bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Attractiveness, Gender, and Athlete–Reporter Congruence on Perceived Credibility of Sport Reporters
Authors: Hahn Dustin A. , Cummins R. Glenn
Published: March 2014

Studies examining factors that influence credibility perceptions have demonstrated the importance of a source’s gender and attractiveness. However, scholars have only begun to extend these findings to credibility in the context of mediated sports. This experiment tested the relationship that gender and attractiveness have with credibility and whether this varies as a function of the gender of the athlete in a given story. Results indicate that reporters’ gender and attractiveness and athlete gender affect perceptions of credibility such that when reporters are of the opposite gender of an athlete, they are perceived as most credible when they are less attractive. Results also reveal a gender bias such that reporters are perceived as most credible when covering male athletes, regardless of reporter gender. Explanations are offered for these findings, in addition to a discussion of the implications for news practitioners.
Break Point: A Case Study of How Globalization and Technology Led to New Tennis Media Gatekeepers in the United States
Authors: Gruber Daniel A.
Published: March 2014

This article presents a case study of the developments in media gatekeeping in the last 10 years, focusing on the launch of the Tennis Channel and the ascendance of ESPN as the major network for professional tennis in the United States. The U.S. broadcast networks NBC and CBS have ceded the exclusive television rights for 2 of the Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon, U.S. Open) to ESPN for the first time in over 40 years. Meanwhile, the Tennis Channel, despite its independence from the media conglomerates, has carved out a niche for fans with its extensive global coverage of tournaments and for advertisers with its lucrative audience demographics. This change in dominance after the broadcast networks reigned for over 4 decades underscores the globalization of the sport and the abundance of early-round tournament matches available to fans. Organizational theories are used to analyze what has occurred and to predict what will happen next for tennis media gatekeeping in the United States.
“Tailored” Submaximal Step Test for VO2max Prediction in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Pogliaghi Silvia , Bellotti Cecilia , Paterson Donald H.
Published: March 2014

The authors developed and validated a “tailored” version of the Åstrand-Rhyming step test (tA-R) and a new equation for VO2max prediction in older adults (OA). Sixty subjects (age 68 ± 4 yr, 30 male, 30 female) performed their tA-R step test (5-min, 30-cm step, tailored stepping rate) and an incremental cycling test to exhaustion. VO2max was (a) predicted using the standard A-R equation (predictedVO2max), (b) predicted based on the authors’ new multiple linear equation (equationVO2max), and (c) directly measured by incremental cycling test (directVO2max). Agreement among values of VO2max was evaluated by Bland-Altman analysis. The predictedVO2max was not significantly different from the directVO2max, yet with relatively large imprecision. The equationVO2max allowed more precise as well as accurate predictions of VO2max compared with standard A-R prediction. The “tailored” version of the Åstrand-Rhyming step test and the new prediction equation appear suitable for a rapid (5-min), safe (submaximal), accurate, and precise VO2max prediction in healthy OA.
Self-Reported Adherence to the Physical Activity Recommendation and Determinants of Misperception in Older Adults
Authors: Visser Marjolein , Brychta Robert J. , Chen Kong Y. , Koster Annemarie
Published: March 2014

We aimed to compare self-reported adherence to the physical activity recommendation with accelerometry in older adults and to identify determinants of misperception. The sample included 138 adults age 65–75 yr old participating in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Participants completed a lifestyle questionnaire and wore an accelerometer for one week. More than half (56.8%) of the participants reported to adhere to the physical activity recommendation (in 5-min bouts), however, based on accelerometry, this percentage was only 24.6%. Of those who reported to adhere, 65.3% did not do so based on accelerometry. The misperceivers were older (p < .009), more often female (p = .007), had a poorer walking performance (p = .02), reported a lower social support (p = .04), and tended to have a lower self-efficacy (p = .09) compared with those who correctly perceived their adherence to the recommendation. These results suggest that misperception of adherence to the physical activity recommendation is highly prevalent among specific subgroups of older adults.
Stride Rate and Walking Intensity in Healthy Older Adults
Authors: Peacock Leslie , Hewitt Allan , Rowe David A. , Sutherland Rona
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

The study investigated (a) walking intensity (stride rate and energy expenditure) under three speed instructions; (b) associations between stride rate, age, height, and walking intensity; and (c) synchronization between stride rate and music tempo during overground walking in a population of healthy older adults.

Methods:

Twenty-nine participants completed 3 treadmill-walking trials and 3 overground-walking trials at 3 self-selected speeds. Treadmill VO2 was measured using indirect calorimetry. Stride rate and music tempo were recorded during overground-walking trials.

Results:

Mean stride rate exceeded minimum thresholds for moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) under slow (111.41 ± 11.93), medium (118.17 ± 11.43), and fast (123.79 ± 11.61) instructions. A multilevel model showed that stride rate, age, and height have a significant effect (p < .01) on walking intensity.

