bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower urinary tract symptoms in women with and without urinary incontinence
Authors: Güngör İlkay , Beji Nezihe Kızılkaya , Bayram Güliz Onat , Erkan Habibe Ayyıldız , Gökyıldız Şule , Yalçın Önay
Published: February 2012

Although most women are aware of the more severe end of the spectrum of urinary symptoms, incontinence, there are a myriad of other symptoms that can affect women's quality of life. The aim of this study is to compare lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and associated factors in women with and without urinary incontinence. This descriptive study compared LUTS and associated factors between 367 incontinent and 401 continent women. LUTS were evaluated with Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BFLUTS) questionnaire. LUTS were more common among incontinent women with higher BFLUTS scores, indicating more severe complaints. Filling and voiding symptoms were also common among continent women. The most common symptoms in both groups were urgency, bladder pain, frequency, hesitancy and intermittency. Incontinent women with history of ≥4 pregnancy/birth and ≥4 kg fetus had the highest scores. Recurrent infection and flatus were associated with higher scores in both groups. History of diabetes, hypertension and haemorrhoid increased scores among continent women, while pulmonary disease was the only significant medical condition among incontinent women. Overweight and history of ≥10 kg weight gain were associated with higher scores among incontinent women. Women with ‘history of incontinence in mother’ had higher scores in continent women while ‘incontinence in relatives' had more significant effects on BFLUTS scores of incontinent women. LUTS with or without incontinence were common, especially in women with increased parity, high birth weight, chronic diseases diabetes, obesity and family history.
Tissue factor expression determines tumour cell coagulation kinetics
Authors: WELSH J. , SMITH J. D. , YATES K. R. , GREENMAN J. , MARAVEYAS A. , MADDEN L. A.
Published: February 2012

Introduction:  Cancers are associated with varying degrees of an increased risk of venous thromboembotic events (VTE) occurring. This increased risk is tumour driven and associated with tumour expression of tissue factor (TF) and tumour‐derived microparticles (MP). In this study, cancer cell lines from phenotypically distinct tumours were assessed for cell surface TF expression and prothrombin time (PT) taken as a measure of procoagulant potential.

Methods:  Breast (T47D, MCF‐7), colorectal (Colo320 and LoVo), head and neck (USCC 11b, 12, 81b and SIHN‐011A) and pancreatic tumour cell lines (ASPC‐1 and CFPAC‐1) were assessed for TF expression by flow cytometry and relative mean fluorescence determined. Procoagulant potential of the cells was then determined by PT assay.

Results:  Cell‐supported coagulation was shown to be cell number dependent, defined by a logarithmic relationship that was consistent across all cell lines. Single cell PT was determined for each cell line from the slope of a logarithmically transformed data plot. A near linear relationship was observed between TF expression and single cell clotting time where a higher expression of TF results in a proportionally faster PT (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  This study shows that across a range of tumour sites a consistent relationship is seen between procoagulant potential and both cell number and TF cell surface expression.
Conservation policy in traditional farming landscapes
Authors: Fischer Joern , Hartel Tibor , Kuemmerle Tobias
Published: February 2012

Many traditional farming landscapes have high conservation value. Conservation policy in such landscapes typically follows a “preservation strategy,” most commonly by providing financial incentives for farmers to continue traditional practices. A preservation strategy can be successful in the short term, but it fails to acknowledge that traditional farming landscapes evolved as tightly coupled social–ecological systems. Traditionally, people received direct benefits from the environment, which provided a direct incentive for sustainable land use. Globalization and rural development programs increasingly alter the social subsystem in traditional farming landscapes, whereas conservation seeks to preserve the ecological subsystem. The resulting decoupling of the social–ecological system can be counteracted only in part by financial incentives, thus inherently limiting the usefulness of a preservation strategy. An alternative way to frame conservation policy in traditional farming landscapes is a “transformation strategy.” This strategy acknowledges that the past cannot be preserved, and assumes that direct links between people and nature are preferable to indirect links based on incentive payments. A transformation strategy seeks to support community‐led efforts to create new, direct links with nature. Such a strategy could empower rural communities to embrace sustainable development, providing a vision for the future rather than attempting to preserve the past.
Plant lectin‐like antibacterial proteins from phytopathogens Pseudomonas syringae and Xanthomonas citri
Authors: Ghequire Maarten G. K. , Li Wen , Proost Paul , Loris Remy , De Mot René
Published: February 2012

The genomes of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae 642 and Xanthomonas citri pv. malvacearum LMG 761 each carry a putative homologue of the plant lectin‐like bacteriocin (llpA) genes previously identified in the rhizosphere isolate Pseudomonas putida BW11M1 and the biocontrol strain Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf‐5. The respective purified recombinant proteins, LlpAPss642 and LlpAXcm761, display genus‐specific antibacterial activity across species boundaries. The inhibitory spectrum of the P. syringae bacteriocin overlaps partially with those of the P. putida and P. fluorescens LlpAs. Notably, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri str. 306 secretes a protein identical to LlpAXcm761. The functional characterization of LlpA proteins from two different phytopathogenic γ‐proteobacterial species expands the lectin‐like bacteriocin family beyond the Pseudomonas genus and suggests its involvement in competition among closely related plant‐associated bacteria with different lifestyles.
Corporatisation, Economic Efficiency and the Australian Symphony Orchestras
Authors: Boyle Stephen , Throsby David
Published: February 2012

