bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-Awareness and Self-Ratings of On-Road Driving Performance After Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Gooden James R. , Ponsford Jennie L. , Charlton Judith L. , Ross Pamela E. , Marshall Shawn , Gagnon Sylvain , Bédard Michel , Stolwyk Renerus J.
Published: January 2016

Objective:

To examine self-rated, clinician–rated, and self-awareness of on-road driving performance in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) deemed fit and unfit to resume driving and healthy controls, and to explore their associations with demographic, injury, cognitive, and mood variables.

Methods:

Participants included 37 individuals with moderate to severe TBI, and 49 healthy age, sex, and education-matched controls from Australia and Canada. Participants completed an on-road assessment, the Brain Injury Driving Self-Awareness Measure (BIDSAM), and a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment.

Results:

Awareness scores on the BIDSAM were significantly different between groups, F(2, 83) = 28.44 (P < .001; η2 = 0.41), with post hoc tests indicating TBI participants who failed the on-road assessment had worse scores compared with those who passed and controls. Poor self-awareness was significantly correlated with reduced psychomotor speed (r
s = −0.37; P < .01) and attentional switching (r
s = 0.28; P < .01). Worse self-ratings of driving were associated with depression (r
s = 0.42; P < .01) and anxiety (rs
= 0.38; P < .01).

Conclusions:

Individuals with TBI who failed an on-road assessment significantly overestimated their driving ability. Impaired cognitive function was associated with reduced self-awareness of driving. These findings suggest impaired awareness of driving may need to be addressed as part of driver rehabilitation programs.
Effects of Depression and Antidepressant Use on Cognitive Deficits and Functional Cognition Following Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Failla Michelle D. , Juengst Shannon B. , Graham Kristin M. , Arenth Patricia M. , Wagner Amy K.
Published: January 2016

Objective:

To use a Rehabilomics framework to evaluate relations hips between post–traumatic brain injury (TBI) depression (PTD) and potential associated factors, including antidepressant use, on cognitive recovery following severe TBI.

Participants:

Severe TBI survivors (n = 154), recruited from a level 1 trauma center.

Design:

Prospective cohort study with assessments at 6 and 12 months postinjury.

Main Measures:

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PTD symptoms); cognitive composite score from a neuropsychological assessment battery (cognitive impairment); and Functional Independence Measure–Cognition (FIM-Cog, self-reported functional cognition).

Results:

Individuals with and without PTD did not differ with respect to cognitive impairment. However, antidepressant use, regardless of PTD status, was associated with cognitive impairment. Individuals with PTD reported lower FIM-Cog scores at both time points compared with those without PTD. In a post hoc longitudinal analysis, individuals with late-onset PTD had worse cognitive impairment.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that antidepressant use impairs cognition among individuals without PTD. Also, PTD did not directly affect cognitive impairment but may affect functional cognitive limitations through self-evaluation and apathy/motivation factors.
Long-Term School Outcomes of Children and Adolescents With Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Prasad Mary R. , Swank Paul R. , Ewing-Cobbs Linda
Published: January 2016

Objective:

To better understand the impact of age at injury, severity of injury, and time since injury on long-term school outcomes of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Participants:

Four groups of children: complicated mild/moderate TBI (n = 23), severe TBI (n = 56), orthopedic injury (n = 35), and healthy controls (n = 42). Children with TBI were either 2 years postinjury or 6 years postinjury.

Design:

Cross-sectional design.

Measures:

School records as well as parental ratings of functional academic skills and school competency.

Results:

Children with severe TBI had consistently high usage of school services and low school competency ratings than children with orthopedic injuries and healthy controls. In contrast, children with complicated-mild/moderate TBI were significantly more likely to receive school support services and have lower competence ratings at 6 years than at 2 years postinjury. Students injured at younger ages had lower functional academic skill ratings than those injured at older ages.

Conclusions:

These findings highlight the increasing academic challenges faced over time by students with complicated-mild/moderate TBI and the vulnerability of younger children to poorer development of functional academic skills.
Algorithm for Symptom Attribution and Classification Following Possible Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Pape Theresa Louise-Bender , Herrold Amy A. , Smith Bridget , Babcock-Parziale Judith , Harp Jordan , Shandera-Ochsner Anne , Jenkins Shonna , Evans Charlesnika T. , Schleenbaker Randal , High Walter M.
Published: January 2016

Objective:

