bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does prognosis and socioeconomic status impact on trust in physicians? Interviews with patients with coronary disease in South Australia: Table 1
Authors: Meyer Samantha B , Ward Paul R , Jiwa Moyez
Published: October 2012

Objectives

There is concern across a range of healthcare settings worldwide that trust in physicians is declining. Decreased trust may lead to lesser tolerance of prognosis uncertainty and an increased demand for tests, referrals and second opinions. Literature suggests that there has been a recent cultural shift towards decreased trust in, and increased questioning of, medical advice. We investigated the impact of varying prognosis and socioeconomic status (SES) on trust in physicians, and patient questioning of medical advice.

Design

Semistructured, audio-recorded transcribed interviews were conducted. The interview schedule was developed with reference to the Health Belief Model. Interviews were conducted between October 2008 and September 2009.

Setting

Participants were recruited via general practitioner clinics and hospital cardiac rehabilitation programmes.

Participants

Participants consisted of patients either receiving preventive treatment or active treatment for established cardiovascular disease.

Outcome measures

A coding structure was developed based on the aim of the research, to investigate the impact of varying prognosis and SES on trust in physicians.

Results

Older participants are more likely than their younger counterparts to be unquestioning of medical advice. Higher SES participants are more likely to question medical advice than lower SES participants. Also, unlike primary prevention participants, established pathology increased participants’ trust, or decreased questioning behaviour. Participants who perceived themselves at risk of a poor or uncertain outcome were unlikely to doubt medical advice.

Conclusions

Blind trust in physicians remains strong in older participants, participants who perceive their prognosis to be uncertain and a proportion of lower SES participants. This is important for practitioners in terms of patient agency and points to the importance of moral and ethical practice. However, physicians also need to be aware that there are a growing proportion of patients for whom trust needs to be developed, and cannot be assumed.
Environmental triggers of hospital admissions for school-age children with asthma in two British cities: Figure 1
Authors: Julious Steven A , Jain Ritika , Mason Suzanne
Published: October 2012

Research has reported seasonal peaks in asthma in school age asthmatic children. The study aimed to assess if hospital admissions could be predicted from the possible environmental triggers using data from two British cities: Aberdeen and Doncaster. However, there were no consistent patterns across the two cities with no clear evidence that hospital admissions could be predicted from environmental data.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, FINANCE CHANNELS, AND SME PERFORMANCE: NEW EVIDENCE FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Authors: BILGIN MEHMET HUSEYIN , MARCO LAU CHI KEUNG , DEMIR ENDER
Published: October 2012

This paper attempts to explore the determinants for small and medium enterprise (SME) performance. In particular, we investigate how training, technology adoption, finance channels and exporting behavior affect SMEs' performance by examining the determinants of the profit per worker. Using a rich and up to date firm-level dataset, we find evidence that SMEs can improve performance by importing more foreign materials inputs and by utilizing foreign technologies from technologically advanced economies. This effect of technology spillover is particularly important for smaller enterprises in developing countries because in-house innovation is expensive. We further find that both informal finance sources and formal finance channels do not enhance the performance of smaller enterprises in financing daily operations and interestingly, informal channels hamper a firm's performance. There is no evidence for the effect of on-the-job training on firm performance. The exporting behavior of firms measured by the percentage of exports has no significant impact on firm performance.
The Intention to Share: Psychological Investigation of Knowledge Sharing Behaviour in Online Communities
Authors: Alajmi Bibi M.
Published: October 2012

This research aims to provide an understanding of knowledge sharing behaviour through the adaptation of two major theories, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TpB) which were developed by Martin Fishbein and Icek Ajzen from social psychology. Exploring knowledge sharing from a social psychological perspective provides an understanding of the process an individual goes through to make the decision to share his/her knowledge with others as well as the different psychological factors facilitating or hindering knowledge sharing behaviour. Research findings are based on a web-survey of 158 group members of one online community of educators, Tapped In (TI). TI is a professional online community developed and supported by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI International), and directed to enhancing the quality of teaching by developing web-based opportunities of learning and engaging.

Proposing an extended theoretical model of knowledge sharing behaviour in online community, this research tested the predictive power of five major variables on the individuals' intention to share expertise and knowledge. Variables included attitude, subjective norms, descriptive norms, controllability and knowledge sharing self-efficacy (KSSE). The study found that normative pressures, including subjective norms and descriptive norms, had a strong influence on the formation of the individual's intention to share in this specific online community. Knowledge sharing self-efficacy also was found to significantly account for explaining the individual's motivation to share his/her knowledge with other members. Attitude and controllability were not found to have significant impacts on the formation of intention.
MULTISPECTRAL CONCURRENT DETECTION OF MULTIPLE PROTEINS
Authors: CHAI JINGWEN , SONG QING
Published: October 2012