A process of corporatisation of the six State‐based symphony orchestras was implemented by the Australian Government in the 1990s. This article discusses corporatisation theory as it applies to firms in the cultural sector, highlighting the peculiarities of symphony orchestras as productive enterprises. The program for corporatisation of the Australian orchestras is outlined and its outcomes are considered with an emphasis on the measurement of efficiency. Data envelopment analysis is used to assess the efficiency of a sample of the orchestras’ post‐corporatisation. We conclude that removal of the orchestras from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation has enabled a rationalisation of their administrative structures, but that the scope for achieving gains in technical efficiency has been limited, especially amongst the smaller ensembles which are unable to take advantage of the economies of scale and scope available in larger centres.
Delayed Carbon Policy Certainty and Electricity Prices in Australia: A Concise Summary of Subsequent Research*
Authors: Nelson Tim , Simshauser Paul , Orton Fiona , Kelley Simon
Published: February 2012

In this brief update on analysing the economic costs associated with carbon policy uncertainty, we outline the public policy processes commenced by the Commonwealth Government following the publication of Nelson et al. (2010). We also summarise the research completed by other economists testing the hypothesis that there are material economic costs associated with ongoing carbon policy uncertainty. Independent studies by Frontier Economics (2010), Deloitte (2011) and Sinclair Knight Merz (2011) all conclude that climate change policy uncertainty will result in sub‐optimal capital investment within the electricity sector. In turn, this sub‐optimal investment will manifest itself in unnecessary increases in electricity prices.
The Business Tax Reform Agenda*
Authors: Menezes Flavio M.
Published: February 2012

During the session on business taxation at the National Tax Forum in 2011, little consensus emerged between business representatives and union leaders on the reformations that should be made to the business taxation system. One proposal that greatly divided opinion was a reduction in the corporate tax rate. In this article, it is argued that changes in the treatment of tax losses and the introduction of a well‐designed allowance for corporate equity represent a better business tax reform strategy than cutting the corporate tax rate.
Environmental and Social Taxes: The Case of Road Transport*
Authors: Clarke Harry
Published: February 2012

A concern of the “Environmental and Social Taxes” component of the Tax Forum was on issues of political feasibility rather than the efficiency arguments for making various reforms. This paper follows this approach by focusing on road pricing reforms – particularly congestion pricing. Congestion, road damage and traffic accidents are important sources of external road use costs in Australia. A major concern is gaining public acceptance for and then, on this basis, implementing such reforms. Many criticisms of road pricing and other social tax reforms that were made at the Forum seemed unaware of the substantial work that exists on these issues.
Melt inclusions in augite from the nakhlite meteorites: A reassessment of nakhlite parental melt and implications for petrogenesis
Authors: SAUTTER Violaine , TOPLIS Michael J. , LORAND Jean‐Pierre , MACRI Michele
Published: February 2012

Abstract– The nakhlites, a subgroup of eight clinopyroxenites thought to come from a single geological unit at the Martian surface, show melt inclusions in augite and olivine. In contrast to olivine‐hosted melt inclusions, augite‐hosted melt inclusions are not surrounded by fractures, and are thus considered preferential candidates for reconstructing parent liquid compositions. Furthermore, two types of augite‐hosted melt inclusion have been defined and characterized in four different nakhlites (Northwest Africa [NWA] 817, Nakhla, Governador Valadares, and NWA 998): Type‐I isolated inclusions in augite cores that contain euhedral to subhedral augite, Ti‐magnetite, and pigeonite plus silica‐rich glass and a gas bubble; Type‐II microinclusions that form trails crosscutting host augite crystals. Fast‐heating experiments were performed on selected pristine primary augite‐hosted melt inclusions from these four samples. Of these, only data from Nakhla were considered robust for reconstruction of a nakhlite parental magma composition (NPM). Based upon careful petrographic selection and consideration of iron‐magnesium ratios, our data are used to propose an NPM, which is basaltic (49.1 wt% SiO2), of high Ca/Al (1.95), and K2O‐poor (0.32 wt%). Thermodynamic modeling at an oxygen fugacity one log unit below the QFM buffer using the MELTS and PETROLOG programs implies that Mg‐rich olivine was not a liquidus phase for this composition. Our analysis is used to suggest that olivine megacrysts found in the nakhlites are unlikely to have coprecipitated with augite, and thus may have been introduced during or subsequent to accumulation in the magma chamber, possibly from more evolved portions of the same chamber.
Developing a deeper understanding of animal movements and spatial dynamics through novel application of network analyses
Authors: Jacoby David M. P. , Brooks Edward J. , Croft Darren P. , Sims David W.
Published: February 2012

1. Determining how animals move within their environment is a fundamental knowledge that contributes to effective management and conservation. Continuous ‘round‐the‐clock’ animal movement data are frequently gathered using biotelemetry technology, providing discrete data packages on the presence–absence of animals at known locations through time. Current analyses of such data do not generally account for the interconnectivity of locations as animals move between them and consequently do not integrate graphically or statistically a temporal component to spatial changes.

