bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ring transformation and antimicrobial activity of indolyl-substituted 2(3H)-furanones
Authors: Abou-Elmagd Wael S.I. , EL-Ziaty Ahmed K. , Abdalha Abdelaal A. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
A variety of heterocycles of synthetic and biological importance were prepared from 3-(indol-3-yl-methylene)-5-phenyl-2(3H)-furanone (1) and its hydrazide 2. Compounds 1 and 2 were used for the construction of pyridazin-3(4H)-ones 4 and 6; 1,3,4-oxadiazoles 7, 8, and 10; and 1,2,4-triazoles 12, 14, and 15, all bearing a 3-indolyl moiety. The antimicrobial activities of the synthesized compounds were examined against six types of bacteria and two types of fungi.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Tectona grandis Linn. stem extract
Authors: Giri Sapna P. , Varma Sushilkumar B. 
Published: April 2015

Abstract

Background: The objective of this work was to study the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Tectona grandis Linn. (TG) stem extract.

Methods: Healthy albino rats (150–200 g) and mice (25–50 g) were arranged and divided into five groups. Group 1 received distilled water and served as control, groups 2, 3, 4 were treated with TG stem extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) and group 5 received standard drug. For analgesic activity, the radiant heat method and writhing test were used, and for anti-inflammatory activity, the paw oedema model and granuloma pouch method were used. Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance followed by the t-test.

Results: In the radiant heat method, there was a dose-dependent increase in reaction time in TG stem extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) and standard drug (buprenorphine). In the writhing test, TG stem extract (200, 400 mg/kg) and aspirin decreased the number of writhes which was significant (p<0.01, p<0.001) as compared to controls. The percentage protection was 8.88%, 15.55%, 22.22% and 35.55% in groups 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively. In the rat paw oedema test, TG stem extract (200, 400 mg/kg) and aspirin showed 20%, 40% and 54% inhibition of oedema which was statistically significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001), respectively, as compared to control at the end of 4 h. In the granuloma pouch method, TG stem extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) and aspirin showed 13.33%, 22.22%, 33.33% and 66.66% inhibition of granuloma, respectively, which was significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001).

