bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducing simulation time using design of experiments
Authors: Zhan Wei 
Published: March 2011

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Six Sigma as an innovative tool in software design optimization. The problem of reducing simulation time for characterizing a type of DC motor is studied in this paper. The case study illustrates how Six Sigma tools such as the design of experiments (DOE) method can be used to improve a simulation process.Design/methodology/approachA first‐principle model for the motor is used for simulation in MATLAB®. Each parameter in the model is assumed to have a known distribution. Using the random number generator in MATLAB®, Monte Carlo analysis is conducted. To reduce simulation time, several factors in the simulation process are identified. A two‐level full factorial DOE matrix is constructed. The Monte Carlo analysis is carried out for each of the parameter set in the DOE matrix. Based on the simulation results and the DOE analysis, the Simulink model is identified as the main contributor to the computational time of the simulation. Several steps are taken to reduce the computational time related to the Simulink model. The improved model requires only one‐fourth of the original computational time.FindingsThe paper illustrates that Six Sigma tools can be applied to algorithm and software‐development process for optimization purpose. Statistical analysis can be conducted in the simulation environment to provide valuable information.Practical implicationsAs an example, the improved simulation process is used to derive statistical information related to the speed vs torque curve and response time as part of the motor characteristics. The findings suggest that with an optimized simulation model, large amount of statistical analyses can be conducted in the simulation environment to provide practical information. This approach can be effectively used in early stage of product design, e.g. during the feasibility study.Originality/valueIn industry, most of the DOE are conducted using real‐test data. It is usually time consuming and cost inefficient. This paper combines mathematical modelling and statistical analysis to optimize a simulation model using DOE. The novel approach used in this paper can be applied in many other software optimization problems. It is expected that this approach will broaden the application of Six Sigma in industry.
Social gradient in initiation and transition to daily use of tobacco and cannabis during adolescence: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Legleye Stéphane , Janssen Eric , Beck François , Chau Nearkasen , Khlat Myriam 
Published: March 2011

ABSTRACTAims  This study explores whether the family socio‐economic status (F‐SES) and school situation could have an impact on tobacco and cannabis initiation and transition to daily use during adolescence.Design and setting  A French cross‐sectional nation‐wide survey conducted in 2005 containing retrospective data.Participants  French teenagers aged 17 (n = 29 393).Measurement  The F‐SES was defined by the highest occupational category of either parent, with seven categories ranging from unemployed/inactive to managers/professionals. Ages at repeat school years, at leaving school, at the first episode of drunkenness and at initiation of illicit drug use were used to model tobacco and cannabis initiation and transition to daily use with time‐discrete logistic regressions.Findings  The risk for tobacco initiation was almost equally distributed across F‐SES groups, but the risk of a progression to daily use was higher in every F‐SES category compared to managers/professionals [odds ratio (OR) from 1.17 to 1.90]. Compared to managers/professionals, risk of cannabis initiation was lower in all F‐SES categories (OR from 0.63 to 0.87), but all categories except farmers were at increased risk of transition to daily use: the OR range between 1.29 (intermediate) and 1.98 (unemployed/inactive). Repeating school years and leaving school predicted daily use of tobacco (OR = 2.00 and 2.37) and cannabis (4.58 and 2.07).Conclusions  Adolescents from the highest family socio‐economic status categories are at risk for tobacco and cannabis experimentation but are less prone to engage in daily use. Psychological and social mechanisms that inhibit transition to daily use should be investigated, including school attainment and performance.
Ephrin‐B3 Binds Specifically to B Lymphocytes in Blood and Induces Migration
Authors: Holen H. L. , Zernichow L. , Fjelland K. E. , Evenroed I. M. , Tveit H. , Aasheim H.‐C. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractEph receptors and ephrin ligands have been shown to be differentially expressed on leucocytes. Here, we show that one member of the ephrin‐B subfamily of ephrins, ephrin‐B3, specifically binds to B lymphocytes in blood. No binding was observed to T lymphocytes or monocytes. The ephrin‐B3 binding receptor on B lymphocytes is so far not identified, but our results here indicate that ephrin‐B3 binds to a protein not belonging to the Eph receptor family. Recently, we have shown that ephrin‐B3 binds to a sulphated cell surface receptor on HEK293T cells and that this binding can be blocked with heparin. Ephrin‐B3 binding to B lymphocytes is partially affected by heparin, and a basic amino acid in the extracellular juxtamembrane region, Arg‐188, is here shown to be involved in this binding. The functional consequence of ephrin‐B3 binding to B lymphocytes is induced migration, in particular of the memory cells. To conclude, ephrin‐B3 binds to B lymphocytes, most likely via a non‐classical receptor, and induces migration of the memory B cell subpopulation.
Methods for testing platelet function for transfusion medicine
Authors: Panzer S. , Jilma P. 
Published: March 2011

