bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Situation awareness and documentation of changes that affect patient outcomes in progress notes
Authors: Tower Marion , Chaboyer Wendy
Published: November 2013

Aims and objectives

To report on registered nurses’ situation awareness as a precursor to decision‐making when recording changes in patients’ conditions.

Background

Progress notes are important to communicate patients’ progress and detail changes in patients’ conditions. However, documentation is often poorly completed. There is little work that examines nurses’ decision‐making during documentation. This study focused on describing situation awareness as a precursor to decision‐making during documentation.

Design

This study used Endsley's (Situation Awareness Analysis and Measurement, 2000, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, NJ) work on situation awareness to guide and conceptualise information. The study was situated in a naturalistic paradigm to provide an interpretation of nurses’ decision‐making.

Methods

Think‐aloud research methods and semi‐structured interviews were employed to illuminate decision‐making processes. Audio recordings and interview texts were individually examined for evidence of cues, informed by Endsley's (Situation Awareness Analysis and Measurement, 2000, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, NJ) descriptions of situation awareness.

Results

As patients’ conditions changed, nurses used complex mental models and pattern‐matching of information, drawing on all 3 levels of situation awareness during documentation. Level 1 situation awareness provided context, level 2 situation awareness signified a change in condition and its significance for the patient, and level 3 situation awareness was evident when nurses thought aloud about what this information indicated. Three themes associated with changes in patients’ conditions emerged: deterioration in condition, not responding to prescribed treatments as expected and issues related to professional practice that impacted on patients’ conditions.

Conclusion

Nurses used a complex mental model for decision‐making, drawing on 3 levels of situation awareness. Hamm's cognitive continuum theory, when related to situation awareness, is a useful decision‐making theory to provide a platform on which to draw together components of situation awareness and provide a framework on which to base decision‐making regarding documentation.

Relevance to clinical practice

Understanding how RNs employ situation awareness and providing a framework for decision‐making during documentation may assist effective documentation about changes in patients’ conditions.
Pathogenic immune mechanisms at the neuromuscular synapse: the role of specific antibody‐binding epitopes in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Huijbers M. G. , Lipka A. F. , Plomp J. J. , Niks E. H. , van der Maarel S. M. , Verschuuren J. J.
Published: November 2013

Autoantibodies against three different postsynaptic antigens and one presynaptic antigen at the neuromuscular junction are known to cause myasthenic syndromes. The mechanisms by which these antibodies cause muscle weakness vary from antigenic modulation and complement‐mediated membrane damage to inhibition of endogenous ligand binding and blocking of essential protein–protein interactions. These mechanisms are related to the autoantibody titre, specific epitopes on the target proteins and IgG autoantibody subclass. We here review the role of specific autoantibody‐binding epitopes in myasthenia gravis, their possible relevance to the pathophysiology of the disease and potential implications of epitope mapping knowledge for new therapeutic strategies.
Tupistra chinensis extract attenuates murine fulminant hepatitis with multiple targets against activated T lymphocytes
Authors: Wu Xuefeng , Fan Jinjin , Ouyang Zijun , Ning Rui , Guo Wenjie , Shen Yan , Wu Xudong , Sun Yang , Xu Qiang
Published: November 2013

Objectives

The extract of Tupistra chinensis (TCE) is traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in southwestern China for hundreds of years. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the TCE against experimental hepatitis and to illustrate its potential mechanisms.

Methods

Effects of TCE were investigated on Con A-induced hepatitis. Profiles of multiple cytokines were measured with biometric immuno-sandwich ELISA. Proliferation, activation and apoptosis of T lymphocytes were evaluated using Western blot, MTT analysis and flow cytometry.

Key findings

TCE significantly inhibited levels of serum transaminases and lactic dehydrogenase in mice with Con A-induced hepatitis, accompanied with marked alleviation of the liver microscopic appearances. Moreover, it decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner both in vivo and in vitro. It also suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-κB-signalling in liver. These effects of TCE are attributed to its inhibition on activated T cells but not to hepatocytes protection. Flow cytometry and immunoblot assay data showed its effects on STAT1/NF-κB-signalling blockage and apoptosis induction in activated T cells.

Conclusion

Our findings illustrate the significant potential of TCE as a novel approach for treatment of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.
An efficient reverse genetics platform in the model legume Medicago truncatula
Authors: Cheng Xiaofei , Wang Mingyi , Lee Hee‐Kyung , Tadege Million , Ratet Pascal , Udvardi Michael , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Wen Jiangqi
Published: November 2013

Medicago truncatula is one of the model species for legume studies. In an effort to develop legume genetics resources, > 21 700 Tnt1 retrotransposon insertion lines have been generated.

To facilitate fast‐growing needs in functional genomics, two reverse genetics approaches have been established: web‐based database searching and PCR‐based reverse screening. More than 840 genes have been reverse screened using the PCR‐based approach over the past 6 yr to identify mutants in these genes. Overall, c. 84% (705 genes) success rate was achieved in identifying mutants with at least one Tnt1 insertion, of which c. 50% (358 genes) had three or more alleles.

