bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 6-month follow-up after constraint-induced movement therapy with and without transfer package for patients with hemiparesis after stroke: a pilot quasi-randomized controlled trial
Authors: Takebayashi Takashi , Koyama Tetsuo , Amano Satoru , Hanada Keisuke , Tabusadani Mitsuru , Hosomi Masashi , Marumoto Kohei , Takahashi Kayoko , Domen Kazuhisa
Published: October 2012

Objective:

To investigate the long-term effects of the ‘transfer package’ in constraint-induced movement therapy, which is an optional protocol to facilitate actual use of the trained affected arm in activities of daily living.

Design:

A pilot quasi-randomized controlled trial with a blinded single assessor with six-month follow-up.

Setting:

Hospitalized care at university hospital.

Subjects:

Twenty-one post-stroke patients were quasi-randomized to either a group with transfer package during constraint-induced movement therapy or a control group (without transfer package).

Interventions:

The transfer package group received 4.5 hours of intensive task training and 0.5 hours of transfer package whereas the control group received 5.0 hours of intensive task training per day during 10 consecutive weekdays.

Main measures:

Arm function was measured with Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Amount of Use score of Motor Activity Log.

Results:

Twenty-three patients were quasi-randomized, but data from two patients were missing from the long-term follow-up. Both groups showed increase in arm function postintervention. However, at six months’ follow-up only the transfer package group showed consistent increase in arm function (with transfer package group versus control group; Fugl-Meyer Assessment, mean (± SD) from 48.6 ± 7.8 (preintervention) to 55.7 ± 4.5 (postintervention) and 59.0 ± 3.6 (six months postintervention) versus from 49.1 ± 5.5 to 52.8 ± 6.0 and 53.3 ± 4.9, P= 0.003; Amount of Use scale of Motor Activity Log, mean from 1.3 ± 0.55 (preintervention) to 2.12 ± 0.55 (postintervention) and 2.79 ± 0.98 (six months postintervention) versus from 1.18 ± 0.70 to 1.61 ± 0.54 and 1.65 ± 0.68, P= 0.002).

Conclusions:

Our results confirmed the long-term effects of the transfer package in constraint-induced movement therapy.
Developing a Tool for Assessing Public Health Law in Countries
Authors: Kim So Yoon , Lee Yuri , Sohn Myongsei , Hahm Ki-Hyun
Published: October 2012

At present, the World Health Organization (WHO) is in the process of developing a tool designed to assess the status of public health legislation in a given country. An Expert Consultation on Public Health Law was convened in Manila, Philippines, in May 2011. The participants agreed that the tool could serve as a guide for a regional approach to assist Member States in assessing the scope, completeness, and adequacy of their public health law. Given the broad definition of “public health” and the laws that affect health, directly or indirectly, the participants further agreed to narrow the field to 4 areas based on significant WHO works/policies, each organized into an independent module: (1) International Digest on Health Law, (2) Primary Health Care, (3) International Health Regulations 2005, and (4) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The tool would be drafted in a questionnaire format that asks the respondent to determine whether primary and/or subsidiary legislation exists in the country on a specific topic and, if so, to cite the relevant law, describe the pertinent points, and attach and/or link to the full text where available. The participants agreed that the respondents should include government officials and/or academics with legal competency. Version 1 of the tool was piloted in the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Samoa, and Vanuatu. At a 2nd Expert Consultation on Public Health Law, convened in Incheon, Republic of Korea, in October 2011, in conjunction with the 43rd Conference of the Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium on Public Health, the participants determined that the tool was generally usable, certain concerns notwithstanding, such as the risk of standardizing compliance with WHO policies. The agreed next step is to finalize the analysis tool by August 2012, marking the end of stage I in the development process. Stage II will consist of team building and networking of responsible officers and/or professionals in the countries. The tool will be further developed to reflect specific in-country situations.
Medication Costs Across the Hospice Stay
Authors: Gibson Marliese A. , Kimbrel Jason M. , Protus Bridget McCrate , Perdue Willie J. , Arradaza Nicole
Published: October 2012

The Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) recommended that the per diem reimbursement for the Medicare Hospice Benefit change to a U-shaped scheme reflecting spending based on nursing visit frequency. This study investigated the change in drug cost over patients’ length of stay (LOS) as current drug cost trends are unknown and were not evaluated in the MedPAC proposed reimbursement scheme. An analysis of patient utilizers of a national pharmacy claims database from 2007 to 2010 was completed to determine the trend in average daily pharmaceutical cost per utilizer (PCPU) over the patient’s LOS. The average daily PCPU for 144 119 patients demonstrated a U-shaped curve. Indexed values in the first and last periods were significantly higher than in all other periods overall and by diagnosis ( P < .001). Although indexed medication costs showed a U-shaped curve, it is imperative that hospice reimbursement be adequately evaluated for all medication costs including variations within the diagnosis mix. Payer sources and hospices must work together to determine adequate reimbursement models that will provide patients with effective and efficient high-quality care through the end of life.
Exploring Taiwanses Working Holiday-Makers’ Motivations
Authors: Ho Chaang-Iuan , Lin Pi-Yueh , Huang Shu-Chin
Published: October 2012