2. Here, we describe the novel application of network analyses to electronic tag data whereby nodes represent locations and edges the movements of individuals. We demonstrate some of the descriptive and quantitative approaches for determining how an animal’s movement interconnects home range habitats. Telemetry data from arrays of recorders provide movement data of individual animals, and as examples of the method proposed, we examine the movements of two distinct shark species, the small‐spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) and the Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi). In doing so, we consider both local and global network properties from an animal movement perspective and simulate the effects of node disruption as a proxy for habitat disturbance.

3. Comparative visual representations of two catshark movement networks suggest, for example, potential differences in space use. Multiple regression quadratic assignment procedure shows that habitat is a significant predictor of movement behaviour.

4. Null modelling ofC. perezimovement data, corrected for the spatial restriction of static nodes, demonstrated a significant, non‐random distribution of directed movements among sites. Additionally, the connectivity of this animal’s movement network is significantly reduced through targeted disruption of a site of high centrality but not through disruption of a randomly selected site.

5. Network theory is a well‐established theoretical framework and its integration into the fast developing field of animal movement and telemetry might improve significantly how we interpret animal space use from electronically recorded data. This technique has potentially wide application in animal behaviour but may also inform the management of habitat harbouring threatened or endangered species via the simulation, modelling and intuitive visualisation of animal movement interactions.
Intravenous heparin for the treatment of intraluminal thrombus in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a case series
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Kass-Hout Tareq , Kass-Hout Omar , Radovic Vladan , Siddiqui Adnan H , Levy Elad I , Snyder Kenneth V
Published: February 2012

Background and Objectives

Current American Stroke Association/American Heart Association recommendations on the management of acute ischemic stroke do not recommend the early use of heparin because of an increased risk of bleeding complications. However, for select patients, such as those with strokes associated with non-occlusive intraluminal thrombus, intravenous heparin might prove to be beneficial.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of acute ischemic stroke cases associated with non-occlusive intraluminal thrombus of intracranial and extracranial arteries in the corresponding vascular territories was conducted to identify patients in whom treatment with intravenous heparin resulted in near-complete or complete lysis of the thrombus. Imaging findings from CT perfusion and angiography, MRI, and/or digital subtraction angiography were used to describe the location of intraluminal thrombus immediately before and after treatment with intravenous heparin.

Results

18 patients with nonocclusive intraluminal thrombus confirmed by CT angiography (CTA) received treatment with intravenous heparin alone (median duration 3.5 days; range 1–8 days). The median National Institutes of Health stroke scale score was 2.5 (range 0–15) on admission and 1 (range 0–9) at discharge. Nine patients had complete lysis, and nine patients had partial lysis of the thrombus with improved flow distal to the location of the thrombus. None of the patients developed intracranial hemorrhage.

Conclusion

For strokes associated with intraluminal thrombus, intravenous heparin might prove to be an effective treatment strategy. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with intravenous heparin in those patients.
Postpartum cerebral angiopathy treated with intra-arterial nicardipine and intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Samaniego Edgar A , Dabus Guilherme , Generoso Gillian M , Tari-Capone Francesca , Fuentes Karel , Linfante Italo
Published: February 2012

Postpartum cerebral angiopathy (PCA) is a rare vasoconstriction syndrome that can lead to severe disability and death. The pathophysiology of PCA is unknown. A case of a 39-year-old woman who developed PCA 3 days after twin delivery is reported. She presented with right hemiparesis, aphasia and lethargy. Imaging studies demonstrated severe segmental narrowing of multiple cerebral arteries comprising the anterior and posterior circulations. She continued to deteriorate despite induced hypertension, immunosuppression, intravenous magnesium and oral nimodipine. Intra-arterial administration of nicardipine on three consecutive occasions reversed the angiographic vasospasm and led to symptom resolution. Definite improvement occurred after a 5 day course of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). The patient described in this report developed recalcitrant PCA-induced vasospasm which resolved with endovascular administration of nicardipine and immunotherapy with IVIg.
Endovascular coils: properties, technical complications and salvage techniques
Authors: Eddleman Christopher Sean , Welch Babu G , Vance Awais Z , Rickert Kim L , White Jonathan A , Pride G Lee , Purdy Phillip D
Published: February 2012

Endovascular coil embolization has become an accepted and often first-line treatment for ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. While the complications of endovascular therapy of intracranial aneurysms have been well vetted in the literature, there are few reports solely concerning the complications and salvage techniques related to either the technical aspects of coil deployment or to the devices themselves. In this review the structural details of commonly used endovascular coils, technical complications related to coiling and salvage techniques used when these complications occur are discussed.
A COMPARISON OF THE DESCRIPTIONAL COMPLEXITY OF CLASSES OF LIMITED LINDENMAYER SYSTEMS: PART I
Authors: HARBICH RONNY , TRUTHE BIANCA
Published: February 2012

We investigate the descriptional complexity of limited Lindenmayer systems and their deterministic and tabled variants with respect to the number of rules and the number of symbols. In this part, we confine ourselves to propagating limited Lindenmayer systems. We determine the decrease of complexity when the generative capacity is increased. For incomparable families, we give languages that can be described more efficiently in either of these families than in the other.
THE MAGIC NUMBER PROBLEM FOR SUBREGULAR LANGUAGE FAMILIES
Authors: HOLZER MARKUS , JAKOBI SEBASTIAN , KUTRIB MARTIN
Published: February 2012

