bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severely Obese Adolescents and Adults Exhibit a Different Association of Circulating Levels of Adipokines and Leukocyte Expression of the Related Receptors with Insulin Resistance
Authors: Rigamonti Antonello E. , Agosti Fiorenza , De Col Alessandra , Silvestri Giancarlo , Marazzi Nicoletta , Bini Silvia , Bonomo Sara , Giunta Marialuisa , Cella Silvano G. , Sartorio Alessandro
Published: December 2013

Obese adults frequently exhibit a low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance, which have been hypothesized to be established early in childhood. Aim of this study was to evaluate the age-dependent relationships between inflammatory state and insulin resistance in obese adolescents and adults. Clinical and metabolic parameters, circulating adipokines (TNF-α, adiponectin, and leptin), ghrelin, their leukocyte receptors (TNFR1, ADIPOR2, OBRL and GHSR1a), and acute phase reactants (CRP and white blood cells) were assessed in lean and obese adolescents compared with the adult counterparts. Only obese adults had higher HOMA-IR, insulin, and triglycerides compared to the lean group. An inflammatory state was present in obese adolescents and adults, as demonstrated by the higher values of CRP and neutrophils. There were no group differences in circulating levels of TNF-αand leukocyte expression of TNFR1. Adiponectin concentrations and leukocyte expression of ADIPOR2 were higher in the lean groups than in the corresponding obese counterparts. For leptin and leukocyte expression of OBRL, the results were opposed. Circulating levels of ghrelin were higher in lean adolescents and adults than the related lean groups, while there was a higher leukocyte expression of GHSR1a in (only) lean adults than obese adults. When the analysis was performed in (lean or obese) adults, TNF-α, neutrophils, leptin, and GHSR1a were predictors of HOMA-IR. None of the considered independent variables accounted for the degree of insulin resistance in the adolescent group. In conclusion, a dissociation between the low-grade inflammation and insulin resistance is supposed to exist in the early phases of obesity.
Developing a Mobile Learning System in Augmented Reality Context
Authors: Chen Da-Ren , Chen Mu-Yen , Huang Tien-Chi , Hsu Wen-Pao
Published: December 2013

In recent years, many emerging information technologies have been applied to learning environments in an attempt to overcome drawbacks associated with traditional teaching environments. Some of these technologies have been shown to improve learning outcomes and learning motivation. Advances in wireless communications have raised research interest in the development of ubiquitous learning (u-learning) environments and their impact on learner attitudes and behavior. This study reports the use of augmented reality (AR) technology to create virtual objects for use in mobile devices to create a context-aware, AR-enabled guided tour application for outdoor learning. The goal is to provide learners with a friendly, interactive interface and rich, engaging media to stimulate intrinsic motivation and learning performance. The main advantages of the proposed system include the following: (1) it helps stimulate learning intention through pursuing outdoor learning objectives, (2) AR technology provides learners with contextual information related to the outdoor learning environment, and (3) it enhances learner retention of teaching contents easily with the situated learning strategy.
Association of Obesity with Proteasomal Gene Polymorphisms in Children
Authors: Kupca Sarmite , Sjakste Tatjana , Paramonova Natalija , Sugoka Olga , Rinkuza Irena , Trapina Ilva , Daugule Ilva , Sipols Alfred J. , Rumba-Rozenfelde Ingrida
Published: December 2013

The aim of this study was to ascertain possible associations between childhood obesity, its anthropometric and clinical parameters, and three loci of proteasomal genes rs2277460 (PSMA6c.-110C>A), rs1048990 (PSMA6c.-8C>G), and rs2348071 (PSMA3c. 543+138G>A) implicated in obesity-related diseases. Obese subjects included 94 otherwise healthy children in Latvia. Loci were genotyped and then analyzed using polymerase chain reactions, with results compared to those of 191 nonobese controls.PSMA3SNP frequency differences between obese children and controls, while not reaching significance, suggested a trend. These differences, however, proved highly significant (P<0.002) in the subset of children reporting a family history of obesity. Among obese children denying such history,PSMA6c.-8C>G SNP differences, while being nonsignificant, likewise suggested a trend in comparison to the nonobese controls. NoPSMA6c.-110C>A SNP differences were detected in the obese group or its subsets. Finally,PSMA3SNP differences were significantly associated (P<0.05) with circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels. Our results clearly implicate thePSMA3gene locus as an obesity risk factor in those Latvian children with a family history of obesity. While being speculative, the clinical results are suggestive of altered circulatory LDL levels playing a possible role in the etiology of obesity in the young.
Fabrication of Mo+N‐Codoped TiO2 Nanotube Arrays by Anodization and Sputtering for Visible Light‐Induced Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Zhang Min , Lu Dandan , Yan Guotian , Wu Juan , Yang Jianjun
Published: December 2013

