bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular Disease and Hip Fracture among Older Inpatients in Beijing, China
Authors: Xu Beibei , Han Ling , Liu Hui , Wang Jing , Bao Xiao-Yuan , Xi Han-Xu , Zhao Leping , Yu Guo-Pei
Published: July 2013

Objectives. To examine the associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hip fracture and to determine if these associations are attributable to hypertensive disease.Methods. Data were obtained from 2006–2010 hospitalization summary reports of 31 tertiary hospitals in Beijing, China. This study included 864,408 inpatients aged ≥55 years. Occurrence rate of hip fracture was based on the first-listed ICD-10 codes (S72.0, S72.1, and S72.2) and of CVD as comorbidities were based on the second- to the eighth-listed ICD-10 codes (I00–I99).Results. The occurrence rate of hip fracture is 53% higher among older inpatients with a diagnosis of CVD than those without (, 95% CI 1.47–1.60). Those with hip fracture were more likely to have hypertensive or cerebrovascular disease, with the risk ranging from 1.34 to 1.70. Compared with those without hip fracture, the occurrence rate of overall CVDs increased by 80%, 83%, and 16% among hip fracture patients aged 55–64, 65–79, and ≥80 years. In addition, hypertensive disease did not modify the association between cerebrovascular disease and hip fracture.Conclusion. CVD was positively associated with hip fracture, and the associations observed in this sample of Chinese inpatients were similar to those reported from cohort studies conducted in the European populations.
Assessing Improvement in Quality of Life and Patient Satisfaction following Body Contouring Surgery in Patients with Massive Weight Loss: A Critical Review of Outcome Measures Employed
Authors: Jabir Shehab
Published: July 2013

Body contouring following massive weight loss is a rapidly expanding field in plastic surgery. However, healthcare payers are reluctant to fund such procedures, viewing them as purely cosmetic. This has resulted in a flurry of studies assessing quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction following body contouring surgery in this cohort of patients to establish an evidence base to support the idea that body contouring is as much (or even more) a functional procedure as it is cosmetic. However, the methods employed in these studies are seldom ideal, and hence the conclusions are unreliable. The gold standard to assess QoL and patient satisfaction is to use patient specific psychometrically validated patient reported outcome (PRO) measures. Developing such measures consists of a three-step process which includes a review of the current literature, qualitative patient interviews to determine what patients consider the most important, and expert opinion. This study aims to appraise the currently available literature on assessment of QoL and patient satisfaction in body contouring surgery patients. This will hopefully provide an understanding of methodological weaknesses in current studies and inform future investigators of the design of ideal instruments for assessing QoL and patient satisfaction in body contouring patients.
“Intensity-Response” Effects of Electroacupuncture on Gastric Motility and Its Underlying Peripheral Neural Mechanism
Authors: Su Yang-Shuai , He Wei , Wang Chi , Shi Hong , Zhao Yu-Feng , Xin Juan-Juan , Wang Xiao-Yu , Shang Hong-Yan , Hu Ling , Jing Xiang-Hong , Zhu Bing
Published: July 2013

The aim of this study was to explore the “intensity-response” relationship between EAS and the effect of gastric motility of rats and its underlying peripheral neural mechanism by employing ASIC3 knockout (ASIC3−/−), TRPV1 knockout (TRPV1−/−), and C57BL/6 mice. For adult male Sprague-Dawley (n=18) rats, the intensities of EAS were 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 mA, respectively. For mice (n=8in each group), only 1 mA was used, by which C fiber of the mice can be activated. Gastric antrum motility was measured by intrapyloric balloon. Gastric motility was facilitated by EAS at ST36 and inhibited by EAS at CV12. The half maximal facilitation intensity of EAS at ST36 was 2.1–2.3 mA, and the half maximal inhibitory intensity of EAS at CV12 was 2.8 mA. In comparison with C57BL/6 mice, the facilitatory effect of ST36 and inhibitive effect of CV12 in ASIC3−/− mice decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). However, these effects in TRPV1−/− mice decreased significantly (P<0.001). The results indicated that there existed an “intensity-response” relationship between EAS and the effect of gastric motility. TRPV1 receptor was involved in the regulation of gastric motility of EAS.
Leaf-Cutter Ant Parasitoids: Current Knowledge
Authors: Folgarait Patricia J.
Published: July 2013

This review updates and summarizes the current knowledge about the interaction of leaf-cutter ants and their parasitoids by providing comparable data forAcromyrmexandAttaants. First, an overview of the relevant aspects of the biology and taxonomy of leaf cutters and of their parasitoids is provided. Second, I show the peculiarities of the parasitoids attacking behaviors towards their host as well as the responses or ant defenses against the phorids exhibited by their hosts. Third, I discuss relevant aspects of the interactions between hosts and parasitoids. Finally, the review ends demonstrating why these phorids could be promising biological control agents of leaf-cutter pests and suggests priority lines of research for the future.
Leptin Modulates Norepinephrine-Mediated Melatonin Synthesis in Cultured Rat Pineal Gland
Authors: Peliciari-Garcia Rodrigo Antonio , Andrade-Silva Jéssica , Cipolla-Neto José , Carvalho Carla Roberta de Oliveira
Published: July 2013

