bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bartonella henselae infection inducing hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a kidney transplant recipient
Authors: Poudel Atul , Lew Judy , Slayton William , Dharnidharka Vikas R.
Published: February 2014

Bartonella henselae (Bh) is the cause of cat‐scratch fever. When infection is symptomatic, it typically presents with singular lymphadenitis and fever. Less commonly, the infection can become disseminated and cause endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and micro‐abscesses in multiple sites including liver, spleen, eyes, and brain, especially in immunocompromised patients. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (Hlh) is a rare and severe multisystem disorder that may be triggered by infections. In one prior case, Bh, like other infections, has induced Hlh, an immune‐mediated disease that can be characterized by septic‐like presentation with persistent fevers, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia. In an immunocompromised transplant recipient, the onset of Hlh can be difficult to discern from a severe presentation of Bh. We report a case of criteria‐proven secondary Hlh occurring after Bh infection in an 11‐yr‐old girl who was 13 months post‐renal transplant. The patient developed multi‐organ failure, and her severe clinical presentation required a thorough evaluation for infectious and non‐infectious possibilities including post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder and rejection. Early recognition of Hlh allowed for better directed therapies, leading to recovery of the patient and resolution of both Bh and Hlh.
The Number of Accumulated Photons and the Quality of Stimulated Emission Depletion Lifetime Images
Authors: Syed Aleem , Lesoine Michael D. , Bhattacharjee Ujjal , Petrich Jacob W. , Smith Emily A.
Published: February 2014

Time binning is used to increase the number of photon counts in the peak channel of stimulated emission depletion fluorescence lifetime decay curves to determine how it affects the resulting lifetime image. The fluorescence lifetime of the fluorophore, Alexa Fluor 594 phalloidin, bound to F‐actin is probed in cultured S2 cells at a spatial resolution of ~40 nm. This corresponds to a 10‐fold smaller probe volume compared to confocal imaging, and a reduced number of photons contributing to the signal. Pixel‐by‐pixel fluorescence lifetime measurements and error analysis show that an average of 40 ± 30 photon counts in the peak channel with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 20 is enough to calculate a reliable fluorescence lifetime from a single exponential fluorescence decay. No heterogeneity in the actin cytoskeleton in different regions of the cultured cells was measured in the 40–400 nm spatial regime.
Folic Acid Supplementation and Interpregnancy Interval
Authors: Nilsen Roy Miodini , Mastroiacovo Pierpaolo , Gunnes Nina , Alsaker Elin R. , Bjørke‐Monsen Anne Lise , Eussen Simone J. P. M. , Haugen Margaretha , Johannessen Ane , Meltzer Helle Margrete , Stoltenberg Camilla , Ueland Per Magne , Vollset Stein Emil
Published: February 2014

Background

Maternal folic acid supplementation between subsequent pregnancies may be important to reduce the risk of low folate status associated with short interpregnancy intervals. We examined how the prevalence of preconception folic acid use for a given pregnancy in Norwegian women varied according to the time interval from the previous pregnancy.

Methods

Analysis was based on 48 855 pairs of pregnancies with the second pregnancy included in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (birth years 1999–2009). Interpregnancy interval was defined as the time from birth of a child to the conception of the subsequent sibling. Preconception folic acid use was defined as any use of folic acid‐containing supplements within the last 4 weeks before the second pregnancy.

Results

The prevalence of preconception folic acid use was 31%. Among women with a term birth (≥37 weeks) in the previous pregnancy (92%), those with interpregnancy intervals ≤12 and ≥49 months were associated with up to 35% lower prevalence of preconception folic acid use for the second pregnancy, relative to the reference group (13–24 months). The low use in short intervals was mainly attributable to lower proportion of planned pregnancies and fewer women with higher education. Among women with a preterm birth (<37 weeks) in the previous pregnancy (8%), preconception folic acid use significantly decreased with increasing pregnancy spacing.

Conclusions

Our finding of a lower preconception folic acid use in women with both short and long interpregnancy intervals might help identifying those with higher risk of folate deficiency and preventing unwanted pregnancy outcomes.
Cognitive processing load across a wide range of listening conditions: Insights from pupillometry
Authors: Zekveld Adriana A. , Kramer Sophia E.
Published: February 2014

The pupil response to speech masked by interfering speech was assessed across an intelligibility range from 0% to 99% correct. In total, 37 participants aged between 18 and 36 years and with normal hearing were included. Pupil dilation was largest at intermediate intelligibility levels, smaller at high intelligibility, and slightly smaller at very difficult levels. Participants who reported that they often gave up listening at low intelligibility levels had smaller pupil dilations in these conditions. Participants who were good at reading masked text had relatively large pupil dilation when intelligibility was low. We conclude that the pupil response is sensitive to processing load, and possibly reflects cognitive overload in difficult conditions. It seems affected by methodological aspects and individual abilities, but does not reflect subjective ratings.
Hypomethylation of perforin regulatory elements in CD4+T cells from rat spleens contributes to the development of autoimmune emphysema
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Yan Mu‐Yun , Lu Ping , Chen Ping , Yang Min , Ye Xian‐Wei , Xu Mei , Yang Zhang‐Hong Ou , Zhang Xiang‐Yan
Published: February 2014

Background and objective

It is widely accepted that perforin regulatory elements are hypomethylated in CD4+ T cells from patients with active lupus, but whether this is the case in autoimmune emphysema is not known.

