , Liu Xiangde , Sugiura Hisatoshi , Kohyama Tadashi , Fang Qiuhong , Wen Fu-Qiang , Abe Shinji , Wang Xingqi , Atkinson Jeffrey J. , Shipley James M. , Senior Robert M. , Rennard Stephen I.
Published: April 2014

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a matrix-degrading enzyme implicated in many biological processes, including inflammation. It is produced by many cells, including fibroblasts. When cultured in three-dimensional (3D) collagen gels, fibroblasts contract the surrounding matrix, a function that is thought to model the contraction that characterizes both normal wound repair and fibrosis. The current study was designed to evaluate the role of endogenously produced MMP-9 in fibroblast contraction of 3D collagen gels. Fibroblasts from mice lacking expression of MMP-9 and human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) transfected with MMP-9 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) were used. Fibroblasts were cast into type I collagen gels and floated in culture medium with or without transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 for 5 days. Gel size was determined daily using an image analysis system. Gels made from MMP-9 siRNA-treated human fibroblasts contracted less than control fibroblasts, as did fibroblasts incubated with a nonspecific MMP inhibitor. Similarly, fibroblasts cultured from MMP-9-deficient mice contracted gels less than did fibroblasts from control mice. Transfection of the MMP-9-deficient murine fibroblasts with a vector expressing murine MMP-9 restored contractile activity to MMP-9-deficient fibroblasts. Inhibition of MMP-9 reduced active TGF-β1 and reduced several TGF-β1-driven responses, including activity of a Smad3 reporter gene and production of fibronectin. Because TGF-β1 also drives fibroblast gel contraction, this suggests the mechanism for MMP-9 regulation of contraction is through the generation of active TGF-β1. This study provides direct evidence that endogenously produced MMP-9 has a role in regulation of tissue contraction of 3D collagen gels mediated by fibroblasts.
Epinephrine stimulation of anion secretion in the Calu-3 serous cell model
Authors: Banga Amiraj , Flaig Stephanie , Lewis Shanta , Winfree Seth , Blazer-Yost Bonnie L.
Published: April 2014

Calu-3 is a well-differentiated human bronchial cell line with the characteristics of the serous cells of airway submucosal glands. The submucosal glands play a major role in mucociliary clearance because they secrete electrolytes that facilitate airway hydration. Given the significance of both long- and short-term β-adrenergic receptor agonists in the treatment of respiratory diseases, it is important to determine the role of these receptors and their ligands in normal physiological function. The present studies were designed to characterize the effect of epinephrine, the naturally occurring β-adrenergic receptor agonist, on electrolyte transport of the airway serous cells. Interestingly, epinephrine stimulated two anion secretory channels, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator and a Ca2+-activated Cl− channel, with the characteristics of transmembrane protein 16A, thereby potentially altering mucociliary clearance via multiple channels. Consistent with the dual channel activation, epinephrine treatment resulted in increases in both intracellular cAMP and Ca2+. Furthermore, the present results extend previous reports indicating that the two anion channels are functionally linked.
Bacteriological Profile and Drug Resistance Patterns of Blood Culture Isolates in a Tertiary Care Nephrourology Teaching Institute
Authors: Gohel Kalpesh , Jojera Amit , Soni Shailesh , Gang Sishir , Sabnis Ravindra , Desai Mahesh
Published: April 2014

Blood stream infections can lead to life threatening sepsis and require rapid antimicrobial treatment. The organisms implicated in these infections vary with the geographical alteration. Infections caused by MDR organisms are more likely to increase the risk of death in these patients. The present study was aimed to study the profile of organisms causing bacteremia and understand antibiotic resistance patterns in our hospital. 1440 blood samples collected over a year from clinically suspected cases of bacteremia were studied. The isolates were identified by standard biochemical tests and antimicrobial resistance patterns were determined by CLSI guidelines. Positive blood cultures were obtained in 9.2% of cases of which Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 58.3% of cases with staph aureus predominance; gram negative bacteria accounted for 40.2% with enterobactereciea predominence; and 1.5% were fungal isolates. The most sensitive drugs for Gram-positive isolates were vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline and for Gram-negative were carbapenems, colistin, aminoglycosides, and tigecycline. The prevalence of MRSA and vancomycin resistance was 70.6% and 21.6%, respectively. ESBL prevalence was 39.6%. Overall low positive rates of blood culture were observed.
A Spherical Model Based Keypoint Descriptor and Matching Algorithm for Omnidirectional Images
Authors: Tong Guofeng , Chen Xue , Ye Ning
Published: April 2014