Pineal melatonin synthesis can be modulated by many peptides, including insulin. Because melatonin appears to alter leptin synthesis, in this work we aimed to investigate whether leptin would have a role on norepinephrine- (NE-)mediated melatonin synthesis in cultured rat pineal glands. According to our data, cultured rat pineal glands express leptin receptor isoform b (Ob-Rb). Pineal expression ofOb-RbmRNA was also observedin vivo. Administration of leptin (1 nM) associated with NE (1 µM) reduced melatonin content as well as arylalkylamine-N-acetyl transferase (AANAT) activity and expression in cultured pineal glands. Leptin treatment per se induced the expression of STAT3 in cultured pineal glands, but STAT3 does not participate in the leptin modulation of NE-mediated pineal melatonin synthesis. In addition, the expression of inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) was further induced by leptin challenge when associated with NE. In conclusion, leptin inhibition of pineal melatonin synthesis appears to be mediated by a reduction in AANAT activity and expression as well as by increased expression ofIcermRNA. Peptidergic signaling within the pineal gland appears to be one of the most important signals which modulates melatonin synthesis; leptin, as a member of this system, is not an exception.
The Clinical Role of HPV Testing in Primary and Secondary Cervical Cancer Screening
Authors: Hoste G. , Vossaert K. , Poppe W. A. J.
Published: July 2013

Traditional population-based cervical screening programs, based on cytology, have successfully reduced the burden of cervical cancer. Nevertheless limitations remain and new screening methods are emerging. Despite vaccination against the 2 most oncogenic types (HPV 16/18), cervical cancer screening will have to continue as an essential public health strategy. As the acquisition of an HR-HPV infection is critical in the progression to (pre-)cancerous cervical lesions, recent research has focused on HR-HPV detection. The sensitivity of HPV testing in primary and secondary prevention outweighs that of cytology, at the cost of slightly lower specificity. Although most of the HR-HPV infections are cleared after conization, new evidence from numerous studies encourages the implementation of HR-HPV testing and genotyping to improve posttreatment surveillance. An HR-HPV test 6 months after conization is a promising useful clinical marker to detect persistence and prevent progression. This review highlights the clinical role of HPV testing in primary and secondary cervical cancer screening.
Carbon Nanotubes for Thin Film Transistor: Fabrication, Properties, and Applications
Authors: Wu Yucui , Lin Xinnan , Zhang Min
Published: July 2013

We review the present status of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) for their production and purification technologies, as well as the fabrication and properties of single‐walled carbon nanotube thin film transistors (SWCNT‐TFTs). The most popular SWCNT growth method is chemical vapor deposition (CVD), including plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FCCVD), and thermal CVD. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) used to fabricate thin film transistors are sorted by electrical breakdown, density gradient ultracentrifugation, or gel‐based separation. The technologies of applying CNT random networks to work as the channels of SWCNT‐TFTs are also reviewed. Excellent work from global researchers has been benchmarked and analyzed. The unique properties of SWCNT‐TFTs have been reviewed. Besides, the promising applications of SWCNT‐TFTs have been explored. Finally, the key issues to be solved in future have been summarized.
Graviton Signals in Central Production at the LHC
Authors: Basu Rahul , Mandal Tanumoy
Published: July 2013

We study central production, in the inclusive case, to look for graviton signals in a large extra dimensional model using dilepton and diphoton channels. We carefully analyze signal and possible standard model background processes and study the feasibility of such new physics searches in a relatively clean environment as in central production where the proton fragments are mostly emitted in the forward direction, and there is a clear rapidity gap between them and the centrally produced system. Our analysis shows that the LHC with 14 TeV center of mass energy and 100 fb−1(300 fb−1) of integrated luminosity can probe the effective gravity scale up to 3.6 TeV (4.4 TeV) in both the dilepton and diphoton channels.
Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Merged with Pheromone Communication Mechanism for the 0-1 Multidimensional Knapsack Problem
Authors: Ji Junzhong , Wei Hongkai , Liu Chunnian , Yin Baocai
Published: July 2013

Given a set ofnobjects, the objective of the 0-1 multidimensional knapsack problem (MKP_01) is to find a subset of the object set that maximizes the total profit of the objects in the subset while satisfyingmknapsack constraints. In this paper, we have proposed a new artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm for the MKP_01. The new ABC algorithm introduces a novel communication mechanism among bees, which bases on the updating and diffusion of inductive pheromone produced by bees. In a number of experiments and comparisons, our approach obtains better quality solutions in shorter time than the ABC algorithm without the mechanism. We have also compared the solution performance of our approach against some stochastic approaches recently reported in the literature. Computational results demonstrate the superiority of the new ABC approach over all the other approaches.
Oscillatory Singularity Behaviors Near Interface Crack Tip for Mode II of Orthotropic Bimaterial
Authors: Yang Xiaomei , Yang Weiyang , Li Junlin , Zhang Xuexia
Published: July 2013

The fracture behaviors near the interface crack tip for mode II of orthotropic bimaterial are discussed. The oscillatory singularity fields are researched. The stress functions are chosen which contain twelve undetermined coefficients and an unknown singularity exponent. Based on the boundary conditions and linear independence, the system of twelve nonhomogeneous linear equations is derived. According to the condition for the system of nonhomogeneous linear equations which has a solution, the singularity exponent is determined. Total coefficients are found by means of successive elimination of the unknowns. The theoretical formulae of stress intensity factors and analytic solutions of stress field near the interface crack tip are obtained. The crack tip field is shown by figures.
Reliability of Questionnaires to Assess the Healthy Eating and Activity Environment of a Child's Home and School
Authors: Wilson Annabelle , Magarey Anthea , Mastersson Nadia
Published: July 2013