Methods

Twenty rats were randomly divided into a normal control group and an emphysema group. Rat models of emphysema were established by intraperitoneal injection with xenogeneic endothelial cells. The levels of tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐8 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐9 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured, lung mean linear intercept and destructive index measured. Mean methylation of perforin gene promoter in CD4+ T cells and the expression of perforin were investigated. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling methods were used to examine the percentage of apoptotic cells in the alveolar septa.

Results

The levels of MMP‐9 in BALF were higher in emphysema group than in control group (P < 0.05). The mean linear intercept and destructive index were higher in emphysema group than in control group (P < 0.05). The mean perforin gene promotor methylation of emphysema group was significantly decreased as compared with control group, while the expression levels of perforin gene were relatively higher (P < 0.05). There were more terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labelling‐positive cells in the alveolar septa in control group than in emphysema group.

Conclusions

Hypomethylation of perforin regulatory elements in CD4+ T cells may result in the lung septal cell apoptosis associated with the development of experimental autoimmune emphysema. MMP‐9 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this kind of disease.
Assessment of skin photoaging with reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Kutlu Haytoglu N. S. , Gurel M. S. , Erdemir A. , Falay T. , Dolgun A. , Haytoglu T. G.
Published: February 2014

Background/Purpose

Increased interest in antiaging methods, mandates a development of reliable noninvasive technique to assess skin aging. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of photoaging at histopathologic resolution by means of reflectance confocal microscopy.

Method

The sun‐exposed malar area, the anterior aspect of ear lobule, and the sun‐protected posterior aspect of ear lobule had been evaluated in 120 volunteers from different age groups over 10 previously reported and new confocal parameters for skin aging.

Result

The sun‐exposed areas revealed more frequent irregular honeycomb pattern, polycylic papillary contours, coarse collagen, huddled collagen, curled bright structures with higher epidermal thickness, and furrow depth values. However, the incidence of thin reticulated collagen and the number of dermal papillae were statistically higher on the sun‐protected posterior aspect of ear lobule.

Conclusion

Reflectance confocal microscopy is a reliable diagnostic technique for evaluation of skin photoaging with objective criteria. With the new emerging compact models it is possible to scan even the least accessible body parts with no discomfort to the patient, which offers the possibility to assess the effect of antiaging applications and to identify early signs of solar damage in cosmetically sensitive areas.
Comparison of skin elasticity test results from the Ballistometer® and Cutometer®
Authors: Woo M. S. , Moon K. J. , Jung H. Y. , Park S. R. , Moon T. K. , Kim N. S. , Lee B. C.
Published: February 2014

Background

Long‐term exposure to sunlight changes skin features like amount of facial wrinkling and skin elasticity, which is useful in estimating skin health and age‐related changes. Skin elasticity is evaluated by quantitative methods such as the noninvasive suction device Cutometer®, which is widely used to evaluate regional body‐elasticity differences and correlate these findings with the results of other instrumental data. Few field studies have been done with the Ballistometer® device, another noninvasive method for measuring skin elasticity.

Method

In this study, we measured the skin elasticity of each subject's forehead, cheek, and volar forearm using two devices with different means of obtaining quantitative measurements – Ballistometer® (Diastron Ltd.) and Cutometer® (CK electronics).

Results

The results from testing with the Ballistometer® and Cutometer® devices showed that the degree of skin elasticity of the volar forearm is greater than those found on the cheek and forehead. The parameters measured by the Ballistometer® showed high correlation patterns. On the cheek skin, the correlation coefficient between Ballisto‐parameters and R parameters (R0, R3, R8) was higher than other skin sites.

Conclusion

Taken together, R parameters measured by the Cutometer® device have been widely distributed in the evaluation of skin elasticity in research and cosmetics. Although the methodologies are different, the Ballistometer® device is also a useful tool to evaluate skin elasticity.
Preliminary phylogeny of the genus Copidosoma (Hymenoptera, Encyrtidae), polyembryonic parasitoids of Lepidoptera
Authors: YU FANG , CHEN FU‐QIANG , YEN SHEN‐HORN , TU LI‐HONG , ZHU CHAO‐DONG , GUERRIERI EMILIO , ZHANG YAN‐ZHOU
Published: February 2014

