bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender-Based Differences and Barriers in Skin Protection Behaviors in Melanoma Survivors
Authors: Chen Jeffrey , Shih Johnny , Tran Andrew , Mullane Aaron , Thomas Christina , Aydin Nail , Misra Subhasis
Published: August 2016

Purpose. Skin protection behaviors and environmental exposure play a crucial role in the development and subsequent management of melanoma. This study investigates gender-based differences in skin protection behaviors after melanoma treatment.Methods. Patients diagnosed and surgically treated for cutaneous melanomas over the last six years in a geographically high risk area were surveyed over telephone using a standardized script.Results. Of 150 survey results obtained, there were 82 males and 68 females. Overall, 87% of participants reported skin self-examination for abnormal markings more often and 94% reported wearing skin protective clothing more often, with females being more than males. Females limited outdoor activity more often than males, 79% to 54%,p<0.05. When outside, females sought shade more often than males, 75% to 56%,p<0.05. However, males wore a wide brim hat more often than females, 52% to 28%,p<0.05. Interestingly, 60% of participants reported wearing SPF 30 sunscreen less often,p<0.05.Conclusion. Larger percentage of females adopted behavioral changes to prevent future melanoma. Those living in high risk areas and with outdoor occupations need particular attention to skin care. Population based screening should be adopted to deal with this rising public health crisis.
Convergence of Global Solutions to the Cauchy Problem for the Replicator Equation in Spatial Economics
Authors: Tabata Minoru , Eshima Nobuoki
Published: August 2016

We study the initial-value problem for the replicator equation of theN-region Core-Periphery model in spatial economics. The main result shows that if workers are sufficiently agglomerated in a region at the initial time, then the initial-value problem has a unique global solution that converges to the equilibrium solution expressed by full agglomeration in that region.
Advantages of Extracellular Ubiquitin in Modulation of Immune Responses
Authors: Sujashvili Rusudan
Published: August 2016

T and B lymphocytes play a central role in protecting the human body from infectious pathogens but occasionally they can escape immune tolerance, become activated, and induce autoimmune diseases. All deregulated cellular processes are associated with improper functioning of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in eukaryotic cells. The role of ubiquitin in regulation of immune responses and in autoimmune diseases is only beginning to emerge. Ubiquitin is found in intra- and extracellular fluids and is involved in regulation of numerous cellular processes. Extracellular ubiquitin ascribed a role in lymphocyte differentiation. It regulates differentiation and maturation of hematopoietic cell lines. Ubiquitination is involved in initiation, propagation, and termination of immune responses. Disrupted ubiquitination can lead to autoimmunity. Recent observations showed that it can suppress immune response and prevent inflammation. Exogenous ubiquitin may provide good potential as a new tool for targeted therapy for immune mediated disorders of various etiologies.
Dynamic Complexities in 2-Dimensional Discrete-Time Predator-Prey Systems with Allee Effect in the Prey
Authors: Yan Jie , Li Chunli , Chen Xueli , Ren Lishun
Published: August 2016

The Allee effect is incorporated into a predator-prey model with linear functional response. Compared with the predator-prey which only takes the crowding effect and predator partially dependent on prey into consideration, it is found that the Allee effect of the prey species would increase the extinction risk of both the prey and predator. Moreover, by using a center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory, it is shown that the model with Allee effect undergoes the flip bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation in the interior ofR+2with different Allee effect values. In the two bifurcations, we can come to the conclusion that different Allee effect will have different bifurcation value and the increasing of the Allee effect will increase the value of bifurcation, respectively.
Phenolic Compounds and In Vitro Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activities of Three Tropic Fruits: Persimmon, Guava, and Sweetsop
Authors: Fu Li , Lu WenQing , Zhou XiaoMin
Published: August 2016

In our previous study, we have found that persimmon, guava, and sweetsop owned considerably high antioxidant activity and contained high total phenolic contents as well. In order to further supply information on the antibacterial and antioxidant activity of these three tropic fruits, they were extracted by 80% methanol. We then examined the extractions about their phenolic compounds and also studied the extractions and phenolic contents about their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) against twelve targeted pathogens including 8 standard strains (Staphylococcus aureus,Bacillus cereus,Staphylococcus epidermidis,Monilia albican,Escherichia coli,Salmonella typhimurium,Shigella flexneri, andPseudomonas aeruginosa) and 4 multidrug-resistant strains (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ESBLs-producingEscherichia coli, carbapenems-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosa, and multidrug-resistantAcinetobacter baumannii), which are common and comprehensive in clinic. We also employed two ways, that is, FRAP and TEAC, to evaluate their antioxidant activities, using ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometer. Our study indicated that the three tropical fruits possessed obvious antioxidant and antibacterial activity, which supported the possibility of developing the fruits into new natural resource food and functional food as well as new natural antimicrobial agent and food preservatives. Moreover, phenolic compounds detected in the fruits could be used as a potential natural antibacterial agent and antioxidant.
Method of Quantitative Analysis for Multirobot Cooperative Hunting Behaviors
Authors: Song Yong , Zhang Chengjin , Liu Hai
Published: August 2016

