bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic peculiarities of alpha-type Stirling engines for low-temperature difference power generation: Optimisation of operating parameters and heat exchangers using a third-order model
Authors: Hoegel Benedikt , Pons Dirk , Gschwendtner Michael , Tucker Alan , Sellier Mathieu
Published: November 2013

Low-temperature heat sources such as waste heat and geothermal energy in the range from 100 ℃ to 200 ℃ are widely available and their potential is largely untapped. Stirling engines are one possibility to convert this heat to a usable power output. Much work has been done to optimise Stirling engines for high-temperature heat sources such as external combustion or concentrated solar energy but only little is known about suitable engine layouts at lower temperature differences. With the reduced temperature difference, changes become necessary not only in the heat exchangers and the regenerator but also in the operating parameters such as frequency and phase angle. This paper shows results obtained from a third-order simulation model that help to identify beneficial parameter combinations, and explains the differences of low and high-temperature engines.
Motion control of a novel 6-degree-of-freedom parallel platform based on modified active disturbance rejection controller
Authors: Shi Xinxin , Chang Siqin , Huang Jiacai
Published: November 2013

A novel 6-degree-of-freedom parallel platform and its motion control based on a modified active disturbance rejection controller are presented in this article. Structure and mathematical model of a novel electromagnetic linear actuator are analyzed, which is the main component of the novel 6-degree-of-freedom parallel platform. Kinematics-based control method of the 6-degree-of-freedom parallel platform is adopted, and the modified active disturbance rejection controller is used to track each desired trajectory accurately in spite of disturbances. Comparative simulations and experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the modified active disturbance rejection controller, and this novel 6-degree-of-freedom parallel platform can be driven to realize the given motion well.
Pilot Evaluation of Parent and Child Enhancement Program for Disadvantaged Families
Authors: Leung Cynthia , Tsang Sandra , Leung Iona
Published: November 2013

Objective:

The present study was a pilot evaluation of the effectiveness of the Parent and Child Enhancement (PACE) program in enhancing child development for disadvantaged families with children aged 2 to 3.

Method:

Participants included 23 parent–child dyads who attended 2-hr sessions twice weekly for 20 weeks. Parents and children were assessed before and after program participation on child cognitive skills, learning motivation, behavior problems, parental stress, and social support. Where appropriate, teacher-reported measures were obtained.

Results:

The results indicated significant improvement in child cognitive scores, learning motivation, prosocial behavior, and a significant decrease in child behavior problems.

Conclusion:

The results provided limited initial but encouraging evidence for the effectiveness of the PACE program in promoting child outcomes. Implications for social work practice were discussed.
Trial Registration
Authors: Harrison Bronwyn A. , Mayo-Wilson Evan
Published: November 2013

Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard for evaluating social work interventions. However, published reports can systematically overestimate intervention effects when researchers selectively report large and significant findings. Publication bias and other types of reporting biases can be minimized through prospective trial registration that is now an accepted part of medical research. In this article, we explain how trial registration can promote ethical and valid trials in social work, and we explain how social work researchers can register trials. We conclude that journal editors should ask authors to report trial registration numbers in all reports of randomized trials in social work.
Intensive Palliative Care for Patients With Hematological Cancer Dying in Hospice
Authors: Cheng Benjamin Hon Wai , Sham Michael Mau Kwong , Chan Kwok Ying , Li Cho Wing , Au Ho Yan
Published: November 2013

Dying of hematological oncology patients often take place in respective hematology ward or intensive care unit rather than hospice. With the increased attention to quality palliative care for hematology patients, concerns regarding their level of medical care at end-of-life need to be addressed. We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive hematological oncology patients who succumbed in a palliative unit between July 2012 and August 2013. The primary outcome measure was their level of medical care received, including administration of antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition, blood sampling, GCSF injection and blood products transfusion, during their last seven days of life. During the last seven days of life, 85.7 % of patients had blood sampling and 23.8% of patients received G-CSF injection. Total parenteral nutrition was administered in 14.3% of patients. One-third of patients received transfusion of packed cells and nearly half of them received transfusion of platelet concentrates. Almost 90% of patients received antibiotics during their last week of life. Collaboration between hematology and palliative care has resulted in successful transition of hematologic cancer patients into hospice unit in their terminal phase of illness. However, their level of medical care, even approaching last seven days of life, remained intensive. Proper allocation of medical resources and future research regarding optimal end-of-life care for hematology patients are warranted.
A Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate in the Treatment of Dyspnea on Exertion in Patients With Advanced Cancer
Authors: Pinna Miguel Ángel Cuervo , Bruera Eduardo , Moralo María José Redondo , Correas Miguel Ángel Sánchez , Vargas Rafael Mota
Published: November 2013

Background:

Morphine is the only opioid which has been clearly demonstrated as effective in the treatment of dyspnea. The role of other opioids has not been sufficiently substantiated.