The genus Copidosoma (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Encyrtidae) is a diverse group of polyembryonic parasitoids of Lepidoptera, including species that have the potential to control agricultural and forestry pests. Moreover, some species of Copidosoma display polyembryony. Despite their economic and scientific importance, little is known about the phylogeny of Copidosoma and its relations to other groups of Encyrtidae. Here we infer the phylogenetic relationships of this genus from nucleotide sequences of two nuclear (18S and 28S) and one mitochondrial (COI) genes. Forty‐four species of Copidosoma and three species of Copidosomopsis plus two outgroup species are included in Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Copidosomopsis syn. n. is proposed as a junior synonym of Copidosoma based on phylogenetic analysis results. Each of nine identical clades, resulting from both analyses, is proposed as informal species group: cervius group (cervius, chalconotum and serricorne), recovered as the basal lineage of Copidosoma; nacoleiae group (nacoleaie, meridionalis and an undescribed species, formerly belonging to the genus Copidosomopsis); boucheanum group (boucheanum, terebrator, peticus, phaloniae, ancharus, tibiale and sosares); noyesi group (noyesi and probably undescribed related species); albipes group (albipes and coimbatorense); varicorne group (including varicorne and subalbicorne in one subclade, and aretas and fuscisquama in the other); thebe group (thebe and probably undescribed related species); exiguum group (exiguum and probably undescribed related species); floridanum group (floridanum, primulum, transversum, truncatellum and agrotis). Host associations of the genus and host specificity of recognized groups are discussed. The current work offers a foundation for a comprehensive phylogeny of Copidosoma and the possibility to reconstruct cophylogeny between Copidosoma and their lepidopteran hosts.
Care and choice in dealing with the invasive cane toad in Western Australia
Authors: Nyquist Jon Rasmus
Published: February 2014

This article examines the meeting between the community group Kimberley Toad Busters (KTB) and established science and government in terms of an intersection of two logics of engagement. A logic of choice and a logic of care meet in the first example where I look at the conflicts and tensions arising in a public forum on control of cane toads in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The second part of the article presents two examples of KTB's own practices to demonstrate that the tension between the two logics also figures within these practices. Nature is enacted both similarly and differently in these events through the tension between the logic of care and the logic of choice. In the first instance the logics figure as mutually exclusive and generative of an expanding gulf between lay and scientific knowledge, while in the second the two emerge in an unfinished productive tension.
The crisscrossed agency of a toast: Personhood, individuation and de‐individuation in Luzhou, China
Authors: Harmon Brian
Published: February 2014

This article addresses debates over individuation in China through consideration ofguanxi‐relational feasting in Luzhou, Sichuan. I draw on Ortner's theorisation of subjectivity and agency to probe the often taken‐for‐granted question of cultural personhood which informs social action. Although the social imaginary in Luzhou is increasingly colonised by symbolic individualism, I propose that dominant local notions of personhood and agency, operating within feast practice, continue to define this process. By attending to three aspects of Yan's ‘individualisation thesis’, I demonstrate how local models of person and agency are indispensible to a fuller understanding of social life. Considering the important role ritual speech habits (largely trained in de‐individuating feasting) continue to play in socialising actors to economic institutions and power relationships more generally, individuation in China today remains a largely nominal and aspirational, if symbolically potent and potentially transformative, project.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis: association between water and sanitation environment and maternal mortality
Authors: Benova Lenka , Cumming Oliver , Campbell Oona M. R.
Published: February 2014

Objective

To assess whether the lack of water or the lack of sanitation facilities in either the home or in health facilities is associated with an increased risk of maternal mortality and to quantify the effect sizes.

Methods

Systematic review of published literature in Medline, Embase, Popline and Africa Wide EBSCO 1980.

Results

Fourteen articles were found. Four of five ecological studies that considered sanitation found that poor sanitation was associated with higher maternal mortality. Meta‐analysis of adjusted estimates in individual‐level studies indicated that women in households with poor sanitation had 3.07 (95% CI 1.72–5.49) higher odds of maternal mortality. Four of six ecological studies assessing water environment found that poor water environment was associated with higher maternal mortality. The only individual‐level study looking at the adjusted effect of water showed a significant association with maternal mortality (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.10–2.10). Two ecological and one facility‐based study found an association between a combined measure of water and sanitation environment and maternal mortality.

Conclusions

There is evidence of association between sanitation and maternal mortality and between water and maternal mortality. Both associations are of substantial magnitude and are maintained after adjusting for confounders. However, these conclusions are based on a very small number of studies, few of which set out to examine sanitation or water as risk factors, and only some of which adjusted for potential confounders. Nevertheless, there are plausible pathways through which such associations may operate.
Treatment of nonhealing corneal ulcers in 60 horses with diamond burr debridement (2010–2013)
Authors: Lassaline‐Utter Mary , Cutler Tim J. , Michau Tammy M. , Nunnery Catherine M.
Published: February 2014

Objective

To review the signalment, clinical characteristics, and outcome of horses with nonhealing corneal ulcers treated with diamond burr debridement (DBD); and to evaluate the role of ulcer duration, size and location, and bandage contact lens (BCL) placement on healing.

Animals

From January 2012–April 2013, 60 horses were diagnosed with ulcers classified as nonhealing based on the presence of raised epithelial margins and duration of at least 7 days.

Procedure

Retrospective record review.

Results

Average age of included horses was 14.68 years, SD 8.17 years. There were three times as many males (45) as females (15), ( = 15, P = 0.001). Forty‐eight horses (80%) had nonhealing ulcers uncomplicated by associated corneal disease. In the remaining horses, associated corneal disease included esinophilic keratitis (10%), calcific band keratopathy (5%), endothelial decompensation (1.67%), habronemiasis(1.67%), and lid suture abrasion (1.67%). Average corneal ulcer duration prior to diamond burr debridement (DBD) was 29.0 days (n = 56). Ulcers occurred most commonly in the axial cornea (41%). Fifty‐five of 60 horses (92%) healed with DBD. Healing time, defined as time to epithelialization following DBD, averaged 15.5 days, SD 9.32 days, and was not correlated with patient age or ulcer duration, location, or size prior to or following DBD. Healing time was significantly longer for eyes in which a BCL had been placed (n = 28, 19.0 days) than for eyes without a BCL (n = 32, 12.9 days), F(1,58) = 5.543, P = 0.02. DBD was considered a failure for five horses (8%).