Proteins constitutively function within networks. Concurrent detection of multiple proteins is crucial to clinical diagnoses and multidimensional drug profiling. Fluorescence microscopy is capable of multicolor imaging, and has the capability to quantify essentially any physiological changes that occur at the single-cell level and in the context of live single cells, and thus provides an alternative to flow cytometry for multiplexed live single-cell assay. The staining of cells with multiple labels is still a technical challenge while multiplexed assays are complicated by spectral emission overlaps and measurement errors. In this study, we applied emission fingerprinting technique provided by Zeiss LSM 510 META detector, and achieved concurrent detection of ten proteins expressed on the same endothelial cell sample. This approach can be further applied to real-time measurement of multiple proteins expressed on live single cell surface, and therefore will enable a novel approach of multiplexed live single cell detection.
PROGRESS ON MAXIMIZING OUTPUT POWER IN SPIN TRANSFER NANO-OSCILLATORS
Authors: ZENG ZHONG-MING , FANG BIN
Published: October 2012

This paper reviews the current status of maximizing output power in spin transfer nano-oscillators (STNOs). The key factors affecting output power and the methods to maximize output power in STNOs are briefly introduced. The recent development trends for STNOs are also reviewed in this paper. This article is one of a series devoted to the subject of Latest Progress on Spintronics Devices.
Why LINQ Matters: Cloud Composability Guaranteed
Authors: Beckman Brian
Published: October 2012

In this article we use LINQ (Language-integrated Query) as the guiding example of composability. LINQ is a specification of higher-order operators designed specifically to be composable. This specification is broadly applicable over anything that fits a loose definition of "collection," from objects in memory to asynchronous data streams to resources distributed in the cloud. With such a design, developers build up complexity by chaining together transforms and filters in various orders and by nesting the chains--that is, by building expression trees of operators.
Towards autotuning by alternating communication methods
Authors: Tineo Adrian , Alam Sadaf R. , Schulthess Thomas C.
Published: October 2012

Interconnects in emerging high performance computing systems feature hardware support for one-sided, asynchronous communication and global address space programming models in order to improve parallel efficiency and productivity by allowing communication and computation overlap and outof- order delivery. In practice though, complex interactions between the software stack and the communication hardware make it challenging to obtain optimum performance for a full application expressed with a one-sided programming paradigm. Here, we present a proof-of-concept study for an autotuning framework that instantiates hybrid kernels based on refactored codes using available communication libraries or languages on a Cray XE6 and a SGI Altix UV 1000. We validate our approach by improving performance for bandwidth- and latency-bound kernels of interest in quantum physics and astrophysics by up to 35% and 80% respectively.
TRPC1 and Orai1 interact with STIM1 and mediate capacitative Ca2+ entry caused by acute hypoxia in mouse pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells
Authors: Ng Lih Chyuan , O'Neill Kathryn G. , French Dominique , Airey Judith A. , Singer Cherie A. , Tian Honglin , Shen Xiao-Ming , Hume Joseph R.
Published: October 2012

Previous studies in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) showed that acute hypoxia activates capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) but the molecular candidate(s) mediating CCE caused by acute hypoxia remain unclear. The present study aimed to determine if transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRPC1) and Orai1 interact with stromal interacting molecule 1 (STIM1) and mediate CCE caused by acute hypoxia in mouse PASMCs. In primary cultured PASMCs loaded with fura-2, acute hypoxia caused a transient followed by a sustained rise in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The transient but not sustained rise in [Ca2+]i was partially inhibited by nifedipine. Acute hypoxia also increased the rate of Mn2+ quench of fura-2 fluorescence that was inhibited by SKF 96365, Ni2+, La3+, and Gd3+, exhibiting pharmacological properties characteristic of CCE. The nifedipine-insensitive rise in [Ca2+]i and the increase in Mn2+ quench rate were both inhibited in cells treated with TRPC1 antibody or TRPC1 small interfering (si)RNA, in STIM1 siRNA-transfected cells and in Orai1 siRNA-transfected cells. Moreover, overexpression of STIM1 resulted in a marked increase in [Ca2+]i and Mn2+ quench rate caused by acute hypoxia, and they were reduced in cells treated with TRPC1 antibody and in cells transfected with Orai1 siRNA. Furthermore, TRPC1 and Orai1 coimmunoprecipitated with STIM1 and the precipitation levels of TRPC1 and Orai1 were increased in cells exposed to acute hypoxia. Immunostaining showed colocalizations of TRPC1-STIM1 and Orai1-STIM1, and the colocalizations of these proteins were more apparent in acute hypoxia. These data provide direct evidence that TRPC1 and Orai1 channels mediate CCE through activation of STIM1 in acute hypoxic mouse PASMCs.
Physiology of the orexinergic/hypocretinergic system: a revisit in 2012
Authors: Kukkonen Jyrki P.
Published: October 2012

The neuropeptides orexins and their G protein-coupled receptors, OX1 and OX2, were discovered in 1998, and since then, their role has been investigated in many functions mediated by the central nervous system, including sleep and wakefulness, appetite/metabolism, stress response, reward/addiction, and analgesia. Orexins also have peripheral actions of less clear physiological significance still. Cellular responses to the orexin receptor activity are highly diverse. The receptors couple to at least three families of heterotrimeric G proteins and other proteins that ultimately regulate entities such as phospholipases and kinases, which impact on neuronal excitation, synaptic plasticity, and cell death. This article is a 10-year update of my previous review on the physiology of the orexinergic/hypocretinergic system. I seek to provide a comprehensive update of orexin physiology that spans from the molecular players in orexin receptor signaling to the systemic responses yet emphasizing the cellular physiological aspects of this system.
Sodium-retaining effect of insulin in diabetes
Authors: Brands Michael W. , Manhiani M. Marlina
Published: October 2012