To demonstrate the utility of the two reverse genetics platforms, two mutant alleles were isolated for each of the two floral homeotic MADS‐box genes, MtPISTILATA and MtAGAMOUS. Molecular and genetic analyses indicate that Tnt1 insertions in exons of both genes are responsible for the defects in floral organ development.

In summary, we have developed two efficient reverse genetics platforms to facilitate functional characterization of M. truncatula genes.
Laterally resolved speciation of arsenic in roots of wheat and rice using fluorescence‐XANES imaging
Authors: Kopittke Peter M. , de Jonge Martin D. , Wang Peng , McKenna Brigid A. , Lombi Enzo , Paterson David J. , Howard Daryl L. , James Simon A. , Spiers Kathryn M. , Ryan Chris G. , Johnson Alexander A. T. , Menzies Neal W.
Published: November 2013

Accumulation of arsenic (As) within plant tissues represents a human health risk, but there remains much to learn regarding the speciation of As within plants.

We developed synchrotron‐based fluorescence‐X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (fluorescence‐XANES) imaging in hydrated and fresh plant tissues to provide laterally resolved data on the in situ speciation of As in roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and rice (Oryza sativa) exposed to 2 μM As(V) or As(III).

When exposed to As(V), the As was rapidly reduced to As(III) within the root, with As(V) calculated to be present only in the rhizodermis. However, no uncomplexed As(III) was detected in any root tissues, because of the efficient formation of the As(III)–thiol complex – this As species was calculated to account for all of the As in the cortex and stele. The observation that uncomplexed As(III) was below the detection limit in all root tissues explains why the transport of As to the shoots is low, given that uncomplexed As(III) is the major As species transported within the xylem and phloem.

Using fluorescence‐XANES imaging, we have provided in situ data showing the accumulation and transformation of As within hydrated and fresh root tissues.
Validating a new device for measuring tear evaporation rates
Authors: Rohit Athira , Ehrmann Klaus , Naduvilath Thomas , Willcox Mark , Stapleton Fiona
Published: November 2013

Purpose

To calibrate and validate a commercially available dermatology instrument to measure tear evaporation rate of contact lens wearers.

Methods

A dermatology instrument was modified by attaching a swim goggle cup such that the cup sealed around the eye socket. Results for the unmodified instrument are dependent on probe area and enclosed volume. Calibration curves were established using a model eye, to account for individual variations in chamber volume and exposed area. Fifteen participants were recruited and the study included a contact lens wear and a no contact lens wear stage. Day and diurnal variation of the measurements were assessed by taking the measurement three times a day over 2 days. The coefficient of repeatability of the measurement was calculated and a linear mixed model assessed the influence of humidity, temperature, contact lens wear, day and diurnal variations on tear evaporation rate. The associations between variables were assessed using Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

Absolute evaporation rates with and without contact lens wear were calculated based on the new calibration. The measurements were most repeatable during the evening with no lens wear (COR = 49 g m−2 h) and least repeatable during the evening with contact lens wear (COR = 93 g m−2 h). Humidity (p = 0.007), and contact lens wear (p < 0.01), significantly affected the tear evaporation rate. However, temperature (p = 0.54) diurnal variation (p = 0.85) and different days (p = 0.65) had no significant effect after controlling for humidity.

Conclusion

Tear evaporation rates can be measured using a modified dermatology instrument. Measurements were higher and more variable with lens wear consistent with previous literature. Control of environmental conditions is important as a higher humidity results in a reduced evaporation rate.
Infarct Characteristics by CMR Identifies Substrate for Monomorphic VT in Post‐MI Patients with Relatively Preserved Systolic Function and ns‐VT
Authors: YALIN KIVANC , GOLCUK EBRU , BUYUKBAYRAK HAKAN , YILMAZ RAVZA , ARSLAN MUHAMMET , DURSUN MEMDUH , BILGE AHMET KAYA , ADALET KAMIL
Published: November 2013

Background

The extent of peri‐infarct zone (PIZ) by contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance (ce‐CMR) has been related to inducibility of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. However, this relationship has not been established in postmyocardial infarction (post‐MI) patients with relatively reserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function yet. In this study, we investigated myocardial scar size and characteristics and its relationship with ventricular arrhythmia inducibility in patients with relatively preserved LV systolic function.

Methods

This study enrolled 28 post‐MI patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction between 40% and 50% and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia who underwent programmed ventricular stimulation (PVS) for risk stratification. Cine and gadolinium‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed before PVS. A computer‐assisted algorithm quantified the total scar (TS) size and divided it into the dense scar (DS) and the PIZ based on signal intensity thresholds (>6 standard deviations [SDs] and 2 to 6 SDs above remote normal myocardium, respectively). Scar measurements were determined and compared among noninducible (n = 19) and inducible patients (n = 9).