Conclusions:

Healthy older adults achieve MVPA with stride rates that fall below published minima for MVPA. Stride rate, age, and height are significant predictors of energy expenditure in this population. Music can be a useful way to guide walking cadence.
Improvement of Outcomes With Nonconcurrent Strength and Cardiovascular-Endurance Rehabilitation Conditioning After ACI Surgery to the Knee
Authors: Bailey Andrea Kay , Minshull Claire , Richardson James , Gleeson Nigel P.
Published: March 2014

Context:

Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) aims to restore hyaline cartilage. Traditionally, ACI rehabilitation is prescribed in a concurrent (CON) format. However, it is well known from studies in asymptomatic populations that CON training produces an interference effect that can attenuate strength gains. Strength is integral to joint function, so adopting a nonconcurrent (N-CON) approach to ACI rehabilitation might improve outcomes.

Objective:

To assess changes in function and neuromuscular performance during 48 wk of CON and N-CON physical rehabilitation after ACI to the knee.

Setting:

Orthopedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Design:

Randomized control, pilot study.

Participants:

11 patients (9 male, 2 female; age 32.3 ± 6.6 y; body mass 79.3 ±10.4 kg; time from injury to surgery 7.1 ± 4.9 mo [mean ± SD]) randomly allocated to N-CON:CON (2:1).

Interventions:

Standardized CON and N-CON physiotherapy that involved separation of strength and cardiovascular-endurance conditioning.

Main Outcome Measures:

Function in the single-leg-hop test, patient-reported outcomes (Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score [KOOS], International Knee Documentation Committee subjective questionnaire [IKDC]), and neuromuscular outcomes of peak force (PF), rate of force development (RFD), electromechanical delay (EMD), and sensorimotor performance (force error [FE]) of the knee extensors and flexors of the injured and noninjured legs, measured presurgery and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 wk postsurgery.

Results:

Factorial ANOVAs with repeated measures of group by leg and by test occasion revealed significantly superior improvements for KOOS, IKDC, PF, EMD, and FE associated with N-CON vs CON rehabilitation (F1.5,13.4 GG = 3.7−4.7, P < .05). These results confirm increased peak effectiveness of N-CON rehabilitation (~4.5−13.3% better than CON over 48 wk of rehabilitation). N-CON and CON showed similar patterns of improvement for single-leg-hop test and RFD.

Conclusions:

Nonconcurrent strength and cardiovascular-endurance conditioning during 48 wk of rehabilitation after ACI surgery elicited significantly greater improvements to functional and neuromuscular outcomes than did contemporary concurrent rehabilitation.
Virus-Induced Transcriptional Changes in the Brain Include the Differential Expression of Genes Associated with Interferon, Apoptosis, Interleukin 17 Receptor A, and Glutamate Signaling as Well as Flavivirus-Specific Upregulation of tRNA Synthetases
Authors: Clarke Penny , Leser J. Smith , Bowen Richard A. , Tyler Kenneth L.
Published: March 2014

Flaviviruses, particularly Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV), are important causes of virus-induced central nervous system (CNS) disease in humans. We used microarray analysis to identify cellular genes that are differentially regulated following infection of the brain with JEV (P3) or WNV (New York 99). Gene expression data for these flaviviruses were compared to those obtained following infection of the brain with reovirus (type 3 Dearing), an unrelated neurotropic virus. We found that a large number of genes were up-regulated by all three viruses (using the criteria of a change of >2-fold and aPvalue of <0.001), including genes associated with interferon signaling, the immune system, inflammation, and cell death/survival signaling. In addition, genes associated with glutamate signaling were down-regulated in infections with all three viruses (criteria, a >2-fold change and aPvalue of <0.001). These genes may serve as broad-spectrum therapeutic targets for virus-induced CNS disease. A distinct set of genes were up-regulated following flavivirus infection but not following infection with reovirus. These genes were associated with tRNA charging and may serve as therapeutic targets for flavivirus-induced CNS disease.

IMPORTANCEViral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Treatment options for virus-induced CNS disease are limited, and for many clinically important neurotropic viruses, no specific therapy of proven benefit is currently available. We performed microarray analysis to identify genes that are differentially regulated in the brain following virus infection in order to identify pathways that might provide novel therapeutic targets for virus-induced CNS disease. Although several studies have described gene expression changes following virus infection of the brain, this report is the first to directly compare large-scale gene expression data from different viruses. We identified genes that are differentially regulated in infection of the brain with viruses from different families and those which appear to be specific to flavivirus infections.
A contrast-enhancing lumbar ligamentum flavum haematoma
Authors: Ghent Finn , Ye Xuan , Yan Max , Mobbs Ralph J
Published: March 2014

We present a case of lower back pain with lumbar nerve compromise due to a ligamentum flavum haematoma which was successfully treated surgically. A 62-year-old man was evaluated for lower back pain with associated leg pain and early signs of cauda equina syndrome. MRI of the lumbar spine demonstrated a contrast-enhancing mass adjacent to the lamina of L3 which was causing severe canal stenosis. Surgical excision of the lesion was recommended. The patient underwent an L3 laminectomy with excision of the epidural lesion. Histopathology showed it to be a haematoma of the ligamentum flavum with no untoward features. The patient recovered without complication.
Metallosis in a total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Vivegananthan Bhairavi , Shah Rohi , Karuppiah A S , Karuppiah S V
Published: March 2014