To present a heuristic model of a symptom attribution and classification algorithm (SACA) for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Setting: VA Polytrauma sites. Participants: 422 Veterans. Design: Cross-sectional. Main Measures: SACA, Comprehensive TBI Evaluation (CTBIE), Structured TBI Diagnostic Interview, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2-RF), Letter Memory Test, Validity-10. Results: SACA and CTBIE diagnoses differ significantly (P < .01). The CTBIE, compared with SACA, attributes 16% to 500% more symptoms to mTBI, behavioral health (BH), mTBI + BH and symptom resolution. Altering SACA criteria indicate that (1) CTBIE determination of cognitive impairment yields 27% to 110% more mTBI, mTBI + BH and symptom resolution diagnoses, (2) ignoring timing of symptom onset yields 32% to 76% more mTBI, mTBI + BH and Other Condition diagnoses, (3) Proportion of sample having questionably valid profiles using structured TBI diagnostic interview and MMPI-2-RF and Letter Memory Test is 26% whereas with CTBIE item number 23 and Validity-10 is 6% to 26%, (4) MMPI-2-RF F-scale is the only measure identifying Veterans with posttraumatic amnesia for more than 24 hours as having questionably valid profiles. Conclusions: Symptom attribution–based diagnoses differ when using status quo versus the SACA. The MMPI-2-RF F-scale, compared with the Validity-10 and Letter Memory Test, may be more precise in identifying questionably valid profiles for mTBI + BH. The SACA provides a framework to inform clinical practice, resource allocation, and future research.
Genetic Variation in the Vesicular Monoamine Transporter: Preliminary Associations With Cognitive Outcomes After Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Markos Steven M. , Failla Michelle D. , Ritter Anne C. , Dixon C. Edward , Conley Yvette P. , Ricker Joseph H. , Arenth Patricia M. , Juengst Shannon B. , Wagner Amy K.
Published: January 2016

Introduction:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) frequently results in impaired cognition, a function that can be modulated by monoaminergic signaling. Genetic variation among monoaminergic genes may affect post-TBI cognitive performance. The vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) gene may be a novel source of genetic variation important for cognitive outcomes post-TBI given VMAT2's role in monoaminergic neurotransmission.

Objective:

To evaluate associations between VMAT2 variability and cognitive outcomes post-TBI.

Methods:

We evaluated 136 white adults with severe TBI for variation in VMAT2 using a tagging single nucleotide polymorphism (tSNP) approach (rs363223, rs363226, rs363251, and rs363341). We show genetic variation interacts with assessed cognitive impairment (cognitive composite [Comp-Cog] T-scores) to influence functional cognition (functional independence measure cognitive [FIM-Cog] subscale] 6 and 12 months postinjury.

Results:

Multivariate analyses at 6 months postinjury showed rs363226 genotype was associated with Comp-Cog (P = .040) and interacted with Comp-Cog to influence functional cognition (P < .001). G-homozygotes had the largest cognitive impairment, and their cognitive impairment had the greatest adverse effect on functional cognition.

Discussion:

We provide the first evidence that genetic variation within VMAT2 is associated with cognitive outcomes after TBI. Further work is needed to validate this finding and elucidate mechanisms by which genetic variation affects monoaminergic signaling, mediating differences in cognitive outcomes.
Mitral Valve Repair via a Minithoracotomy in a Patient with Pectus Excavatum
Authors: Takaki Hidenobu , Okamoto Kazuma , Kudo Mikihiko , Yozu Ryohei , Shimizu Hideyuki
Published: January 2016

Cardiac surgery in patients with pectus excavatum is challenging because of the difficulty associated with achieving optimal surgical exposure and postoperative sternal fixation by using standard instruments. To solve these problems, mitral valve repair was performed via a right minithoracotomy in a 48-year-old man with severe mitral valve regurgitation and pectus excavatum. With the use of conventional median sternotomy, an optimal surgical field was difficult to achieve because of his thoracic deformity. Therefore, surgical fixation via right minithoracotomy using particular equipment was performed. Using right minithoracotomy, we could obtain an optimal surgical field better than that with median sternotomy, and the patient's mitral valve regurgitation was fixed properly. This approach provides mitral valve exposure advantages as well as cosmetic satisfaction.
Dietary Micronutrient Intake and Micronutrient Status in Patients With Chronic Stable Heart Failure
Authors: McKeag Nicholas A. , McKinley Michelle C. , Harbinson Mark T. , McGinty Ann , Neville Charlotte E. , Woodside Jayne V. , McKeown Pascal P.
Published: January 2016

Background:

Observational studies suggest that patients with heart failure have a tendency to a reduced status of a number of micronutrients and that this may be associated with an adverse prognosis. A small number of studies also suggest that patients with heart failure may have reduced dietary intake of micronutrients, a possible mechanism for reduced status.

Objective:

The aims of this study were to assess dietary micronutrient intake and micronutrient status in a group of patients with heart failure.

Methods:

Dietary intake was assessed in 79 outpatients with chronic stable heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Blood concentrations of a number of micronutrients, including vitamin D, were measured in fasting blood samples, drawn at the time of food frequency questionnaire completion.

Results:

More than 20% of patients reported intakes less than the reference nutrient intake or recommended intake for riboflavin, vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, and iodine. More than 5% of patients reported intakes less than the lower reference nutrient intake or minimum recommended intake for riboflavin, vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and iodine. Vitamin D deficiency (plasma total 25-hydroxy-vitamin D concentration <50 nmol/L) was observed in 75.6% of patients.

