Investigation of SIS epidemics on dynamic network models with temporary link deactivation control schemes.

Mathematical modeling of epidemic diseases is increasingly being used to respond to emerging diseases. Although conditions modeled by SIS dynamics will eventually reach either a disease-free steady-state or an endemic steady state without interventions, it is desirable to eradicate the disease as quickly as possible by introducing a control scheme. Here, we investigate the control methods of epidemic models on dynamic networks with temporary link deactivation.

Does board gender diversity weaken or strengthen executive risk-taking incentives?

We investigate the effect of board gender diversity on managerial risk-taking incentives. Our results demonstrate that companies with stronger board gender diversity provide more powerful executive risk-taking incentives. It appears that female directors' risk aversion exacerbates managers' risk aversion, resulting in a sub-optimal level of risk-taking.

The erector spinae plane block for effective analgesia after lung lobectomy: Three cases report.

Rationale: The thoracic epidural block and thoracic paravertebral block are widely used techniques for multimodal analgesia after thoracic surgery. However, they have several adverse effects, and are not technically easy. Recently, the erector spinae plane block (ESPB), an injected local anesthetic deep to the erector spinae muscle, is a relatively simple and safe technique.

Erector spinae plane block for multimodal analgesia after wide midline laparotomy: A case report.

Rationale: The most commonly used regional techniques for analgesia following laparotomy thoracic epidural analgesia and paravertebral blocks are technically difficult to perform and carry a risk of severe complications. Recently, the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been reported to effectively treat neuropathic pain. The ultrasound-guided ESPB is an easily performed fascial plane block that can provide sensory blockade from T2-4 to T12-L1.

The origin and migration of the dissolved sulfate from precipitation in Seoul, Korea.

This study incorporated stable isotope analyses with chemical analyses to determine the origin and migration of sulfur sources in East Asia, and these findings were compared with our decadal research from 2000 to 2001 and 2002 to 2003. The multiple sulfur isotope composition (S, S and S) of the dissolved sulfate in precipitation was first measured from 2011 to 2013 in Seoul, South Korea. The δS values were -1.

Peripheral nerve blocks as the sole anesthetic technique in a patient with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

General anesthesia and central neuraxial blockades in patients with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy are associated with high risks of complications, including rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, hemodynamic instability, and postoperative mechanical ventilation. Here, we describe peripheral nerve blocks as a safe approach to anesthesia in a patient with severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy who was scheduled to undergo surgery. A 22-year-old male patient was scheduled to undergo reduction and internal fixation of a left distal femur fracture.

Moho topography, ranges and folds of Tibet by analysis of global gravity models and GOCE data.

The determination of the crustal structure is essential in geophysics, as it gives insight into the geohistory, tectonic environment, geohazard mitigation, etc. Here we present the latest advance on three-dimensional modeling representing the Tibetan Mohorovičić discontinuity (topography and ranges) and its deformation (fold), revealed by analyzing gravity data from GOCE mission. Our study shows noticeable advances in estimated Tibetan Moho model which is superior to the results using the earlier gravity models prior to GOCE.

microRNAs mediate oleic acid-induced acute lung injury in rats using an alternative injury mechanism.

Intravenous (IV) infusion of oleic acid (OA) distributes OA microemboli in the pulmonary capillaries, which results in severe vascular congestion, hemorrhage vascular congestion, interstitial edema, intravascular coagulation and bleeding. The immune response to acute lung injury (ALI) is known to be associated with rapid and widespread changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression in the lung. The present study of a model of rat lung injury aimed to investigate how the lung miRNA profile changes to mediate ALI.

Contribution of human adipose tissue-derived stem cells and the secretome to the skin allograft survival in mice.

Background: Despite considerable evidence showing the immunosuppressive properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro, such properties have not been fully demonstrated in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MSCs and/or MSC secretome in inducing tolerance in a mouse skin transplantation model.

Methods: After receiving full-thickness skin allotransplantation on the back of the mouse, the recipient mice were infused with phosphate-buffered saline, adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs), conditioned media (CM), and control media.

An anatomic and clinical study of the suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks for shoulder arthroscopy.

Hypothesis: The combination of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) and axillary nerve block (ANB) has been reported to provide safe and effective analgesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. This study was designed to identify anatomic landmarks of the suprascapular nerve (SSN) and axillary nerve (AN) and to evaluate the effects of SSNB and ANB using the identified landmarks.

Materials And Methods: This study included 52 cadaveric shoulders and 30 patients in the anatomic and clinical studies, respectively.

Computer and cell phone access for individuals with mobility impairments: an overview and case studies.

Computers, telephones, and assistive technology hold promise for increasing the independence, productivity, and participation of individuals with disabilities in academic, employment, recreation, and other activities. However, to reach this goal, technology must be accessible to, available to, and usable by everyone. The authors of this article share computer and telephone access challenges faced by individuals with neurological and other impairments, assistive technology solutions, issues that impact product adoption and use, needs for new technologies, and recommendations for practitioners and researchers.

A comparison of the systemic toxicity of lidocaine versus its quaternary derivative QX-314 in mice.

Purpose: We recently showed that the quaternary lidocaine derivative, QX-314, produces long-lasting local anesthesia with a slow onset in animal models in vivo. As quaternary agents do not rapidly penetrate biological membranes or the blood-brain barrier, QX-314 may represent a local anesthetic with decreased systemic toxicity compared with conventional tertiary aminoamines. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an in vivo animal study in mice to compare QX-314 with lidocaine in terms of its relative central nervous system (CNS) and cardiac toxicity.

Lumbar intrathecal administration of the quaternary lidocaine derivative, QX-314, produces irritation and death in mice.

Background: We recently found that peripheral administration of the quaternary lidocaine derivative, QX-314, produces long-lasting sensory and motor blockade in animals. The goal of this study was to test whether intrathecal QX-314 has similar properties.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-controlled, blinded study with female CD-1 mice.

The effect of priming with rocuronium on onset time and intubation conditions during endotracheal intubation with low-dose rocuronium.

Background: A priming dose of rocuronium can shorten the onset time of neuromuscular blockade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of priming with rocuronium on the onset time and intubation conditions during tracheal intubation with low-dose rocuronium (0.35 mg/kg) and to compare results with those for rocuronium 0.

Cauda equina syndrome after spinal anesthesia in a patient with severe spinal stenosis: A case report.

Cauda equina syndrome is a well-known but rare complication of spinal anesthesia. An 80-year-old man was scheduled for both herniorrhaphy. Spinal anesthesia was performed at the L3-4 interspinous space with 0.

A multiple star WDM-PON using a band splitting WDM filter.

We propose a multiple star wavelength division multiplexing-passive optical network (WDM-PON) to serve several subscriber groups located at a widely distributed area. The architecture based on a band splitting WDM (BSWDM) filter separates upstream and downstream bands to several sub-bands and assign them to different subscriber groups. As a result, it enables to use a single type AWG for second stage splitting points.

A self-restorable architecture for bidirectional wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network with colorless ONUs.

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a novel protection scheme for wavelength-division-multiplexed passive optical network (WDM-PON) employing colorless optical transceivers. The proposed network employs 2 x N arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) to utilize its routing characteristics. The colorless operation is achieved by using wavelength-locked Fabry-Perot laser diodes (FP-LDs) injected with spectrum-sliced amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) light.

Midazolam inhibits proinflammatory mediators in the lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage.

Background: Midazolam, a benzodiazepine, has a hypnotic effect and is widely used as a sedative. The role of midazolam in activation of macrophages during sepsis is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiinflammatory actions of midazolam in cultured macrophages.