bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Renal Function Under Controlled Hypotension in Zero Ischemia Robotic Assisted Partial Nephrectomy
Authors: Forastiere Ester , Claroni Claudia , Sofra Maria , Torregiani Giulia , Covotta Marco , Marchione Maria Grazia , Giannarelli Diana , Papalia Rocco
Published: April 2014

Background/Aims: In partial nephrectomy with hilar clamping every minute of ischemia can impair renal function, thus great importance is having the controlled hypotension as a part of zero ischemia technique. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of hypotensive anesthesia on renal function, in patients undergoing robotic assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) , during surgery and at 3 months follow up. Methods: This is a prospective study of 100 patients, ASA 1-2, who underwent zero ischemia RAPN under controlled hypotension (CH) from December 2011 through to May 2013. Serum creatinine, BUN, estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR), fractional excretion of sodium (FSE) and technetium Tc 99m mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTC-MAG-3), renal scintigraphy with effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were evaluated. Results: Mean duration of CH was 50±4 minutes. Acute renal failure wasn't observed in any of the patients. A significant variation of eGFR during the procedure and 24 hours after surgery was observed. No significant variation of BUN and FSE was detected. Comparing preoperative ERPF of the operated kidney with ERPF 3 months after surgery, it decreased by 2%. Conclusion: In patients with normal preoperative renal function CH didn't show any detrimental impact on renal function during and after robotic assisted partial nephrectomy.
Quantitative Analysis of Abdominal Aortic Calcification in CKD Patients Without Dialysis Therapy by Use of the Agatston Score
Authors: Ichii Mitsuru , Ishimura Eiji , Shima Hideaki , Ohno Yoshiteru , Ochi Akinobu , Nakatani Shinya , Tsuda Akihiro , Ehara Shoichi , Mori Katsuhito , Fukumoto Shinya , Naganuma Toshihide , Takemoto Yoshiaki , Nakatani Tatsuya , Inaba Masaaki
Published: April 2014

Background/Aim: The aim of the present study was to quantitatively examine factors associated with aortic calcification in non-dialysis CKD patients. Methods: We quantitatively investigated aortic calcification from the renal artery to the bifurcation in 149 non-dialysis CKD patients (58±16 years; 96 males and 53 females, 48 diabetics; eGFR 40.3±29.3 ml/min), and measured Agatston scores using multi-slice computed tomography. Result: Of 149 patients, aortic calcification was present in 117. In patients with aortic calcification, age (p<0.001), C-reactive protein (p<0.001), and intact-PTH (p < 0.001) were significantly higher, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was significantly lower (p<0.001), and diabetes was observed more often (p<0.05). In regards to the degree of aortic calcification, the Agatston scores correlated significantly and positively with age (ρ=0.438, p<0.001) and serum phosphate (ρ=0.208, p=0.024), and correlated significantly but negatively with e-GFR (ρ=-0.353, p<0.001). In multiple regression analysis, eGFR was associated significantly and independently with the log [Agatston score] (β=-0.346, p<0.01), after adjustment for several confounders including serum phosphate and the presence of diabetes. Conclusions: Hyperphospatemia, chronic inflammation, diabetes, and decreased GFR are associated significantly with the presence of aortic calcification in non-dialysis CKD patients. Decreased eGFR was associated significantly and independently with the quantitative degree of aortic calcification.
Rat Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Protect H9C2 Cells from Cellular Senescence via a Paracrine Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Yuzhen , Wang Dan , Cao Kejiang , Chen Minglong , Yang Xiangjun , Tao Yanyun
Published: April 2014

Objectives: Cellular senescence may play an important role in the pathology of heart aging. We aimed to explore whether induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could inhibit cardiac cellular senescence via a paracrine mechanism. Methods: We collected iPSC culture supernatant, with or without oxidative stress, as conditioned medium (CM) for the rat cardiomyocyte-derived cell line H9C2. Then we treated H9C2 cells, cultured with or without CM, with hypoxia/reoxygenation to induce cellular senescence and measured senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, G1 cell proportion and expression of the cell cycle regulators p16INK4a, p21Waf1/Cip1 and p53 at mRNA and protein levels in H9C2 cells. In addition, we used Luminex-based analysis to measure concentrations of trophic factors in iPSC-derived CM. Results: We found that iPSC-derived CM reduced SA-β-gal activity, attenuated G1 cell cycle arrest and reduced the expression of p16INK4a, p21Waf1/Cip1 and p53 in H9C2 cells. Furthermore, the CM contained more trophic factors, e.g. tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor, than H9C2-derived CM. Conclusions: Paracrine factors released from iPSCs prevent stress-induced senescence of H9C2 cells by inhibiting p53-p21 and p16-pRb pathways. This is the first report demonstrating that antisenescence effects of stem cell therapy may be a novel therapeutic strategy for age-related cardiovascular disease.
Sputum Eicosanoid Profiling in Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Drozdovszky Orsolya , Barta Imre , Antus Balazs
Published: April 2014

