bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Risk due to Lightning Strikes in a High-Speed Railway Catenary
Authors: de la Fuente Eduardo Pilo
Published: June 2015

Because of its length, the catenary is probably the part of the infrastructure which is the most exposed to lightning strikes: it is a very conductive part, with a significant height, sharp parts and high voltages applied on it. For that reason, different protection schemes are adopted. Surge arresters are installed to limit the over-voltages in the substations, along the catenary and onboard the trains. In addition, an air-termination network (composed of lightning rods or overhead wires, which are grounded) are installed in the substations. The implementation of these schemes normally follows in-house guidelines, established by each infrastructure manager to ensure the compliance with the standards. The physical interpretation of the equivalent area and the expected number of flash strikes is sometimes missing. This paper intends to provide a physical perspective to this problem, using the concept of volume of attraction of each conducting element and linking it to the notion of equivalent area. A specific study case taken for the Madrid-Barcelona 25kV 50Hz high-speed line (Spain) is used to illustrate these concepts.
Validity of the Pediatric Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test to Determine Anaerobic Performance in Healthy Children
Authors: Bongers Bart C. , Werkman Maarten S. , Blokland Donna , Eijsermans Maria J.C. , van der Torre Patrick , Bartels Bart , Verschuren Olaf , Takken Tim
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

To determine criterion validity of the pediatric running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST) as a nonsophisticated field test for evaluating anaerobic performance in healthy children and adolescents.

Methods:

Data from 65 healthy children (28 boys and 37 girls between 6 and 18 years of age, mean ± SD age: 10.0 ± 2.8 years) who completed both the pediatric RAST and the 30-s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) on a cycle ergometer in a randomized order were analyzed. Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were the primary outcome measures for both tests.

Results:

There were no significant sex-differences in PP and MP attained at the pediatric RAST and the WAnT. Age was strongly correlated to pediatric RAST and WAnT performance (Spearman’s rho values ranging from 0.85 to 0.90, with p < .001 for all coefficients). We found high correlation coefficients between pediatric RAST performance and WAnT performance for both PP (Spearman’s rho: 0.86; p < .001) and MP (Spearman’s rho: 0.91; p < .001).

Conclusion:

The pediatric RAST can be used as a valid and nonsophisticated field test for the assessment of anaerobic performance in healthy children and adolescents. For clinical evaluative purposes, we suggest to use MP of the pediatric RAST when assessing glycolytic power in the absence of the WAnT.
Targeted phosphoproteomics of insulin signaling using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry
Authors: Parker Benjamin L. , Yang Guang , Humphrey Sean J. , Chaudhuri Rima , Ma Xiuquan , Peterman Scott , James David E.
Published: June 2015

A mass spectrometry method may enable the simultaneous and rapid quantification of multiple phosphorylation events in multiple samples.
SUMO deconjugation is required for arsenic-triggered ubiquitylation of PML
Authors: Fasci Domenico , Anania Veronica G. , Lill Jennie R. , Salvesen Guy S.
Published: June 2015

A chemotherapeutic triggers the degradation of an oncoprotein by inducing a switch from SUMO2 to SUMO1 at a specific lysine residue.
Understanding disease pleiotropy: From puzzle to solution
Authors: Rozet Jean-Michel , Gérard Xavier
Published: June 2015

The total amount of functional mutant protein produced by cells underpins disease pleiotropy in the ciliopathies.
In Vivo
Efficacy of Antimicrobials against Biofilm-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Pawar Vinay , Komor Uliana , Kasnitz Nadine , Bielecki Piotr , Pils Marina C. , Gocht Benjamin , Moter Annette , Rohde Manfred , Weiss Siegfried , Häussler Susanne
Published: June 2015

Patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF) are commonly affected by chronic
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
biofilm infections. This is the main cause for the high disease severity. In this study, we demonstrate that
P. aeruginosa
is able to efficiently colonize murine solid tumors after intravenous injection and to form biofilms in this tissue. Biofilm formation was evident by electron microscopy. Such structures could not be observed with transposon mutants, which were defective in biofilm formation. Comparative transcriptional profiling of
P. aeruginosa
indicated physiological similarity of the bacteria in the murine tumor model and the CF lung. The efficacy of currently available antibiotics for treatment of
P. aeruginosa
-infected CF lungs, such as ciprofloxacin, colistin, and tobramycin, could be tested in the tumor model. We found that clinically recommended doses of these antibiotics were unable to eliminate wild-type
P. aeruginosa
PA14 while being effective against biofilm-defective mutants. However, colistin-tobramycin combination therapy significantly reduced the number of
P. aeruginosa
PA14 cells in tumors at lower concentrations. Hence, we present a versatile experimental system that is providing a platform to test approved and newly developed antibiofilm compounds.
Retrospective Comparison of Posaconazole Levels in Patients Taking the Delayed-Release Tablet versus the Oral Suspension
Authors: Durani Urshila , Tosh Pritish K. , Barreto Jason N. , Estes Lynn L. , Jannetto Paul J. , Tande Aaron J.
Published: June 2015

