bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymptotics of the far field generated by a modulated point source in a planarly layered electromagnetic waveguide
Authors: Barrera‐Figueroa Víctor , Rabinovich Vladimir S. 
Published: May 2014

AbstractIn the present work, we analyze the electromagnetic field generated by a modulated point source in a planarly layered waveguide, in the far field region. On the basis of the two‐dimensional stationary phase method, we obtain expressions for the asymptotics of the field at large distance from the source and a large value of the time. The analysis relies on the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues of an auxiliary one‐dimensional spectral problem, which is intimately linked to the Helmholtz equation for inhomogeneous media. In addition, from the spectral parameter power series method [Math. Meth. Appl. Sci. 2010; 33(4): 459‐468], we obtain an explicit representation for the dispersion relation of the waveguide, which leads us to the allowed propagation constants and the group velocities for the guided modes. Several examples show the spectral parameter power series approach of the present analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Erectile Dysfunction in Qatar: Prevalence and Risk Factors in 1,052 Participants—A Pilot Study
Authors: Al Naimi Abdulla , Majzoub Ahmad A. , Talib Raidh A. , Canguven Onder , Al Ansari Abdulla 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Aim
The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in Qatar and to determine the risk factors associated with it.

Materials and Methods
This is a cross-sectional survey study of men attending the outpatient department at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar between February 2012 and February 2013. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 questionnaire was used for data collection. In addition to the IIEF-5 score, each participant's medical history was taken, with special emphasis on risk factors for ED, including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease (CAD), and smoking habits, and on their body mass index.

Results
One thousand fifty-two participants were randomly selected to fill out the IIEF-5 questionnaire. The participants' mean age (±SD) was 41.87 ± 13.24 years. Analysis of replies to the IIEF-5 showed that ED was present in 573 out of 1,052 participants (54.5%). Fifty-six (5%) participants had severe ED, 61 (6%) had moderate ED, 173 (16%) had mild to moderate ED, and 283 (27%) had mild ED. Risk factors for ED that held statistical significance were age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1–4.1, P &lt; 0.001), DM (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.7–3.9, P &lt; 0.001), HTN (OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5, P = 0.012), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.4, P = 0.024), and CAD (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.3–7.5, P = 0.009).

Conclusion
We found that the prevalence rate of ED in Qatar is quite similar to the regional reported rates. Overall, we demonstrated that nearly more than half of our participants suffered from ED. Besides age, DM, HTN, CAD, and dyslipidemia were found to be the most important risk factors for ED.
Nanovector‐mediated drug delivery for spinal cord injury treatment
Authors: Caron Ilaria , Papa Simonetta , Rossi Filippo , Forloni Gianluigi , Veglianese Pietro 
Published: May 2014

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is the result of a traumatic primary event followed by a so‐called secondary injury, which is characterized by a large spectrum of biochemical cellular pathways able to spread the lesion, worsening neurologic recovery. A growing number of potential therapeutic interventions to counteract different neurodegenerative mechanisms of SCI have been proposed, but they did not show relevant efficacy when translated as clinical treatments. Different reasons could explain these disappointing results: on one side the multifactorial evolution of SCI after the primary injury that limits the beneficial effect of just one targeted treatment and, on the other, the restricted access of pharmacological therapies to the spinal cord. For these reasons, recently, a growing interest has been shown in the development of alternative delivery strategies to administer drugs and/or biological/cellular therapies into the spine (hydrogel and nanoparticles).This article is categorized under:Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological DiseaseImplantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement
Angiogenesis in myeloproliferative neoplasms, new markers and future directions
Authors: Medinger Michael , Passweg Jakob 
Published: May 2014