Background: Eicosanoids are small lipid molecules with diverse biological functions in the airways. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate changes in leukotriene B4 (LTB4), 8-isoprostane, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cysteinyl-leukotriene (cys-LT) levels in the sputum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at the onset of a severe exacerbation and during the course of recovery. Methods: Thirty-seven ex-smoker COPD patients suffering an episode of acute exacerbation were enrolled. Samples were taken (i) on hospital admission and (ii) after regular treatment. Twenty-five stable ex-smoker COPD patients served as controls. Eicosanoids were determined by enzyme immunoassay. Results: Sputum PGE2 [39.8 (13.3-103.3) vs. 5.05 (2.3-12.1) pg/ml, p < 0.001], 8-isoprostane [89.5 (36.9-184.7) vs. 29.7 (13.8-68.8) pg/ml, p < 0.01] and LTB4 [587.7 (252.9-774.8) vs. 276.1 (105.4-594.7) pg/ml, p < 0.05] levels were increased in patients with exacerbation compared to stable subjects. After treatment only PGE2 levels decreased significantly [at discharge: 19.6 (4.6-52.5) pg/ml, p < 0.01], the levels of other eicosanoids remained elevated (p = NS). Sputum cys-LT levels were similar in stable patients and in those with exacerbation and treatment did not influence cys-LTs either. There was a significant correlation between PGE2 and sputum neutrophil and lymphocyte cell counts in patients with exacerbation. Conclusions: Our results suggest that 8-isoprostane, LTB4 and PGE2 but not cys-LTs may be involved in exacerbation-associated inflammatory processes in the airways of patients with COPD. Validation of PGE2 for use as a biomarker of recovery from an exacerbation requires further studies.
Favorable Outcomes for both Mother and Baby Are Possible in Pregnant Women with Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Disease: A Case Series and Literature Review
Authors: Gozel Mustafa Gokhan , Elaldi Nazif , Engin Aynur , Akkar Ozlem Bozoklu , Bolat Fatih , Celik Cem
Published: April 2014

To assess the impact of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) infection during pregnancy on maternal and fetal outcomes, we present the clinical and laboratory findings and outcomes of 5 pregnant women with CCHF infection as well as fetal outcomes. We also reviewed previously reported cases with CCHF infection in pregnant women. All pregnant women with CCHF infection who had been hospitalized between August 2007 and September 2011 were included. The gestational ages at the time of CCHF infection were 8, 18, 20, 21 and 32 weeks. CCHF infection was acquired during the 1st trimester in only 1 case and resulted in spontaneous abortion. The other 4 pregnant women completely recovered, all reached a healthy full-term gestation and 4 term babies were born. All infants had normal birth weight and were found to be healthy on their first examination and follow-up. In the literature concerning CCHF infection in pregnancy, 8 published articles including case reports or case series and 1 poster presentation including 1 case could be accessed. In conclusion, there is a risk of vertical transmission of CCHF infection, and infections acquired early in gestation had a poor prognosis for the fetus.
Latent Trees for Coreference Resolution
Authors: Fernandes Eraldo Rezende , dos Santos Cícero Nogueira , Milidiú Ruy Luiz
Published: April 2014

We describe a structure learning system for unrestricted coreference resolution that explores two key modeling techniques: latent coreference trees and automatic entropy-guided feature induction. The latent tree modeling makes the learning problem computationally feasible because it incorporates a meaningful hidden structure. Additionally, using an automatic feature induction method, we can efficiently build enhanced nonlinear models using linear model learning algorithms. We present empirical results that highlight the contribution of each modeling technique used in the proposed system. Empirical evaluation is performed on the multilingual unrestricted coreference CoNLL-2012 Shared Task datasets, which comprise three languages: Arabic, Chinese and English. We apply the same system to all languages, except for minor adaptations to some language-dependent features such as nested mentions and specific static pronoun lists. A previous version of this system was submitted to the CoNLL-2012 Shared Task closed track, achieving an official score of 58.69, the best among the competitors. The unique enhancement added to the current system version is the inclusion of candidate arcs linking nested mentions for the Chinese language. By including such arcs, the score increases by almost 4.5 points for that language. The current system shows a score of 60.15, which corresponds to a 3.5% error reduction, and is the best performing system for each of the three languages.
Dormant eggs of a calanoid copepod from tropical brackish aquaculture ponds
Authors: Beyrend-Dur Delphine , Dur Gaël , Souissi Sami , Hwang Jiang-Shiou
Published: April 2014

Many Asian aquaculture farms cultivate copepods as live-feed for aquaculture species, as copepod nutritional and behavioural qualities are usually higher than those of traditional live-feeds (i.e., Artemia and rotifers). The most convenient method to use zooplankton in aquaculture as live feed involves dormant eggs. In this study, to establish whether the copepod species of the tropical Taiwanese ponds exhibit quiescence of their eggs, several sediment samples were collected from the ponds and incubated at low temperature. After 3 months of cold incubation, several nauplii of Acartia bilobata Abraham, 1970 hatched from the sediment at high temperature over several days. Further investigations need to be conducted to understand the origin of the dormancy (i.e., induced originally in the field or in the laboratory). Nevertheless, it is the first reported case of dormant eggs in calanoid copepods in tropical regions. The present study will certainly find some interest in tropical aquaculture as our results showed that long-term storage of tropical calanoid copepod eggs is possible, even if collected directly from the sediment without sorting the eggs.
Morphological differentiation among geographically close populations of the green crab Carcinus aestuarii Nardo, 1847 (Brachyura, Carcinidae) from the Tunisian coast
Authors: Deli Temim , Said Khaled , Chatti Noureddine
Published: April 2014