This study extends the means–end approach to examine the motivating factors associated with the experiences of working holiday–makers, ranging from tangible attributes (i.e., travel characteristics), to the reasons for traveling and underlying personal values. By using the “laddering” technique and interviewing 60 subjects from Taiwan who had previously completed their working holidays in Australia or New Zealand, the resulting linkages strengthen the ability to probe outcomes and values and derive cognitive representation of tourist behavior, including how working holiday tourism is related to the enhancement of personal values and to meeting tourists’ needs. The study’s findings have implications for researchers and practitioners interested in working holiday tourism.
The ethical complexities of sponsored digital storytelling
Authors: Dush Lisa
Published: October 2012

This article articulates key ethical issues that may arise in sponsored digital storytelling initiatives, projects wherein participants’ stories are used to promote the organization that subsidized their training. Analyzing a digital story from a public health project in the US, the article suggests that sponsored digital storytelling initiatives require participants, facilitators, and those within sponsoring organizations to make complicated ethical judgments about recruiting storytellers, the role of storytellers in the production process, and if and how to represent proximate others in stories. Critical concepts from life writing and documentary studies are used to explore these issues.
Trends in Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Placement in the Elderly From 1993 to 2003
Authors: Mendiratta P. , Tilford J. M. , Prodhan P. , Curseen K. , Azhar G. , Wei Jeanne Y.
Published: October 2012

Objectives:

To investigate national trends in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement for hospitalized elderly patients from 1993to 2003.

Methods:

Retrospective analysis of patients ≥65 years of age with PEG tube placement from 1993 to 2003 from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was utilized to calculate PEG placement rates per 1000 people.

Results:

Placement of PEG tube increased by 38% in elderly patients during the study period, from 2.71 procedures during hospitalization per 1000 people to 3.75 procedures during hospitalization per 1,000 people. Placement of PEG tube in patients with Alzheimer’s dementia doubled (5%-10%) over the study period.

Conclusion:

Over a 10-year period, PEG tube use in hospitalized elderly patients increased significantly. More importantly, approximately 1 in 10 PEG tube placements occurred in patients with dementia.
Graphical Processing Unit accelerated radio path-loss estimation with neural networks
Authors: McLeod Adam , Bai Scott , Meyer Joseph
Published: October 2012

Radio path-loss prediction is an important but computationally expensive component of wireless communications simulation. Models may require significant computation to reach a solution or require that information about the environment between transceivers be collected as model inputs, which may also be computationally expensive. Despite the complexity of the underlying model that generates a path-loss solution, the resulting function is not necessarily complex, and there may be ample opportunity for compression. We introduce a method for rapidly estimating radio path loss with Feed-Forward Neural Networks (FFNNs), in which not only path-loss models but also map topology is implicitly encoded in the network. Since FFNN simulation is amenable to Single Instruction Multiple Data architecture, additional performance can be gained by implementing a trained model in a parallel manner with a Graphical Processing Unit (GPU), such as those found on modern video cards. We first describe the properties of the training data used, which is either taken from measurements of the continental United States, or generated with random processes. Secondly, we discuss the model selection process and the training algorithm used on all candidate networks. Thirdly, we show accuracy evaluations of a number of FFNNs trained to estimate both commercial and public-domain path-loss solution sets. Lastly, we describe the approach used to implement trained networks on a GPU, and provide performance evaluations versus conventional path-loss models running on a Central Processing Unit.
Experience with imidafenacin in the management of overactive bladder disorder
Authors: Takeuchi Takumi , Zaitsu Masayoshi , Mikami Koji
Published: October 2012

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a chronic syndrome defined by symptoms of urinary urgency with no underlying medical causes. First-line treatment of OAB comprises fluid intake advice and bladder training, supplemented by anticholinergic drugs if necessary. Owing to the chronic nature of OAB, the ideal anticholinergic treatment should have good long-term efficacy and tolerability. There are many anticholinergics available, although some of these are not specific for the bladder and can cause adverse effects such as dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision or cognitive impairment. Imidafenacin (a newer anticholinergic which has been marketed in Japan since 2007) was developed to improve the tolerability of anticholinergic therapy. This article summarizes the pharmacological properties, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy and tolerability of imidafenacin in the treatment of OAB. Data from key clinical studies of imidafenacin show that it has a fast onset of action and is effective for the treatment of OAB. It selectively binds to muscarinic receptors in the bladder and is associated with a good safety profile compared with other anticholinergics. The clinical efficacy, superior tolerability and adjustable dosing of imidafenacin make it a good anticholinergic for the treatment of OAB.
Attributed causes for work–family conflict: Emotional and behavioral outcomes
Authors: Ilies Remus , Pater Irene E. De , Lim Sandy , Binnewies Carmen
Published: October 2012

