bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internet abusers associate with a depressive state but not a depressive trait
Authors: Huang Andrew Chih Wei , Chen Huai‐En , Wang Ying‐Chou , Wang Le‐Min 
Published: December 2013

AimThe present study investigated three issues: (i) whether Internet abusers display a depressive state without a depressive trait; (ii) which symptoms are shared between Internet abuse and depression; and (iii) which personality characteristics were shown in Internet abusers.MethodsNinety‐nine male and 58 female participants aged 18–24 years were screened with the Chen Internet Addiction Scale. After screening, subjects were separated into the high‐ (n = 73) and low‐risk (n = 84) Internet abuser groups. Participants were respectively administered the Chinese version of the Beck Depression Inventory‐II to assess a depressive state and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 to assess a depressive trait.ResultsThe present results showed that high‐risk Internet abusers exhibited a stronger depressive state than low‐risk Internet abusers in the Beck Depression Inventory‐II. However, high‐risk Internet abusers didnot show a depressive trait in the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory‐2 compared to low‐risk Internet abusers. Therefore, high‐risk Internet abuse participants exhibited a depressive state without a depressive trait.ConclusionsIn a comparison of the symptoms of depression and Internet abuse, it was found that high‐risk Internet abuse participants shared some common behavioral mechanisms with depression, including the psychiatric symptoms of loss of interest, aggressive behavior, depressive mood, and guilty feelings. High‐risk Internet abuse participants may be more susceptible to a temporal depressive state but not a permanent depressive trait. The present findings have clinical implications for the prevention and treatment of Internet abuse.
Increased subsequent risk of acute coronary syndrome for patients with depressive disorder: A nationwide population‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lin Yen‐Nien , Lin Cheng‐Li , Chang Yen‐Jung , Peng Chiao‐Ling , Sung Fung‐Chang , Chang Kuan‐Cheng , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: December 2013

AimThe purpose of this study was to explore the possible association between subsequent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) risk and depressive disorder.MethodsWe used data from the National Health Insurance system of Taiwan to address the research topic. The exposure cohort contained 10 871 patients with new diagnoses of depressive disorders. Each patient was randomly frequency‐matched for sex and age with four participants from the general population who did not have any ACS history before the index date (control group). Cox's proportion hazard regression analyses were conducted to estimate the relation between depressive disorders and subsequent ACS risk.ResultsAmong patients with depressive disorders, the overall risk for developing subsequent ACS was significantly higher than that of the control group (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.88, 95% confidence interval: 1.63–2.17). Further analysis revealed that the higher risk was observed in patients who were male, were of older age, or whose diagnosis was combined with other comorbidities.ConclusionsThe findings from this population‐based retrospective cohort study suggest that depressive disorder is associated with an increased subsequent ACS risk.
Photoprotection and vitamin D: a review
Authors: Kannan Swati , Lim Henry W. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe topic of vitamin D is at the forefront of discussions due to evidence suggesting its role in extra‐skeletal health. It is already established that vitamin D plays a key role in skeletal health in young and elderly adults. This vitamin is obtained mainly through sunlight; various factors such as skin pigmentation and seasons affect cutaneous synthesis. Debates about the effects of sunscreen use on cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D have arisen in recent years. An updated review of the literature emphasizes that adequate levels of vitamin D are needed to prevent osteoporosis, falls and fractures in the elderly population. Emerging data also point to its role in cardiovascular disease, auto‐immune conditions and cancers. Normal usage of sunscreen by adults has not shown to decrease cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Recommended Daily Allowance for vitamin D, released in 2010, was based on studies examining skeletal effects of this vitamin. Oral intake with vitamin d‐enriched foods or vitamin D supplements is recommended over prolonged ultraviolet exposure to maintain proper serum levels. Patients should not be discouraged from normal usage of sunscreens due to their well‐established photoprotective effects.