Omnidirectional images generally have nonlinear distortion in radial direction. Unfortunately, traditional algorithms such as scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) and Descriptor-Nets (D-Nets) do not work well in matching omnidirectional images just because they are incapable of dealing with the distortion. In order to solve this problem, a new voting algorithm is proposed based on the spherical model and the D-Nets algorithm. Because the spherical-based keypoint descriptor contains the distortion information of omnidirectional images, the proposed matching algorithm is invariant to distortion. Keypoint matching experiments are performed on three pairs of omnidirectional images, and comparison is made among the proposed algorithm, the SIFT and the D-Nets. The result shows that the proposed algorithm is more robust and more precise than the SIFT, and the D-Nets in matching omnidirectional images. Comparing with the SIFT and the D-Nets, the proposed algorithm has two main advantages: (a) there are more real matching keypoints; (b) the coverage range of the matching keypoints is wider, including the seriously distorted areas.
A Temporal Millimeter Wave Propagation Model for Tunnels Using Ray Frustum Techniques and FFT
Authors: Kwon Choonghyen , Kim Hayeon , Lee Haengseon , Choi Hyo Hyun , Byun Woo-jin , Kim Kwangseon
Published: April 2014

A temporal millimeter wave propagation model for tunnels is presented using ray frustum techniques and fast Fourier transform (FFT). To directly estimate or simulate effects of millimeter wave channel properties on the performance of communication services, time domain impulse responses of demodulated signals should be obtained, which needs rather large computation time. To mitigate the computational burden, ray frustum techniques are used to obtain frequency domain transfer function of millimeter wave propagation environment and FFT of equivalent low pass signals are used to retrieve demodulated waveforms. This approach is numerically efficient and helps to directly estimate impact of tunnel structures and surfaces roughness on the performance of millimeter wave communication services.
Coproximinality in the Space of Bounded Functions
Authors: Abu-Sirhan Eyad , Altawallbeh Zuhier
Published: April 2014

As a counterpart to best approximation in Banach spaces, the best coapproximation was introduced by Franchetti and Furi (1972). In this paper, we shall consider the relation between coproximinality of a nonempty subsetMof a Banach spaceXand ofC(S, M)inC(S, X).
Synthesis, Characterization, Electrochemistry, and Spectroscopic Properties of Some Anthracenyl Functionalized Phthalocyanine Complexes of Ruthenium(II)
Authors: Adeloye Adewale O. , Ajibade Peter A.
Published: April 2014

The synthesis of single- and double-decked anthracenyl functionalized ruthenium(II) phthalocyanine complexes has been achieved through a controlled electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction of the free unsubstituted ruthenium(II) phthalocyanine with preformed 9-bromo-10-(2,3-dimethylacrylic acid)-anthracene and/or 9-bromo-10-(2,3-dimethylacrylic acid)-dianthracene using 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as catalyst. The complexes were characterized by IR, UV-Vis, fluorescence,1H,13C NMR, and elemental analyses. A dimeric complex (C3R′′RuPc, whereR′′is 9-dianthracenyl-10-(2,3-dimethylacrylic acid), obtained as the major product of the dianthracenyl-substituted ruthenium phthalocyanine complex displays a strong near-infrared visible absorption band wavelength maxima at 1027 nm (ε=5.47×103 M−1 cm−1), with an interesting photoluminescent and electroredox active properties.
Interfacial Micromechanics in Fibrous Composites: Design, Evaluation, and Models
Authors: Lei Zhenkun , Li Xuan , Qin Fuyong , Qiu Wei
Published: April 2014