While posaconazole prophylaxis decreases the risk of invasive fungal infection compared to fluconazole, low bioavailability of the oral-suspension formulation limits its efficacy. A new delayed-release tablet formulation demonstrated an improved pharmacokinetic profile in healthy volunteers. However, serum levels for the two formulations have not been compared in clinical practice. This study compared achievement of therapeutic posaconazole levels in patients taking the delayed-release tablet to those taking the oral suspension. This retrospective cohort study included 93 patients initiated on posaconazole between 2012 and 2014 and had at least one serum posaconazole level measured. The primary measure was the proportion of patients achieving an initial therapeutic level (>700 ng/ml). An initial therapeutic posaconazole level was seen in 29 of 32 (91%) patients receiving tablets and 37 of 61 (61%) patients receiving suspension (
P
= 0.003). Among patients with a steady-state level measured 5 to 14 days after initiation, a therapeutic level was observed in 18 of 20 (90%) patients receiving tablets and 25 of 43 (58%) patients receiving suspension (
P
= 0.01). In these patients, the median posaconazole level of the tablet cohort (1655 ng/ml) was twice that of the suspension cohort (798 ng/ml) (
P
= 0.004). In this cohort study, the improved bioavailability of delayed-release posaconazole tablets translates into a significantly higher proportion of patients achieving therapeutic serum levels than in the cohort receiving the oral suspension. The results of this study strongly support the use of delayed-release tablets over suspension in patients at risk for invasive fungal infection.
Emergence of H7N9 Influenza A Virus Resistant to Neuraminidase Inhibitors in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Itoh Yasushi , Shichinohe Shintaro , Nakayama Misako , Igarashi Manabu , Ishii Akihiro , Ishigaki Hirohito , Ishida Hideaki , Kitagawa Naoko , Sasamura Takako , Shiohara Masanori , Doi Michiko , Tsuchiya Hideaki , Nakamura Shinichiro , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Sakoda Yoshihiro , Kida Hiroshi , Ogasawara Kazumasa
Published: June 2015

The number of patients infected with H7N9 influenza virus has been increasing since 2013. We examined the efficacy of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors and the efficacy of a vaccine against an H7N9 influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a patient in a cynomolgus macaque model. NA inhibitors (oseltamivir and peramivir) barely reduced the total virus amount because of the emergence of resistant variants with R289K or I219T in NA [residues 289 and 219 in N9 of A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) correspond to 292 and 222 in N2, respectively] in three of the six treated macaques, whereas subcutaneous immunization of an inactivated vaccine derived from A/duck/Mongolia/119/2008 (H7N9) prevented propagation of A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) in all vaccinated macaques. The percentage of macaques in which variant H7N9 viruses with low sensitivity to the NA inhibitors were detected was much higher than that of macaques in which variant H5N1 highly pathogenic influenza virus was detected after treatment with one of the NA inhibitors in our previous study. The virus with R289K in NA was reported in samples from human patients, whereas that with I219T in NA was identified for the first time in this study using macaques, though no variant H7N9 virus was reported in previous studies using mice. Therefore, the macaque model enables prediction of the frequency of emerging H7N9 virus resistant to NA inhibitors
in vivo
. Since H7N9 strains resistant to NA inhibitors might easily emerge compared to other influenza viruses, monitoring of the emergence of variants is required during treatment of H7N9 influenza virus infection with NA inhibitors.
Frequency and Distribution of Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms within
mprF
in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates and Their Role in Cross-Resistance to Daptomycin and Host Defense Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Bayer Arnold S. , Mishra Nagendra N. , Chen Liang , Kreiswirth Barry N. , Rubio Aileen , Yang Soo-Jin
Published: June 2015

MprF is responsible for the lysinylation of phosphatidylglycerol (PG) to synthesize the positively charged phospholipid (PL) species, lysyl-PG (L-PG). It has been proposed that the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the
mprF
open reading frame (ORF) are associated with a gain-in-function phenotype in terms of daptomycin resistance in
Staphylococcus aureus
. (Note that although the official term is daptomycin nonsusceptibility, we use the term daptomycin resistance in this paper for ease of presentation.) Using 22 daptomycin-susceptible (DAP
s
)/daptomycin-resistant (DAP
r
) clinical methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA) strain pairs, we assessed (i) the frequencies and distribution of putative
mprF
gain-in-function SNPs, (ii) the relationships of the SNPs to both daptomycin resistance and cross-resistance to the prototypical endovascular host defense peptide (HDP) thrombin-induced platelet microbicidal protein (tPMP), and (iii) the impact of
mprF
SNPs on positive surface charge phenotype and modifications of membrane PL profiles. Most of the
mprF
SNPs identified in our DAP
r
strains were clustered within the two MprF loci, (i) the central bifunctional domain and (ii) the C-terminal synthase domain. Moreover, we were able to correlate the presence and location of
mprF
SNPs in DAP
r
strains with HDP cross-resistance, positive surface charge, and L-PG profiles. Although DAP
r
strains with
mprF
SNPs in the bifunctional domain showed higher resistance to tPMPs than DAP
r
strains with SNPs in the synthase domain, this relationship was not observed in positive surface charge assays. These results demonstrated that both charge-mediated and -unrelated mechanisms are involved in DAP resistance and HDP cross-resistance in
S. aureus
.
Bacterial Signal Transduction by Cyclic Di-GMP and Other Nucleotide Second Messengers
Authors: Hengge Regine , Gründling Angelika , Jenal Urs , Ryan Robert , Yildiz Fitnat
Published: June 2015