Insulin has long been hypothesized to cause sodium retention, potentially of enough magnitude to contribute to hypertension in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and Type II diabetes. There is an abundance of supportive evidence from correlational analyses in humans, acute insulin infusion studies in humans and animals, and chronic insulin infusion studies in rats. However, the absence of hypertension in human insulinoma patients, and negative results for sodium-retaining or blood pressure effects of chronic insulin infusion in a whole series of dog studies, strongly refute the insulin hypothesis. We recently questioned whether the euglycemic, hyperinsulinemia model used for most insulin infusion studies, including the previous chronic dog studies, was the most appropriate model to test the renal actions of insulin in obesity, metabolic syndrome, and Type II diabetes. In those circumstances, hyperinsulinemia coexists with hyperglycemia. Therefore, we tested the sodium-retaining effect of insulin in chronically instrumented, alloxan-treated diabetic dogs. We used 24 h/day intravenous insulin infusion to regulate plasma insulin concentration. Induction of diabetes (∼400 mg/dl) caused sustained natriuresis and diuresis. However, if we clamped insulin at baseline, control levels, i.e., prevented it from decreasing, then the sustained natriuresis and diuresis were completely reversed, despite the same level of hyperglycemia. We also found that 24 h/day intrarenal insulin infusion had the same effect in diabetic dogs but had no sodium-retaining action in normal dogs. This new evidence that insulin has a sodium-retaining effect during hyperglycemia may have implications for maintaining sodium balance in uncontrolled Type II diabetes.
Reduced gait stability in high-functioning poststroke individuals
Authors: Krasovsky Tal , Lamontagne Anouk , Feldman Anatol G. , Levin Mindy F.
Published: October 2012

Falls during walking are a major cause of poststroke injury, and walking faster may decrease the ability to recover following a gait perturbation. We compared gait stability between high-functioning poststroke individuals and controls and evaluated the effect of gait speed on gait stability. Ten stroke subjects and ten age-matched controls walked on a self-paced treadmill at two speeds (matched/faster). Movement of the nonparetic/dominant leg was arrested unexpectedly at early swing. Poststroke individuals lowered the perturbed leg following perturbation (58% of cases) while controls maintained the leg elevated (49% of cases; P < 0.01). In poststroke individuals, double-support duration was restored later than in controls (4.6 ± 0.8 vs. 3.2 ± 0.3 strides; P < 0.007), and long-term phase shifts of arm and leg movements were larger and less coordinated on the paretic side. A moderate speed increase (∼20%) enhanced the incidence of leg lowering in controls but not in stroke subjects. Faster walkers in both groups had a more coordinated response, limited to the nonparetic side in the stroke group. However, faster walkers were not more stable following perturbation. Our results suggest that gait perturbations can target basic control processes and identify neurological locomotor deficits in individuals with fall risk. Central regulation of body translation in space is involved in recovery of steady-state walking. Impaired descending control (stroke) decreases the ability of the motor system to recover from perturbations and regulate interlimb phase relationships, especially when changing gait speed. However, interlimb coordination may not be a major factor in the recovery of gait stability.
Changes in corticospinal excitability during reach adaptation in force fields
Authors: Orban de Xivry Jean-Jacques , Ahmadi-Pajouh Mohammad Ali , Harran Michelle D. , Salimpour Yousef , Shadmehr Reza
Published: October 2012

Both abrupt and gradually imposed perturbations produce adaptive changes in motor output, but the neural basis of adaptation may be distinct. Here, we measured the state of the primary motor cortex (M1) and the corticospinal network during adaptation by measuring motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) before reach onset using transcranial magnetic stimulation of M1. Subjects reached in a force field in a schedule in which the field was introduced either abruptly or gradually over many trials. In both groups, by end of the training, muscles that countered the perturbation in a given direction increased their activity during the reach (labeled as the on direction for each muscle). In the abrupt group, in the period before the reach toward the on direction, MEPs in these muscles also increased, suggesting a direction-specific increase in the excitability of the corticospinal network. However, in the gradual group, these MEP changes were missing. After training, there was a period of washout. The MEPs did not return to baseline. Rather, in the abrupt group, off direction MEPs increased to match on direction MEPs. Therefore, we observed changes in corticospinal excitability in the abrupt but not gradual condition. Abrupt training includes the repetition of motor commands, and repetition may be the key factor that produces this plasticity. Furthermore, washout did not return MEPs to baseline, suggesting that washout engaged a new network that masked but did not erase the effects of previous adaptation. Abrupt but not gradual training appears to induce changes in M1 and/or corticospinal networks.
Advanced F-Transform-Based Image Fusion
Authors: Vajgl Marek , Perfilieva Irina , Hod'áková Petra
Published: October 2012