Conclusions:

Vitamin D deficiency was common in this group of patients with heart failure. Based on self-reported dietary intake, a substantial number of individuals may not have been consuming enough vitamin D and a modest number of individuals may not have been consuming enough riboflavin, vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, or iodine to meet their dietary needs.
Isolated Peripancreatic Necrosis in Acute Pancreatitis Is Infrequent and Leads to Severe Clinical Course Only When Extensive
Authors: Koutroumpakis Efstratios , Dasyam Anil K. , Furlan Alessandro , Slivka Adam , Gougol Amir , Zeh Herbert J. , Lee Kenneth K. , Zureikat Amer H. , Whitcomb David C. , Yadav Dhiraj , Papachristou Georgios I.
Published: January 2016

Goals:

To explore the diagnostic challenges, management, and clinical outcomes of patients with isolated peripancreatic necrosis (PPN), with emphasis on the extent of involvement, and compare them to pancreatic necrosis (PN).

Background:

PPN, a relatively new term, has been included as a separate entity in the Revised Atlanta Classification.

Study:

Clinical data of recruited acute pancreatitis patients were recorded prospectively. Contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scans were reviewed by expert radiologists blinded to clinical outcomes.

Results:

In total, 271 of the 400 acute pancreatitis patients underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography, of which 29 (11%) had PPN (14: limited; 15: extensive) and 124 (46%) PN (40: <30%, 16: 30% to 50%, 68: >50% of parenchyma). Patients with PPN were similar to PN in age (56 y), gender (55% male), and body mass index (29 kg/m2). Nutritional support was provided in 18 (62%) patients with PPN and 97 (78%) with PN (P=0.12). Drainage/debridement was required in 2 patients (7%) with PPN and 64 (53%) with parenchymal necrosis (P<0.001). Persistent organ failure rates did not differ significantly (34% vs. 51%, P=0.17), but hospital stay was shorter in patients with PPN (15 vs. 20 d, P=0.05). Limited PPN required no intervention and had similar persistent organ failure rates and hospitalization length with interstitial pancreatitis (both P≥0.12). Extensive PPN mainly developed in patients with persistent organ failure (60%) and rarely required drainage (2/15).

Conclusions:

PPN prevalence was lower than PN with a ratio of 1:4. PPN rarely required intervention. Utilizing the extent of involvement has the potential to classify PPN and PN with escalating clinical significance and guide management.
Perspectives on the Use of eHealth in the Management of Patients With Schizophrenia
Authors: Treisman Glenn J. , Jayaram Geetha , Margolis Russell L. , Pearlson Godfrey D. , Schmidt Chester W. , Mihelish Gary L. , Kennedy Adrienne , Howson Alexandra , Rasulnia Maziar , Misiuta Iwona E.
Published: January 2016

Mobile devices, digital technologies, and web-based applications—known collectively as eHealth (electronic health)—could improve health care delivery for costly, chronic diseases such as schizophrenia. Pharmacologic and psychosocial therapies represent the primary treatment for individuals with schizophrenia; however, extensive resources are required to support adherence, facilitate continuity of care, and prevent relapse and its sequelae. This paper addresses the use of eHealth in the management of schizophrenia based on a roundtable discussion with a panel of experts, which included psychiatrists, a medical technology innovator, a mental health advocate, a family caregiver, a health policy maker, and a third-party payor. The expert panel discussed the uses, benefits, and limitations of emerging eHealth with the capability to integrate care and extend service accessibility, monitor patient status in real time, enhance medication adherence, and empower patients to take a more active role in managing their disease. In summary, to support this technological future, eHealth requires significant research regarding implementation, patient barriers, policy, and funding.
Compaction and segregation of sister chromatids via active loop extrusion
Authors: Goloborodko Anton , Imakaev Maksim V. , Marko John F. , Mirny Leonid
Published: January 2016

The mechanism by which chromatids and chromosomes are segregated during mitosis and meiosis is a major puzzle of biology and biophysics. Using polymer simulations of chromosome dynamics, we show that a single mechanism of loop extrusion by condensins can robustly compact, segregate and disentangle chromosomes, arriving at individualized chromatids with morphology observedin vivo. Our model resolves the paradox of topological simplification concomitant with chromosome “condensation”, and explains how enzymes a few nanometers in size are able to control chromosome geometry and topology at micron length scales. We suggest that loop extrusion is a universal mechanism of genome folding that mediates functional interactions during interphase and compacts chromosomes during mitosis.
Assessing sample representativeness in randomized controlled trials: application to the National Institute of Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network
Authors: Susukida Ryoko , Crum Rosa M , Stuart Elizabeth A , Ebnesajjad Cyrus , Mojtabai Ramin
Published: January 2016

Aims

To compare the characteristics of individuals participating in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of treatments of substance use disorder (SUD) with individuals receiving treatment in usual care settings, and to provide a summary quantitative measure of differences between characteristics of these two groups of individuals using propensity score methods.

Design

Analyses using data from RCT samples from the National Institute of Drug Abuse Clinical Trials Network (CTN) and target populations of patients drawn from the Treatment Episodes Data Set—Admissions (TEDS‐A).

Settings

Multiple clinical trial sites and nation‐wide usual SUD treatment settings in the United States.

Participants

A total of 3592 individuals from 10 CTN samples and 1 602 226 individuals selected from TEDS‐A between 2001 and 2009.