The first International Symposium on c-Di-GMP Signaling in Bacteria (22 to 25 March 2015, Harnack-Haus, Berlin, Germany) brought together 131 molecular microbiologists from 17 countries to discuss recent progress in our knowledge of bacterial nucleotide second messenger signaling. While the focus was on signal input, synthesis, degradation, and the striking diversity of the modes of action of the current second messenger paradigm, i.e., cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP), “classics” like cAMP and (p)ppGpp were also presented, in novel facets, and more recent “newcomers,” such as c-di-AMP and c-AMP-GMP, made an impressive appearance. A number of clear trends emerged during the 30 talks, on the 71 posters, and in the lively discussions, including (i) c-di-GMP control of the activities of various ATPases and phosphorylation cascades, (ii) extensive cross talk between c-di-GMP and other nucleotide second messenger signaling pathways, and (iii) a stunning number of novel effectors for nucleotide second messengers that surprisingly include some long-known master regulators of developmental pathways. Overall, the conference made it amply clear that second messenger signaling is currently one of the most dynamic fields within molecular microbiology, with major impacts in research fields ranging from human health to microbial ecology.
Modelling the cost-effectiveness of combination therapy for early, rapidly progressing rheumatoid arthritis by simulating the reversible and irreversible effects of the disease
Authors: Stephens Stephanie , Botteman Marc F , Cifaldi Mary A , van Hout Ben A
Published: June 2015

Objective

To estimate the cost-effectiveness of adalimumab plus methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in early, aggressive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) when explicitly modelling short-term (reversible) and long-term (irreversible, ie, joint damage) disease activity and physical function.

Methods

A microsimulation model was developed to unify, in a single cost-effectiveness model, measures of reversible and irreversible disease activity and physical function based on data from the PREMIER trial. Short term, reversible disease activity was modelled using DAS28 variables, including swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, C reactive protein concentration and pain. The DAS28 variables were then used in a logistic regression to predict short-term American College of Rheumatology (ACR) responses, which informed treatment continuation and switches. Long term, irreversible, radiographically documented joint damage was modelled using modified Total Sharp Score (mTSS). The model then linked both short-term disease activity and mTSS to the Health Assessment Questionnaire score, which was used to calculate direct and indirect costs, and quality adjusted life-years (QALYs).

Results

When both reversible and irreversible effects of therapy were included, combination therapy was estimated to produce 6-month 50% ACR responses in 75% of patients versus 54% in MTX monotherapy. Compared to MTX monotherapy, combination therapy resulted in 2.68 and 3.04 discounted life years and QALYs gained, respectively. Combination therapy also resulted in a net increase in direct costs of £106 207 for a resulting incremental cost/QALY gain of £32 425. When indirect costs were included in the analysis, the ICER (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio) decreased to £27 238. Disregarding irreversible effects increased the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio to £78 809 (when only direct costs were included).

Conclusions

Starting with adalimumab plus MTX combination therapy in early, aggressive RA is cost-effective when irreversible damage is adequately considered.
The utility of Google Trends data to examine interest in cancer screening
Authors: Schootman M , Toor A , Cavazos-Rehg P , Jeffe D B , McQueen A , Eberth J , Davidson N O
Published: June 2015

Objectives

We examined the utility of January 2004 to April 2014 Google Trends data from information searches for cancer screenings and preparations as a complement to population screening data, which are traditionally estimated through costly population-level surveys.

Setting

State-level data across the USA.

Participants

Persons who searched for terms related to cancer screening using Google, and persons who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

(1) State-level Google Trends data, providing relative search volume (RSV) data scaled to the highest search proportion per week (RSV100) for search terms over time since 2004 and across different geographical locations. (2) RSV of new screening tests, free/low-cost screening for breast and colorectal cancer, and new preparations for colonoscopy (Prepopik). (3) State-level breast, cervical, colorectal and prostate cancer screening rates.

Results

Correlations between Google Trends and BRFSS data ranged from 0.55 for ever having had a colonoscopy to 0.14 for having a Pap smear within the past 3 years. Free/low-cost mammography and colonoscopy showed higher RSV during their respective cancer awareness months. RSV for Miralax remained stable, while interest in Prepopik increased over time. RSV for lung cancer screening, virtual colonoscopy and three-dimensional mammography was low.

Conclusions

Google Trends data provides enormous scientific possibilities, but are not a suitable substitute for, but may complement, traditional data collection and analysis about cancer screening and related interests.
The acute effects of green tea and carbohydrate coingestion on systemic inflammation and oxidative stress during sprint cycling
Authors: Suzuki Katsuhiko , Takahashi Masaki , Li Chia-Yang , Lin Shiuan-Pey , Tomari Miki , Shing Cecilia M. , Fang Shih-Hua
Published: June 2015

Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, which may be beneficial to athletes performing high-intensity exercise. This study investigated the effects of carbohydrate and green tea coingestion on sprint cycling performance and associated oxidative stress and immunoendocrine responses to exercise. In a crossover design, 9 well-trained male cyclists completed 3 sets of 8 repetitions of 100-m uphill sprint cycling while ingesting green tea and carbohydrate (TEA) (22 mg/kg body mass catechins, 6 mg/kg body mass caffeine, 230 mg/kg glucose, and 110 mg/kg fructose) or carbohydrate only (CHO) (230 mg/kg body mass glucose and 110 mg/kg body mass fructose) during each 10-min recovery period between sets. Blood samples were collected before exercise, 10 min after exercise, and 14 h after exercise. There was no effect of acute TEA ingestion on cycling sprint performance (p = 0.29), although TEA maintained postexercise testosterone and lymphocyte concentrations, which decreased significantly in the CHO group (p < 0.001). While there was a trend for lower postexercise neutrophil count with TEA (p = 0.05), there were no significant differences between TEA and CHO for circulating cytokines (p > 0.20), markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity (p > 0.17), adiponectin concentration (p = 0.60), or muscle damage markers (p > 0.64). While acute green tea ingestion prevents the postexercise decrease in testosterone and lymphocytes, it does not appear to benefit cycling sprint performance or reduce markers of oxidation and inflammation when compared with carbohydrate alone.
Black hole entropy and the zeroth law of thermodynamics
Authors: Czinner Viktor G.
Published: June 2015

By mapping the nonadditive entropy composition law of the Bekenstein–Hawking formula to an additive one via the so-called "formal logarithm" operation, a new approach to the black hole entropy problem is considered. The new temperature function satisfies the zeroth law of thermodynamics, and turns out to be independent of the mass-energy parameter of the black hole in the case of the Schwarzschild solution. It is shown that pure isolated black holes are thermodynamically stable against spherically symmetric perturbations within this approach.
Dynamic Modeling and Optimal Control for Complex Systems with Statistical Trajectory
Authors: Guo Lingli , Xu Zhengguang , Wang Ye
Published: June 2015

This paper is concerned with the problem of the working state class dynamic modeling and control of the complex system with statistical trajectory. Firstly, a novel discrete-time nonlinear working state class dynamic mathematical model of sintering machine is constructed byK-means cluster method for the local data, which overcomes difficulties of modeling by mechanism and describes the class change against the point movement. Then, based on the working state class dynamic modeling, the optimal control method which is significant to achieve trajectory tracking for sintering machine is developed by constructing the quadratic performance indicator. More importantly, the method facilitates control process realization from one class to another. Finally, the simulation is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Fault Prediction Algorithm for Multiple Mode Process Based on Reconstruction Technique
Authors: Ma Jie , Xu Jianan
Published: June 2015

In the framework of fault reconstruction technique, this paper studies the problems of multiple mode process fault detection, fault estimation, and fault prediction systematically based on multi-PCA model. First, a multi-PCA model is used for fault detection in steady state process under different conditions, while a weighted algorithm is applied to transition process. Then, describe the faults quantitatively and use the optimization method to derive the fault amplitude under the sense of fault reconstruction. Fault amplitude drifts under different conditions even if the same fault occurs. To solve the above problem, consistent estimation algorithm of fault amplitude under different conditions has been studied. Last, employ the support vector machine (SVM) to predict the trend of the fault amplitude. Effectiveness of the algorithms proposed in this paper has been verified using Tennessee Eastman process as the study object.
The Robust Passive Location Algorithm for Maneuvering Target Tracking
Authors: Yang Xiaojun , Liu Gang , Guo Jinku , Wang Hongqiao , He Bing
Published: June 2015

With the advantages such as high security and far responding distance, the passive location has a broad application in military and civil domains such as radar and aerospace. However, most of the current passive location methods are based on the framework of the probability theory and cannot be used to deal with fuzzy uncertainty in the passive location systems. Though the fuzzy Kalman filter can be used in the uncertainty systems, it could not deal with the abrupt change of state like the maneuvering target which will lead to the filter divergence. Therefore, in order to track the maneuvering target in the fuzzy passive system, we proposed a robust fuzzy extended Kalman filter based on the orthogonality principle and the fuzzy filter in the paper. Conclusion can be made based on the simulation result that this new approach is more precise and more robust than the fuzzy filter.
Fault Diagnosis in Condition of Sample Type Incompleteness Using Support Vector Data Description
Authors: Yi Hui , Mao Zehui , Jiang Bin , Bo Cuimei , Liu Yufang , Luo Hui
Published: June 2015

Faulty samples are much harder to acquire than normal samples, especially in complicated systems. This leads to incompleteness for training sample types and furthermore a decrease of diagnostic accuracy. In this paper, the relationship between sample-type incompleteness and the classifier-based diagnostic accuracy is discussed first. Then, a support vector data description-based approach, which has taken the effects of sample-type incompleteness into consideration, is proposed to refine the construction of fault regions and increase the diagnostic accuracy for the condition of incomplete sample types. The effectiveness of the proposed method was validated on both a Gaussian distributed dataset and a practical dataset. Satisfactory results have been obtained.
Improvement in Saccharification Yield of Mixed Rumen Enzymes by Identification of Recalcitrant Cell Wall Constituents Using Enzyme Fingerprinting
Authors: Badhan Ajay , Wang Yu-Xi , Gruninger Robert , Patton Donald , Powlowski Justin , Tsang Adrian , McAllister Tim A.
Published: June 2015