AbstractTumor angiogenesis has been identified to play a critical role in tumor growth and tumor progression, and is regulated by a balance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic cytokines. This has been documented for solid tumors, and there is emerging evidence suggesting that tumor progression of hematological malignancies also depends on the induction of new blood vessel formation. Data on angiogenesis in the bone marrow of BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm patients suggest an increase of the microvessel density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, and there is a relation to the JAK2-V617F status. The most important proangiogenic agent is VEGF, activating VEGF receptors 1 and 2. Inhibition of VEGF signaling by monoclonal antibodies or small molecules (kinase inhibitors) has already been successfully established for the treatment of different cancer entities, and multiple new drugs are being tested in clinical trials. Most patients with essential thrombocythemia (ET) or primary myelofibrosis (PMF) that was not associated with a JAK2 or MPL alteration carried a somatic mutation in calreticulin (CALR). Thus, CALR mutations should be included in the next classification system for ET/PMF. This review summarizes recent advances in the basic understanding of the role of angiogenesis in myeloproliferative neoplasms and the translation of such basic findings into clinical studies.
Sleep disturbance among women with chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Cosar Emine , Çakır Güngör Aysenur , Gencer Meryem , Uysal Ahmet , Hacivelioğlu Servet O. , Özkan Adile , Şen Halil Murat 
Published: May 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effect of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), a debilitating condition, on sleep quality.MethodsThe present case–control study enrolled women older than 18 years attending the Gynecology Clinic of Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Hospital, Çanakkale, Turkey, with CPP between August 2011 and August 2012. The control group was selected from women attending the clinic for another complaint. Sleep quality was evaluated via the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and differences between the groups were compared by t and χ2 tests.ResultsDuring the study period, 157 women were enrolled. Seventy‐two had CPP symptoms, and 85 attended the clinic for other complaints. Poor sleep quality was found in 80% (n = 58) of the women with CPP, and 55% (n = 47) of the control group (P < 0.05).ConclusionWomen with CPP were found to have poor sleep quality. Sleep education should be recommended in psychiatry and neurology clinics to increase the awareness of sleeping problems among these women.
Optimal lamellar arrangement in fish gills
Authors: Park Keunhwan , Kim Wonjung , Kim Ho-Young 
Published: May 2014

Significance
It is generally assumed that shapes encountered in nature have evolved in a way as to maximize the robustness of a species. Nevertheless, given nature’s notoriously complex designs, it is often unclear what is being optimized. The lamellar pattern of fish gills is one of the few cases in which optimization in nature can be well defined. We demonstrate that the lamellar pattern of fish gills has been optimized, such that fish display interlamellar spaces of similar dimension regardless of body mass or species, thereby revealing the primary evolutionary pressure on fish gills. This natural optimization strategy demonstrates how control of the channel arrangement in microfluidic devices enhances heat and mass transfer.
Purification and characterization of β-Mannanase from Reinekea sp. KIT-YO10 with transglycosylation activity
Authors: Hakamada Yoshihiro , Ohkubo Yoshitaka , Ohashi Shinichi 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Marine bacterium Reinekea sp. KIT-YO10 was isolated from the seashore of Kanazawa Port in Japan as a seaweed-degrading bacterium. Homology between KIT-YO10 16S rDNA and the 16S rDNA of Reinekea blandensis and Reinekea marinisedimentorum was 96.4 and 95.4%, respectively. Endo-1,4-β-D-mannanase (β-mannanase, EC 3.2.1.78) from Reinekea sp. KIT-YO10 was purified 29.4-fold to a 21% yield using anion exchange chromatography. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of 44.3 kDa, as estimated by SDS-PAGE. Furthermore, the purified enzyme displayed high specificity for konjac glucomannan, with no secondary agarase and arginase activity detected. Hydrolysis of konjac glucomannan and locust bean gum yielded oligosaccharides, compatible with an endo mode of substrate depolymerization. The purified enzyme possessed transglycosylation activity when mannooligosaccharides (mannotriose or mannotetraose) were used as substrates. Optimal pH and temperature were determined to be 8.0 and 70 °C, respectively. It showed thermostability at temperatures from 20 to 50 °C and alkaline stability up to pH 10.0. The current enzyme was thermostable and thermophile compared to the β-mannanase of other marine bacteria.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) Transmission and Risk Factors in Contacts of VRE Carriers
Authors: Kaki Reham , Yu Yang , O’Neill Cindy , Lee Christine , Mertz Dominik ,   Hamilton Health Sciences Infection Prevention and Control Team
Published: May 2014

During a 2-year period, the vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) acquisition rate was 10.9% (40/368) in patients who had shared a room with a newly detected VRE carrier. Exposure to vancomycin and to anti-anaerobic antibiotics were identified as independent risk factors for VRE acquisition. Sensitivity of the first rectal VRE screening was less than 50%.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(7):876–879
SparkSeq: fast, scalable and cloud-ready tool for the interactive genomic data analysis with nucleotide precision
Authors: Wiewiórka Marek S. , Messina Antonio , Pacholewska Alicja , Maffioletti Sergio , Gawrysiak Piotr , Okoniewski Michał J. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract
Summary: Many time-consuming analyses of next - generation sequencing data can be addressed with modern cloud computing. The Apache Hadoop-based solutions have become popular in genomics because of their scalability in a cloud infrastructure. So far, most of these tools have been used for batch data processing rather than interactive data querying.
The SparkSeq software has been created to take advantage of a new MapReduce framework, Apache Spark, for next-generation sequencing data. SparkSeq is a general-purpose, flexible and easily extendable library for genomic cloud computing. It can be used to build genomic analysis pipelines in Scala and run them in an interactive way. SparkSeq opens up the possibility of customized ad hoc secondary analyses and iterative machine learning algorithms. This article demonstrates its scalability and overall fast performance by running the analyses of sequencing datasets. Tests of SparkSeq also prove that the use of cache and HDFS block size can be tuned for the optimal performance on multiple worker nodes.
Availability and implementation: Available under open source Apache 2.0 license: https://bitbucket.org/mwiewiorka/sparkseq/ .
Contact: marek.wiewiorka@gmail.com
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Documentation of Dual Sensory Impairment in Electronic Medical Records
Authors: Dullard Brittney , Saunders Gabrielle H. 
Published: May 2014

Abstract

Purpose of the Study:
To examine the documentation of sensory impairment in the electronic medical records (EMRs) of Veterans with both hearing and vision losses (dual sensory impairment [DSI]).