Results

The groups had similar baseline clinical characteristics. The LV masses, volumes, and ejection fractions did not differ significantly between the groups. For the inducible versus noninducible patients, DS percent was similar (3.11 ± 1.02% vs 3.44 ± 0.79%, P = NS). PIZ percent (28.02 ± 7.49% vs 19.86 ± 7.82%, P = 0.01) and TS percent (31.14 ± 7.96% vs 23.31 ± 8.21%, P = 0.02) were associated with inducibility of monomorphic VT. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PIZ percent (P = 0.021, OR [odds ratio] 1.18, 95% CI [confidence interval] 1.03–1.35), and TS percent (P = 0.03, OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01–1.30) were independent predictors of inducibility.

Conclusions

Higher PIZ percent and TS percent were correlated with increased ventricular inducibility. These data support the hypothesis that ce‐CMR may be used to identify the substrate for ventricular arrhythmia in this cohort.
Cardiac Perforation and Lead Dislodgement after Implantation of a MR‐Conditional Pacing Lead: A Single‐Center Experience
Authors: ELMOUCHI DARRYL A. , ROSEMA SHELLY , VANOOSTERHOUT STACIE M. , KHAN MOHSIN , DAVIS ALAN T. , GAURI ANDRE J. , FINTA BOHUSLAV , WOELFEL ALAN K. , CHALFOUN NAGIB T.
Published: November 2013

Objective

The purpose of our study was to determine if the rate of lead‐related complications was increased with the Medtronic CapSureFix MRI™ SureScan™ 5086 MRI pacing lead (5086; Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) compared to the previous generation of Medtronic CapSureFix Novus™ 5076 pacing lead (5076).

Background

The 5086 lead is a newly introduced active‐fixation pacemaker lead designed to be used conditionally in a magnetic resonance (MR) scanner. This lead has specific design changes compared to the previous generation of 5076 pacing leads.

Methods

This study was a retrospective case control study of 65 consecutive patients implanted with two 5086 leads compared to 92 consecutive control patients implanted with two 5076 leads over a 14‐month period at a high‐volume tertiary care hospital.

Results

Pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, or death within 30 days of implant were seen in eight patients from the 5086 cohort and two from the 5076 cohort (odds ratio 6.3, 95% confidence interval 1.3–30.8, P = 0.02). Lead dislodgement occurred in four of the 5086 patients and in none of the 5076 patients (P < 0.03).

Conclusions

In a high‐volume center, the incidence of pericarditis, cardiac perforation, tamponade, death, and lead dislodgement was significantly higher with the MR‐conditional Medtronic 5086 lead when compared to the previous generation Medtronic 5076 lead.
Macroevolutionin silico: scales, constraints and universals
Authors: Solé Ricard V. , Valverde Sergi
Published: November 2013

Large‐scale evolution involves several layers of complexity spanning multiple scales, from genes and organisms to whole ecosystems. In this article, we review several models involving the macroevolution of artificial organisms, communities or ecosystems, highlighting their importance and potential role in expanding the Modern Synthesis. Afterwards, we summarize the key results obtained from our model of artificially evolved ecosystems where individuals are defined as embodied entities within a physical, simulated world where they can evolve different traits and exploit multiple resources. Starting from an initial state where single cells with identical genotypes are present, the system evolves towards complex communities where the feedbacks between population expansion, evolved cell adhesion and the structure of the environment lead to a major innovation resulting from the emergence of ecosystem engineering. The tempo and mode of this process illustrates the relevance in considering a physical embedding as part of the model description and the feedbacks between different scales within the evolutionary hierarchy. The future steps in modelling macroevolution by means ofin silicomodels and how they might contribute to the Modern Synthesis are outlined.
Leaf cuticular lipids on the Shandong and Yukon ecotypes of saltwater cress, Eutrema salsugineum, and their response to water deficiency and impact on cuticle permeability
Authors: Xu Xiaojing , Feng Jinchao , Lü Shiyou , Lohrey Greg T. , An Huiling , Zhou Yijun , Jenks Matthew A.
Published: November 2013

The impact of water‐deficit stress on leaf cuticular waxes and cutin monomers, and traits associated with cuticle permeability were examined in Shandong and Yukon ecotypes of Eutrema salsugineum (syn. Thellungiella salsuginea). Although Shandong exhibits glaucous leaves, and Yukon is non‐glaucous, wax amounts on non‐stressed Yukon leaves were 4.6‐fold higher than on Shandong, due mainly to Yukon's eightfold higher wax fatty acids, especially the C22 and C24 acid homologues. Water deficit caused a 26.9% increase in total waxes on Shandong leaves, due mainly to increased C22 and C24 acids; and caused 10.2% more wax on Yukon, due mainly to an increase in wax alkanes. Total cutin monomers on non‐stressed leaves of Yukon were 58.3% higher than on Shandong. Water deficit caused a 28.2% increase in total cutin monomers on Shandong, whereas total cutin monomers were not induced on Yukon. With or without stress, more abundant cuticle lipids were generally associated with lower water loss rates, lower chlorophyll efflux rates and an extended time before water deficit‐induced wilting. In response to water deficit, Shandong showed elevated transcription of genes encoding elongase subunits, consistent with the higher stress induction of acids by Shandong. Yukon's higher induction of CER1 and CER3 transcripts may explain why alkanes increased most on Yukon after water deficit. Eutrema, with its diverse cuticle lipids and responsiveness, provides a valuable genetic resource for identifying new genes and alleles effecting cuticle metabolism, and lays groundwork for studies of the cuticle's role in extreme stress tolerance.
Detection of viruses and atypical bacteria associated with acute respiratory infection of children in Hubei, China
Authors: Wu Zegang , Li Yan , Gu Jian , Zheng Hongyun , Tong Yongqing , Wu Qing
Published: November 2013