In the present study, we assessed patterns of morphological variation among populations of the Mediterranean green crabCarcinus aestuariiNardo, 1847 from the Tunisian coast. Eleven morphometric traits were measured on 464 specimens from nine sites, and the pattern of morphological variation among sites was assessed using multivariate approach. Non-parametric MANOVA (NPMANOVA) and non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) analyses revealed statistically significant differences among the studied locations for both sexes proving that natural variability of the measured traits differs clearly between locations. Canonical discriminant analysis (CDA), on the other hand, showed that over 36% of individuals could be assigned to their location of origin on the basis of their morphology. Correct assignment of individuals to their location was much higher (over 63%) when sites were combined into three regional groups and marked morphological differentiation was found in both sexes. A positive correlation was noted between the squared Mahalanobis distances () and the geographic distances for both male and female green crab populations suggesting isolation by distance. The results obtained indicate that morphological divergence among populations of the green crab can occur over shorter distances than expected based on dispersal potential. Possible drivers of the observed pattern of morphological variation are discussed.
The European Arrest Warrant and Fundamental Rights
Authors: Schallmoser Nina Marlene
Published: April 2014

The following article is a short summary of the author’s PhD thesis (N.M. Schallmoser, Europäischer Haftbefehl und Grundrechte. Risiken der Verletzung von Grundrechten durch den EU-Rahmenbeschluss im Lichte der EMRK (Manz‘sche Verlags- und Universitätsbuchhandlung, Vienna, 2012), hereafter Schallmoser (2012)). The framework decision on the European arrest warrant and the surrender procedures between EU member states established a new and uniform system of surrender within the EU. Nevertheless, there is no fundamental rights clause that makes it possible to refuse surrender for reasons of fundamental rights and hardly any fundamental rights guarantees of the accused person are ensured in this framework decision. This is — besides the principle of mutual recognition — the consequence of the currently practiced concept of “division of labour” in fundamental rights matters within the EU, according to which the EU legislator only has to omit, but not to prevent fundamental rights infringements through legislation, and therefore waives establishing such fundamental rights guarantees. The consequences are different risks of the accused person to become a victim of violations of fundamental rights during an internationally labour-divided criminal proceeding. A “risk” in this regard is defined as the substantial likelihood that interference in a person’s fundamental rights leads to a violation or an aggravation of a violation that has already occurred. The present article declares the European legislator as the responsible authority for minimizing such risks. This obligation can be derived from the autonomous and independent commitment of the EU to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and of course the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as set forth in Article 6 TEU.
Child Sex Grooming
Authors: Akhtar Zia
Published: April 2014

There was a recent trial of Asian men for sexually grooming white girls at the Old Bailey which led to their conviction in R v Akhtar Doggar and others (27/6/13). This has intensified the debate if this a ‘cultural’ crime and more prevalent in men from ethnic minorities. The accusation that it is culture specific has brought with it the risk of racial discrimination and breach of the Human Rights Act 1998, under the Right to a Fair Trial. The indictment for sexual grooming falls with the Sexual Offences Act Section 15 that concerns internet grooming. The theory that on street grooming, which consists of more than one offence is about the extracurricular sexual activities of the Pakistani immigrant communities needs examination as well as the dysfunctionality of the victims that present an opportunity for crime. There needs to be an assessment of the racial profiling and the transfer of guilt to Asian men and the possibility of racial bias in holding them blameworthy. The paper argues for an objective evaluation based on current research in order to separate the elements of the crime, understand the background of its commission, and for the ecological changes that will remove the dereliction of urban hubs where crime thrives.
Contributions of Clouds, Surface Albedos, and Mixed-Phase Ice Nucleation Schemes to Arctic Radiation Biases in CAM5
Authors: English Jason M. , Kay Jennifer E. , Gettelman Andrew , Liu Xiaohong , Wang Yong , Zhang Yuying , Chepfer Helene
Published: April 2014

The Arctic radiation balance is strongly affected by clouds and surface albedo. Prior work has identified Arctic cloud liquid water path (LWP) and surface radiative flux biases in the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5), and reductions to these biases with improved mixed-phase ice nucleation schemes. Here, CAM5 net top-of-atmosphere (TOA) Arctic radiative flux biases are quantified along with the contributions of clouds, surface albedos, and new mixed-phase ice nucleation schemes to these biases. CAM5 net TOA all-sky shortwave (SW) and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) fluxes are generally within 10 W m−2 of Clouds and the Earth’s Radiant Energy System Energy Balanced and Filled (CERES-EBAF) observations. However, CAM5 has compensating SW errors: Surface albedos over snow are too high while cloud amount and LWP are too low. Use of a new CAM5 Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) lidar simulator that corrects an error in the treatment of snow crystal size confirms insufficient cloud amount in CAM5 year-round. CAM5 OLR is too low because of low surface temperature in winter, excessive atmospheric water vapor in summer, and excessive cloud heights year-round. Simulations with two new mixed-phase ice nucleation schemes—one based on an empirical fit to ice nuclei observations and one based on classical nucleation theory with prognostic ice nuclei—improve surface climate in winter by increasing cloud amount and LWP. However, net TOA and surface radiation biases remain because of increases in midlevel clouds and a persistent deficit in cloud LWP. These findings highlight challenges with evaluating and modeling Arctic cloud, radiation, and climate processes.
Wh-questions in child L2 French: Derivational complexity and its interactions with L1 properties, length of exposure, age of exposure, and the input
Authors: Prévost Philippe , Strik Nelleke , Tuller Laurie
Published: April 2014