Measurements

The propensity scores for enrolling in the RCTs were computed based on the following nine observable characteristics: sex, race/ethnicity, age, education, employment status, marital status, admission to treatment through criminal justice, intravenous drug use and the number of prior treatments.

Findings

The proportion of those with ≥ 12 years of education and the proportion of those who had full‐time jobs were significantly higher among RCT samples than among target populations (in seven and nine trials, respectively, at P < 0.001). The pooled difference in the mean propensity scores between the RCTs and the target population was 1.54 standard deviations and was statistically significant at P < 0.001.

Conclusions

In the United States, individuals recruited into randomized controlled trials of substance use disorder treatments appear to be very different from individuals receiving treatment in usual care settings. Notably, RCT participants tend to have more years of education and a greater likelihood of full‐time work compared with people receiving care in usual care settings.
Reduced adaptability, but no fundamental disruption, of norm‐based face coding following early visual deprivation from congenital cataracts
Authors: Rhodes Gillian , Nishimura Mayu , de Heering Adelaide , Jeffery Linda , Maurer Daphne
Published: January 2016

Faces are adaptively coded relative to visual norms that are updated by experience, and this adaptive coding is linked to face recognition ability. Here we investigated whether adaptive coding of faces is disrupted in individuals (adolescents and adults) who experience face recognition difficulties following visual deprivation from congenital cataracts in infancy. We measured adaptive coding using face identity aftereffects, where smaller aftereffects indicate less adaptive updating of face‐coding mechanisms by experience. We also examined whether the aftereffects increase with adaptor identity strength, consistent with norm‐based coding of identity, as in typical populations, or whether they show a different pattern indicating some more fundamental disruption of face‐coding mechanisms. Cataract‐reversal patients showed significantly smaller face identity aftereffects than did controls (Experiments 1 and 2). However, their aftereffects increased significantly with adaptor strength, consistent with norm‐based coding (Experiment 2). Thus we found reduced adaptability but no fundamental disruption of norm‐based face‐coding mechanisms in cataract‐reversal patients. Our results suggest that early visual experience is important for the normal development of adaptive face‐coding mechanisms.
Genomic survey provides insights into the evolutionary changes that occurred during European expansion of the invasive mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki)
Authors: Vera Manuel , Díez‐del‐Molino David , García‐Marín José‐Luis
Published: January 2016

Biological invasions rank among the main global threats for biodiversity. The Eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) is considered one of the 100 world worst invasive species due to its high adaptation capability to new environments. Using the restriction‐site‐associated DNA tags (RADtags), introduced European locations were compared against native US mosquitofish populations to analyse genomic changes that occurred during invasive process of European locations. After filtering, 7724 RADtags containing only one SNP were retained for population studies. Comparative genomics indicated that 186 of these RADtags matched sequences in the transcriptome of Xyphophorus maculatus, the most closely related genome available. Genomic analyses showed that invasive populations show high reductions in diversity. Further, analyses of population structuring based on these data are concordant with previous analyses based on microsatellites. It is concluded that during the invasion process genetic drift was the main evolutionary force affecting patterns of diversity and population structure. While recognizing that positive selection could be masked by the strong drift during founder events, adaptive processes were evidenced in a reduced number of RADtags (<2%), with only one of these in a putative coding region. Surprisingly, balancing selection was detected in several coding RADtags, suggesting that the preservation of polymorphism in specific genes could be more important than the average population diversity for the population maintenance at any location, particularly for the survival of introduced populations.
Predicting quantitative host plant resistance against phoma black stem in sunflower
Authors: Schwanck A. A. , Savary S. , Lepennetier A. , Debaeke P. , Vincourt P. , Willocquet L.
Published: January 2016

Phoma black stem is an important disease in sunflower, against which no specific management method is currently deployed in France. Relevant phenotyping methods for quantitative resistance are critical for integration of this trait into breeding programmes. Components of resistance associated with physiological resistance, and morphological traits associated with disease escape were measured on 21 sunflower genotypes under growth chamber (on seedlings), greenhouse (on adult plants), and field conditions, together with disease intensity in the field. Potential predictors were first selected for sensitivity and robustness from mixed model anovas. Analyses involving ranking tests and logistic regressions were then performed to identify predictors for field resistance. The identification of predictors for resistance involved analyses conducted in two broad steps: process‐oriented experiments, and epidemic‐oriented experiments. This stepwise approach departs from many studies aimed at identifying predictors for field resistance, which rely mainly on the computation of correlation coefficients between predictors and measured field disease variables. Predictors for quantitative resistance were identified: (i) lesion length and lesion expansion on stems of plants before flowering stage, and (ii) lesion length on first leaf petioles of seedlings. A high number of leaves and tall plants were associated with disease escape. Control genotypes for susceptibility and quantitative resistance were identified, and implications for breeding and improvements were derived from this work.
Generalized (Phi, Rho)-convexity in nonsmooth vector optimization over cones
Authors: Kapoor Malti , Suneja Surjeet K , Sharma Sunila
Published: January 2016