Estimates and Standard Errors for Ratios Of Normalizing Constants from Multiple Markov Chains Via Regeneration
Authors: Doss Hani , Tan Aixin 
Published: December 2013

SummaryIn the classical biased sampling problem, we have k densities π1(·), …,πk(·), each known up to a normalizing constant, i.e., for l = 1, …,k, πl(·)=νl(·)/ml, where νl(·) is a known function and ml is an unknown constant. For each l, we have an independent and identically distributed sample from πl, and the problem is to estimate the ratios ml/ms for all l and all s. This problem arises frequently in several situations in both frequentist and Bayesian inference. An estimate of the ratios was developed and studied by Vardi and his co-workers over two decades ago, and there has been much subsequent work on this problem from many perspectives. In spite of this, there are no rigorous results in the literature on how to estimate the standard error of the estimate. We present a class of estimates of the ratios of normalizing constants that are appropriate for the case where the samples from the πls are not necessarily independent and identically distributed sequences but are Markov chains. We also develop an approach based on regenerative simulation for obtaining standard errors for the estimates of ratios of normalizing constants. These standard error estimates are valid for both the independent and identically distributed samples case and the Markov chain case.
Relevant Statistics for Bayesian Model Choice
Authors: Marin Jean-Michel , Pillai Natesh S. , Robert Christian P. , Rousseau Judith 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe choice of the summary statistics that are used in Bayesian inference and in particular in approximate Bayesian computation algorithms has bearings on the validation of the resulting inference. Those statistics are nonetheless customarily used in approximate Bayesian computation algorithms without consistency checks. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions on summary statistics for the corresponding Bayes factor to be convergent, namely to select the true model asymptotically. Those conditions, which amount to the expectations of the summary statistics differing asymptotically under the two models, are quite natural and can be exploited in approximate Bayesian computation settings to infer whether or not a choice of summary statistics is appropriate, via a Monte Carlo validation.
Decreased Plasma IL‐22 Levels and Correlations with IL‐22‐Producing T Helper Cells in Patients with New‐Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Lin J. , Yue L. H. , Chen W. Q. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractInterleukin‐22 (IL‐22) and IL‐22‐producing T helper (Th) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the roles of IL‐22 and IL‐22‐producing T helper cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remain unclear. Plasma levels of IL‐22 were measured in 41 patients with SLE (19 new‐onset and 22 relapsing patients) and 20 healthy controls by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Meanwhile, the percentages of CD4+IFN‐γ+ (Th1), CD4+IL‐17+ (Th17) and CD4+IFN‐γ−IL‐17− IL‐22+ (Th22) cells in peripheral lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry, and plasma IL‐22 autoantibodies were detected by ELISA in 19 new‐onset SLE patients and 20 healthy controls. Plasma IL‐22 levels in new‐onset SLE patients were significantly decreased compared with relapsing SLE patients and healthy controls. After treatment with prednisone and hydroxychloroquine, the levels of plasma IL‐22 in new‐onset SLE patients were obviously increased but still lower than healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between plasma IL‐22 levels and the percentages of Th22 cells, but not Th1 and Th17 cells. Moreover, plasma IL‐22 levels as well as peripheral Th17 and Th22 cells correlated with SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). High frequencies of plasma IL‐22 autoantibodies were detected in new‐onset SLE patients. However, IL‐22 levels did not correlate with IL‐22 autoantibody. Decreased plasma IL‐22 levels and correlation with Th22 cells may be distinct features in new‐onset SLE. Moreover, IL‐22 and Th22 cell correlated with SLE disease activity.