Mo,N‐codoped TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) were fabricated by a two‐step method consisting of electrochemical anodization and subsequent magnetron sputtering of Mo. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet‐visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐Vis DRS). The results showed that the Mo,N‐codoped TiO2 nanotube arrays exhibited higher visible light absorbance and remarkably enhanced photocurrent density and photocatalytic activity compared with single N‐doped TiO2. The highly efficient photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activity is associated with the codoping effect between Mo and N, which plays a key role in producing new states, narrowing the bandgap, and reducing the recombination thereby effectively improving the visible light absorption and photocatalytic activity of TNAs.
Least Square Regularized Regression for Multitask Learning
Authors: Xu Yong-Li , Chen Di-Rong , Li Han-Xiong
Published: December 2013

The study of multitask learning algorithms is one of very important issues. This paper proposes a least-square regularized regression algorithm for multi-task learning with hypothesis space being the union of a sequence of Hilbert spaces. The algorithm consists of two steps of selecting the optimal Hilbert space and searching for the optimal function. We assume that the distributions of different tasks are related to a set of transformations under which any Hilbert space in the hypothesis space is norm invariant. We prove that under the above assumption the optimal prediction function of every task is in the same Hilbert space. Based on this result, a pivotal error decomposition is founded, which can use samples of related tasks to bound excess error of the target task. We obtain an upper bound for the sample error of related tasks, and based on this bound, potential faster learning rates are obtained compared to single-task learning algorithms.
Antibacterial, Cytotoxic Studies and Characterization of Some Newly Synthesized Symmetrical N3,N3′‐Bis(disubstituted)isophthalyl‐bis(thioureas) and Their Cu(II) and Ni(II) Complexes
Authors: Jamil Muhammad , Zubair Muhammad , Asim Farid Muhammad , Rashid Umer , Rasool Nasir , Islam Saiful
Published: December 2013

A series of some novel N3,N3′‐bis(disubstituted)isophthalyl‐bis(thioureas) compounds with general formula [C6H4· {CONHCSNHR}2], where R = 2‐ClC6H4S (L1), 3,5‐(Cl)2C6H3 (L2), 2,4‐(Cl)2C6H3 (L3), 2,5‐(Cl)2C6H3 (L4), and 2‐NH2C6H4 (L5), and their Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes (C1–C10) have been synthesized. These compounds (L1–L5) and their metal(II) complexes (C1–C10) have been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, magnetic moments, and electronic spectral measurements. The ligands are coordinated to metal atom in a bidentate pattern producing a neutral complex of the type [ML]2. These compounds (L1–L5) and their metal(II) complexes (C1–C10) were also screened for their antibacterial and cytotoxic activities.
Rumor Diffusion in an Interests‐Based Dynamic Social Network
Authors: Tang Mingsheng , Mao Xinjun , Guessoum Zahia , Zhou Huiping
Published: December 2013

To research rumor diffusion in social friend network, based on interests, a dynamic friend network is proposed, which has the characteristics of clustering and community, and a diffusion model is also proposed. With this friend network and rumor diffusion model, based on the zombie‐city model, some simulation experiments to analyze the characteristics of rumor diffusion in social friend networks have been conducted. The results show some interesting observations: (1) positive information may evolve to become a rumor through the diffusion process that people may modify the information by word of mouth; (2) with the same average degree, a random social network has a smaller clustering coefficient and is more beneficial for rumor diffusion than the dynamic friend network; (3) a rumor is spread more widely in a social network with a smaller global clustering coefficient than in a social network with a larger global clustering coefficient; and (4) a network with a smaller clustering coefficient has a larger efficiency.
Ipsilateral and Contralateral Auditory Brainstem Response Reorganization in Hemispherectomized Patients
Authors: Yao Ning , Qiao Hui , Li Ping , Liu Yang , Wu Liang , Deng Xiaofeng , Wang Zide , Chen Daxing , Tong Xianzeng , Liu Yuan , Yang Chenlong , Xu Yulun
Published: December 2013

Background. Cortical hemispherectomy leads to degeneration of ipsilateral subcortical structures, which can be observed long term after the operation. Therefore, reorganization of the brainstem auditory pathway might occur. The aim of this study was to assess reorganization of brainstem auditory pathways by measuring the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in long-term hemispherectomized patients.Methods. We performed bilateral monaural stimulation and measured bilateral ABR in 8 patients~20 years after hemispherectomy and 10 control subjects. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in patients to assess structural degeneration.Results. All patients showed degenerated ipsilateral brainstem structures by MRI but no significant differences in bilateral recording ABR wave latencies. However, nonsurgical-side stimulation elicited significantly longer wave V latencies compared to surgical-side stimulation. Differences in bilateral ABR were observed between hemispherectomized patients and control subjects. Waves III and V latencies elicited by nonsurgical-side stimulation were significantly longer than those in control subjects; surgical-side stimulation showed no significant differences.Conclusions. (1) Differences in ABR latency elicited by unilateral stimulation are predominantly due to bilateral brainstem auditory pathway activity rather than to changes in brainstem volume; (2) ABR Waves III and V originate predominantly in the contralateral brainstem; and (3) subcortical auditory pathways appear to reorganize after long term hemispherectomy.
Power-Split Hybrid Electric Vehicle Energy Management Based on Improved Logic Threshold Approach
Authors: Fu Zhumu , Wang Bin , Song Xiaona , Liu Leipo , Wang Xiaohong
Published: December 2013