In this paper, new classes of cone-generalized (Phi,Rho)-convex functions are introduced for a nonsmooth vector optimization problem over cones, which subsume several known studied classes. Using these generalized functions,  various sufficient Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) type  nonsmooth optimality conditions are established wherein Clarke's generalized gradient is used. Further, we prove duality results for both Wolfe and Mond-Weir type duals under various types of cone-generalized (Phi,Rho)-convexity assumptions.Phi,Rho
Transit network design and scheduling using genetic algorithm – a review
Authors: Johar Amita , Jain S. S. , Garg P. K.
Published: January 2016

The aim of this paper is to summarize the findings of research concerning the application of genetic algorithm in transit network design and scheduling. Due to the involvement of several parameters the design and scheduling of transit network by means of traditional optimization technique is very difficult. To overcome these problems, most of the researchers have applied genetic algorithm for designing and scheduling of transit network. After the review of various studies involved in design and scheduling of transit network using genetic algorithm, it was concluded that genetic algorithm is an efficient optimization technique.
Stunting risk of orphans by caregiver and living arrangement in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Finlay Jocelyn E , Fink Günther , McCoy Dana Charles , Tavárez L Carolina , Chai Jeanne , Danaei Goodarz , Ezzati Majid , Fawzi Wafaie , Fawzi Mary C Smith
Published: January 2016

Background

An estimated 151 million children worldwide have lost one or both parents (UNICEF). Although a considerable literature has documented the impact of parental loss on children's emotional development, to date there are mixed findings regarding the potential effect of orphanhood on children's physical growth. The aim of the study is to examine the association between orphanhood (maternal, paternal or both) on childhood stunting status, accounting for living arrangement.

Methods

We combine nationally representative data from 84 Demographic Health Surveys for 49 low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Data from 222 690 children aged 0–23 months were included in the analytical sample. We show pooled estimates from multiple analysis models, as well as models examining the role of the surviving parent's residence and household structure.

Results

In fully adjusted models, maternal orphans were found to have an increased risk of stunting (RR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4) compared to children with two living parents. The stratified models demonstrated that the greatest risk was observed for maternal orphans whose surviving fathers did not live with the child (RR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 1.6).

Conclusions

Early orphanhood constitutes a major risk for children's physical development in LMICs. However, the results suggest that the adverse effects of a parental loss can be mitigated if appropriate support is provided, indicating the potential benefits of the surviving parents staying with their children. The benefits of targeted social policies aimed at single fathers and grandparents supporting orphans may be significant.
Horizon quantum mechanics: A hitchhiker’s guide to quantum black holes
Authors: Casadio Roberto , Giugno Andrea , Micu Octavian
Published: January 2016

It is congruous with the quantum nature of the world to view the spacetime geometry as an emergent structure that shows classical features only at some observational level. One can thus conceive the spacetime manifold as a purely theoretical arena, where quantum states are defined, with the additional freedom of changing coordinates like any other symmetry. Observables, including positions and distances, should then be described by suitable operators acting on such quantum states. In principle, the top-down (canonical) quantization of Einstein–Hilbert gravity falls right into this picture, but is notoriously very involved. The complication stems from allowing all the classical canonical variables that appear in the (presumably) fundamental action to become quantum observables acting on the “superspace” of all metrics, regardless of whether they play any role in the description of a specific physical system. On can instead revisit the more humble “minisuperspace” approach and choose the gravitational observables not simply by imposing some symmetry, but motivated by their proven relevance in the (classical) description of a given system. In particular, this review focuses on compact, spherically symmetric, quantum mechanical sources, in order to determine the probability that they are black holes (BHs) rather than regular particles. The gravitational radius is therefore lifted to the status of a quantum mechanical operator acting on the “horizon wave function (HWF),” the latter being determined by the quantum state of the source. This formalism is then applied to several sources with a mass around the fundamental scale, which are viewed as natural candidates of quantum BHs.
Axially symmetric dissipative fluids in the quasi-static approximation
Authors: Herrera L. , Di Prisco A. , Ospino J. , Carot J.
Published: January 2016

Using a framework based on the [Formula: see text] formalism, we carry out a study on axially and reflection symmetric dissipative fluids, in the quasi-static regime. We first derive a set of invariantly defined “velocities”, which allow for an inambiguous definition of the quasi-static approximation. Next, we rewrite all the relevant equations in this approximation and extract all the possible, physically relevant, consequences ensuing the adoption of such an approximation. In particular, we show how the vorticity, the shear and the dissipative flux, may lead to situations where different kind of “velocities” change their sign within the fluid distribution with respect to their sign on the boundary surface. It is shown that states of gravitational radiation are not a priori incompatible with the quasi-static regime. However, any such state must last for an infinite period of time, thereby diminishing its physical relevance.
The cosmology in f(R,τ) gravity without dark energy
Authors: Sun Gang , Huang Yong-Chang
Published: January 2016

We examine the evolution of universe in [Formula: see text] gravity where [Formula: see text] is the Ricci curvature and [Formula: see text] is the trace of energy–momentum tensor. We focus on the specific form [Formula: see text] and explicitly find out the relation between [Formula: see text] and state of equation [Formula: see text] by adiabatic condition. All possible modes of evolution of the scale factor for the five kinds of state of equation, [Formula: see text] are exhibited. We simulate numerically the plots of redshift versus distance modulus for three interesting modes and then obtain the good fitting curve compared with the astronomical observation data.
Hertz potential formalism for force-free electrodynamics and its application to Brennan–Gralla–Jacobson solutions
Authors: He Xiaokai , Cao Zhoujian
Published: January 2016