Objective:

To evaluate the efficacy of oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) in the treatment of dyspnea on exertion in patients with advanced cancer. Design: This is a randomized, double-blind crossover clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of OTFC in dyspnea on exertion after the completion of a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). All patients were attended in 2011 by the Palliative Care Supportive Team from Badajoz. In visit 1, patients were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 treatment groups. In visit 2, the patients who had been receiving the investigational product were given placebos and vice versa.

Results:

Thirteen patients were recruited (26 6MWT), with a mean age of 65 years. Of the patients, 11 (76%)were males and lung cancer was the most frequently represented etiology. The patients were classified into 3e categories: better response in the first period, the same response in both the periods, and better response in the second period. No differences between the treatments were demonstrated ( P: 1). There were no differences in changes in oxygen saturation ( P: .7541) nor in the distance walked in the different sequences ( P: .6550). No significant differences were found in relation to the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, either before or after the 6MWT ( P: .1234). No secondary effects associated with the medication were observed.

Conclusion:

It could not be demonstrated that the OTFC improved exertion dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer. A placebo effect was observed in all the patients.
The Impact of Taxes and Social Spending on Inequality and Poverty in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay
Authors: Lustig Nora , Pessino Carola , Scott John
Published: November 2013

How much redistribution and poverty reduction is being accomplished in Latin America through social spending, subsidies, and taxes? Standard fiscal incidence analyses applied to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay using a comparable methodology yields the following results. Direct taxes and cash transfers reduce inequality and poverty by nontrivial amounts in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay but less so in Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru. While direct taxes are progressive, the redistributive impact is small because direct taxes as a share of GDP are generally low. Cash transfers are quite progressive in absolute terms, except in Bolivia where programs are not targeted to the poor. In Bolivia and Brazil, indirect taxes more than offset the poverty-reducing impact of cash transfers. When one includes the in-kind transfers in education and health, valued at government costs, they reduce inequality in all countries by considerably more than cash transfers, reflecting their relative size.
Efficient parallelization of a regional ocean model for the western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Córdoba M Luisa , Dopico Antonio García , García M Isabel , Rosales Francisco , Arnaiz Jesús , Bermejo Rodolfo , del Sastre Pedro Galán
Published: November 2013

This paper focuses on the parallelization of an ocean model applying current multicore processor-based cluster architectures to an irregular computational mesh. The aim is to maximize the efficiency of the computational resources used. To make the best use of the resources offered by these architectures, this parallelization has been addressed at all the hardware levels of modern supercomputers: firstly, exploiting the internal parallelism of the CPU through vectorization; secondly, taking advantage of the multiple cores of each node using OpenMP; and finally, using the cluster nodes to distribute the computational mesh, using MPI for communication within the nodes. The speedup obtained with each parallelization technique as well as the combined overall speedup have been measured for the western Mediterranean Sea for different cluster configurations, achieving a speedup factor of 73.3 using 256 processors. The results also show the efficiency achieved in the different cluster nodes and the advantages obtained by combining OpenMP and MPI versus using only OpenMP or MPI. Finally, the scalability of the model has been analysed by examining computation and communication times as well as the communication and synchronization overhead due to parallelization.
Models, experts and mutants: Exploring the relationships between peer educators and injecting drug user clients, in Delhi’s harm reduction programs
Authors: Moorthi Gayatri
Published: November 2013

The article, based on nine months of ethnographic fieldwork, explores the relationships between peer educators and their clients, under the harm reduction paradigm in Delhi, India. The study examines the way peer workers engage with their clients and manage their own recovery at the same time. The article argues three key points. First, peer educators came to be considered as harm reduction’s most crucial link, they were models for the clients and their expertise about street life was invaluable for the success of the program. They adapted and expanded their roles based on client needs, despite structural and resource limitations. Second, peer educators’ own struggles with addiction threatened their position within the program; it raised questions of efficacy, ethics and empowerment with regard to the peer model. Lastly, the tensions around the peer educators’ role and their continued drug use, revealed larger contradictions within the Indian harm reduction model. These findings more broadly highlight the issues of peer-client relationship dynamics and peer participation in service delivery within social work.
Reexamining the Use of Unilateral Orders
Authors: Bailey Jeremy D. , Rottinghaus Brandon
Published: November 2013

Recent debate on the use of unilateral presidential directives suggests that a president’s ability to shape and act without the consent of Congress is largely unchecked by traditional institutional arrangements while other research shows that presidents are more likely to be restrained by Congress. This article contributes to this debate by examining the source of authority used in unilateral orders. Using a new database of unilateral orders and a new theory, we reexamine when presidents use unilateral orders. We find that orders that invoke Congressionally based sources of authority are used when Congress is stronger while those that are presidency-based are used when Congress is weaker. These findings allow us to be more precise about how presidential unilateral strategy is shaped by institutional forces.
Unique self-leadership: A bifactor model approach
Authors: Furtner Marco R , Rauthmann John F , Sachse Pierre
Published: November 2013