We design an improved logic threshold approach of energy management for a power-split HEV assisted by an integrated starter generator (ISG). By combining the efficiency map and the optimum torque curve of internal combustion engine (ICE) with the state of charge (SOC) of batteries, the improved logic threshold controller manages the ICE within its peak efficiency region at first. Then the electrical power demand is established based on the ICE energy output. On that premise, a variable logic threshold valueKis defined to achieve the power distribution between the ISG and the electric motor/generator (EMG). Finally, simulation models for the power-split HEV with improved logic threshold controller are established in ADVISOR. Compared to the equally power-split HEV with the logic threshold controller, when using the improved logic threshold controller, the battery power consumption, the ICE efficiency, the fuel consumption, and the motor driving system efficiency are improved.
External Economies Evaluation of Wind Power Engineering Project Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process and Matter-Element Extension Model
Authors: Li Hong-ze , Guo Sen
Published: December 2013

The external economies of wind power engineering project may affect the operational efficiency of wind power enterprises and sustainable development of wind power industry. In order to ensure that the wind power engineering project is constructed and developed in a scientific manner, a reasonable external economies evaluation needs to be performed. Considering the interaction relationship of the evaluation indices and the ambiguity and uncertainty inherent, a hybrid model of external economies evaluation designed to be applied to wind power engineering project was put forward based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and matter-element extension model in this paper. The AHP was used to determine the weights of indices, and the matter-element extension model was used to deduce final ranking. Taking a wind power engineering project in Inner Mongolia city as an example, the external economies evaluation is performed by employing this hybrid model. The result shows that the external economies of this wind power engineering project are belonged to the “strongest” level, and “the degree of increasing region GDP,” “the degree of reducing pollution gas emissions,” and “the degree of energy conservation” are the sensitive indices.
Sedation of Newborn Infants for the INSURE Procedure, Are We Sure?
Authors: de Kort Ellen H. M. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Simons Sinno H. P.
Published: December 2013

Background. Neonatal intubation is a stressful procedure that requires premedication to improve intubation conditions and reduce stress and adverse physiological responses. Premedication used during the INSURE (INtubation, SURfactant therapy, Extubation) procedure should have a very short duration of action with restoration of spontaneous breathing within a few minutes.Aims. To determine the best sedative for intubation during the INSURE procedure by systematic review of the literature.Methods. We reviewed all relevant studies reporting on premedication, distress, and time to restoration of spontaneous breathing during the INSURE procedure.Results. This review included 12 studies: two relatively small studies explicitly evaluated the effect of premedication (propofol and remifentanil) during the INSURE procedure, both showing good intubation conditions and an average extubation time of about 20 minutes. Ten studies reporting on fentanyl or morphine provided insufficient information about these items.Conclusions. Too little is known in the literature to draw a solid conclusion on which premedication could be best used during the INSURE procedure. Both remifentanil and propofol are suitable candidates but dose-finding studies to detect effective nontoxic doses in newborns with different gestational ages are necessary.
Synthesis, Tunable Multicolor Output, and High Pure Red Upconversion Emission of Lanthanide-Doped Lu2O3Nanosheets
Authors: Yin Lingzhen , Zeng Tianmei , Yi Zhigao , Qian Chao , Liu Hongrong
Published: December 2013

Yb3+and Ln3+(Ln = Er, Ho) codoped Lu2O3square nanocubic sheets were successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method followed by a subsequent dehydration process. The crystal phase, morphology, and composition of hydroxide precursors and target oxides were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDS). Results present the as-prepared Lu2O3crystallized in cubic phase, and the monodispersed square nanosheets were maintained both in hydroxide and oxides. Moreover, under 980 nm laser diode (LD) excitation, multicolor output from red to yellow was realized by codoped different lanthanide ions in Lu2O3. It is noteworthy that high pure strong red upconversion emission with red to green ratio of 443.3 of Er-containing nanocrystals was obtained, which is beneficial forin vivooptical bioimaging.
Discovering Human Presence Activities with Smartphones Using Nonintrusive Wi-Fi Sniffer Sensors: The Big Data Prospective
Authors: Qin Weijun , Zhang Jiadi , Li Bo , Sun Limin
Published: December 2013

With the explosive growth and wide-spread use of smartphones with Wi-Fi enabled, people are used to accessing the internet through Wi-Fi network interfaces of smartphones. Smartphones periodically transmit Wi-Fi messages, even when not connected to a network. In this paper, we describe the Mo-Fi system which monitors and aggregates large numbers of continuous Wi-Fi message transmissions from nearby smartphones in the area of interest using nonintrusive Wi-Fi sniffer sensors. In this paper, we propose an optimized Wi-Fi channel detection and selection method to switch the best channels automatically to aggregate the Wi-Fi messages based on channel data transmission weights and human presence activity classification method based on the features of human dwell duration sequences in order to evaluate the user engagement index. By deploying in the real-world office environment, we found that the performance of Wi-Fi messages aggregation of CAOCA and CACFA algorithms is over 3.8 times higher than the worst channel of FCA algorithms and about 76% of the best channel of FCA algorithms, and the human presence detection rate reached 87.4%.
Some New Sets and Topologies in Ideal Topological Spaces
Authors: Manoharan R. , Thangavelu P.
Published: December 2013