We propose to use the modern technique of the F-transform in order to show that it can be successfully applied to the image fusion. We remind two working algorithms (SA—the simple algorithm, and CA—the complete algorithm) which are based on the F-transform and discuss, how they can be improved. We propose a new algorithm (ESA—the enhanced simple algorithm) which is effective in time and free of frequently encountered shortcomings.
Successful Treatment of Long-Term Severe Progressive Interstitial Pneumonia with Low-Dose Corticosteroid and Azathioprine in a Patient with Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Kotani Takuya , Takeuchi Tohru , Makino Shigeki , Hanafusa Toshiaki
Published: October 2012

For progressive interstitial pneumonia (progressive IP) that accompanies diffuse systemic sclerosis (diffuse SSc), no treatment guidelines have yet been established, and it is a complication with a poor prognosis. We herein report a case in which combination therapy of a low-dose corticosteroid and low-dose azathioprine was performed for progressive SSc-IP in a 64-year-old female whose respiratory function was severely damaged for a long period of time and for whom improvement was achieved. The beneficial effect has continued for 3 years with no side effects being observed during the course.
A Rare Case of an Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in a Middle-Aged Female
Authors: Kosma Lamprini , Khaldi Lubna , Galani Panagiota , Mytas Dimitrios , Lafoyianni Sofia
Published: October 2012

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are distinct entities with specific characteristics immunohistochemically and molecularly. They are regarded as “intermediate malignancy” tumors of unknown etiology. We report a case of a 64-years-old woman with a fever and abdominal discomfort for 3 months; a computer tomography was performed indicating gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Histologically the lesion proved to be IMT of the abdomen.
Oral Cavity Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Goldaracena Nicolás , Barreto Mariela , Casas Gabriel , Anders Margarita , Mastai Ricardo , McCormack Lucas
Published: October 2012

Liver transplantation (LT) remains the only cure for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in many cases. Over many years, most centers have applied the Milan criteria for selecting cirrhotic patients with HCC for LT. In a new era where several transplant groups are pushing the limits of transplanting HCC outside Milan criteria as an aggressive approach with promising results, we present interesting images of a patient that presented a unique and rare site of HCC metastasis after 36 months of liver transplantation.
Common Fixed Point Results for Four Mappings on Partial Metric Spaces
Authors: Turkoglu A. Duran , Ozturk Vildan
Published: October 2012

We give fixed point results for four mappings which satisfy almost generalized contractive condition on partial metric space and we support the results with an example.
Successful Treatment in Children with Hodgkin Lymphoma in Greece; A 20-Year Experience in a Single Institution
Authors: Pourtsidis Apostolos , Doganis Dimitrios , Baka Margarita , Bouhoutsou Despina , Varvoutsi Maria , Synodinou Maria , Strantzia Katerina , Kosmidis Helen
Published: October 2012

During the last 30 years, combined chemotherapy regimens with radiotherapy or not significantly improved the prognosis for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma. We retrospectively studied 58 children (35 boys and 23 girls) with Hodgkin lymphoma who were treated at our institution during the period 1987–2006 and we correlated age, sex, stage, histology, and therapy with the outcome of patients. Of our patients, 9 children were 8 years old or younger. Nodular sclerosis was the predominant histology subtype (69%), whereas 26 patients (45%) had advanced disease (stage III or IV). Chemotherapy (CT) with various drug combinations, according to the period of treatment plus low-dose involved field radiation therapy (IFRT), was used in all patients. Five children experienced relapse and in 3 other patients second or third malignancies were documented. The overall survival was found to be 98%. No factors related to the outcome could be detected. The prognosis of children with Hodgkin lymphoma is excellent with CT combined with low dose IFRT but in long-time survivors late effects of the combined modality treatment are still issues of major concern. Longer followup of a greater number of patients is necessary to detect prognostic factors related to the outcome of children with Hodgkin lymphoma and to identify some patients who would be treated without radiation.
Assessing the Open Source Development Processes Using OMM
Authors: Petrinja Etiel , Succi Giancarlo
Published: October 2012

The assessment of development practices in Free Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) projects can contribute to the improvement of the development process by identifying poor practices and providing a list of necessary practices. Available assessment methods (e.g., Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI)) do not address sufficiently FLOSS-specific aspects (e.g., geographically distributed development, importance of the contributions, reputation of the project, etc.). We present a FLOSS-focused, CMMI-like assessment/improvement model: the QualiPSo Open Source Maturity Model (OMM). OMM focuses on the development process. This makes it different from existing assessment models that are focused on the assessment of the product. We have assessed six FLOSS projects using OMM. Three projects were started and led by a software company, and three are developed by three different FLOSS communities. We identified poorly addressed development activities as the number of commit/bug reports, the external contributions, and the risk management. The results showed that FLOSS projects led by companies adopt standard project management approaches as product planning, design definition, and testing, that are less often addressed by community led FLOSS projects. The OMM is valuable for both the FLOSS community, by identifying critical development activities necessary to be improved, and for potential users that can better decide which product to adopt.
Long-Term Survival in a Patient with Multiple Brain Metastases from Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Gamma Knife Radiosurgery on Four Occasions: A Case Report
Authors: Elaimy Ameer L. , Thumma Sudheer R. , Lamm Andrew F. , Mackay Alexander R. , Lamoreaux Wayne T. , Fairbanks Robert K. , Demakas John J. , Cooke Barton S. , Lee Christopher M.
Published: October 2012