Association of Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Patients with Tuberculosis and Their Household Contacts
Authors: Sivangala R. , Ponnana M. , Thada S. , Joshi L. , Ansari S. , Hussain H. , Valluri V. , Gaddam S. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractCytokine gene polymorphisms are known to be associated with functional differences in cytokine regulation and may affect host susceptibility to tuberculosis (TB). Contacts are important group in developing tuberculosis infection and are 10–60 times more likely to develop TB than general population. The present study was carried out in patients with TB (N = 176), their household contacts (HHC; N = 155) from Free Chest TB Clinic PPM DOTS (1TU) covering 500,000 population at Mahavir Hospital and Research Centre, Hyderabad, and healthy controls (HC; N = 170) also included. The association of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of TNF‐α (−308G/A), IL‐2 (−330T/G), IL‐4 (−589C/T) and in exon region of TGF‐β1 (+869T/C) genes was assessed by ARMS & PCR‐RFLP using specific primers in the above‐mentioned subjects. The differences in allelic or genotypic frequencies of TNF‐α (−308G/A) between patients, their HHC and HC were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). IL‐2 (−330T/G) TG genotype was significantly different between patients, HHC compared to HC (P < 0.002, OR‐1.997, 95%CI‐1.260‐3.168, P < 0.03, OR‐1.602, 955CI‐1.003‐2.561).IL‐4 (−589C/T) CC genotype was significantly different between patients and HC (P < 0.03, OR‐1.791, 95%CI‐1.009‐3.189) as well as between HHC and HC at P < 0.0001, OR‐2.56, 95%CI‐1.448‐4.545. In addition, the TGF‐β 1 (+869T/C) TC genotype was significantly associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in patients when compared against HC(P < 0.0001, OR‐3.416, 95%CI‐2.063‐5.670) and HHC (P < 0.0001, OR‐2.357, 95%CI‐1.439‐3.868), respectively.MDR analysis indicated that TT genotype of TGF‐β1 with TT and CT genotypes of IL‐4 showed high risk with GA, TT genotypes of TNF‐α, IL‐2, respectively. Our results suggest that IL‐2 (‐330T/G), IL‐4 (‐589 C/T) and TGF‐β1 (+869T/C) gene polymorphisms may be associated with TB susceptibility.
The Good Cause Account of the Meaning of Life
Authors: Smuts Aaron 
Published: December 2013

AbstractI defend the theory that one's life is meaningful to the extent that one promotes the good. Call this the good cause account (GCA) of the meaning of life. It holds that the good effects that count towards the meaning of one's life need not be intentional. Nor must one be aware of the effects. Nor does it matter whether the same good would have resulted if one had not existed. What matters is that one is causally responsible for the good. I argue that the best theory of the meaning of life should clearly distinguish between subjective fulfillment and objective meaningfulness. The GCA respects the distinction. And it is superior to its leading rivals in the recent literature, most notably those of Erik Wielenberg and Susan Wolf.
Estimating the costs of implementing the rotavirus vaccine in the national immunisation programme: the case of Malawi
Authors: Madsen Lizell B. , Ustrup Marte , Hansen Kristian S. , Nyasulu Peter S. , Bygbjerg Ib C. , Konradsen Flemming 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesWorldwide, rotavirus infections cause approximately 453 000 child deaths annually. Two licensed vaccines could be life‐ and cost‐saving in low‐income countries where the disease burden is highest. The aim of our study was to estimate the total cost of implementing the rotavirus vaccine in the national immunisation programme of a low‐income country. Furthermore, the aim was to examine the relative contribution of different components to the total cost.MethodsFollowing the World Health Organization guidelines, we estimated the resource use and costs associated with rotavirus vaccine implementation, using Malawi as a case. The cost analysis was undertaken from a governmental perspective. All costs were calculated for a 5‐years period (2012–2016) and discounted at 5%. The value of key input parameters was varied in a sensitivity analysis.ResultsThe total cost of rotavirus vaccine implementation in Malawi amounted toUS$ 18.5 million over a 5‐years period. This translated intoUS$ 5.8 per child in the birth cohort. WithGAVIAlliance financial support, the total cost was reduced toUS$ 1.4 per child in the birth cohort. Approximately 83% of the total cost was attributed to vaccine purchase, while 17% was attributed to system costs, with personnel, transportation and cold chain as the main cost components.ConclusionThe total cost of rotavirus vaccine implementation in Malawi is high compared with the governmental health budget ofUS$ 26 per capita per year. This highlights the need for new financing opportunities for low‐income countries to facilitate vaccine implementation and ensure sustainable financing.