Childhood overweight and obesity are a growing concern globally, and environments, including the home and school, can contribute to this epidemic. This paper assesses the reliability of two questionnaires (parent and teacher) used in the evaluation of a community-based childhood obesity prevention intervention, theeat well be active (ewba)Community Programs. Parents and teachers were recruited from two primary schools and they completed the same questionnaire twice in 2008 and 2009. Data from both questionnaires were classified into outcomes relevant to healthy eating and activity, and target outcomes, based on the goals of theewbaCommunity Programs, were identified. Fourteen and 12 outcomes were developed from the parent and teacher questionnaires, respectively. Sixty parents and 28 teachers participated in the reliability study. Intraclass correlation coefficients for outcomes ranged from 0.37 to 0.92 (parent) (P<0.05) and from 0.42 to 0.86 (teacher) (P<0.05). Internal consistency, measured by Cronbach’s alpha, of teacher scores ranged from 0.11 to 0.91 and 0.13 to 0.78 for scores from the parent questionnaire. The parent and teacher questionnaires are moderately reliable tools for simultaneously assessing child intakes, environments, attitudes, and knowledge associated with healthy eating and physical activity in the home and school and may be useful for evaluation of similar programs.
Surface Modification of Fly Ash for Active Catalysis
Authors: Jain Deepti , Hada Renu , Rani Ashu
Published: July 2013

Fly ash based effective solid base catalyst (KF/Al2O3/fly ash473, KF/Al2O3/fly ash673, and KF/Al2O3/fly ash873) was synthesized by loading KF over chemically and thermally activated fly ash. The chemical activation was done by treating fly ash with aluminum nitrate via precipitation method followed by thermal activation at 650°C to increase the alumina content in fly ash. The increased alumina content was confirmed by SEM-EDX analysis. The alumina enriched fly ash was then loaded with KF (10 wt%) and calcined at three different temperatures 473 K, 673 K and 873 K. The amount of loaded KF was monitored by XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, TEM and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The catalytic activities of the catalysts were tested in the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of benzaldehyde and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde with 2′-hydroxyacetophenone to produce 2′-hydroxychalcone and 4-methoxy-2′-hydroxychalcone respectively. Higher conversion (83%) of benzaldehyde and (89%) of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde reveals that among these heterogeneous catalysts KF/Al2O3/fly ash673 is very active.
Acute Abdominal Pain Secondary to Chilaiditi Syndrome
Authors: Kang David , Pan Andrew S. , Lopez Michael A. , Buicko Jessica L. , Lopez-Viego Miguel
Published: July 2013

Chilaiditi syndrome is a rare condition occurring in 0.025% to 0.28% of the population. In these patients, the colon is displaced and caught between the liver and the right hemidiaphragm. Patients' symptoms can range from asymptomatic to acute intermittent bowel obstruction. Diagnosis is best achieved with CT imaging. Identification of Chilaiditi syndrome is clinically significant as it can lead to many significant complications such as volvulus, perforation, and bowel obstruction. If the patient is symptomatic, treatment is usually conservative. Surgery is rarely indicated with indications including ischemia and failure of resolution with conservative management.
Disparities of Food Availability and Affordability within Convenience Stores in Bexar County, Texas
Authors: Smith Matthew Lee , Sunil T. S. , Salazar Camerino I. , Rafique Sadaf , Ory Marcia G.
Published: July 2013

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends healthful food choices; however, some geographic areas are limited in the types of foods they offer. Little is known about the role of convenience stores as viable channels to provide healthier foods in our “grab and go” society. The purposes of this study were to (1) identify foods offered within convenience stores located in two Bexar County, Texas, ZIP Codes and (2) compare the availability and cost of ADA-recommended foods including beverages, produce, grains, and oils/fats. Data were analyzed from 28 convenience store audits performed in two sociodemographically diverse ZIP Codes in Bexar County, Texas. Chi-squared tests were used to compare food availability, andt-tests were used to compare food cost in convenience stores between ZIP Codes. A significantly larger proportion of convenience stores in more affluent areas offered bananas (χ2=4.17,P=0.003), whole grain bread (χ2=8.33,P=0.004), and baked potato chips (χ2=13.68,P<0.001). On average, the price of diet cola (t=−2.12,P=0.044) and certain produce items (e.g., bananas, oranges, tomatoes, broccoli, and cucumber) was significantly higher within convenience stores in more affluent areas. Convenience stores can play an important role to positively shape a community’s food environment by stocking healthier foods at affordable prices.
Pullback Exponential Attractors for Nonautonomous Klein-Gordon-Schrödinger Equations on Infinite Lattices
Authors: Li Chunqiu , Zhao Min , Zhao Caidi
Published: July 2013

This paper proves the existence of the pullback exponential attractor for the process associated to the nonautonomous Klein-Gordon-Schrödinger equations on infinite lattices.
A Smoothing Method with Appropriate Parameter Control Based on Fischer-Burmeister Function for Second-Order Cone Complementarity Problems
Authors: Narushima Yasushi , Ogasawara Hideho , Hayashi Shunsuke
Published: July 2013