The kinematic behavior of mobile robots can be represented as functions of time. During the operation of a multirobot system, the orbit of a special robot is recorded. The embedding dimension and the delay time are chosen based on the correlation integral method. A chaotic attractor equivalent to the original system is reconstructed in phase space. The multirobot system can be adequately described based on the phase space information, and the dynamic system states can be forecast based on this information. The eigenvalues of the attractor are calculated including the maximum Lyapunov exponent and correlation dimension. The robot collective behavior is described and analyzed quantitatively based on the eigenvalues. The critical factor that affects the interaction of robots is investigated based on quantified parameters. Our analysis results can be used to improve the understanding of robot interaction mechanisms.
Efficient Load Balancing Using Active Replica Management in a Storage System
Authors: Yang Jui-Pin
Published: August 2016

Many algorithms can uniformly distribute data to storage nodes in a storage system. However, it cannot avoid load imbalance because data has different popularity. To resolve this issue, we propose a novel dynamic replication scheme, namely, Active Replica Management (ARM). ARM actively establishes optimal number of copies for hotspot data according to data access behaviors and then efficiently distributes copies to other storage nodes based on current amount of copies related to hotspot data. To improve storage utilization, ARM automatically and gradually dereplicates the useless copies of hotspot data when they become nonhotspot data. ARM resolves load imbalance by allocating dynamic copies to adequate storage nodes, and hence it can prevent partial storage nodes from overburdening. Simulation results demonstrate that ARM is an efficient scheme with excellent performance on load balancing, significantly closer to Optimal Load Balancing (OLB). In addition, ARM’s performance outperforms both Static Load Balancing (SLB) and No Replica schemes.
Preparation of Graphene/TiO2Composite Nanomaterials and Its Photocatalytic Performance for the Degradation of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid
Authors: Huang Donggen , Yang Tianzi , Mo Zhuanghong , Guo Qin , Quan Shuiqing , Luo Cui , Liu Lei
Published: August 2016

The graphene (GR) was prepared by an improved electrochemical stripping method using a high-purity graphite rod as raw material and high temperature heat reduction in hydrogen atmosphere, and the graphene/TiO2(GR/TiO2) composite nanomaterials were manufactured by the method of sol-gel and high temperature crystallization in hydrogen atmosphere using butyl titanate and electrolysis graphene as precursors. The physical and chemical properties of the composites had been characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-Vis spectrophotometer (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM),  and specific surface area (SSA) by BET method. The photocatalytic properties of GR/TiO2composites nanomaterials in anoxic water were studied by using 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) as probe. The results showed that graphite was well intercalated and peeled by a facile electrolysis method in different electric field environment; a well dispersed and rings structure of graphene was prepared by coupling ultrasound-assisted changing voltage electrochemical stripping technology. The as-prepared GR/TiO2composites had good performance for the photocatalytic degradation of 2,4-D in anoxic water; the chlorines were removed from benzene ring; the middle products of dichlorophenol, chlorophenol, phloroglucinol, and so forth were produced from the photocatalytic redox reaction of 2,4-D in anoxic water; parts of 2,4-D were decomposed completely, and CO2and H2O were produced.
Multigrid Nonlocal Gaussian Mixture Model for Segmentation of Brain Tissues in Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Chen Yunjie , Zhan Tianming , Zhang Ji , Wang Hongyuan
Published: August 2016

We propose a novel segmentation method based on regional and nonlocal information to overcome the impact of image intensity inhomogeneities and noise in human brain magnetic resonance images. With the consideration of the spatial distribution of different tissues in brain images, our method does not need preestimation or precorrection procedures for intensity inhomogeneities and noise. A nonlocal information based Gaussian mixture model (NGMM) is proposed to reduce the effect of noise. To reduce the effect of intensity inhomogeneity, the multigrid nonlocal Gaussian mixture model (MNGMM) is proposed to segment brain MR images in each nonoverlapping multigrid generated by using a new multigrid generation method. Therefore the proposed model can simultaneously overcome the impact of noise and intensity inhomogeneity and automatically classify 2D and 3D MR data into tissues of white matter, gray matter, and cerebral spinal fluid. To maintain the statistical reliability and spatial continuity of the segmentation, a fusion strategy is adopted to integrate the clustering results from different grid. The experiments on synthetic and clinical brain MR images demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed model comparing with several state-of-the-art algorithms.
Dynamic Hedging Based on Fractional Order Stochastic Model with Memory Effect
Authors: Li Qing , Zhou Yanli , Zhao Xinquan , Ge Xiangyu
Published: August 2016

Many researchers have established various hedge models to get the optimal hedge ratio. However, most of the hedge models only discuss the discrete-time processes. In this paper, we construct the minimum variance model for the estimation of the optimal hedge ratio based on the stochastic differential equation. At the same time, also by considering memory effects, we establish the continuous-time hedge model with memory based on the fractional order stochastic differential equation driven by a fractional Brownian motion to estimate the optimal dynamic hedge ratio. In addition, we carry on the empirical analysis to examine the effectiveness of our proposed hedge models from both in-sample test and out-of-sample test.
Some Interval 2-Tuple Linguistic Harmonic Mean Operators and Their Application in Material Selection
Authors: Shan Meng-Meng , You Jian-Xin , Liu Hu-Chen
Published: August 2016