This study investigates how derivational complexity interacts with first language (L1) properties, second language (L2) input, age of first exposure to the target language, and length of exposure in child L2 acquisition. We compared elicited production of wh-questions in French in two groups of 15 participants each, one with L1 English (mean age 8 years 10 months or 8;10) and one with L1 Dutch (mean age 6;3), which were further subdivided into subgroups matched for the different variables under examination. Although in their L1s wh-questions display wh-movement and subject–verb/aux inversion, the learners did not perform similarly. A high number of wh-in-situ questions (i.e. the least complex option) was produced by the L1-English children, suggesting that derivational complexity can override L1 influence. In the L1-Dutch group, questions with overt wh-movement were more frequent. This may stem from the influence of generalized XP-movement to the left periphery in Dutch. Inversion (i.e. the most complex option) was rare in both groups and was related to contact with formal schooling. These results hold across the different subgroups, which suggests not only that complexity plays a role in child L2 acquisition, but also that its effects may differ according to the properties of the L1.
Secondary hardened bainite
Authors: Huang B. M. , Yang J. R. , Yen H. W. , Hsu C. H. , Huang C. Y. , Mohrbacher H.
Published: April 2014

The effect of Mo additions on the development of bainitic ferrite in hot rolled low carbon (0·05 wt-C) Nb containing steel strips has been studied. The steel strips were fabricated by a combined process of controlled rolling and accelerated cooling. Microstructural characterisation and mechanical testing for the corresponding strips were investigated. The results indicated that a small amount of Mo addition (0·1–0·3 wt-) causes the production of a high volume fraction of bainite, which undergoes significant secondary hardening after tempering treatment at 600°C for 1 h. It is noticeable that the secondary hardening effect provides an additional way to significantly increase the strength of low carbon Nb–Mo containing bainitic steels.
Development of true-stress creep model through analysis of constant-load creep data with application to finite element methods
Authors: Connolly M. , Whittaker M. , Williams S.
Published: April 2014

The creep behaviour of the nickel superalloy RR1000 is studied through a number of constant-load creep tests. It is often assumed that creep data generated by constant-load testing are unsuitable for building a generalised creep model due to the non-constant stresses incurred. Analysis of existing models shows that significant errors may occur in many approaches, which attempt to recreate the strain evolution with time. A model is presented which is not reliant on time as a parameter and is therefore able to utilise constant-load creep data without enforcing the assumption of a constant stress. This model is demonstrated through numerical analyses to replicate the creep behaviour across a large range of stresses accurately. The proposed model is then adapted as an Abaqus user-subroutine to demonstrate capability within finite element analysis.
CRITICAL ASSESSMENT 1: Outstanding issues in crystallographic variant selection in displacive transformations
Authors: Kundu Saurabh
Published: April 2014

Variant selection has been a well researched subject in metallurgy and materials science in recent decades. The emergence of experimental techniques capable of determining crystallographic orientation at the grain level has provided insight into the fundamental processes underlying variant selection. The theory, however, is far from complete. Fundamental questions, such as the specific roles of stress and strain in variant selection, have yet to be fully resolved. It remains unclear whether variant selection is a nucleation controlled phenomenon or growth controlled. The possibility of using unconventional forces such as magnetic or electrical fields to influence variant selection is of interest, but needs further research. Any phenomenon related to phase transformation gains importance only when it can be controlled to improve material properties, and it is still unclear how variant selection can be applied to this end. The literature is critically assessed and an attempt is made to identify areas for future research with potential to allow effective application of variant selection.
Serum free immunoglobulin light chain evaluation as a marker of impact from intraclonal heterogeneity on myeloma outcome
Authors: Brioli Annamaria , Giles Hannah , Pawlyn Charlotte , Campbell John P. , Kaiser Martin F. , Melchor Lorenzo , Jackson Graham H. , Gregory Walter M. , Owen Roger G. , Child J. Anthony , Davies Faith E. , Cavo Michele , Drayson Mark T. , Morgan Gareth J.
Published: April 2014

Key Points

The type of antibody secreted at relapse can serve as a marker of clonal heterogeneity. It is important to monitor for serum FLC in the suspicion of clinical relapse to ensure that FLC relapse is not missed.
Determinants of childhood diarrhea among underfive children in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, North West Ethiopia
Authors: Sinmegn Mihrete Thomas , Asres Alemie Getahun , Shimeka Teferra Alemayehu
Published: April 2014

Background

Diarrhea is second only to pneumonia as the cause of child mortality worldwide. Developing countries particularly in Sub Saharan Africa including Ethiopia have a high burden of this disease. Studies showed that different factors were associated with the occurrence of childhood diarrhea. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify determinant factors of diarrhea in underfive children in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia.

Method

Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data of 2011 was used for this study. The data was extracted from the National DHS data using data extraction tools. A total of 925 under five children were selected. The logistic regression model was employed to examine the determinants of childhood diarrhoea. Both bivariate and multivariate data analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0.