Recent advances of interfacial micromechanics in fiber reinforced composites using micro-Raman spectroscopy are given. The faced mechanical problems for interface design in fibrous composites are elaborated from three optimization ways: material, interface, and computation. Some reasons are depicted that the interfacial evaluation methods are difficult to guarantee the integrity, repeatability, and consistency. Micro-Raman study on the fiber interface failure behavior and the main interface mechanical problems in fibrous composites are summarized, including interfacial stress transfer, strength criterion of interface debonding and failure, fiber bridging, frictional slip, slip transition, and friction reloading. The theoretical models of above interface mechanical problems are given.
Apathy in Parkinson’s Disease: An Electrophysiological Study
Authors: Mathis Stéphane , Neau Jean-Philippe , Pluchon Claudette , Fargeau Marie-Noëlle , Karolewicz Stéphane , Iljicsov Anna , Gil Roger
Published: April 2014

In Parkinson’s disease (PD), apathy (or loss of motivation) is frequent. Nevertheless, the contribution of attentional disorders to its genesis is still not clearly known. We want to determine the relation existing between apathy and attentional disorders by using P300a (or novelty P3) as a marker of the attentional process. The study included 25 patients (13 women and 12 men) with PD for whom we have determined the relationship between automatic attention (represented by P300a) and motor status, apathy, executive dysfunction, mental flexibility, inhibitory control, and depression/anxiety. We have found a correlation between the apathy score and amplitude of novelty P300 during the ON period and also a correlation of the apathy score with a decrease in amplitude of P300 during the OFF period. In a linear regression model, changes in the P300a predicted the severity of apathy independently of any other variable. We concluded firstly that the reduction in amplitude of the P300a wave was a neurophysiological marker of apathy in PD and secondly that apathy led to both dopaminergic denervation (mesolimbic) and nondopaminergic (dorsolateral prefrontal-subcortical) dysfunction.
TiO2Microwave Synthesis, Electrophoretic Deposition of Thin Film, and Photocatalytic Properties for Methylene Blue and Methyl Red Dyes
Authors: Singh A. K. , Nakate Umesh T.
Published: April 2014

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of TiO2thin film was carried out at room temperature on low cost steel substrate using microwave synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) of TiO2. Synthesized NPs and EPD thin film were characterized at different stages of synthesis for its crystal structure, morphology, elemental analysis, and surface area. Spherical particle morphology and formation of TiO2were confirmed by scanning electron micrograph (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Synthesized NPs were formed in anatase phase having crystallite size of about 12.3 nm from Scherrer's formula using full width half maxima (FWHM). Surface area was found to be 43.52 m2/g by BET giving particle size of 33 nm. Photocatalytic (PC) behavior of TiO2NPs and EPD TiO2film on steel substrate was investigated under UV light for two commercial dyes and their photocatalysis efficiency was analyzed. NPs have shown better efficiency for methylene blue (MB) dye than EPD film whereas EPD film have shown higher PC activity for methyl red (MR) dye.
Empathy in Undergraduate Medical Students of Bangladesh: Psychometric Analysis and Differences by Gender, Academic Year, and Specialty Preferences
Authors: Mostafa Asma , Hoque Rozina , Mostafa Mohammad , Rana Md. Mashud , Mostafa Faisal
Published: April 2014

Empathy is considered to be associated with better patient compliance, satisfaction, and clinical outcomes. The aim of the study is to measure and examine empathy among a sample of undergraduate medical students of Bangladesh. It was a cross-sectional study and all the medical students of first through fifth year enrolled at Chattagram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital Medical College during the study period of 2014 were surveyed. Participants anonymously completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Medical Student version translated into Bengali language, a valid and reliable 20-item self-administered questionnaire. Principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation and Cronbach’s alpha coefficient were calculated to check validity and reliability of the scale. ANOVA was used to examine the differences in empathy between gender, academic years, and specialty preferences. The mean empathy score was 110.41 ± 13.59. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.88. There were significant associations between gender and empathy scores. The level of empathy in medical students gradually increases after clinical training in medical college. A nonsignificant difference was found between empathy scores and specialty preferences. It is suggested that the medical curriculum in Bangladesh should include more extensive program to promote empathy and other humanistic values among the medical students.
HPV11 Positive Endometrioid Carcinoma of the Endometrium with Signet-Ring Cells: Diagnostic Criteria and Review of the Literature
Authors: Pusiol Teresa
Published: April 2014