We investigate the multiple attribute group material selection problems in which the attribute values take the form of interval 2-tuple linguistic information. Firstly, some operational laws and possibility degree of interval 2-tuple linguistic variables are introduced. Then, we develop some interval 2-tuple linguistic aggregation operators called interval 2-tuple hybrid harmonic mean (ITHHM) operator, induced interval 2-tuple ordered weighted harmonic mean (I-ITOWHM) operator, and induced interval 2-tuple hybrid harmonic mean (I-ITHHM) operator and study some desirable properties of the I-ITOWHM operator. In particular, all these operators can be reduced to aggregate 2-tuple linguistic variables. Based on the I-ITHHM and the ITWHM (interval 2-tuple weighted harmonic mean) operators, an approach to multiple attribute group decision-making with interval 2-tuple linguistic information is proposed. Finally, a practical application to material selection problem is given to verify the developed approach and to demonstrate its practicality and effectiveness.
Long-Term Treatment with Romidepsin in Patients with Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Irlé Claudius , Weintraub Jonathan
Published: August 2016

Peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is a common subtype of PTCL, and patients with AITL typically have a poor prognosis with limited treatment options. Clinical studies have demonstrated the activity of romidepsin, a structurally unique, potent, bicyclic class 1 selective histone deacetylase inhibitor, in patients with relapsed or refractory AITL. In the case presented herein, we describe a patient treated with single-agent romidepsin at first diagnosis of AITL, resulting in complete remission for over 2 years and leading to the use of maintenance dosing. The patient eventually underwent a successful autologous stem cell transplant. This case illustrates the successful use of romidepsin for the long-term treatment of a patient with AITL in a clinical setting. Maintenance dosing may be an option for patients who have an extended response to romidepsin in order to optimize outcomes and to prolong time to the next subsequent line of therapy. In our case, the patient was able to remain in complete remission for more than 1 year while receiving maintenance dosing of romidepsin.
Robust Individual-Cell/Object Tracking via PCANet Deep Network in Biomedicine and Computer Vision
Authors: Zhong Bineng , Pan Shengnan , Wang Cheng , Wang Tian , Du Jixiang , Chen Duansheng , Cao Liujuan
Published: August 2016

Tracking individual-cell/object over time is important in understanding drug treatment effects on cancer cells and video surveillance. A fundamental problem of individual-cell/object tracking is to simultaneously address the cell/object appearance variations caused by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. In this paper, inspired by the architecture of deep learning, we propose a robust feature learning method for constructing discriminative appearance models without large-scale pretraining. Specifically, in the initial frames, an unsupervised method is firstly used to learn the abstract feature of a target by exploiting both classic principal component analysis (PCA) algorithms with recent deep learning representation architectures. We use learned PCA eigenvectors as filters and develop a novel algorithm to represent a target by composing of a PCA-based filter bank layer, a nonlinear layer, and a patch-based pooling layer, respectively. Then, based on the feature representation, a neural network with one hidden layer is trained in a supervised mode to construct a discriminative appearance model. Finally, to alleviate the tracker drifting problem, a sample update scheme is carefully designed to keep track of the most representative and diverse samples during tracking. We test the proposed tracking method on two standard individual cell/object tracking benchmarks to show our tracker's state-of-the-art performance.
Analyses of Short Channel Effects of Single-Gate and Double-Gate Graphene Nanoribbon Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Sarvari Hojjatollah , Ghayour Amir Hossein , Chen Zhi , Ghayour Rahim
Published: August 2016

Short channel effects of single-gate and double-gate graphene nanoribbon field effect transistors (GNRFETs) are studied based on the atomistic pz orbital model for the Hamiltonian of graphene nanoribbon using the nonequilibrium Green’s function formalism. A tight-binding Hamiltonian with an atomistic pz orbital basis set is used to describe the atomistic details in the channel of the GNRFETs. We have investigated the vital short channel effect parameters such as Ion and Ioff, the threshold voltage, the subthreshold swing, and the drain induced barrier lowering versus the channel length and oxide thickness of the GNRFETs in detail. The gate capacitance and the transconductance of both devices are also computed in order to calculate the intrinsic cut-off frequency and switching delay of GNRFETs. Furthermore, the effects of doping of the channel on the threshold voltage and the frequency response of the double-gate GNRFET are discussed. We have shown that the single-gate GNRFET suffers more from short channel effects if compared with those of the double-gate structure; however, both devices have nearly the same cut-off frequency in the range of terahertz. This work provides a collection of data comparing different features of short channel effects of the single gate with those of the double gate GNRFETs. The results give a very good insight into the devices and are very useful for their digital applications.
A Novel E-DVA Module Synthesis Featuring of Synergy between Driving and Vibration Attenuation
Authors: Gu Cheng , Zhu Jianfei , Chen Xinbo
Published: August 2016