A 70-year-old woman presented with right knee pain and a ‘grinding’ sensation 6 months after a total knee replacement for osteoarthritis. Clinical examination revealed a valgus deformity, patellofemoral crepitus and a reduced knee flexion. Radiographs revealed distinctive findings including the ‘bubble sign’, ‘cloud sign’ and the ‘metal line sign’, which are diagnostic of metallosis.Metallosis is an uncommon complication of total joint replacements, where bone and periprosthetic soft tissues are infiltrated by metallic debris from wearing of the prostheses. This usually occurs in high-wear joints such as hips and knees. Treatment for patients diagnosed with metallosis is synovectomy and a revision surgery. Our patient underwent revision surgery 5 years after her initial surgery.
Adrenocortical carcinoma presenting as bilateral pitting leg oedema
Authors: Naffaa Mohammad Ebrahim , Ilivitzki Anat , Braun Eyal
Published: March 2014

We report a case of a 54-year-old woman presented with bilateral pitting leg oedema. Initial workup for common aetiologies was unrevealing and diuretic therapy was ineffective. A CT scan of the abdomen demonstrated left adrenal mass with direct invasion of the adrenal vein and inferior vena cava with direct extension to the right atrium. Adrenocortical carcinoma was confirmed in biopsy and the patient was operated within several days. Fifteen months postoperation, the patient is doing well with good performance status and still in oncological treatment and follow-up. When the common causes of bilateral oedema have been ruled out, no delay should be experienced seeking abdominal mass with vascular invasion potential, as early diagnosis and treatment may be lifesaving.
Occupational noise exposure and noise-induced hearing loss are associated with work-related injuries leading to admission to hospital
Authors: Girard Serge-André , Leroux Tony , Courteau Marilene , Picard Michel , Turcotte Fernand , Richer Olivier
Published: March 2014

Objective

This study focuses on work-related injuries that required admission to hospital in a population of male workers exposed to occupational noise (≥80 dBA) which some displayed a hearing loss due to their exposure.

Methods

The study population count 46 550 male workers, 1670 (3.6%) of whom incurred at least one work-related injury requiring admission to hospital within a period of 5 years following hearing tests conducted between 1987 and 2005. The noise exposure and hearing loss-related data were gathered during occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) screening. The hospital data were used to identify all members of the study population who were admitted, and the reason for admission. Finally, access to the death-related data made it possible to identify participants who died during the course of the study. Cox proportional hazards model taking into account hearing status, noise levels, age and cumulative duration of noise exposure at the time of the hearing test established the risk of work-related injuries leading to admission to hospital.

Results

For each dB of hearing loss, a statistically significant risk increase was observed (HR=1.01 dB 95% CI 1.006 to 1.01). An association (HR=2.36 95% CI 2.01 to 2.77) was also found between working in an occupational ambient noise ≥100 dBA and the risk of injury.

Conclusions

From a safety perspective, this issue is highly relevant; especially when workers are exposed to intense ambient noise and NIHL.
Environmental controls of the northern distribution limit of yellow birch in eastern Canada
Authors: Drobyshev Igor , Guitard Marc-Antoine , Asselin Hugo , Genries Aurélie , Bergeron Yves
Published: March 2014

To evaluate environmental controls of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britton) distribution at its northern distribution limit in eastern Canada, we analyzed abundance, age structure, biomass accumulation rate, and growth sensitivity to climate of this species at 14 sites along a 200 km latitudinal gradient spanning three bioclimatic domains and reaching frontier populations of this species in western Quebec. We observed a large variability in seedling density across domains and presence of sites with abundant yellow birch regeneration within all three bioclimatic domains. Seedling density was positively correlated to mean age and abundance of yellow birch trees in the canopy, while sapling density was positively associated with dryer habitats. Growth patterns of canopy trees showed no effect of declining temperatures along the south–north gradient. Environmental controls of birch distribution at its northern limit were realized through factors affecting birch regeneration and not growth of canopy trees. At the stand scale, regeneration density was strongly controlled by local site conditions and not by differences in climate among sites. At the regional scale, climate variability could be an indirect driver of yellow birch distribution, affecting disturbance rates and, subsequently, availability of suitable sites for regeneration.
A short note on the boundary term for the Hilbert action
Authors: Padmanabhan T.
Published: March 2014

One way to make the variational principle based on the Einstein–Hilbert action well-defined (i.e. functionally differentiable) is to add a surface term involving the integral of the trace of the extrinsic curvature. I provide a simple derivation of this result which is constructive in the sense that it starts from the variation of Einstein–Hilbert action and obtains the correct boundary term. This is to be contrasted with the usual derivations in which one first adds this term and then shows that the unwanted parts cancel out in the variation of the total action. The approach described here also clearly identifies the variables that need to be fixed in the boundary as the three-metric, directly from the action principle.
On the structure of some Noetherian modules over group rings
Authors: Kurdachenko Leonid A. , Otal Javier , Ya. Subbotin Igor
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we study the structure of some Noetherian modules over group rings and deduce some statements regarding the structure of the groups involved. More precisely, we consider a module A over a group ring RG with the following property: A is a Noetherian RH-module for every subgroup H, which is not contained in the centralizer CG(A). If G is some generalized soluble group and R is a locally finite field or some Dedekind domain, we describe the structure of G/CG(A).
Recovery of an initial temperature from discrete sampling
Authors: DeVore Ronald , Zuazua Enrique
Published: March 2014