We deal with complementarity problems over second-order cones. The complementarity problem is an important class of problems in the real world and involves many optimization problems. The complementarity problem can be reformulated as a nonsmooth system of equations. Based on the smoothed Fischer-Burmeister function, we construct a smoothing Newton method for solving such a nonsmooth system. The proposed method controls a smoothing parameter appropriately. We show the global and quadratic convergence of the method. Finally, some numerical results are given.
Qualitative and Quantitative Integrated Modeling for Stochastic Simulation and Optimization
Authors: Yan Xuefeng , Zhou Yong , Wen Yan , Chai Xudong
Published: July 2013

The simulation and optimization of an actual physics system are usually constructed based on the stochastic models, which have both qualitative and quantitative characteristics inherently. Most modeling specifications and frameworks find it difficult to describe the qualitative model directly. In order to deal with the expert knowledge, uncertain reasoning, and other qualitative information, a qualitative and quantitative combined modeling specification was proposed based on a hierarchical model structure framework. The new modeling approach is based on a hierarchical model structure which includes the meta-meta model, the meta-model and the high-level model. A description logic system is defined for formal definition and verification of the new modeling specification. A stochastic defense simulation was developed to illustrate how to model the system and optimize the result. The result shows that the proposed method can describe the complex system more comprehensively, and the survival probability of the target is higher by introducing qualitative models into quantitative simulation.
Endovascular Treatment of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with Short and Angulated Neck in High-Risk Patient
Authors: Koutsias Stylianos , Antoniou Georgios , Karathanos Christos , Saleptsis Vassileios , Stamoulis Konstantinos , Giannoukas Athanasios D.
Published: July 2013

Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is an established alternative to open repair. However lifelong surveillance is still required to monitor endograft function and signal the need for secondary interventions (Hobo and Buth 2006). Aortic morphology, especially related to the proximal neck, often complicates the procedure or increases the risk for late device-related complications (Hobo et al. 2007 and Chisci et al. 2009). The definition of a short and angulated neck is based on length (<15 mm), and angulation (>60°) (Hobo et al. 2007 and Chisci et al. 2009). A challenging neck also offers difficulties during open repairs (OR), necessitating extensive dissection with juxta- or suprarenal aortic cross-clamping. Patients with extensive aneurysmal disease typically have more comorbidities and may not tolerate extensive surgical trauma (Sarac et al. 2002). It is, therefore, unclear whether aneurysms with a challenging proximal neck should be offered EVAR or OR (Cox et al. 2006, Choke et al. 2006, Robbins et al. 2005, Sternbergh III et al. 2002, Dillavou et al. 2003, and Greenberg et al. 2003). In our case the insertion of a thoracic endograft followed by the placement of a bifurcated aortic endograft for the treatment of a very short and severely angulated neck proved to be feasible offering acceptable duration of aneurysm exclusion. This adds up to our armamentarium in the treatment of high-risk patients, and it should be considered in emergency cases when the fenestrated and branched endografts are not available.
Exploring the Limitations on RFID Technology in Traceability Systems at Beverage Factories
Authors: Expósito Isabel , Cuiñas Iñigo
Published: July 2013

The application of RFID in traceability of products in beverage factories is analyzed in terms of the electromagnetic conditions defined by the massive presence of metallic elements and liquids. Various experiments are reported to determine the maximum reading range from RFID tags installed on tanks or to read RFID information around bottles, both empty and full of wine, trying to put in context the possible problems that could appear when installing an RFID-based traceability system within a winery, a brewery, or any other beverage factory.
A Fuzzy-Neural Ensemble and Geometric Rule Fusion Approach for Scheduling a Wafer Fabrication Factory
Authors: Wu Hsin-Chieh , Chen Toly
Published: July 2013

In this study, the fuzzy-neural ensemble and geometric rule fusion approach is presented to optimize the performance of job dispatching in a wafer fabrication factory with an intelligent rule. The proposed methodology is a modification of a previous study by fusing two dispatching rules and diversifying the job slacks in novel ways. To this end, the geometric mean of the neighboring distances of slacks is maximized. In addition, the fuzzy c-means (FCM) and backpropagation network (BPN) ensemble approach was also proposed to estimate the remaining cycle time of a job, which is an important input to the new rule. A new aggregation mechanism was also designed to enhance the robustness of the FCM-BPN ensemble approach. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology, some experiments have been conducted. The experimental results did support the effectiveness of the proposed methodology.
Polymer‐Assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Hierarchically Arranged Hydroxyapatite Nanoceramic
Authors: Nathanael A. Joseph , Han Sung Soo , Oh Tae Hwan
Published: July 2013

Flower‐like hydroxyapatite (HA) nanostructures were synthesized by a polymer‐assisted hydrothermal method. The thickness of the petals/plates decreased from 200 nm to 40 nm as the polymer concentration increased. The thickness also decreased as the hydrothermal treatment time increased from 6 to 12 hr. The HRTEM and SAED patterns suggest that the floral‐like HA nanostructures are single crystalline in nature. Structural analysis based on XRD and Raman experiments implied that the produced nanostructure is a pure form of HA without any other impurities. The possible formation mechanism was discussed for the formation of flower‐like HA nanostructures during polymer‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Finally, in vitro cellular analysis revealed that the hierarchically arranged HA nanoceramic had improved cell viability relative to other structures. The cells were actively proliferated over these nanostructures due to lower cytotoxicity. Overall, the size and the crystallinity of the nanostructures played a role in improving the cell proliferation.
Kaposi's Sarcoma and Pregnancy: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Brunet-Possenti F. , Pages C. , Rouzier R. , Dupin N. , Bagot M. , Lebbé C.
Published: July 2013