An ideal topological space is a triplet (X, τ, ℑ), where X is a nonempty set, τ is a topology on X, and ℑ is an ideal of subsets of X. In this paper, we introduce L∗-perfect, R∗-perfect, and C∗-perfect sets in ideal spaces and study their properties. We obtained a characterization for compatible ideals via R∗-perfect sets. Also, we obtain a generalized topology via ideals which is finer than τ using R∗-perfect sets on a finite set.
In Vivo Contact Force Analysis and Correlation With Tissue Impedance During Left Atrial Mapping and Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Makimoto Hisaki , Lin Tina , Rillig Andreas , Metzner Andreas , Wohlmuth Peter , Arya Anita , Antz Matthias , Mathew Shibu , Deiss Sebastian , Wissner Erik , Rausch Peter , Bardyszewski Aleksander , Kamioka Masashi , Li Xuping , Kuck Karl-Heinz , Ouyang Feifan , Tilz Roland Richard
Published: December 2013

Background—

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo contact force (CF) and the correlation of CF with impedance during left atrial 3-dimensional electroanatomical mapping and ablation.

Methods and Results—

CF during point-by-point left atrial mapping was assessed in 30 patients undergoing atrial fibrillation ablation. Operators were blinded to the real-time CF data. Data were analyzed according to 11 predefined areas in the left atrial and 6 segments around the ipsilateral pulmonary veins. A total of 3475 mapping and 878 ablation points were analyzed. Median CF during mapping was 14.0
g
(6.5–26.2; q1–q3), ranging from 5.1
g
at the ridge to 29.8
g
at the roof. Median CF at the ridge and mitral isthmus were 5.1
g
and 6.9
g
, respectively. Extremely high CF ≥100
g
was noted in 24 points (0.7%). Median CFs during ablation around the right and left pulmonary veins were 22.8
g
(12.6–37.9; q1–q3) and 12.3
g
(6.9–30.2; q1–q3), respectively. The lowest median CFs were recorded at the anterior–superior and anterior–inferior segments of the left pulmonary veins (7.2
g
and 7.9
g
). Impedance values during mapping and impedance fall during ablation correlated with the applied CF (
R
2
=0.16;
P
<0.001 and
R
2
=0.04;
P
<0.001) although there was significant overlap.

Conclusions—

Excessively high and low CF values can be observed during left atrial mapping and ablation. The low CF obtained at the mitral isthmus and anterior segments of the left pulmonary veins may explain why reconnection after ablation occurs more frequently at these sites. CF and impedance do correlate; however, the impedance for a given CF ranges widely, limiting its use in clinical practice.
A new species of the genus Pristimantis (Amphibia, Craugastoridae) associated with the moderately evelated massifs of French Guiana
Authors: Fouquet Antoine , Martinez Quentin , Courtois Elodie A. , Dewynter Maël , Pineau Kévin , Gaucher Philippe , Blanc Michel , Marty Christian , Kok Philippe J.R.
Published: December 2013

We describe a new Pristimantis from French Guiana, northern South America, which is mainly distinguished from known phenotypically related congeners (i.e. species from the polyphyletic unistrigatus species group) occurring at low and middle elevations in the Guiana Shield by the combination of a distinct tympanum, a lower ratio of tibia vs. hand length, a reddish groin region, and a distinct advertisement call consisting of clusters of generally four short notes. The new species inhabits pristine primary forests on the slopes of isolated massifs reaching more than 400 m elevation, and seems not to occur below ca. 200 m above sea level. Such a sharp altitudinal limit suggests a strong influence of thermal variation on the distribution of the species, and therefore a potential sensitivity to climate change. With only nine isolated populations documented so far, the new species should be prioritized for conservation. Historical climate fluctuations during the Quaternary are likely responsible for the distribution pattern of the new species.
A triclonal gammopathy in a relapsing multiple myeloma patient, detected by immunosubtraction method
Authors: Aksungar Fehime Benli , Ayer Mesut , Serteser Mustafa , Coskun Abdurrahman , Unsal Ibrahim
Published: December 2013

