bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Portuguese case of Hirayama disease
Authors: Correia de Sá Mário , Costa Henrique , Castro Sérgio , Vila Real Marta
Published: October 2013

Hirayama disease, also known as monomelic amyotrophy or juvenile spinal muscular atrophy of the distal upper extremity features the impairment of the anterior horn cells of the distal cervical spinal cord secondary to dural sac anterior displacement during cervical flexion. We describe a case of a 17-year-old boy with a history of scoliosis, evaluated in the emergency department for decreased muscle strength and atrophy of the left upper limb with progressive worsening for about 6 months. We performed electrophysiological studies that showed severe neurogenic atrophy involving the C7–T1 left myotomes. Brain and spine MRI performed showed flattening of the lower cervical cord and dura mater anterior displacement during cervical flexion. These findings were consistent with the diagnosis of Hirayama disease.
Gastric xanthelasma: an unusual endoscopic finding
Authors: Dhakal Mona , Dhakal O P , Bhandari Dhurba , Gupta Amlan
Published: October 2013

Gastric xanthelasma is a rarely encountered finding in upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. It is characterised by yellowish-white plaque in the stomach especially in the antrum or the pyloric region. Histologically it consists of foamy macrophages in the lamina propria. It is a benign condition but its appearance mimics malignancy and it is found to be associated with various conditions, some of which are considered premalignant so, histological confirmation is necessary. We present a case of a 44-year-old man who presented to the medicine outpatient department for intermittent pain in epigastrium for the last 2 years. His physical examination was normal. His haematological and biochemical investigations were also normal. His upper GI endoscopy revealed yellowish-white plaque in fundus of the stomach, which was diagnosed as gastric xanthelasma by histological examination with associated chronic gastritis.
Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis: an unusual presentation of Sjogren's syndrome
Authors: Cherif Eya , Ben Hassine Lamia , Kechaou Ines , Khalfallah Narjess
Published: October 2013

Hypokalaemic rhabdomyolysis represents a medical emergency requiring rapid diagnosis and appropriate aetiological treatment. Renal tubular acidosis is a common cause of hypokalemia which can be idiopathic or secondary to systemic disorders such as Sjogren's syndrome. It can remain asymptomatic or manifest with metabolic abnormalities including hypokalemia paralysis, hypocalcaemia and hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Rhabdomyolysis presenting with severe hypokalemia as the first manifestation of Sjogren's syndrome is rare. We report a case of a 59-year-old woman who presented to our department with severe weakness of all limbs. Laboratory examination demonstrated hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis caused by distal renal tubular acidosis. Investigations revealed Sjogren's syndrome as the underlying cause of the metabolic disorders.
Biochemical impact of soccer: an analysis of hormonal, muscle damage, and redox markers during the season
Authors: Silva João Renato , Rebelo António , Marques Franklim , Pereira Laura , Seabra André , Ascensão António , Magalhães José
Published: October 2013

This study aimed to analyze changes in performance, muscle function, and stress-related biochemical markers in professional soccer players (n = 14) at 4 timepoints (3 for performance and 4 for stress-related biochemical markers) during the soccer season [Formula: see text] preseason (E1), midseason (E2), end of the season (E3) [Formula: see text] and after the end of the recovery period (E4). Performance in 5- and 30-m sprints, countermovement jump, and agility, and maximal isokinetic knee extension and knee flexion strength were measured (E1 to E3). We observed increased in-season levels of myoglobin (E2 > E1 and E4; p < 0.05), a higher testosterone/cortisol ratio (T/C), and increased levels of creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein, superoxide dismutase (SOD), protein sulfhydryls (–SH), and malondialdehyde (E2 and E3 > E1 and E4; p < 0.05). Lower cortisol concentrations (E3 < E1 and E4; p < 0.05) and glutathione reductase activity (E3 < E2 and E4; p < 0.05) were observed at the end of the season. T/C, CK, SOD, –SH, and malondialdehyde decreased during the off-season, and cortisol and glutathione reductase increased (E3 < E4; p < 0.05). Agility increased in E2 and E3 (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were found during the season between hormonal and muscle function parameters (r = 0.56–0.86; p < 0.05). In addition, in E2, significant associations were observed between match-accumulated time (MATE2; minutes played by each player during the competition period), performance, and hormonal and redox parameters (r = 0.456–0.615; p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that soccer players face significant changes in biomarkers of physiologic strain (muscle damage and oxidative stress-related markers) during the season, but values return to normal during the off-season. Additionally, MAT influences physical, hormonal, and oxidative stress-related parameters in professional soccer players.
Impact of anthracene on the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus lipid metabolism
Authors: Calonne M. , Fontaine J. , Debiane D. , Laruelle F. , Grandmougin-Ferjani A. , Lounès-Hadj Sahraoui A.
Published: October 2013