Result

The results of this study indicated that low level of maternal education [AOR = 1.81, 95% CI (1.12,2.76)], absence of toilet facility [AOR = 3.5, 95% CI (2.4, 5.2)], improper child stool disposal methods [AOR = 2.05, 95%CI (1.36, 3.10)], having more than two under five children [AOR = 1.73, 95% CI (1.03, 2.93)], higher birth order [AOR = 6.1, 95% CI (3.1,12.2)] and the age of children [AOR = 1.9, 95% CI (1.2, 3.6)] were found to be the risk factors for childhood diarrhea after adjusting for other variables. When toilet facility was stratified by maternal education, it showed that children of mothers who had no education were the most vulnerable in the absence of toilet facilities [OR = 9.16, 95% CI (5.79, 14.48)].

Conclusion

Under poor environmental conditions, mothers with primary education and above protected their children against diarrhea better than mothers with no education. Thus, implementing effective educational programs that emphasize environmental health and sanitation practices and encouraging female school enrolment would reduce childhood diarrheal morbidity in the region.
A novel coverage algorithm based on event-probability-driven mechanism in wireless sensor network
Authors: Sun Zeyu , Wu Weiguo , Wang Huanzhao , Chen Heng , Xing Xiaofei
Published: April 2014

Coverage problem is an important research topic in the field of wireless sensor network (WSN). The coverage algorithm based on event probability driven mechanism (EPDM) is put forward in this paper. First of all, the network probability model is established and the subordinate relation between sensor nodes and the target nodes is presented. Secondly, a series of probability is computed and the related theorems and reasoning are also proven. Thirdly, effective coverage for the monitoring region is achieved through scheduling mechanism of nodes themselves, thus the purpose of increasing network lifetime can be realized. Finally, experimental results show that the proposed algorithm could achieve complete coverage for networks of different scale and increase the network lifetime. It possesses the good quality of effectiveness and stability.
Endogenous glutamine production in critically ill patients: the effect of exogenous glutamine supplementation
Authors: Mori Maiko , Rooyackers Olav , Smedberg Marie , Tjäder Inga , Norberg Åke , Wernerman Jan
Published: April 2014

Introduction

Glutamine rate of appearance (Ra) may be used as an estimate of endogenous glutamine production. Recently a technique employing a bolus injection of isotopically labeled glutamine was introduced, with the potential to allow for multiple assessments of the glutamine Ra over time in critically ill patients, who may not be as metabolically stable as healthy individuals. Here the technique was used to evaluate the endogenous glutamine production in critically ill patients in the fed state with and without exogenous glutamine supplementation intravenously.

Methods

Mechanically ventilated patients (n = 11) in the intensive care unit (ICU) were studied on two consecutive days during continuous parenteral feeding. To allow the patients to be used as their own controls, they were randomized for the reference measurement during basal feeding without supplementation, before or after the supplementation period. Glutamine Ra was determined by a bolus injection of 13C-glutamine followed by a period of frequent sampling to establish the decay-curve for the glutamine tracer. Exogenous glutamine supplementation was given by intravenous infusion of a glutamine containing dipeptide, L-alanyl-L-glutamine, 0.28 g/kg during 20 hours.

Results

A 14% increase of endogenous glutamine Ra was seen at the end of the intravenous supplementation period as compared to the basal measurements (P = 0.009).

Conclusions

The bolus injection technique to measure glutamine Ra to estimate the endogenous production of glutamine in critically ill patients was demonstrated to be useful for repetitive measurements. The hypothesized attenuation of endogenous glutamine production during L-alanyl-L-glutamine infusion given as a part of full nutrition was not seen.
A Novel Role for the Thyroid Hormone-Activating Enzyme Type 2 Deiodinase in the Inflammatory Response of Macrophages
Authors: Kwakkel J. , Surovtseva O.V. , de Vries E.M. , Stap J. , Fliers E. , Boelen A.
Published: April 2014

Deiodinase type 2 (D2) is a thyroid hormone-activating enzyme converting the prohormone T4 into the active hormone T3. In the present study, we show for the first time that D2 is up-regulated in the mouse liver during acute and chronic inflammation, in close correlation with the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and independently of serum T3. Inflammation-induced D2 expression was confirmed in macrophages, in conjunction with selective thyroid hormone transporter (monocarboxylate transporter 10) and thyroid hormone receptor (TR)α1 stimulation, and was absent in hepatocytes. Moreover, D2 knockdown in macrophages resulted in a clear attenuation of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-1β and GM-CSF expression, in addition to aberrant phagocytosis. Locally produced T3, acting via the TRα, may be instrumental in this novel inflammatory response, because LPS-treated TRα0/0 mice showed a markedly decreased LPS-induced GM-CSF mRNA expression. We now propose that hepatic D2 favors the innate immune response by specifically regulating cellular thyroid hormone levels in macrophages.
Photoinduced Regio- and Stereoselective Introduction of Phenylchalcogeno Moieties to Ethynylferrocene
Authors: Nomoto Akihiro , Hayashi Satoko , Fujiyama Takuya , Ikeda Takuma , Hirata Kiichi , Tohoma Jun , Kakiuchi Kiyomi , Nakanishi Waro , Ogawa Akiya
Published: April 2014