Background  Currently only indirect measures are required for monitoring the function of platelets in platelet concentrates (PC).Methods  This is an overview on currently available commercialized methods that have been used to determine platelet function in donors, concentrates and after transfusion. We show examples for the application of the no/low shear methods light‐transmission aggregometry, flow cytometry, multiple electrode aggregometry, thrombelastography and dynamic light scattering, and those applying high shear, the platelet function analyzer‐100, and the cone and plate analyzer. Advantages and disadvantages of the various methods to screen donors, evaluate the haemostatic properties maintained in the PC and after transfusion are discussed, based on considerations of platelet physiology, and the feasibility of the various procedures. This survey focuses on reports from the last 10 years, as the technology for the production of PCs has advanced significantly during the last few years.Conclusion  Specific aspects of platelet function can be assessed by the no/low shear methods, while the high shear methods provide more general analysis of platelet haemostatic competence. Yet, there is no strong evidence that the in vitro data correspond with the clinical outcome.
Efficacy and safety of a nanofiltered liquid intravenous immunoglobulin product in patients with primary immunodeficiency and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
Authors: van der Meer J. W. M. , van Beem R. T. , Robak T. , Deptala A. , Strengers P. F. W. 
Published: March 2011

Background and Objectives  In the production process of a new 5% liquid intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG‐L) product (Nanogam®), a combined pepsin/pH 4·4 treatment/15‐nm filtration (pH 4·4/15NF) step and a solvent‐detergent (SD) treatment step were incorporated to improve the virus inactivating/reducing capacity of the manufacturing process. Two prospective uncontrolled multicentre studies were performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this product.Materials and Methods  Efficacy, including pharmacokinetics, of IVIG‐L was studied for 6 months in 18 primary immunodeficiency (PID) patients, succeeded by a long‐term follow‐up study (mean 2·2 years, n = 17). Second, in 24 patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), IVIG‐L was studied for efficacy for 14 days. In both studies, adverse events and vital signs were recorded to study safety.Results  In PID patients treated with IVIG‐L, 0·60 and 0·38 severe infections per patient per year were reported during, respectively, the short‐term and long‐term follow‐up. Pharmacokinetic studies resulted in an IgG half‐life of 30·9 ± 11·3 days and a mean IgG trough level of 6·8 ± 1·2 g/l. In the ITP study, all patients showed an increase in platelet counts after infusion with IVIG‐L, and 20/24 patients responded with a platelet count > 50 × 109/l (83·3%) within 1 week. IVIG‐L infusions did not cause clinical relevant changes in laboratory parameters or vital signs.Conclusions  In clinical studies, IVIG‐L (Nanogam®) demonstrated to be efficacious, well tolerated and safe.
Food preference in the woodlouse Porcellio scaber (Isopoda) in a choice test with fungicidal GM wheat
Authors: Bigler I. , Nentwig W. , Lindfeld A. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractTwo independent food choice experiments were conducted in the laboratory to study the effects of four transgenic and five non‐GM fungicidal wheat varieties on the food selection behaviour of the woodlouse Porcellio scaber. In general, woodlice did not avoid GM wheat as a food source and we detected no adverse effects of GM wheat on the non‐target P. scaber. Moreover, we found a food preference of the woodlouse for one of the four GM varieties, Pm3b1, but not for the closely related GM Pm3b2 or for their non‐GM isolines. We assume either a pleiotropic effect like lower lignin content or more suitable leaf litter coverage by microorganisms that may cause this preference and thus increasing palatability or digestibility. We discuss that this effect is ecologically not relevant.
Field efficacy of Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) mass trapping technique on clementine groves in Spain
Authors: Martinez‐Ferrer M. T. , Campos J. M. , Fibla J. M. 
Published: March 2011