A crucial point of debate around the construct of self-leadership is its supposed lack of distinctiveness from other theoretically related constructs. We empirically investigate in professionals with leadership experience ( N = 374) with a bifactor structural equation modeling approach to what extent self-leadership (a) is distinct from related classic motivation constructs (need for achievement, self-regulation, self-efficacy) and (b) harbors incremental predictive validity over and above these motivation constructs in predicting individual job performance and leadership behavior styles (transformational leadership, transactional leadership, laissez-faire leadership). Findings yielded that self-leadership (a) generally showed only moderate associations with constructs of classic motivation literature and was sufficiently distinct from them and (b) could incrementally predict outcomes above and beyond related classic motivation constructs, alluding to its uniqueness. We discuss self-leadership as a unique and useful construct worthy of own systematic research.
Treatment of glycaemia in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Gadsby MBE Roger
Published: November 2013

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising rapidly in the UK, and most practices will now have at least 5% of their registered population living with diabetes. The care of people with diabetes has in the last 20 years moved from being a principally hospital-based activity to one largely carried out in primary care. The quality and outcomes framework of the new GP contract introduced in 2004 has provided encouragement and incentive for primary care to take on this work. All qualified GPs and Associates in Training therefore need to have an understanding of up to date diabetes management. The treatment of type 2 diabetes has been the subject of two recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. NICE Clinical Guideline CG 66 was published in May 2008. A rapid update of the glycaemic control section of this guideline was published on 27 May 2009 as NICE Clinical Guideline CG 87. This occurred because a number of new glucose-lowering medications were launched after the scope of guideline CG 66 had been agreed and work had started on it. In this article glucose-lowering medications will be reviewed and their use discussed in light of the NICE guidance.
A comparative study between holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate: 12-month follow-up
Authors: Hamouda Atef , Morsi Gamal , Habib Enmar , Hamouda Hisham , Emam Abdel Basset , Etafy Mohamed
Published: November 2013

Background

This was a prospective randomized clinical trial to compare the safety and efficacy of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate and transurethral resection of the prostate for surgical treatment of patients with bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Patients and methods

From December 2009 to October 2010, 60 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTs) due to BPH were randomized to either surgical treatment with HOLEP (group 1, n = 30) or standard TURP (group 2, n = 30). Preoperative assessments included American Urological Association (AUA) symptom score, serum prostate-specific antigen, (SPSA), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) and uroflowmetry. Perioperative parameters included total operating time, resected tissue weight, hemoglobin loss, presence or absence of blood transfusion, time of catheter removal and duration of hospital stay. Postoperative evaluations were conducted at one, three, six and 12 months.

Results

Patients in the HOLEP group had shorter catheterization time and hospital stay, but longer operating time. Mean hemoglobin loss was lower in the HOLEP group (0.900 ± 0.419 g/dl vs 1.157 ± 0.918 g/dl). The follow-up results up to 12 months regarding AUA symptom score, PVR urine volume and Qmax showed that both groups were comparable.

Complications

Complications were similar between the two procedures with no significant difference.

Conclusion

HOLEP proved to be a safe and highly effective technique for surgical treatment of bladder outlet obstruction due to BPH.
Influence of tempering on microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti alloyed 13Cr supermartensitic stainless steel
Authors: Tavares S. S. M. , Pardal J. M. , de Souza G. C. , de Oliveira C. A. S. , de Abreu H. F. G.
Published: November 2013

Tempering is the final heat treatment applied to martensitic steels. In conventional martensitic stainless steels or in the newly developed supermartensitic grades, the mechanical properties are strongly influenced by tempering. In the present work, several tempering treatments were performed in a Ti alloyed supermartensitic stainless steel. Tensile mechanical properties, hardness and impact toughness were measured and correlated to microstructural features. Microstructural analysis was conducted in a field emission gun scanning electron microscope and also by magnetic measurements. The ductility parameters continuously increased with tempering temperature, while yield and ultimate strength decreased. Secondary hardening and temper embrittlement were observed by hardness and low temperature impact tests respectively, while tensile tests were not sensitive to these phenomena.
Clustered regulatory elements at nucleosome-depleted regions punctuate a constant nucleosomal landscape in Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Soriano Ignacio , Quintales Luis , Antequera Francisco
Published: November 2013

Background

Nucleosomes facilitate the packaging of the eukaryotic genome and modulate the access of regulators to DNA. A detailed description of the nucleosomal organization under different transcriptional programmes is essential to understand their contribution to genomic regulation.

Results

To visualize the dynamics of individual nucleosomes under different transcriptional programmes we have generated high-resolution nucleosomal maps in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We show that 98.5% of the genome remains almost invariable during mitosis and meiosis while remodelling is limited to approximately 1100 nucleosomes in the promoters of a subset of meiotic genes. These inducible nucleosome-depleted regions (NDR) and also those constitutively present in the genome overlap precisely with clusters of binding sites for transcription factors (TF) specific for meiosis and for different functional classes of genes, respectively. Deletion of two TFs affects only a small fraction of all the NDRs to which they bind in vivo, indicating that TFs collectively contribute to NDR maintenance.

