bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety Observations With 3 Years of Denosumab Exposure: Comparison Between Subjects Who Received Denosumab During the Randomized FREEDOM Trial and Subjects Who Crossed Over to Denosumab During the FREEDOM Extension
Authors: Watts Nelson B , Brown Jacques P , Papapoulos Socrates , Lewiecki E Michael , Kendler David L , Dakin Paula , Wagman Rachel B , Wang Andrea , Daizadeh Nadia S , Smith Shawna , Bone Henry G
Published: March 2017

Denosumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody against receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) that decreases osteoclast formation, function and survival, and is approved for the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at increased or high risk for fracture, among other indications. During the pivotal 3-year fracture trial FREEDOM, denosumab 60 mg subcutaneously every 6 months significantly reduced new vertebral (68%), hip (40%), and nonvertebral (20%) fractures; increased bone mineral density (BMD); and reduced bone turnover markers compared with placebo in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. Questions have arisen regarding imbalances of certain low-frequency adverse events (AEs) observed in FREEDOM, as well as the top 5 most frequent adverse reactions listed in the United States prescribing information (USPI; back pain, pain in extremity, musculoskeletal pain, hypercholesterolemia, and cystitis). We examined the incidences of these AEs in women who originally received placebo during FREEDOM and then received denosumab for up to 3 years during the FREEDOM Extension (Crossover Group). This provided a unique opportunity for comparison with the original 3-year denosumab FREEDOM observations. We also examined the incidences of these AEs over 6 years of denosumab treatment (Long-term Group; ie, comparing a second 3 years of treatment with findings in the first 3 years). There was no indication of increasing trends regarding the imbalances of either low-frequency AEs or common AEs observed in FREEDOM. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Phosphoregulation of K+‐Cl− cotransporters during cell swelling: Novel insights
Authors: Frenette‐Cotton Rachelle , Marcoux Andrée‐Anne , Garneau Alexandre P. , Noel Micheline , Isenring Paul
Published: March 2017

The K+‐Cl− cotransporters (KCCs) belong to the cation‐Cl− cotransporter family and consist of four isoforms and many splice variants. Their main role is to promote electroneutral efflux of K+ and Cl− ions across the surface of many cell types and, thereby, to regulate intracellular ion concentration, cell volume, and epithelial salt movement. These transport systems are induced by an increase in cell volume and are less active at lower intracellular [Cl−] (Cli), but the mechanisms at play are still ill‐defined. In this work, we have exploited the Xenopus laevis expression system to study the role of lysine‐deficient protein kinases (WNKs), protein phosphatases 1 (PP1s), and SPS1‐related proline/alanine‐rich kinase (SPAK) in KCC4 regulation during cell swelling. We have found that WNK4 and PP1 regulate KCC4 activity as part of a common signaling module, but that they do not exert their effects through SPAK or carrier dephosphorylation. We have also found that the phosphatases at play include PP1α and PP1γ1, but that WNK4 acts directly on the PP1s instead of the opposite. Unexpectedly, however, both cell swelling and a T926A substitution in the C‐terminus of full‐length KCC4 led to higher levels of heterologous K+‐Cl− cotransport and overall carrier phosphorylation. These results imply that the response to cell swelling must also involve allosteric‐sensitive kinase‐dependent phosphoacceptor sites in KCC4. They are thus partially inconsistent with previous models of KCC regulation.
Optimized purification of mono‐PEGylated lysozyme by heparin affinity chromatography using response surface methodology
Authors: Mejía‐Manzano Luis Alberto , Lienqueo M Elena , Escalante‐Vázquez Edgardo J , Rito‐Palomares Marco , Asenjo Juan A
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

The efficient, controlled and robust purification of conjugates from PEGylation has a growing demand in the biopharmaceutical's market. In general, the yield and purity reached through the conventional chromatographic modes are not particularly high or efficient. Affinity chromatography has so far scarcely been explored. The present work introduces the purification of mono‐PEGylated lysozyme from a PEGylation reaction by heparin affinity chromatography (HAC) for the first time in a single step. Response surface methodology (RSM), particularly a Box–Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the separation.

RESULTS

Protein adsorption of PEGylated and native lysozyme on Heparin Sepharose 6 Fast Flow resin was described by Langmuir isotherms, showing a relatively low affinity for the PEGylated proteins. From the experimental design, optimal elution conditions in a linear gradient of sodium chloride (NaCl) for the three response variables (yield, purity and productivity) were: gradient length of 13 column volumes (CVs), flow at 0.8 mL min−1 and protein load of 1 mg mL−1. Based on this optimization, a step gradient procedure was designed that achieved the purification of mono‐PEGylated lysozyme with approximately 100% yield and purity in comparison with 92.7% and 99.7% with the linear gradient. Productivity was c. 0.048 ± 0.001 mg mL−1 min−1 using 0.05 mol L−1 NaCl for its elution.