Brain metastases are the most common cancerous neoplasm in the brain. The treatment of these lesions is challenging and often includes a multimodality management approach with whole-brain radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and neurosurgery options. Although advances in biomedical imaging technologies and the treatment of extracranial cancer have led to the overall increase in the survival of brain metastases patients, the finding that select patients survive several years remains puzzling. For this reason, we present the case of a 70-year-old patient who was diagnosed with multiple brain metastases from small-cell lung cancer five years ago and is currently alive following treatment with chemotherapy for the primary cancer and whole-brain radiation therapy and Gamma Knife radiosurgery on four separate occasions for the neurological cancer. Since the diagnosis of brain metastases five years ago, the patient’s primary cancer has remained controlled. Furthermore, multiple repeat GKRS procedures provided this patient with high levels of local tumor control, which in combination with a stable primary cancer led to an extended period of survival and a highly functional life. Further analysis and clinical research will be valuable in assessing the durability of multiple GKRS for brain metastases patients who experience long-term survival.
Numerical Solution of Weakly Singular Integrodifferential Equations on Closed Smooth Contour in Lebesgue Spaces
Authors: Al Faqih Feras M.
Published: October 2012

The present paper deals with the justification of solvability conditions and properties of solutions for weakly singular integro‐differential equations by collocation and mechanical quadrature methods. The equations are defined on an arbitrary smooth closed contour of the complex plane. Error estimates and convergence for the investigated methods are established in Lebesgue spaces.
The Impact of Variable Inlet Mixture Stratification on Flame Topology and Emissions Performance of a Premixer/Swirl Burner Configuration
Authors: Koutmos P. , Paterakis G. , Dogkas E. , Karagiannaki Ch.
Published: October 2012

The work presents the assessment of a low emissions premixer/swirl burner configuration utilizing lean stratified fuel preparation. An axisymmetric, single- or double-cavity premixer, formed along one, two, or three concentric disks promotes propane-air premixing and supplies the combustion zone at the afterbody disk recirculation with a radial equivalence ratio gradient. The burner assemblies are operated with a swirl co-flow to study the interaction of the recirculating stratified flame with the surrounding swirl. A number of lean and ultra-lean flames operated either with a plane disk stabilizer or with one or two premixing cavity arrangements were evaluated over a range of inlet mixture conditions. The influence of the variation of the imposed swirl was studied for constant fuel injections. Measurements of turbulent velocities, temperatures, OH* chemiluminescence and gas analysis provided information on the performance of each burner set up. Comparisons with Large Eddy Simulations, performed with an 11-step global chemistry, illustrated the flame front interaction with the vortex formation region under the influence of the variable inlet mixture stratifications. The combined effort contributed to the identification of optimum configurations in terms of fuel consumption and pollutants emissions and to the delineation of important controlling parameters and limiting fuel-air mixing conditions.
Genetic Analysis for Two Italian Siblings with Usher Syndrome and Schizophrenia
Authors: Domanico Daniela , Fragiotta Serena , Trabucco Paolo , Nebbioso Marcella , Vingolo Enzo Maria
Published: October 2012

Usher syndrome is a group of autosomal recessive genetic disorders characterized by deafness, retinitis pigmentosa, and sometimes vestibular areflexia. The relationship between Usher syndrome and mental disorders, most commonly a “schizophrenia-like” psychosis, is sometimes described in the literature. The etiology of psychiatric expression of Usher syndrome is still unclear. We reported a case of two natural siblings with congenital hypoacusis, retinitis pigmentosa, and psychiatric symptoms. Clinical features and genetic analysis were also reported. We analyzed possible causes to explain the high prevalence of psychiatric manifestations in Usher syndrome: genetic factors, brain damage, and “stress-related” hypothesis.
Zigzag and Helical AlN Layer Prepared by Glancing Angle Deposition and Its Application as a Buffer Layer in a GaN‐Based Light‐Emitting Diode
Authors: Chen Lung-Chien , Tien Ching-Ho , Xuguang Liu , Bingshe Xu
Published: October 2012

This study investigates an aluminum nitride (AlN) nanorod structure sputtered by glancing angle deposition (GLAD) and its application as a buffer layer for GaN‐based light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) that are fabricated on sapphire substrates. The ray tracing method is adopted with a three‐dimensional model in TracePro software. Simulation results indicate that the zigzag AlN nanorod structure is an optimal buffer layer in a GaN‐based LED. Furthermore, the light output power of a GaN‐based LED with a zigzag AlN nanorod structure improves to as much as 28.6% at a forward current of 20 mA over that of the GaN‐based LED with a normal AlN buffer layer.
Effect of Different Seed Solutions on the Morphology and Electrooptical Properties of ZnO Nanorods
Authors: Kashif M. , Hashim U. , Ali M. E. , Ali Syed M. Usman , Rusop M. , Ibupoto Z. H. , Willander Magnus
Published: October 2012