We investigate the magic number problem, that is, the question whether there exists a minimal n-state nondeterministic finite automaton (NFA) whose equivalent minimal deterministic finite automaton (DFA) has α states, for all n and α satisfying n ≤ α ≤ 2n. A number α not satisfying this condition is called a magic number (for n). It was shown that no magic numbers exist for general regular languages, whereas trivial and non-trivial magic numbers for unary regular languages were identified. We obtain similar results for automata accepting subregular languages like, for example, star-free languages, prefix-, suffix-, and infix-closed languages, and prefix-, suffix-, and infix-free languages, showing that there are only trivial magic numbers, when they exist. For finite languages we obtain some partial results showing that certain numbers are non-magic.
TWO-DIMENSIONAL LANGUAGES AND CELLULAR AUTOMATA
Authors: DOLZHENKO EGOR , JONOSKA NATAŠA
Published: February 2012

Space-time diagrams of a one-dimensional cellular automaton can be visualized as half-plane arrays of symbols. The set of rectangular blocks extracted from such arrays forms a two-dimensional (picture) language. We initiate a study of cellular automata through the associated two dimensional languages by investigating cellular automata whose two-dimensional languages are factorial-local. We show that these cellular automata have the same characterization as one-sided cellular automata with SFT traces.
NONLINEAR MODEL OF SQUEEZE FLOW OF FLUIDS WITH YIELD STRESS USING PERTURBATION TECHNIQUES
Authors: FARJOUD ALIREZA , MAHMOODI NIMA , AHMADIAN MEHDI
Published: February 2012

This research is focused on mathematical modeling of fluids with yield stress in the squeeze mode. The focus of the research is on magneto-rheological (MR) fluids but the results can be extended to any non-Newtonian fluid exhibiting a yielding behavior. There is no universally accepted mathematical model of squeeze flow of MR fluids to date because of the complexity of the flow and lack of theoretical and experimental studies. In this research, the squeeze flow problem of MR fluids is solved using perturbation techniques and squeeze force and flow field are determined. The model is verified and validated using experimental test data and it is shown that the model can be used as a design tool for design of MR devices that operate in the squeeze mode.
SUPERCONDUCTING PAIRING MECHANISM OF RARE-EARTH-NICKEL-BOROCARBIDES: EFFECTS OF ELECTRON–ELECTRON AND ELECTRON–PHONON INTERACTIONS
Authors: VARSHNEY DINESH , JAIN RAJENDRA K.
Published: February 2012

Upon considering the three interactions namely, the electron–acoustic phonon, the electron–optical phonon and the Coulomb, the analytical solutions for the energy gap equation allows one to determine the electronic structure parameters to discuss the behavior of superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and isotope effect coefficient (α) for layered structure YNi2 B2C. Tc of 17 K is estimated for YNi2B2C with electron–acoustic phonon (λac) = 0.31, electron–optical phonon (λop) = 0.1 and Coulomb screening parameter (μ*) = 0.126 indicating that the YNi2B2C superconductor is in the intermediate coupling regime. To correlate the Tc with various coupling strengths as λac, λop and μ*, we present curves of Tc with them. The present approach also explains the conditions for the Boron and Carbon isotope effect. The negative pressure coefficient of Tc in this layered material is attributed to the contraction along c-axis under hydrostatic pressure. We suggest from these results that both the acoustic and optical phonons within the framework of a three-square well scheme consistently explains the effective electron–electron interaction leading to superconductivity in layered structure YNi2B2C.
CLASSIFYING WITH A TWO NEURON CNN
Authors: VINYOLES-SERRA MIREIA , VILASÍS-CARDONA XAVIER
Published: February 2012

We analyze the two neuron CNN for the particular parameter range where the system converges to constant outputs. The functional relation between the external inputs and the steady state values of the neuron states is found and proves to be useful to solve classification problems. In fact, an exhaustive classification of the binary input–output relations that can be achieved by a two neuron CNN is established. From this relation, we propose an algorithm relating the CNN parameters and each one of the different classification problems. As an illustration, we attempt to implement the header action of a universal Turing machine and Boolean functions. Our results are compared to the CNN universal cell.
STABILITY AND BIFURCATION ANALYSIS IN A DIFFUSIVE BRUSSELATOR SYSTEM WITH DELAYED FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: ZUO WENJIE , WEI JUNJIE
Published: February 2012

A diffusive Brusselator model with delayed feedback control subject to Dirichlet boundary condition is considered. The stability of the unique constant equilibrium and the existence of a family of inhomogeneous periodic solutions are investigated in detail, exhibiting rich spatiotemporal patterns. Moreover, it shows that Turing instability occurs without delay. And under certain conditions, the constant equilibrium switches finite times from stability to instability to stability, and becomes unstable eventually, as the delay crosses through some critical values. Then, the direction and the stability of Hopf bifurcations are determined by the normal form theory and the center manifold reduction for partial functional differential equations. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out for illustrating the analysis results.
RESEARCH ON THE GALLOPING AND ANTI-GALLOPING OF THE TRANSMISSION LINE
Authors: QIN ZHAOHONG , CHEN YUSHU , ZHAN XUEPING , LIU BIN , ZHU KUANJUN
Published: February 2012