The presence of signet-ring cells in an endometrial adenocarcinoma is extremely uncommon and it is always necessary to rule out a metastatic neoplasm. We report a FIGO grade 2 endometrial carcinoma with a signet-ring cell component found in the curettage performed to a 53-year-old woman. The neoplastic proliferation was also found in the endometrium of the radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy. The uterine neoplasm invaded less than one-half of the myometrium (FIGO stage I B). Alcian blue showed the presence of mucin in the signet-ring cells. The patient was alive and without evidence of recurrence 14 months after surgery. Polymerase chain reaction method from paraffin-embedded tissue revealed the presence of human papilloma virus type 11. We have discussed the differential diagnosis of this kind of neoplasm and we have reviewed the literature on signet-ring cell carcinoma of the endometrium.
Buck-Boost/Forward Hybrid Converter for PV Energy Conversion Applications
Authors: Tseng Sheng-Yu , Chen Chien-Chih , Wang Hung-Yuan
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a charger and LED lighting (discharger) hybrid system with a PV array as its power source for electronic sign indicator applications. The charger adopts buck-boost converter which is operated in constant current mode to charge lead-acid battery and with the perturb and observe method to extract maximum power of PV arrays. Their control algorithms are implemented by microcontroller. Moreover, forward converter with active clamp circuit is operated in voltage regulation condition to drive LED for electronic sign applications. To simplify the circuit structure of the proposed hybrid converter, switches of two converters are integrated with the switch integration technique. With this approach, the proposed hybrid converter has several merits, which are less component counts, lighter weight, smaller size, and higher conversion efficiency. Finally, a prototype of LED driving system under output voltage of 10 V and output power of 20 W has been implemented to verify its feasibility. It is suitable for the electronic sign indicator applications.
Does an Association between the Idiopathic Left-Sided Varicocele and Eye Colour Exist?
Authors: Kumanov Philip , Robeva Ralitsa , Tomova Analia
Published: April 2014

The possible interrelation between male reproductive disorders and iris pigmentation is poorly understood. We have found a link between eye colour and the existence of adolescent varicocele. Therefore, we aimed to extend our investigation on the relationship between the eye colour and varicocele in adult men. 231 andrology outpatients from Caucasian origin were included in the study. The presence of varicocele, sperm disturbances, and the iris pigment of the patients were investigated. Left-sided varicocele was found in 93 adults. In the group of light-eyed men the prevalence of varicocele was significantly lower than among the dark-eyed men (15% versus 59.5%,P<0.001). No associations were found between the eye colour and disturbances in semen parameters in males with varicocele (P=0.419) and in those without varicocele (P=0.586). The present results in adult men suggest that the prevalence of varicocele could be associated with the iris pigment. A possible genetic linkage between the eye colour and the susceptibility to some disorders like varicocele could not be excluded. However, the iris pigmentation seems not to have a direct relationship with the sperm disturbances.
Assessment of the Impacts of Land Use Changes on Nonpoint Source Pollution Inputs Upstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Yang Huicai , Wang Guoqiang , Yang Yan , Xue Baolin , Wu Binbin
Published: April 2014

In recent years, land use upstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) has changed significantly because of the TGR project. In this study, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was examined for its ability to assess relationships between land use changes and nonpoint pollutant indexes upstream of the TGR. Results indicated that the SWAT model, calibrated with the adjusted parameters, could successfully reproduce the nonpoint indexes at the water quality monitoring sites in the two rivers. The different land use change types were shown to be sensitive to nonpoint pollutants in the study area. The land use change type from upland to water was the strongest influence on changes in total nitrogen and total phosphorus. An empirical regression equation between nonpoint indexes and different land use change types was developed for the study area by partial least squares regression (PLSR) as follows:Y=b0+∑i=1mbiXi. This regression equation was useful for evaluating the influence of land use change types on changes in nonpoint pollutants over a long time period. The results from this study may be useful for the TGR management and may help to reduce nonpoint pollutant loads into downstream water bodies.
Acute One-Cigarette Smoking Decreases Ghrelin Hormone in Saliva: A Pilot Study
Authors: Kaabi Yahia A. , Khalifa Mohiealdeen A.
Published: April 2014