CONCLUSIONS

Mono‐PEGylated lysozyme was completely separated from a PEGylation mixture with high yield and purity using HAC for first time. Applying response surface methodology (RSM), adequate conditions for more than one requirement were found as well as optimal conditions for a linear gradient of NaCl. Based on this optimization a step gradient procedure was designed that achieved the purification of mono‐PEGylated lysozyme in one step with advantages respect to time, resolution, yield and purity compared with other chromatographic modes such as hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and cation exchange chromatography (CEX). © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Bitterness in sodium caseinate hydrolysates: role of enzyme preparation and degree of hydrolysis
Authors: O'Sullivan Dara , Nongonierma Alice B , FitzGerald Richard J
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Enzymatic hydrolysis of sodium caseinate (NaCas) may lead to the development of bitterness. Careful selection of hydrolysis conditions (i.e. enzyme preparation and duration) yielding different degrees of hydrolysis (DH) may aid in the development of low bitterness.

RESULTS

Eighteen NaCas hydrolysates were generated with four enzyme preparations (Alcalase 2.4L, Prolyve 1000, FlavorPro Whey and pepsin) to different DH values. Hydrolysate bitterness score, assessed using a trained panel (ten assessors), generally increased at higher DH values for Alcalase, Prolyve and pepsin hydrolysates. However, all FlavorPro Whey hydrolysates (DH 0.38–10.62%) displayed low bitterness score values (<26.0%) comparable to that of intact NaCas (13.8 ± 2.0%, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Enzyme preparation and DH affect the bitterness of NaCas hydrolysates. The results are relevant for the generation of NaCas hydrolysates with reduced bitterness. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Toward a Framework for Identifying Attitudes and Intentions to Music Acquisition from Legal and Illegal Channels
Authors: Dilmperi Athina , King Tamira , Dennis Charles
Published: March 2017

Technological developments have had a profound effect on modern music acquisition, allowing people to share music over the Internet for free. The research identifies the antecedents of consumers’ attitudes and intentions to acquire music from various channels. The paper reports findings of a structured questionnaire survey of university students in the United Kingdom and Greece (n = 511). Using structural equation modeling, the authors conclude that consumers’ intention to acquire music via a legal channel is influenced by idolatry (IDL), the perceived quality of music (PQM), the perceived likelihood of punishment (PLP; digital legal channel only), and their subjective norm. On the other hand, intention to acquire music via an illegal channel is influenced by the perceived benefits of piracy. The price of legitimate music was only significant for the illegal street vendor channel, whereas IDL had a positive effect on illegal downloading. Gender had moderating effects on PLP and attitude, and income‐moderated attitude and intention from P2P platforms. The findings carry important implications for academic researchers, practitioners, and policymakers.
Consumer Revenge Using the Internet and Social Media: An Examination of the Role of Service Failure Types and Cognitive Appraisal Processes
Authors: Obeidat Zaid Mohammad Ibrahim , Xiao Sarah Hong , Iyer Gopalkrishnan R. , Nicholson Michael
Published: March 2017

Given the pervasive spread and use of the Internet and social media, consumer use of these new forums for expressing their revenge intentions has also increased. This research examines the impacts of service outcome and service process failures on consumer online revenge intentions. Using insights from cognitive appraisal theory, a comprehensive model is developed and tested to examine the impacts of service failure types on consumers’ primary and secondary appraisal processes that lead to online revenge intentions. The model was tested in the United Kingdom and Jordan. Results show that for the two countries, different service failure types lead to different cognitive appraisal processes, and to intentions to use different online revenge platforms.
Quantifying the reproducibility of lung ventilation images between 4‐Dimensional Cone Beam CT and 4‐Dimensional CT
Authors: Woodruff Henry C. , Shieh Chun‐Chien , Hegi‐Johnson Fiona , Keall Paul J. , Kipritidis John
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Computed tomography ventilation imaging derived from four‐dimensional cone beam CT (CTVI4DCBCT) can complement existing 4DCT‐based methods (CTVI4DCT) to track lung function changes over a course of lung cancer radiation therapy. However, the accuracy of CTVI4DCBCT needs to be assessed since anatomic 4DCBCT has demonstrably poor image quality and small field of view (FOV) compared to treatment planning 4DCT. We perform a direct comparison between short interval CTVI4DCBCT and CTVI4DCT pairs to understand the patient specific image quality factors affecting the intermodality CTVI reproducibility in the clinic.

Methods and materials

We analysed 51 pairs of 4DCBCT and 4DCT scans acquired within 1 day of each other for nine lung cancer patients. To assess the impact of image quality, CTVIs were derived from 4DCBCT scans reconstructed using both standard Feldkamp‐Davis‐Kress backprojection () and an iterative McKinnon‐Bates Simultaneous Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (). Also, the influence of FOV was assessed by deriving CTVIs from 4DCT scans that were cropped to a similar FOV as the 4DCBCT scans (), or uncropped (). All CTVIs were derived by performing deformable image registration (DIR) between the exhale and inhale phases and evaluating the Jacobian determinant of deformation. Reproducibility between corresponding CTVI4DCBCT and CTVI4DCT pairs was quantified using the voxel‐wise Spearman rank correlation and the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for ventilation defect regions (identified as the lower quartile of ventilation values). Mann–Whitney U‐tests were applied to determine statistical significance of each reconstruction and cropping condition.