In this paper the models of the transmission line with one DOF, two DOFs and three DOFs are constructed respectively by using Hamilton principle, where the initial location, the geometric nonlinearity caused by deformation and the aerodynamic nonlinearity caused by flow are considered. These simple models are accurate and can be used for the theoretical analysis. In actual engineering, the critical wind speed of galloping has been paid more and more attention. Therefore, in this paper the critical wind speeds are obtained by Lyapunov stability theory and the effects of structural parameters to the critical wind speed are discussed for different models. And the response curves of the system with one DOF and two DOFs (out-of-plane motion) are obtained by using harmonic balance method and multiple scale method, respectively. The bifurcation of the system moving out-of-plane is analyzed by singularity theory. For the systems whose motion is coupled with torsion, the numerical results are given by using the fourth order Runge–Kutta method. Additionally, the effects of the dynamic vibration absorber and detuning pendulum to the anti-galloping of the transmission line are studied for different cases.
Association between Micronutrients (Vitamin A, D, Iron) and Schistosome-Specific Cytokine Responses in Zimbabweans Exposed toSchistosoma haematobium
Authors: Reilly Liam , Nausch Norman , Midzi Nicholas , Mduluza Takafira , Mutapi Francisca
Published: February 2012

Micronutrients play an important role in the development of effective immune responses. This study characterised a populations exposed to schistosome infections in terms of the relationship between micronutrients and immune responses. Levels of retinol binding protein (RBP; vitamin A marker), vitamin D, ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and C reactive protein (CRP) were related to levels of schistosome specific cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4/5/10) in 40 Zimbabweans (7–54 years) exposed toSchistosoma haematobiuminfection. 67.2% of the participants were deficient in vitamin D. RBP levels were within normal ranges but declined with age. The two indicators of iron levels suggested that although levels of stored iron were within normal levels (normal ferritin levels), levels of functional iron (sTfR levels) were reduced in 28.6% of the population. Schistosome infection alone was not associated with levels of any of the micronutrients, but altered the relationship between parasite-specific IL-4 and IL-5 and levels of ferritin and sTfR.
Note on the Choquet Integral as an Interval‐Valued Aggregation Operators and Their Applications
Authors: Jang Lee-Chae
Published: February 2012

The concept of an interval‐valued capacity is motivated by the goal to generalize a capacity, and it can be used for representing an uncertain capacity. In this paper, we define the discrete interval‐valued capacities, a measure of the entropy of a discrete interval‐valued capacity, and, Choquet integral with respect to a discrete interval‐valued capacity. In particular, we discuss the Choquet integral as an interval‐valued aggregation operator and discuss an application of them.
A Novel Method (CiMON) for Continuous Intra-Abdominal Pressure Monitoring: Pilot Test in a Pig Model
Authors: Wauters Joost , Spincemaille Liesbeth , Dieudonne Anne-Sophie , Van Zwam Kenny , Wilmer Alexander , Malbrain Manu L. N. G.
Published: February 2012

Background. Intravesical pressure (IAPivp) measurement is considered to be the gold standard for assessment of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). This study evaluated a new minimally invasive IAP monitoring device (CiMON) against three other devices in a wide range of clinically relevant IAP and in different body positions in healthy pigs.Methods. The CiMON catheter (IAPCiM) and another balloon-tipped catheter (IAPspie) were positioned into the stomach. Fluid-filled catheters were used for direct intraperitoneal (IAPdir) andIAPivpmeasurement. Both in supine and25∘head-of-bed positions, IAP was increased from baseline to 30 mmHg. At every IAP level, 4 IAP measurements were recorded simultaneously. Mean differences and the limits of agreement were calculated.Results. Bias betweenIAPCiMandIAPspiewas nearly zero with very good agreement, both in supine and25∘position. In supine position,IAPCiMslightly overestimatedIAPivpandIAPdirby 1.5 and 2.1 mmHg with reasonable agreement. In25∘position,IAPCiMunderestimatedIAPivpandIAPdirby 1.0 and 0.5 mmHg, again with reasonable agreement.Conclusions. Agreement betweenIAPCiMandIAPspiewas very good, while good-to-moderate agreement exists betweenIAPCiMandIAPdirorIAPivp. Simplicity, continuous monitoring, and the combination with a feeding tube should lead to further clinical studies, evaluating this new CiMON device.
TB Peritonitis Mistaken for Ovarian Carcinomatosis Based on an Elevated CA-125
Authors: Boss Joseph D. , Shah Christopher T. , Oluwole Oladoyin , Sheagren John N.
Published: February 2012

Background. In the United States, tuberculosis (TB) is of relatively low prevalence and most newly diagnosed patients are born outside of the United States. In addition, a large percentage (20.6%) of TB cases initially present with extrapulmonary manifestations (CDC, 2010). Cases of TB peritonitis are a diagnostic challenge in women due to the nonspecific clinical features overlapping with signs of ovarian cancer. (Kosseifi et al., 2009; Rashed et al., 2007; and Xi et al., 2010). We present a 27 year-old woman thought to have ovarian carcinomatosis based on elevated levels of CA-125 who was ultimately diagnosed with TB salpingitis, endometritis, and peritonitis.Methods. This brief report is a retrospective case report.Results. This case outlines the unfortunate consequences of the misdiagnosis of what probably was an antibiotic responsive illness, resulting in an unnecessarily aggressive surgical procedure. The delay in the diagnosis of tuberculous pertitonitis resulted in an unnecessary radical resection of the patient’s reproductive organs.Conclusions. Patients with TB peritonitis present with non-specific signs that may be misdiagnoses as ovarian cancer. In differentiating between ovarian carcinomatosis and peritoneal TB, it is vital to consider country of origin, age, CA-125, ascitic fluid analysis, and the use of intra-operative frozen sections.
Unique Existence Theorem of Solution of Almost Periodic Differential Equations on Time Scales
Authors: Hu Meng , Wang Lili
Published: February 2012