Conclusions: TG stem extract possesses significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity.
Waist-to-height ratio as a screening measure for identifying adolescents with hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype
Authors: Liu Xiao-li , Yin Fu-zai , Ma Chun-peng , Gao Guo-qin , Ma Chun-ming , Wang Rui , Lu Qiang 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and the hypertriglyceridemic waist (HTGW) phenotype to test the hypothesis that WHtR can identify adolescents at high risk of the HTGW phenotype.In 2006, anthropometric measurements were assessed in a cross-sectional population-based study of 3136 Han adolescents aged 13–17 years. Blood samples were collected to measure triacylglycerol concentrations. WHtR was calculated by waist circumference/height. The HTGW phenotype was represented by the simultaneous presence of elevated serum triglycerides and increased waist circumference. The ability of WHtR to accurately define the HTGW phenotype was assessed by area under the curve (AUC).The prevalence of the HTGW phenotype was 3.3% (boys 3.6% vs. girls 2.9%, χWHtR is simpler than the HTGW phenotype and does not require blood tests. The prevalence of the HTGW phenotype increased with WHtR. Higher WHtR can identify adolescents with high risk of the HTGW phenotype.
Evaluating the Rice-Pledging Scheme in Thailand from a Free Market Perspective
Authors: Chareonwongsak Kriengsak 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
Thailand’s rice-pledging scheme of the Yingluck Shinawatra government is a policy which has been widely criticized by both the opponents and the supporters of this scheme. After operating this scheme for almost 3 years, the problems derived from this policy have been emerging continuously. This paper has an objective to evaluate the rice-pledging scheme in Thailand during the production years of 2011/12 and 2013/14. The framework used in this evaluation consists of the characteristics of a free market economy such as limited governance, price mechanism and perfect competition to mention a few. Also, the paper provides an analysis of the impact caused by the inconsistency between the policy implementation and the characteristics of free markets. The author will also discuss the failure of the rice market in Thailand which may cause the market mechanism to lack efficiency in terms of resource management and, therefore, fail to accomplish various targets of the rice scheme in Thailand. Also, this paper will suggest an approach to solve the problems regarding the failure of the rice market and of the development of Thailand’s rice industry.
Thermoelastic Analysis of Functionally Graded Hollow Circular Disc
Authors: Gönczi Dávid , Ecsedi Istvàn 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
A thermoelastic boundary value problem of a hollow circular disc made of functionally graded materials with arbitrary gradient is analysed. The steady-state temperature distribution is assumed to be the function of the radial coordinate with prescribed temperature at the inner and outer cylindrical boundary surfaces. The material properties are assumed to be arbitrary smooth functions of the radial coordinate. A coupled system of ordinary differential equations containing the radial displacement and stress function is derived and used to get the distribution of thermal stresses and radial displacements caused by axisymmetric mechanical and thermal loads. General analytical solutions of functionally graded disc with thermal loads are not available. The results obtained by the presented numerical method are verified by an analytical solution. The considered analytical solution is valid if the material properties, except the Poisson ratio, are expressed as power functions of the radial coordinate.
Experimental Measurements of System Dynamics Between Two Stages of Wire Drawing Machine
Authors: Tasevski Goce , Angjushev Kocho , Petreski Zlatko , Shishkovski Dejan 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
In multi-stage wire drawing machines productivity growth can be achieved at higher drawing speeds by preventing wire breakage during the process. One disadvantage of high-speed wire drawing is the requirement imposed by machine dynamics in terms of its stability and reliability during operation. Tensile forces in the wire must maintained by fast synchronization of all capstans speed. In this process, the displacement sensors play the main role in providing the control system with feedback information about the wire condition. In this study, the influences between the sensors and actuator driven capstans have been studied, and tuner roll concept of a wire drawing machine was experimentally investigated. To this aim, measurements were carried out on two drawing stages at different drawing speeds and obtained results were presented. These results clearly show the fast changes of the capstans speed and the angular displacements of the rollers that tighten the wire, which only confirms the high dynamics of the wire drawing machine.
Selected Aspects of Numerical Analysis of Layered Flexible Structures Subjected to Impact of Soft Core Projectile
Authors: Morka Andrzej , Kedzierski Piotr , Gieleta Roman 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The aim of the study is to identify the relevant aspects of numerical analysis of impact of projectiles with soft cores into a package composed of thin flexible plies located on the plastic backing. In order to illustrate the problem, normal impact of 7.62 mm TT projectile into an unclamped package comprising 36 plies of Dyneema SB71 supported on the plastic backing was selected. The problem was solved with the use of the finite element method (FEM) with the explicit integration scheme (central difference method) of motion equations in the matrix form. Based on the conducted numerical computations, it was revealed that obtaining the extreme deformations of a projectile soft core and the backing material in Lagrangian description requires employment of adaptive methods. The proposed R-adaptive method performs its role but must be used carefully due to the mass loss which may appear during calculations.
Crystal structure of poly[aqua-(μ2-2-(pyridine-4-ylthio)pyrazine-κ2N:N')- (nitrato-κ1O)-nitrato-κ2O,O')zinc(II)], C9H9N5O7SZn
Authors: Zhang Qi-Qi , Chen Wen-Hua , Xiao Guo-Wei , Sun Xin-Zhan 
Published: April 2015