The problem of recovering the initial temperature of a body from discrete temperature measurements made at later times is studied. While this problem has a general formulation, the results of this paper are only given in the simplest setting of a finite (one-dimensional), constant coefficient, linear rod. It is shown that with a judicious placement of a thermometer on this rod, the initial temperature profile of the rod can be completely determined by later time measurements. The paper then studies the number of measurements that are needed to recover the initial profile to a prescribed accuracy and provides an optimal reconstruction algorithm under the assumption that the initial profile is in a Sobolev class.
GPU Accelerated SVM with Sparse Sliced EllR-T Matrix Format
Authors: Sopyla Krzysztof , Drozda Paweł
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the SECu-SVM algorithm for solving classification problems. It allows for a significant acceleration of the standard SVM implementations by transferring the most time-consuming computations from the standard CPU to the Graphics Processor Units (GPU). In addition, highly efficient Sliced EllR-T sparse matrix format was used for storing the dataset in GPU memory, which requires a very low memory footprint and is also well adapted to parallel processing. Performed experiments demonstrate an acceleration of 4–100 times over LibSVM. Moreover, in the majority of cases the SECu-SVM is less time-consuming than the best sparse GPU implementations and allows for handling significantly larger classification datasets.
Links and cycles in Dehn quandle homology I: Torus links
Authors: Zablow Joel
Published: March 2014

We examine some questions regarding which torus links admit colorings by elements of a Dehn quandle.
OPTIMIZATION OF LOW NOISE BIONIC FAN USING GRAY RELATIONAL ANALYSIS COUPLED WITH ENTROPY MEASUREMENT
Authors: CHEN SHUMING , GUO YONGQI , WANG DENGFENG , SUN SHAOMING
Published: March 2014

This research presents a hybrid optimization method for the determination of the optimal geometry parameters which can minimize the A-weighted sound pressure level of bionic fan on condition that the mass flow rate of the bionic fan is as high as possible. A hybrid approach of gray relational analysis (GRA), Taguchi method, and entropy measurement has been used to obtain better acoustic performances with three basic geometry parameters, which are blade number, boss ratio, and blade stagger angle. A L9(34) orthogonal array has been used for conducting the experiment for optimization of flow and acoustic performances. The problem of multiple performance indices is simplified into single performance index by using gray relational grade. The designed experimental results are utilized in GRA, and the weights of the flow and acoustic performances are determined by using the entropy measurement method. Meanwhile, the optimal combination of bionic fan parameters is determined by using GRA method. Moreover, the validation tests show that the overall sound pressure level (SPL) reduces by 15.50% at the cost of mass flow rate reducing by 3.00%. The comparison of the A-weighted SPL for acoustic tests between original fan and optimized bionic fan demonstrates that the acoustic performance obviously improve from 20 Hz to 6300 Hz. Therefore, it is clearly shown that the proposed approach in this paper can be an useful tool to improve acoustic performance of bionic fan.
Relative and Tate homology with respect to semidualizing modules
Authors: Di Zhenxing , Zhang Xiaoxiang , Liu Zhongkui , Chen Jianlong
Published: March 2014

We introduce and investigate in this paper a kind of Tate homology of modules over a commutative coherent ring based on Tate ℱC-resolutions, where C is a semidualizing module. We show firstly that the class of modules admitting a Tate ℱC-resolution is equal to the class of modules of finite 𝒢(ℱC)-projective dimension. Then an Avramov–Martsinkovsky type exact sequence is constructed to connect such Tate homology functors and relative homology functors. Finally, motivated by the idea of Sather–Wagstaff et al. [Comparison of relative cohomology theories with respect to semidualizing modules, Math. Z. 264 (2010) 571–600], we establish a balance result for such Tate homology over a Cohen–Macaulay ring with a dualizing module by using a good conclusion provided in [E. E. Enochs, S. E. Estrada and A. C. Iacob, Balance with unbounded complexes, Bull. London Math. Soc. 44 (2012) 439–442].
Donati compatibility conditions for membrane and flexural shells
Authors: Ciarlet Philippe G. , Mardare Cristinel , Shen Xiaoqin
Published: March 2014

Donati compatibility conditions on a surface allow to reformulate the minimization problem for a linearly elastic shell through the intrinsic approach, i.e. as a quadratic minimization problem with the linearized change of metric and change of curvature tensors of the middle surface of the shell as the new unknowns. Such compatibility conditions typically take the form of variational equations with divergence-free tensor fields as test-functions. In a previous work, the first author and Oana Iosifescu have identified and justified Donati compatibility conditions for shells modeled by Koiter's equations. In this paper, Donati compatibility conditions are identified and justified for two specific classes of linearly elastic shells, the so-called elliptic membrane shells and flexural shells.
Core–Shell γ-Fe2O3/SiO2/PCA/Ag-NPs Hybrid Nanomaterials as a New Candidate for Future Cancer Therapy
Authors: Soleyman R. , Pourjavadi A. , Masoud N. , Varamesh A.
Published: March 2014