To attenuate the negative effects brought by heavy unsprung mass of the decentralized driving electric vehicle, a novel e-DVA module featuring of synergy between driving and vibration attenuation is proposed in this paper. It presents the advantages of compact structure and low cost. Structure design proves the feasibility of the e-DVA module. Kinematic analysis of the slider-crank mechanism is carried out to conclude the transmission ratio ripple under road excitation. After parameter matching and optimization of the e-DVA module based on theH2/H∞norm criterions, vertical dynamics analyses in both frequency and time domains are conducted theoretically to prove the performance improvements on the ride comfort and handling stability under the constraint of DVA deflection bound.
Innate Immune Response of Human Embryonic Stem Cell‐Derived Fibroblasts and Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Periodontopathogens
Authors: Sriram Gopu , Natu Vaishali Prakash , Islam Intekhab , Fu Xin , Seneviratne Chaminda Jayampath , Tan Kai Soo , Cao Tong
Published: August 2016

Periodontitis involves complex interplay of bacteria and host immune response resulting in destruction of supporting tissues of the tooth. Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) play a role in recognizing microbial pathogens and eliciting an innate immune response. Recently, the potential application of multipotent stem cells and pluripotent stem cells including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in periodontal regenerative therapy has been proposed. However, little is known about the impact of periodontopathogens on hESC‐derived progenies. This study investigates the effects of heat‐killed periodontopathogens, namely, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, on TLR and cytokine expression profile of hESC‐derived progenies, namely, fibroblasts (hESC‐Fib) and mesenchymal stem cells (hESC‐MSCs). Additionally, the serotype‐dependent effect of A. actinomycetemcomitans on hESC‐derived progenies was explored. Both hESC‐Fib and hESC‐MSCs constitutively expressed TLR-2 and TLR-4. hESC‐Fib upon exposure to periodontopathogens displayed upregulation of TLRs and release of cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and IL‐8). In contrast, hESC‐MSCs were largely nonresponsive to bacterial challenge, especially in terms of cytokine production. Further, exposure of hESC‐Fib to A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype c was associated with higher IL‐8 production than serotype b. In contrast, the hESC‐MSCs displayed no serotype‐dependent response. Differential response of the two hESC progenies implies a phenotype‐dependent response to periodontopathogens and supports the concept of immunomodulatory properties of MSCs.
Use ofMoringa oleifera(Moringa) Seed Pods andSclerocarya birrea(Morula) Nut Shells for Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater and Borehole Water
Authors: Maina Irene Wangari , Obuseng Veronica , Nareetsile Florence
Published: August 2016

Use of nonedible seed pods ofMoringa oleifera(Moringa) tree and nutshells ofSclerocarya birrea(Morula) tree for removal of selected metal ions (lead, cadmium, copper, manganese, iron, zinc, and magnesium) from wastewater and borehole water samples was investigated. Removal parameters such as contact time, pH, temperature, particle size, sorbent dose, and initial metal concentration were optimized. Determination of residual metal ions after employing sorbent was done using flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS). Using 200 ng synthetic metal ion mixture in 50 mL of water sample, the optimized parameters for Moringa seed pods were 60 min contact time, 1.0 g of sorbent dose, pH 8, 100 μm sorbent particle size, and extraction temp 35°C. While using Morula nutshells, the optimized conditions were 120 min contact time, 2.0 g sorbent dose, pH 8, 100 μm sorbent particle size, and extraction temp of 35°C. The removal efficiency of acid treated sorbents was compared to that of untreated sorbents and it was found to be higher for acid treated sorbents. These nonedible plant parts for Morula and Moringa plants are proposed as a cheap, simple, and an effective alternative for purification of water contaminated with heavy metals.
Euonymus alatus: A Review on Its Phytochemistry and Antidiabetic Activity
Authors: Zhai Xifeng , Lenon George Binh , Xue Charlie C. L. , Li Chun-Guang
Published: August 2016

Euonymus alatus (E. alatus) is a medicinal plant used in some Asian countries for treating various conditions including cancer, hyperglycemia, and diabetic complications. This review outlines the phytochemistry and bioactivities of E. alatus related to antidiabetic actions. More than 100 chemical constituents have been isolated and identified from E. alatus, including flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, lignans, cardenolides, phenolic acids, and alkaloids. Studies in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated the hypoglycemic activity of E. alatus extracts and its certain constituents. The hypoglycemic activity of E. alatus may be related to regulation of insulin signaling and insulin sensitivity, involving PPARγ and aldose reductase pathways. Further studies on E. alatus and its bioactive compounds may help to develop new agents for treating diabetes and diabetic complications.
Variational Histogram Equalization for Single Color Image Defogging
Authors: Zhou Li , Bi Du Yan , He Lin Yuan
Published: August 2016