By using the theory of calculus on time scales and M‐matrix theory, the unique existence theorem of solution of almost periodic differential equations on almost periodic time scales is established. The result can be used to a large of dynamic systems.
Metabolite Mapping with Extended Brain Coverage Using a Fast Multisection MRSI Pulse Sequence and a Multichannel Coil
Authors: Dong Zhengchao , Liu Feng , Kangarlu Alayar , Peterson Bradley S.
Published: February 2012

Multisection magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging is a widely used pulse sequence that has distinct advantages over other spectroscopic imaging sequences, such as dynamic shimming, large region-of-interest coverage within slices, and rapid data acquisition. It has limitations, however, in the number of slices that can be acquired in realistic scan times and information loss from spacing between slices. In this paper, we synergize the multi-section spectroscopic imaging pulse sequence with multichannel coil technology to overcome these limitations. These combined techniques now permit elimination of the gaps between slices and acquisition of a larger number of slices to realize the whole brain metabolite mapping without incurring the penalties of longer repetition times (and therefore longer acquisition times) or lower signal-to-noise ratios.
Introducing Polyautoimmunity: Secondary Autoimmune Diseases No Longer Exist
Authors: Rojas-Villarraga Adriana , Amaya-Amaya Jenny , Rodriguez-Rodriguez Alberto , Mantilla Rubén D. , Anaya Juan-Manuel
Published: February 2012

Similar pathophysiological mechanisms within autoimmune diseases have stimulated searches for common genetic roots. Polyautoimmunity is defined as the presence of more than one autoimmune disease in a single patient. When three or more autoimmune diseases coexist, this condition is called multiple autoimmune syndrome (MAS). We analyzed the presence of polyautoimmunity in 1,083 patients belonging to four autoimmune disease cohorts. Polyautoimmunity was observed in 373 patients (34.4%). Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) were the most frequent diseases encountered. Factors significantly associated with polyautoimmunity were female gender and familial autoimmunity. Through a systematic literature review, an updated search was done for all MAS cases (January 2006–September 2011). There were 142 articles retrieved corresponding to 226 cases. Next, we performed a clustering analysis in which AITD followed by systemic lupus erythematosus and SS were the most hierarchical diseases encountered. Our results indicate that coexistence of autoimmune diseases is not uncommon and follows a grouping pattern. Polyautoimmunity is the term proposed for this association of disorders, which encompasses the concept of a common origin for these diseases.
Are Basophils Important Mediators for Helminth-Induced Th2 Immune Responses? A Debate
Authors: Leon-Cabrera Sonia , Flisser Ana
Published: February 2012

Helminth parasites induce Th2 immune responses. Immunological mechanisms leading to Th2 induction are mainly dependent on IL-4. However, early source of IL-4 has not been precisely identified. Noticeably, basophils seem to be important mediators for inducing and maintaining the Th2 response probably because they secrete IL-4 and exert functions similar to APCs. Nevertheless, recent experimental evidence points that DCs could be also significant participants during this process. The involvement of basophils during memory responses is also discussed.
Common Fixed Points for Asymptotic Pointwise Nonexpansive Mappings in Metric and Banach Spaces
Authors: Pasom P. , Panyanak B.
Published: February 2012

Let C be a nonempty bounded closed convex subset of a complete CAT(0) space X. We prove that the common fixed point set of any commuting family of asymptotic pointwise nonexpansive mappings on C is nonempty closed and convex. We also show that, under some suitable conditions, the sequence defined by , converges to a common fixed point of T1, T2, …, Tm where they are asymptotic pointwise nonexpansive mappings on C, are sequences in [0,1] for all i = 1,2, …, m, and {nk} is an increasing sequence of natural numbers. The related results for uniformly convex Banach spaces are also included.
An Underactuated Drift‐Free Left Invariant Control System on a Specific Lie Group
Authors: Pop Arieşanu Camelia
Published: February 2012

The paper presents a geometrical overview on an optimal control problem on a special Lie group. The Hamilton‐Poisson realization of the dynamics offers us the possibility to study the system from mechanical geometry point of view.
Derivatives of Multivariate Bernstein Operators and Smoothness with Jacobi Weights
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Peng Zuoxiang , Duan Shukai , Jing Jia
Published: February 2012

Using the modulus of smoothness, directional derivatives of multivariate Bernstein operators with weights are characterized. The obtained results partly generalize the corresponding ones for multivariate Bernstein operators without weights.
Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy on Multimodal Combination Therapy: Still Unmet Goal
Authors: Malabu Usman Hammawa , Manickam Valli , Kan George , Doherty Susan Lynette , Sangla Kunwarjit Singh
Published: February 2012