We report the observation of cutaneous Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) worsening during the second trimester of pregnancy in 2 African women. Both patients were tested seronegative for HIV. They had no complication during their pregnancy, and no evidence of extracutaneous disease was found, allowing therapeutic abstention. They gave birth to healthy children showing no clinical evidence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection. Based on these observations and on the review of the literature, we discuss the risk of vertical transmission of HHV-8 as well as the impact of pregnancy on KS.
Management of Elderly Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Früh M. , Besrour H. , Gillessen S. , Joerger M. , Hitz F. , Savidan A. , Cerny T. , Ess S.
Published: July 2013

Background: Optimal management of elderly patients (≥70 years) with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains debatable. We compared survival and treatment of advanced NSCLC between elderly and younger patients. Methods: From the cancer registry, we identified 188 patients treated with chemotherapy for stage IV NSCLC. Patient characteristics, survival, toxicity, chemotherapy regimen and response were compared between age groups (patients 50-69 vs. ≥70 years). Results: There were 96 young and 92 elderly patients. The majority were male (70%) and had adenocarcinoma (53%). More elderly had an ECOG performance status >1 (59 vs. 42%, p = 0.04). Median survival was longer for young patients (11.5 vs. 10.8 months, hazard ratio, HR 1.43, p = 0.04). Patients ≥75 years had a significantly worse outcome compared to the young and patients aged 70-74 years (11.5 vs. 12.8 vs. 7.7 months, HR 1.71, p = 0.01). Hospitalization rate did not differ. Elderly had more hematological toxicities (56 vs. 32%, p = 0.01) and less frequently received first-line platinum combinations (96 vs. 69%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Elderly patients had a marginally worse survival compared to young patients. Despite the less frequent use of combination chemotherapy, elderly patients experienced toxicity more often. Survival of those ≥75 years was significantly worse, indicating the urgent need of further research particularly in this age group.
Efficacy of Local Lidocaine Application on Anxiety and Depression and Its Curative Effect on Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache
Authors: Karadaş Ömer , Inan Levent E. , Ulaş Ümit H. , Odabaşi Zeki
Published: July 2013

Background: Tension-type headache (TTH) is a primary headache disorder. In this study, the efficacy of local lidocaine application on anxiety and depression and its curative effect in patients with chronic TTH was investigated. Methods: Forty-eight patients (24 local lidocaine injection, 24 local saline injection group) with chronic TTH were enrolled in our study. Injections were applied to the trigger points of the muscles that are innervated by C1-C3 and the trigeminal nerve, exit points of the fifth cranial nerve, and around the superior cervical ganglion. Each patient underwent one session every 3 days. Patients were evaluated before and 3 months after the treatment. Results: In both groups, the number of painful days in a month, visual analogue scale values, amount of analgesic use in a month, Hamilton depression score, and Hamilton anxiety score decreased after the treatment. As a result, all of the parameters were found to have improved in both groups (p < 0.05), the results were statistically significant, and the lidocaine group's response to the treatment was better than the placebo group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that local lidocaine administration can be an effective method in the treatment of chronic TTH.
Safe and Effective Outcome of Intravenous Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke in Patients Aged 90 Years or Older
Authors: Balestrino Maurizio , Carlino Valeria , Bruno Chiara , Finocchi Cinzia , Mancardi Giovanni Luigi , Del Sette Massimo , Gandolfo Carlo
Published: July 2013

Concerning intravenous thrombolysis, only inconclusive data are available for patients older than 90. We retrospectively evaluated 11 such patients whom we treated with thrombolysis from June 2007 through April 2012, comparing them to 41 patients of the same age whom we treated conventionally in the same period. Baseline clinical data were superimposable, except for shorter onset-to-hospital time for thrombolyzed patients. Mortality and hemorrhagic transformation did not differ. Functional status (modified Rankin scale) 3 months after was better in treated patients, even when compared to controls who arrived early in the hospital. Treated patients were more often discharged home or to intensive rehabilitation, less often to a nursing home. We conclude that safety and effectiveness of intravenous thrombolysis in eligible nonagenarians are evident in a setting of everyday practice, and that patients 90 years or older should not be denied thrombolysis solely on the basis of their age.
Survey and Census of Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in the Inner-Line Reserve Forest and the Adjoining Areas of Cachar District, Assam, India
Authors: Islam Mofidul , Choudhury Parthankar , Bhattacharjee P.C.
Published: July 2013

A detailed survey of Hoolock hoolock was carried out in the Inner-Line Reserve Forest and the adjoining areas of Cachar district of southern Assam, India, from July 2010 to December 2011. About 150 km2 of the area was covered. In direct sighting, groups and individuals were counted in 7 localities (39.7 km2). Only 3.96 km2 of the actual forest area were occupied by these gibbons. Nine family groups and a solitary subadult, 33 individuals in all, made up the total count. Of these, adult males and females comprised 54.5% of the population while the subadults, juveniles and infants comprised 27.3, 12.1 and 6.1%, respectively. Each family group's home range was 0.31-0.51 km2. Of the 7 localities, only 1 had more than 1 family group. Habitat destruction and diverse threats to the hoolock gibbon in this area are examined in this paper.
Growth in Preterm Infants Until Six Months Postterm: The Role of Insulin and IGF-I
Authors: van de Lagemaat Monique , Rotteveel Joost , Heijboer Annemieke C. , Lafeber Harrie N. , van Weissenbruch Mirjam M.
Published: July 2013