Foggy images taken in the bad weather inevitably suffer from contrast loss and color distortion. Existing defogging methods merely resort to digging out an accurate scene transmission in ignorance of their unpleasing distortion and high complexity. Different from previous works, we propose a simple but powerful method based on histogram equalization and the physical degradation model. By revising two constraints in a variational histogram equalization framework, the intensity component of a fog-free image can be estimated in HSI color space, since the airlight is inferred through a color attenuation prior in advance. To cut down the time consumption, a general variation filter is proposed to obtain a numerical solution from the revised framework. After getting the estimated intensity component, it is easy to infer the saturation component from the physical degradation model in saturation channel. Accordingly, the fog-free image can be restored with the estimated intensity and saturation components. In the end, the proposed method is tested on several foggy images and assessed by two no-reference indexes. Experimental results reveal that our method is relatively superior to three groups of relevant and state-of-the-art defogging methods.
Prenatal Brain-Body Allometry in Mammals
Authors: Halley Andrew C.
Published: August 2016

Variation in relative brain size among adult mammals is produced by different patterns of brain and body growth across ontogeny. Fetal development plays a central role in generating this diversity, and aspects of prenatal physiology such as maternal relative metabolic rate, altriciality, and placental morphology have been proposed to explain allometric differences in neonates and adults. Primates are also uniquely encephalized across fetal development, but it remains unclear when this pattern emerges during development and whether it is common to all primate radiations. To reexamine these questions across a wider range of mammalian radiations, data on the primarily fetal rapid growth phase (RGP) of ontogenetic brain-body allometry was compiled for diverse primate (np = 12) and nonprimate (nnp = 16) mammalian species, and was complemented by later ontogenetic data in 16 additional species (np = 9; nnp = 7) as well as neonatal proportions in a much larger sample (np = 38; nnp = 83). Relative BMR, litter size, altriciality, and placental morphology fail to predict RGP slopes as would be expected if physiological and life history variables constrained fetal brain growth, but are associated with differences in birth timing along allometric trajectories. Prenatal encephalization is shared by all primate radiations, is unique to the primate Order, and is characterized by: (1) a robust change in early embryonic brain/body proportions, and (2) higher average RGP allometric slopes due to slower fetal body growth. While high slopes are observed in several nonprimate species, primates alone exhibit an intercept shift at 1 g body size. This suggests that primate prenatal encephalization is a consequence of early changes to embryonic neural and somatic tissue growth in primates that remain poorly understood.
A Long-Term Follow-Up Investigation of Endobronchial Valves in Emphysema (the LIVE Study): Study Protocol and Six-Month Interim Analysis Results of a Prospective Five-Year Observational Study
Authors: Skowasch Dirk , Fertl Andreas , Schwick Björn , Schäfer Harald , Hellmann Andreas , Herth Felix J.F. ,   on behalf of the LIVE Study Investigators
Published: August 2016

Background: Randomized controlled trials indicate that significant lung volume reduction (ELVR) can be obtained with Zephyr® valves by occluding the target lobe in the absence of collateral ventilation, leading to relevant functional benefits in advanced emphysema patients. Objectives: To observe the long-term effects of endobronchial valve (EBV) implantation in emphysema patients screened by Chartis assessment in the context of daily pulmonology practice. Methods: The LIVE Study is a prospective, observational, open-label, single-arm, multicenter trial conducted in Germany. 498 patients included in this interim analysis were enrolled between July 2, 2012, and September 16, 2014. The 6-month follow-up visit data were recorded for 343 patients (safety population), and complete data sets were available for 321 treated patients (efficacy population) - 56.4% male, age: 64.5 years, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted: 31.3%, residual volume (RV) % predicted: 252%. Results: Efficacy results at 6 months: FEV1 (l) increased by +100 ml (+11.9%), RV (l) decreased by -0.42 liter, and the COPD Assessment Test score decreased by -3.14 points (each p < 0.0001). Safety outcomes: A total of 66 adverse events (AEs; with 50 serious AEs - SAEs) were reported in 55 patients (16%) during the hospital stay for EBV placement - pneumothorax (35 cases), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation (5 cases), and pneumonia (4 cases). During the subsequent 6-month follow-up window, 170 SAEs were recorded in 125 patients (36.4%), predominantly COPD exacerbation (53% of the SAEs). Conclusion: The current results of this large-scale German observational study performed in the context of daily practice further demonstrates that ELVR with Zephyr® valves is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option in advanced emphysema.
Precision Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy and Solute Control
Authors: Bagshaw Sean M. , Chakravarthi Madarasu Rajasekara , Ricci Zaccaria , Tolwani Ashita , Neri M. , De Rosa S. , Kellum John A. , Ronco Claudio ,   on behalf of the ADQI Consensus Group
Published: August 2016