Conclusions

DBD may be an effective treatment for nonhealing corneal ulcers in horses.
Anterior segment parameters of rabbits with rotating Scheimpflug camera
Authors: Yüksel Harun , Türkcü Fatih M. , Ari Şeyhmus , Çinar Yasin , Cingü Abdullah K. , Şahin Muhammed , Şahin Alparslan , Özkurt Zeynep , Çaça İhsan
Published: February 2014

Background

Rabbit is one of the most commonly used experimental animals for corneal studies due to similarity of size to human cornea and ease of manipulation. In this study, we assessed anterior segment parameters of the healthy rabbit eyes with Pentacam HR (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany).

Methods

Six‐month‐old, approximately 2.5–3 kg weighted, 30 female New Zealand rabbits were used in the study. Right eye of the each rabbit was imaged with Pentacam HR under intramuscular ketamine hydrochloride (Ketalar; Eczacibasi, Turkey) anesthesia (50 mg/kg). After the imaging, the rabbits with blinking errors, which results in low‐quality images, were excluded from the study. Keratometric readings, central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and anterior and posterior elevation values, and lens density were noted.

Results

In this study, the flattest and the steepest keratometric values were found as 43.34 ± 1.86, 42.7 ± 2.0, and 43.9 ± 1.9 diopters, respectively. The mean CCT and ACD of rabbits were found as 388 ± 39 μm and 2.08 ± 0.16 mm, respectively. Mean of the anterior and posterior elevation at thinnest point was found as 1.29 ± 4.28 and 3.91 ± 6.17 μm, respectively.

Conclusions

Keratometric readings and anterior and posterior elevation values of rabbits were similar to human; however, corneal thickness and anterior chamber depth (ACD) values were lower than humans.
Occurrence, Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes in the Beef Chain in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Khen B. K. , Lynch O. A. , Carroll J. , McDowell D. A. , Duffy G.
Published: February 2014

This study investigated the occurrence, concentration and key characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes in beef chain samples (n = 1100) over a 2‐year period (July 2007–June 2009). Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from bovine hides (27%), pre‐chill carcasses (14%) and ground beef (29%), but not from ready‐to‐eat (RTE) beef. The concentration of the pathogen in the majority (95%) of contaminated samples was low and detected by enrichment only. The highest concentrations recovered (100–200 CFU/g) were in ground beef samples. The most commonly isolated serotype group was 1/2a (58%) followed by 4b (12%), 1/2b (10%) and 1/2c (6%). A small portion (<5%) isolates had demonstrated resistance to key anti‐microbials including ampicillin, vancomycin and gentamycin which are recommended treatment options for listeriosis. Pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis showed indistinguishable profiles for a number of isolates recovered from the hide and carcass (after slaughter and dressing) of the same animals, highlighting the role of hides as a source of contamination. Equally, indistinguishable pulsotypes for isolates recovered at different stages and time points (up to 6 months apart) in the beef chain demonstrated the persistence of specific clones in the factory, process and distribution environments. Overall, the study demonstrated a high prevalence of clinically significant L. monocytogenes entering and progressing along the beef chain and highlights the needs to control cross‐contamination during beef processing and distribution and the need for thorough cooking of raw beef products.
All that glitters is not always gold
Authors: Harrison E , Hayes S , Howell L , Lal S
Published: February 2014

Biopsies from the second part of the duodenum are routinely performed in patients with unintentional weight loss. When villous atrophy and an increased intraepithelial lymphocytosis are detected, the commonest cause of it is coeliac disease. Severe villous atrophy with increased intraepithelial lymphocytosis (Marsh IIIc) is highly specific for coeliac disease. However, coeliac disease with this presentation is very rare. Milder abnormalities such as Marsh I-II (microscopic enteritis) and Marsh IIIa are not specific for coeliac disease and could occur in other conditions like those listed in the discussion. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman who, after being diagnosed with seronegative coeliac disease, failed to improve on a gluten-free diet. We discuss the differential diagnosis of coeliac disease and the possible alternative causes for villous blunting, paying particular attention to the diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.
Tuberculosis of the pubic symphysis
Authors: Gothwal Sudarshan , Varshney Peeyush , Mathur Shivank , Songra Bhupen
Published: February 2014