Design and Methods:
A retrospective chart review of the EMRs of 20 patients with DSI was conducted. Providers’ documentation of the presence of sensory impairment, the use of assistive technology during clinical appointments, and the content of notes mentioning communication issues were extracted from each chart note in the EMR for the prior 6 years.

Results:
Primary care providers documented DSI in 50% of EMRs, vision loss alone in 40%, and hearing loss alone in 10% of EMRs. Audiologists documented vision loss in 50% of cases, whereas ophthalmologists/optometrists documented hearing loss in 15% of cases. Examination of two selected cases illustrates that care can be compromised when providers do not take note of sensory impairments during planning and provision of clinical care.

Implications:
Sensory impairment is poorly documented by most providers in EMRs. This is alarming because vision and hearing affect patient–physician communication and the use of medical interventions. The results of this study raise awareness about the need to document the presence of sensory impairments and use the information when planning treatment for individuals with DSI.
First Report of the Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne hapla Parasitizing Roses in Ethiopia
Authors: Meressa Beira H. , Heuer H. , Dehne H.-W. , Hallmann J. 
Published: May 2014

Meloidogyne hapla is one of the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes in temperate regions. This nematode has a wide host range with more than 500 plant taxa including roses. In Ethiopia, rose production has developed over the past 10 years to the second most important export market after coffee. Considering the high damage potential of M. hapla, infestation of roses in Ethiopia with this nematode could result in major economic losses. Therefore, awareness of this nematode species is extremely important. During two surveys conducted in August 2011 and April 2012, M. hapla was detected in soil samples from six out of nine rose producing farms located in the districts of Ziway, Holleta, Sebeta, and Menagesha. At infested farms, rose plants appeared stunted and less productive and often showed symptoms of chlorosis and wilting. Identification was based on morphological and morphometrical characters of females, males, and second-stage juveniles, which were all within the range of variability known for this species (4). Shape of juvenile stylet knobs, shape of male head, and perennial pattern of the females with characteristic punctuations between the anus and tail terminus were also typical for M. hapla. The morphological identification was confirmed by sequence analysis of the D2-D3 expansion segment of the 28S rDNA gene following amplification with the primers D2A (5′-ACAAGTACCGTGAGGGAAAGTT-3′) and D3B (5′-TCGGAAGGAACCAGCTACTA-3′) (1). PCR products were purified and sequenced at the Macrogene sequencing facility service (Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Sequences were deposited in GenBank (KJ645427 to 33). The sequences were compared with previously published sequences in NCBI database and showed 96 to 100% sequence similarity with M. hapla accession nos. GQ130139, DQ328685, KF430798, and DQ145641. Unfortunately, comparison of sequences did not provide further information about the origin of this Ethiopian population, if it is native to Ethiopia or was imported with infected plant material. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of M. hapla occurring in Ethiopia. M. hapla is known as a serious pest of roses in colder climate regions. In Africa, it was previously reported from Tanzania (3) and South Africa (2). Thus, it appears that this species has now become also established in Ethiopia at higher altitudes (1,400 to 2,100 m above sea level) within the urban hinterland of Addis Ababa. References: (1) Baldwin et al. Mol. Phy. Evol. 8:248, 1887. (2) J. H. O'Bannon. Institute Agri. Res. 29, 1975. (3) E. Onkendi and L. N. Moleleki. Eur. J. Pl. Pathol. 136:1, 2013. (4) A. G. Whitehead. Trans. Zool. Soc. Lon.31:263, 1968.
Microfinance through non-governmental organizations and its effects on formal and informal credit
Authors: Xiang Cheng , Jia Xiangping , Huang Jikun 
Published: May 2014

Purpose
– Internationally, microfinance run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is often considered an important approach to meeting the credit demand of rural households, particularly among the poor. However, the perceived competitions with formal financial institutions and concerns about financial risks in the rural economy have impeded the development of microfinance by NGOs in China. Despite these concerns about NGO microfinance, little empirical evidence has been brought to prove them. The purpose of this paper is to provide empirical evidence of the relationship between NGO microfinance and farmers’ demand for formal and informal credit in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach
– The study is based on a household longitudinal data set consisting of 749 households from 40 microfinance villages in rural China. This study draws evidence from China's largest NGO microfinance. Out of the five county branches where China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation has launched institutionalized microfinance since 2006, the authors selected two of them. A random sampling approach was applied in surveying villages and households. In an effort to create impact assessments, the authors surveyed the detailed information on household characteristics and credit access during the period 2006-2009. A panel data is thus structured for the analysis.