Conclusions

Our results show that the nucleosomal profile in S. pombe is largely maintained under different physiological conditions and patterns of gene expression. This relatively constant landscape favours the concentration of regulators in constitutive and inducible NDRs. The combinatorial analysis of binding motifs in this discrete fraction of the genome will facilitate the definition of the transcriptional regulatory networks.
A tandem array of CBF/DREB1 genes is located in a major freezing tolerance QTL region on Medicago truncatula chromosome 6
Authors: Tayeh Nadim , Bahrman Nasser , Sellier Hélène , Bluteau Aurélie , Blassiau Christelle , Fourment Joëlle , Bellec Arnaud , Debellé Frédéric , Lejeune-Hénaut Isabelle , Delbreil Bruno
Published: November 2013

Background

Freezing provokes severe yield losses to different fall-sown annual legumes. Understanding the molecular bases of freezing tolerance is of great interest for breeding programs.Medicago truncatulaGaertn. is an annual temperate forage legume that has been chosen as a model species for agronomically and economically important legume crops. The present study aimed to identify positional candidate genes for a major freezing tolerance quantitative trait locus that was previously mapped toM. truncatulachromosome 6 (Mt-FTQTL6) using the LR3 population derived from a cross between the freezing-tolerant accession F83005-5 and the freezing-sensitive accession DZA045-5.

Results

The confidence interval of Mt-FTQTL6 was narrowed down to the region comprised between markers MTIC153 and NT6054 using recombinant F7and F8lines. A bacterial-artificial chromosome (BAC) clone contig map was constructed in an attempt to close the residual assembly gap existing therein. Twenty positional candidate genes including twelve C-repeat binding factor (CBF)/dehydration-responsive element binding factor 1 (DREB1) genes were identified from BAC-derived sequences and whole-genome shotgun sequences (WGS).CBF/DREB1genes are organized in a tandem array within an approximately 296-Kb region. ElevenCBF/DREB1genes were isolated and sequenced from F83005-5 and DZA045-5 which revealed high polymorphism among these accessions. Unique features characterizingCBF/DREB1genes fromM. truncatula, such as alternative splicing and large tandem duplication, are elucidated for the first time.

Conclusions

Overall, twenty genes were identified as potential candidates to explain Mt-FTQTL6 effect. Their future functional characterization will uncover the gene(s) involved in freezing tolerance difference observed between F83005-5 and DZA045-5. Knowledge transfer for breeding improvement of crop legumes is expected. Furthermore,CBF/DREB1related data will certainly have a large impact on research studies targeting this group of transcriptional activators inM. truncatulaand other legume species.
Developing a toolkit for panel management: improving hypertension and smoking cessation outcomes in primary care at the VA
Authors: Savarimuthu Stella M , Jensen Ashley E , Schoenthaler Antoinette , Dembitzer Anne , Tenner Craig , Gillespie Colleen , Schwartz Mark D , Sherman Scott E
Published: November 2013

Background

As primary care practices evolve into medical homes, there is an increasing need for effective models to shift from visit-based to population-based strategies for care. However, most medical teams lack tools and training to manage panels of patients. As part of a study comparing different approaches to panel management at the Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, we created a toolkit of strategies that non-clinician panel management assistants (PMAs) can use to enhance panel-wide outcomes in smoking cessation and hypertension.

Methods

We created the toolkit using: 1) literature review and consultation with outside experts, 2) key informant interviews with staff identified using snowball sampling, 3) pilot testing for feasibility and acceptability, and 4) further revision based on a survey of primary care providers and nurses. These steps resulted in progressively refined strategies for the PMAs to support the primary care team.

Results

Literature review and expert consultation resulted in an extensive list of potentially useful strategies. Key informant interviews and staff surveys identified several areas of need for assistance, including help to manage the most challenging patients, providing care outside of the visit, connecting patients with existing resources, and providing additional patient education. The strategies identified were then grouped into 5 areas – continuous connection to care, education and connection to clinical resources, targeted behavior change counseling, adherence support, and patients with special needs.

Conclusions

Although panel management is a central aspect of patient-centered medical homes, providers and health care systems have little guidance or evidence as to how teams should accomplish this objective. We created a toolkit to help PMAs support the clinical care team for patients with hypertension or tobacco use. This toolkit development process could readily be adapted to other behaviors or conditions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01677533
Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and cerebrovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Juan , Zhu Meijia , Ma Gaoting , Zhao Zhangning , Sun Zhongwen
Published: November 2013

Background

A wealth of published studies have been published on association between Chlamydia pneumoniae (C.pneumoniae) infection and cerebrovascular (CV) disease, but the results were inconsistent. This meta-analysis provides a systematic review of the available evidence from all serological and pathological studies of CV disease and C.pneumoniae.