Anthracene, a low-molecular-weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) originating mainly from anthropogenic activities, represents one of the major persistent organic pollutants frequently detected in polluted soils. A few studies have reported the negative effect of PAH on the main steps of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) life cycle resulting from lipid peroxidation; however, little is known regarding the impact of anthracene on extraradical AMF lipid metabolism. Radiolabelling experiments showed significant decreases of [1-14C]acetate incorporation into the sterol precursors (4,4-dimethylsterols and 4α-methylsterols) and in the total phospholipids (PL) of Rhizophagus irregularis (Blaszk., Wubet, Renker & Buscot) extraradical mycelium when grown in the presence of anthracene. These findings suggested a slowing down of the sterol and total PL biosynthesis pathways in AMF treated with anthracene. The negative impact of the organic pollutant on AMF membrane lipid biosynthesis may explain the growth inhibition of the fungus after PAH exposure. This study increases the understanding of the biochemical mechanisms involved in PAH ecotoxicity on AMF.
5-(Acridin-9-ylamino)uracil — A hydrolytically labile nucleobase modification in peptide nucleic acid
Authors: Matarazzo Augusto , Moustafa Mohamed E. , Hudson Robert H.E.
Published: October 2013

5-Aminouracil (5-AU) is a readily available yet underutilized starting material for the synthesis of labelled nucleobase analogues. We have prepared the derivative of 5-AU with the amine-reactive chromophore 9-chloroacridine for the purpose of investigating its potential as a base-discriminating fluorophore. 9-Chloroacridine readily undergoes substitution by reaction with 5-AU to yield a fluorescent nucleobase that after standard manipulations produced a monomer suitable for incorporation into peptide nucleic acid (PNA) by fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-based oligomerization chemistry. Although the monomer was stable in organic solvents, once incorporated into an oligomer the 5-substitution was found to be thermally labile and hydrolyzed to a small degree in neutral aqueous solution during study of its hybridization to cDNA. We have determined that 5-(acridin-9-ylamino)uracil and related derivatives produce the highly fluorescent acridone and 5-AU by hydrolysis in water.
Theoretical investigations on heat of formation, detonation performance, and pyrolysis mechanism of 1,3,5,7,9,11-hexo(nitramine)-2,4,6,8,10,12- hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0,0,0]dodecane
Authors: Li Xiao-Hong , Zhang Rui-Zhou , Zhang Xian-Zhou
Published: October 2013

The B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) method was used to investigate IR and Raman spectra, heat of formation, and thermodynamic properties of a newly designed polynitro cage compound 1,3,5,7,9,11-hexo(nitramine)-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5,5,0,0,0]dodecane. The detonation and pressure were evaluated by using the Kamlet−Jacobs equations based on the theoretical density and condensed heat of formation. The bond dissociation energies and bond orders for the weakest bonds were analyzed to investigate the thermal stability of the title compound. The results show that the N9−NO2 bond is predicted to be the trigger bond during pyrolysis. There exists an essentially linear relationship between the Wiberg bond indices of N−NO2 bonds and the charges –QNO2 on the nitro groups. The crystal structure obtained by molecular mechanics belongs to the P21 space group, with lattice parameters Z = 2, a = 10.9220 Å, b = 13.6669 Å, c = 9.4659 Å, and ρ = 2.05 g cm−3.
Nutrient uptake and growth of fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) on reclamation soils
Authors: Pinno Bradley D. , Landhäusser Simon M. , Chow Pak S. , Quideau Sylvie A. , MacKenzie M. Derek
Published: October 2013

Forest land reclamation after oil sands mining requires the re-establishment of self-sustaining boreal forest ecosystems consisting of native forest plant species. This greenhouse study examined germination, growth, and nutrient uptake of fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub), a circumpolar species common to the boreal forest. Fireweed was grown on a variety of reclamation soil types that varied widely in nitrogen and phosphorus contents and which were subsequently amended with different fertilizer formulations. Germination, initial root growth, and aboveground growth without fertilizer were greatest on the forest floor – mineral mix soil. With fertilization, the best fireweed growth occurred with nitrogen–phosphorus–potassium (NPK) fertilization, but with N-only or PK-only fertilization, the growth response was dependent on the soil type, indicating that site-specific fertilizer blends may be necessary for maximizing plant growth. Nutrient uptake with no fertilizer amendment was greatest in the forest floor – mineral mix soil, whereas the peat – mineral mix soil showed almost no N uptake even though it had the highest soil N supply rate. Fireweed shows great potential for use in forest reclamation as it is capable of germinating and growing on reclaimed soils and is effective in taking up nutrients from the soil, thereby promoting nutrient capture, accumulation, and likely nutrient cycling on newly reclaimed sites.
Bt-Cry3Aa transgene expression reduces insect damage and improves growth in field-grown hybrid poplar
Authors: Klocko Amy L. , Meilan Richard , James Rosalind R. , Viswanath Venkatesh , Ma Cathleen , Payne Peggy , Miller Lawrence , Skinner Jeffrey S. , Oppert Brenda , Cardineau Guy A. , Strauss Steven H.
Published: October 2013

The stability and value of transgenic pest resistance for promoting tree growth are poorly understood. These data are essential for determining if such trees could be beneficial to commercial growers in the face of substantial regulatory and marketing costs. We investigated growth and insect resistance in hybrid poplar expressing the cry3Aa transgene in two field trials. An initial screening of 502 trees comprising 51 transgenic gene insertion events in four clonal backgrounds (Populus trichocarpa × Populus deltoides, clones 24-305, 50-197, and 198-434; and P. deltoides × Populus nigra, clone OP-367) resulted in transgenic trees with greatly reduced insect damage. A large-scale study of 402 trees from nine insertion events in clone OP-367, conducted over two growing seasons, demonstrated reduced tree damage and significantly increased volume growth (mean 14%). Quantification of Cry3Aa protein indicated high levels of expression, which continued after 14 years of annual or biannual coppice in a clone bank. With integrated management, the cry3Aa gene appears to be a highly effective tool for protecting against leaf beetle damage and improving yields from poplar plantations.
Application of hyperscaling violation in QCD
Authors: Sadeghi J. , Pourhassan B. , Asadi A.
Published: October 2013