Background/Aims: Since insulin-like growth factor type I (IGF-I) and insulin regulate growth in term infants, they were studied in relation to nutrient intake and growth until 6 months corrected age (CA) in preterm infants. Methods: In 138 preterm infants (51% male, gestational age (expressed as median (IQR)) 30.6 (1.9) weeks, birth weight 1,368 (389) g) weight SDS, length SDS, IGF-I, and insulin were measured at term age, 3 and 6 months CA. Results: IGF-I and insulin at term age were associated with weight SDS and length SDS at term age and 3 months CA. IGF-I and insulin at 3 months CA were associated with weight SDS and length SDS at 3 and 6 months CA. IGF-I and insulin at term age were negatively associated with gain in weight SDS and gain in length SDS between term age and 6 months CA (IGF-I: β = -1.03, 95% CI -1.65;-0.41, p = 0.001 and β = -0.78, 95% CI -1.32;-0.23, p = 0.005; insulin: β = -0.19, 95% CI -0.37;-0.01, p = 0.044 and β = -0.18, 95% CI -0.35;-0.01, p = 0.035). Nutrient intake was not associated with IGF-I or insulin. Conclusions: The present study suggests that IGF-I and insulin are important growth regulators in preterm infants until 6 months CA, independent of nutrient intake.
Renal Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis of the Neointima following Bare Metal Stent Implantation
Authors: Hayano Shinji , Ishii Hideki , Ichimiya Satoshi , Kanashiro Masaaki , Watanabe Junji , Suzuki Susumu , Yoshikawa Daiji , Maeda Kengo , Matsubara Tatsuaki , Murohara Toyoaki
Published: July 2013

Background: Recently, neoatherosclerosis within the neointima after bare metal stent (BMS) implantation, which could cause late restenosis and very late stent thrombosis, has been a cause of concern. Renal dysfunction has been related to late cardiovascular events after coronary intervention. The present study was conducted focusing on the relationship between renal dysfunction and neointimal tissue characteristics with BMS restenosis using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). Methods: We prospectively performed IB-IVUS in 80 consecutive patients requiring target lesion revascularization after BMS implantation; the patients were divided into two groups according to the estimated glomerular filtration [eGFR: ≥60 (n = 49) and <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (n = 31)]. Results: Patients with eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 had a significantly higher percentage of lipid tissue volume within the neointima and a lower percentage of fibrous tissue volume than those with eGFR ≥60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (23.2 ± 9.4 vs. 18.0 ± 7.0%, p = 0.005, and 75.3 ± 9.3 vs. 80.4 ± 7.0%, p = 0.007, respectively). Using logistic regression analysis, eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and duration from stent implantation ≥48 months were independent predictors of increased lipid tissue volume within the neointima (odds ratio, 3.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-13.46, p = 0.03, and odds ratio, 7.56; 95% confidence interval, 2.02-28.30, p = 0.003, respectively). Conclusions: Lower eGFR levels were associated with greater lipid tissue volume within the neointima after BMS deployment, suggesting the development of atherosclerosis. Renal dysfunction may affect neointimal tissue characteristics and thus leading to an increased risk of late stent failure.
Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Control in Hypertensive Hypercholesterolemic Patients
Authors: Egan Brent M. , Li Jiexiang , Qanungo Suparna , Wolfman Tamara E.
Published: July 2013

Background—

Hypertension doubles coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. Treating hypertension only reduces CHD risk ≈25%. Treating hypercholesterolemia in hypertensive patients reduces residual CHD risk >35%.

Methods and Results—

To assess progress in concurrent hypertension and hypercholesterolemia control, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 1988 to 1994, 1999 to 2004, and 2005 to 2010 were analyzed. Hypertension was defined by blood pressure ≥140/≥90 mm Hg, current medication treatment, and 2-told hypertension status; blood pressure <140/<90 defined control. Hypercholesterolemia was defined by ATP III criteria based on 10-year CHD risk, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; values below diagnostic thresholds defined control. Across surveys, 60.7% to 64.3% of hypertensives were hypercholesterolemic. From 1988 to 1994 to 2005 to 2010, control of LDL-C rose (9.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 6.6%–11.9%] to 45.4% [95% CI, 42.6%–48.3%]), concomitant hypertension and LDL-C (5.0% [95% CI, 3.3%–6.7%] to 30.7% [95% CI, 27.9%–33.4%]), and combined hypertension, LDL-C, and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (1.8% [95% CI, 0.4%–3.2%] to 26.9% [95% CI, 24.4%–29.5%]). By multivariable logistic regression, factors associated with concomitant hypertension, LDL-C, and non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol control (odds ratio [95% CI]) were statin (10.7 [8.1–14.3]) and antihypertensive (3.32 [2.45–4.50]) medications, age (0.77 [0.69–0.88]/10-year increase), ≥2 healthcare visits/yr (1.90 [1.26-2.87]), black race (0.59 [0.44–0.80]), Hispanic ethnicity (0.62 [0.43–0.90]), cardiovascular disease (0.44 [0.34–0.56]), and diabetes mellitus (0.54 [0.42–0.70]).