Work–family conflict may give rise to different emotional reactions, depending on the causal attributions people make for the experience of work–family conflict. These emotional reactions, in turn, may result in specific behavioral reactions, that may either be adaptive or maladaptive in nature. In this essay, we advance this thesis using attribution theory and theory of emotions that specifies different behavioral outcomes associated with different attribution-induced negative emotions. We develop a model of causal attributions for work–family conflict that includes differentiated emotional reactions (e.g., guilt and shame) and both adaptive (e.g., job crafting, self-development) and maladaptive (e.g., withdrawal, aggression, turnover) behavioral outcomes of work–family conflict. We conclude the article with directions for future research, guided by the proposed model.
Deletion of the TNFAIP3/A20gene detected by FICTION analysis in classical Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Nomoto Junko , Hiramoto Nobuhiro , Kato Motohiro , Sanada Masashi , Maeshima Akiko Miyagi , Taniguchi Hirokazu , Hosoda Fumie , Asakura Yoshitaka , Munakata Wataru , Sekiguchi Naohiro , Maruyama Dai , Watanabe Takashi , Nakagama Hitoshi , Takeuchi Kengo , Tobinai Kensei , Ogawa Seishi , Kobayashi Yukio
Published: October 2012

Background

The TNFAIP3 gene, which encodes a ubiquitin-modifying enzyme (A20) involved in the negative regulation of NF-κB signaling, is frequently inactivated by gene deletions/mutations in a variety of B-cell malignancies. However, the detection of this in primary Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) specimens is hampered by the scarcity of Hodgkin Reed-Sternberg (HR-S) cells even after enrichment by micro-dissection.

Methods

We used anti-CD30 immunofluorescence with fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) to evaluate the relative number of TNFAIP3/CEP6 double-positive signals in CD30-positive cells.

Results

From a total of 47 primary classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) specimens, 44 were evaluable. We found that the relative numbers of TNFAIP3/CD30 cells were distributed among three groups, corresponding to those having homozygous (11%), heterozygous (32%), and no (57%) deletions in TNFAIP3. This shows that TNFAIP3 deletions could be sensitively detected using our chosen methods.

Conclusions

Comparing the results with mutation analysis, TNFAIP3 inactivation was shown to have escaped detection in many samples with homozygous deletions. This suggests that TNFAIP3 inactivation in primary cHL specimens might be more frequent than previously reported.
On some controversial issues in rock physics
Authors: Vernik Lev , Kachanov Mark
Published: October 2012

We examine some basic issues in elasticity of reservoir rocks that are of central importance for the hydro-carbon exploration and production technologies. Serious misconceptions appear to persist in these areas, and they may lead to dubious guidelines for log editing, synthetic forward modeling, AVO, and 4D studies. Our motivation here is to clarify some of these issues. We also identify challenges in relating the elastic properties of rocks to their microstructure; they concern “irregular” shapes of cracks and pores, and their proper quantitative characterization.
The emergence and future of near-surface geophysics
Authors: Doll William E. , Miller Richard D. , Bradford John
Published: October 2012

Over the past 30 years, geophysical methods have assumed a much more prominent and integral role in many investigations where subsurface features have environmental and engineering importance. In fact, the field once referred to as “environmental and engineering geophysics” has broadened to include other applications (e.g., archeology, forensics), and is now commonly referred to more generally as “near-surface geophysics.” It is difficult to precisely define near-surface geophysics, and the definition will likely depend on whom you ask. However, we define it as the use of geophysical methods to investigate the zone between the surface and hundreds of meters into the Earth's crust. Applications include, but are not limited to, potable water management, engineered infrastructure and construction, site clearance, gas storage, natural-hazard mitigation, mining, forensics, and archaeology. Although the same physical principles are relevant for any target depth, the high degree of near-surface heterogeneity, rapid change in physical properties, and proximity to the free surface often dictates that dominant processes and therefore key assumptions differ between the near-surface and deeper investigations. While near-surface geophysics shares many technical and cultural attributes of oil and gas exploration, the majority of near-surface geophysicists practice under different economic drivers and conditions.
A U.S. human resource challenge for Earth science education and energy exploration and exploitation
Authors: Martinsen Ole J. , Talwani Manik , Levander Alan , Dengo Carlos , Barkhouse Bill , Dunn John F. , Link Curtis , Mosher Sharon , Tatham Robert , Orcutt John , Paul Don , Talley Robert
Published: October 2012

The impetus to write this article stems from a special session at SEG's 2010 Annual Meeting on “Interaction between Academia and Industry.” The session articulated important issues that both industry and academia involved with Earth sciences have to deal with and the panelists and authors of this paper decided to meet at two subsequent meetings in Houston in the spring of 2011 as an ad-hoc group. The group was engaged in the discussion because of the importance of the human resources issue. The group focused on the problem of a severe manpower shortage that is predicted in the Earth science field in the near future. This article summarizes the issue with data and possible solutions.
Lipid Metabolism and Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease: A Role for Liver X Receptors
Authors: Kang Jihong , Rivest Serge
Published: October 2012

Liver X receptors (LXR) are nuclear receptors that have emerged as key regulators of lipid metabolism. In addition to their functions as cholesterol sensors, LXR have also been found to regulate inflammatory responses in macrophages. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a progressive cognitive decline associated with inflammation. Evidence indicates that the initiation and progression of AD is linked to aberrant cholesterol metabolism and inflammation. Activation of LXR can regulate neuroinflammation and decrease amyloid-β peptide accumulation. Here, we highlight the role of LXR in orchestrating lipid homeostasis and neuroinflammation in the brain. In addition, diabetes mellitus is also briefly discussed as a significant risk factor for AD because of the appearing beneficial effects of LXR on glucose homeostasis. The ability of LXR to attenuate AD pathology makes them potential therapeutic targets for this neurodegenerative disease.
Cardiovascular Phenotype in Turner Syndrome—Integrating Cardiology, Genetics, and Endocrinology
Authors: Mortensen Kristian H. , Andersen Niels H. , Gravholt Claus H.
Published: October 2012