In this paper we use a metric with hyperscaling violation and study form factor of QCD. We find the effects of hyperscaling violation on the form factor and obtain the dependence of the form factor on momentum numerically. Here by using the hyperscaling violation metric we do not need hard-wall and soft-wall models.
TWO-MACHINE FLOW SHOP SCHEDULING WITH INDIVIDUAL OPERATION'S REJECTION
Authors: GAO QIANG , LU XIWEN
Published: October 2013

A two-machine flow shop scheduling problem with rejection is considered in this paper. The objective is to minimize the sum of makespan of accepted operations and total penalty of rejected operations. Each job has two operations that could be rejected, respectively. Operations on the first machine have penalties α1times of their processing times and operations on the second machine have penalties α2times of their processing times. A [Formula: see text]-approximation algorithm is presented for the case where min{α1, α2} < 1 and max{α1, α2} ≥ 1. A dynamic programming algorithm is provided for general α1and α2. A fully polynomial-time approximation scheme (FPTAS) is designed for all NP-hard cases.
TWO-STAGE EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT AND TECHNOLOGICAL HETEROGENEITY: EVIDENCE FROM THE BIOTECHNOLOGICAL INDUSTRY IN TAIWAN
Authors: LU YUNG-HSIANG , CHIU YUNG-HO , CHIU CHING-REN , HUNG YU-CHIAO
Published: October 2013

This paper explores the operational and market efficiencies of various biotechnological company formats in Taiwan during the period 2006 to 2008 by adopting the two-stage directional distance function and the meta-frontier concept. It conducts an efficiency assessment by taking into account a five-year time lag between R&D investments and actually obtaining a patent in order to better reflect the actual business operating process and thus more accurately gauge the efficiency of business operations in biotechnological companies. The empirical results show that non-listed companies registered better operational efficiency in the first stage, whereas their market efficiency in the second stage is inferior to that of listed companies when the meta-technology set is used as a basis. The average operation gap ratio and market gap ratio of non-listed companies exceeded those of listed firms, indicating that the technological heterogeneity (i.e., the gap) of non-listed companies is smaller than that of listed ones.
ACTION WITH ACCELERATION I: EUCLIDEAN HAMILTONIAN AND PATH INTEGRAL
Authors: BAAQUIE BELAL E.
Published: October 2013

An action having an acceleration term in addition to the usual velocity term is analyzed. The quantum mechanical system is directly defined for Euclidean time using the path integral. The Euclidean Hamiltonian is shown to yield the acceleration Lagrangian and the path integral with the correct boundary conditions. Due to the acceleration term, the state space depends on both position and velocity — and hence the Euclidean Hamiltonian depends on two degrees of freedom. The Hamiltonian for the acceleration system is non-Hermitian and can be mapped to a Hermitian Hamiltonian using a similarity transformation; the matrix elements of the similarity transformation are explicitly evaluated.
Hyperbolic traveling waves driven by growth
Authors: Bouin Emeric , Calvez Vincent , Nadin Grégoire
Published: October 2013

We perform the analysis of a hyperbolic model which is the analog of the Fisher-KPP equation. This model accounts for particles that move at maximal speed ϵ-1 (ϵ > 0), and proliferate according to a reaction term of monostable type. We study the existence and stability of traveling fronts. We exhibit a transition depending on the parameter ϵ: for small ϵ the behavior is essentially the same as for the diffusive Fisher-KPP equation. However, for large ϵ the traveling front with minimal speed is discontinuous and travels at the maximal speed ϵ-1. The traveling fronts with minimal speed are linearly stable in weighted L2 spaces. We also prove local nonlinear stability of the traveling front with minimal speed when ϵ is smaller than the transition parameter.
Penalty-free discontinuous Galerkin methods for incompressible Navier–Stokes equations
Authors: Riviere Beatrice , Sardar Shirin
Published: October 2013

A first-order discontinuous Galerkin method is proposed for solving the steady-state incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The stability of this penalty-free method is obtained by locally enriching the discrete space with a quadratic polynomial. A priori error estimates are derived. Numerical examples confirm the theoretical convergence.
COPPER PLATING FROM NON-CYANIDE ALKALINE BATHS
Authors: LI MINGGANG , WEI GUOYING , WANG JIANFANG , LI MENG , ZHAO XIXI , BAI YUZE
Published: October 2013