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) remains the dominant form of renal support among critically ill patients worldwide. Current clinical practice on CRRT prescription mostly relies on high quality studies suggesting no impact of CRRT dose on critically ill patients' outcomes. Recent clinical practice guidelines have been developed based on these studies recommending a static prescribed CRRT dose of 20-25 ml/kg/h. There is a rationale for renewed attention to CRRT prescription/practice based on the concept of dynamic solute control adapted to the changing clinical needs of critically ill patients. In response, Acute Disease Quality Initiative convened a 17th consensus meeting centered on re-evaluation of CRRT. This work group developed 4 themes focused specifically on CRRT dose prescription, delivery and solute control that were summarized in a series of consensus statements, along with the identification of critical knowledge gaps. CRRT dose prescription and delivery can be based on effluent flow rate. Delivered dose should be routinely monitored to ensure coherence with prescribed dose. CRRT dose should be dynamic, in recognition of between- and within-patient variation in targeted solute control or unintended solute clearance. Quality measures specific for monitoring delivered CRRT dose have been proposed that require further validation, prior to implementation, into the practice of guiding optimal CRRT dosage.
Arbeitsplatzbezogene kognitive Verhaltenstherapie mit Fokus auf die Rückkehr an den Arbeitsplatz: Zwei Fallbeschreibungen
Authors: Maurer Friederike , Wunsch Eva-Maria , Bode Katharina , Kröger Christoph
Published: August 2016

Hintergrund: Psychische Störungen bei Erwerbstätigen führen zu hohen Fehlzeiten und verursachen damit entsprechende Kosten für die Betriebe und das Gesundheitssystem. Das Arbeitsleben ist eine wichtige Quelle der Lebenszufriedenheit. Daher scheint es wichtig, die Wiedereingliederung an den Arbeitsplatz im Rahmen einer kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie als Therapieziel aufzunehmen und den Wiedereinstieg therapeutisch zu begleiten. Falldarstellungen: Anhand von 2 Kasuistiken wird die Vorgehensweise der arbeitsplatzbezogenen kognitiven Verhaltenstherapie nach Lagerveld et al. [2012] beschrieben. Schlussfolgerung: Voraussetzungen und Grenzen des Ansatzes werden diskutiert.
Usefulness of Health Registers for detection of bleeding events in outcome studies
Authors: Skeppholm Mika , Friberg Leif
Published: August 2016

Administrative and claims databases are attractive for safety studies of anticoagulant and antithrombotic drugs. However, the validity of such data is often uncertain. It was our aim to assess the usefulness of the Swedish administrative health databases for detection of major bleeding events. All individuals with atrial fibrillation in Stockholm County from 2006 to 2013 (n=78,022) were identified from the Swedish Patient register. A search for bleeding diagnoses was done in the Patient register and in the Cause of Death register. The medical records of a random sample of 761 patients were studied and classified in a blinded and pre-specified way. The highest sensitivity (99.5%) and specificity (94.0%) were obtained by counting fatal bleeding events with the bleeding diagnosis recorded as first or second cause of death, and all hospitalisations without regard to the position of the diagnosis. Codes for transfusions were unreliable and did not increase accuracy. The registries identified 99.4% of intracranial bleeding events and 82.6% of gastrointestinal bleeding events correctly. All patients classified as „no bleedings” were indeed without bleeding. Overall the sensitivity was 85.5% and the specificity 95.9% for major bleeding events. In conclusion, Swedish nationwide health registries are well suited for conducting outcome studies involving identification of bleeding events. The use of a diagnostic code for bleeding, irrespective of its position as primary or secondary diagnosis, provided the best sensitivity and specificity for detection of bleeding events, as long as it was limited to contacts resulting in hospital admission.
Glycoproteomics Reveals Decorin Peptides With Anti-Myostatin Activity in Human Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Barallobre-Barreiro Javier , Gupta Shashi K. , Zoccarato Anna , Kitazume-Taneike Rika , Fava Marika , Yin Xiaoke , Werner Tessa , Hirt Marc N. , Zampetaki Anna , Viviano Alessandro , Chong Mei , Bern Marshall , Kourliouros Antonios , Domenech Nieves , Willeit Peter , Shah Ajay M. , Jahangiri Marjan , Schaefer Liliana , Fischer Jens W. , Iozzo Renato V. , Viner Rosa , Thum Thomas , Heineke Joerg , Kichler Antoine , Otsu Kinya , Mayr Manuel
Published: August 2016

Background:

Myocardial fibrosis is a feature of many cardiac diseases. We used proteomics to profile glycoproteins in the human cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM).

Methods:

Atrial specimens were analyzed by mass spectrometry after extraction of ECM proteins and enrichment for glycoproteins or glycopeptides.

Results:

ECM-related glycoproteins were identified in left and right atrial appendages from the same patients. Several known glycosylation sites were confirmed. In addition, putative and novel glycosylation sites were detected. On enrichment for glycoproteins, peptides of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan decorin were identified consistently in the flowthrough. Of all ECM proteins identified, decorin was found to be the most fragmented. Within its protein core, 18 different cleavage sites were identified. In contrast, less cleavage was observed for biglycan, the most closely related proteoglycan. Decorin processing differed between human ventricles and atria and was altered in disease. The C-terminus of decorin, important for the interaction with connective tissue growth factor, was detected predominantly in ventricles in comparison with atria. In contrast, atrial appendages from patients in persistent atrial fibrillation had greater levels of full-length decorin but also harbored a cleavage site that was not found in atrial appendages from patients in sinus rhythm. This cleavage site preceded the N-terminal domain of decorin that controls muscle growth by altering the binding capacity for myostatin. Myostatin expression was decreased in atrial appendages of patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and hearts of decorin null mice. A synthetic peptide corresponding to this decorin region dose-dependently inhibited the response to myostatin in cardiomyocytes and in perfused mouse hearts.