The morphology and electrooptical properties of ZnO nanorods synthesized on monoethanolamine‐based seed layer and KOH‐based seed layer were compared. The seed solutions were prepared in monoethanolamine in 2‐methoxyethanol and potassium hydroxide in methanol, respectively. Zinc acetate dihydrate was as a common precursor in both solutions. The nanorod‐ZnOs were synthesized via the spin coating of two different seed solutions on silicon substrates followed by their hydrothermal growth. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman studies revealed that the ZnO nanorods obtained from monoethanolamine‐based seed layer had fewer defects, better crystals, and better alignment than those realized via KOH‐based seed layer. However, the current‐voltage (I‐V) characteristics demonstrated better conductivity of the ZnO nanorods obtained via KOH‐based seed layer. The current measured in forward bias was 4 mA and 40 μA for ZnO‐nanorods grown on KOH‐based seed layer and monoethanolamine‐based with the turn on voltage of approximately 1.5 V and 2.5 V, respectively, showing the feasibility of using both structures in optoelectric devices.
Does Inflammation Determine Whether Obesity Is Metabolically Healthy or Unhealthy? The Aging Perspective
Authors: Alam Iftikhar , Ng Tze Pin , Larbi Anis
Published: October 2012

Obesity is a major health issue in developed as well as developing countries. While obesity is associated with relatively good health status in some individuals, it may become a health issue for others. Obesity in the context of inflammation has been studied extensively. However, whether obesity in its various forms has the same adverse effects is a matter of debate and requires further research. During its natural history, metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) converts into metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). What causes this transition to occur and what is the role of obesity-related mediators of inflammation during this transition is discussed in this paper.
Sound Scattering by a Flexible Plate Embedded on Free Surface
Authors: Avital Eldad J. , Korakianitis Theodosios , Miloh Touvia
Published: October 2012

Sound wave scattering by a flexible plate embedded on water surface is considered. Linear acoustics and plate elasticity are assumed. The aim is to assess the effect of the plate’s flexibility on sound scattering and the potential in using that flexibility for this purpose. A combined sound-structure solution is used, which is based on a Fourier transform of the sound field and a finite-difference numerical-solution of the plate’s dynamics. The solution is implemented for a circular plate subject to a perpendicular incoming monochromatic sound wave. A very good agreement is achieved with a finite-difference solution of the sound field. It is shown that the flexibility of the plate dampens its scattered sound wave regardless of the type of the plate’s edge support. A hole in the plate is shown to further scatter the sound wave to form maxima in the near sound field. It is suggested that applying an external oscillatory pressure on the plate can reduce significantly and even eliminate its scattered wave, thus making the plate close to acoustically invisible. A uniformly distributed external pressure is found capable of achieving that aim as long as the plate is free edged or is not highly acoustically noncompact.
A Hierarchical Procedure for the Synthesis of ANFIS Networks
Authors: Panella Massimo
Published: October 2012

Adaptive neurofuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) represent an efficient technique for the solution of function approximation problems. When numerical samples are available in this regard, the synthesis of ANFIS networks can be carried out exploiting clustering algorithms. Starting from a hyperplane clustering synthesis in the joint input-output space, a computationally efficient optimization of ANFIS networks is proposed in this paper. It is based on a hierarchical constructive procedure, by which the number of rules is progressively increased and the optimal one is automatically determined on the basis of learning theory in order to maximize the generalization capability of the resulting ANFIS network. Extensive computer simulations prove the validity of the proposed algorithm and show a favorable comparison with other well-established techniques.
ADHD, ODD, and CD: Do They Belong to a Common Psychopathological Spectrum? A Case Series
Authors: Ghosh Sayanti , Sinha Mausumi
Published: October 2012

Purpose of Research. Numerous studies have reported comorbidities, overlapping symptoms, and shared risk factors among cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD). We present three adolescent males aged 13–16 years with conduct disorder having past history of ADHD and ODD.Principal Result. The symptom profile especially in domains of aggression, hostility, and emotionality as well as the manner of progression from ADHD to ODD and CD in the above cases shows a similar pattern.Conclusion. These common developmental pathways and overlapping symptoms suggest the possibility of a common psychopathological spectrum encompassing the three externalizing disorders.
An Accurate Hardware Sum-of-Cisoids Fading Channel Simulator for Isotropic and Non-Isotropic Mobile Radio Environments
Authors: Vela-Garcia L. , Vázquez Castillo J. , Parra-Michel R. , Pätzold Matthias
Published: October 2012