Background. Calcific uremic arteriolopathy (CUA) or calciphylaxis though generally noted for its high mortality, recent case reports have shown promising results using single agent therapies. However, it is not clear whether combination therapeutic agents will improve course of the disease.Objective. To determine clinical outcome in subjects with CUA on multimodal treatment.Methods. All patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) at The Townsville Hospital, Australia, from April 1, 2006, to March 31, 2011, with diagnosis of CUA were retrospectively studied.Results. Six subjects with CUA (4 females and 2 males) were on various combination therapeutic agents comprising sodium thiosulphate, hyperbaric oxygen, prednisolone, cinacalcet, and parathyroidectomy in addition to intensified haemodialysis, specialist local wound care, and antibiotics. The wounds failed to heal in 3 patients while 5 of the 6 subjects died; cause of death being sepsis in 3 and myocardial infarction in 2.Conclusion. Prognosis of CUA remains poor in spite of multimodal combination therapy. Further prospective studies on a larger population are needed to verify our findings.
Brain Metastasis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Kaidar-Person Orit , Kuten Jonathan , Atrash Fadi , Billan Salem , Kuten Abraham
Published: February 2012

Central nervous system metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are uncommon. The patient presented was diagnosed with aggressive advanced NPC resistant to treatment and complicated by a solitary brain metastasis. A PubMed database search was conducted to review the existing literature regarding brain metastases of NPC, using the search terms “nasopharyngeal neoplasia,” “nasopharyngeal carcinoma,” “nasopharynx,” “radiotherapy,” “central nervous system,” and “brain” in section of “Title/Abstract.” The articles were first evaluated by title and then by abstract, and thereafter appropriate manuscripts were evaluated by full text. References of the published papers were also reviewed.
Interaction of Avelox with Bovine Serum Albumin and Effect of the Coexistent Drugs on the Reaction
Authors: Liu Baosheng , Yang Chao , Yan Xiaona , Wang Jing , Lv Yunkai
Published: February 2012

The interaction between Avelox and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated at different temperatures by fluorescence spectroscopy. Results showed that Avelox could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA strongly, and the quenching mechanism was a static quenching process with Förester spectroscopy energy transfer. The electrostatic force played an important role on the conjugation reaction between BSA and Avelox. The order of magnitude of binding constants (Ka) was 104, and the number of binding site (n) in the binary system was approximately equal to 1. The binding distance (r) was less than 3 nm and the primary binding site for Avelox was located in subdomain IIA of BSA. Synchronous fluorescence spectra clearly revealed that the microenvironment of amino acid residues and the conformation of BSA were changed during the binding reaction. In addition, the effect of some antibiotics on the binding constant of Avelox with BSA was also studied.
(λ, μ)‐Fuzzy Version of Ideals, Interior Ideals, Quasi‐Ideals, and Bi‐Ideals
Authors: Feng Yuming , Corsini P.
Published: February 2012

We introduced (λ, μ)‐fuzzy ideals, (λ, μ)‐fuzzy interior ideals, (λ, μ)‐fuzzy quasi‐ideals, and (λ, μ)‐fuzzy bi‐ideals of an ordered semigroup and studied them. When λ = 0 and μ = 1, we meet the ordinary fuzzy ones. This paper can be seen as a generalization of Kehayopulu and Tsingelis (2006), Kehayopulu and Tsingelis (2007), and Yao (2009).
Nonlocal Means-Based Denoising for Medical Images
Authors: Lu Ke , He Ning , Li Liang
Published: February 2012

Medical images often consist of low-contrast objects corrupted by random noise arising in the image acquisition process. Thus, image denoising is one of the fundamental tasks required by medical imaging analysis. Nonlocal means (NL-means) method provides a powerful framework for denoising. In this work, we investigate an adaptive denoising scheme based on the patch NL-means algorithm for medical imaging denoising. In contrast with the traditional NL-means algorithm, the proposed adaptive NL-means denoising scheme has three unique features. First, we use a restricted local neighbourhood where the true intensity for each noisy pixel is estimated from a set of selected neighbouring pixels to perform the denoising process. Second, the weights used are calculated thanks to the similarity between the patch to denoise and the other patches candidates. Finally, we apply the steering kernel to preserve the details of the images. The proposed method has been compared with similar state-of-art methods over synthetic and real clinical medical images showing an improved performance in all cases analyzed.
Gram Staining for the Treatment of Peritonsillar Abscess
Authors: Takenaka Yukinori , Takeda Kazuya , Yoshii Tadashi , Hashimoto Michiko , Inohara Hidenori
Published: February 2012