Non-cyanide alkaline bath was used to prepare copper thin films. Influences of various temperatures on deposition rates, surface morphologies and microstructures of films were investigated. Copper thin films prepared from non-cyanide alkaline bath show typical nodular structures. Copper films fabricated at higher temperature possess rough surface due to hydrolysis of complexing agents. According to the XRD patterns, all deposited films were crystalline and showed Cu (111), Cu (200) and Cu (220) peaks. The intensity of peak (200) increases gradually with the rise on bath temperatures. Films with maximum thickness (7.5 μm) could be obtained at the temperature of 40°C. From the cyclic voltammetry curve, it was found that the cathodic polarization decreased slightly with increase of bath temperatures. In addition, when the bath temperature was equal to 50°C, current efficiency could reach to 96.95%.
BILATERAL COUNTERPARTY RISK VALUATION OF CDS CONTRACTS WITH SIMULTANEOUS DEFAULTS
Authors: TENG LONG , EHRHARDT MATTHIAS , GÜNTHER MICHAEL
Published: October 2013

We analyze the general risk-neutral valuation for counterparty risk embedded in a Credit Default Swap (CDS) contract by adapting the recent findings of Brigo and Capponi (2009) to allow for simultaneous defaults among the two parties and the underlying reference credit, while the counterparty risk is considered bilaterally. For the default intensities, we employ a Markov copula model allowing for the possibility of a simultaneous default. The dependence between defaults of three names in a CDS contract and the wrong-way risk will thus be represented by the possibility of simultaneous defaults.

We investigate numerically the effect of considering simultaneous defaults on the counterparty risk valuation of a CDS contract. Finally, we study a CDS contract between Royal Dutch Shell and British Airways based on Lehman Brothers applying this methodology, illustrating the bilateral adjustments with the possibility of simultaneous defaults in concrete crisis situations.
DAMAGE DETECTION OF SHEAR CONNECTORS IN BRIDGE STRUCTURES WITH TRANSMISSIBILITY IN FREQUENCY DOMAIN
Authors: LI JUN , HAO HONG , XIA YONG , ZHU HONG-PING
Published: October 2013

Shear connectors are generally used to link the slab and girder together in slab-on-girder bridge structures. Damage of shear connectors in such structures will result in shear slippage between the slab and girder, which significantly reduces the load-carrying capacity of bridges. A damage detection approach based on transmissibility in frequency domain is proposed in this paper to identify the damage of shear connectors in slab-on-girder bridge structures with or without reference data from the undamaged structure. The transmissibility, which is an inherent system characteristic, indicates the relationship between two sets of response vectors in frequency domain. Measured input force and acceleration responses from hammer tests are analyzed to obtain the frequency response functions at the slab and girder sensor locations by the experimental modal analysis. The transmissibility matrix that relates the slab response to the girder response is then derived. By comparing the transmissibility vectors in undamaged and damaged states, the damage level of shear connectors can be identified. When the measurement data from the undamaged structure are not available, a study with only the measured response data in the damaged state for the condition assessment of shear connectors is also conducted. Numerical and experimental studies on damage detection of shear connectors linking a concrete slab to two steel girders are conducted to validate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed approach. The results demonstrate that the proposed method can be used to identify shear connector damages accurately and efficiently. The proposed method is also applied to the condition evaluation of shear connectors in a real composite bridge with in-field testing data.
SMALL AND LARGE IDEALS OF AN ASSOCIATIVE RING
Authors: OMAN GREG
Published: October 2013

Let R be an associative ring with identity, and let I be an (left, right, two-sided) ideal of R. Say that I is small if |I| < |R| and large if |R/I| < |R|. In this paper, we present results on small and large ideals. In particular, we study their interdependence and how they influence the structure of R. Conversely, we investigate how the ideal structure of R determines the existence of small and large ideals.
GROUPS IN WHICH EVERY NON-CYCLIC SUBGROUP CONTAINS ITS CENTRALIZER
Authors: DELIZIA COSTANTINO , JEZERNIK URBAN , MORAVEC PRIMOŽ , NICOTERA CHIARA
Published: October 2013

We study groups having the property that every non-cyclic subgroup contains its centralizer. The structure of nilpotent and supersolvable groups in this class is described. We also classify finite p-groups and finite simple groups with the above defined property.
ON THE GENUS OF THE INTERSECTION GRAPH OF IDEALS OF A COMMUTATIVE RING
Authors: PUCANOVIĆ ZORAN S. , RADOVANOVIĆ MARKO , ERIĆ ALEKSANDRA LJ.
Published: October 2013

To each commutative ring R one can associate the graph G(R), called the intersection graph of ideals, whose vertices are nontrivial ideals of R. In this paper, we try to establish some connections between commutative ring theory and graph theory, by study of the genus of the intersection graph of ideals. We classify all graphs of genus 2 that are intersection graphs of ideals of some commutative rings and obtain some lower bounds for the genus of the intersection graph of ideals of a nonlocal commutative ring.
Theoretical investigation on the interplay of hydrogen bond and halogen bond inHX⋯(BrCl)n(X=F,Cl,Brand n = 1, 2) complexes
Authors: Liu Hexiu , Man Ruilin , Wang Zhaoxu , Yi Pinggui , Liu Jingjing
Published: October 2013

Quantum chemical calculations at the MP2 level with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set were used to investigate the HX ⋯( BrCl )n( X = F , Cl , Br and n = 1, 2) complexes. They are connected via hydrogen bond or halogen bond in dimers and together in trimers. Molecular geometries, interaction energies, cooperative energies and atomic charge of dyads and triads have been studied at the Mp2/aug-cc-pVTZ computational level. All studied trimers show cooperativity with the simultaneous presence of a hydrogen and one or two halogen bond. The molecular electrostatic potential has been employed to explore the formation mechanisms of these molecular complexes. The AIM analysis has been performed at the Mp2/aug-cc-pVTZ level to examine the topological characteristics, confirming the coexistence of hydrogen bonds and one or two halogen bond for each complex.
OPTIMIZATION DESIGN OF NJ SHAPED GUARDRAIL BASED ON COLLISION SAFETY CONSIDERATION
Authors: HOU SHUJUAN , ZHENG YUNA , XIE JINDE , HAN XU
Published: October 2013

Cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of concrete guardrails directly influence climbing angles and directions of a car when a collision between concrete guardrail and car occurs. At the same time, contacting and climbing angles and directions influence the peak crushing force and the peak acceleration of a car body during a collision. Therefore, cross-sectional shapes and dimensions of concrete guardrails can influence the severity of injuries sustained when a collision between concrete guardrail and car occurs. In this study, the passive safety of a car body is considered in optimizing the cross-sectional dimensions of a New Jersey (NJ) concrete guardrail based on numerical simulations and surrogate model techniques. Optimal Latin hypercube design is used to get sampling points, and multi-island genetic algorithm is utilized to obtain the optimal size of NJ concrete guardrail in the optimization process. After simulating the collision between car and optimal NJ shaped guardrail, the results show that the peak acceleration of optimal results reduces significantly by 28% compared with the initial value, and the peak interface force decreases from 378.6 kN to 241.5 kN.
ZINC, CADMIUM AND LEAD DIPHOSPHONATES: SYNTHESES, STRUCTURES AND LUMINESCENT PROPERTIES AND THEIR POTENTIAL AS SOFT-OXOMETALATE PRECURSORS
Authors: YIN WEN-YU , CAI WANG-SHUI , MA YUN-SHENG , TANG XIAO-YAN , YUAN RONG-XIN
Published: October 2013

Four new metal diphosphonates Zn ( pyHhedpH )⋅ H 2 O (1), Cd ( pyHhedpH )⋅ H 2 O (2), Pb ( pyHhedpH )⋅ H 2 O (3) and Pb 2( pyHedpH )2(4) (pyHhedpH3 = 2-(4-pyridyl)-1-hydroxyl-1,1-ethylidenediphosphonic acid, pyedpH4 = (2-(pyridin-4-yl)ethene-1,1-diyl)diphosphonic acid) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and have ladder-like chain structures in which the {M2((μ - O )2)}(M = Zn , Cd ) dimer units are connected by O - P - O bridges. Compound 3 shows a unique type of double chain structure, in which the adjacent { Pb 2(μ - O )2} dimers are bridged by O - P - O and O - P - C - O groups into a chain. Compound 4 has a 2D structure, where the vertex-shared { PbO 5} polyhedra are connected by { CPO 3} tetrahedra through corner-sharing. The photoluminescence properties of compounds 1-4 were studied. Their potential as soft-oxometalate precursors is also discussed.
H∞Formation Control and Obstacle Avoidance for Hybrid Multi-Agent Systems
Authors: Xue Dong , Yao Jing , Wang Jun
Published: October 2013

A new concept ofH∞formation is proposed to handle a group of agents navigating in a free and an obstacle-laden environment while maintaining a desired formation and changing formations when required. With respect to the requirements of changing formation subject to internal or external events, a hybrid multiagent system (HMAS) is formulated in this paper. Based on the fact that obstacles impose the negative effect on the formation of HMAS, theH∞formation is introduced to reflect the above disturbed situation and quantify the attenuation level of obstacle avoidance via theH∞-norm of formation stability. An improved Newtonian potential function and a set of repulsive functions are employed to guarantee the HMAS formation-keeping and collision-avoiding from obstacles in a path planning problem, respectively. Simulation results in this paper show that the proposed formation algorithms can effectively allow the multiagent system to avoid penetration into obstacles while accomplishing prespecified global objective successfully.
Standardized versus Individualized Acupuncture for Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Pach Daniel , Yang-Strobel Xiaoli , Lüdtke Rainer , Roll Stephanie , Icke Katja , Brinkhaus Benno , Witt Claudia M.
Published: October 2013

We aimed to compare the effectiveness of standardized and individualized acupuncture treatment in patients with chronic low back pain. A single-center randomized controlled single-blind trial was performed in a general medical practice in Germany run by a Chinese-born medical doctor trained in western and Chinese medicine. One hundred and fifty outpatients with chronic low back pain were randomly allocated to two groups (78 standardized and 72 individualized acupuncture). Patients received either standardized acupuncture or individualized acupuncture. Treatment encompassed between 10 and 15 treatments based on individual symptoms with two treatments per week. The main outcome measure was the area under the curve (AUC) summarizing eight weeks of daily rated pain severity measured with a visual analogue scale (0 mm = no pain, 100 mm = worst imaginable pain). No significant differences between groups were observed for the AUC (individualized acupuncture mean: 1768.7 (95% CI, 1460.4; 2077.1); standardized acupuncture 1482.9 (1177.2; 1788.7); group difference, 285.8 (−33.9; 605.5)P=0.080). In this single-center trial, individualized acupuncture was not superior to standardized acupuncture for patients suffering from chronic pain. As a next step, a multicenter noninferiority study should be performed to investigate whether standardised acupuncture treatment for chronic low back pain might be applicable in a broader usual care setting. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT00758017.
Cellular Harmony Search for Optimization Problems
Authors: Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi , Khader Ahamad Tajudin , Awadallah Mohammed A. , Alawan Mahmmoud Hafsaldin , Zaqaibeh Belal
Published: October 2013