Results

The (mean ± SD) Spearman correlation between and was 0.60 ± 0.23 (range −0.03–0.88) and the DSC was 0.64 ± 0.12 (0.34–0.83). By comparison, correlations between and showed a small but statistically significant improvement with = 0.64 ± 0.20 (range 0.06–0.90, P = 0.03) and DSC = 0.66 ± 0.13 (0.31–0.87, P = 0.02). Intermodal correlations were noted to decrease with an increasing fraction of lung truncation in 4DCBCT relative to 4DCT, albeit not significantly (Pearson correlation R = 0.58, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that DIR based CTVIs derived from 4DCBCT can exhibit reasonable to good voxel‐level agreement with CTVIs derived from 4DCT. These correlations outperform previous cross‐modality comparisons between 4DCT‐based ventilation and nuclear medicine. The use of 4DCBCT scans with iterative reconstruction and minimal lung truncation is recommended to ensure better reproducibility between 4DCBCT‐ and 4DCT‐based CTVIs.
Global energy‐tracking identities and global energy‐tracking splitting FDTD schemes for the Drude Models of Maxwell's equations in three‐dimensional metamaterials
Authors: Li Wanshan , Liang Dong , Lin Yanping
Published: March 2017

In this article, we study the Drude models of Maxwell's equations in three‐dimensional metamaterials. We derive new global energy‐tracking identities for the three dimensional electromagnetic problems in the Drude metamaterials, which describe the invariance of global electromagnetic energy in variation forms. We propose the time second‐order global energy‐tracking splitting FDTD schemes for the Drude model in three dimensions. The significant feature is that the developed schemes are global energy‐preserving, unconditionally stable, second‐order accurate both in time and space, and computationally efficient. We rigorously prove that the new schemes satisfy these energy‐tracking identities in the discrete form and the discrete variation form and are unconditionally stable. We prove that the schemes in metamaterials are second order both in time and space. The superconvergence of the schemes in the discrete H1 norm is further obtained to be second order both in time and space. Their approximations of divergence‐free are also analyzed to have second‐order accuracy both in time and space. Numerical experiments confirm our theoretical analysis results. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 763–785, 2017
The TANF Resources Problem
Authors: Meni David , Wiseman Michael
Published: March 2017

The year 2016 marked the twentieth anniversary of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC) with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Whereas AFDC was based on an open‐ended matching grant, TANF is funded with a block grant from the federal government and “maintenance of effort” (MOE) obligations for states, which were generally set at 75 percent of nominal expenditures in the mid‐1990s. This article looks at trends in TANF funding compared to trends in child poverty. We include a more comprehensive poverty measure and adjustments for interstate variation in prices. Over the past decade, inequality in state resources per poor child has increased. The disparities are great, making application of uniform TANF work participation standards to all states without adjustment for variation in resources questionable. The article concludes with an exploration of the connection between TANF resources and state fiscal capacity and a discussion of options for reform.
Comparative proteome analysis of wild‐type and klotho‐knockout mouse kidneys using a combination of MALDI‐IMS and LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Fujino Yoko , Minamizaki Tomoko , Hayashi Ikue , Kawakami Asako , Miyaji Takaaki , Sakurai Kaoru , Yoshioka Hirotaka , Kozai Katsuyuki , Okada Mitsugi , Yoshiko Yuji
Published: March 2017

Purpose

Mutation of the klotho gene in mice elicits a syndrome resembling accelerated human aging. However, there is limited evidence for the role of Klotho in the kidney. We conducted a comparative proteome analysis of wild‐type (WT) and klotho‐knockout (kl−/−) mouse kidneys to identify proteins involved in Klotho deficiency.

Experimental design

MALDI imaging MS (MALDI‐IMS) of frozen kidney sections from 7‐wk‐old male WT and kl−/− mice was used to determine genotype‐specific differences in the MS distribution. Proteins uniquely distributed in kl−/− kidneys were identified by subsequent analysis of adjacent trypsinized sections by MALDI‐IMS in combination with LC‐MS/MS. Immunohistochemistry and western blotting were adopted in qualitative and quantitation analysis.

Results

Ninety‐seven and 69 proteins identified by LC‐MS/MS were matched to the MALDI‐IMS spectra in WT and kl−/− mouse kidneys, respectively. Among protein types matched, nucleic acid binding proteins were most abundant, followed by enzymes. We identified secretogranin‐1 (SCG1), which was predominately distributed in the glomeruli and renal tubules of kl−/− mouse kidneys. Immunohistochemistry for SCG1 mirrored images of MALDI‐IMS.

Conclusions

SCG1 may be a candidate protein involved in Klotho deficiency. Although further research is needed to investigate the role of SCG1 in the kidney, we show the usefulness of MALDI‐IMS combined with LC‐MS/MS.
Early experience of laparoscopic and robotic hybrid pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Kim Hongbeom , Kim Jae Ri , Han Youngmin , Kwon Wooil , Kim Sun‐Whe , Jang Jin‐Young
Published: March 2017

Background

Laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery have their own merits and demerits. The aim of this study was to evaluate early experiences of hybrid pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and to identify the learning curve of robotic surgery.

Methods

Sixteen patients underwent hybrid PD from August 2015 to February 2016. The outcomes were compared with those of an open PD group by the same operator during the same period. The resection time and anastomosis time were analyzed.

Results

Six patients in the hybrid PD group developed complications. The postoperative hospital stay in the hybrid surgery group was significantly shorter than the open PD group (10.9 ± 3.2 vs 16.9 ± 8.8 days). The total operative time of hybrid surgery was significantly longer than that of open surgery (414.7 ± 47.0 vs 266.0 ± 51.1 minutes). In hybrid surgery, the actual operation time reduced with experience, particularly anastomosis time.