AbstractMass trapping is being used in Mediterranean regions to control Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in citrus. The technique is based on placing a high density of traps with an attractant (Ferag CC D TM®, a three‐membrane dispensers of trimethylamine, ammonium acetate and diaminoalkane), and a toxicant, aiming to capture the highest numbers of adults in the grove. From 2006 to 2008, field trials were conducted in commercial Clementine (Citrus reticulata Blanco) groves to evaluate the efficacy against medfly of using different trap densities, 25, 50, 75 and 100 traps per ha. Based on the number of adults captured, fruit maturity parameters and medfly fruit damage, a 25 trap per ha density appears to be a valid stand‐alone method to protect mid‐season varieties (Clemenules) from the attack of C. capitata, because <0.5% of fruits on average were damaged at harvest. For early‐season varieties (Loretina and Marisol), mass trapping technique alone did not offer a satisfactory medfly control, because medfly populations were higher in the warmer months of the early‐season variety production, which led to a higher percentage of attacked fruits, even when increasing the trap density from 50 to 100 per ha. However, using 50 traps per ha density combined with chemical treatments only to the perimeter row of the grove gave good results, because <2% of fruits in average were damaged at harvest.
Diagnosis and treatment of dyspeptic patients in Japan
Authors: Manabe Noriaki , Haruma Ken 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Although functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders has been paid more attention recently in Japan, similar to Western countries, the clinical characteristics of dyspeptic patients, current diagnostic approach to dyspeptic patients and current standard treatments for dyspeptic patients are not well known in Japan. This review, in the most part, summarizes two topics about Japanese dyspeptic patients. The first topic is the pros and cons of the diagnosis of Japanese dyspeptic patients using Rome III classification on the basis of our data and the second topic deals with standard treatments for dyspeptic patients–especially by primary care doctors in Japan.Methods:  We conducted a PubMed search using the following key words alone or in combination: functional dyspepsia (FD), medical treatment, Rome III classification and Japanese.Results:  The Rome III classification for FD does not adequately identify a large proportion of Japanese dyspeptic patients, primarily due to their earlier presentation for medical evaluation. There are many kinds of options for the treatment of FD in Japan: proton‐pump inhibitors, histamine H2 receptor antagonists, mucoprotective agents, Japanese traditional herbal medicines, Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy and prokinetics. Under the current situation, Japanese primary care doctors choose drugs according to each subtype of FD, which means that they prescribe medicine according to the pathogenesis of each patient.Conclusions:  While the Rome III classification seems logical, some aspects need further evaluation for Japanese dyspeptic patients. Japanese primary care doctors choose drugs appropriately based on the pathogenesis of FD. However, efforts to further elucidate underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms and identify the appropriate patient population using modified Rome classification will be required.
Ghrelin: A gut hormonal basis of motility regulation and functional dyspepsia
Authors: Ogiso Kazuma , Asakawa Akihiro , Amitani Haruka , Inui Akio 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFunctional dyspepsia (FD) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID). Several pathophysiological mechanisms have been indicated as possible etiological factors, such as delayed gastric emptying, impaired proximal gastric accommodation and visceral hypersensitivity.Ghrelin is an important gut hormone. It is a motilin‐related peptide that was discovered in the stomach, and it acts as an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor. Ghrelin plays an important role in the stimulation of food intake and gut motility. Acyl ghrelin stimulates the percentage motor index (%MI) in the antrum and induces fasted motor activity in the duodenum. Des‐acyl ghrelin decreases food intake and decrease gastric emptying.Although some studies have demonstrated that plasma acyl ghrelin levels tend to be lower in FD patients than in controls, the association between plasma ghrelin levels and FD remains controversial. Previous reports have demonstrated that hunger sensation was elevated through the administration of ghrelin to patients with FD. However, there have been few clinical reports relating to the administration of ghrelin.Altered gut–brain interactions may underlie the symptoms of FD. Ghrelin may be associated with FD through its effect on the regulation of gut motility. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of ghrelin in FD.
Epidemiology of FGID symptoms in Japanese general population with reference to life style
Authors: Hongo Michio 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjective and Background:  Gastrointestinal symptoms are quite common among the general population, but different survey methods show different epidemiology, and the effect of psychosocial and behavioral factors on the symptoms have been studied mainly by the subgroup The aims of this studies are; 1: to clarify the difference of the survey methods on the epidemiology of FGID symptoms, 2: correlation with psycho‐behavioral background in symptomatic subjects.Methods:  Questionnaires focused on GI symptoms and psycho‐behavioral background were generated. Questionnaires were sent via e‐mail and postal mail to the members of the registered panel.Results:  A total of 2125 and 11 020 responses were recovered from electronic survey and postal survey. Significant difference in the prevalence of GI symptoms, 47% in electronic survey and 25% in postal survey, were observed. Despite the difference in the prevalence, the proportions of symptom subtypes and the patterns of the overlaps were similar in the two methods. In the analysis of the effect of psycho‐behavioral factors, this study showed that those who have higher level of psycho‐behavioral problem had higher prevalence of GERD, FD and IBS symptoms. Those who have impairment in the wellness sensation such as good eating, good bowel movement and good sleep showed higher prevalence of each symptom. Those who prefer unhealthier food have higher prevalence of GI symptoms.Conclusions:  These data suggest that psycho‐behavioral conditions may affect the development of functional GI symptoms regardless of the subtypes of GI symptoms, and may explain the high proportion of overlap in the subtypes.
The features of adolescent irritable bowel syndrome in Japan
Authors: Endo Yuka , Shoji Tomotaka , Fukudo Shin , Machida Tomomi , Machida Takatsugu , Noda Satoko , Hongo Michio 
Published: March 2011