Identification of recalcitrant factors that limit digestion of forages and the development of enzymatic approaches that improve hydrolysis could play a key role in improving the efficiency of meat and milk production in ruminants. Enzyme fingerprinting of barley silage fed to heifers and total tract indigestible fibre residue (TIFR) collected from feces was used to identify cell wall components resistant to total tract digestion. Enzyme fingerprinting results identified acetyl xylan esterases as key to the enhanced ruminal digestion. FTIR analysis also suggested cross-link cell wall polymers as principal components of indigested fiber residues in feces. Based on structural information from enzymatic fingerprinting and FTIR, enzyme pretreatment to enhance glucose yield from barley straw and alfalfa hay upon exposure to mixed rumen-enzymes was developed. Prehydrolysis effects of recombinant fungal fibrolytic hydrolases were analyzed using microassay in combination with statistical experimental design. Recombinant hemicellulases and auxiliary enzymes initiated degradation of plant structural polysaccharides upon application and improved thein vitrosaccharification of alfalfa and barley straw by mixed rumen enzymes. The validation results showed that microassay in combination with statistical experimental design can be successfully used to predict effective enzyme pretreatments that can enhance plant cell wall digestion by mixed rumen enzymes.
A Diagnosis Method for Rotation Machinery Faults Based on Dimensionless Indexes Combined withK-Nearest Neighbor Algorithm
Authors: Xiong Jianbin , Zhang Qinghua , Peng Zhiping , Sun Guoxi , Xu Weichao , Wang Qi
Published: June 2015

It is difficult to well distinguish the dimensionless indexes between normal petrochemical rotating machinery equipment and those with complex faults. When the conflict of evidence is too big, it will result in uncertainty of diagnosis. This paper presents a diagnosis method for rotation machinery fault based on dimensionless indexes combined withK-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm. This method uses aKNN algorithm and an evidence fusion theoretical formula to process fuzzy data, incomplete data, and accurate data. This method can transfer the signals from the petrochemical rotating machinery sensors to the reliability manners using dimensionless indexes andKNN algorithm. The input information is further integrated by an evidence synthesis formula to get the final data. The type of fault will be decided based on these data. The experimental results show that the proposed method can integrate data to provide a more reliable and reasonable result, thereby reducing the decision risk.
Successful Treatment of Multifocal Histiocytic Sarcoma Occurring after Renal Transplantation with Cladribine, High-Dose Cytarabine, G-CSF, and Mitoxantrone (CLAG-M) Followed by Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Tomlin Julia , Orosco Ryan K. , Boles Sarah , Tipps Ann , Wang Huan-You , Husseman Jacob , Wieduwilt Matthew
Published: June 2015

Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare, aggressive malignancy. Lesions previously called HS were typically non-Hodgkin lymphomas, not HS. As such, chemotherapy directed at lymphoid neoplasms was frequently successful, but it is unclear if these regimens are ideal for HS. We present a 33-year-old African gentleman who underwent sequential renal transplants for glomerulonephritis. He subsequently developed HS of the upper airway and multiple cutaneous sites. The patient received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) followed by salvage ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) but had continuous progression of cutaneous involvement. Cladribine, high-dose cytarabine, G-CSF, and mitoxantrone (CLAG-M) yielded a partial response with near resolution of disease. Ultimately, the patient achieved a complete remission after myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. HS occurring after solid organ transplant raises the possibility of HS as a potential posttransplant malignancy. The use of CLAG-M has not been reported in HS. In this case, histiocyte-directed chemotherapy with CLAG-M was superior to lymphoma-directed regimens.
Correlations between Phlegm Syndrome of Chinese Medicine and Coronary Angiography: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Qiu-Yan , Liang Hao , Gong Hou-Wu , Huang Hui-yong , Zhou Xiao-qing , Sun Xiang
Published: June 2015

Phlegm is one of the most common patterns of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese medicine. Our research was aimed at investigating the association between phlegm syndrome of CAD and coronary angiography (CAG) by meta-analysis. According to inclusion criteria, a total of 30 studies involving 5,055 CAD patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that phlegm syndrome patients were prone to multivessel disease (28 studies, OR = 1.53, 95% CI, 1.24 to 1.88,P<0.01) and higher Gensini score (2 studies, OR = 5.90, 95% CI, 1.86 to 9.94,P=0.004), but not obviously relevant to severe stenosis (≥75%) of coronary arteries (13 studies, OR = 1.20, 95% CI, 0.63 to 2.27,P=0.57). We concluded that the coronary arteries lesions of CAD patients with phlegm syndrome were more severe than those with nonphlegm syndromes. Phlegm syndrome should, therefore, be regarded as a dangerous pattern of CAD with worse prognosis.
Cooperative Solution of Multi-UAV Rendezvous Problem with Network Restrictions
Authors: Zhang Qingjie , Tao Jianwu , Yu Fei , Li Yingzhen , Sun Hongchang , Xu Wei
Published: June 2015