Conclusion

Hybrid PD is feasible and safe. The learning curve of hybrid surgery, particularly robotic anastomosis, is relatively short.
Ascorbic Acid Promotes the Stemness of Corneal Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cells and Accelerates Epithelial Wound Healing in the Cornea
Authors: Chen Jialin , Lan Jie , Liu Dongle , Backman Ludvig J. , Zhang Wei , Zhou Qingjun , Danielson Patrik
Published: March 2017

High concentration of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been found in corneal epithelium of various species. However, the specific functions and mechanisms of ascorbic acid in the repair of corneal epithelium are not clear. In this study, it was found that ascorbic acid accelerates corneal epithelial wound healing in vivo in mouse. In addition, ascorbic acid enhanced the stemness of cultured mouse corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells (TKE2) in vitro, as shown by elevated clone formation ability and increased expression of stemness markers (especially p63 and SOX2). The contribution of ascorbic acid on the stemness enhancement was not dependent on the promotion of Akt phosphorylation, as concluded by using Akt inhibitor, nor was the stemness found to be dependent on the regulation of oxidative stress, as seen by the use of two other antioxidants (GMEE and NAC). However, ascorbic acid was found to promote extracellular matrix (ECM) production, and by using two collagen synthesis inhibitors (AzC and CIS), the increased expression of p63 and SOX2 by ascorbic acid was decreased by around 50%, showing that the increased stemness by ascorbic acid can be attributed to its regulation of ECM components. Moreover, the expression of p63 and SOX2 was elevated when TKE2 cells were cultured on collagen I coated plates, a situation that mimics the in vivo situation as collagen I is the main component in the corneal stroma. This study shows direct therapeutic benefits of ascorbic acid on corneal epithelial wound healing and provides new insights into the mechanisms involved.
Analysis of small sample size studies using nonparametric bootstrap test with pooled resampling method
Authors: Dwivedi Alok Kumar , Mallawaarachchi Indika , Alvarado Luis A.
Published: March 2017

Experimental studies in biomedical research frequently pose analytical problems related to small sample size. In such studies, there are conflicting findings regarding the choice of parametric and nonparametric analysis, especially with non‐normal data. In such instances, some methodologists questioned the validity of parametric tests and suggested nonparametric tests. In contrast, other methodologists found nonparametric tests to be too conservative and less powerful and thus preferred using parametric tests. Some researchers have recommended using a bootstrap test; however, this method also has small sample size limitation. We used a pooled method in nonparametric bootstrap test that may overcome the problem related with small samples in hypothesis testing. The present study compared nonparametric bootstrap test with pooled resampling method corresponding to parametric, nonparametric, and permutation tests through extensive simulations under various conditions and using real data examples. The nonparametric pooled bootstrap t‐test provided equal or greater power for comparing two means as compared with unpaired t‐test, Welch t‐test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and permutation test while maintaining type I error probability for any conditions except for Cauchy and extreme variable lognormal distributions. In such cases, we suggest using an exact Wilcoxon rank sum test. Nonparametric bootstrap paired t‐test also provided better performance than other alternatives. Nonparametric bootstrap test provided benefit over exact Kruskal–Wallis test. We suggest using nonparametric bootstrap test with pooled resampling method for comparing paired or unpaired means and for validating the one way analysis of variance test results for non‐normal data in small sample size studies. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical and Physical Modeling of Liquid Steel Flow Structure for One Strand Tundish with Modern System of Argon Injection
Authors: Cwudziński Adam
Published: March 2017

In the continuous steel casting process, argon, as a gas neutral to liquid steel, is used as a protective gas or medium developing the pattern of liquid steel and non‐metallic inclusions motion. With the appropriate argon flow rate, the hydrodynamic structure of liquid steel motion can be effectively modified in the tundish. The facility under investigation is a single‐nozzle slab tundish. Two unique argon injection barrier have been designed, whose purpose is to stimulate the motion of liquid steel within the working space of the tundish. Computer simulations of the liquid steel flow and argon behavior were done using the Ansys‐Fluent computer program. For the validation of the numerical model and verification of the correctness of the computer simulation results, a glass water model was used. It has been found that the use of the gas‐permeable barrier with two porous plugs in the tundish effectively influences the pattern of liquid steel flow.
High Toughness Independent of Low‐Medium Heat Inputs in Coarse‐Grain Heat‐Affected Zone of a Designed HSLA Steel
Authors: Luo Xiang , Chen Xiaohua , Wang Zidong
Published: March 2017

In the present work, low‐medium heat inputs of 15, 30, and 50 kJ cm−1 are adopted to simulate Coarse‐Grain Heat‐Affected Zones (CGHAZ) of a designed HSLA steel by Gleeble‐3500 thermal simulator. Microstructures are characterized by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Charpy impact tests are performed to evaluate toughness of CGHAZs. Results show that impact toughness (−50 °C) of CGHAZs with heat inputs of 15, 30, and 50 kJ cm−1 is 156.18, 172.86, and 181.49 J, respectively. Toughness stays in high level though heat input varies within low‐medium range. Evolution of microstructures is investigated and micro‐mechanisms of high toughness in all of the three heat inputs are discussed in detail. An original alloy design for HSLA steels with high toughness CGHAZ is proposed as well.
Complexity of factors affecting bobolink population dynamics communicated with directed acyclic graphs
Authors: Ethier Danielle M. , Nudds Thomas D.
Published: March 2017