In the current study, γ- Fe2O3/ SiO2/ PCA / Ag -NPs hybrid nanomaterials were successfully synthesized and characterized. At first, prepared γ- Fe2O3core nanoparticles were modified by SiO2layer. Then they were covered by poly citric acid (PCA) via melting esterification method as well. PCA shell acts as an effective linker, and provides vacancies for conveying drugs. Moreover, this shell as an effective capping agent directs synthesis of silver nanoparticles ( Ag -NPs) via in situ photo-reduction of silver ions by sunlight-UV irradiation. This system has several benefits as a suitable cancer therapy nanomaterial. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) can guide Ag -NPs and drugs to cancer cells and then Ag -NPs can affect those cells via Ag -NPs anti-angiogenesis effect. Size and structure of the prepared magnetic hybrid nanomaterials were characterized using FTIR and UV-Vis spectra, AFM and TEM pictures and XRD data.
Higher monotonicity properties of normalized Bessel functions
Authors: Liu Yongping
Published: March 2014

Denote by Jν the Bessel function of the first kind of order ν and μν,k is its kth positive zero. For ν > ½, a theorem of Lorch, Muldoon and Szegö states that the sequence [Formula: see text] is decreasing, another theorem of theirs states that the sequence [Formula: see text] has higher monotonicity properties. In the present paper, we proved that when ν > ½ the sequence [Formula: see text] has higher monotonicity properties and the properties imply those of the sequence of the local maxima of the function x-ν+1|Jν-1(x)|, x ∈ (0, ∞), i.e. the sequence [Formula: see text] has higher monotonicity properties.
Average errors for Kantorovitch operators on r-fold integrated Wiener space
Authors: Xu Guiqiao , Gao Xingrui
Published: March 2014

For weighted approximation in Lp-norm, we determine strongly asymptotic orders for simultaneous approximation average errors of sequence of Kantorovitch operators on r-fold integrated Wiener space. These results show the saturation properties of the Kantorovitch operators in the average case setting.
Migration Between Two Embodiments of an Artificial Pet
Authors: Gomes Paulo F. , Sardinha Alberto , Márquez Segura Elena , Cramer Henriette , Paiva Ana
Published: March 2014

Characters that cross dimensions have elicited an avid interest in literature and cinema. In analogy to these characters, we explore the concept of migration: Process by which an agent moves between embodiments, being active in only one at a time. We developed an autonomous artificial pet with two embodiments: A virtual within a smartphone and a physical robotic embodiment. Considering that owners' interactions with real pets lead to emotional attachment and potentially related health benefits, we conducted a user study with elementary school students to assess their attachment to the prototype and how natural they felt the interaction was. By the end of the experiment children felt closer to the artificial pet and 43.3% considered the two embodiments to correspond to the same entity, although migration was never explained to them. As a result, this paper presents a novel generic methodology that allows the evaluation of other implemented prototypes that support migration. Furthermore, we created a set of design guidelines for migrating agents.
Influence of aluminum location on hydrogen sorption kinetics of magnesium-based materials
Authors: Zhou Shixue , Zhang Tonghuan , Wang Naifei , Li Tao , Niu Haili , Yu Hao , Liu Di
Published: March 2014

Hydrogen storage materials from Mg – Al alloy and Mg + Al mixture were prepared by reactive milling under H 2 atmosphere with carbonized anthracite as milling aid. The crystal structure of the materials and influence of Al location on hydrogen absorption/desorption kinetics were investigated. Results show that Mg partly got hydrided into β- MgH 2 and γ- MgH 2 during reactive milling. The average crystallite sizes of β- MgH 2 in the as-milled Mg – Al alloy and Mg + Al mixture were calculated by Scherrer equation to be 10 nm and 17 nm, respectively. In the process of hydrogen desorption, the catalytic ability of Al in Mg crystal lattice was not as effective as that on particle surface. The apparent activation energies for hydrogen desorption of the two materials were estimated by Kissinger equation to be 112.2 kJ/mol and 63.7 kJ/mol, respectively. Mg 17 Al 12 reacted with H 2 to convert into MgH 2 and elemental Al during static hydrogenation at 300°C. For the hydrogenated Mg + Al mixture, the obvious increase of crystallite size resulted in a low rate of hydrogen absorption and a high temperature for hydrogen desorption.
Nilpotent graphs of genus one
Authors: Kala R. , Kavitha S.
Published: March 2014

Let R be a commutative ring with identity. The nilpotent graph of R, denoted by ΓN(R), is a graph with vertex set [Formula: see text], and two vertices x and y are adjacent if and only if xy is nilpotent, where [Formula: see text] is nilpotent, for some y ∈ R*}. In this paper, we determine all isomorphism classes of finite commutative rings with identity whose ΓN(R) has genus one.
Trace transitioning and exception handling in a trace-based JIT compiler for java
Authors: Häubl Christian , Wimmer Christian , Mössenböck Hanspeter
Published: March 2014

Trace-based Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation generates machine code for frequently executed paths (so-called traces) instead of whole methods. While this has several advantages, it complicates invocation of compiled traces as well as exception handling, so that previous trace-based compilers limited the way in which traces could be invoked.