The rapid technological development in the field of wireless communications calls for devices capable of reproducing and simulating the behavior of the channel under realistic propagation conditions. This paper presents a hardware fading channel simulator that is able to generate stochastic processes characterized by symmetrical and asymmetrical Doppler power spectral densities (PSDs) depending on the assumption of isotropic or non-isotropic scattering. The concept of the proposed hardware simulator is based on an implementation of the sum-of-cisoids (SOC) method. The hardware simulator is capable of handling any configuration of the cisoid's amplitudes, frequencies, and phases. Each of the cisoids that constitutes the SOC model is implemented using a piecewise polynomial approximation technique. The investigation of the higher-order statistics of the generated fading processes, like the level-crossing rate (LCR) and the average duration of fades (ADF), shows that our design is able to reproduce accurately the key features of realistic channel models that are considered as candidates for the latest wireless communication standards.
Flaxseed Lignan Complex Administration in Older Human Type 2 Diabetics Manages Central Obesity and Prothrombosis—An Invitation to Further Investigation into Polypharmacy Reduction
Authors: Barre D. E. , Mizier-Barre K. A. , Stelmach E. , Hobson J. , Griscti O. , Rudiuk A. , Muthuthevar D.
Published: October 2012

Aim. Animal and human study evidence supports the hypothesis that flaxseed lignan complex (FLC) at a dose of 600 mg secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG)/day for three months would combat hyperglycaemia, dyslipidemia, blood pressure, central obesity, prothrombotic state, inflammation, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.Methods. Sixteen type 2 diabetic patients completed this double-blind, randomised crossover placebo-controlled study. A univariate repeated measures analysis of covariance (significanceP<0.05) was followed by a mixed linear model effects analysis corrected for multiple comparisons (MCC).Results. Prior to MCC, FLC caused decreased fasting plasma glucose, A1c, inflammation (c-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)), and increased bleeding time. After correction for multiple comparisons, FLC induced a statistically significant increase in bleeding time and smaller waist circumference gain. No treatment effect occurred in the other variables before or after adjustment.Conclusions. It is concluded that FLC significantly increased bleeding time thus reducing the prothrombotic state, reduced central obesity gain as measured by waist circumference, and did not affect significantly the other dependent variables measured after adjustment for multiple comparisons. These findings, not yet published in human type 2 diabetes, suggest that this FLC dose over at least three months, may, subject to further investigation, reduce polypharmacy.
Recurrent Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura-Like Syndrome as a Paraneoplastic Phenomenon in Malignant Peritoneal Mesothelioma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Socola Francisco , Loaiza-Bonilla Arturo , Bustinza-Linares Ernesto , Correa Ricardo , Rosenblatt Joseph D.
Published: October 2012

We report the case of an African American male with no significant past medical history presenting with recurrent, rapidly relapsing episodes of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) despite aggressive treatment with several lines of treatment. Incidentally, these episodes were associated with severe abdominal pain which eventually developed into acute abdomen and prompted exploratory laparotomy, revealing diffuse carcinomatosis with a tumor located on the left pelvis that was encasing the distal sigmoid colon. Pathology made a final diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma. TTP-like syndrome (TTP-LS) has been described as a paraneoplastic phenomenon in several malignancies but never before in the setting of malignant mesothelioma. Paraneoplastic TTP-like syndrome has historically been associated with a dismal prognosis and particular clinical and laboratory abnormalities described in this paper. It is of utmost importance to make a prompt determination whether TTP is idiopathic or secondary to an underlying condition because of significant differences in their prognosis, treatment, and response. This paper also reviews the current literature regarding this challenging condition.
Foreign Body Embedded in Anterior Chamber Angle
Authors: Graffi Shmuel , Tiosano Beatrice , Ben Cnaan Ran , Bahir Jonathan , Naftali Modi
Published: October 2012

Introduction. We present a case of a metallic foreign body embedded in the anterior chamber angle. After standing in close proximity to a construction worker breaking a tile, a 26-year-old woman using soft contact lens for the correction of mild myopia presented to emergency department for evaluation of a foreign body sensation of her right eye.Methods and Results. Diagnosis was confirmed by gonioscopic examination and a noncontrast CT scan of head and orbits. The foreign body was removed by an external approach without utilizing a magnet. The patient's final outcome was favorable.Discussion. The above is a rare clinical situation, which is impossible to detect on slit-lamp examination without a gonioscopic view. Proper imaging and a specific management are mandatory in order to achieve favorable outcome.
Challenges of the Oral Cancer Burden in India
Authors: Coelho Ken Russell
Published: October 2012

Oral cancer ranks in the top three of all cancers in India, which accounts for over thirty per cent of all cancers reported in the country and oral cancer control is quickly becoming a global health priority. This paper provides a synopsis of the incidence of oral cancer in India by focusing on its measurement in cancer registries across the country. Based on the International Classification of Disease case definition adopted by the World Health Organisation, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, this review systematically examines primary and secondary data where the incidence or prevalence of oral cancer is known to be directly reported. Variability in age-adjusted incidence with crude incidence is projected to increase by 2030. Challenges focus on measurement of disease incidence and disease-specific risk behavior, predominantly, alcohol, and tobacco use. Future research should be aimed at improving quality of data for early detection and prevention of oral cancer.
Ovarian Mass Causing Paradoxical MI and Leg Ischaemia
Authors: Griffin K. J. , Bailey M. A. , Greenwood J. P. , Barker L. , Nicholson T. , Scott D. J. A.
Published: October 2012