North American grassland birds experienced steeper, more consistent, and widespread declines than other avian guilds in the past quarter century. Despite the surge of research into their ecology and conservation, there remains considerable uncertainty about the proximate and ultimate causes of declines and a need to clearly communicate its structural complexity among policy makers, resources managers, and stakeholders. We organized evidence from published literature about factors affecting population dynamics of bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), augmented by local stakeholder knowledge, in directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) depicting hypothesized cause–effect relationships. Our contrast between states of knowledge as depicted in the literature and among stakeholders revealed several factors and relationships not in evidence in the other. For example, stakeholders identified 3 secondary factors alleged to affect bobolink habitat quantity on breeding grounds not identified in the literature: tree planting incentives, green energy incentives, and crop values. These and other structural uncertainties in the management systems are made transparent using DAGs, facilitating communication and co‐learning among knowledge holders. Accounting for structural complexity and making it transparent at the outset of the planning and decision‐making process may reduce the probability of unanticipated outcomes as a result of poor management choices. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
In situ Observation of Calcium Oxide Treatment of Inclusions in Molten Steel by Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Khurana Bharat , Spooner Stephen , Rao M. B. V. , Roy Gour Gopal , Srirangam Prakash
Published: March 2017

Calcium treatment of aluminum killed steel was observed in situ using high-temperature confocal scanning laser microscope (HT-CSLM). This technique along with a novel experimental design enables continuous observation of clustering behavior of inclusions before and after the calcium treatment. Results show that the increase in average inclusion size in non-calcium-treated condition was much faster compared to calcium-treated condition. Results also show that the magnitude of attractive capillary force between inclusion particles in non-treated condition was about 10−15 N for larger particles (10 µm) and 10−16 N for smaller particles (5 µm) and acting length of force was about 30 µm. In the case of calcium-treated condition, the magnitude and acting length of force was reduced to 10−16 N and 10 µm, respectively, for particles of all sizes. This change in attractive capillary attractive force is due to change in inclusion morphology from solid alumina disks to liquid lens particles during calcium treatment.
Population Based Binary Reclassification of Indian Standard Landslide Hazard Model
Authors: Thrideep Kumar N. , Hindayar Jagadish Nandan , Mohan Murali , Dasarwar P. , Ibrahim Mohd. , Som S. K.
Published: March 2017

GIS complemented statistical classification techniques yield good result in predicting landslide hazards. Indian standard landslide hazard model follows guidelines formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS, 1998), in which the study area is divided into five categories, ranging from very low hazard zone to very high hazard zone on fixed numerical ratings. For land use planners, “moderate hazard zone” proves vague and indecisive. In the present study, BIS based landslide hazard zones are demarcated for 140 sq. km area for a road corridor in East and North Sikkim that shows 21.96%, 53.14%, 22.80% and 2.10% for ‘Low Hazard Zone’, ‘Moderate Hazard Zone’, ‘High Hazard Zone’ and ‘Very High Hazard Zone’ respectively. This classification scheme has been reclassified to binary system based on population distribution and defining the cut-off by evaluation techniques of the ROC. The reclassification eliminates “moderate hazard zone”, minimizing the Type-II error and becomes more acceptable for future land use planning.
Seismic Risk Assessment at the Proposed Site of Gemsa Wind Power Station, Southwestern Coast of Gulf of Suez, Egypt
Authors: Abdelrahman Kamal , Al-Amri Abdullah , Al-Arifi Nassir , Abdelmoneim Enayat
Published: March 2017

Gemsa has been chosen as the site for one of a new generation of power stations along the south-western margin of the Gulf of Suez. This site has been affected by a number of destructive earth-quakes (Mw> 5), in addition to large number of earthquakes with magnitudes of less than 5. In this study seismic activities in the region were collected and re-evaluated, and the main earthquake prone zones were identified. It is indicated that this site is affected by the southern Gulf of Suez, northern Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba source zones. The southern Gulf of Suez source zone is the nearest to the proposed site. The stochastic simulation method has been applied to estimate the Peak Ground Acceleration at the site of the proposed Gemsa power plant. It was noticed that the pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) reaches 175 cm/sec2 resulting from the southern Gulf of Suez seismic source. In addition, the response spectrum was conducted with a damping value of 5% of the critical damping, and the predominant period reached 0.1sec at the site. These results should be taken into consideration by civil engineers and decision-makers for designing earthquake resistant structures.
Eliciting Survival Expectations of the Elderly in Low-Income Countries: Evidence From India
Authors: Delavande Adeline , Lee Jinkook , Menon Seetha
Published: March 2017

We examine several methodological considerations when eliciting probabilistic expectations in a developing country context using the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). We conclude that although, on average, individuals are able to understand the concept of probability, responses are sensitive to framing effects and to own versus hypothetical-person effects. We find that overall, people are pessimistic about their survival probabilities compared with state-specific life tables and that socioeconomic status does influence beliefs about own survival expectations as found in previous literature in other countries. Higher levels of education and income have a positive association with survival expectations, and these associations persist even when conditioning on self-reported health. The results remain robust to several alternative specifications. We then compare the survival measures with objective measures of health. We find that activities of daily life, height, and low hemoglobin levels covary with subjective expectations in expected directions.
Adopting Quaternion Wavelet Transform to Fuse Multi-Modal Medical Images
Authors: Geng Peng , Sun Xiuming , Liu Jianhua
Published: March 2017