We present a significantly enhanced trace-based compiler where arbitrary transitions between interpreted and compiled traces are possible. For that, we introduce suitable trace calling conventions and extend exception handling to work both within traces and across trace boundaries. Furthermore, we use the recorded trace information for optimizations and combine the tracing ideas with ideas from partial-method compilation to avoid code bloat.

An extensive evaluation with the benchmark suites DaCapo 9.12 Bach and SPECjvm2008 shows that our trace-based compiler achieves up to 59% higher peak performance than the method-based Java HotSpot client compiler. On a few benchmarks, our fairly simple trace-based compiler shows a higher peak performance than the Java HotSpot server compiler, which is one of today's best optimizing JIT compilers for Java.
Metrics for Assessing Improvements in Primary Health Care
Authors: Stange Kurt C. , Etz Rebecca S. , Gullett Heidi , Sweeney Sarah A. , Miller William L. , Jaén Carlos Roberto , Crabtree Benjamin F. , Nutting Paul A. , Glasgow Russell E.
Published: March 2014

Metrics focus attention on what is important. Balanced metrics of primary health care inform purpose and aspiration as well as performance. Purpose in primary health care is about improving the health of people and populations in their community contexts. It is informed by metrics that include long-term, meaning- and relationship-focused perspectives. Aspirational uses of metrics inspire evolving insights and iterative improvement, using a collaborative, developmental perspective. Performance metrics assess the complex interactions among primary care tenets of accessibility, a whole-person focus, integration and coordination of care, and ongoing relationships with individuals, families, and communities; primary health care principles of inclusion and equity, a focus on people's needs, multilevel integration of health, collaborative policy dialogue, and stakeholder participation; basic and goal-directed health care, prioritization, development, and multilevel health outcomes. Environments that support reflection, development, and collaborative action are necessary for metrics to advance health and minimize unintended consequences.
Uptake of Genetic Testing and Pre‐Test Levels of Mental Distress in Norwegian Families with Known BRCA1 Mutations
Authors: Reichelt Jon G. , Dahl Alv A. , Heimdal Ketil , Møller Pål
Published: March 2014

232 family members from 27 Norwegian families with BRCAl mutations were offered genetic testing. 180/232 (78%) chose to be tested, 14/232 (6%) have not yet decided and 38/232 (16%) declined. All 232 persons were invited to fill in the following questionnaires when offered testing: Impact of Event Scale (IES), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐28) and Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). 207/232 (89%) responded to the questionnaires. Of those declining to be tested 23/38 (61%) answered the questionnaires compared to 170/180 (94%) of those wanting the test (p < 0.0001).

A higher proportion of females with a history of cancer than females without such a history had abnormal scores on the IES‐intrusion and GHQ questionnaires (p < 0.001). Healthy females who were deciding on predictive testing had the same or lower prevalence of mental distress compared to the general population, between 4.3% and 18.0% as measured by the different questionnaires. Males did not differ from healthy females on any of the measures.

According to their HADS scores, women without a history of cancer deciding on predictive testing for breast‐ovarian cancer had lower or equal levels of mental distress compared to the general population. The high uptake of genetic testing combined with the lower than normal prevalence of mental distress indicates that the activity may continue as practised, awaiting longitudinal data concerning the levels of mental distress after genetic testing.
Lack of Association between Body Weight, Bone Mineral Density and Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphism in Normal and Osteoporotic Women
Authors: Poggi Massimo , Aterini Stefano , Nicastro Laura , Chiarugi Vincenzo , Ruggiero Marco , Pacini Stefania , Gulisano Massimo
Published: March 2014

In an ethnically homogeneous population of women living in Tuscany, Italy, the relationships between age, body weight, bone mineral density and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism were studied, with the objective of recognizing patients at risk for osteoporosis. In 275 women bone mineral density was measured by Dual Energy X‐rays Absorptiometry (DEXA). In 50 of them the individual genetic pattern for VDR was evaluated by DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification of the VDR gene, and digestion with the restriction enzyme BsmI. Age and bone mineral density were inversely related (R2 = 0.298). Body weight was associated with bone mineral density (R2 = 0.059), but not with age. In osteoporotic women, mean (± SD) body weight was 59.9 ± 6.5 Kg, lower than that recorded in non osteoporotic women (64.2 ± 9.4 Kg), even though not significantly different (p = 0.18). No association was found between VDR gene polymorphism, bone density or body weight. The performance of anthropometric and genetic components appear to be poor, and, at least for the time being, bone mineral density measurement by means of MOC‐DEXA represents the optimal method to detect women at risk for postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Serum Lipoprotein (a) Levels in Chronic Renal Failure and Liver Cirrhosis Patients. Relationship with Atherosclerosis
Authors: Mady Essam , Wissa Gehane , Khalifa Ali , El-Sabbagh Mahmoud
Published: March 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein (a) levels and the development of atherosclerosis in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients with the possible role of the liver. Serum Lp (a) levels were measured in samples from 20 CRF patients on hemodialysis (HD), 20 liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, 20 patients having both CRF and LC and undergoing HD, and 20 normal control subjects. Renal function (blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine), hepatic function (transaminases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin) investigations and serum cholesterol were carried out for all the subjects enrolled in this study. Serum Lp (a) concentration in CRF patients without LC was 87.25 ± 6.17 mg/dl, which was significantly higher than all the investigated groups (P < 0.001). Lp(a) concentration in patients with both CRF and LC was 24.65 ± 1.98 mg/dl, which was not significantly different from the controls, but was significantly higher than that in the subjects with LC only (P < 0.001) where the latter group had significantly low Lp (a) values (11.1 ± 0.99) relative to all the other groups (P < 0.001). Lp (a) correlated positively with cholesterol in all groups except the LC subjects, but did not correlate with age, or renal function in both CRF groups.
Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Status in Human Cervical Carcinoma
Authors: Ahmed Maha I. , Fayed Salah T. , Hossein Hanan , Tash Fathy M.
Published: March 2014