The Hertz potential is a powerful tool for the source-free electrodynamics. Especially for the algebraically special spacetime background, the Hertz potential formalism simplifies the Maxwell equations quite much. In astrophysics, strong electric–magnetic field is very common. Force-free electrodynamics is a good approximation for strong enough electric–magnetic field compared to the inertial energy of the involved plasma. For example, the force-free model has been extensively used to describe the magnetosphere of stars in the universe. In this paper, we extend the Hertz potential formalism to the force-free electrodynamics. The Hertz potential formalism simplifies the force-free dynamical equations as much as that in the source-free case. As an application, we use the Hertz potential formalism to the Schwarzschild background. And the Brennan–Gralla–Jacobson solutions are recovered straightforwardly.
An approach to investigate stability, cosmography and the dark energy dipole: A case study of cosmological models in R1+ϵ
Authors: Salehi A. , Aftabi S.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, in a new approach, we study the stability of the dynamical system (DS) of [Formula: see text] in terms of two significant cosmological parameters, deceleration parameter and jerk parameter [Formula: see text]. Other cosmographic parameters such as [Formula: see text] have been obtained in terms of these two parameters. We have obtained critical points ([Formula: see text]), the best fitted current values of cosmographic parameters ([Formula: see text]), best value for model parameter [Formula: see text] and best trajectory of dynamics of system in phase space by simultaneously solving the DS and best fitting the parameter by the SNIa data. By defining modified redshift in anisotropic cosmological model as [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] is a magnitude of anisotropy, [Formula: see text] is direction of privileged axis and [Formula: see text] is the direction of each SNe Ia sample to galactic coordinates), the luminosity distance has been obtained in terms of modified redshift using cosmography method. Using union 2 data, we have found the direction of privileged axis in the galactic coordinate. The results show that the magnitude of anisotropy is about [Formula: see text] and the direction of privileged axis is [Formula: see text]. Also, our results are consistent with other studies in [Formula: see text] confidence level.
Effect of entrance channel on dynamics of heavy ions collision
Authors: Naderi D.
Published: January 2016

A combined dynamical model using concept of dinuclear systems (DNS) and one-dimensional (1D) Langevin equations was applied to investigate the effect of entrance channel on dynamics of heavy ions collision. The [Formula: see text]Si+[Formula: see text]Er, [Formula: see text]O+[Formula: see text]W and [Formula: see text]F+[Formula: see text]Ta reactions which formed the compound nucleus [Formula: see text]Pb have been considered to study this effect. We studied these reactions dynamically and calculated the ratio of evaporation residue cross-section to fusion cross-section [Formula: see text] as a tool for investigation of entrance channel effect. Results of combined model are compared with available experimental data and results of 1D Langevin equations. Obtained results based on combined model are in better agreement with experimental data in comparison with results of Langevin equations. We concluded for [Formula: see text]Si+[Formula: see text]Er and [Formula: see text]F+[Formula: see text]Ta reactions the results of combined model that support the quasi-fission process are different relative to Langevin dynamical approach, whereas for [Formula: see text]O+[Formula: see text]W system the two models give similar results.
SDN-Based Active Content Networking
Authors: Um Tai-Won , Lee Gyu Myoung , Kim Jinsul
Published: January 2016

This paper proposes a Software Defined Networking- (SDN-) based active content networking architecture for future media environments. The proposed architecture aims to provide customized delivery of various types of media content in order to satisfy users' demand and service requirements. To this end, we have developed an active content processing model which provides in-network content processing through service objects that are integral parts of active content. The main benefits provided by the proposed model are high flexibility and creativity to meet the evolving future media environments.
Prevalence of Helminths in Dogs and Owners’ Awareness of Zoonotic Diseases in Mampong, Ashanti, Ghana
Authors: Amissah-Reynolds Papa Kofi , Monney Isaac , Adowah Lucy Mawusi , Agyemang Samuel Opoku
Published: January 2016

Dogs are popular pets that live closely with humans. However, this cohabitation allows for the transmission of zoonotic parasites to humans. In Ghana, very little is known about zoonotic parasites in dogs. We examined excrements of 154 dogs for intestinal helminthes using saturated sodium chloride as a floatation medium and further interviewed 100 dog owners regarding knowledge on zoonosis and pet management practices. Thirteen parasite species were identified, with an overall prevalence of 52.6%. Nematodes were more common than cestodes, withToxocara canisbeing the most prevalent helminth (18.8%). Age (p=0.011;χ2=9.034) and location (p=0.02;χ2=12.323) of dogs were significant risk factors of helminthic infections, while mode of housing, function, and gender of dogs were not. Knowledge on zoonosis and pet management practices were poor, including irregular deworming and feeding of animals off the bare ground. Dogs may play an active role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases in the area, given the cohabitation of infected dogs with humans; irregular deworming pattern of dogs; and rampant excretion of helminth-infested dog excreta into the environment.
Haemostatic Response of Polyethylene Terephthalate Treated by Oxygen and Nitrogen Plasma Afterglows
Authors: Kolar Metod , Primc Gregor
Published: January 2016