By considering the complex networks, the cooperative game based optimal consensus (CGOC) algorithm is proposed to solve the multi-UAV rendezvous problem in the mission area. Firstly, the mathematical description of the rendezvous problem is established, and the solving framework is provided based on the coordination variables and coordination function. It can decrease the transmission of the redundant information and reduce the influence of the limited network on the task. Secondly, the CGOC algorithm is presented for the UAVs in distributed cooperative manner, which can minimize the overall cost of the multi-UAV system. The CGOC control problem and the corresponding solving protocol are given by using the cooperative game theory and sensitivity parameter method. Then, the CGOC method of multi-UAV rendezvous problem is proposed, which focuses on the trajectory control of the platform rather than the path planning. Simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed CGOC method under complex network conditions and the benefit on the overall optimality and dynamic response.
Predictive Role of ERCC1 Expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated with Surgery and Adjuvant Cisplatin-Based Chemoradiation
Authors: Ciaparrone Marco , Caspiani Orietta , Bicciolo Giulio , Signorelli Diego , Simonelli Ilaria , de Campora Luca , Mazzarella Giorgio , Mecozzi Antonella , Pianelli Curzio , Camaioni Angelo , Catalano Piera , Pasqualetti Patrizio , Fabiano Alfredo , Radici Marco , Marmiroli Luca , Corsi Domenico Cristiano
Published: June 2015

Objective: ERCC1 (excision repair cross-complementation group 1) expression predicts survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with chemoradiation. In order to evaluate the predictive role in the adjuvant setting, we investigated ERCC1 expression in radically resected HNSCC patients who underwent surgery and cisplatin chemoradiation. Methods: ERCC1 expression levels were determined by immunohistochemistry in primary tumor tissues from 48 patients with stage III-IV cancers. The median follow-up was 38.5 months (range: 5-121). Results: High ERCC1 expression was observed in 36 (75%) patients. Univariate analysis showed that patients with high levels of ERCC1 had significantly worse disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) than patients with low levels (HR = 7.15; 95% CI, 1.68-30.35; p = 0.008 and HR = 9.90; 95% CI, 1.33-73.96; p = 0.025, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, high ERCC1 expression (HR = 7.36; 95% CI, 1.72-31.4; p = 0.007) together with high-risk category (HR = 2.69; 95% CI, 1.01-7.18; p = 0.048) were the best predictors for relapse. High ERCC1 expression was the only unfavorable independent determinant for OS (HR = 9.53; 95% CI, 1.27-71.35; p = 0.028). Conclusions: This investigation suggests that ERCC1 expression might be useful to predict prognosis in radically resected HNSCC patients treated with surgery and chemoradiation.
Patients' Knowledge and Attitudes towards Cancer Peer Support Programs
Authors: Stickel Anna , Gröpper Sabrina , Pallauf Antonia , Goerling Ute
Published: June 2015

The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of cancer patients' preexisting knowledge, expectations and concerns towards peer support programs. Data were collected and analyzed in 51 patients using a standardized short interview and content analysis. Only 37% of the patients claimed to know peer support programs, and half of these regularly attended a support group. Forty-seven percent of the patients who did not know these programs showed a general interest. Reasons for attending a support group were primarily the exchange with other patients (18% of all statements), obtaining information about disease and treatment (10%) and receiving emotional support (9%). The main argument against participation was the fear of suffering when confronted with problems of others (21%). Utilization may be increased if volunteers and health care practitioners give patients more detailed information about the various offers of peer support.
ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЧУТЛИВОСТІ КРИПТОКОКІВ ДО АНТИМІКОТИКІВ – ОСНОВА ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ ЛІКУВАННЯ КРИПТОКОКОВОГО МЕНІНГІТУ
Authors: Бондаренко А.М.
Published: June 2015

Проведений аналіз можливості використання системних антимікотиків, які використовують для лікування криптококкового менінгіту. Докладно наведені дані по чутливості криптококів до застосовуваних антимікотиків. Наведені дані по фармакокінетиці системних антимікотиків. Особлива увага приділена можливості проникнення антимікотиків у ліквор і можливості створення в ньому мінімальних пригнічуючи концентрацій для криптококів. Дані рекомендації з оптимізації застосування антимікотиків у терапії криптококового менінгіту з урахуванням фармакокінетики антимікотиків та чутливості до них криптококів. Обґрунтована необхідність динамічного визначення чутливості криптококів до антимікотиків у процесі терапії криптококового менінгіту. Проведений докладний аналіз можливості використання та ефективності існуючих методів визначення чутливості криптококів до антимікотиків. Розроблена та запропонована проста і доступна для практичного використання методика визначення  чутливості криптококів до системних антимікотиків. 
Особливості клініко-неврологічної діагностики порушень мозкового кровообігу в вертебро-базилярному басейні, зумовлених вертеброгенними стенозами хребцевих артерій
Authors: Зозуля К. М. , Яковенко Л. М.
Published: June 2015