Findings
– The authors found that the demand for credit in rural China is immense and rising, as formal financial institutions have gradually moved away from less developed regions in rural areas. In its place, informal lending has become a primary source of credit for the poor. However, where NGO microfinance has become available, both formal and informal credit has slowed down. The development and expansion of NGO microfinance did stand up as a substitution for institutional lenders and informal financial networks.

Research limitations/implications
– The findings have profound policy implications. First, since the development of NGO microfinance fill the demand for credit in rural China and poses low financial risk, the intellectual bias against NGO microfinance is unwarranted. In particular, the regulations that hamper the development of NGO microfinance should be corrected. Second, informal networks do not appear to be costless. Where NGO microfinance can substitute for them, it can mitigate the financial stresses related to the informal credit market.
Mismatch
Authors: Che Yi 
Published: May 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the relative impacts of full-scale land reallocation (FLR) and partial-scale land reallocation (PLR) on household land rental behavior in rural China.

Design/methodology/approach
– Probit model, Tobit model and Semi-parametric model are used to provide empirical evidences.

Findings
– Drawing upon an unique farm survey in 2003, the authors find that in rural China, FLR is more likely to follow egalitarian rule and PLR takes productivity of households into consideration. Econometric analysis provides two main findings. First, FLR has positive effect on household land rental behavior, possibly because egalitarian FLR creates a mismatch between household agricultural ability and land size and after FLR households have to participate in land rental market to adjust the mismatch. Second, PLR has negative effect on household land rental behavior which supports that land reallocation and land rental market are substitutes (Brandt et al., 2004).

Originality/value
– The main contribution of this study is to show that FLR and PLR in rural China are motivated by two different rationales (i.e. FLR by egalitarian concerns and PLR by efficiency concerns).
Multi-level design of an isolation transformer using collaborative optimization
Authors: C. Berbecea Alexandru , Gillon Frédéric , Brochet Pascal 
Published: May 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to present an application of a multidisciplinary multi-level design optimization methodology for the optimal design of a complex device from the field of electrical engineering throughout discipline-based decomposition. The considered benchmark is a single-phase low voltage safety isolation transformer.

Design/methodology/approach
– The multidisciplinary optimization of a safety isolation transformer is addressed within this paper. The bi-level collaborative optimization (CO) strategy is employed to coordinate the optimization of the different disciplinary analytical models of the transformer (no-load and full-load electromagnetic models and thermal model). The results represent the joint decision of the three distinct disciplinary optimizers involved in the design process, under the coordination of the CO's master optimizer. In order to validate the proposed approach, the results are compared to those obtained using a classical single-level optimization method – sequential quadratic programming – carried out using a multidisciplinary feasible formulation for handling the evaluation of the coupling model of the transformer.

Findings
– Results show a good convergence of the CO process with the analytical modeling of the transformer, with a reduced number of coordination iterations. However, a relatively important number of disciplinary models evaluations were required by the local optimizers.

Originality/value
– The CO multi-level methodology represents a new approach in the field of electrical engineering. The advantage of this approach consists in that it integrates decisions from different teams of specialists within the optimal design process of complex systems and all exchanges are managed within a unique coordination process.
Radial output space mapping for electromechanical systems design
Authors: Hage Hassan Maya , Remy Ghislain , Krebs Guillaume , Marchand Claude 
Published: May 2014

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to set a relation through adaptive multi-level optimization between two physical models with different accuracies; a fast coarse model and a fine time consuming model. The use case is the optimization of a permanent magnet axial flux electrical machine.

Design/methodology/approach
– The paper opted to set the relation between the two models through radial basis function (RBF). The optimization is held on the coarse model. The deduced solutions are used to evaluate the fine model. Thus, through an iterative process a residue RBF between models responses is built to endorse an adaptive correction.

Findings
– The paper shows how the use of a residue function permits, to diminish optimization time, to reduce the misalignment between the two models in a structured strategy and to find optimum solution of the fine model based on the optimization of the coarse one. The paper also provides comparison between the proposed methodology and the traditional approach (output space mapping (OSM)) and shows that in case of large misalignment between models the OSM fails.

Originality/value
– This paper proposes an original methodology in electromechanical design based on building a surrogate model by means of RBF on the bulk of existing physical model.