In Vivo Neuron‐Wide Analysis of Synaptic Vesicle Precursor Trafficking
Authors: Maeder Celine I. , San‐Miguel Adriana , Wu Emily Ye , Lu Hang , Shen Kang 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDuring synapse development, synaptic proteins must be targeted to sites of presynaptic release. Directed transport as well as local sequestration of synaptic vesicle precursors (SVPs), membranous organelles containing many synaptic proteins, might contribute to this process. Using neuron‐wide time‐lapse microscopy, we studied SVP dynamics in the DA9 motor neuron in Caenorhabditis elegans. SVP transport was highly dynamic and bi‐directional throughout the entire neuron, including the dendrite. While SVP trafficking was anterogradely biased in axonal segments prior to the synaptic domain, directionality of SVP movement was stochastic in the dendrite and distal axon. Furthermore, frequency of movement and speed were variable between different compartments. These data provide evidence that SVP transport is differentially regulated in distinct neuronal domains. It also suggests that polarized SVP transport in concert with local vesicle capturing is necessary for accurate presynapse formation and maintenance. SVP trafficking analysis of two hypomorphs for UNC‐104/KIF1A in combination with mathematical modeling identified directionality of movement, entry of SVPs into the axon as well as axonal speeds as the important determinants of steady‐state SVP distributions. Furthermore, detailed dissection of speed distributions for wild‐type and unc‐104/kif1a mutant animals revealed an unexpected role for UNC‐104/KIF1A in dendritic SVP trafficking.
A mycobacterial coinfection in a dog suspected on blood smear
Authors: Etienne Claire‐Lise , Granat Fanny , Trumel Catherine , Raymond‐Letron Isabelle , Lucas Marie‐Noëlle , Boucraut‐Baralon Corine , Pingret Jean‐Luc , Magne Laurent , Delverdier Maxence 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA 4‐year‐old neutered female crossbred Shepherd was referred for a history of 10 days of anorexia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyadenomegaly, and diarrhea. On physical examination, the dog appeared quiet, responsive, and apyretic, with generalized and severe lymphadenomegaly. Hematologic abnormalities included neutrophilic leukocytosis with left shift, and lymphopenia. Blood smears revealed intracytoplasmic bacilli negatively stained with May–Grünwald–Giemsa in neutrophils and monocytes. Lymph node smears revealed pyogranulomatous adenitis with calcified deposits and many negative‐staining rod structures, both within the cytoplasm of neutrophils and macrophages, and free in the background. An acid‐fast stain (Ziehl–Neelsen) confirmed the diagnosis of mycobacterial infection. The dog was euthanized for public health and ethical reasons, and the postmortem examination revealed severe and generalized granulomatous and necrotizing lymphadenitis, panniculitis, and hepatitis, and infiltration of epithelioid macrophages in the lungs, colon, and spleen. Numerous acid‐fast bacilli, consistent with mycobacterial infection, were observed both in the cytoplasm of epithelioid macrophages and giant cells, and free in the background.Mycobacterium boviswas first confirmed by conventionalPCRof organ extracts.Mycobacterium aviumwas detected in a culture of the same organs. FurtherPCRamplifications and sequencing revealed a coinfection with 2 different species of mycobacterium, one belonging to theMycobacterium aviumcomplex and the other to theMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex.
Comparison of plasma free metanephrines between healthy dogs and 3 dogs with pheochromocytoma
Authors: Green Bradley A. , Frank Elizabeth L. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundAdrenomegaly and hypertension are common clinical entities in canine medicine for which testing for pheochromocytoma is recommended. Yet, a validated biochemical test for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs does not exist. In human medicine, plasma free metanephrine testing is the diagnostic standard for the biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of measurement of plasma free metanephrines in dogs for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.MethodsPlasma free metanephrines were measured in 11 healthy dogs and in 3 dogs confirmed to have a pheochromocytoma. The metanephrine assays were performed at a reference laboratory using high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.ResultsThe plasma free metanephrine and normetanephrine concentrations in 11 healthy dogs were normally distributed and were used to create tentative reference intervals. All 3 dogs with histologically confirmed pheochromocytoma clearly had higher concentrations of plasma free metanephrines.ConclusionsThis pilot study demonstrates the potential utility of plasma free metanephrines levels for the biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma in dogs.