Medical image fusion plays an important role in clinical applications such as image-guided surgery, image-guided radiotherapy, noninvasive diagnosis, and treatment planning. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-modal medical image fusion method based on simplified pulse-coupled neural network and quaternion wavelet transform. The proposed fusion algorithm is capable of combining not only pairs of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) images, but also pairs of CT and proton-density-weighted MR images, and multi-spectral MR images such as T1 and T2. Experiments on six pairs of multi-modal medical images are conducted to compare the proposed scheme with four existing methods. The performances of various methods are investigated using mutual information metrics and comprehensive fusion performance characterization (total fusion performance, fusion loss, and modified fusion artifacts criteria). The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm not only extracts more important visual information from source images, but also effectively avoids introducing artificial information into fused medical images. It significantly outperforms existing medical image fusion methods in terms of subjective performance and objective evaluation metrics.
Hospital-treated mental and behavioral disorders and risk of Alzheimer's disease: A nationwide nested case-control study
Authors: Tapiainen V. , Hartikainen S. , Taipale H. , Tiihonen J. , Tolppanen A.-M.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Studies investigating psychiatric disorders as Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk factors have yielded heterogeneous findings. Differences in time windows between the exposure and outcome could be one explanation. We examined whether (1) mental and behavioral disorders in general or (2) specific mental and behavioral disorder categories increase the risk of AD and (3) how the width of the time window between the exposure and outcome affects the results.

Methods:

A nationwide nested case-control study of all Finnish clinically verified AD cases, alive in 2005 and their age, sex and region of residence matched controls (n of case-control pairs 27,948). History of hospital-treated mental and behavioral disorders was available since 1972.

Results:

Altogether 6.9% (n = 1932) of the AD cases and 6.4% (n = 1784) of controls had a history of any mental and behavioral disorder. Having any mental and behavioral disorder (adjusted OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.00–1.16) or depression/other mood disorder (adjusted OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05–1.30) were associated with higher risk of AD with 5-year time window but not with 10-year time window (adjusted OR, 95% CI 0.99, 0.91–1.08 for any disorder and 1.08, 0.96–1.23 for depression).

Conclusions:

The associations between mental and behavioral disorders and AD were modest and dependent on the time window. Therefore, some of the disorders may represent misdiagnosed prodromal symptoms of AD, which underlines the importance of proper differential diagnostics among older persons. These findings also highlight the importance of appropriate time window in psychiatric and neuroepidemiology research.
Healing of the nasal septal mucosa in an experimental rabbit model of mucosal injury
Authors: Choi Kyu Young , Cho Sung Woo , Choi Jun‐Jae , Zhang Yu‐Lian , Kim Dae Woo , Han Doo Hee , Kim Hyun Jik , Kim Dong‐Young , Rhee Chae‐Seo , Won Tae‐Bin
Published: March 2017

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the regeneration process of the nasal mucosa after a surgically created mucosal defect in the rabbit nasal septum, and to evaluate the effects of different interventions.

Methods

A 7 mm‐diameter circular mucosal defect was made in the septum of forty New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were divided into four groups (ten rabbits in each group) according to the type of intervention; no treatment (control), silastic sheet (SS), hyaluronic acid (HA), and silastic sheet and hyaluronic acid (SS + HA) group. The diameter of the defect, mucosal thickness, epithelial thickness, and ciliated cell count were evaluated every week for five weeks.

Results

The average diameter of the defect in the control group were 5.1, 3.65, 1.2, 0.75, and 0.05 mm at postoperative 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks. In the SS group, the diameter decreased to 4.35, 2.1, 0.35, 0.15, and 0 mm at postoperative 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks, respectively, in which the mean diameter of the postoperative week 2 was significantly smaller compared to control (3.65 mm vs. 2.1 mm, P = 0.039). For the HA group and SS + HA group, the diameter of the defect did not show a significant difference from the control group during the five weeks. The mucosal thickness, epithelial thickness, and ciliated cell count of the regenerated mucosa were not significantly different among the groups.

Conclusion

The regeneration process of the nasal septal mucosa was identified using a novel rabbit model. Mucosal regeneration can be accelerated by applying silastic sheets.
National Automated Surveillance of Hospital-Acquired Bacteremia in Denmark Using a Computer Algorithm
Authors: Gubbels Sophie , Nielsen Jens , Voldstedlund Marianne , Kristensen Brian , Schønheyder Henrik C. , Ellermann-Eriksen Svend , Engberg Jørgen H. , Møller Jens K. , Østergaard Christian , Mølbak Kåre
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

In 2015, Denmark launched an automated surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections, the Hospital-Acquired Infections Database (HAIBA).

OBJECTIVE

To describe the algorithm used in HAIBA, to determine its concordance with point prevalence surveys (PPSs), and to present trends for hospital-acquired bacteremia

SETTING

Private and public hospitals in Denmark

METHODS

A hospital-acquired bacteremia case was defined as at least 1 positive blood culture with at least 1 pathogen (bacterium or fungus) taken between 48 hours after admission and 48 hours after discharge, using the Danish Microbiology Database and the Danish National Patient Registry. PPSs performed in 2012 and 2013 were used for comparison.