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), represented by superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, have been implicated in many diseases including cancer. ROS have been known to play an important role in the initiation and promotion of multistep carcinogenesis. The cellular antioxidants play a crucial role in protection against neoplastic disease. However, very little is known about the antioxidant defense in cervical carcinoma. This is addressed in the present study. Lipid peroxides, glutathione content and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, together with vitamin C and E content, were estimated in patients who had carcinoma of the cervix, and the values were compared with those of normal women. The results showed a remarkable reduction in the content of glutathione, vitamin E and C. Activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were also reduced in cervical cancer compared to normal controls (P < 0.001). This reduction was more marked in late stages (III, IV) than in early stages (I, II) (P < 0.001). Glutathione was reduced more in poorly differentiated tumors (grade III) than in well and moderately differentiated ones (grade I, II) (P < 0.05). Levels of lipid peroxides were found to be significantly higher in malignant than in normal tissue samples and their levels were correlated with advanced clinical stage (P < 0.001). Our results suggest impaired antioxidant status in carcinoma of the cervix. This impairment is related to tumor progression.
Protection of Liver as a Remote Organ after Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Renal Ischemic Postconditioning
Authors: Seifi Behjat , Kadkhodaee Mehri , Najafi Atefeh , Mahmoudi Atefeh
Published: March 2014

This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of local renal ischemic postconditioning (POC) on liver damage after renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Male rats were divided into three groups  (n=8). They underwent a right nephrectomy before induction of 45 minutes of left kidney ischemia or sham operation. POC was performed by four cycles of 10 seconds of ischemia and 10 seconds of reperfusion just at the beginning of 24 hours of reperfusion. Then blood and liver samples were collected to measure serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and liver oxidative stress parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Renal IR caused a significant increase in liver functional indices as demonstrated by increased serum AST and ALT compared to sham group. These parameters reduced significantly in POC group compared to IR group. Liver MDA levels increased and SOD activity decreased in IR group compared to sham group. Induction of POC reduced the elevated liver MDA levels and increased the reduced liver SOD activity. These results revealed that renal IR injury causes liver damage as a remote organ and POC protects liver from renal IR injury by a modification in the hepatic oxidative stress status.
Jónsson and HS Modules over Commutative Rings
Authors: Oman Greg
Published: March 2014

LetRbe a commutative ring with identity and letMbe an infinite unitaryR-module. (Unless indicated otherwise, all rings are commutative with identity 1≠0 and all modules are unitary.) ThenMis called aJónsson moduleprovided every proper submodule ofMhas smaller cardinality thanM. Dually,Mis said to behomomorphically smaller(HS for short) if|M/N|<|M|for every nonzero submoduleNofM. In this survey paper, we bring the reader up to speed on current research on these structures by presenting the principal results on Jónsson and HS modules. We conclude the paper with several open problems.
Evaluation of the Mean Platelet Volume and Red Cell Distribution Width in FMF: Are They Related to Subclinical Inflammation or Not?
Authors: Yildirim Cetin Gozde , Gul Ozlem , Kesici-Metin Fatma , Gokalp İrem , Sayarlıoglu Mehmet
Published: March 2014

In this paper we want to demonstrate whether higher than normal levels of RDW, and lower than normal levels of MPV can be used as indicators of subclinical inflammation and tools for treatment decision in FMF or not. The participants in this study included 89 patients with FMF during attack-free periods and 30 healthy controls. The RDW and platelet counts were significantly higher, while the MPV was significantly lower in the patients with FMF group than healthy control group (P<0.001;P=0.005;P<0.001, resp.). In the attack-free FMF group, a negative correlation was found between the MPV and RDW values (P<0.001,r=-0.40). The positive correlation was found between the RDW and ESR (r=0.23,P=0.028). And the negative correlation was found between the MPV and CRP (r=-0.216,P=0.042). Consequently, our results suggest that low MPV and high RDW levels may provide additional information about subclinical inflammation in FMF patients. But other strong predisposing factors affecting subclinical inflammation in FMF should be considered. Further studies with large numbers of patients are needed. Treatment of FMF should include not only prevention of acute attacks but also decreasing of the subclinical inflammation.
Enhancing the Health-Promoting Effects of Tomato Fruit for Biofortified Food
Authors: Raiola Assunta , Rigano Maria Manuela , Calafiore Roberta , Frusciante Luigi , Barone Amalia
Published: March 2014