AbstractObjective and Background:  The onset of IBS is in adolescence in many cases. However, the features of adolescent IBS were generally lacking. The objective of this research was to know the features of adolescent IBS in Japan.Methodology:  In 2004 and 2009, we randomly selected Junior high school students in Miyagi prefecture, Japan, according to population of each area. Eight hundred thirty‐three boys and 888 girls (age: 15 years old) in 2004 and 256 boys and 335 girls (age: 14 years old) in 2009 participated in this study. They fulfilled self‐reported questionnaires those include Rome‐II Modular Questionnaire, Self‐reported IBS Questionnaire, Generalized Self‐Efficacy Scale, Short Form‐36 ver.2, other questions on their lives and Toronto Alexithymia Scale‐20.Results:  The prevalence of adolescent IBS was 14.6% in 2004 and 19% in 2009. Compare with students without abdominal symptoms, IBS showed lower health‐related QOL and self‐efficacy and complained more sleep disturbance, traumatic episodes and perceived stress in both researches. IBS girls were worse in both physical and psychological aspects. They also have alexithymic tendency and it influenced on severity of IBS symptoms.Conclusions:  Adolescent IBS had almost the same prevalence as adult IBS, however the rate of IBS subtypes was different. They also had psychological problems in addition to physical conditions even though most of them were non‐consulters. Improvement of self‐efficacy and alxithymia may help to prevent and treat IBS.
Functional gastrointestinal disorders and overlap syndrome in Korea
Authors: Park Hyojin 
Published: March 2011