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell dyscrasia characterized by the malignant proliferation of a plasma cell clone that produces a monoclonal immunoglobulin. Diagnosis and management of patients with monoclonal gammopathies depend on accurate identification and characterization of monoclonal proteins. We present a 67-year-old male patient with anaemia, weakness and weight loss for six months. His physical examination was normal with no fever, and no bone lesions were present in the imaging studies. Laboratory investigations revealed low haemoglobin and albumin concentrations with high total protein and beta 2-microglobulin concentrations. Capillary zone electrophoresis with immunosubtraction method revealed a triclonal pattern of M-protein (IgG κ + IgG λ + IgA κ) which was not prominent with immunofixation electrophoresis. After bone marrow biopsy, MM with triclonal gammopathy was diagnosed and autologous stem cell transplantation was performed. Six months later, again a triclonal M-protein was detected by immunosubtraction method, and a relapse was confirmed with a second bone marrow biopsy. The occurrence of monoclonal and biclonal gammopathies can often be seen upon diagnosis in plasma cell dyscrasias and lymphoproliferative disorders, but triclonal paraproteins are very rare and their clinical significance is unknown. In this particular patient, triclonality was detected by an alternative method called immunosubtraction by capillary electrophoresis. The patient was resistant to therapy suggesting that more than one monoclonal M protein may be a negative prognostic factor, and with new technologies and methods, the number of patients with different monoclonal patterns may increase.
Pocketbook Protests
Authors: Brancati Dawn
Published: December 2013

Why do pro-democracy protests emerge in some countries at certain periods of time and not others? Pro-democracy protests, I argue, are more likely to arise when the economy is not performing well and people blame the autocratic nature of their regime for the economy, than when the economy is performing well, or when people do not blame the nature of their regime for the poor state of the economy. People are more likely to associate the economy with the nature of their regime, I further argue, in election periods, particularly when people are unable to remove the incumbent government from power through elections. My argument is supported by a statistical analysis of pro-democracy protests in 158 countries between 2006 and 2011, showing that not only is the economy an important factor explaining the emergence of pro-democracy protests, but that other factors commonly thought to affect these protests, including technologies like cell phones and the Internet, are not.
Determination of characteristics of natural rubber/styrene–butadiene rubber-based elastomer material filled with mica powder and glass spheres
Authors: Doğan Deniz Soyel , Demirer Ahmet
Published: December 2013

Different filler materials are widely used in industry both for obtaining better mechanical properties and decreasing the overall costs. In this study, several uniaxial tensile tests were conducted for 5.15% (MP1-GS1), 9.4% (MP2-GS2), and 13.4% (MP3-GS3) of glass spheres and mica powder-filled elastomer materials. In this research, the results obtained from tensile tests of samples made of natural rubber/styrene–butadiene rubber (NR/SBR)-based elastomer materials in which different amount of glass spheres (GS) and mica powder (MP) mixed were characterized using the finite element method. The values of forces and displacements obtained from the tests were transferred to ABAQUS 6.7 finite element analysis (FEA) software. Among all hyperelastic material models, Marlow’s model was found to be the most suitable one and was utilized as a material model in the FEA. Mechanical tests and the finite element results were compared with each other. Comparison of the results show that while the error percentage changed between 0.01 and 0.5% for the MP-filled samples, the error percentage changed between 0.25 and 0.5% for GS-filled samples. The effects of MP and GS filler materials on the mechanical properties of NR/SBR elastomer were compared. Maximum stress and strain values were observed in GS2 and MP2 materials.
Comparison of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Air Displacement Plethysmography in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Smale K. Brent , McIntosh Emily I. , Vallis Lori Ann
Published: December 2013

Clinicians and researchers use body composition measurements to identify individuals who may be at risk of adverse health complications. This study compared two commonly used two-compartmental anthropometric models (bioelectrical impedance analysis [BIA] and air displacement plethysmography [ADP]) to determine whether these two cost-effective methods would provide similar fat free mass index (FFMI) values in a mixed and sex-separated sample population of healthy older adults. Community-dwelling older adults ( N = 37, 18 men) aged 74.5 ± 5.2 years participated. FFMIBIA was correlated with FFMIADP ( r = .916); however, these correlations were markedly reduced when the population was split by sex ( r < .60). The level of agreement between the difference values (FFMIBIA – FFMIADP) fluctuated ± 2.1 kg/m2 (illustrated via Bland-Altman plots), but these differences were not statistically different from 0. Findings from the current work suggest that clinicians must be cautious when using portable devices such as BIA to assess FFMI in an older adult population.
Off-Label Use of Gastrointestinal Medications in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Barletta Jeffrey F. , Lat Ishaq , Micek Scott T. , Cohen Henry , Olsen Keith M. , Haas Curtis E. ,   Critical Care Pharmacotherapy Trials Network
Published: December 2013

Purpose:

Determine the level of evidence supporting off-label gastrointestinal (GI) medication use and identify the medication class and indication whereby off-label use was most common.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective, multicentered observational study evaluated all medication orders written in 37 intensive care units (ICUs) in the United States, over a 24-hour period. All medications classified as “GI” according to a national reference were identified. The class and indication whereby off-label use was most prominent were determined and the level of evidence was described.

Results:

There were 774 orders from 363 patients and 63% (489 of 774) were considered off-label. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) accounted for most of the off-label usage (55% [271 of 489]), followed by laxatives (16% [77 of 489]) and histamine-2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs; 15% [71 of 489]). When prescribed, 99% (271 of 274) of PPIs, 99% (71 of 72) of H2RAs, and 79% (30 of 38) of promotility agents were off-label. Stress ulcer prophylaxis (100% [309 of 309]), GI bleeding (100% [18 of 18]), and gastric motility (88% [30 of 34]) were the most common off-label indications. The most common strength of recommendation and level of evidence for off-label use was indeterminate (58% [282 of 489]) and none (57% [280 of 489]), respectively.