Tuberculosis is one of India’s public health problems. It involves various systems of the body, including the skeletal system. Osteoarticular tuberculosis is the second most common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis next to lymph nodes and constitutes about 13% of all extrapulmonary cases. It is generally accepted that osteoarticular tuberculosis is the result of a haematogenous or lymphatic spread from a reactivated latent focus, usually pulmonary; however, previous infection is not always encountered, and in only 40–50% of the cases, it is possible to demonstrate another active infection site. The commonest site for skeletal tuberculosis is the spine followed by the hip, knee and ankle joints. Tuberculosis can involve literally any bone or joint. Pubic symphysis is an uncommon site for tuberculosis in the case of the skeletal system. We present a rare case of pubic symphysis tuberculosis in a 25-year-old woman presented to the general surgical department with a swelling in the right thigh region.
Unusual prosthetic femoral head fracture in total hip arthroplasty: ceramic on polyethylene articulation
Authors: Tucker Damien , Acharya Mehool
Published: February 2014

A 68-year-old man with a previous right total hip arthroplasty presented with acute pain in the right hip, and no associated trauma was reported. The previous hybrid arthroplasty consisted of a ceramic femoral head articulating on an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene liner. The unusual diagnosis of fractured ceramic femoral head was made and an urgent revision arthroplasty was performed to remove the ceramic bearing as well as all implants that may have come into contact with the ceramic. This case report highlights the material properties of ceramics in total hip arthroplasties as well as the importance of regular follow-up in these patients.
Catch me if you can: migrating oesophageal foreign body
Authors: Bade Kim Alexander
Published: February 2014

Foreign bodies of the cervical oesophagous are a common reason for presentation to the emergency department. In rare instances, the foreign body may move completely through the oesophageal lumen such that it is unable to be visualised during endoscopy. Subsequent imaging may show the foreign body within the cervical soft tissue. This rare complication is known as a migrating oesophageal foreign body. We present the case of a 56-year-old woman who accidentally ingested a wire which became lodged in the proximal oesophagous. Subsequent to initial imaging the wire migrated completely through the oesophageal lumen such that it was unable to be visualised during endoscopy, ultimately requiring open neck exploration for removal.
A glimpse of fluid turbulence from the molecular scale
Authors: Komatsu Teruhisa S. , Matsumoto Shigenori , Shimada Takashi , Ito Nobuyasu
Published: February 2014

Large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of freely decaying turbulence in three-dimensional space are reported. Fluid components are defined from the microscopic states by eliminating thermal components from the coarse-grained fields. The energy spectrum of the fluid components is observed to scale reasonably well according to Kolmogorov scaling determined from the energy dissipation rate and the viscosity of the fluid, even though the Kolmogorov length is of the order of the molecular scale.
Network effects, cascades and CCP interoperability
Authors: Feng Xiaobing , Hu Haibo , Pritsker Matthew
Published: February 2014

To control counterparty risk, financial regulations such as the Dodd Frank Act are increasingly requiring standardized derivatives trades to be cleared by central counterparties (CCPs). It is anticipated that in the near-term future, CCPs across the world will be linked through interoperability agreements that facilitate risk-sharing but also serve as a conduit for transmitting shocks. This paper theoretically studies a network with CCPs that are linked through interoperability arrangements, and studies the properties of the network that contribute to cascading failures. The magnitude of the cascading is theoretically related to the strength of network linkages, the size of the network, the logistic mapping coefficient, a stochastic effect and CCP's defense lines. Simulations indicate that larger network effects increase systemic risk from cascading failures. The size of the network N raises the threshold value of shock sizes that are required to generate cascades. Hence, the larger the network, the more robust it will be.
DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY AS THE OBJECTIVE OF CONTEST DESIGN
Authors: GERCHAK YIGAL , KILGOUR D. MARC
Published: February 2014

The compensation received by economic agents reflects their performance. Usually compensation reflects performance measured cardinally, but sometimes ordinal considerations play a role. It is well established that rewards — cardinal or ordinal — can rationally motivate contestants to put forth increased effort. We ask whether rewards, and in particular their cardinal or ordinal nature, can affect agents' strategies. Specifically, if level of effort is fixed and degree of difficulty is the only choice, what strategy is optimal? For example, in a high-jump competition, level of effort is not a meaningful variable; what is of interest is the choice of strategy — the height attempted, or degree of difficulty. We study how optimal strategies reflect reward structure, assuming that rewards may depend on level of difficulty, and go only to successful candidates, or only to candidates who succeed at more difficult tasks. Basing our conclusions in part on simple probabilistic models in which optimal choices can be determined analytically, we show how the structure of competitive rewards alters contestants' rational choices. We adopt a contest-design framework: What combinations of fixed and variable prizes cause contestants to select degrees of difficulty that maximize the contest designer's expected payoff? Our general conclusion is that competition can affect strategic choices, in magnitudes and even directions that are difficult to predict.
EFFICIENCY WAGES WITH HETEROGENEOUS AGENTS
Authors: LEHR BRANDON
Published: February 2014

This paper builds a model of efficiency wages with heterogeneous workers in the economy who differ with respect to their disutility of labor effort. In such an economy, two types of pure strategy symmetric Nash equilibria in firm wage offers can exist: a no-shirking equilibrium in which all workers exert effort while employed and a shirking equilibrium in which within each firm some workers exert effort while others shirk. The type of equilibrium that prevails in the economy depends crucially on the extent of heterogeneity among the workers and the equilibrium rate at which workers join firms from the unemployment pool.
Certain properties of the power graph associated with a finite group
Authors: Moghaddamfar A. R. , Rahbariyan S. , Shi W. J.
Published: February 2014