Upon photoirradiation, diphenyl diselenide and diphenyl ditelluride reacted with ethynylferrocene to afford the corresponding bischalcogenated vinylferrocenes. Regio- and stereoselectivities were determined by X-ray crystal analysis, and redox properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.
Characteristic Polynomial Followed by Trigonometric Identity for Obtaining Analytical Eigenspectra of Some Weighted Graphs of Linear Chains and Cycles
Authors: Mandal Bholanath , Klein Douglas J
Published: April 2014

Graphs of linear chains and/or cycles with homogeneous and/or alternant vertex weights have been considered. If one puts weight(s) on the terminal vertex (vertices) or edge(s) of such linear chains, another set of linear chains might result. All such vertex- or edge-weighted graphs of linear chains and cycles represent conjugated systems with heteroatom(s). Characteristic polynomial followed by trigonometric identity has been shown to be used for obtaining eigenspectra for such systems of linear chains and cycles in closed analytical forms. The analytical expressions so obtained for such systems can be used for deriving the eigenspectra of some complicated π-conjugated molecules in analytical forms.
Oxidation of meso-Diarylporphyrins by a Hypervalent Iodine Compound: Facile Synthesis of meso-Acyloxyporphyrins and Dioxoporphodimethenes
Authors: Yamashita Ken-ichi , Hirano Daisuke , Asano Motoko S , Sugiura Ken-ichi
Published: April 2014

Free-base meso-propanoyloxylated (–OCOEt) porphyrins and dioxoporphodimethenes (quinoid forms of dihydroxyporphyrins) were efficiently synthesized by the treatment of the corresponding meso-diarylporphyrins with PhI(OAc)2 in propionic acid. Basic hydrolysis of the obtained meso-mono- and -dipropanoyloxyporphyrins provided meso-hydroxyporphyrins (oxophlorins) and dioxoporphodimethenes, respectively. Reduction of the dioxoporphodimethenes generated unstable meso-dihydroxyporphyrins, and one-pot etherification of the meso-dihydroxyporphyrins yielded stable meso-dialkoxyporphyrins.
Polypeptide-induced Fluorescence of Pyrene Derivatives Based on Coordination Programming
Authors: Moriuchi Toshiyuki , Ebisu Keisuke , Katano Chiaki , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: April 2014

The introduction of negatively charged 1-pyreneacetate anion into positively charged poly-l-lysine (P(Lys)) as a polymeric scaffold through electrostatic interactions, wherein the conformational change of the polypeptide was controlled, was allowed to induce the tuning of the fluorescence of the pyrene in aqueous media. Poly(l-glutamic acid) (P(Glu)) bearing multiple negatively charged side chains was also used to serve as a polymeric scaffold for the aggregation of positively charged 1-pyrenemethylammonium cation.
An Efficient Photocatalyst for the Azide–Alkyne Click Reaction Based on Direct Photolysis of a Copper(II)/Carboxylate Complex
Authors: Guan Xin , Zhang Jing , Wang Yuechuan
Published: April 2014

Photochemical processes provide a temporal and spatial control of the reaction, which offers an efficient way for chemical synthesis and affords extensive applications in materials science. In this study, a new photocatalyst system based on a Cu(II)/carboxylate complex was developed for photoinduced CuAAC reaction. The results show that the conversion was over 90% after irradiation for 30 min.
Helical π-Systems of Bidipyrrin–Metal Complexes
Authors: Maeda Hiromitsu , Nishimura Takuma , Tsujii Akira , Takaishi Kazuto , Uchiyama Masanobu , Muranaka Atsuya
Published: April 2014

Various metal-bridged single and double helical complexes of π-conjugated ligand molecules, bidipyrrins, were prepared. The introduction of terminal end units enabled the formation of chiral single and double helices; their spectroscopic properties and temperature-dependent behaviors were examined.
Rescheduling of Railway Rolling Stock with Dynamic Passenger Flows
Authors: Kroon Leo , Maróti Gábor , Nielsen Lars
Published: April 2014

In this paper we describe a real-time rolling stock rescheduling model for disruption management of passenger railways. Large-scale disruptions, e.g., due to malfunctioning infrastructure or rolling stock, usually result in the cancellation of train services. As a consequence, the passenger flows change, because passengers will look for alternative routes to get to their destinations. Our model takes these dynamic passenger flows into account. This is in contrast with most traditional rolling stock rescheduling models that consider the passenger flows either as static or as given input. Furthermore, we describe an iterative heuristic for solving the rolling stock rescheduling model with dynamic passenger flows. The model and the heuristic were tested on realistic problem instances of Netherlands Railways, the major operator of passenger trains in the Netherlands. The computational results show that the average delay of the passengers can be reduced significantly by taking into account the dynamic behavior of the passenger flows on the detour routes, and that the computation times of the iterative heuristic are appropriate for an application in real-time disruption management.
Anomalous colouration in an Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis) from southeastern Brazil.
Authors: Lodi Liliane , Borobia Monica
Published: April 2014

This note report the first published account of atypical colouration condiction known as pied or piebald for the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis).  The opportunistic sighting was made at close range between Cabo de São Tomé and Cabo Frio Campos Basin, southeastern Brazil, approximately 60 km offshore. It is important to publish observations about pigmentation disorders so that a proper assessment and further insights into the ecological and physiological implications of this condition in cetaceans can be evaluated in the future.
Inconsistencies in International Product Strategies and Performance of High-Tech Firms
Authors: Li Lee , Qian Gongming , Qian Zhengming
Published: April 2014