Abstract C9H9N5O7SZn, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 13.632(3) Å, b = 7.1280(14) Å, c = 14.777(3) Å, β = 100.52(3)°, V = 1411.7 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0542, wRref(F2) = 0.1099, T = 293 K.
Cyanobacterial bloom intensity in the ecologically relevant state of lakes – an approach to Water Framework Directive implementation
Authors: Napiórkowska-Krzebietke Agnieszka 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
This study focused on the determination of the cyanobacteria development in terms of the probabilistic recognition of the bloom intensity level in the ecologically relevant state of lakes. Assuming the possibility of using once-a-year sampling frequency, the ecological status or potential was assessed based on the modified Polish phytoplankton-based method (PMPLMOD) in 23 Masurian lakes. The summer cyanobacteria biomass reached 52.3 mg l-1. The biomass did not exceed the WHO-defined low risk threshold of 2 mg l-1, and was usually observed in lakes with at least good ecological status/potential. This threshold may be sufficient to propose it as a good/moderate cyanobacterial bloom intensity threshold. The average values of 3.3, 9.9 and 22.4 mg l-1 were recorded in the lakes with a moderate, poor and bad ecological status/ potential, respectively. The WHO-defined moderate risk threshold of 10 mg l-1 was exceeded only in lakes with a poor or bad ecological status/potential. The structure of cyanobacteria assemblages changed along with the deterioration of the ecological status/ potential and a decrease in Chroococcales biomass and an increase in Oscillatoriales and Nostocales biomass. Nevertheless, Planktolyngbya limnetica, Pseudanabaena limnetica and Aphanizomenon gracile had a significant presence in the total cyanobacterial biomass in all surveyed lakes.
Hypoglycemia in everyday life after gastric bypass and duodenal switch
Authors: Abrahamsson Niclas , Edén Engström Britt , Sundbom Magnus , Karlsson F Anders 
Published: April 2015

DesignGastric bypass (GBP) and duodenal switch (DS) in morbid obesity are accompanied by marked metabolic improvements, particularly in glucose control. In recent years, episodes of severe late postprandial hypoglycemia have been increasingly described in GBP patients; data in DS patients are scarce. We recruited three groups of subjects; 15 GBP, 15 DS, and 15 non-operated overweight controls to examine to what extent hypoglycemia occurs in daily life.MethodsContinuous glucose monitoring (CGM) was used during 3 days of normal activity. The glycemic variability was measured by mean amplitude of glycemic excursion and continuous overall net glycemic action. Fasting blood samples were drawn, and the patients kept a food and symptom log throughout the study.ResultsThe GBP group displayed highly variable CGM curves, and 2.9% of their time was spent in hypoglycemia (<3.3 mmol/l, or 60 mg/dl). The DS group had twice as much time in hypoglycemia (5.9%) and displayed CGM curves with little variation as well as lower HbA1c levels (29.3 vs 35.9 mmol/mol,P<0.05). Out of a total of 72 hypoglycemic episodes registered over the 3-day period, 70 (97%) occurred in the postprandial state and only about one-fifth of the hypoglycemic episodes in the GBP and DS groups were accompanied by symptoms. No hypoglycemias were seen in controls during the 3-day period.ConclusionBoth types of bariatric surgery induce marked, but different, changes in glucose balance accompanied by frequent, but mainly unnoticed, hypoglycemic episodes. The impact and mechanism of hypoglycemic unawareness after weight-reduction surgery deserves to be clarified.
Thyroid function, as assessed by TSH, and future risk of venous thromboembolism: the Tromsø study
Authors: Lerstad Gunhild , Enga Kristin F , Jorde Rolf , Brodin Ellen E , Svartberg Johan , Brækkan Sigrid K , Hansen John-Bjarne 
Published: April 2015

ObjectiveThe relationship between thyroid function and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been addressed in population-based cohorts. We investigated the association between TSH levels and the risk of VTE in a general adult population.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.MethodsTSH was measured in 11 962 subjects aged 25–89 years who participated in Tromsø 4–6 starting in 1994–1995. Incident VTE events were recorded through 31st December 2010. Cox's regression models with TSH as a time-varying covariate were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of VTE by TSH categories (low TSH: <0.05 mU/l; moderately reduced TSH: 0.05–0.19 mU/l; normal TSH: 0.20–4.00 mU/l; moderately elevated TSH: 4.01–5.00 mU/l; and high TSH: >5.00 mU/l) and within the normal range of TSH, modeling TSH as a continuous variable.ResultsThere were 289 VTEs during 8.2 years of median follow-up. Subjects with low (prevalence: 0.22%) and high (3.01%) TSH had slightly higher risk estimates for VTE than did subjects with normal TSH (multivariable HRs: 2.16, 95% CI 0.69–6.76 and 1.55, 95% CI 0.87–2.77 respectively), but the CIs were wide. Moreover, there was no association between TSH within the normal range and VTE (HR per 1 mU/l increase: 0.95, 95% CI 0.82–1.11).ConclusionSerum levels of TSH within the normal range were not associated with a risk of VTE, whereas low and high TSH levels were rare and associated with a moderately higher risk of VTE. The present findings suggest that only a minor proportion of the VTE risk in the population can be attributed to thyroid dysfunction.
Phylogenetics to help predict active metabolism
Authors: Guénard G. , Boisclair D. , Legendre P. 
Published: April 2015