Objective. To examine whether Gram staining can influence the choice of antibiotic for the treatment of peritonsillar abscess.Methods. Between 2005 and 2009, a total of 57 cases of peritonsillar abscess were analyzed with regard to cultured bacteria and Gram staining.Results. Only aerobes were cultured in 16% of cases, and only anaerobes were cultured in 51% of cases. Mixed growth of aerobes and anaerobes was observed in 21% of cases. The cultured bacteria were mainly aerobicStreptococcus, anaerobic Gram-positive cocci, and anaerobic Gram-negative rods. Phagocytosis of bacteria on Gram staining was observed in 9 cases. The bacteria cultured from these cases were aerobicStreptococcus, anaerobic Gram-positive cocci, and anaerobic Gram-negative rods. The sensitivity of Gram staining for the Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods was 90% and 64%, respectively. The specificity of Gram staining for the Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods was 62% and 76%, respectively. Most of the Gram-positive cocci were sensitive to penicillin, but some of anaerobic Gram-negative rods were resistant to penicillin.Conclusion. When Gram staining shows only Gram-positive cocci, penicillin is the treatment of choice. In other cases, antibiotics effective for the penicillin-resistant organisms should be used.
Giant Aortic Pseudoaneurysm with Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection after Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Boran Mertay , Parlar Ali İhsan , Boran Ertay
Published: February 2012

Giant pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta is a rare but dreadful complication occurring several months or years after aortic surgery. Thoracic aortic aneurysms tend to be asymptomatic and were previously often diagnosed only after a complication such as dissection or rupture. We present a rare case of giant ascending aneurysm with Stanford type A aortic dissection occurring 6 years after aortic valve replacement and also illustrate the potential dimensions the ascending aorta may reach by a pseudoaneurysm and dissection after AVR.
Radio Frequency Numerical Simulation Techniques Based on Multirate Runge‐Kutta Schemes
Authors: Oliveira Jorge F. , Pedro José C.
Published: February 2012

Electronic circuit simulation, especially for radio frequency (RF) and microwave telecommunications, is being challenged by increasingly complex applications presenting signals of very different nature and evolving on widely separated time scales. In this paper, we will briefly review some recently developed ways to address these challenges, by describing some advanced numerical simulation techniques based on multirate Runge‐Kutta schemes, which operate in the one‐dimensional time and also within multidimensional frameworks.
Monitoring Personalized Trait Using Oscillometric Arterial Blood Pressure Measurements
Authors: Shin Young-Suk
Published: February 2012

The blood pressure patterns obtained from a linearly or stepwise deflating cuff exhibit personalized traits, such as fairly uniform peak patterns and regular beat geometry; it can support the diagnosis and monitoring of hypertensive patients with reduced sensitivity to fluctuations in Blood Pressure (BP) over time. Monitoring of personalized trait in Oscillometric Arterial Blood Pressure Measurements (OABPM) uses the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) algorithm. The representation of personalized traits with features from the oscillometric waveforms using LDA algorithm includes four phases. Data collection consists of blood pressure data using auscultatory measurements and pressure oscillations data obtained from the oscillometric method. Preprocessing involves the normalization of various sized oscillometric waveforms to a uniform size. Feature extraction involves the use of features from oscillometric amplitudes, and trait identification involves the use of the LDA algorithm. In this paper, it presents a novel OABPM‐based blood pressure monitoring system that can monitor personalized blood pressure pattern. Our approach can reduce sensitivity to fluctuations in blood pressure with the features extracted from the whole area in oscillometric arterial blood pressure measurement. Therefore this technique offers reliable blood pressure patterns. This study provides a cornerstone for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in the foreseeable future.
An Analytical Approach to the Analysis of Guard‐Channel‐Based Call Admission Control in Wireless Cellular Networks
Authors: Kim HyungMan , Melikov Agassi , Fattakhova Mehriban , Kim CheSoong
Published: February 2012

We develop an analytical approach to the performance analysis and optimization of wireless cellular networks for which different types of calls are prioritized based on a channel reservation scheme. We assume that the channel occupancy time differs for new and handover calls. We obtain simple formulas for calculating quality of service (QoS) metrics and solve some problems related to finding the optimal values of guard channels as well as present the results of numerical experiments.
Semilinear Parabolic Equations on the Heisenberg Group with a Singular Potential
Authors: Mokrani Houda , Mint Aghrabatt Fatimetou
Published: February 2012

We discuss the asymptotic behavior of solutions for semilinear parabolic equations on the Heisenberg group with a singular potential. The singularity is controlled by Hardy′s inequality, and the nonlinearity is controlled by Sobolev′s inequality. We also establish the existence of a global branch of the corresponding steady states via the classical Rabinowitz theorem.
Angiotensinogen Gene Transcription in Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Uhal Bruce D. , Dang My-Trang T. , Li Xiaopeng , Abdul-Hafez Amal
Published: February 2012

An established body of literature supports the hypothesis that activation of a local tissue angiotensin (ANG) system in the extravascular tissue compartment of the lungs is required for lung fibrogenesis. Transcriptional activation of the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene is believed to be a critical and necessary step in this activation. This paper summarizes the data in support of this theory and discusses transcriptional regulation of AGT, with an emphasis on lung AGT synthesis as a determinant of fibrosis severity. Genetic data linking AGT polymorphisms to the severity of disease in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis are also discussed.
General Common Fixed Point Theorems and Applications
Authors: Singh Shyam Lal , Mishra Swami Nath , Chugh Renu , Kamal Raj
Published: February 2012

The main result is a common fixed point theorem for a pair of multivalued maps on a complete metric space extending a recent result of Đorić and Lazović (2011) for a multivalued map on a metric space satisfying Ćirić‐Suzuki‐type‐generalized contraction. Further, as a special case, we obtain a generalization of an important common fixed point theorem of Ćirić (1974). Existence of a common solution for a class of functional equations arising in dynamic programming is also discussed.