The power graph [Formula: see text] of a group G is a simple graph whose vertex-set is G and two vertices x and y in G are adjacent if and only if one of them is a power of the other. The subgraph [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is obtained by deleting the vertex 1 (the identity element of G). In this paper, we first investigate some properties of the power graph [Formula: see text] and its subgraph [Formula: see text]. We next provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a power graph [Formula: see text] to be a strongly regular graph, a bipartite graph or a planar graph. Finally, we obtain some infinite families of finite groups G for which the power graph [Formula: see text] contains some cut-edges.
Wakamatsu tilting pairs
Authors: Sun Juxiang , Zhao Guoqiang
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we introduce the notion of a Wakamatsu tilting pair as a common generalization of a Wakamatsu tilting module and a tilting pair. We investigate some properties of Wakamatsu tilting pairs, and construct a Wakamatsu tilting right End AC-module from a given Wakamatsu tilting pair (C, T). And some characterizations of Wakamatsu tilting pairs are given in terms of subcategories.
On pseudocomplements and supplements in the big lattice of preradicals
Authors: Rincón-Mejía Hugo Alberto , Sandoval-Miranda Martha Lizbeth Shaid
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we consider aspects of the big lattice of preradicals, related to pseudocomplements and supplements. We consider essential preradicals and superfluous preradicals, and we characterize the situation in which all nonzero preradicals are essential as well as the one in which all proper preradicals are superfluous. Also, we give two different proofs of the known fact that the big lattice of preradicals is strongly pseudocomplemented.
Strongly Lie nilpotent group algebras of index at most 8
Authors: Chandra Harish , Sahai Meena
Published: February 2014

Let K be a field of characteristic p > 0 and let G be an arbitrary group. In this paper, we classify group algebras KG which are strongly Lie nilpotent of index at most 8. We also show that for k ≤ 6, KG is strongly Lie nilpotent of index k if and only if it is Lie nilpotent of index k.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CHIRAL SILICON CARBIDE NANOTUBES UNDER HYDROGEN ADSORPTION: A MOLECULAR MECHANICS APPROACH
Authors: ANSARI R. , MIRNEZHAD M. , ROUHI H.
Published: February 2014

This paper investigates the mechanical properties of hydrogenated silicon carbide nanotubes ( H - SiCNTs ) using a molecular mechanics model in conjunction with the density functional theory (DFT). Analytical expressions presented in this study can be employed for nanotubes with different chiralities. Four different positions of adsorptions are considered in this paper and it is shown that the most stable state happens when hydrogen atoms are adsorbed on silicon and carbon atoms at the two opposite sides of hexagonal phase of silicon carbide. This paper will contribute to future research on similar studies of H - SiCNTs in the specific area as the force constants used in the molecular mechanics models regarding the hydrogen adsorption are proposed. Also, the mechanical properties and atomic structure of hydrogenated silicon carbide ( H - SiC ) sheet for different states of adsorption are determined using the DFT. The results for bending stiffness of H - SiC sheets indicate the isotropic behavior of these materials.
ELECTROCHEMICAL Co3O4 NANOPOROUS THIN FILMS SENSOR FOR HYDROGEN PEROXIDE DETECTION
Authors: CAO GUANG SHENG , WANG RUILIN , WANG PEILONG , LI XIN , WANG YUE , WANG GUILONG , LI JUNPING
Published: February 2014

The nanoporous Co 3 O 4 thin films were prepared on indium tin oxide (ITO) glasses by an electrodeposition method. The surface morphology and composition of the nanoporous Co 3 O 4 films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results show that the as-deposited nanoporous Co 3 O 4 film is constructed by many interconnected nanoflakes with thickness of about 40 nm. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurement indicates that the nanoporous Co 3 O 4 films exhibit remarkable electrocatalytic activities for the hydrogen peroxide ( H 2 O 2) reduction which shows that it is a good candidate to be employed as electrode materials for electrochemical sensing of H 2 O 2. Further analysis indicated that the detection sensitivity of the sensor was 1.357 mA mM-1 cm-2 and the detection limit was estimated to be about 0.2 mM.
Coagulation and ablation of biological soft tissue by quantum cascade laser with peak wavelength of 5.7 μm
Authors: Hashimura Keisuke , Ishii Katsunori , Akikusa Naota , Edamura Tadataka , Yoshida Harumasa , Awazu Kunio
Published: February 2014

Molecules such as water, proteins and lipids that are contained in biological tissue absorb mid-infrared (MIR) light, which allows such light to be used in laser surgical treatment. Esters, amides and water exhibit strong absorption bands in the 5–7 μm wavelength range, but at present there are no lasers in clinical use that can emit in this range. Therefore, the present study focused on the quantum cascade laser (QCL), which is a new type of semiconductor laser that can emit at MIR wavelengths and has recently achieved high output power. A high-power QCL with a peak wavelength of 5.7 μm was evaluated for use as a laser scalpel for ablating biological soft tissue. The interaction of the laser beam with chicken breast tissue was compared to a conventional CO 2 laser, based on surface and cross-sectional images. The QCL was found to have sufficient power to ablate soft tissue, and its coagulation, carbonization and ablation effects were similar to those for the CO 2 laser. The QCL also induced comparable photothermal effects because it acted as a pseudo-continuous wave laser due to its low peak power. A QCL can therefore be used as an effective laser scalpel, and also offers the possibility of less invasive treatment by targeting specific absorption bands in the MIR region.
Ag2S–CoS2 hetero-nanostructures: One-pot colloidal synthesis and improved magnetic properties
Authors: Liu Yuanjun , Yuan Aihua , Zhu Guoxing , Bao Chunlin , Zhang Rongxian , Shen Xiaoping
Published: February 2014