Background and objective

Acute respiratory infection is the major cause of disease and death in children, particularly in developing countries. However, the spectrum of pathogenic viruses and atypical bacteria that exist in many of these countries remains incompletely characterized. The aim of this study was to examine the spectrum of pathogenic viruses and atypical bacteria associated with acute respiratory infection in children under the age of 16.

Methods

A total of 10 435 serum sera specimens were collected from hospitalized children presenting with acute respiratory infection symptoms. Indirect immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect immunoglobulin M antibodies against nine common pathogens: mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza virus B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, influenza virus A, legionella pneumophila, coxiella burnetii and chamydophila pneumonia.

Results

Of the 10 435 specimens examined, 7046 tested positive for at least one pathogen. Among all of the tested pathogens, mycoplasma pneumonia had the highest detection rate (56.9%). Influenza virus A and influenza virus B epidemics occurred during both winter and summer. The detection rate of respiratory syncytial virus and adenovirus was higher in spring. Cases of mixed infection were more complex: 4136 specimens (39.6%) tested positive for ≥2 pathogens. There were statistically significant difference in detection rates of mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza virus B, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, influenza virus A, legionella pneumophila and chamydophila pneumonia among different age groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The most common pathogens causing acute respiratory infection among children in Hubei of China were mycoplasma pneumonia, influenza virus B and respiratory syncytial virus. The detection rates for each pathogen displayed specific seasonal and age group variations.
Eliminativism, Dialetheism and Moore's Paradox
Authors: Williams John N.
Published: November 2013

John Turri gives an example that he thinks refutes what he takes to be “G.E.Moore's view” that omissive assertions such as “It is raining butIdo not believe that it is raining” are “inherently ‘absurd'”. This is that ofEllie, an eliminativist who makes such assertions. Turri thinks that these are perfectly reasonable and not even absurd. Nor does she seem irrational if the sincerity of her assertion requires her to believe its content. A commissive counterpart ofEllie isDi, a dialetheist who asserts or believes that

TheRussell set includes itself butIbelieve that it is not the case that theRussell set includes itself.

Since any adequate explanation ofMoore's paradox must handle commissive assertions and beliefs as well as omissive ones, it must deal withDi as well as engageEllie.Igive such an explanation.Iargue that neitherEllie's assertion nor her belief is irrational yet both are absurd. Likewise neitherDi's assertion nor her belief is irrational yet in contrast neither is absurd.Iconclude that not allMoore‐paradoxical assertions or beliefs are irrational and that the syntax of Moore's examples is not sufficient for the absurdity found in them.
Fault-Distribution Dependent Reliable H∞ Control for Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Systems
Authors: Sakthivel R. , Vadivel P. , Mathiyalagan K. , Arunkumar A.
Published: November 2013

This paper is concerned with the problem of robust reliable H∞ control for a class of uncertain Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy systems with actuator failures and time-varying delay. The main objective is to design a state feedback reliable H∞ controller such that, for all admissible uncertainties as well as actuator failure cases, the resulting closed-loop system is robustly asymptotically stable with a prescribed H∞ performance level. Based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional (LKF) method together with linear matrix inequality (LMI) technique, a delay dependent sufficient condition is established in terms of LMIs for the existence of robust reliable H∞ controller. When these LMIs are feasible, a robust reliable H∞ controller can be obtained. Finally, two numerical examples with simulation result are utilized to illustrate the applicability and effectiveness of our obtained result.
The Influence of Inlet Asymmetry on Steam Turbine Exhaust Hood Flows
Authors: Burton Zoe , Hogg Simon , Ingram Grant L.
Published: November 2013