This article explores two unresolved issues in the international business literature. First, it is not clear why high-tech firms should standardize their product strategies across countries. Second, the rationale for high-tech firms to forge international strategic alliances (ISAs) is unknown. Drawing on organizational ecology and structural inertia theories, this study proposes that the interactions between a firm's structural inertia and environmental hostility are hazardous to firm performance and that ISAs weaken their impacts. Using data from 167 Canadian high-tech firms, this study supports that hypothesis and uncovers important implications for research and practice. Firms’ structural inertia makes inconsistency in international product strategies destructive. When structural inertia interacts with the environmental hostility associated with high-tech industries, the impacts can be stronger. High-tech firms resort to ISAs, using their partners to implement different product strategies to avoid adverse outcomes. Thus, ISAs are mechanisms that high-tech firms use to reduce the strategy inconsistencies across countries.
Consumer Research Needs from the Food and Drug Administration on Front-of-Package Nutritional Labeling
Authors: Andrews J. Craig , Lin Chung-Tung Jordan , Levy Alan S. , Lo Serena
Published: April 2014

Americans have increasingly busy lifestyles and desire quick and nutritious food choices. To provide consumers with at-a-glance nutrition information, many food manufacturers have introduced front-of-package (FOP) nutritional labeling systems. The purpose of this review is to reach out to the marketing and public policy discipline by identifying research needs on FOP systems not only to aid decision making for federal agencies, but also to help advance research on this important topic. We describe the many FOP systems, the FDA's regulatory background and approach to FOP systems, recent experimental research and gaps in knowledge, and research needs on FOP nutrition labeling.
Privacy Challenges and Opportunities: The Role of the Federal Trade Commission
Authors: Ohlhausen Maureen K.
Published: April 2014

How and when the federal government should intervene to protect consumer privacy is a challenging issue. This article summarizes how the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) became the primary federal privacy regulator. It explains the enforcement tools at the commission's disposal in the context of emerging trends and specific challenges in the privacy arena. Finally, the article details topics for which additional research would be helpful to the FTC's mission to protect consumer privacy and concludes with a call for researchers to collaborate with the FTC to help shape privacy policy.
Failure mode effects and criticality analysis: innovative risk assessment to identify critical areas for improvement in emergency department sepsis resuscitation
Authors: Powell Emilie S. , O’Connor Lanty M. , Nannicelli Anna P. , Barker Lisa T. , Khare Rahul K. , Seivert Nicholas P. , Holl Jane L. , Vozenilek John A.
Published: April 2014

Background: Sepsis is an increasing problem in the practice of emergency medicine as the prevalence is increasing and optimal care to reduce mortality requires significant resources and time. Evidence-based septic shock resuscitation strategies exist, and rely on appropriate recognition and diagnosis, but variation in adherence to the recommendations and therefore outcomes remains. Our objective was to perform a multi-institutional prospective risk-assessment, using failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA), to identify high-risk failures in ED sepsis resuscitation.

Methods: We conducted a FMECA, which prospectively identifies critical areas for improvement in systems and processes of care, across three diverse hospitals. A multidisciplinary group of participants described the process of emergency department (ED) sepsis resuscitation to then create a comprehensive map and table listing all process steps and identified process failures. High-risk failures in sepsis resuscitation from each of the institutions were compiled to identify common high-risk failures.

Results: Common high-risk failures included limited availability of equipment to place the central venous catheter and conduct invasive monitoring, and cognitive overload leading to errors in decision-making. Additionally, we identified great variability in care processes across institutions.

Discussion: Several common high-risk failures in sepsis care exist: a disparity in resources available across hospitals, a lack of adherence to the invasive components of care, and cognitive barriers that affect expert clinicians’ decision-making capabilities. Future work may concentrate on dissemination of non-invasive alternatives and overcoming cognitive barriers in diagnosis and knowledge translation.
Ein Ontologie-basiertes Modell für Indexierung und Retrieval
Authors: Gödert Winfried
Published: April 2014

In diesem Beitrag wird ausgehend von einem ungelösten Problem der Informationserschließung ein Modell vorgestellt, das die Methoden und Erfahrungen zur inhaltlichen Dokumenterschließung mittels kognitiv zu interpretierender Dokumentationssprachen mit den Möglichkeiten formaler Wissensrepräsentation verbindet. Die Kernkomponente des Modells besteht aus der Nutzung von Inferenzen entlang der Pfade typisierter Relationen zwischen den in Facetten geordneten Entitäten innerhalb einer Wissensrepräsentation zur Bestimmung von Treffermengen im Rahmen von Retrievalprozessen. Es werden die möglichen Konsequenzen für das Indexieren und Retrieval diskutiert.
Clinical factors associated with failed trials of labor in late preterm and term twin pregnancies
Authors: Ko Hyun-Joo , Jun Jong Kwan
Published: April 2014

Objective: To evaluate the perinatal outcomes and clinical factors of unsuccessful trials of labor (TOLs) in late preterm and term twin pregnancies.

Methods: We enrolled 896 consecutive twin pregnancies delivered between 1999 and 2012 in a single center, which met the following inclusion criteria: a vertex first twin, live twins, and attempted TOLs after 34 weeks. Obstetric characteristics and perinatal outcomes were compared between vaginal delivery and cesarean delivery groups.