Conclusions—

Despite progress, opportunities for improving concomitant hypertension and hypercholesterolemia control persist. Prescribing antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic medications to achieve treatment goals, especially for older, minority, diabetic, and cardiovascular disease patients, and accessing healthcare at least biannually could improve concurrent risk factor control and CHD prevention.
A taxonomic revision of the myrmecophilous genus Lomechusoides Tottenham, 1939 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) Part I. Redescription of the genus, definition of species groups and the revision of the amurensis Wasmann 1897 species group
Authors: JÁSZAY TOMÁŠ , HLAVÁČ PETER
Published: July 2013

The genus Lomechusoides Tottenham, 1939 is redescribed, the definition of species groups and the key to these groups is provided. The revision of the species group L. amurensis as well as the key to the identification of this group is given. The amurensis species group contains following species: L. amurensis (Wasmann 1897), L. kozlovi sp. nov., L. schneideri Mar-uyama & Hlaváč, 2005 and L. suensoni (Bernhauer 1936). The synonymy of L. ganglbaueri uralensis (Bernhauer 1936) to L. amurensis is confirmed. L. suensoni (Bernhauer, 1936) is revalidated as a good species from a synonymy of L. amu-rensis.
Idionyx pseudovictor sp. nov. from Fujian, China (Odonata: Anisoptera: Corduliidae)
Authors: XU QI-HAN
Published: July 2013

A new species of the genus Idionyx Hagen, I. pseudovictor sp. nov. from Fujian, China is described from the female, il-lustrated and diagnosed from its congeners. Description of the final stadium larva of the new species is also provided. The new species is closely similar to female I. victor. There are a series of relatively minor colour and pattern differences be-tween these two female adults, as well as a series of obvious structural differences in larvae of these two species. The fe-male adult of the new species can be separated from that of I. victor by the following characters: (1) labrum entirely yellow; (2) distal end of ventral synthorax entirely yellow; (3) abdominal S1–2 with complete middorsal yellow stripe; (4) valvula vulvae pointed triangularly, not projecting beyond apical border of 8th tergite. The larva of the new species can be separated from that of I. victor by the following characters: (1) body dark brown, covered with dense long hairs; (2) apical border of prementum with 10 spiniform setae on each side; (3) premental setae 5+3/5+3; (4) numerous fine bristles present on median lobe; (5) inner margin of palpal lobe with 6 large projections; and (6) movable hook long and acuminate.
First record of Noctitrella Gorochov from China, with description of a new species (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Podoscirtinae)
Authors: LIU HAO-YU , SHI FU-MING
Published: July 2013

The genus Noctitrella Gorochov, 1990 is recorded to China for the first time. A new species is described and illustrated, N. denticulata sp. nov. (CHINA: Yunnan). A key to and a distribution map of the known species of this genus in the world are presented.
Nomenclatural remarks on Cyanogaster Oken 1823 and Cyanogaster Blainville 1825 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Pleurobranchaeidae)
Authors: BRITZ RALF , MATTOX GEORGE M. T. , TOLEDO-PIZA MONICA , MARINHO MANOELA M.F.
Published: July 2013

We recently published the description of a miniature fish species of the teleost order Characiformes from the Amazon basin in Brazil and named it Cyanogaster noctivaga (Mattox et al. 2013). Shortly after the description was published we received e-mails from several colleagues informing us that the genus name Cyanogaster Mattox et al. was preoccupied in Mollusca by Cyanogaster Oken 1823 and/or Cyanogaster Blainville 1825. We then checked the original publications and we found several interesting facts pertinent for the issue that we summarize here.
An All-Season Flash Flood Forecasting System for Real-Time Operations
Authors: Broxton Patrick , Troch Peter A. , Schaffner Mike , Unkrich Carl , Goodrich David
Published: July 2013

Flash floods can cause extensive damage to both life and property, especially because they are difficult to predict. Flash flood prediction requires high-resolution meteorological observations and predictions, as well as calibrated hydrological models, which should effectively simulate how a catchment filters rainfall inputs into streamflow. Furthermore, because of the requirement of both hydrological and meteorological components in flash flood forecasting systems, there must be extensive data handling capabilities built in to force the hydrological model with a variety of available hydrometeorological data and predictions, as well as to test the model with hydrological observations. The authors have developed a working prototype of such a system, called KINEROS/hsB-SM, after the hydrological models that are used: the Kinematic Erosion and Runoff (KINEROS) and hillslope-storage Boussinesq Soil Moisture (hsB-SM) models. KINEROS is an event-based overland flow and channel routing model that is designed to simulate flash floods in semiarid regions where infiltration excess overland flow dominates, while hsB-SM is a continuous subsurface flow model, whose model physics are applicable in humid regions where saturation excess overland flow is most important. In addition, KINEROS/hsB-SM includes an energy balance snowmelt model, which gives it the ability to simulate flash floods that involve rain on snow. There are also extensive algorithms to incorporate high-resolution hydrometeorological data, including stage III radar data (5 min, 1° by 1 km), to assist in the calibration of the models, and to run the model in real time. The model is currently being used in an experimental fashion at the National Weather Service Binghamton, New York, Weather Forecast Office.
Dynamics and Geometry of Extratropical Cyclones in the Upper Troposphere by a Neighbor Enclosed Area Tracking Algorithm
Authors: Inatsu Masaru , Amada Shotaro
Published: July 2013