It has been widely recognized for some decades that it is essential to accurately represent the strong coupling between the last stage blades (LSB) and the diffuser inlet, in order to correctly capture the flow through the exhaust hoods of steam turbine low pressure cylinders. This applies to any form of simulation of the flow, i.e., numerical or experimental. The exhaust hood flow structure is highly three-dimensional and appropriate coupling will enable the important influence of this asymmetry to be transferred to the rotor. This, however, presents challenges as the calculation size grows rapidly when the full annulus is calculated. The size of the simulation means researchers are constantly searching for methods to reduce the computational effort without compromising solution accuracy. However, this can result in excessive computational demands in numerical simulations. Unsteady full-annulus CFD calculation will remain infeasible for routine design calculations for the foreseeable future. More computationally efficient methods for coupling the unsteady rotor flow to the hood flow are required that bring computational expense within realizable limits while still maintaining sufficient accuracy for meaningful design calculations. Research activity in this area is focused on developing new methods and techniques to improve accuracy and reduce computational expense. A novel approach for coupling the turbine last stage to the exhaust hood employing the nonlinear harmonic (NLH) method is presented in this paper. The generic, IP free, exhaust hood and last stage blade geometries from Burton et al. (2012. “A Generic Low Pressure Exhaust Diffuser for Steam Turbine Research,”Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo, Copenhagen, Denmark, Paper No. GT2012-68485) that are representative of modern designs, are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. This is achieved by comparing results obtained with the NLH to those obtained with a more conventional mixing-plane approach. The results show that the circumferential asymmetry can be successfully transferred in both directions between the exhaust hood flow and that through the LSB, by using the NLH. This paper also suggests that for exhaust hoods of generous axial length, little change in Cp is observed when the circumferential asymmetry is captured. However, the predicted flow structure is significantly different, which will influence the design and placement of the exhaust hood internal “furniture.”
Microstructure of Ti/Al/Ni/Au ohmic contacts for N-polar GaN/AlGaN high electron mobility transistor devices
Authors: Zhou Lin , Johnson Michael R. , Smith David J. , Meyer David J. , Storm David F. , Scott Katzer Douglas , Downey Brian P.
Published: November 2013

The microstructure of Ti/Al/Ni/Au ohmic contacts on N-polar GaN/AlGaN high electron mobility transistor heterostructures annealed from 800 °C to 900 °C has been studied using transmission electron microscopy and associated analytical techniques. Two ohmic metal stacks with different Ti/Al/Ni/Au layer thicknesses (20/200/40/50 nm and 20/100/10/50 nm) have been examined. Samples with low ohmic contact resistance after annealing were found to have two common characteristics: (1) the top GaN channel layer had completely reacted with Ti metal to form a polycrystalline TiN layer and (2) a ∼5 nm-thick Au-rich layer was present near the TiN/AlGaN interface. Possible conduction mechanisms related to the presence of Au in low ohmic contact resistance samples are discussed.
A young patient with recurrent respiratory tract infection and anasarca
Authors: Hussain Kosar , Shaikh Niaz Ahmed , Thomas Liza , Marashi Mahmoud M
Published: November 2013

A young man with a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections for the past 8 years presented with generalised anasarca. He was found to have advanced renal disease (stage 4) and a profound proteinuria of 82.9 g/day. Further workup revealed the presence of advanced bronchiectatic changes in the lungs. Rectal biopsy showed the characteristic pattern of amyloid deposition. A diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis secondary to bronchiectasis was made. To the best of our knowledge no other cases of bronchiectasis-associated renal amyloid disease with such marked proteinuria have been reported in the literature. Our patient had a relatively short duration between the onset of his symptoms related to underlying bronchiectasis and his clinical presentation of renal amyloidosis. He had an aggressive course of disease and unfortunately died at a very young age.
Under reporting of road traffic injuries in the district of Kandy, Sri Lanka
Authors: Periyasamy Nithershini , Lynch Catherine A , Dharmaratne Samath D , Nugegoda DB , Østbye Truls
Published: November 2013

Objectives

To conduct a community survey to estimate the degree to which road traffic injuries (RTIs) are under reported and to compare the characteristics of RTI reported to the police to those not reported.

Design

A cross-sectional population-based study.

Setting

Kandy district, Sri Lanka.

Participants

RTIs and deaths during the preceding 12 months were identified through a community-based cross-sectional survey with a sample size of 3080 households. A stratified multistage cluster sampling with population proportion to size was used. ‘Events reported’ to the police were cross checked against events in the police records of the given or adjacent police stations, and either were ‘Events found’ or ‘Not found’. ‘Under reported’ included those ‘Not reported’ and those reported but ‘Not found’ in the police dataset.

Results

Information about 11 724 persons were obtained from 3080 households, identifying 149 persons who suffered an RTI. Of these, 57% were ‘Events reported’, and of these 43.6% (n=65) were‘Events found’ in police records (95% CI, 36.0 to 51.6). There were 42 events ‘Not reported’ to police while an additional 7 were ‘Not found’ in the police records of the given police station. Although they were claimed to have been reported to the police, 33% (95% CI 25.8 to 40.7) were ‘Under reported’. There were significant differences in age (p=0.02), family income (p<0.001), road user type (p=0.001), injury severity (p<0.001) and injury category (p=0.01) between ‘Events found’ in the police records and ‘Under reported’ events.