Methods

A comprehensive research was conducted of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CNKI, WanFang technological periodical database and reference lists of articles to identify eligible case-control and cohort studies. Odds radio (OR) was calculated for each study outcome. Random effect model was used as pooling method and publication bias was estimated for the results.

Results

Fifty-two published studies that met criteria were selected. In case control studies, an association between C.pneumoniae infection and CV disease was revealed by serum specific IgG (OR, 1.61; 95% CI: 1.34 to 1.94), serum IgA (OR, 2.33; 95% CI: 1.76 to 3.08) and PCR technique of C.pneumoniae in peripheral blood cells (OR, 1.90; 95% CI: 1.17 to 3.07). No significant association was found in serum anti-C.pneumonae IgM seropositivity or in-situ-detection of C.pneumoniae in arterial biopsies with CV disease. Subgroup analysis by available studies suggested that C.pneumoniae may paly a role in atherosclerotic stroke, but be less significant in stroke of cardioembolism or other etiologies.

Conclusion

Association between C.pneumoniae infection and CV disease depends on the analytical method adopted, which seems stronger with stroke due to large artery atherosclerosis. Establishing a causal relationship between C.peumoniae infection and CV disease will require more prospective studies with combination of techniques and stratified by etiological subtypes.
HIV trend among Iranian prisoners in 1990s and 2000s; analysis of aggregated data from HIV sentinel sero-surveys
Authors: Haghdoost Ali-Akbar , Mirzazadeh Ali , Shokoohi Mostafa , Sedaghat Abbas , Gouya Mohammad Mahdi
Published: November 2013

Background

Using the aggregated data of all sentinel sero-surveys (1991 to 2007), this study aimed to report the HIV trend among Iranian prisoners.

Method

Overall, we analysed the aggregated data from 397 HIV sero-surveys conducted in 72 prisons (included 155,771 prisoners) from 1991 through 2007.

Results

The overall HIV prevalence was 2.8% (95% CI: 1.8%-4.3%). In 1998, HIV prevalence dramatically increased to 4.5% (95% CI: 1.1%-16.8%), which later became stable at level of 2.8%. Prisons were so heterogeneous regarding HIV prevalence (0% to 13.2%).

Conclusion

Since the outbreak, the ministry of health has acknowledged prisoners as one of the high-risk groups for HIV, increased the number of sentinel surveys and on-site harm reduction services to better monitor and response to the HIV epidemic. The downward trend of HIV prevalence after 2005 suggests the effectiveness of such interventions which need to be continued.
In vitro toxicity of different-sized ZnO nanoparticles in Caco-2 cells
Authors: Kang Tianshu , Guan Rongfa , Chen Xiaoqiang , Song Yijuan , Jiang Han , Zhao Jin
Published: November 2013

There has been rapid growth in nanotechnology in both the public and private sectors worldwide, but concern about nanosafety exists. To assess size-dependent cytotoxicity on human cancer cells, we studied the cytotoxic effect of three kinds of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells. Nanoparticles were first characterized by size, distribution, and intensity. Multiple assays have been adopted to measure the cell activity and oxidative stress. The cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs was time dependent and dose dependent. The 24-h exposure was chosen to confirm the viability and accessibility of the cells and taken as the appropriate time for the following test system. The IC50 value was found at a low concentration. The oxidative stress elicited a significant reduction in glutathione with increase in reactive oxygen species and lactate dehydrogenase. The toxicity resulted in a deletion of cells in the G1 phase and an accumulation of cells in the S and G2/M phases. One type of metallic oxide (ZnO) exerted different cytotoxic effects according to different particle sizes. Data from the previous experiments showed that 26-nm ZnO NPs appeared to have the highest toxicity to Caco-2 cells. The study demonstrated the toxicity of ZnO NPs to Caco-2 cells and the impact of particle size, which could be useful in the medical applications.
Angiographic and clinical comparison of novel Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stents and Resolute Integrity zotarolimus-eluting stents in all-comers with coronary artery disease (ORIENT trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lee Joo Myung , Park Sang-Don , Lim Sang Yup , Doh Joon-Hyung , Cho Jin Man , Kim Ki-Seok , Bae Jang-Whan , Chung Woo-Young , Youn Tae-Jin
Published: November 2013

Background

The Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stent is a newly developed third-generation drug-eluting stent, featuring a unique dual-polymer mix. An active bioabsorbable polymer delivers the anti-proliferative drug, sirolimus, via controlled release, while a passive biocompatible polymeric coating shields the metallic strut from surrounding tissue, preventing interaction. To date, the Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stent has excelled in terms of late lumen loss at 9 months in a first-in-man single-arm trial. However, the efficacy and safety data for Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stents in a broader population of all-comers are limited. The present study offers an angiographic and clinical comparison of the Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stent and the Resolute Integrity zotarolimus-eluting stent in the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods/design

The ORIENT trial is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-arm study designed to demonstrate the non-inferiority of the Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stent relative to the Resolute Integrity zotarolimus-eluting stent. A total of 375 patients with a spectrum of coronary artery disease will undergo prospective, random assignment to a Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stent or Resolute Integrity zotarolimus-eluting stent (2:1 ratio), for a primary endpoint of in-stent late lumen loss at 9 months by quantitative coronary angiography. Secondary 12-month clinical endpoints are death, target lesion revascularization, target vessel revascularization, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis and target lesion failure (a composite of cardiac death, target lesion revascularization and target vessel-related myocardial infarction).