Проаналізовано результати комплексного обстеження 103 хворих із порушенням мозкового кровообігу в вертебро-базилярному басейні при наявності вертеброгенного стенозу хребцевих артерій. Вивчали результати клініко-неврологічного дослідження у хворих із даною патологією, а також визначали особливості перебігу та специфічні риси, характерні для вертеброгенних стенозів хребцевих аратерій. Аналіз неврологічних проявів НМК у ВББ хребтових артерій свідчить про їх значну роль у формуванні особливостей цього клінічного варіанта судинно-мозкової недостатності. Щодо типу маніфестації основної клініко-неврологічної симптоматики, нами було виділено два її типи: вертебральний та вертебро-базилярний. Порушення мозкового кровообігу у ВББ проявлялися цілим рядом ознак, що мали об’єктивне відображення у вигляді загальномозкових та вогнищевих неврологічних симптомів, частота і ступінь вираження яких формували певний вогнищевий неврологічний дефіцит. Патогномонічним синдромом порушення мозкового кровотоку у ВББ, спричиненого вертеброгенними стенозами ХА, є асоційований симптомокомплекс ураження стовбурово-мозочкових відділів головного мозку та компресійно-больових, вегетативних симптомів ураження шийного відділу хребта (вертеброгенний стовбурово-мозочковий синдром). Різновид дисциркуляторної енцефалопатії, що виникає за таких умов, відрізняється від типової ВБН і має, як ми вже з’ясували, свої окреслені клініко-неврологічні ознаки, що можуть використовуватися як критерії диференційної діагностики.
Небезпечні ситуації при виконанні лапароскопічної герніопластики
Authors: Воровський О. О.
Published: June 2015

Проаналізовано причини інтраопераційних ускладнень у 234 хворих, яким було виконано лапароскопічну герніопластику з приводу гриж різної локалізації, які мали місце у 7-ми (2,9 %) випадках на початку освоєння методики: пошкодження нижньої епігастральної артерії - 2, позаочеревинне пошкодження сечового міхура - 1, кровотеча з дрібних судин сім’яного канатика - 1, пошкодження сліпої кишки - 1, кишкова непрохідність - у 2-х випадках. Основними причинами їх виникнення є порушення правил введення інструментів та основних вимог підготовки пацієнтів до лапароскопічних операцій, при дотриманні яких можна їх уникнути.
Нестандартные ситуации в хирургии осложненных юкстапапиллярных язв.
Authors: Шепетько Е. Н. , Шепетько А. Е. , Ефремов В. В. , Гармаш Д. А. , Струменский Д. А. , Козак Ю. С.
Published: June 2015

В статье проанализированьї результати лечения 270 пациентов, оперированньїх по поводу осложненньїх постбульбарньїх (ПБЯ) (220 больньїх) и юкстапапиллярньїх язв (ЮПЯ) (50 больньїх).
Ангіосаркома нижньої порожнистої вени (клінічний випадок).
Authors: Поліщук В. Т. , Невмержицький І. М. , Дикий О. Г. , Кудін І. П. , Заболотнюк Р. В.
Published: June 2015

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LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK OF BLOOD ESTABLISHMENTS OF UKRAINE
Authors: CHUHRIIEV A.M.
Published: June 2015

Purpose: to determine the status of legal and regulatory that regulates activities of blood service establishments of Ukraine as of 01.01.2013.

Materials and methods. Operating documents that regulated activity of blood service in Ukraine were studied.

Results. It is established that the activities of blood service establishments in Ukraine regulating 107 legal acts, including 15 Laws of Ukraine, 2 Decrees of the President of Ukraine, 16 Resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, 37 Orders of Ministry of Health of Ukraine, 14 intergovernmental orders, 9 Orders of Ministry of Health of  USSR and Ukrainian SSR, 1 Resolution of the USSR State Committee on standards and 10 guidelines of Ministry of Health and National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Have limitation period up to 5 years 19 acts, from 5–10 years – 25 documents, from 10 to 15 years – 35 certificates, from 15 to 20 years – 13 acts, from 20 to 25 years – 8 acts and 25–40 years have 7 legal and regulatory acts.

Conclusions. The standard base of blood service of Ukraine demands harmonisation with  recommendations and resolutions WHO and the Council of Europe, Guidelines on production, use and quality assurance of blood components.
KEY WORDS: legal and regulatory framework, blood service, statistical reporting forms, haemovigilance system, legislation of the European Union.
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC): Myths and Realities
Authors: Nikomborirak Deunden
Published: June 2015

ASEAN is considered one of the most successful economic regions, because it managed to dismantle many of the tariff barriers among the ten member states. Its more ambitious goal, however—of becoming not only a single trade area, but also a single production base by the year 2015—appears elusive. The investment liberalization goals stipulated in the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint, a roadmap for regional economic integration, is meek, indicating unwillingness of member states to open up their cosseted and, at times, lucrative, service sectors. Moreover, current commitments of member states do not even match up with such goals. To be able to establish a regional production base, member states will have to stand up against local interest groups that benefit from the status quo, be they large domestic state and private companies operating in key service sectors such as telecommunications, energy and finance, or professional councils or professional associations that would like to reserve jobs exclusively for their members. If not, the region will certainly gradually but surely lose its economic flair.
Mussolini’s Mobilities
Authors: Pretelli Matteo
Published: June 2015