This paper shows how to build predictive models involving phylogenetic information to estimate metabolic traits such as active metabolic costs. Fish swimming cost is often estimated from body mass and swimming speed. The parameters of the relationships between these variables and swimming cost vary among species because each species has its own morphology and physiology. It is now widely recognized that traits are phylogenetically structured. Using new statistical approaches, it is possible to both correct swimming cost models for statistical phylogenetic non‐independence and use the inherent phylogenetic signal to improve models. With these models one can extend, to a larger set of species, empirical knowledge about traits that are difficult to obtain; swimming cost is one such trait.Swimming cost accounts for a large and variable component of a fish energy budget, yet models have only been developed from observations performed on a few species, thereby constraining the scope of bioenergetic models. Here, we propose a method where body mass and swimming speed are used together with phylogeny to predict swimming cost. The resulting model explained a large proportion of the variation (90%) in the forced swimming cost of 16 fish species submitted to forced swimming experiments. We also compared phylogenetically‐explicit predictions for forced swimming experiments with experimental results of routine swimming for five species, among which one was not used to build the model. Results confirmed that forced swimming underestimates the cost of unsteady swimming. The phylogenetic modeling could be used to estimate other variables of interest in bioenergetic studies.
Evaluation of a distractor to increase joint space of the stifle joint in dogs: a cadaveric study
Authors: Devesa-Garcia V. , Urrutia P. G. , San Roman F. , Rodriguez-Quiros J. , Rovesti G. L. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryObjective: To evaluate the technical feasibility and efficacy of a joint distraction technique to increase the stifle joint space and assess potential soft tissue damage due to the distraction.Methods: Twenty stifle joints of twelve canine cadavers without evidence of disease were radiographically evaluated by medio-lateral, cranio-caudal and varus-valgus stressed projections. Joint distraction was applied with loads from 40 N up to 200 N, and the joint space achieved was measured on radiographic images. Distraction plus distension with saline was subsequently applied and measured. Varus-valgus stressed projections were repeated after distraction to evaluate a potential increase in joint laxity.Results: Distraction produced a significant increase of the joint space for most of the evaluated loads. Distraction plus distension produced a significant increase for most of the loads compared to the distraction alone. No ensuing joint laxity could be inferred from the post-distraction radiographic evaluation.Clinical significance: Stifle distraction produces an increase of the joint space, which is wider when intra-articular saline is injected. This may be potentially useful for improving joint structure visualization and facilitating arthroscopic procedures, thus reducing the potential for iatrogenic damage to intra articular structures. No soft tissue damage could be inferred by radiographic pre- and post-procedure comparison. Further clinical studies are required to evaluate potential neurovascular complications.
Two new species of Paralimna Loew, 1862 from Sierra Leone (Insecta, Diptera, Ephydridae)
Authors: Raffone Gianni 
Published: April 2015

Two new species of Paralimna Loew, 1862 from Sierra Leone are described: Paralimna (Phaiosterna) grisea n. sp. is related to Paralimna (Phaiosterna) bicolor (Macquart, 1851), from which it differs in having the face grayish, with a brown longitudinal, central stripe, 1 conspicuously clearer gray longitudinal medial stripe on the acrostichal area, the hindtibia with 3 anterodorsal setae and for the morphology of male terminalia. P. paralimna subinvisa n. sp. is related to Paralimna (Paralimna) invisa Soika, 1956, from which it differs in having the parafacial with 2 developed setae, the gena-to-eye ratio 0.25-0.26, the stripes of the scutum of equal width, the costal-vein ratio 0.62-0.64, the M-vein ratio 0.44-0.45 and for the morphology of male terminalia.
Vasoplegic syndrome: A challenge to anaesthetic management
Authors: Hazarika Amarjyoti , Singh Gyaninder , Malik Vishwas , Bithal Parmod 
Published: April 2015