Discussion

The ORIENT trial is the first study to date comparing the Orsiro Hybrid sirolimus-eluting stent with the Resolute Integrity zotarolimus-eluting stent for efficacy and safety in a population of all-comers with coronary artery disease.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01826552
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Asiaticoside, a trisaccaride triterpene induces biochemical and molecular variations in brain of mice with parkinsonism
Authors: Sampath Uvarajan , Janardhanam Vanisree Arambakkam
Published: November 2013

Background

Parkinson’s disease characterized by oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage in the pars compacta of substantia nigra remains a challenge to manage with an added disadvantage of side effects of L-levo dopa, the standard drug used for therapy. Thus, an alternative approach of utilizing natural components would be beneficial in the management of the disease. The present study was aimed to investigate the potential role of asiaticoside (As), a trisaccaride triterpene against1 – methyl 4 – phenyl 1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity in experimental mice.

Methods

Mice were divided into 4 groups: Group I received vehicle saline, group II was treated with 20 mg/kg of body weight of MPTP (2 doses with 2 h intervals), group III received MPTP along with 50 mg/kg body weight of As for the 21 consecutive days starting from the day of MPTP intoxication. Group IV received 50 mg/kg body weight of asiaticoside for the same period serving as drug control. Animals were sacrificed at the end of experimental period and the striatum and midbrain samples were analyzed for enzyme assays, transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. Immunofluorescent assay was performed to study the expression of GFAP to detect astrocyte, which are activated due to neuronal damage. Imunohistochemical studies were carried out to quantify the expression of Bax and Bcl2, the molecular signatures that would provide clues of the extent of neurodegeneration.

Results

The activities of enzymes were increased on As administration when compared with those of group II animals. Expressions of Bax and Bcl2 along with GFAP did show significant variations (p < 0.05) on MPTP treatment when compared to control animals and the changes were found to be reversed significantly (p < 0.05) after treatment with asiaticoside. TEM analysis also showed attenuated degenerative architecture on As administration. The mice which received As alone (drug control IV) did not show significant variation from that of the control mice.

Conclusion

The observations suggest that asiaticoside may be efficacious in protecting neurons from the oxidative damage caused by the insult of MPTP.
Mapping moveout approximations in TI media
Authors: Stovas Alexey , Alkhalifah Tariq
Published: November 2013

Moveout approximations play a very important role in seismic modeling, inversion, and scanning for parameters in complex media. We developed a scheme to map one-way moveout approximations for transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI), which is widely available, to the tilted case (TTI) by introducing the effective tilt angle. As a result, we obtained highly accurate TTI moveout equations analogous with their VTI counterparts. Our analysis showed that the most accurate approximation is obtained from the mapping of generalized approximation. The new moveout approximations allow for, as the examples demonstrate, accurate description of moveout in the TTI case even for vertical heterogeneity. The proposed moveout approximations can be easily used for inversion in a layered TTI medium because the parameters of these approximations explicitly depend on corresponding effective parameters in a layered VTI medium.
Cross-borehole tomography with correlation delay times
Authors: Mercerat E. Diego , Nolet Guust , Zaroli Christophe
Published: November 2013

We evaluated a comprehensive numerical experiment of finite-frequency tomography with ray-based (“banana-doughnut”) kernels that tested all aspects of this method, starting from the generation of seismograms in a 3D model, the window selection, and the crosscorrelation with seismograms predicted for a background model, to the final regularized inversion. In particular, we tested if the quasilinearity of crosscorrelation delays allowed us to forego multiple (linearized) iterations in the case of strong reverberations characterizing multiple scattering and the gain in resolution that can be obtained by observing body-wave dispersion. Contrary to onset times, traveltimes observed by crosscorrelation allowed us to exploit energy arriving later in the time window centered in the P-wave or any other indentifiable ray arrival, either scattered from, or diffracted around, lateral heterogeneities. We tested using seismograms calculated by the spectral element method in a cross-borehole experiment conducted in a 3D checkerboard cube. The use of multiple frequency bands allowed us to estimate body-wave dispersion caused by diffraction effects. The large velocity contrast (10%) and the regularity of the checkerboard pattern caused severe reverberations that arrived late in the crosscorrelation windows. Nevertheless, the model resulting from the inversion with a data fit with reduced [Formula: see text] resulted in an excellent correspondence with the input model and allowed for a complete validation of the linearizations that lay at the basis of the theory. The use of multiple frequencies led to a significant increase in resolution. Moreover, we evaluated a case in which the sign of the anomalies in the checkerboard was systematically reversed in the ray-theoretical solution, a clear demonstration of the reality of the “doughnut-hole” effect. The experiment validated finite-frequency theory and disqualified ray-theoretical inversions of crosscorrelation delay times.
Cognitive–behavioural therapy with post-session d-cycloserine augmentation for paediatric obsessive–compulsive disorder: pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Mataix-Cols David , Turner Cynthia , Monzani Benedetta , Isomura Kayoko , Murphy Caroline , Krebs Georgina , Heyman Isobel
Published: November 2013