Conclusion:

The PPIs are the most widely used off-label medications in the ICU. Stress ulcer prophylaxis is the most common indication. The level of evidence supporting off-label GI medication use is poor.
A Randomized Trial of the Self-Management Training and Regulation Strategy for Disruptive Students
Authors: Thompson Aaron M.
Published: December 2013

Objectives:

The study examined the effects of the Self-Management Training and Regulation Strategy (STARS) on disruptive behavior, authority acceptance, social competency, and student–teacher relations.

Method:

All fourth- and fifth-grade students ( N = 762) in seven schools and 42 classrooms were screened for disruptive behaviors. Using a cluster randomized design, 60 students in 23 classrooms and 48 students in 19 classrooms with highest levels of disruptive classroom behaviors were randomized to STARS or a control comparison condition. Multilevel models compared study conditions on all outcomes.

Results:

Study conditions were balanced at pretest. STARS students demonstrated improved teacher-rated disruptive behavior, social competence, authority acceptance, and relations.

Conclusions:

Selective programs targeting autonomy support improve social competencies and relationships that are important for school success.
Examining Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy as a Treatment for Adopted and Foster Children
Authors: Mercer Jean
Published: December 2013

Dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP) is a mental health intervention intended primarily for children with problematic attachment histories. It has received increased attention in the United Kingdom and the United States in the last few years. DDP has been publicized as a research-supported treatment, but a review of research shows that it does not meet ordinary standards for this category. In addition, DDP appears to be based on a number of questionable metaphors that have been used in attempted explanations of personality development and mental illness. Some unanswered questions about the background assumptions of DDP are presented. Caution about this method of therapy is recommended.
Experimental and numerical investigations of the dynamic interaction of tuned liquid damper–structure systems
Authors: Malekghasemi Hadi , Ashasi-Sorkhabi Ali , Ghaemmaghami Amir Reza , Mercan Oya
Published: December 2013

Tuned liquid dampers (TLDs) are dynamic vibration absorbers used in suppressing structural vibration under wind and seismic loads. They are easy to design and implement with low cost and low maintenance. However, due to their highly nonlinear behavior, it is difficult to establish representative models for TLDs that are accurate for a wide range of operations. In this paper, a new numerical model (finite volume method/finite element method (FVM/FEM method)) is introduced by simultaneously using finite volume and finite element approaches to represent fluid and solid domains, respectively. In order to assess the accuracy of the FVM/FEM results a state of the art experimental technique, namely real-time hybrid simulation (RTHS), is used. During the RTHS the response from the TLD is obtained experimentally while the structure is modeled in a computer, thus capturing the TLD–structure interaction in real-time. By keeping the structure as the analytical model, RTHS offers a unique flexibility in that a wide range of influential parameters are investigated without modifications to the experimental setup. This is not possible in traditional shake-table dynamic tests where a physical model of the structure needs to be built and tested together with the TLD. As a result, the verification of the numerical models for TLD–structure interaction available in the literature only consider a smaller, restricted dataset. In this study three numerical models from the literature are selected and together with the FVM/FEM developed here, the accuracies of these four models are assessed in comparison with RTHS results that consider a wide range of influential parameters. Results show that the proposed FVM/FEM model can accurately predict TLD behavior in both sinusoidal and ground motion forces and Yu’s model is the most accurate among the investigated simplified models.
Anorexia nervosa in a girl of Chinese origin: Psychological, somatic and transcultural factors
Authors: Demarque Mélissa , Guzman Gabriela , Morrison Elodie , Ahovi Jonathan , Moro Marie Rose , Blanchet-Collet Corinne
Published: December 2013

The increased prevalence of anorexia nervosa reported in non-Western societies inevitably raises the issue of the influence of cultural factors in the genesis and the patterns of this disorder. Anorexia nervosa is not a straightforward Western culture-bound syndrome, although an influence of Western ideals of thinness does exist. The illness seems more related to rapid cultural shifts, either societal or individual, such as those occurring in the migratory process. Migrants and their children have to face the acculturation process and may experience a culture-clash. The pathology can also fulfil a positive acculturative function. This is a case study concerning a second-generation Chinese girl born in France presenting with anorexia nervosa. This case leads us to raise the issue of the choice of diagnostic criteria in relation to cultural background. We will also discuss the impact of the family’s migratory history on the construction of identity in adolescence. Finally we will explore the specific features of care provision for anorexia nervosa in a transcultural setting.
‘This ever more amorphous thing called Digital Humanities’: Whither the Humanities Project?
Authors: Deegan Marilyn
Published: December 2013