Structured population in evolutionary algorithms (EAs) is an important research track where an individual only interacts with its neighboring individuals in the breeding step. The main rationale behind this is to provide a high level of diversity to overcome the genetic drift. Cellular automata concepts have been embedded to the process of EA in order to provide a decentralized method in order to preserve the population structure. Harmony search (HS) is a recent EA that considers the whole individuals in the breeding step. In this paper, the cellular automata concepts are embedded into the HS algorithm to come up with a new version called cellular harmony search (cHS). In cHS, the population is arranged as a two-dimensional toroidal grid, where each individual in the grid is a cell and only interacts with its neighbors. The memory consideration and population update are modified according to cellular EA theory. The experimental results using benchmark functions show that embedding the cellular automata concepts with HS processes directly affects the performance. Finally, a parameter sensitivity analysis of the cHS variation is analyzed and a comparative evaluation shows the success of cHS.
Perinatal Palliative Care: Barriers and Attitudes of Neonatologists and Nurses in Poland
Authors: Korzeniewska-Eksterowicz Aleksandra , Respondek-Liberska Maria , Przysło Łukasz , Fendler Wojciech , Młynarski Wojciech , Gulczyńska Ewa
Published: October 2013

Objective. To identify barriers and personnel attitudes towards realization of palliative care principles in neonatological units. Study Design. An anonymous questionnaire was posted to all heads of departments and head nurses of all the 27 neonatological units in the Lodz area. Results. We received 46 (85%) questionnaires. Final analysis comprised 42 properly filled‐in questionnaires (by 22 doctors and 20 nurses). In case of prenatal diagnosis of a lethal defect, 77.27% of doctors and 65% of nurses opted for informing the mother also about the possibility of pregnancy continuation and organization of palliative care after delivery. Most of respondents accepted conditions for abortion pointed by the Polish law. The most common barriers pointed out by both groups were insufficient knowledge of the personnel on palliative medicine and family preference for life sustaining treatment. Conclusions. Understanding attitudes of personnel towards palliative care and identification of barriers are a starting point for future efforts to improve the system of neonatological care.
Mitochondrial Quality Control: Decommissioning Power Plants in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Mukherjee Rukmini , Chakrabarti Oishee
Published: October 2013

The cell has an intricate quality control system to protect its mitochondria from oxidative stress. This surveillance system is multi‐tiered and comprises molecules that are present inside the mitochondria, in the cytosol, and in other organelles like the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum. These molecules cross talk with each other and protect the mitochondria from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a fundamental part of early disease pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. These disorders also damage the cellular quality control machinery that protects the cell against oxidative stress. This exacerbates the oxidative damage and causes extensive neuronal cell death that is characteristic of neurodegeneration.
Acinetobacter baumannii: Role in Blood Stream Infection in Neonatal Unit, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Tjoa Enty , Moehario Lucky Hartati , Rukmana Andriansjah , Rohsiswatmo Rinawati
Published: October 2013

Acinetobacter baumannii(A. baumannii) is Gram-negative coccobacilli that has emerged as a nosocomial pathogen. Several reports in Indonesia showed the continuous presence ofA. baumannii. This study aimed to determine the incidence ofA. baumanniibacteremia in neonates in the Neonatal Unit Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital (RSCM), Jakarta, Indonesia, and assess its role in blood stream infection using antibiogram and genotyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Subjects were neonates with clinical sepsis. Blood specimens from the neonates and samples of suspected environment within the Neonatal Unit were cultivated. Antimicrobial resistance profiles were classified for analysis purpose.A. baumanniiisolates were genotyped by PFGE to determine their similarity. A total of 24A. baumanniiwere isolated from 80 neonates and the environment during this period of study. Seven isolates from the neonates showed multiple antimicrobial resistance (MDR), and 82% (n=17) of the environment isolates were also MDR. Antibiotype “d” seemed to be predominant (62.5%). PFGE analysis showed a very close genetic relationship between the patients and environment isolates (Dice coefficient 0.8–1.0). We concluded that a mode of transmission of environmental microbes to patients was present in the Neonatal Unit of RSCM and thus needed to be overcome.
Regulation of Regenerative Periodontal Healing by NAMPT
Authors: Nokhbehsaim Marjan , Keser Sema , Jäger Andreas , Jepsen Søren , Deschner James
Published: October 2013

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease characterized by destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues. Obese individuals have an increased risk of periodontitis, and elevated circulating levels of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) may be a pathomechanistic link between both diseases. Recently, increased levels of NAMPT have also been found in patients with periodontitis, irrespective of the presence of obesity. This in vitro study sought to examine the effects of NAMPT on the regenerative capacity of human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and, thereby, periodontal healing. PDL cells treated with enamel matrix derivative (EMD), which was used to mimic regenerative healing conditions in vitro, were grown in the presence and absence of NAMPT for up to 14 d. EMD stimulated significantly (P<0.05) the expression of growth factors and their receptors, matrix molecules, osteogenesis-associated factors, and wound closure and calcium accumulation. In the presence of NAMPT, all these stimulatory effects were significantly (P<0.05) reduced. In conclusion, the beneficial effects of EMD on a number of PDL cell functions critical for periodontal regeneration are counteracted by NAMPT. Enhanced levels of NAMPT, as found in obesity and periodontal inflammation, may compromise the regenerative capacity of PDL cells and, thereby, periodontal healing in the presence of EMD.
Inflammation and Pharmacological Treatment in Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Kaštelan Snježana , Tomić Martina , Gverović Antunica Antonela , Salopek Rabatić Jasminka , Ljubić Spomenka
Published: October 2013