Samples of polymer polyethylene terephthalate were coated with heparin and the haemostatic response has been determined by optical imaging of samples after incubation with fresh blood from a healthy donor. Prior to coating the samples were treated by neutral reactive particles of the oxygen or nitrogen plasma flowing afterglow. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed intensive functionalization of the polymer foils upon treatment with afterglows; however, the concentration of sulphur from heparin remained below the detection limit. The optical imaging showed densely distributed blood platelets in highly activated forms on untreated samples, whereas treatment with both afterglows revealed improved hemocompatibility. Best results were obtained for oxygen-functionalized polymer, whereas additional coating with heparin caused moderate loss of hemocompatibility, that was explained by deactivation of surface functional groups upon incubation with heparin.
A Modified Hybrid III 6-Year-Old Dummy Head Model for Lateral Impact Assessment
Authors: Rafukka I. A. , Sahari B. B. , Nuraini A. A. , Manohar A.
Published: January 2016

Hybrid III six-year-old (6YO) child dummy head model was developed and validated for frontal impact assessment according to the specifications contained in Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 572.122, Subpart N by Livermore Software Technology Corporation (LSTC). This work is aimed at improving biofidelity of the head for frontal impact and also extending its application to lateral impact assessment by modifying the head skin viscoelastic properties and validating the head response using the scaled nine-year-old (9YO) child cadaver head response recently published in the literature. The modified head model was validated for two drop heights for frontal, right, and left parietal impact locations. Peak resultant acceleration of the modified head model appeared to have good correlation with scaled 9YO child cadaver head response for frontal impact on dropping from 302 mm height and fair correlation with 12.3% difference for 151 mm drop height. Right parietal peak resultant acceleration values correlate well with scaled 9YO head experimental data for 153 mm drop height, while fair correlation with 16.4% difference was noticed for 302 mm drop height. Left parietal, however, shows low biofidelity for the two drop heights as the difference in head acceleration response was within 30%. The modified head model could therefore be used to estimate injuries in vehicle crash for head parietal impact locations which cannot be measured by the current hybrid III dummy head model.
Methanolic Extract of Ceplukan Leaf (Physalis minimaL.) Attenuates Ventricular Fibrosis through Inhibition of TNF-αin Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Lestari Bayu , Permatasari Nur , Rohman Mohammad Saifur
Published: January 2016

The increase of heart failure prevalence on menopausal women was correlated with the decrease of estrogen level. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ceplukan leaf (Physalis minimaL.), which contains phytoestrogen physalin and withanolides, on ventricular TNF-αlevel and fibrosis in ovariectomized rats. Wistar rats were divided into six groups (control (—); OVX 5: 5-week ovariectomy (OVX); OVX 9: 9-week ovariectomy; treatments I, II, and III: 9-weeks OVX + 4-week ceplukan leaf’s methanolic extract doses 500, 1500, and 2500 mg/kgBW, resp.). TNF-αlevels were measured with ELISA. Fibrosis was counted as blue colored tissues percentage using Masson’s Trichrome staining. This study showed that prolonged hypoestrogen increases ventricular fibrosis (p<0.05). Ceplukan leaf treatment also resulted in a decrease of ventricular fibrosis and TNF-αlevel in dose dependent manner compared to without treatment group (p<0.05). Furthermore, the TNF-αlevel was normalized in 2500 mg/kgBWPhysalis minimaL. (p<0.05) treatment. The reduction of fibrosis positively correlated with TNF-αlevel (p<0.05,r=0.873). Methanolic extract of ceplukan leaf decreases ventricular fibrosis through the inhibition of ventricular TNF-αlevel in ovariectomized rats.
Infective Exacerbation ofPasteurella multocida
Authors: Hamada Mayumi , Elshimy Noha , Abusriwil Hatem
Published: January 2016

An 89-year-old lady presented with a one-day history of shortness of breath as well as a cough productive of brown sputum. Her medical history was significant for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She was in severe type one respiratory failure and blood tests revealed markedly raised inflammatory markers; however her chest X-ray was clear. On examination there was bronchial breathing with widespread crepitations and wheeze. She was treated as per an infective exacerbation of COPD. Subsequent blood cultures grewPasteurella multocida, a common commensal in the oropharynx of domesticated animals. The patient was then asked about any contact with animals, after which she revealed she had a dog and was bitten on her left hand the day before admission. We should not forget to enquire about recent history of injuries or animal bites when patients present acutely unwell. She made a complete recovery after treatment with penicillin.
Silent HumanTrypanosoma brucei gambienseInfections around the Old Gboko Sleeping Sickness Focus in Nigeria
Authors: Solomon Ngutor Karshima , Idris Lawal A. , Oluseyi Oluyinka Okubanjo
Published: January 2016