Conclusions

In the Kandy district, 33% of RTIs were ‘under reported’. These findings could be used as evidence for policy planning to prevent RTIs, and highlights the need for a nation-wide community-based survey to determine the true rates of RTI for a better understanding of the reasons for under reporting.
Hyperuricemia is independently associated with endothelial dysfunction in postmenopausal women but not in premenopausal women
Authors: Maruhashi Tatsuya , Nakashima Ayumu , Soga Junko , Fujimura Noritaka , Idei Naomi , Mikami Shinsuke , Iwamoto Yumiko , Kajikawa Masato , Matsumoto Takeshi , Hidaka Takayuki , Kihara Yasuki , Chayama Kazuaki , Goto Chikara , Noma Kensuke , Tomiyama Hirofumi , Takase Bonpei , Yamashina Akira , Higashi Yukihito
Published: November 2013

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between uric acid, endothelial function and cardiovascular risk factors and to investigate whether menopausal status was associated with the relationship between uric acid and endothelial function in women.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

3 general hospitals in Japan.

Participants

749 Japanese women aged 30–74 years recruited from people who underwent health-screening examinations with agreement for measurement of vascular function.

Measures

We measured serum concentrations of uric acid and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Percentage of FMD (peak diameter−baseline diameter/baseline diameter) was used for analysis. Endothelial dysfunction was defined as FMD ≤4.90%, division point for the lowest tertile and the middle tertile of FMD. Menopause women were defined as participants without menstruation for over 1 year or participants with a history of hysterectomy or bilateral oophorectomy.

Results

Of the 749 participants, 368 (49.1%) were premenopausal women and 381 (50.9%) were postmenopausal women. Age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, estimated glomerular filtration rate and Framingham risk score were significantly correlated with serum uric acid level. FMD showed a gradual decrease in accordance with the serum uric acid level in the entire study population (<4 mg/dL, 6.85±3.65%; 4 to <5 mg/dL, 6.79±3.60%; 5 to <6 mg/dL, 6.24±3.58%; ≥6 mg/dL, 5.27±3.18%; p=0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that uric acid was a significantly independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction in postmenopausal women (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.50), but not in premenopausal women.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that uric acid can be used as a risk marker of endothelial dysfunction in a female population, and particularly as an independent risk factor in postmenopausal women but not in premenopausal women.

Registration number of the study

UMIN000003409.
Prediction of standing tree defect proportion using logistic regression and ordered decision thresholds
Authors: Westfall James A.
Published: November 2013

In forest inventories, it is often of interest to calculate amounts of usable wood volume in trees. This usually requires knowledge of how much of the total volume is unusable (cull) due to form or decay deficiencies. This information is primarily obtained when collecting data on sample plots, although the assessments are often difficult and subjective. To provide an alternative, methods were developed to estimate individual-tree cull attributes. The procedure initially involves classification using logistic regression to assign trees to one of three categories (no cull, intermediate cull, entirely cull) based on probability cut points. Subsequently, trees classified as having intermediate cull are assigned a cull amount predicted from a generalized linear regression model. The best results for cull prediction were obtained using cut points that minimized absolute prediction error; however, better prediction of net cubic volume of trees was realized when the errors were weighted by tree size. The model-based approach may be particularly useful in obtaining temporal consistency, such that trend estimates may better reflect the actual change in forest resources.
SL(n, R) IN PARTICLE PHYSICS AND GRAVITY — DECONTRACTION FORMULA AND UNITARY IRREDUCIBLE REPRESENTATIONS
Authors: SALOM IGOR , ŠIJAČKI DJORDJE
Published: November 2013

SL(n, R) and Diff(n, R) groups play a prominent role in various particle physics and gravity theories, notably in chromogravity (that models the IR region of QCD), gauge affine generalizations of general relativity, and pD-branes. Applications of these groups require a knowledge of their features and especially rely on the unitary irreducible representation details. Lie algebra, topology and unitary representation issues of the covering groups of the SL(n, R) and Diff(n, R) groups with respect to their maximal compact SO(n) subgroups are considered. Topological properties determining spinorial representations of these groups are reviewed. An especial attention is paid to the fact that, contrary to other classical Lie algebras, the SL(n, R), n ≥ 3 covering groups are groups of infinite matrices, as are all their spinorial representations. A notion of Lie algebra decontraction, also known as the Gell-Mann formula, that plays a role of an inverse to the Inonu–Wigner contraction, is recalled. Contrary to orthogonal type of algebras, the decontraction formula has a limited validity. The validity domain of this formula for sl(n, R) algebras contracted with respect to their so(n) subalgebras is outlined. A recent generalization of the decontraction formula, that applies to all SL(n, R) covering group representations, as well as an explicit closed expression of all non-compact sl(n, R) operators matrix elements for all representations is presented. A construction of the unitary sl(n, R) representations is discussed within a framework than combines the Harish-Chandra results and a method of fulfilling the unitarity requirements in Hilbert spaces with non-trivial scalar product kernel.
SPIN-CUBE MODELS OF QUANTUM GRAVITY
Authors: MIKOVIĆ A.
Published: November 2013