Paradoxical embolus through a patent foramen ovale is a well-reported phenomenon. Clinical consequences include stroke, intestinal infarction, lower limb ischaemia, and even acute myocardial infarction (MI), via embolisation to the coronary arteries. We present a case of acute MI, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest caused not by this mechanism, but by embolisation of thrombotic material to the aortic root with transient complete occlusion of the left main stem (LMS) coronary artery. During percutaneous coronary intervention to treat this occlusion the thrombus became lodged at the aortic bifurcation causing lower limb ischaemia. Despite successful treatment of this via bilateral groin exploration and thromboembolectomy the patient became increasingly acidotic and an abdominal and pelvic CT scan was performed. This revealed the source of the thrombus to be the patient’s congested and compressed pelvic veins which were the result of a large, previously undiagnosed ovarian malignancy with metastatic spread. Although very unusual we feel this case highlights an important differential in the diagnosis of anterolateral MI and images similar to those presented here are previously unreported in the literature.
A Radial Basis Function Spike Model for Indirect Learning via Integrate-and-Fire Sampling and Reconstruction Techniques
Authors: Zhang X. , Foderaro G. , Henriquez C. , VanDongen A. M. J. , Ferrari S.
Published: October 2012

This paper presents a deterministic and adaptive spike model derived from radial basis functions
and a leaky integrate-and-fire sampler developed for training spiking neural networks without direct
weight manipulation. Several algorithms have been proposed for training spiking neural networks
through biologically-plausible learning mechanisms, such as spike-timing-dependent synaptic plasticity
and Hebbian plasticity. These algorithms typically rely on the ability to update the synaptic strengths,
or weights, directly, through a weight update rule in which the weight increment can be decided
and implemented based on the training equations. However, in several potential applications of
adaptive spiking neural networks, including neuroprosthetic devices and CMOS/memristor nanoscale
neuromorphic chips, the weights cannot be manipulated directly and, instead, tend to change over time
by virtue of the pre- and postsynaptic neural activity. This paper presents an indirect learning method
that induces changes in the synaptic weights by modulating spike-timing-dependent plasticity by means
of controlled input spike trains. In place of the weights, the algorithm manipulates the input spike trains
used to stimulate the input neurons by determining a sequence of spike timings that minimize a desired
objective function and, indirectly, induce the desired synaptic plasticity in the network.
Nonacyclic Ladder Silsesquioxanes and Spectral Features of Ladder Polysilsesquioxanes
Authors: Unno Masafumi , Matsumoto Tomoe , Matsumoto Hideyuki
Published: October 2012

Laddersiloxanes, that is, ladder silsesquioxanes with defined structures, could be obtained by stepwise synthesis starting from cyclic silanols. These compounds were shown to have high thermal stability. As an extension of the previous work, the first nonacyclic ladder silsesquioxanes were synthesized by the reaction of bicyclic silanol with tricyclic tetrachloride, which were obtained from cyclic silanols. The structure was confirmed by spectral measurements, and the spectral features of a series of ladder polysilsesquioxanes with determined structures were analyzed.
Role of Hsp90 in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Clinical Relevance
Authors: Shukla Hem D. , Pitha Paula M.
Published: October 2012

Heat shock proteins (HSP) are a family of ubiquitous and phylogenically highly conserved proteins which play an essential role as molecular chaperones in protein folding and transport. Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) is not mandatory for the biogenesis of most proteins, rather it participate in structural maturation and conformational regulation of a number of signaling molecules and transcription factors. Hsp90 has been shown to play an important role in antigen presentation, activation of lymphocytes, macrophages, maturation of dendritic cells, and in the enhanceosome mediated induction of inflammation. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease with complex immunological and clinical manifestations. Dysregulated expression of Type I interferonα, activation of B cells and production of autoantibodies are hallmarks of SLE. The enhanced levels of Hsp90 were detected in the serum of SLE patients. The elevated level of Hsp90 in SLE has also been correlated with increased levels of IL-6 and presence of autoantibodies to Hsp90. This suggests that Hsp90 may contribute to the inflammation and disease progression and that targeting of Hsp 90 expression may be a potential treatment of SLE. The pharmacologic inhibition of Hsp90 was successfully applied in mouse models of autoimmune encephalomyelitis and SLE—like autoimmune diseases. Thus targeting Hsp90 may be an effective treatment for SLE, especially if combined with other targeted therapeutic approaches.
Entrapment of a Dormia Basket in the Cystic Duct: Case Report
Authors: Pariani Dario , Zetti Giorgio , Cortese Ferdinando
Published: October 2012

Nowadays endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones is considered the treatment of choice for all common bile duct stones. Although this procedure is related to a good success rate, in rare cases serious complications can happen, especially if you use a Dormia basket. Here we describe the clinical case of a patient affected by hepatolithiasis, cholelithiasis, and common bile duct lithiasis with entrapment of a Dormia basket in the cystic duct. It was necessary to perform a surgical choledochotomy to deal with this rare complication.