Conclusions:

This proteomics study is the first to analyze the human cardiac ECM. Novel processed forms of decorin protein core, uncovered in human atrial appendages, can regulate the local bioavailability of antihypertrophic and profibrotic growth factors.
“The Attachment of the People”: The Massachusetts Charter, the French and Indian War, and the Coming of the American Revolution
Authors: Hrdlicka James F.
Published: August 2016

During the French and Indian War, Massachusetts colonists invoked their charter rights to control mobilization. Colonists revered their charter because it provided effective government that tangibly affected their lives. They entered the Imperial Crisis believing that British officials such as William Shirley, Francis Bernard, and Thomas Hutchinson acknowledged the charter as the inviolable constitution of the province.
Thou Uncracked Keel: The Many Voyages of the Whaleship Charles W. Morgan and the Presence of the American Maritime Past
Authors: Smith Jason W.
Published: August 2016

Mystic Seaport Museum's Charles W. Morgan is an artifact of public history and a symbol of public memory recast to negotiate contemporary concerns from war and social crises to environmentalism. The historic whaleship is a potent vessel of memory whose changing meanings speak to the presence of the maritime past.
The Impacts of Dry Dynamic Cores on Asymmetric Hurricane Intensification
Authors: Guimond Stephen R. , Reisner Jon M. , Marras Simone , Giraldo Francis X.
Published: August 2016

The fundamental pathways for tropical cyclone (TC) intensification are explored by considering axisymmetric and asymmetric impulsive thermal perturbations to balanced, TC-like vortices using the dynamic cores of three different nonlinear numerical models. Attempts at reproducing the results of previous work, which used the community WRF Model, revealed a discrepancy with the impacts of purely asymmetric thermal forcing. The current study finds that thermal asymmetries can have an important, largely positive role on the vortex intensification, whereas other studies find that asymmetric impacts are negligible.

Analysis of the spectral energetics of each numerical model indicates that the vortex response to asymmetric thermal perturbations is significantly damped in WRF relative to the other models. Spectral kinetic energy budgets show that this anomalous damping is primarily due to the increased removal of kinetic energy from the vertical divergence of the vertical pressure flux, which is related to the flux of inertia–gravity wave energy. The increased kinetic energy in the other two models is shown to originate around the scales of the heating and propagate upscale with time from nonlinear effects. For very large thermal amplitudes (50 K), the anomalous removal of kinetic energy due to inertia–gravity wave activity is much smaller, resulting in good agreement between models.

The results of this paper indicate that the numerical treatment of small-scale processes that project strongly onto inertia–gravity wave energy can lead to significant differences in asymmetric TC intensification. Sensitivity tests with different time integration schemes suggest that diffusion entering into the implicit solution procedure is partly responsible for the anomalous damping of energy.
Navigating DACA in Hospitable and Hostile States
Authors: Cebulko Kara , Silver Alexis
Published: August 2016

This study examines the ways in which liminally legal young immigrants respond to shifting policies that either legitimize or delegitimize their presence within state and national boundaries. Borne out of two larger studies that rely on ethnographic and in-depth interview data in Massachusetts and North Carolina, we primarily focus on longitudinal interviews with individuals responding to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). We examine the ways in which federal and state policies interact to affect access to membership for young adult immigrants in states with very different political climates. In Massachusetts, young adults felt more legitimacy and were more optimistic in their abilities to redirect their life pathways after DACA. In contrast, in the more hostile environment of North Carolina, state policies continued to impede mobility pathways and differentiate previously undocumented youth as outsiders even after the passage of DACA. Instead of characterizing the transition to adulthood for liminally legal youth as a unidirectional transition to exclusion, we emphasize the interactive influence of state- and federal-level policies and illustrate how incorporation can occur on multiple levels and even in opposite directions simultaneously. Moreover, we discuss how hostile policies in one state appear to reverberate outward, suggesting spillover effects for respondents in other states.
Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Vestibular Migraine
Authors: Inoue Aki , Egami Naoya , Fujimoto Chisato , Kinoshita Makoto , Yamasoba Tatsuya , Iwasaki Shinichi
Published: August 2016

Objective:

To investigate whether both cervical and ocular vestibular myogenic potentials (cVEMPs and oVEMPs) to air-conducted sound (ACS) and bone-conducted vibration (BCV) can help to differentiate vestibular migraine (VM) and Menière’s disease (MD).

Study Design:

Retrospective study.

Settings:

A tertiary referral center.

Subjects and Methods:

Twenty-eight patients with VM, 28 patients with definite unilateral MD, and 28 age-matched controls were included. Cervical VEMPs to 500 Hz ACS (cVEMPs-air) and 500 Hz BCV (cVEMPs-bone), oVEMPs to 500 Hz ACS (oVEMPs-air) and 500 Hz BCV (oVEMPs-bone), and caloric tests were performed. Results of these vestibular function tests were compared between the groups.