Consumption of tomato fruits, like those of many other plant species that are part of the human diet, is considered to be associated with several positive effects on health. Indeed, tomato fruits are an important source of bioactive compounds with known beneficial effects including vitamins, antioxidants, and anticancer substances. In particular, antioxidant metabolites are a group of vitamins, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, and phenolic acid that can provide effective protection by neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable molecules linked to the development of a number of degenerative diseases and conditions. In this review, we will summarize the recent progress on tomatoes nutritional importance and mechanisms of action of different phytochemicals against inflammation processes and prevention of chronic noncommunicable diseases (e.g., obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, and hypertension). In addition, we will summarize the significant progress recently made to improve the nutritional quality of tomato fruits through metabolic engineering and/or breeding.
Comparison of the Ventricle Muscle Proteome between Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease and Controls with Mitral Valve Prolapse: HSP 60 May Be a Specific Protein in RHD
Authors: Zheng Dawei , Xu Limin , Sun Lebo , Feng Qiang , Wang Zishan , Shao Guofeng , Ni Yiming
Published: March 2014

Objective. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a serious autoimmune heart disease. The present study was aimed at identifying the differentially expressed proteins between patients with RHD and controls with mitral valve prolapse.Methods. Nine patients with RHD and nine controls with mitral valve prolapsed were enrolled for this study. Two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) were performed.Results. A total of 39 protein spots with differential expressions were identified between the two groups (P<0.05, Average Ratio > 1.2 or Average Ratio < −1.2) and four upregulated proteins (including heat shock protein 60 (HSP 60), desmin, PDZ and LIM domain protein 1, and proteasome subunit alpha type-1) and three downregulated proteins (including tropomyosin alpha-1 chain, malate dehydrogenase, and chaperone activity of bc1 complex homolog) were determined.Conclusion. These seven proteins, especially HSP 60, may serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of RHD and provide evidence to explain the mechanisms of this complex disease in the future.
Snake Venom L-Amino Acid Oxidases: Trends in Pharmacology and Biochemistry
Authors: Izidoro Luiz Fernando M. , Sobrinho Juliana C. , Mendes Mirian M. , Costa Tássia R. , Grabner Amy N. , Rodrigues Veridiana M. , da Silva Saulo L. , Zanchi Fernando B. , Zuliani Juliana P. , Fernandes Carla F. C. , Calderon Leonardo A. , Stábeli Rodrigo G. , Soares Andreimar M.
Published: March 2014

L-amino acid oxidases are enzymes found in several organisms, including venoms of snakes, where they contribute to the toxicity of ophidian envenomation. Their toxicity is primarily due to enzymatic activity, but other mechanisms have been proposed recently which require further investigation. L-amino acid oxidases exert biological and pharmacological effects, including actions on platelet aggregation and the induction of apoptosis, hemorrhage, and cytotoxicity. These proteins present a high biotechnological potential for the development of antimicrobial, antitumor, and antiprotozoan agents. This review provides an overview of the biochemical properties and pharmacological effects of snake venom L-amino acid oxidases, their structure/activity relationship, and supposed mechanisms of action described so far.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Crystal Orientation and Temperature Influences in the Hardness on Monocrystalline Silicon
Authors: Zhao Hongwei , Zhang Peng , Shi Chengli , Liu Chuang , Han Lei , Cheng Hongbing , Ren Luquan
Published: March 2014

A nanoindentation simulation using molecular dynamic (MD) method was carried out to investigate the hardness behavior of monocrystalline silicon with a spherical diamond indenter. In this study, Tersoff potential was used to model the interaction of silicon atoms in the specimen, and Morse potential was used to model the interaction between silicon atoms in the specimen and carbon atoms in the indenter. Simulation results indicate that the silicon in the indentation zone undergoes phase transformation from diamond cubic structure to body‐centred tetragonal and amorphous structure upon loading of the diamond indenter. After the unloading of the indenter, the crystal lattice reconstructs, and the indented surface with a residual dimple forms due to unrecoverable plastic deformation. Comparison of the hardness of three different crystal surfaces of monocrystalline silicon shows that the (0 0 1) surface behaves the hardest, and the (1 1 1) surface behaves the softest. As for the influence of the indentation temperature, simulation results show that the silicon material softens and adhesiveness of silicon increases at higher indentation temperatures.
Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in an Inpatient Parkinson’s Disease Sample
Authors: McLaughlin Nicole C. R. , Piryatinsky Irene , Epstein-Lubow Gary , Marino Louis , Friedman Joseph H.
Published: March 2014

Background. Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD), and hospitalization for delirium, depression, psychosis, and anxiety is sometimes required. A minimal amount of data exists on these patients.Methods. Charts of all patients admitted to a psychiatric hospital between 2006 and 2009 with a diagnosis of PD were reviewed. Forty-three met entry criteria and were reviewed. Initial and discharge diagnoses, comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, length of stay, and living arrangements before and after hospitalization are described.Results. Consistent with previous research, this study showed evidence of comorbid psychiatric disorders within PD.Conclusions. The long-term goal of this area of study would be to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and improve quality of life in order to reduce inpatient hospital stays.