This study shows that the morphological characteristics of upper-tropospheric extratropical eddies are closely related to the background flow in the Northern Hemisphere winter. Enclosed surfaces of 300-hPa relative vorticity are identified by using the neighbor enclosed area tracking algorithm, and the periphery of these surfaces are approximated by ellipses. Eddies are classified into five categories according to the approximate ellipse. Eddies having an oblateness of less than 0.6 are classified as near circle, or are otherwise classified as northeast–southwest (NE–SW), northwest–southeast (NW–SE), north–south, or west–east, according to the direction of the major axis. In the wintertime climatology, NE–SW-oriented cyclones are collocated with the jet stream, while NW–SE-oriented cyclones mostly reside north of the jet. In interannual variability, moreover, the frequency of NE–SW cyclones is slightly correlated with the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index, while the frequency of NW–SE cyclones is highly anticorrelated with the AO index. This is consistent with positive feedback between horizontally slanted eddies and background flow, as has been shown in many previous studies.
Changes in Twentieth-Century Extreme Temperature and Precipitation over the Western United States Based on Observations and Regional Climate Model Simulations*
Authors: Dulière Valérie , Zhang Yongxin , Salathé Eric P.
Published: July 2013

Trends in extreme temperature and precipitation in two regional climate model simulations forced by two global climate models are compared with observed trends over the western United States. The observed temperature extremes show substantial and statistically significant trends across the western United States during the late twentieth century, with consistent results among individual stations. The two regional climate models simulate temporal trends that are consistent with the observed trends and reflect the anthropogenic warming signal. In contrast, no such clear trends or correspondence between the observations and simulations is found for extreme precipitation, likely resulting from the dominance of the natural variability over systematic climate change during the period. However, further analysis of the variability of precipitation extremes shows strong correspondence between the observed precipitation indices and increasing oceanic Niño index (ONI), with regionally coherent patterns found for the U.S. Northwest and Southwest. Both regional climate simulations reproduce the observed relationship with ONI, indicating that the models can represent the large-scale climatic links with extreme precipitation. The regional climate model simulations use the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model and Hadley Centre Regional Model (HadRM) forced by the ECHAM5 and the Hadley Centre Climate Model (HadCM) global models for the 1970–2007 time period. Comparisons are made to station observations from the Historical Climatology Network (HCN) locations over the western United States. This study focused on temperature and precipitation extreme indices recommended by the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection Monitoring and Indices (ETCCDMI).
Extreme Flood Response: The June 2008 Flooding in Iowa
Authors: Smith James A. , Baeck Mary Lynn , Villarini Gabriele , Wright Daniel B. , Krajewski Witold
Published: July 2013

The authors examine the hydroclimatology, hydrometeorology, and hydrology of extreme floods through analyses that center on the June 2008 flooding in Iowa. The most striking feature of the June 2008 flooding was the flood peak of the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids (3964 m3 s−1), which was almost twice the previous maximum from a record of 110 years. The spatial extent of extreme flooding was exceptional, with more U.S. Geological Survey stream gauging stations reporting record flood peaks than in any other year. The 2008 flooding was produced by a sequence of organized thunderstorm systems over a period of two weeks. The authors examine clustering and seasonality of flooding in the Iowa study region and link these properties to features of the June 2008 flood event. They examine the environment of heavy rainfall in Iowa during June 2008 through analyses of composite rainfall fields (15-min time interval and 1-km spatial resolution) developed with the Hydro-NEXRAD system and simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF). Water balance analyses of extreme flood response, based on rainfall and discharge observations from basins with extreme flooding, suggest that antecedent soil moisture plays a diminishing role in flood response as the return interval increases. Rainfall structure and evolution play a critical and poorly understood role in determining the scaling of flood response. As in other extreme flood studies, analyses of the Iowa flood data suggest that measurement errors can be significant for record discharge estimates.
Variance-Based Sensitivity Analysis: An Illustration on the Lorenz'63 Model
Authors: Marzban Caren
Published: July 2013

Sensitivity analysis (SA) generally refers to an assessment of the sensitivity of the output(s) of some complex model with respect to changes in the input(s). Examples of inputs or outputs include initial state variables, parameters of a numerical model, or state variables at some future time. Sensitivity analysis is useful for data assimilation, model tuning, calibration, and dimensionality reduction; and there exists a wide range of SA techniques for each. This paper discusses one special class of SA techniques, referred to as variance based. As a first step in demonstrating the utility of the method in understanding the relationship between forecasts and parameters of complex numerical models, here the method is applied to the Lorenz'63 model, and the results are compared with an adjoint-based approach to SA. The method has three major components: 1) analysis of variance, 2) emulation of computer data, and 3) experimental–sampling design. The role of these three topics in variance-based SA is addressed in generality. More specifically, the application to the Lorenz'63 model suggests that the Z state variable is most sensitive to the b and r parameters, and is mostly unaffected by the s parameter. There is also evidence for an interaction between the r and b parameters. It is shown that these conclusions are true for both simple random sampling and Latin hypercube sampling, although the latter leads to slightly more precise estimates for some of the sensitivity measures.