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, is estimated to be the leading cause of new blindness in the working population of developed countries. Primary interventions such as intensive glycemic control, strict blood pressure regulation, and lipid-modifying therapy as well as local ocular treatment (laser photocoagulation and pars plana vitrectomy) can significantly reduce the risk of retinopathy occurrence and progression. Considering the limitations of current DR treatments development of new therapeutic strategies, it becomes necessary to focus on pharmacological treatment. Currently, there is increasing evidence that inflammatory processes have a considerable role in the pathogenesis of DR with multiple studies showing an association of various systemic as well as local (vitreous and aqueous fluid) inflammatory factors and the progression of DR. Since inflammation is identified as a relevant mechanism, significant effort has been directed to the development of new concepts for the prevention and treatment of DR acting on the inflammatory processes and the use of pharmacological agents with anti-inflammatory effect. Inhibiting the inflammatory pathway could be an appealing treatment option for DR in future practices, and as further prospective randomized clinical trials accumulate data, the role and guidelines of anti-inflammatory pharmacologic treatments will become clearer.
Studies in Finishing Effects of Clay Mineral in Polymers and Synthetic Fibers
Authors: Uddin Faheem
Published: October 2013

The use of clay mineral in modifying the properties of polymeric material is improved in application. The current interest in modifying the polymeric materials, particularly polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and nylon using clay mineral for improved flame retardancy, thermal stability, peak heat release rate, fracture, and strength properties generated significant research literature. This paper aims to review some of the important recent modification achieved in the performance of polymeric materials using organoclay mineral. Degradation of clay mineral-polymer (nm) composite is discussed with appropriate known examples. Clay mineral (nm) loading of 5 wt.% to 7 wt.% that was significantly smaller than the percent loading of conventional fillers in polymeric materials introduced significant improvement in terms of thermal and physical stability. An attempt is made to emphasize flammability and thermal stability and to indicate the areas that are relatively little explored in modification of fiber-forming polymers to enhance further research interest.
A Study on Some Special Forms of Holographic Ricci Dark Energy in Fractal Universe
Authors: Chattopadhyay Surajit , Pasqua Antonio , Roy Sudipto
Published: October 2013

We have considered the modified and the extended holographic Ricci
dark energy models (MHRDE and EHRDE) in fractal universe. We have assumed a time-like
fractal profile v=t−β, where β=4(1−α). We have reconstructed the Hubble parameter
H, the energy density, the equations of state parameter w, and the deceleration parameter q for both MHRDE and EHRDE.
Complex Dynamics Analysis for a Cournot-Bertrand Mixed Game Model with Delayed Bounded Rationality
Authors: Ma Junhai , Wang Hongwu
Published: October 2013

A Cournot-Bertrand mixed duopoly game model is constructed. The existence and local stable region of the Nash equilibria point are investigated. Complex dynamic properties such as bifurcation and route to chaos are analyzed using parameter basin plots. The strange attractors are also studied when the system is in chaotic states. Furthermore, considering the memory of the market, a delayed Cournot-Bertrand mixed model is considered and the results show that the delayed system has the same Nash equilibrium and has a higher chance of reaching steady states or cycles than the model without delay. So making full use of the historical data can improve the system’s stability.
Sol-Gel Synthesis of Mullite Starting from Different Inorganic Precursors
Authors: Jurado Lucia Téllez , Arévalo Hernández Rosa María , Rocha-Rangel Enrique
Published: October 2013

Using silicotetraetilortosilicate (TEOS) mixed with aluminum tri-sec-butoxide (TSBAI) or aluminum cloaures mullite ceramics were created by the sol-gel method. The quantities used of each substance were those that led to obtain stoichiometric mullite (3Al2O3·2SiO2). The experimental methodology used for obtaining mullite consisted in: sol-gel synthesis of precursor materials, isothermal treatment of those materials, and characterization of resulting materials. In order to determine the advance of reactions during mullite formation, isothermal treatments between 300°C and 1600°C were performed, keeping the samples at each temperature during 4 h. From XRD results, it may be said that precursor powders originally amorphous start to crystallize in Al2O3 and SiO2 at 1200°C, and the mullite formation starts at 1200°C, with being completed at 1600°C. The use of TSBAI favors the formation of mullite crystals at lower temperature. From SEM observations a microstructure that presents primary mullite with randomly oriented grains of secondary mullite with acicular shapes and sizes that range between 1.25 and 1.50 μm long may be determined.
Sliding Mode Control for Mass Moment Aerospace Vehicles Using Dynamic Inversion Approach
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Yu , Zhao Yu-Xin , Xu De-Xin , He Kun-Peng
Published: October 2013