We study the state-sum models of quantum gravity based on a representation 2-category of the Poincaré 2-group. We call them spin-cube models, since they are categorical generalizations of spin-foam models. A spin-cube state sum can be considered as a path integral for a constrained 2-BF theory, and depending on how the constraints are imposed, a spin-cube state sum can be reduced to a path integral for the area-Regge model with the edge-length constraints, or to a path integral for the Regge model. We also show that the effective actions for these spin-cube models have the correct classical limit.
INVERSION OF A MAPPING ASSOCIATED WITH THE AOMOTO–FORRESTER SYSTEM
Authors: CASEIRO RAQUEL , FRANCOISE JEAN-PIERRE , SASAKI RYU
Published: November 2013

This article is devoted to the study of a general class of Hamiltonian systems which extends the Calogero systems with external quadratic potential associated to any root system. The interest for such a class comes from a previous article of Aomoto and Forrester. We consider first the one-degree of freedom case and compute the Birkhoff series defined near each of its stationary points. In general, the analysis of the system motivates finding some expression for the inverses of a rational map introduced by Aomoto and Forrester. We derive here some diagrammatic expansion series for these inverses.
METAPLECTIC FORMULATION OF THE WIGNER TRANSFORM AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: DIAS NUNO COSTA , DE GOSSON MAURICE A. , PRATA JOÃO NUNO
Published: November 2013

We show that the cross Wigner function can be written in the form [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the Fourier transform of ϕ and Ŝ is a metaplectic operator that projects onto a linear symplectomorphism S consisting of a rotation along an ellipse in phase space (or in the time-frequency space). This formulation can be extended to generic Weyl symbols and yields an interesting fractional generalization of the Weyl–Wigner formalism. It also provides a suitable approach to study the Bopp phase space representation of quantum mechanics, familiar from deformation quantization. Using the "metaplectic formulation" of the Wigner transform, we construct a complete set of intertwiners relating the Weyl and the Bopp pseudo-differential operators. This is an important result that allows us to prove the spectral and dynamical equivalence of the Schrödinger and the Bopp representations of quantum mechanics.
Bid distribution derived from consistent mixed strategy in lowest unique bid auction
Authors: Zhao Yinan , Chen Qinghua , Wang Yougui
Published: November 2013

The Lowest Unique Bid Auction (LUBA) booms recently through the Internet. A typical distribution pattern of bid price in this reverse auction has been found and needs to be interpreted. The distribution curve is a decreasing one whose slope has a close relationship with the number of agents participating in the auction. To explain this stylized fact, we develop a model assuming that agents prefer to bid on the price at which the probability of winning is higher. The bid distributions of actual auctions with the number of agents less than 200 can be fitted very well using the parameters for the value of items and the number of bids. When this number becomes larger, however, a deviation occurs between prediction and empirical data, which can be adjusted by introducing cognitive illusion of the bid number.
Affinity based information diffusion model in social networks
Authors: Liu Hongli , Xie Yun , Hu Haibo , Chen Zhigao
Published: November 2013

There is a widespread intuitive sense that people prefer participating in spreading the information in which they are interested. The affinity of people with information disseminated can affect the information propagation in social networks. In this paper, we propose an information diffusion model incorporating the mechanism of affinity of people with information which considers the fitness of affinity values of people with affinity threshold of the information. We find that the final size of information diffusion is affected by affinity threshold of the information, average degree of the network and the probability of people's losing their interest in the information. We also explore the effects of other factors on information spreading by numerical simulations and find that the probabilities of people's questioning and confirming the information can affect the propagation speed, but not the final scope.
Cascade of failures in interdependent networks with different average degree
Authors: Cheng Zunshui , Cao Jinde , Hayat Tasawar
Published: November 2013

Most of modern systems are coupled by two sub-networks and therefore should be modeled as interdependent networks. The study towards robustness of interdependent networks becomes interesting and significant. In this paper, mainly by numerical simulations, the robustness of interdependent Erdös–Rényi (ER) networks and interdependent scale-Free (SF) networks coupled by two sub-networks with different average degree are investigated. First, we study the robustness of interdependent networks under random attack. Second, we study the robustness of interdependent networks under targeted attack on high or low degree nodes, and find that interdependent networks with different average degree are significantly different from those interdependent networks with equal average degree.
Local-world and cluster-growing weighted networks with controllable clustering
Authors: Yang Chun-Xia , Tang Min-Xuan , Tang Hai-Qiang , Deng Qiang-Qiang
Published: November 2013

We constructed an improved weighted network model by introducing local-world selection mechanism and triangle coupling mechanism based on the traditional BBV model. The model gives power-law distributions of degree, strength and edge weight and presents the linear relationship both between the degree and strength and between the degree and the clustering coefficient. Particularly, the model is equipped with an ability to accelerate the speed increase of strength exceeding that of degree. Besides, the model is more sound and efficient in tuning clustering coefficient than the original BBV model. Finally, based on our improved model, we analyze the virus spread process and find that reducing the size of local-world has a great inhibited effect on virus spread.
Impact of anti-virus software on computer virus dynamical behavior
Authors: Sun Mei , Li Dandan , Han Dun , Jia Changsheng
Published: November 2013