A partial N-methyl-d-aspartate agonist, d-cycloserine, enhances fear extinction when given before or shortly after exposure to feared stimuli in animals. In this pilot double-blind placebo-controlled trial (trial number: ISRCTN70977225), 27 youth with obsessive–compulsive disorder were randomised to either 50mg d-cycloserine or placebo administered immediately after each of ten cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) sessions, primarily consisting of exposure and ritual prevention. Both groups improved significantly and maintained their gains at 1-year follow-up, with no significant advantage of d-cycloserine over placebo at any time point. The effects of CBT may not be augmented or accelerated when d-cycloserine is administered after sessions.
Phosphorylation of RNF41 E3 ubiquitin ligase by Par-1 protein kinase required for epithelial cell polarity
Authors: Lewandowski Katherine T. , Piwnica-Worms Helen
Published: November 2013

The establishment and maintenance of cell polarity is an essential property governing organismal homeostasis, and loss of polarity is a common feature of cancer cells. The ability of epithelial cells to establish apical-basal polarity depends on intracellular signals generated from polarity proteins such as Par-1 as well as extracellular signals generated through cell contacts with the extracellular matrix (ECM). Par-1 has a well-established role in regulating cell-cell contacts in the form of tight junctions by phosphorylating Par-3. In addition, Par-1 has been shown to impact cell-ECM interactions by regulating laminin receptor localization and laminin deposition on the basal surface of epithelial cells. Laminins are major structural and signaling components of basement membranes (BM), a sheet of specialized ECM underlying epithelia. In this study we identify RNF41, an E3 ubiquitin ligase, as a novel Par-1 effector in the cell-ECM pathway. Par-1 binds to and phosphorylates RNF41 on serine 254. Phosphorylation of RNF41 by Par-1 is required for epithelial cells to localize laminin-111 receptors to their basolateral surfaces and to properly anchor to laminin-111. In addition, phosphorylation of RNF41 is required for epithelial cells to establish apical-basal polarity. Our data suggests that phosphorylation of RNF41 by Par-1 regulates basolateral membrane targeting of laminin-111 receptors, thereby facilitating cell anchorage to laminin-111 and ultimately forming the cell-ECM contacts required for epithelial cells to establish apical-basal cell polarity.
Masters of change: seasonal plasticity in the prey-capture behavior of the Alpine newtIchthyosaura alpestris(Salamandridae)
Authors: Heiss Egon , Aerts Peter , Van Wassenbergh Sam
Published: November 2013

Transitions between aquatic and terrestrial environments are significant steps in vertebrate evolution. These transitions require major changes in many biological functions, including food uptake and transport. The Alpine newt, Ichthyosaura alpestris, is known to show a ‘multiphasic lifestyle’ where the adult shifts from a terrestrial to an aquatic lifestyle and then back to a terrestrial lifestyle every year as a result of its breeding activity. These transitions correspond to dramatic changes in morphology, physiology and behavior, resulting in distinct aquatic and terrestrial morphotypes. We hypothesized that these shifts go along with changes in prey-capture mechanics to maintain a sufficiently high performance in both environments. We analyzed the prey-capture kinematics in the four possible modes: aquatic strikes in the aquatic phase, terrestrial strikes in the terrestrial phase, aquatic strikes in the terrestrial phase and terrestrial strikes in the aquatic phase. A multivariate comparison detected significant kinematic differences between the phase-specific feeding modes. In both the aquatic and the terrestrial phase, I. alpestris uses a suction-feeding mechanism for capturing prey in water. By contrast, I. alpestris uses a jaw-based grasping mechanism with a kinematic profile similar to the aquatic modes for terrestrial prey-capture in its aquatic phase but an elaborate lingual-based prehension mechanism to capture terrestrial prey in the terrestrial phase. These results exhibit a so-far unknown amount of behavioral plasticity in prey-capture behavior that is tuned to the seasonal demands of performance, and exemplify functional mechanisms behind aquatic–terrestrial transitions in vertebrates.
Unusual Aluminum Hydride-mediated Reduction of N-(γ- or δ-Oxoacyl)oxazolidinone
Authors: Yamaguchi Jun-ichi , Asano Mayuko , Udono Youko
Published: November 2013