Cardiovascular disease is emerging as a cardinal trait of Turner syndrome, being responsible for half of the 3-fold excess mortality. Turner syndrome has been proposed as an independent risk marker for cardiovascular disease that manifests as congenital heart disease, aortic dilation and dissection, valvular heart disease, hypertension, thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Risk stratification is unfortunately not straightforward because risk markers derived from the general population inadequately identify the subset of females with Turner syndrome who will suffer events. A high prevalence of endocrine disorders adds to the complexity, exacerbating cardiovascular prognosis. Mounting knowledge about the prevalence and interplay of cardiovascular and endocrine disease in Turner syndrome is paralleled by improved understanding of the genetics of the X-chromosome in both normal health and disease. At present in Turner syndrome, this is most advanced for the SHOX gene, which partly explains the growth deficit.

This review provides an up-to-date condensation of current state-of-the-art knowledge in Turner syndrome, the main focus being cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim is to provide insight into pathogenesis of Turner syndrome with perspectives to advances in the understanding of genetics of the X-chromosome. The review also incorporates important endocrine features, in order to comprehensively explain the cardiovascular phenotype and to highlight how raised attention to endocrinology and genetics is important in the identification and modification of cardiovascular risk.
Drosophila embryos close epithelial wounds using a combination of cellular protrusions and an actomyosin purse string
Authors: Abreu-Blanco Maria Teresa , Verboon Jeffrey M. , Liu Raymond , Watts James J. , Parkhurst Susan M.
Published: October 2012

The repair of injured tissue must occur rapidly to prevent microbial invasion and maintain tissue integrity. Epithelial tissues in particular, which serve as a barrier against the external environment, must repair efficiently in order to restore their primary function. Here we analyze the effect of different parameters on the epithelial wound repair process in the late stage Drosophila embryo using in vivo wound assays, expression of cytoskeleton and membrane markers, and mutant analysis. We define four distinct phases in the repair process, expansion, coalescence, contraction and closure, and describe the molecular dynamics of each phase. Specifically, we find that myosin, E-cadherin, Echinoid, the plasma membrane, microtubules and the Cdc42 small GTPase respond dynamically during wound repair. We demonstrate that perturbations of each of these components result in specific impairments to the wound healing process. Our results show that embryonic epithelial wound repair is mediated by two simultaneously acting mechanisms: crawling driven by cellular protrusions and actomyosin ring contraction along the leading edge of the wound.
Mechanism of polarized lysosome exocytosis in epithelial cells
Authors: Xu Jin , Toops Kimberly A. , Diaz Fernando , Carvajal-Gonzalez Jose Maria , Gravotta Diego , Mazzoni Francesca , Schreiner Ryan , Rodriguez-Boulan Enrique , Lakkaraju Aparna
Published: October 2012

Fusion of lysosomes with the plasma membrane is a calcium-dependent process that is crucial for membrane repair, limiting pathogen entry and clearing cellular debris. In non-polarized cells, lysosome exocytosis facilitates rapid resealing of torn membranes. Here, we investigate the mechanism of lysosome exocytosis in polarized epithelia, the main barrier between the organism and the external environment and the first line of defense against pathogens. We find that in polarized Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, calcium ionophores or pore-forming toxins cause lysosomes to fuse predominantly with the basolateral membrane. This polarized exocytosis is regulated by the actin cytoskeleton, membrane cholesterol and the clathrin adaptor AP-1. Depolymerization of actin, but not microtubules, causes apical lysosome fusion, supporting the hypothesis that cortical actin is a barrier to exocytosis. Overloading lysosomes with cholesterol inhibits exocytosis, suggesting that excess cholesterol paralyzes lysosomal traffic. The clathrin adaptor AP-1 is responsible for accurately targeting syntaxin 4 to the basolateral domain. In cells lacking either the ubiquitous AP-1A or the epithelial-specific AP-1B, syntaxin 4 is non-polar. This causes lysosomes to fuse with both the apical and basolateral membranes. Consistent with these findings, RNAi-mediated depletion of syntaxin 4 inhibits basolateral exocytosis in wild-type MDCK, and both apical and basolateral exocytosis in cells lacking AP-1A or AP-1B. Our results provide fundamental insight into the molecular machinery involved in membrane repair in polarized epithelia and suggest that AP-1 is a crucial regulator of this process.
Autocrine and paracrine unpaired signaling regulate intestinal stem cell maintenance and division
Authors: Osman Dani , Buchon Nicolas , Chakrabarti Sveta , Huang Yu-Ting , Su Wan-Chi , Poidevin Mickaël , Tsai Yu-Chen , Lemaitre Bruno
Published: October 2012