Results: Successful TOLs were carried out in 81% (726/896). Failed TOLs occurred in 15% (37/247) of late preterm twins and 20% (133/649) of term twins. Comparisons of neonatal outcomes between the groups showed no significant differences in NICU admission, ventilator use, and composite morbidity. On univariable analysis, nulliparity, preeclampsia, induced labor, excessive weight gain, and intertwin weight discordance of >30% showed significant associations with failed TOLs. Multivariable analyses revealed nulliparity (adjusted odds ratio 9.89, 95% confidence interval 4.64–21.1) and preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.30–3.63) as significantly associated with failed TOLs.

Conclusion: In late preterm and term twins, trials of labor can be performed successfully without a significant increase in adverse neonatal outcomes. Nulliparity and preeclampsia are clinical factors associated with failed TOLs in twin pregnancies.
Correlation between bowl-inversion energy and bowl depth in substituted sumanenes
Authors: Shrestha Binod Babu , Karanjit Sangita , Higashibayashi Shuhei , Sakurai Hidehiro
Published: April 2014

The correlation between the bowl-inversion energy and the bowl depth for sumanenes monosubstituted with an iodo, formyl, or nitro group was investigated experimentally and by theoretical calculations. The bowl-inversion energies of the substituted sumanenes were determined experimentally by two-dimensional NMR exchange spectroscopy measurements. Various density functional theory methods were examined for the calculation of the structure and the bowl-inversion energy of sumanene, and it was found that PBE0, ωB97XD, and M06-2X gave better fits of the experimental value than did B3LYP. The experimental value was well reproduced at these levels of theory. The bowl structures and bowl-inversion energies of monosubstituted sumanenes were therefore calculated at the ωB97XD/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. In both the experiments and the calculations, the correlation followed the equation ΔE=acos4θ, whereais a coefficient, ΔEis the bowl-inversion energy, and cos θ is the normalized bowl depth, indicating that the bowl inversion follows a double-well potential energy diagram.
Targeting complement system to treat myasthenia gravis
Authors: Huda Ruksana , Tüzün Erdem , Christadoss Premkumar
Published: April 2014

While the complement system is desired for protective immunity, antibody- and complement-mediated neuromuscular junction (NMJ) destruction, a hallmark of myasthenia gravis (MG) or experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG), is a significant concern. Evidence suggests that the binding of complement factors to the pathogenic anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) autoantibody induces the formation of membrane attack complexes (MAC), which ultimately lead to NMJ destruction and muscle weakness. Studies corroborating the evidence show that the complement (C3–C6)-deficient or complement inhibitor (anti-C1q, soluble CR1, anti-C6, and C5 inhibiting peptide)-treated animals are highly resistant to EAMG induction, whereas the deficiency of the naturally occurring complement inhibitors, such as the decay-accelerating factor (DAF), increases EAMG susceptibility. Notably, the complement-inhibited animals do not exhibit significant immunosuppression but only a marginal reduction in the production of certain cytokines and immunoglobulin isotypes. A preliminary clinical trial using antibody-based C5 inhibitor eculizumab has been shown to be of potential use for MG treatment. The inhibition of the classic complement pathway (CCP) alone appears to be enough to suppress EAMG, suggesting that the complement inhibitors targeting specifically the classic pathway could effectively treat MG without causing immunosuppressive and other side effects. For instance, a recent non-antibody-based therapeutic approach selectively targeting the CCP component C2 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) has proven useful in EAMG treatment. The treatment strategies developed for MG might also be beneficial for other complement-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Microwave energy attenuators of high thermal conductivity based on AlN and SiC with addition of molybdenum
Authors: Chasnyk V. I. , Fesenko I. P.
Published: April 2014

The paper presents the results of experimental studies of thermal conductivity and microwave absorption in aluminum nitride based composites with different percentages of silicium carbide and molybdenum. It is shown that the optimal composition of the studied materials is the composite with 46% of silicium carbide and 4% of molybdenum. This composition reveals high UHF-energy absorption level of 42 dB/cm in the frequency range of 9.5—10.5 GHz and high thermal conductivity of 65 W/(m*K).
Nonadhesive acoustic membranes based on polyimide
Authors: Vorob'ev A.V. , Zhora V. D. , Baklaev K. K. , Grunyanskaya V. P.
Published: April 2014

The paper presents a comparison of technical characteristics of acoustic membranes with an adhesive layer and nonadhesive membranes. The authors present the manufacturing technology for acoustic membranes based on aluminum-polyimide film dielectrics and analyze the advantages of such membranes in comparison to other sound emitters.
Detection of Protein by Reduced Graphene Oxide Field-Effect Transistor
Authors: Hasegawa Masaki , Hirayama Yuki , Ohno Yasuhide , Maehashi Kenzo , Matsumoto Kazuhiko
Published: April 2014

We confirmed a specific detection of immunoglobulin E(IgE) by using an aptamer immobilized reduced graphene oxide(rGo) field effect transistor(FET). A detection limit and dynamic range were estimated 8.1 ng/ml and 10000 respectively. These characteristics are comparable with current fluorescent markers. Although a mobility of rGo FET was around 5 cm2/V.sec, and this is two to three orders lower than mechanically exfoliated pristine graphene FET, a sensitivity of it was only one order lower than using pristine graphene.