Reduction of N-(γ-oxoacyl)oxazolidinone with a borohydride reagent, such as NaBH4 or LiBEt3H, resulted in formation of the corresponding lactone or lactol. In contrast, when an aluminum hydride reagent was used instead of a borohydride reagent, reduction of N-(γ- or δ-oxoacyl)oxazolidinone proceeded unexpectedly to give not the corresponding lactone or lactol, but a tetrahydrofuran or tetrahydropyran derivative, respectively, containing an oxazolidino group.
Solvent-mediated Tuning of the Regioselectivity of Intramolecular Diaryl Ether Formation: Total Synthesis of (+)-Aspercyclide C
Authors: Yoshino Tatsuya , Yamashita Shuji , Sato Itaru , Hayashi Yujiro , Hirama Masahiro
Published: November 2013

A concise total synthesis of the 11-membered cyclic (+)-aspercyclide C is reported. Key to success was the fine-tuning of the reaction media to realize an oxidative, macrocyclic diaryl C–O bond formation in a regioselective and direct fashion.
Euro Crisis and the EMU Institutional Reforms
Authors: Kundera Jarosław
Published: November 2013

The main goal of this article is to find the answer for the question about the necessary reform to be undertaken in the EU to save the euro as a common currency. The author envisages three scenarios of the euro area’s future development. In his opinion, the most probable one are the institutional reforms in the euro area. The essential element of the reform is to establish a proper mix between the ECB’ monetary policy and fiscal policies in the member states. All proposed steps against the euro crisis are mutually correlated: monetary integration requires stricter fiscal integration, fiscal integration requires banking union, but banking union is going to require some form of a political union. This way the debt crisis in the euro area may present an opportunity to renew the strength of the European institutions.
The Fiscal Union as a Remedy For the Economic and Financial Crisis in the European Union
Authors: Gałuszka Jolanta
Published: November 2013

Financial crisis and a global deep recession has led to new government interventions, and the nation's governors have struggled with the resulting budget deficits, unemployment, and other economic problems in their states. Many states are facing major fiscal problems in coming years. Rising debt and growing health and pension costs threaten tax increases down the road. At the same time, intense global economic competition makes it imperative that states improve their investment climates. To that end, some governors are pursuing broad-based tax reforms, such as cutting income tax rates and spending restraint to get their states back on track. The purpose of the article is to identify the impact of globalization and the international environment on the process of tax harmonization in the EU from the perspective of proposal to establish a fiscal union. Moreover, I would like to answer whether a deeper fiscal harmonization will help to achieve the objectives of fiscal consolidation in the time of global tax competition and free movement of capital, goods, services and labour force. The article is divided into several small parts. These parts include the examples/small case studies, which would help stressing the pros and cons of fiscal union and its potential consequences also in the field of economic freedom. Methodology in the article is based on the descriptive analysis of statistical data, source materials and Polish and English literature.
Język a tożsamość etniczna
Authors: Laskowski Roman
Published: November 2013

Language and ethnic identity. Ethnic identity of young Polish diaspora in a multicultural society

More than two million people emigrated from Poland after the accession to the European Union. Most of them were young, and future parents. In the coming years, Polish diaspora will grow by several thousand children born outside of their parents’ homeland. These children will, and already do, face the necessity of reconciling the awareness of their Polish roots with the need to find their place inside the community of the country they live in. Language is the key both to their inherited culture, and to the culture of the host community. Polish, and the language of the dominant society. A generation of diaspora is now growing, that was immersed from birth in two languages and two cultures. It is the task of the parents, of the teachers, and of the Polish state, to make bilingualism the wealth of these children, and of both of their homelands. Well-planned work with parents is necessary, but most of all, an accurate identification of the mechanisms of linguistic interference in the conditions of life in two languages should be thoroughly investigated.
O zmienności signifiant wyrażeń metatekstowych
Authors: Kisiel Anna
Published: November 2013

On the variability of signifiant and metatextual expressions. The case of niemniej ‘nonetheless’

The paper discusses the individuality of the phrases niemniej, niemniej jednak, niemniej przeto, and tym niemniej (‘nonetheless’ &c.). It is suggested that niemniej jednak and niemniej przeto are compounds, because the elements niemniej, jednak, and przeto represent in them different groups of inference particles. The phrases niemniej and tym niemniej are considered to be semantically close but, against the lexicographic tradition, not identical. The range of use of the latter is significantly narrower. It is not found, for example, in the so-called confirmative contexts where niemniej occurs naturally; see *Ukazuje on światu Jezusa już nie jako fikcyjną postać z mitu ani jako abstrakcyjną formułę tradycyjnego katolicyzmu, ale jako genialnego człowieka, tym niemniej tylko człowieka ‘He shows Jesus to the world, not as a fictional, mythical character or as the abstract formula of traditional Catholicism, but as a brilliant man, yet only a man’.