In 2012, Digital Humanities became one of the most talked-about topics in the humanities and was suggested as a movement that could possibly help halt the decline in the traditional humanities. A flurry of books appeared, and AHHE produced two special issues, Digital humanities, digital futures and The necessity of the humanities, in which scholars discuss the value and practice of the humanities in a world that is increasingly digital. This current piece muses on some aspects of the humanities and the digital humanities against a background of the world financial decline, emerging media and new attitudes in society to art, culture, humanities and education.
Optimizing overseas container transportation: A case involving transatlantic ports
Authors: Maučec Hugo , Ogorelc Anton , Zelenika Ratko , Sever Drago
Published: December 2013

This study focuses on the importance of the development of maritime container ports in the case involving transatlantic container transport in order to ascertain an optimal model of container flows between container terminals in the eastern coast of the United States and those in Western and Northern Europe. The model proposed by the authors is developed using the following eight key elements: transport infrastructure and suprastructure, use of intelligent information systems, economic growth, transport ecology, cargo flows, innovations, safety and security, and transport energy. The research builds mainly upon secondary statistics data analysis. The authors suggest that there is a close and strong connection between the development rate of maritime containers ports and the proposed model for transport optimization, which considerably influence the level of attractiveness of maritime container terminals.
Exploiting Inherited Wars of Choice
Authors: Boys James D.
Published: December 2013

Despite a slogan advocating a change from practices of the past, Barack Obama’s presidential campaign of 2008 had an intriguing similarity to that of Richard Nixon in 1968. Like Nixon, Obama benefited from and secured victory partly due to his opposition to a contentious “war of choice.” The wars in Vietnam and Iraq provided the political and cultural circumstances that made Nixon and Obama credible candidates in 1968 and 2008, respectively. The wars weakened support for the incumbent party and caused divisions within the country and in their own parties that both men exploited to neutralize political rivals in the primary season and defeat their opponent in the general election. This article examines the manner in which Obama, like Nixon, benefited directly from conflict by promoting his opposition and apparent solutions to gain public confidence, neutralize political opponents, and secure the presidency.
On the classification of congenital thumb hypoplasia
Authors: Tonkin M. A.
Published: December 2013

In 1937, Müller introduced the concept of a teratological sequence of thumb hypoplasia with increasing severity from mild deficiency, through severe deficiency, to thumb absence. Blauth subsequently detailed five specific grades. In 1992, Manske and McCarroll altered Blauth’s classification such that Grade 3 was sub-divided into Grades 3A and 3B, according to a presence or absence of the proximal metacarpal. Buck-Gramcko added a Grade 3C in which there was only a remnant metacarpal head. This article investigates their publications and those of others to identify ‘who said what’ and clarify the definitions of grades of thumb hypoplasia. A modification of Blauth’s classification is proposed, which retains the integrity of the concept of Müller and the skeletal and soft tissue grading of Blauth, but which also incorporates the disparate anomalies that may present in Grades 2 and 3 hypoplastic thumbs.
Notch signals are required for in vitro but not in vivo maintenance of human hematopoietic stem cells and delay the appearance of multipotent progenitors
Authors: Benveniste Patricia , Serra Pablo , Dervovic Dzana , Herer Elaine , Knowles Gisele , Mohtashami Mahmood , Zúñiga-Pflücker Juan Carlos
Published: December 2013

Key Points

Notch signals expand human HSC (CD90low) cells in vitro and delay the expansion of CD45RAint and CD45RAhi cells in vitro. HSCs expanded in vitro are equal to ex vivo CD90low cells in immune reconstitution.
Lineage specific antigenic differences in porcine torovirus hemagglutinin-esterase (PToV-HE) protein
Authors: Pignatelli Jaime , Alonso-Padilla Julio , Rodríguez Dolores
Published: December 2013

Hemagglutinin-esterases (HE) are viral envelope proteins present in some members from the toro-, corona- and orthomyxovirus families, all related with enteric and/or respiratory tract infections. HE proteins mediate reversible binding to sialic acid receptor determinants, very abundant glycan residues in the enteric and respiratory tracts. The role of the HE protein during the torovirus infection cycle remains unknown, although it is believed to be important in the natural infection process. The phylogenetic analysis of HE coding sequences from porcine torovirus (PToV) field strains revealed the existence of two distinct HE lineages. In a previous study, PToV virus strains with HE proteins from the two lineages were found coexisting in a pig herd, and they were even obtained from the same animal at two consecutive sampling time points. In this work, we report antigenic differences between the two HE lineages, and discuss the possible implications that the coexistence of viruses belonging to both lineages might have on the spread and sustainment of PToV infection in the farms.
The art of software systems development: Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, Performance (RAMP)
Authors: Malkawi Mohammad Isam
Published: December 2013

The production of software systems with specific demand on reliability, availability, maintenance, and performance (RAMP) is one of the greatest challenges facing software engineers at all levels of the development cycle. Most requirements specification tools are more suited for functional requirements than for non-functional RAMP requirements. RAMP requirements are left unspecified, specified at a later stage, or at best vaguely specified, which makes requirements specifications more of an art than a science. Furthermore, the cost of testing for RAMP requirements is quite often prohibitive. In many cases, it is difficult to test for some of the RAMP specifications such as maintainability, reliability, and high availability. Even the test for performance is quite often workload dependent and as such the performance numbers provided at test time or at system commissioning time may not be achievable during actual system workload. What makes the subject matter more difficult is the absence of a clear set of rules or practices, which, if followed closely, produce a system with acceptable RAMP specifications. As such, and until the design of RAMP software systems becomes a well understood theme, the development of such systems will be a fine art, where the tools and capabilities of developing such systems will depend on the particular system to be developed, the environment in which it will run, and the level of expertise and knowledge deployed. Just like no two pieces of art produced by the same artist are the same, no two software systems will have the same RAMP characteristics.