RESULTS

National trends showed an increase in HA bacteremia cases between 2010 and 2014. Incidence was higher for men than women (9.6 vs 5.4 per 10,000 risk days) and was highest for those aged 61–80 years (9.5 per 10,000 risk days). The median daily prevalence was 3.1% (range, 2.1%–4.7%). Regional incidence varied from 6.1 to 8.1 per 10,000 risk days. The microorganisms identified were typical for HA bacteremia. Comparison of HAIBA with PPS showed a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 99%. HAIBA was less sensitive for patients in hematology departments and intensive care units. Excluding these departments improved the sensitivity of HAIBA to 44%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the estimated sensitivity of HAIBA compared with PPS is low, a PPS is not a gold standard. Given the many advantages of automated surveillance, HAIBA allows monitoring of HA bacteremia across the healthcare system, supports prioritizing preventive measures, and holds promise for evaluating interventions.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:559–566
Institutional Investment Constraints and Stock Prices
Authors: Cao Jie , Han Bing , Wang Qinghai
Published: March 2017

We test the hypothesis that investment constraints in delegated portfolio management may distort demand for stocks, leading to price underreaction to news and stock return predictability. We find that institutions tend not to buy more of a stock with good news that they already overweight; they are reluctant to sell a stock with bad news that they already underweight. Stocks with good news overweighted by institutions subsequently significantly outperform stocks with bad news underweighted by institutions. The impact of institutional investment constraints sheds new light on asset pricing anomalies such as stock price momentum and post–earnings announcement drift.
Onuphid polychaetes associated with theCymodocea nodosameadows of La Gomera (Canary Islands, NW Africa) – new species and new records from the eastern North Atlantic
Authors: Arias Andrés , Núñez Jorge , Paxton Hannelore
Published: March 2017

This study recognizes six species of onuphid polychaetes associated with theCymodocea nodosameadows of the Canary Islands. Of these, three species of the genusAponuphis, A. bilineata, A. brementiandA. ornatahave been previously reported from the eastern North Atlantic, whilstA. willsieiwas only known from the western Mediterranean Sea. We describe two new species:Onuphis ericisp. nov. andKinbergonuphis sanmartinisp. nov., of which the latter represents the first discovery of the genusKinbergonuphisin the eastern North Atlantic Ocean. Furthermore, we present brief notes on their ontogeny and ecology and remarks on the presence and microstructure of lateral organs observed in one of the new species.
Attitudes towards forest and wildlife, and conservation-oriented traditions, around Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India
Authors: Talukdar Simi , Gupta Abhik
Published: March 2017

We examined attitudes towards forest and wildlife among Rabha, Bodo and Rajbongshi communities from three villages in the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary of western Assam, India. The study was conducted through open-ended and structured interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory rural appraisal. The respondents identified availability of forest products, biodiversity conservation and the aesthetic beauty of the forest as the major justifications for the establishment of Chakrashila as a protected area. They also believed that people and wildlife could coexist peacefully, although some respondents did not have a cordial relationship with Forest Department staff. Most respondents were favourably disposed towards the golden langur Trachypithecus geei because it did not harm anybody or damage crops, and because of its shining coat and its exalted status in their religious beliefs. They were antagonistic towards the rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta because of its crop-raiding habits, although they were averse to killing it. Most respondents did not want to relocate because they lacked skills and resources and had associations with the forest, where they maintained sacred groves and observed taboos on hunting and plant resource extraction. Thus, the attitudes of the communities were governed not only by their material needs and priorities but also by their deep-rooted cultural–religious bond with the forest. These matters would benefit from being incorporated into forest management strategies in developing countries.
Transmission ecology of taeniid larval cestodes in rodents in Sweden, a low endemic area for Echinococcus multilocularis
Authors: MILLER ANDREA L. , OLSSON GERT E. , SOLLENBERG SOFIA , WALBURG MARION R. , SKARIN MOA , HÖGLUND JOHAN
Published: March 2017

Although local prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis may be high, this zoonotic parasite has an overall low prevalence in foxes and rodents in Sweden. To better understand opportunities for E. multilocularis transmission in the Swedish environment, the aim of this study was to investigate other taeniid cestodes and to relate observed patterns to E. multilocularis. Cestode parasites were examined in fox feces and rodents caught in different habitats from four regions of Sweden. Arvicola amphibius and Microtus agrestis were parasitized with Versteria mustelae, Hydatigera taeniaeformis s. l., and E. multilocularis, whereas Myodes glareolus and Apodemus spp. were parasitized with V. mustelae, Taenia polyacantha, H. taeniaeformis s.l., and Mesocestoides spp. Rodents caught in field habitat (Ar. amphibius, Mi. agrestis) were more likely (OR 10, 95% CI 5–19) to be parasitized than rodents caught in forest habitat (My. glareolus, Apodemus spp.). The parasite preference for each rodent species was present regardless of the type of background contamination from fox feces. These results further support the importance of both ecological barriers and individual species susceptibility in parasite transmission, and indicate that future monitoring for E. multilocularis in the Swedish environment should focus in field habitats where Mi. agrestis and Ar. amphibius are abundant.
A note on strong instability of standing waves for some semilinear wave and heat equations
Authors: SAANOUNI T.
Published: March 2017