AbstractFunctional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are common in clinical practice and in communities around the world, including Korea. In a recent point prevalence study on functional dyspepsia (FD) in Korea using the Rome III criteria, 13.4% of community respondents reported dyspepsia. Forty‐seven percent of these FD cases were classified as postprandial distress syndrome, 26% as epigastric pain syndrome, and 27% as overlap syndrome. Upper and lower GI symptoms commonly overlap and FGIDs are related to psychological disorders. In our recent study of subjects recruited from a health‐screening program, the point prevalence of FD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and reflux esophagitis (RE) was 13.2%, 3.9%, and 8.2%, respectively. The odds ratio of having FD and IBS together was estimated to be 4.4 (95% CI: 1.21–15.71). We found a positive relationship between FD and IBS. Recently, several genetic studies have suggested that serotonin transporter (SERT) gene polymorphisms and the G‐protein β3 (GNβ3) C825T gene polymorphism are associated with FD and IBS. However, we did not find an association between SERT and GNβ3 C825T genetic polymorphisms and overlap syndrome, including FD and IBS, in our previous study in a Korean population.We therefore undertook a validation study of the Rome III criteria for FGIDs by factor analysis of symptoms. The sensitivity and specificity of Rome III criteria in discriminating FGIDs from organic diseases of the upper GI tract was 60% and 53%, respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of these criteria for the lower GI tract was 80% and 50%, respectively, partially supporting the use of the Rome III criteria in Korea.
Placebo effect in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Lu Ching‐Liang , Chang Full‐Young 
Published: March 2011

AbstractThe placebo effect has evolved from being considered a nuisance factor in clinical research to a hot topic of scientific investigation. New research findings show that a placebo has real psychobiological and biological effects that are attributable to the overall therapeutic context. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that shows a significant placebo response of around 40–50% among different clinical trials. A positive patient‐practitioner relationship can enhance the placebo effect in IBS patients. Emerging literature using functional brain imaging has started to document the neuronal changes associated with the placebo phenomenon in IBS patients, showing aberrant neural network during visceral placebo analgesia when compared to controls. Further promotion and integration of laboratory and clinical research are encouraged to advance the understanding of placebo mechanisms in IBS patients.
CagA genotype and metronidazole resistant strain of Helicobacter pylori in functional dyspepsia in Thailand
Authors: Vilaichone Ratha‐korn , Mahachai Varocha , Tumwasorn Somying , Kachintorn Udom 
Published: March 2011

AbstractBackground and Aim:  Many previous studies indicated relationship between H. pylori infection and functional dyspepsia (FD) but pathogenesis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine relationship between cagA genotype and metronidazole resistant strains of H. pylori in Thai FD patients.Methods:  Total of 412 Thai FD patients who underwent gastroscopy at Thammasat University Hospital, Thailand between June 2008 and May 2010 were enrolled. Two antral gastric biopsies were obtained for CLO test, cultures and E‐test for metronidazole. Cag A genotype was determined by PCR. FD patients were diagnosed by Rome III criteria and categorized as epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS).Results:  133 FD patients (31%) were infected with H. pylori (56 male, 77 female). There were 37 patients with EPS and 96 patients with PDS. Cag A genotype was performed in 114 patients and CagA 1a was demonstrated in 24.6%. Cag A 1a was relatively higher prevalence in PDS than EPS without statistical significance (26% vs 22%; P > 0.05). E‐test for metronidazole was performed in 100 patients (32 EPS and 68 PDS patients) and metronidazole resistant strains were found in 30%. Metronidazole resistant strains were significantly higher in PDS than EPS patients (38.2% vs 12.5%; P = 0.03). In EPS patients, presence of cagA 2a gene was significantly higher in metronidazole resistant than metronidazole sensitive strains (100% vs 74.1%; OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 1.2–26.8, P = 0.01).Conclusions:  PDS was the predominant type of FD in Thailand. Metronidazole resistant strains and cagA 2a gene of H. pylori infection was commonly found in Thai FD patients. In EPS patients, cagA 2a gene might be related to metronidazole resistant strains of H. pylori infection in Thailand.