The Janus kinase (JAK) signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway is involved in the regulation of intestinal stem cell (ISC) activity to ensure a continuous renewal of the adult Drosophila midgut. Three ligands, Unpaired 1, Unpaired 2 and Unpaired 3 (Upd1, Upd2 and Upd3, respectively) are known to activate the JAK/STAT pathway in Drosophila. Using newly generated upd mutants and cell-specific RNAi, we showed that Upd1 is required throughout the fly life to maintain basal turnover of the midgut epithelium by controlling ISC maintenance in an autocrine manner. A role of Upd2 and Upd3 in basal conditions is discernible only in old gut, where they contribute to increased ISC abnormal division. Finally, upon an acute stress such as oral bacterial infection, we showed that Upd3 is released from enterocytes and has an additive effect with Upd2 to promote rapid epithelial regeneration. Taken together, our results show that Upd ligands are required to maintain the midgut homeostasis under both normal and pathological states.
A conserved role for the 20S proteasome and Nrf2 transcription factor in oxidative-stress adaptation in mammals, C. elegans and D. melanogaster
Authors: Pickering Andrew M. , Staab Trisha A. , Tower John , Sieburth Derek S. , Davies Kelvin J. A.
Published: October 2012

In mammalian cells H2O2 induced adaptation to oxidative stress is strongly dependent on an Nrf2 mediated increase in 20S proteasome. Here we report that both Caenorhabditis elegans nematode worms and Drosophila melanogaster fruit-flies are also capable of adapting to oxidative stress with H2O2 pretreatment. As in mammalian cells, this adaptive response in worms and flies involved an increase in proteolytic activity and increased expression of 20S proteasome, but not of 26S proteasome. It was also found that the increase in 20S proteasome expression in both worms and flies, as in mammalian cells, is important for the adaptive response, and that it is mediated by the SKN-1 and CNC-C orthologs of the mammalian Nrf2 transcription factor, respectively. These studies demonstrate that stress mechanisms operative in cell culture also apply in disparate intact organisms across a wide range of biological diversity.
miR-203b: a novel regulator of MyoD expression in tilapia skeletal muscle
Authors: Yan Biao , Zhao Li-Hui , Guo Jin-Tao , Zhao Jin-Liang
Published: October 2012

MyoD is one of the helix-loop-helix proteins regulating muscle-specific gene expression in tilapia. Tight regulation of MyoD protein level is necessary for the precise regulation of skeletal muscle development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of regulatory RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. Increasing evidences have suggested that miRNAs play an important role in regulating skeletal muscle development. We reasoned that MyoD expression may be regulated by miRNAs. Bioinformatics prediction identify a putative miR-203b target site in the 3’-UTR of MyoD gene. Interestingly, miR-203b expression is negatively correlated is negatively correlated with MyoD expression. miR-203b suppression leads to a significant increase in MyoD expression, thereby activating MyoD downstream gene. 3’-UTR luciferase reporter assay further verifies the direct interaction between miR-203b and MyoD. Taken together, our studies reveal a novel molecular mechanism in which miRNA participates in transcriptional circuits that regulates gene expression in tilapia skeletal muscle.
Behavior and survival ofMytiluscongeners following episodes of elevated body temperature in air and seawater
Authors: Dowd W. Wesley , Somero George N.
Published: October 2012

Coping with environmental stress may involve combinations of behavioral and physiological responses. We examined potential interactions between adult mussels’ simple behavioral repertoire – opening/closing of the shell valves – and thermal stress physiology in common-gardened individuals of three Mytilus congeners found on the West Coast of North America, two of which are native species (M. californianus and M. trossulus) and one an invasive from the Mediterranean (M. galloprovincialis). We first continuously monitored valve behavior over three consecutive days on which body temperatures were gradually increased, either in air or in seawater. A temperature threshold effect was evident between 25°C and 33°C in several behavioral measures. Mussels tended to spend much less time with the valves in a sealed position following exposure to 33°C body temperature, especially when exposed in air. This behavior could not be explained by decreases in adductor muscle glycogen (stores of this metabolic fuel actually increased in some scenarios), impacts of forced valve sealing on long-term survival (none observed in a second experiment), or loss of contractile function in the adductor muscles (individuals exhibited as many or more valve adduction movements following elevated body temperature as in controls). We hypothesize that this reduced propensity to seal the valves following thermal extremes represents avoidance of hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles and concomitant oxidative stress. We further conjecture that prolonged valve gaping following episodes of elevated body temperature may have important ecological consequences by affecting species interactions. We then examined survival over a 90-d period following exposure to elevated body temperature and/or emersion, observing ongoing mortality throughout this monitoring period. Survival varied significantly among species (M. trossulus had lowest survival) and among experimental contexts (survival was lowest after experiencing elevated body temperature in seawater). Surprisingly, we observed no cumulative impact on survival of three days relative to one day of exposure to elevated body temperature. The delayed mortality and context-specific outcomes we observed have important implications for design of future experiments and for interpretation of field distribution patterns of these species. Ultimately, variation in the catalog of physiological and behavioral capacities among closely related or sympatric species is likely to complicate prediction of the ecological consequences of global change and species invasions.
p53 antagonizes the unfolded protein response and inhibits ground glass hepatocyte development during endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Dioufa Nikolina , Chatzistamou Ioulia , Farmaki Elena , Papavassiliou Athanasios G , Kiaris Hippokratis
Published: October 2012