The impact of anti-virus software on the spreading of computer virus is investigated via developing a mathematical model in this paper. Considering the anti-virus software may not be effective, as it may be an outdated version, and then the computers may be infected with a reduced incidence rate. According to the method of next generation matrix, the basic reproduction number is derived. By introducing appropriate Lyapunov function and the Routh stability criterion, acquiring the stability conditions of the virus-free equilibrium and virus equilibrium. The effect of anti-virus software and disconnecting rate on the spreading of virus are also analyzed. When combined with the numerical results, a set of suggestions are put forward for eradicating virus effectively.
Synchronization and anti-synchronization of N different coupled chaotic systems with ring connection
Authors: Chen Xiangyong , Wang Chengyong , Qiu Jianlong
Published: November 2013

This paper considers the synchronization and anti-synchronization problem of N different coupled chaotic systems with ring connections. Employing the direct design method to design the synchronization and anti-synchronization controllers which can transform the error systems into a stable system with special anti-symmetric structure. Some simple stability criteria are then derived for reaching the synchronization in such systems. It is proved that these criteria not only are easily verified, but also improve and generalize previously known results. Finally, numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical.
Homophily versus preferential attachment: Evolutionary mechanisms of scientific collaboration networks
Authors: Wang Zhen-Zhen , Zhu Jonathan J. H.
Published: November 2013

Homophily and preferential attachment are among the most recognized mechanisms of network evolution. Instead of examining the two mechanisms separately, this study considers them jointly in a scholarly collaboration network. Specifically, when a new scholar enters a field, how does he/she choose the first collaborator from the pool of available scholars? We find that new scholars tend to collaborate with someone who works in the same institution (which is called constrained acceptance), shares similar specialty interests (active choice), or has already worked with many collaborators (random action). We view constrained acceptance and active choice as supporting evidence for homophily (because similarity is attractive) and random action as supporting evidence for preferential attachment (because popularity is attractive). As such, both homophily and preferential attachment affect the evolution of collaboration networks. Furthermore, the influences vary over time with random action, constrained acceptance, and active choice taking turns to act the dominant force at the beginning, middle and later phases of the evolution process, respectively.
Analysis of co-occurrence networks with clique occurrence information
Authors: Shen Bin , Li Yixiao
Published: November 2013

Most of co-occurrence networks only record co-occurrence relationships between two entities, and ignore the weights of co-occurrence cliques whose size is bigger than two. However, this ignored information may help us to gain insight into the co-occurrence phenomena of systems. In this paper, we analyze co-occurrence networks with clique occurrence information (CNCI) thoroughly. First, we describe the components of CNCIs and discuss the generation of clique occurrence information. And then, to illustrate the importance and usefulness of clique occurrence information, several metrics, i.e. single occurrence rate, average size of maximal co-occurrence cliques and four types of co-occurrence coefficients etc., are given. Moreover, some applications, such as combining co-occurrence frequency with structure-oriented centrality measures, are also discussed.
Prediction of collective opinion in consensus formation
Authors: Hou Lei , Liu Jianguo , Pan Xue , Song Wen-Jun , Li Xu-Dong
Published: November 2013

In the consensus formation dynamics, the effect of leaders and interventions have been widely studied for it has many applications such as in politics and commerce. However, the problem is how to know if it is necessary for one to make an intervention. In this paper, we theoretically propose a method for predicting the tendency and final state of collective opinion. By giving each agent a conviction ci which measures the ability to insist on his opinion, we present an opinion formation model in which agents with high convictions naturally show up properties of the opinion leaders. Results reveal that, although each agent initially gets an opinion evenly distributed in the range [-1, 1], the collective opinion of the steady-state may deviate to the positive or negative direction because of the initial bias of the leaders' opinions. We further get the correlation coefficient of the linear relationship between the collective opinion and the initial bias according to both the experimental and theoretical analysis. Thus, we could predict the final state at the very beginning of the dynamic only if we get the opinions of a small portion of the population. The prediction would afford us more time and opportunities to make reactions and interventions.
THE RELATIVITY OF SPACE–TIME-PROPERTY
Authors: DELBOURGO R.
Published: November 2013

We describe a geometrical way to unify gravity with the other natural forces by adding fermionic Lorentz scalar variables, characterising attribute or property, to space–time location. (With five such properties one can accommodate all known leptons and quarks.) Using just one property, viz. electricity, the general relativity of such a scheme and its superscalar curvature automatically produces the Einstein–Maxwell Lagrangian and a cosmological term. By adding more properties we envisage the geometrical unification of the standard model with gravitation.
PHOTONIC DIRAC CONES REALIZED BY ACCIDENTAL DEGENERACY ON THE BRILLOUIN-ZONE BOUNDARY
Authors: SAKODA KAZUAKI
Published: November 2013

The condition for the formation of Dirac cones at arbitrary points in the Brillouin zone by the accidental degeneracy of two photonic bands was examined by the degenerate perturbation theory and group theory based on the spatial symmetry of two modes. The analysis was applied to a two-dimensional square-lattice photonic crystal with C4v symmetry and the dispersion relation in the vicinity of the M point was examined. Exact agreement between the analytical and numerical calculation was obtained.