Results:

The prevalence of abnormality was significantly higher in VM than in controls only for the caloric test ( P < .05). Asymmetry ratios (ARs) for cVEMPs-air and oVEMPs-air were significantly larger in VM than in controls ( P < .05). Between VM and MD, the prevalence of abnormality was significantly different only for oVEMPs-air. The ARs for oVEMPs-air and caloric test asymmetries were significantly smaller in VM than in MD ( P < .05).

Conclusions:

Among the vestibular function tests, oVEMPs-air may be most helpful for the differentiation of VM from MD as a group.
Clinical factors associated with lithium response in bipolar disorders
Authors: Sportiche Sarah , Geoffroy Pierre Alexis , Brichant-Petitjean Clara , Gard Sebastien , Khan Jean-Pierre , Azorin Jean-Michel , Henry Chantal , Leboyer Marion , Etain Bruno , Scott Jan , Bellivier Frank
Published: August 2016

Background:

Bipolar disorder is a common chronic illness characterized by high levels of morbidity and all-cause mortality. Lithium is one of the gold standard mood stabilizer treatments, but the identification of good, partial and non-responders in clinical settings is inconsistent.

Methods:

We used an established rating scale (the Alda scale) to classify the degree of lithium response (good response, partial response, non-response) in a large, multicentre clinically representative sample of well-characterized cases of bipolar disorders I and II. Next, we examined previously reported clinical predictors of response to determine which factors significantly differentiated between the three response groups.

Results:

Of 754 cases, 300 received lithium, for at least 6 months, as a treatment for bipolar disorder (40%). Of these cases, 17% were classified as good response, 52% as partial response and 31% as non-response. Lifetime history of mixed episodes ( p = 0.017) and alcohol use disorders ( p = 0.015) both occurred in >20% of partial response and non-response groups but <10% of good response cases. Family history of bipolar disorder I was of borderline statistical significance, being more frequent in the good response group (38%) compared with the non-response group (18%). There was a trend ( p = 0.06) for bipolar disorder II to be associated with non-response.

Conclusions:

Only three factors previously identified as predictors of lithium response significantly differentiated the response groups identified in our sample. Interestingly, these factors have all been found to co-occur more often than expected by chance, and it can be hypothesized that they may represent a shared underlying factor or dimension. Further prospective studies of predictors and the performance of the Alda scale are recommended.
Amelogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Prasad M.K. , Laouina S. , El Alloussi M. , Dollfus H. , Bloch-Zupan A.
Published: August 2016

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by enamel defects. The authors have identified a large consanguineous Moroccan family segregating different clinical subtypes of hypoplastic and hypomineralized AI in different individuals within the family. Using targeted next-generation sequencing, the authors identified a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation in COL17A1 (c.1873C>T, p.R625*) segregating with hypoplastic AI and a novel homozygous 8-bp deletion in C4orf26 (c.39_46del, p.Cys14Glyfs*18) segregating with hypomineralized-hypoplastic AI in this family. This study highlights the phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity of AI that can exist even within a single consanguineous family. Furthermore, the identification of novel mutations in COL17A1 and C4orf26 and their correlation with distinct AI phenotypes can contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of AI and the contribution of these genes to amelogenesis.
A simulation model of electrical resistance applied in designing conductive woven fabrics
Authors: Zhao Yuanfang , Tong Jiahui , Yang Chenxiao , Chan Yeuk-fei , Li Li
Published: August 2016

Numerous studies have performed analyses of knitted fabric integrating conductive yarn in textile-based electronic circuits, some of which established simulative models such as the resistive network model for knitting stitches. Compared to conductive knitted fabrics, limited studies have been presented regarding the resistive theoretical model of conductive woven fabric. In this paper, a simulation model was derived to compute the resistance of conductive woven fabric in terms of the following fabric parameters: structure, density and conductive yarn arrangement. The results revealed that the model is well fitted ( P value < 0.01) and can predict the resistance of woven fabrics, which makes it possible to estimate the fabric parameters and thus to meet the required resistance. Based on this model, thermal conductive woven fabric with maximum energy management and cost control can be efficiently designed.
Impact of substrate on water vapor resistance of naturally weathered coated fabrics
Authors: Salopek Čubrić Ivana , Potočić Matković Vesna Marija , Skenderi Zenun , Tarbuk Anita
Published: August 2016

The aim of the study was to investigate changes of water vapor resistance of coated fabrics with different knitted substrates. For the study different knitted structures were designed and produced, while the conditions for the coating process were kept constant. All structures were exposed to natural weathering in the summer and winter seasons. Thus, the experimental setup enabled the comparison of changes in water vapor resistance of various structures as a result of aging, as well as giving an insight into the differences in resistance after aging in different seasons. After exposure, changes in fabric mass per unit area, thickness and water vapor resistance were observed. The outcomes of the study gave a good insight into the behavior of coated fabrics and may be used when protecting coated materials in order to improve their performance.