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is triggered during stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and facilitates tissue homeostasis. Considering the role of p53 tumor suppressor gene in the interpretation of stress-inducing stimuli, in this study, we explored whether p53 modulates UPR. We found that p53 ablation resulted in a profound sensitivity to tunicamycin that was associated with liver dysfunction, ground glass hepatocyte (GGH) development and nuclear atypia/dysplasia. Binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP)/glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) chaperone was readily detected in the cytoplasm of GGHs, confirming ER expansion. Tunicamycin administration induced BiP/GRP78 and GRP94 expression more potently in the p53-deficient mice than in controls and elevated phosphatidylcholine, the major lipid of ER, by a p53-dependent mechanism. Furthermore, alternative splicing of XBP1, the transcription factor that executes the UPR, was more efficient in cells which do not express p53. The cytoprotective effects of p53 were confirmed by cell viability studies, indicating that p53 deficiency conferred sensitivity against tunicamycin. Our findings show that p53 protects from the hepatotoxic effects of chronic ER stress. Stimulation of p53 activity when intense UPR is undesirable may possess therapeutic implications.
Anisotropic Consolidation Behavior of Ariake Clay from Three Different CRS Tests
Authors: Chai Jin-Chun , Jia Rui , Hino Takenori
Published: October 2012

Three types of constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests were conducted on samples of undisturbed Ariake clay, using a newly developed consolidometer, to investigate the anisotropic consolidation behavior of the clay. CRS tests conducted using vertically cut specimens (with respect to the in situ condition) tested with vertical (or end) drainage (with respect to test condition) were designated as CRS-V-V tests. Specimens cut vertically but with radial drainage were designated CRS-V-R, whereas those cut horizontally and tested with vertical drainage were designated CRS-H-V. The test results show that the ratio of the consolidation yield stress of a horizontally cut specimen (pch) to that of a vertically cut specimen (pcv) is in a range from 0.5 to 1.0. Both pcv and pch increased about 15 % with a tenfold increase in strain rate, but there was no clear difference in the degree of strain-rate dependency for pcv and pch. Values of the coefficient of consolidation obtained from CRS-H-V (chh) and CRS-V-R (chv) test are larger than those measured in CRS-V-V (cv) tests, and it has been identified that these differences arise mainly from the anisotropy of hydraulic conductivity (k). The ratio of k in the horizontal direction (kh) measured in a CRS-V-R test to that in the vertical direction (kv) from a CRS-V-V test is about 1.65, and the ratio of chv/cv is about 1.54. The value of kh from a CRS-H-V test is generally smaller than that from a CRS-V-R test.
Small-strain Cyclic Testing With Standard NGI Simple Shear Device
Authors: Mortezaie Ahmad Reza , Vucetic Mladen
Published: October 2012

In the standard Norwegian Geotechnical Institute type of direct simple shear (NGI-DSS) test, the horizontal load cell record includes several false loads which do not represent the soil shear resistance. In the case of cyclic loading, the relative magnitude of these false loads increases as the cycle shear strain amplitude γc decreases. Consequently, in order to obtain accurate cyclic soil behavior at small γc, the NGI-DSS test records must be corrected to address the errors due to these false loads. This paper describes how, with the help of modern computer technologies, the false loads can be identified, quantified, and then subtracted from the load cell record. In an example, the proposed correction procedure is successfully applied to values of γc as small as 0.026 %. With this procedure, the accurate equivalent viscous damping ratio, the variation of the secant shear modulus with the number of cycles, and other cyclic properties can be obtained at γc as small as 0.01 %.
Solving an Inverse Scattering Problem of an Embedded Perfectly Conducting Cylinder by Asynchronous Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Chiu Chien-Ching , Hsu Jung-Chin , Hsiao Wei-Chun
Published: October 2012

We present a computational approach to the imaging of a two-dimensional (2D) embedded perfectly conducting cylinder by the asynchronous particle swarm optimization (APSO). An embedded conducting cylinder of unknown shape scatters the incident transverse magnetic (TM) wave in a half space while the scattered field is recorded outside. Based on the boundary condition and the measured scattered field, a set of nonlinear integral equations is derived and the imaging problem is reformulated into an optimization problem. The inverse problem is solved by an optimization approach and the global searching scheme, the asynchronous particle swarm optimization is then employed to search the parameter space. This method is tested by several numerical examples, and it is found that the performance of the APSO is robust for reconstructing the perfectly conducting cylinder. Numerical simulations show that even when the measured scattered fields are contaminated with Gaussian noise, the quality of the reconstructed results obtained by the APSO algorithm is very good.
Flammability and Sensitivity of Materials in Oxygen-Enriched Atmospheres: 13th Volume
Authors: Davis Samuel Edgar , Steinberg Theodore A.
Published: October 2012

Description

Seventeen peer-reviewed papers cover the latest research on the ignition and combustion of metals and non-metals, oxygen compatibility of components and systems, analysis of ignition and combustion, failure analysis and safety. It includes aerospace, military, scuba diving, and industrial oxygen applications.