This paper will focus on the paradigms involved in the production of RAMP software systems through several case studies. The purpose is to promote the interest of researchers to develop more specific guidelines for the production of SW systems with well defined RAMP qualities.
Eighteenth-Century Illustrations of the Novels of Tobias Smollett
Authors: Fung Julian
Published: December 2013

For most modern readers, Tobias Smollett’s novels are defined by violence and crude physical humor, both of which contribute to angry satire on society’s vices. By drawing attention to eighteenth-century illustrations in Smollett’s novels, I want to suggest that illustrators were engaged in their own interpretations of Smollett. Their images often criticize the texts they illustrate, and the readings they generate are alternative interpretive possibilities that the illustrators presumably deemed valid. While some of the passages chosen for illustration contribute to Smollett’s grumpy attack upon humankind, many other kinds of scenes, such as sentimental or gently humorous ones, were also illustrated. In this article, I propose that paying attention to what these illustrators thought important will open up new ways of approaching these texts.
Female but not male zebra finches adjust heat output in response to increased incubation demand
Authors: Hill Davina L. , Lindström Jan , McCafferty Dominic J. , Nager Ruedi G.
Published: December 2013

In many incubating birds heat transfer from parent to egg is facilitated by the brood patch, an area of ventral abdominal skin that becomes highly vascularised, swells and loses its down feathers around the time of laying. Only the female develops a brood patch in most passerine species, but some males incubate and maintain the eggs at similar temperatures to females without a brood patch. Here we used a novel application of infra-red thermography (IRT) to examine sex differences in parental care from a physiological perspective. Using incubating male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), a species in which the male lacks a brood patch, we measured the surface temperature of the ventral plumage overlying the abdomen and a reference area that does not contact the eggs (thorax) twice per pair. In half of the pairs clutch size was experimentally enlarged between the two sets of measurements to increase incubation demand. We found that the temperature differential between abdomen and thorax plumage was greater in females than in males, and that abdomen plumage was warmer after clutch enlargement than before it in females but not in males. These findings are consistent with morphological sex differences in brood patch development and suggest that male and female zebra finches differ in the way they regulate abdomen versus general body surface temperature in response to variation in incubation demand.
Reflectance-based identification of parasitized host eggs and adult Trichogramma specimens
Authors: Nansen Christian , Coelho Aloisio , Vieira Jaci M. , Parra Jose R.P.
Published: December 2013

A wide range of imaging and spectroscopy technologies is used in medical diagnostics, quality control in production systems, military applications, stress detection in agriculture, and in ecological studies of both terrestrial and aquatic organisms. The growing interest and use of imaging based research is mainly driven by technological improvements, reductions in equipment costs and improvements of classification methods. In this study, we hypothesize that reflectance profiling can be used to successfully classify animals that are otherwise very challenging to classify. This methodological approach is supported by extensive literature in species-specific variation in cuticular composition of hydrocarbons. We acquired hyperspectral images from adult specimens of the egg parasitoid genus, Trichogramma (T. galloi, T. pretiosum and T. atopovirilia), which are about 1.0 mm in length. We also acquired hyperspectral images from host eggs containing developing Trichogramma instars. These obligate egg endoparasitoids species are commercially available as natural enemies of lepidopteran pests in food production systems. Due to their minute size and physical resemblance, classification is both time-consuming and requires high level of technical experience. The classification of reflectance profiles was based on a combination of average reflectance and variogram parameters (describing the spatial structure of reflectance data) of reflectance values in individual spectral bands. Although variogram parameters (variogram analysis) are commonly used in large-scale spatial research (i.e. geoscience and landscape ecology), they have only recently been used in classification of high-resolution hyperspectral imaging data. The classification model of parasitized host eggs was equally successful for each of the three species and was successfully validated with independent data sets (>90% classification accuracy). The classification model of adult specimens accurately separated T. atopovirilia from the other two species, but specimens of T. galloi and T. pretiosum could not be accurately separated. Interestingly, molecular-based classification (using the DNA sequence of the internally transcribed spacer, ITS2) of Trichogramma species published elsewhere corroborate the classification, as T. galloi and T. pretiosum are closely related and comparatively distant from T. atopovirilia. Our results suggest that non-destructive acquisition of reflectance data from the external surface of animals may be of relevance to a wide range of commercial (i.e. producers of biocontrol agents), taxonomic, and evolutionary research applications.