This article taps into a growing literature interested in the multifold relations between sending-states and their migrants who have settled in foreign countries. Specifically, it considers circular and transnational (symbolic and concrete) mobility that Mussolini’s Italy put in motion towards, and including, its communities of emigrants. The dictator sought to use migrants as lobbies and incorporate them in a totalitarian building-state project in Italy. With the objective of reinforcing ties with the communities themselves and obtaining their consent, the fascist regime established an outflow of propagandistic materials and a network of travellers who were entrusted to export a ‘visual presence’ of the homeland outside of Italy. At the same time, Rome encouraged ethnic Italians to undertake root-tourism in Italy to observe the supposed ‘achievements’ accomplished by the regime in the homeland. After the proclamation of the Italian empire in 1936, fascism elevated its tone and by the outbreak of the Second World War the regime sought the repatriation of Italians settled abroad. Yet this project failed because of the unwillingness of migrants to betray their host countries and favour the imperialist designs of the Italian dictator.
Morphological and molecular data reveal a new species of Allium (Amaryllidaceae) from SW Anatolia, Turkey
Authors: Deniz İsmail Gökhan , Genç İlker , Sarı Duygu
Published: June 2015

Allium undulatitepalum (Amaryllidaceae) is described as a new species from the Antalya Province of Turkey. It belongs to the section Melanocrommyum and is endemic to the south-western region of Turkey. The new species is a close relative of A. orientale, but according to results of the ITS sequences, and based on the morphological differences presented in the description, it is clearly different from its relative. A phylogenetic tree, distribution map, illustrations, pollen and seed microphotographs, karyo-morphology, as well as notes on the biogeography and ecology of the new species are provided.
Achieving the Middle Ground in an Age of Concentrated Extremes
Authors: Sampson Robert J. , Mare Robert D. , Perkins Kristin L.
Published: June 2015

This article focuses on stability and change in “mixed middle-income” neighborhoods. We first analyze variation across nearly two decades for all neighborhoods in the United States and in the Chicago area, particularly. We then analyze a new longitudinal study of almost 700 Chicago adolescents over an 18-year span, including the extent to which they are exposed to different neighborhood income dynamics during the transition to young adulthood. The concentration of income extremes is persistent among neighborhoods, generally, but mixed middle-income neighborhoods are more fluid. Persistence also dominates among individuals, though Latino-Americans are much more likely than African Americans or whites to be exposed to mixed middle-income neighborhoods in the first place and to transition into them over time, even when adjusting for immigrant status, education, income, and residential mobility. The results here enhance our knowledge of the dynamics of income inequality at the neighborhood level, and the endurance of concentrated extremes suggests that policies seeking to promote mixed-income neighborhoods face greater odds than commonly thought.
Arab American Housing Discrimination, Ethnic Competition, and the Contact Hypothesis
Authors: Gaddis S. Michael , Ghoshal Raj
Published: June 2015

This study uses a field experiment to study bias against living with Arab American women, a group whose position in the U.S. race system remains uncertain. We developed fictitious female white and Arab American identities and used the audit method to respond to 560 roommate-wanted advertisements in four metro areas: Los Angeles, New York, Detroit, and Houston. To focus on social—rather than purely economic—biases, all responses identified the sender as college-educated and employed and were written in grammatically correct English. We compare the number of replies received, finding that Arab-origin names receive about 40 percent fewer replies. We then model variation in discrimination rates by proximity to mosques, geographic concentration of mosques, and the percentage of Arabs living in a census tract so as to test ethnic competition theory and the contact hypothesis. In Los Angeles and New York, greater discrimination occurred in neighborhoods with the highest concentration of mosques.
Effect of Display Technology on Perceived Scale of Space
Authors: Geuss Michael N. , Stefanucci Jeanine K. , Creem-Regehr Sarah H. , Thompson William B. , Mohler Betty J.
Published: June 2015

Objective:

Our goal was to evaluate the degree to which display technologies influence the perception of size in an image.

Background:

Research suggests that factors such as whether an image is displayed stereoscopically, whether a user’s viewpoint is tracked, and the field of view of a given display can affect users’ perception of scale in the displayed image.

Method:

Participants directly estimated the size of a gap by matching the distance between their hands to the gap width and judged their ability to pass unimpeded through the gap in one of five common implementations of three display technologies (two head-mounted displays [HMD] and a back-projection screen).

Results:

Both measures of gap width were similar for the two HMD conditions and the back projection with stereo and tracking. For the displays without tracking, stereo and monocular conditions differed from each other, with monocular viewing showing underestimation of size.

Conclusions:

Display technologies that are capable of stereoscopic display and tracking of the user’s viewpoint are beneficial as perceived size does not differ from real-world estimates. Evaluations of different display technologies are necessary as display conditions vary and the availability of different display technologies continues to grow.

Applications:

The findings are important to those using display technologies for research, commercial, and training purposes when it is important for the displayed image to be perceived at an intended scale.
Sweat and Blood: Deific Interventions in Small-Scale Mining in Ghana
Authors: Sarpong Sam
Published: June 2015

Small-scale mining in Ghana has been proclaimed as a net contributor to local economies in many scholarly works. Many writeups have lauded the significant contributions these miners have made or are making in terms of poverty alleviation. Quite significantly too, other commentaries have dwelt on the environmental degradation the miners effect on the communities within which they operate. Such activities have led to the destruction of forest areas, the creation of dangerous pits and diversion of rivers. Besides, the incessant use of mercury in the course of mining has also led to serious consequences for their host communities.

This article, however, sets out to explore an aspect of small-scale mining operations which is yet to see much scholarly work, perhaps due to its surreptitious manner. It looks at the rituals that permeate the workings of these miners in order to tilt the tides of fortune in their favour and how such determination is leading them to the cauldron of spiritual elements in order to accomplish their objectives.