The moving mass actuation technique offers significant advantages over conventional aerodynamic control surfaces and reaction control systems, because the actuators are contained entirely within the airframe geometrical envelope. Modeling, control, and simulation of Mass Moment Aerospace Vehicles (MMAV) utilizing moving mass actuators are discussed. Dynamics of the MMAV are separated into two parts on the basis of the two time-scale separation theory: the dynamics of fast state and the dynamics of slow state. And then, in order to restrain the system chattering and keep the track performance of the system by considering aerodynamic parameter perturbation, the flight control system is designed for the two subsystems, respectively, utilizing fuzzy sliding mode control approach. The simulation results describe the effectiveness of the proposed autopilot design approach. Meanwhile, the chattering phenomenon that frequently appears in the conventional variable structure systems is also eliminated without deteriorating the system robustness.
A Survey of Chinese Medicinal Herbal Treatment for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis
Authors: Meyer-Hamme Gesa , Beckmann Kathrin , Radtke Janine , Efferth Thomas , Greten Henry Johannes , Rostock Matthias , Schröder Sven
Published: October 2013

Oral mucositis is one of the common side effects of chemotherapy treatment with potentially severe implications. Despite several treatment approaches by conventional and complementary western medicine, the therapeutic outcome is often not satisfactory. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers empirical herbal formulas for the treatment of oral ulceration which are used in adaptation to chemotherapy-induced mucositis. While standard concepts for TCM treatment do not exist and acceptance by conventional oncologists is still low, we conducted a review to examine the evidence of Chinese herbal treatment in oral mucositis. Eighteen relevant studies on 4 single herbs, 2 combinations of 2 herbs, and 11 multiherbal prescriptions involving 3 or more compounds were included. Corresponding molecular mechanisms were investigated. The knowledge about detailed herbal mechanisms, especially in multi-herbal prescriptions is still limited. The quality of clinical trials needs further improvement. Meta-analysis on the existent database is not possible but molecular findings on Chinese medicinal herbs indicate that further research is still promising for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis.
Coordinating a Supply Chain with Risk-Averse Agents under Demand and Consumer Returns Uncertainty
Authors: Liu Jian , He Yong
Published: October 2013

This paper examines the optimal order decision in a supply chain when it faces uncertain demand and uncertain consumer returns. We build consumer returns model with decision-makers’ risk preference under mean-variance objective framework and discuss supply chain coordination problem under wholesale-price-only policy and the manufacturer’s buyback policy, respectively. We find that, with wholesale price policy, the supply chain cannot be coordinated whether the supply chain agents are risk-neutral or risk-averse. However, with buyback policy, the supply chain can be coordinated and the profit of the supply chain can be arbitrarily allocated between the manufacturer and the retailer. Through numerical examples, we illustrate the impact of stochastic consumer returns and the supply chain agents’ risk attitude on the optimal order decision.
A Precocious Cerebellar Ataxia and Frequent Fever Episodes in a 16-Month-Old Infant Revealing Ataxia-Telangiectasia Syndrome
Authors: Nespoli Luigi , Verri Annapia , Tajè Silvia , Pellegrini Francesco Paolo , Marinoni Maddalena
Published: October 2013

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is the most frequent progressive cerebellar ataxia in infancy and childhood. Immunodeficiency which includes both cellular and humoral arms has variable severity. Since the clinical presentation is extremely variable, a high clinical suspicion will allow an early diagnosis. Serum alpha-fetoprotein is elevated in 80–85% of patients and therefore could be used as a screening tool. Here, we present a case of a 5-year-old female infant who was admitted to our department at the age of 16 months because of gait disorders and febrile episodes that had begun at 5 months after the cessation of breastfeeding. Serum alfa-fetoprotein level was elevated. Other investigations showed leukocytopenia with lymphopenia, reduced IgG2and IgA levels, and low titers of specific postimmunization antibodies against tetanus toxoid and Haemophilus B polysaccharide. Peripheral lymphocytes subsets showed reduction of T cells with a marked predominance of T cells with a memory phenotype and a corresponding reduction of naïve T cells; NK cells were very increased (41%) with normal activity. The characterization of the ATM gene mutations revealed 2 specific mutations (c.5692C > T/c.7630-2A > C) compatible with AT diagnosis. It was concluded that AT syndrome should be considered in children with precocious signs of cerebellar ataxia and recurrent fever episodes.
Optical Properties of Polypropylene upon Recycling
Authors: De Santis Felice , Pantani Roberto
Published: October 2013

In the last few years there has been an increasing interest in the possibility of recycling polymeric materials, using physical recycling. However, is it well known that polymers experience a depletion of all the properties upon recycling. These effects have been widely characterized in the literature for what concerns the mechanical or rheological properties. The changes of optical properties after recycling have been much less studied, even if, especially in food packaging, optical characteristics (above all the opacity) are of extreme importance, and thus it is quite significant to assess the effect of recycling on these properties. In this work, the influence of recycling steps on the opacity of films of a commercial grade of isotactic polypropylene (i‐PP) was studied. The material was extruded several times to mimic the effect of recycling procedures. After extrusion, films were obtained by cooling samples of material at different cooling rates. The opacity of the obtained films was then measured and related to their crystallinity and morphology. It was found that opacity generally increases on increasing the amount of α phase and for the same amount of α phase on increasing the size of the spherulites.