Aeroelasticity at Reversed Flow Conditions: Part 3—Reduction of Surge Loads by Means of Intentional Mistuning
Authors: Schoenenborn Harald , de Vries Mirja 
Published: December 2013

Compressor surge consists of four phases: (i) pressure rise, (ii) flow breakdown, (iii) blow-down and (iv) flow recovery. During the blow-down phase reversed flow conditions exist, where a blade may accumulate hundreds of vibration cycles, depending on the surge volume and the vibration frequency. High vibration amplitudes and blade damages were observed in the past.
In part 1 (GT2011-45034) a compressor cascade was analyzed experimentally and analytically at steady reversed flow conditions. It has been shown that (i) the steady flow field can be predicted well by CFD analysis, (ii) the overall damping coefficient calculated by unsteady CFD compares reasonably well with measurements and (iii) a blade may become unstable at certain reversed flow conditions.
In part 2 (GT2011-45035) the analytical procedures used in part 1 were applied to the front part of a multi-stage HPC for reversed flow conditions. It was found that surge loads consist in reality of two physically different phenomena: (i) the pressure wave during the flow breakdown leading to rather low blade stresses and (ii) flutter during the blow-down phase which may lead to very high blade stresses and damages during surge for some stages.
As it is well known that intentional mistuning is a way to mitigate flutter, intentional mistuning is investigated in part 3 of the paper at reversed flow conditions. At first, a CFD study of a single airfoil is presented showing the dependency of aerodynamic damping upon flow angle and pressure ratio over the airfoil at reversed flow conditions, including intentional mistuning studies.
Secondly, an investigation is presented which shows experimentally and analytically that surge stresses can be reduced significantly by the use of intentional mistuning. In a multi-stage compressor test rig, one rotor stage, which experienced very high stresses during surge, was subjected to a cutback on every second blade, leading to significantly reduced surge stresses. Analytically, an aeroelastic eigenvalue analysis showed the same behavior.
Flexible and Economical Operation of Power Plants: 25 Years of Expertise
Authors: Greis Jan , Gobrecht Edwin , Wendt Steffen 
Published: December 2013

Within the last years the idea of running a conventional power plant has changed. Fluctuating power generation by solar power and wind parks creates a need for highly flexible backup power plants. This need quickly arose within the last 5 years and the market is still searching for a solution.
Single steam turbine manufacturers can provide features to react more flexibly, quickly and to prolong component life time. Thus, considerable operating experience has already been in existence for many years.
New highly efficient steam turbines are already equipped with solutions to serve an ambitious market. But also, for existing units, different modernization packages can be provided along with hardware and software modifications which allow power plants to supply power at a moment’s notice.
This paper presents the overall approach and the possible field of application for the well-established features of Siemens steam turbines.
Starting a power plant within a short time to fill the gap of fluctuating power generation is an important capability in order to participate in today’s and tomorrow’s energy market. A fully automated start-up procedure to avoid any delays contributes in fulfilling this requirement. Optimized component geometries guarantee the shortest start-up times. Furthermore, a parallel start-up of gas and steam turbines (Hot Start on the Fly) has already been proven for many years.
Regarding flexibility, the improvement of start-up time is only one major aspect. Another important task is to provide the opportunity to influence scheduled maintenance outages. Therefore, steam turbines can be equipped with software which allows the customer to plan the power plant’s outages in accordance with single components requirements, e.g. GT outages. The lifecycle counter enables customers to evaluate the optimum between start-up time and life time consumption based on dynamic equivalent operating hours.
In addition, fast cooling procedures help to keep outage times to a minimum.