Trypanosoma brucei gambiensecauses Gambian trypanosomosis, a disease ravaging affected rural parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. We screened 1200 human blood samples forT. b. gambienseusing the card agglutination test for trypanosomosis, characterized trypanosome isolates withTrypanosoma gambienseserum glycoprotein-PCR (TgsGP-PCR), and analyzed our data using Chi square and odds ratio at 95% confidence interval for statistical association. Of the 1200 samples, the CATT revealed an overall infection rate of 1.8% which ranged between 0.0% and 3.5% across study sites. Age and sex based infection rates ranged between 1.2% and 2.3%. We isolated 7 (33.3%) trypanosomes from the 21 seropositive samples using immunosuppressed mice which were identified asT. b. gambiensegroup 1 by TgsGP-PCR. Based on study sites, PCR revealed an overall infection rate of 0.6% which ranged between 0.0% and 1.5%. Females and males revealed PCR based infection rates of 0.3% and 0.8%, respectively. Infection rates in adults (1.3%) and children (0.1%) varied significantly (p<0.05). We observed silentT. b. gambienseinfections among residents of this focus. Risks of disease development into the second fatal stage in these patients who may also serve as reservoirs of infection in the focus exist.
Ganciclovir-Resistant Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Kidney Transplant Recipient Successfully Treated with Foscarnet and Everolimus
Authors: Menghi Viola , Comai Giorgia , Baraldi Olga , Liviano D’Arcangelo Giovanni , Lazzarotto Tiziana , La Manna Gaetano
Published: January 2016

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a major cause of morbidity, graft failure, and death in kidney transplant recipients. We describe a case of a 53-year-old CMV-seronegative man who underwent renal transplant from a CMV-positive donor and who developed ganciclovir- (GCV-) resistant CMV infection. Foscarnet was started while immunosuppressive therapy was modified with the introduction of everolimus minimizing tacrolimus dosage. Only two weeks after the start of this treatment regimen was the patient’s viral load negative. At two-year follow-up the patient has no clinical or laboratory signs of CMV infection and a good and stable renal function or graft survival. In our case, administration of an mTOR inhibitor combined with foscarnet led to rapid and persistent viral clearance without compromising short- and medium-term graft function. This combination therapy supports the need for the kidney transplant community to individualize a target therapy for each type of GCV-resistant CMV infection.
Evaluation of the Larvicidal Efficacy of Five Indigenous Weeds against an Indian Strain of Dengue Vector,Aedes aegyptiL. (Diptera: Culicidae)
Authors: Sharma Aarti , Kumar Sarita , Tripathi Pushplata
Published: January 2016

Background and Objectives.Aedes aegypti, dengue fever mosquito, is primarily associated with the transmission of dengue and chikungunya in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The present investigations were carried out to assess the larvicidal efficiency of five indigenous weeds againstAe. aegypti. Methods.The 1,000 ppm hexane and ethanol extracts prepared from the leaves and stem of five plants (Achyranthes aspera,Cassia occidentalis,Catharanthus roseus,Lantana camara, andXanthium strumarium) were screened for their larvicidal activity against early fourth instars of dengue vector. The extracts which could cause 80–100% mortality were further investigated for their efficacy.Results.The preliminary screening established the efficacy of hexane extracts as compared to the ethanol extracts. Further investigations revealed the highest larvicidal potential ofA. asperaextracts exhibiting LC50value of 82.555 ppm and 68.133 ppm, respectively. Further, their leaf extracts showed 5–85.9% higher larvicidal activity and stem extracts exhibited 0.23- to 0.85-fold more efficiency than the other four extracts.Conclusion.The present investigations suggest the possible use ofA. asperaas an ideal ecofriendly, larvicidal agent for the control of dengue vector,Ae. aegypti. Future studies are, however, required to explore and identify the bioactive component involved and its mode of action.
A Comparison of Measures of Endothelial Function in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease and Age and Gender Matched Controls
Authors: Allan Richard B. , Vun Simon V. , Spark J. Ian
Published: January 2016

This study compared flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), peripheral artery tonometry (PAT), and serum nitric oxide (NO) measures of endothelial function in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) against age/gender matched controls. 25 patients (mean age: 72.4 years, M : F 18 : 7) with established PAD and an age/gender matched group of 25 healthy controls (mean age: 72.4 years, M : F 18 : 7) were studied. Endothelial function was measured using the % FMD, reactive hyperemia index (RHI) using PAT and serum NO (μmol). Difference for each method between PAD and control patients and correlation between the methods were investigated. FMD and RHI were lower in patients with PAD (median FMD for PAD = 2.16% versus control = 3.77%,p=0.034and median RHI in PAD = 1.64 versus control = 1.92,p=0.005). NO levels were not significantly different between the groups (PAD median = 7.70 μmol, control median = 13.05 μmol,p=0.662). These results were obtained in elderly patients and cannot be extrapolated to younger individuals. FMD and PAT both demonstrated a lower hyperaemic response in patients with PAD; however, FMD results in PAD patients were unequivocally reduced whereas half the PAD patients had RHI values above the established threshold for endothelial dysfunction. This suggests that FMD is a more appropriate method for the measurement of NO-mediated endothelial function.