Topics cover

This new publication is a valuable resource for professionals in the air separation industries, oxygen manufacturers, manufacturers of materials intended for oxygen service, and users of oxygen and oxygen-enriched atmospheres, including aerospace, medical, industrial gases, chemical processing, steel and metals refining, as well as to military, commercial or recreational diving.
Transporte intra-hospitalar de pacientes adultos em estado crítico: complicações relacionadas à equipe, equipamentos e fatores fisiológicos
Authors: Almeida Ana Carolina Goulardins de , Neves Ana Lúcia Domingues , Souza Claudenice Leite Bertoli de , Garcia Júlia Helena , Lopes Juliana de Lima , Barros Alba Lucia Bottura Leite de
Published: October 2012

OBJETIVO: Identificar na literatura as complicações relacionadas às alterações fisiológicas do paciente, à equipe multidisciplinar e ao uso de equipamentos durante o transporte intra-hospitalar de pacientes críticos. MÉTODOS: Revisão integrativa da literatura, com busca nas bases de dados PUBMED, MEDLINE, e LILACS. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 20 artigos, todos escritos na língua inglesa. Os estudos mostraram que as alterações na pressão arterial e na frequência cardíaca são as mais comuns durante o transporte. Dos eventos adversos relacionados a problemas com a equipe, destacaram-se, a falta de conhecimento do profissional e a falha de comunicação, além dos provenientes dos equipamentos utilizados. CONCLUSÃO: Transportar o paciente crítico de maneira segura significa melhorar a comunicação entre as equipes, padronizar as ações e equipamentos utilizados por meio de protocolos e identificar intercorrências para obter excelência no atendimento durante o transporte.
Distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho em profissionais de enfermagem: revisão integrativa da literatura
Authors: Lelis Cheila Maíra , Battaus Maria Raquel Brazil , Freitas Fabiana Cristina Taubert de , Rocha Fernanda Ludmilla Rossi , Marziale Maria Helena Palucci , Robazzi Maria Lucia do Carmo Cruz
Published: October 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as evidências sobre o adoecimento de trabalhadores de enfermagem pelos Distúrbios Osteomusculares Relacionados ao Trabalho (DORT). MÉTODOS: Revisão integrativa da literatura utilizando as bases: Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), BVS Enfermagem, Scopus e Banco de Teses da Universidade de São Paulo (USP) obtendo-se 17 estudos. RESULTADOS: Evidenciou-se que os DORT acometem os profissionais de enfermagem e relacionam-se às condições inadequadas dos ambientes de trabalho, à organização e estrutura do trabalho. CONCLUSÃO: É necessário investir em programas preventivos, capacitações, educação em saúde, estratégias de intervenção e organização dos serviços existentes.
Evaluation of spatial variability on hydrology and nutrient source loads at watershed scale using a modeling approach
Authors: Parajuli Prem B.
Published: October 2012

Understanding the effects of spatial variability on hydrologic parameters and nutrient source load distribution is essential to develop water quality improvement programs. The objective of this research was to evaluate spatially distributed hydrologic variability, nutrient sources, and their loadings at the watershed scale using a modeling approach. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to assess spatial variability of annual average water, sediment, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN) yields from the Upper Pearl River Watershed (UPRW) in Mississippi, USA. The SWAT model was successfully calibrated, validated, and verified with good model efficiency (R2 = 0.70 and E = 0.59) using monthly measured stream flow, daily observed flow, sediment, TP, and TN yields. The SWAT model results determined that spatial variability of annual average pollutant loads of water yield ranged from 877 to 206 mm, sediment yield ranged from 1.71 to 0.17 t ha−1, TP ranged from 1.39 to 0.02 kg ha−1, and TN ranged from 10.22 to 0.69 kg ha−1 in the watershed sub-basins. Understanding of the spatial variability of hydrologic and nutrient source loads distribution helps watershed managers focus their management efforts to the most needy watershed sub-basins.
Evaluating the snow component of a flood forecasting model
Authors: Nester T. , Kirnbauer R. , Parajka J. , Blöschl G.
Published: October 2012

The objective of this study is to evaluate the snow routine of a semi-distributed conceptual water balance model calibrated to streamflow data alone. The model is used for operational flood forecasting in 57 catchments in Austria and southern Germany with elevations ranging 200–3,800 m a.s.l. We compared snow water equivalents (SWE) simulated by the hydrologic model with snow covered area (SCA) derived from a combined product of MODIS (version 5) Terra and Aqua satellite data for the period 2003–2009 using efficiency measures and a spatial analysis. In the comparison, thresholds for percent catchment snow cover and a cut-off water equivalent need to be chosen with care as they affect the snow model efficiency. Results indicate that the model has a tendency to underestimate snow cover in prealpine areas and forested areas while it performs better in alpine catchments and open land. The spatial analysis shows that for 88% of the analysed model area snow cover is modelled correctly on more than 80% of the days. The space borne snow cover data proved to be very useful for evaluating the snow model. We therefore suggest that the snow data will be similarly useful for data assimilation in real time flood forecasting.
Infection in Patients with Acute Stroke
Authors: P. Johnsen S. , L. Svendsen M. , Ingeman A.
Published: October 2012

Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and efforts to reduce the impact of the disease
are strongly needed. Patients with acute stroke have an increased risk of in-hospital complications, in particular
pneumonia and urinary tract infections. These infections are associated with an adverse patient outcome and increased
health care costs. Here we review the existing knowledge on the risk and consequences of post-stroke pneumonia and
UTI in adult patients and discuss the evidence of possible targets for intervention.
Risk of Infectious Diseases in Patients with COPD
Authors: Holm Wackerhausen Laura-Maria , Georg Hansen Jens
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we review data on the risk of infectious diseases in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD), including the efficacy of antibiotics for prevention and treatment of acute COPD exacerbations, with a focus on
more recent studies.