Cigarette smoking is commonly associated with weight loss and mechanisms for these weight changes are still elusive. Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that works in a neuroendocrine fashion to stimulate hunger and the desire for food intake. Ghrelin is also secreted in saliva, probably to enhance food taste. In the current study, we tested the direct impact of acute cigarette smoking on total ghrelin found in saliva.Methods. Blood and saliva samples were collected from 30 healthy nonsmoker male volunteers before and after one-cigarette smoke. Total ghrelin in serum and saliva was measured by ELISA based method.Results. Data showed a statistically significant reduction in salivary ghrelin after smoking(P<0.0001). In serum, total ghrelin levels were not affected before and after smoking(P=0.1362). Additionally, positive correlation was observed between serum and salivary ghrelin before smoking(r=0.4143andP=0.0158); however, this correlation was lost after smoking(r=0.1147andP=0.5461).Conclusion. Acute one-cigarette smoking can negatively affect ghrelin levels in saliva that might contribute to the dull food taste in smokers.
Dynamic Assessment of Fibrinogen Adsorption and Secondary Structure Perturbation
Authors: Khot Gaurang , Kuforiji Folashade , Wright Rupert , Roach Paul
Published: April 2014

Fibrinogen is a protein being of prime importance for the initiation of clotting and thrombus formation, readily adsorbed onto surfaces presenting both hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature. The mechanism of adsorption, and thus the final presentation of this protein are therefore important for subsequent involvement for, for example, platelet adhesion. Biological activity can be controlled through careful consideration of material design; here we report kinetic assessment of fibrinogen adsorption onto plasma polymerised allylamine (hydrophilic) and hexane (hydrophobic) surfaces, using FTIR-ATR to inform on kinetics of adsorption, secondary structure evaluation, and orientational variation. Fibrinogen was found to respond differently to these two surfaces, adsorbing more rapidly to hydrophilic surfaces and losing an ordered secondary structure over a much longer timescale compared to hydrophobic surfaces.
Iterative Schemes by a New Generalized Resolvent for a Monotone Mapping and a Relatively Weak Nonexpansive Mapping
Authors: Wang Xian , Chen Jun-min , Tong Hui
Published: April 2014

We introduce a new generalized resolvent in a Banach space and discuss some of its properties. Using these properties, we obtain an iterative scheme for finding a point which is a fixed point of relatively weak nonexpansive mapping and a zero of monotone mapping. Furthermore, strong convergence of the scheme to a point which is a fixed point of relatively weak nonexpansive mapping and a zero of monotone mapping is proved.
Odd Jacobi Manifolds and Loday-Poisson Brackets
Authors: Bruce Andrew James
Published: April 2014

We construct a nonskew symmetric version of a Poisson bracket on the algebra of smooth functions on an odd Jacobi supermanifold. We refer to such Poisson-like brackets as Loday-Poisson brackets. We examine the relations between the Hamiltonian vector fields with respect to both the odd Jacobi structure and the Loday-Poisson structure. Furthermore, we show that the Loday-Poisson bracket satisfies the Leibniz rule over the noncommutative product derived from the homological vector field.
Necessary Condition for an Euler-Lagrange Equation on Time Scales
Authors: Dryl Monika , Torres Delfim F. M.
Published: April 2014

We prove a necessary condition for a dynamic integrodifferential equation to be an Euler-Lagrange equation. New and interesting results for the discrete and quantum calculus are obtained as particular cases. An example of a second order dynamic equation, which is not an Euler-Lagrange equation on an arbitrary time scale, is given.