Ag 2 S – CoS 2 hetero-nanostructures with well defined and sharp hetero-interface were synthesized with a simple one-pot colloidal chemical route. It is proposed that the Ag 2 S nanoparticles with superionic conductor properties play a catalyst role inducing the growth of CoS 2. The magnetic properties of the Ag 2 S – CoS 2 hetero-nanostructures were investigated, which gives a saturation magnetization of 8.3 emu/g at 1.8 K and transition temperature of 120 K. It is believed that the reported results would give some hints to the development of multifunction magnetic materials.
A CONSTRUCTION OF CARTESIAN AUTHENTICATION CODE FROM SINGULAR SYMPLECTIC SPACES OVER A FINITE FIELD
Authors: ZHAO SHUFANG , LI ZENGTI
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we construct a Cartesian authentication code from subspaces of singular symplectic space [Formula: see text] and compute its parameters. Assuming that the encoding rules of the transmitter and the receiver are chosen according to a uniform probability distribution, the probabilities of successful impersonation attack and substitution attack are also computed.
MACWILLIAMS IDENTITIES FOR WEIGHT ENUMERATORS WITH RESPECT TO THE RT METRIC
Authors: SHARMA AMIT K. , SHARMA ANURADHA
Published: February 2014

Linear codes constitute an important family of error-correcting codes and have a rich algebraic structure. Initially, these codes were studied with respect to the Hamming metric; while for the past few years, they are also studied with respect to a non-Hamming metric, known as the Rosenbloom–Tsfasman metric (also known as RT metric or ρ metric). In this paper, we introduce and study the split ρ weight enumerator of a linear code in the R-module Mn×s(R) of all n × s matrices over R, where R is a finite Frobenius commutative ring with unity. We also define the Lee complete ρ weight enumerator of a linear code in Mn×s(ℤk), where ℤk is the ring of integers modulo k ≥ 2. We also derive the MacWilliams identities for each of these ρ weight enumerators.
Efficient Bistatic SAR Raw Signal Simulator of Extended Scenes
Authors: Yang Liang , Yu Weidong , Zheng Shichao , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2014

Bistatic SAR system is a new mode that allocates the radar transmitter and receiver on different platforms and has more advantages compared to the monostatic case. However, the existing bistatic SAR raw data simulator in the frequency domain can only handle the case of translation invariant system. In this paper, an efficient 2D frequency-domain raw data simulator of extended scenes for bistatic SAR of translation variant system is proposed by a geometric transformation method for the first time, where inverse STOLT interpolation is used to formulate the range migration terms. The presented simulator can accommodate the translation variant bistatic SAR system compared with existing bistatic SAR simulator. And it is more efficient than the time domain one by making use of Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Simulation results for point targets and a real SAR image demonstrate its validity and effectiveness.
Effect of the Administration of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Contrast Sensitivity in Patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Gębka Anna , Serkies-Minuth Ewelina , Raczyńska Dorota
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of oral supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on contrast sensitivity (CS) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The study included 12 patients with T1DM aged43±12years, 48 patients with T2DM aged59±10years, and 20 control subjects aged33±8years. Patients from each studied group, including the control group, were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg of ALA orally once daily for 3 months. CS was evaluated with the Functional Acuity Contrast Test (FACT, Stereo Optical). In the group of patients with T1DM receiving ALA for 3 months CS remained stable and improved in those with T2DM. Reduction of CS in both T1DM and T2DM patients without alpha-lipoic acid supplementation was observed. In the control group on alpha-lipoic acid supplementation, CS improvement was noticed at one spatial frequency. Changes in the CS were observed, despite stable visual acuity and eye fundus image in all studied subjects. Our study demonstrated that oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid had influence on CS in both T1DM and T2DM patients.
Acute Pancreatitis and Diabetic Ketoacidosis following L-Asparaginase/Prednisone Therapy in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Quintanilla-Flores Dania Lizet , Flores-Caballero Miguel Ángel , Rodríguez-Gutiérrez René , Tamez-Pérez Héctor Eloy , González-González José Gerardo
Published: February 2014