Studies indicate that immunological mechanisms in COPD are impaired, leading to increased susceptibility to infection.
Exacerbations are often infectious in origin (viral and/or bacterial) although pathogens may also be present in the lungs of
person with stable COPD. The detailed mechanisms of exacerbations remain under investigation.

Despite great variations in design and operational definitions of outcome, studies consistently find that patients with
COPD are at an increased risk of respiratory infections. Patients with COPD do not appear to be at an increased risk of
infections outside the respiratory system, but only a small number of studies have addressed this.

The role of antibiotics in the management of acute exacerbations of COPD is disputed. However, findings from recent
studies suggest that antibiotics are effective, although primarily in patients admitted to the hospital, thus representing
patients with more severe exacerbations. Still, the question of antibiotic efficacy for different clinically well-defined
subgroups of COPD exacerbation as well as the choice of the most appropriate antibiotic for these subgroups is uncertain.
Antibiotics may also be efficacious in exacerbation prevention. Recent studies on the efficacy of macrolides for the
prevention of COPD exacerbations demonstrated promising results. Nevertheless, questions on the risk-benefit ratio of
macrolides, efficacy in subgroups of COPD patients, and long-term effects remain unanswered.
Use of Multiple Imputation Method to Improve Estimation of Missing Baseline Serum Creatinine in Acute Kidney Injury Research
Authors: Siew Edward D. , Peterson Josh F. , Eden Svetlana K. , Moons Karel G. , Ikizler T. Alp , Matheny Michael E.
Published: October 2012

Background and objectives

Baseline creatinine (BCr) is frequently missing in AKI studies. Common surrogate estimates can misclassify AKI and adversely affect the study of related outcomes. This study examined whether multiple imputation improved accuracy of estimating missing BCr beyond current recommendations to apply assumed estimated GFR (eGFR) of 75 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (eGFR 75).

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

From 41,114 unique adult admissions (13,003 with and 28,111 without BCr data) at Vanderbilt University Hospital between 2006 and 2008, a propensity score model was developed to predict likelihood of missing BCr. Propensity scoring identified 6502 patients with highest likelihood of missing BCr among 13,003 patients with known BCr to simulate a “missing” data scenario while preserving actual reference BCr. Within this cohort (n=6502), the ability of various multiple-imputation approaches to estimate BCr and classify AKI were compared with that of eGFR 75.

Results

All multiple-imputation methods except the basic one more closely approximated actual BCr than did eGFR 75. Total AKI misclassification was lower with multiple imputation (full multiple imputation + serum creatinine) (9.0%) than with eGFR 75 (12.3%; P<0.001). Improvements in misclassification were greater in patients with impaired kidney function (full multiple imputation + serum creatinine) (15.3%) versus eGFR 75 (40.5%; P<0.001). Multiple imputation improved specificity and positive predictive value for detecting AKI at the expense of modestly decreasing sensitivity relative to eGFR 75.

Conclusions

Multiple imputation can improve accuracy in estimating missing BCr and reduce misclassification of AKI beyond currently proposed methods.
The Effect of Positive and Negative Financial and Nonfinancial Performance Measures on Analysts' Recommendations
Authors: Ghosh Dipankar , Wu Anne
Published: October 2012

This research experimentally examines the favorable/unfavorable outcomes of a firm's financial and nonfinancial performance measures on financial analysts' recommendation to divest or invest in a firm. The participants were financial analysts who made recommendations ranging from “definitely sell” to “hold” to “definitely buy.” The results show that financial and nonfinancial performance measures and their favorableness have an interactive impact on analysts' recommendations. To be precise, the recommendations were very close to the “definitely sell” anchor when the performance was unfavorable, irrespective of whether the measures presented were financial or nonfinancial. Further, favorableness of performance on nonfinancial measures appears to be irrelevant when performance on financial measures is unfavorable. However, when performance on financial measures is favorable, the effect of nonfinancial performance had a differential effect on analysts' recommendations depending on whether these measures indicated favorable or unfavorable performance. Specifically, when nonfinancial performance was unfavorable, the recommendations were closer to “hold” on average, but the recommendations were closer to “definitely buy” on average when nonfinancial performance was favorable. These results are consistent with our expectations. Overall, given that more and more firms are disclosing nonfinancial measures along with the traditional financial measures, and with an increasing number of firms reporting unfavorable financial performance, the results of this research underline the importance of considering both financial and nonfinancial measures and their outcomes—favorable and unfavorable—on analysts' recommendations.

Data Availability: Please contact the authors.