AbstractPerioperative hypotension is a well-recognized and relatively common problem during surgery. Vasoplegic syndrome is one such condition which is characterized by severe persistent hypotension with normal to high cardiac output and low systemic resistance. It is commonly seen in patients undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass. However, this syndrome has also been reported in off pump surgeries. Management of intraoperative hypotension may be challenging for an anaesthesiologist, if it does not respond or poorly respond to conventional therapy. We report the management of a hypertensive patient posted for spine surgery in prone position, who developed severe hypotension under anaesthesia refractory to treatment.
Appointment Template Redesign in a Women’s Health Clinic Using Clinical Constraints to Improve Service Quality and Efficiency
Authors: Verduzco S. , Huang Y. 
Published: April 2015

Summary
Background: Patient wait time is a critical element of access to care that has long been recognized as a major problem in modern outpatient health care delivery systems. It impacts patient and medical staff productivity, stress, quality and efficiency of medical care, as well as health-care cost and availability.
Objectives: This study was conducted in a Women’s Health Clinic. The objective was to improve clinic service quality by redesigning patient appointment template using the clinical constraints.
Methods: The proposed scheduling template consisted of two key elements: the redesign of appointment types and the determination of the length of time slots using defined constraints. The reclassification technique was used for the redesign of appointment visit types to capture service variation for scheduling purposes. Then, the appointment length was determined by incorporating clinic constraints or goals, such as patient wait time, physician idle time, overtime, finish time, lunch hours, when the last appointment was scheduled, and the desired number of appointment slots, to converge the optimal length of appointment slots for each visit type.
Results: The redesigned template was implemented and the results indicated a 73% reduction in average patient waiting from the reported 40 to 11 minutes. The patient no-show rate was reduced by 4% from 24% to 20%. The morning section on average finished about 11:50 am. The clinic day was finished around 4:45 pm. Provider average idle time was estimated to be about 5 minutes, which can be used for charting/documenting patients.
Conclusions: This study provided an alternative method of redesigning appointment scheduling templates using only the clinical constraints rather than the traditional way that required an objective function. This paper also documented the employed methods step by step in a real clinic setting. The implementation results concluded a significant improvement on patient wait time and no-show rate.
Citation: Huang Y, Verduzco S. Appointment Template Redesign in a Women’s Health Clinic Using Clinical Constraints to Improve Service Quality and Efficiency. Appl Clin Inf 2015; 6: 271–287http://dx.doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2014-10-RA-0094
Diagnostic Challenges in a Young Woman with Endometriosis: The Value of Excision
Authors: Donnelly Laura , Yeung Patrick 
Published: April 2015

Objective The aim of this report is to highlight the value of excision when treating and diagnosing endometriosis, as well as present an unusual case of concomitant endometriosis and pelvic malignancy in a young female. Case Report In a university hospital referral center, a 24-year-old nulligravid woman with suspected endometriosis had been treated unsuccessfully with empiric therapy for several years. Interventions were preoperative cyclic and continuous combined oral contraceptive pills and a NuvaRing for 2 years. Diagnosis was completed by laparoscopy and histologic evaluation. Surgical debulking by gynecology oncologist was followed by chemotherapy. The main outcome measure was definitive diagnosis via histology. Results Histologic diagnosis of endometriosis and concomitant pelvic malignancy with successful surgical excision of both. Conclusions When evaluating a patient with chronic pelvic pain, it is necessary to have a high degree of suspicion for endometriosis. Early surgical and histologic evaluation is imperative for definitive diagnosis. An added benefit of histologic diagnosis is the opportunity to assess for malignancy.