The initial value problems for some semilinear wave and heat equations are investigated in two space dimensions. By proving the existence of ground state, strong instability of standing waves for the associated wave and heat equations are obtained.
A HOUSEFUL OF POTS: APPLYING ETHNOARCHAEOLOGICAL DATA TO ESTIMATE ANNUAL CERAMIC VESSEL CONSUMPTION RATES OF CLASSIC MAYA HOUSEHOLDS
Authors: Straight Kirk Damon
Published: March 2017

This article reviews data from the modern highland Maya area in order to develop a model of vessel discard frequencies applicable to Classic Maya contexts. Estimating the number of pots consumed by ancient households is crucial to reconstructing the organization of ceramic production and exchange in antiquity. The recent publication ofin situhousehold assemblages from the Classic Maya center of Aguateca facilitates an analysis of household pottery use during the Late Classic period. Vessel class use-lives derived from ethnoarchaeological studies are applied to the Aguateca assemblages to estimate annual consumption rates. The simulated Aguateca discard assemblages are then compared to archaeologically recovered vessel class discard frequencies from the Classic Maya center of Tikal. The article concludes with a discussion of how and why pottery requirements for Classic Maya households differed from those of twentieth century Maya and the implications these distinctions have for interpreting consumption pattern for the Classic Maya.
Exclusionary Rules of Origin of Mega-RTAs under WTO Law: Mega-RTA ‘Fracturing’ Its Overlapping RTA
Authors: KIM JONG BUM
Published: March 2017

A mega-RTA such as the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) or the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) may overlap another RTA, with the result that some of the parties to the mega-RTA's overlapping RTA may become common parties, while others may remain as single-agreement parties. If the mega-RTA provides rules of origin based on the change in tariff classification (CTC)-with-exception criterion such as yarn-forward rules, the rules of origin will become more restrictive with respect to the imports of the excluded intermediate goods from the single-agreement parties after the formation of the mega-RTA than before, thus failing to meet the requirement under GATT Article XXIV:5. The exclusionary rules of origin of the mega-RTA draw the trade away from the single-agreement parties, causing ‘fracture’ in the mega-RTA's overlapping RTA. As a legal remedy to the problem, the mega-RTA should eliminate the restriction from the CTC-with-exception criterion by adopting the rules of origin based on the non-exclusionary criteria such as the value-added or the CTC criterion that does not presumptively exclude the use of certain non-originating intermediate inputs.
Gesundheitswirksame Bewegung – Risiken minimieren und Chancen erkennen!
Authors: Unger Ines , Boger Axel
Published: March 2017

Zusammenfassung. Körperliche Inaktivität ist für die Volksgesundheit gleichbedeutend geworden wie Rauchen und Übergewicht. Sie stellt aktuell die vierthäufigste Ursache für vorzeitige Sterblichkeit dar und ist für die Zunahme vieler nicht übertragbarer Krankheiten verantwortlich. Die weitreichenden positiven Gesundheitseffekte von körperlicher Aktivität (KA) sind vielfach belegt aber dennoch erreichten 27 % der Schweizer Bevölkerung 2012 das Niveau der Bewegungsempfehlungen der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (World Health Organisation, WHO) nicht. Gesundheitswirksame Bewegung ist ein Beitrag an die Reduktion nicht übertragbarer Krankheiten und kann die Selbständigkeit, die Lebensqualität und kognitive Fähigkeiten bis ins hohe Alter fördern. Für einen (primär)präventiven Gesundheitseffekt sollten die Mindestempfehlungen der WHO von 150 Minuten Alltagsaktivität oder Sport mit mittlerer Intensität oder 75 Minuten mit hoher Intensität pro Woche eingehalten werden. Dabei sollte wenn möglich die KA über mehrere Tage verteilt und in Einheiten von mindestens zehn Minuten am Stück erfolgen. Für den Erhalt von Selbständigkeit und Gleichgewichtsfähigkeit im Alter sollten die Mindestempfehlungen wenn möglich auch im hohen Alter mit einem hochintensiven Krafttraining ergänzt werden. Die Aussprache der Bewegungsempfehlungen erweist sich erst dann als besonders zielführend, wenn sie Teil einer nationalen Gesamtstrategie zur Bewegungsförderung darstellt. Veränderungen von räumlich-strukturellen Rahmenbedingungen können dabei mehr Anreize schaffen, Alltägliches zu Fuss oder mit dem Fahrrad zu erledigen. Die voranschreitende Technisierung bietet dabei auch Chancen um KA in der Gesellschaft zu fördern. Smartphones könnten eine neue Möglichkeit darstellen gesundheitsorientierte Informationen bereitzustellen. Die Nutzung eines Activitytrackers kann zu einer Zunahme der täglichen Schritte in der Freizeit um bis zu 26,9 % führen. Definierte Aktivitätsziele, ein Schritttagebuch aber vor allem Ermutigung und Unterstützung aus dem sozialen Umfeld prägen dabei den Prozess der Verhaltensänderung in Richtung einer dauerhaften Durchführung von KA. Bewegungsexperten wie Physiotherapeuten / innen sollten ihre Verantwortung zur Vermittlung von Bewegungskompetenz, angesichts der zahlreichen medialen Gesundheitsangebote wahrnehmen. Durch eine adressatengerechte Auswahl von Art und Dosierung der Bewegung, sollte ihr Ziel sein den Patienten Freude am Aktivsein erfahren zu lassen.