Acute pancreatitis and diabetic ketoacidosis are unusual adverse events following chemotherapy based on L-asparaginase and prednisone as support treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We present the case of a 16-year-old Hispanic male patient, in remission induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia on treatment with mitoxantrone, vincristine, prednisone, and L-asparaginase. He was hospitalized complaining of abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Hyperglycemia, acidosis, ketonuria, low bicarbonate levels, hyperamylasemia, and hyperlipasemia were documented, and the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis was made. Because of uncertainty of the additional diagnosis of acute pancreatitis as the cause of abdominal pain, a contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed resulting in a Balthazar C pancreatitis classification.
Efficient Iris Recognition Based on Optimal Subfeature Selection and Weighted Subregion Fusion
Authors: Chen Ying , Liu Yuanning , Zhu Xiaodong , He Fei , Wang Hongye , Deng Ning
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we propose three discriminative feature selection strategies and weighted subregion matching method to improve the performance of iris recognition system. Firstly, we introduce the process of feature extraction and representation based on scale invariant feature transformation (SIFT) in detail. Secondly, three strategies are described, which are orientation probability distribution function (OPDF) based strategy to delete some redundant feature keypoints, magnitude probability distribution function (MPDF) based strategy to reduce dimensionality of feature element, and compounded strategy combined OPDF and MPDF to further select optimal subfeature. Thirdly, to make matching more effective, this paper proposes a novel matching method based on weighted sub-region matching fusion. Particle swarm optimization is utilized to accelerate achieve different sub-region’s weights and then weighted different subregions’ matching scores to generate the final decision. The experimental results, on three public and renowned iris databases (CASIA-V3 Interval, Lamp, andMMU-V1), demonstrate that our proposed methods outperform some of the existing methods in terms of correct recognition rate, equal error rate, and computation complexity.
Persistent Sciatic Artery Aneurysm with Lower Limb Ischemia
Authors: Kesri Gaurav , Mangtani Jitendra , Kumar Gaurav , Dangayach Krishan Kumar
Published: February 2014

Persistent sciatic artery is a very rare clinical entity. Those of us who have not seen the lesion regard this as a condition which is described in the literature through less than 200 cases. We report, here, a case of a 60-year-old female who presented to the surgical outdoor with complaints of a pulsatile gluteal swelling associated with ischemic changes in the ipsilateral lower limb. On Doppler and CT angiographic analysis, the patient was determined as having persistent sciatic artery aneurysm which was then managed by a combined surgical and endovascular approach. Ours is probably the first such case to be reported from India. The objective of this case report is to highlight the relevant embryology, the pathognomonic presenting features, the diagnostic dilemma, management, and complications associated with a case of persistent sciatic artery (PSA).
Relation between Red Cell Distribution Width and Left Ventricular Function in Children with Heart Failure
Authors: Mawlana Wegdan , Donia Amr , Elamrousy Doaa
Published: February 2014

Background. Most of the studies done on adults showed that red cell distribution width (RDW) can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with chronic heart failure. However, RDW has not been tested in children with heart failure.Methods and Results. 31 children with heart failure admitted to Cardiology Unit, Tanta University Hospital, during the period of January 2012 to December 2012 were included in this study, RDW as a component of routine blood count was evaluated and correlated to the echocardiographic parameters of left ventricle. The mean age of our cohort was 16.16 ± 14.97 months, congenital heart disease with left-to-right shunt represented 58.1% of the underlying causes of heart failure while dilated cardiomyopathy made 41.9%. The mean hemoglobin level was 9.14 ± 1.18 gm/dL; RDW level ranged from 10.7% to 27.7% with a mean of 16.01 ± 3.34. Hemoglobin was significantly correlated with RDW at any level. For the echo parameters, at cutoff point of 16.4%, RDW was significantly correlated with fraction shortening (FS), andA, E/Aratio, but it was not correlated with LVEDD, LVESD, andE/Éat the same cutoff level.Conclusion. RDW, a simple, available test, can be used as a marker for the left ventricular function in children with heart failure until an echocardiography assessment for the patients is done.
Fcγ-Receptor IIIA Polymorphism p.158F Has No Negative Predictive Impact on Rituximab Therapy with and without Sequential Chemotherapy in CD20-Positive Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder
Authors: Zimmermann Heiner , Weiland Theresa , Nourse Jamie P. , Gandhi Maher K. , Reinke Petra , Neuhaus Ruth , Karbasiyan Mohsen , Gärtner Barbara , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Riess Hanno , Trappe Ralf U. , Oertel Stephan
Published: February 2014

We retrospectively analyzed the p.V158F polymorphism of Fcγ-receptor IIIA (FCGR3A, CD16) in patients with PTLD treated with rituximab monotherapy. Previous reports had indicated that the lower affinity F allele affects rituximab-mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and is linked to inferior outcome of rituximab monotherapy in B cell malignancies. 25 patients with PTLD after solid organ transplantation were included in this analysis. They had received 4 weekly doses of rituximab as part of two clinical trials, which had a rituximab monotherapy induction regimen in common. 16/25 patients received further treatment with CHOP-21 after rituximab monotherapy (PTLD-1,NCT01458548). The FCGR3A status was correlated to the response after 4 cycles of rituximab monotherapy. Response to rituximab monotherapy was not affected by F carrier status. This is in contrast to previous findings in B cell malignancies where investigators found a predictive impact of FCGR3A status on outcome to rituximab monotherapy. One explanation for this finding could be that ADCC is impaired in transplant recipients receiving immunosuppression. These results suggest that carrying a FCRG3A F allele does not negatively affect rituximab therapy in immunosuppressed patients.