bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ONE-POT SYNTHESIS OF INTERESTING 3D γ-MnOOH NETWORKS
Authors: LIU HAIQIU , JIN YUJIAN , LI NA , WANG LILI , LOU SUNQI , SUN PENG , HUA XIA , WANG KAI , TENG FEI , CHEN MINDONG
Published: July 2014

Three-dimensional (3D) γ- MnOOH networks are successfully prepared by one-pot solvothermal method without using any catalyst. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It is found that the amounts of urea and H 2 O 2 added, reaction temperature and time have important influences on the samples. It is interesting that the 3D networks are formed from the oriented attachment (OA) of Mn 3 O 4 octahedrons; and that the phase transformation from Mn 3 O 4 to γ- MnOOH occurs via the protonation of Mn 3 O 4. This study is expected to offer a facile approach to the syntheses of new, intricate nanostructures.
Feynman integrals and hypergeometric functions
Authors: García Héctor Luna , García Luz María
Published: July 2014

We review Davydychev method for calculating Feynman integrals for massive and no massive propagators, by employing Mellin–Barnes transformation and the dimensional regularization scheme, same that lead to hypergeometric functions. In particular, an example is calculated explicitly from such a method.
Late Jurassic amphibolite-facies metamorphism in the Intra-Pontide Suture Zone (Turkey): an eastward extension of the Vardar Ocean from the Balkans into Anatolia?
Authors: Marroni M. , Frassi C. , Göncüoğlu M. C. , Di Vincenzo G. , Pandolfi L. , Rebay G. , Ellero A. , Ottria G.
Published: July 2014

The palaeogeography of Neotethys during its closure is still a matter of debate. This study provides new insights into the Neotethys closure by the discovery in the Intra-Pontide Suture Zone (Turkey) of an accretionary complex that recorded a Late Jurassic (
c
. 163 Ma) amphibolite-facies metamorphism. Results are discussed in the framework of the accretionary events that occurred at the southern margin of Laurasia. The resulting picture supports a new model in which the Vardar suture zone, in the Balkans, and the Intra-Pontide Suture Zone, in Anatolia, represent remnants of the same elongate oceanic basin.

Supplementary material:

Analytical procedures, representative mineral compositions, geothermobarometric estimates, step-heating and
in situ
40
Ar−
39
Ar data and backscattered-electron photomicrographs showing the distribution of laser spot ages on rock chips are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18759
.
A Cookbook for Temporal Conceptual Data Modelling with Description Logics
Authors: Artale Alessandro , Kontchakov Roman , Ryzhikov Vladislav , Zakharyaschev Michael
Published: July 2014

We design temporal description logics (TDLs) suitable for reasoning about temporal conceptual data models and investigate their computational complexity. Our formalisms are based onDL-Litelogics with three types of concept inclusions (ranging from atomic concept inclusions and disjointness to the full Booleans), as well as cardinality constraints and role inclusions. The logics are interpreted over the Cartesian products of object domains and the flow of time (ℤ, <), satisfying the constant domain assumption. Concept and role inclusions of the TBox hold at all moments of time (globally), and data assertions of the ABox hold at specified moments of time. To express temporal constraints of conceptual data models, the languages are equipped with flexible and rigid roles, standard future and past temporal operators on concepts, and operators “always” and “sometime” on roles. The most expressive of our TDLs (which can capture lifespan cardinalities and either qualitative or quantitative evolution constraints) turns out to be undecidable. However, by omitting some of the temporal operators on concepts/roles or by restricting the form of concept inclusions, we construct logics whose complexity ranges between NLogSpaceand PSpace. These positive results are obtained by reduction to various clausal fragments of propositional temporal logic, which opens a way to employ propositional or first-order temporal provers for reasoning about temporal data models.
Quality software costs money---heartbleed was free
Authors: Kamp Poul-Henning
Published: July 2014

How to generate funding for free and open source software.
Why the U.S. is not ready for mandatory CS education
Authors: Guzdial Mark
Published: July 2014

The
Communications
Web site, http://cacm.acm.org, features more than a dozen bloggers in the BLOG@CACM community. In each issue of
Communications
, we'll publish selected posts or excerpts.

twitter

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/blogCACM

http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm

Mark Guzdial considers the consequences of requiring all schoolchildren to study computer science.
Reshaping terrorist networks
Authors: Spezzano Francesca , Subrahmanian V. S. , Mannes Aaron
Published: July 2014

To destabilize terrorist organizations, the STONE algorithms identify a set of operatives whose removal would maximally reduce lethality.
Quantifying eventual consistency with PBS
Authors: Bailis Peter , Venkataraman Shivaram , Franklin Michael J. , Hellerstein Joseph M. , Stoica Ion
Published: July 2014

Data replication results in a fundamental trade-off between operation latency and consistency. At the weak end of the spectrum of possible consistency models is eventual consistency, which provides no limit to the staleness of data returned. However, anecdotally, eventual consistency is often "good enough" for practitioners given its latency and availability benefits. In this work, we explain this phenomenon and demonstrate that, despite their weak guarantees, eventually consistent systems regularly return consistent data while providing lower latency than their strongly consistent counterparts. To quantify the behavior of eventually consistent stores, we introduce Probabilistically Bounded Staleness (PBS), a consistency model that provides expected bounds on data staleness with respect to both versions and wall clock time. We derive a closed-form solution for version-based staleness and model real-time staleness for a large class of quorum replicated, Dynamo-style stores. Using PBS, we measure the trade-off between latency and consistency for partial, non-overlapping quorum systems under Internet production workloads. We quantitatively demonstrate how and why eventually consistent systems frequently return consistent data within tens of milliseconds while offering large latency benefits.
Fostering computational literacy in science classrooms
Authors: Wilensky Uri , Brady Corey E. , Horn Michael S.
Published: July 2014

An agent-based approach to integrating computing in secondary-school science courses.
Researching the robot revolution
Authors: Levy Frank , Murnane Richard J.
Published: July 2014

Considering a program for cross-disciplinary research between computer scientists and economists studying the effects of computers on work.
Slow search
Authors: Teevan Jaime , Collins-Thompson Kevyn , White Ryen W. , Dumais Susan
Published: July 2014

Seeking to enrich the search experience by allowing for extra time and alternate resources.
The Size-Reactivity Continuum of Major Bioelements in the Ocean
Authors: Benner Ronald , Amon Rainer M.W.
Published: July 2014

Most of the carbon fixed in primary production is rapidly cycled and remin-eralized, leaving behind various forms of organic carbon that contribute to a vast reservoir of nonliving organic matter in seawater. Most of this carbon resides in dissolved molecules of varying bioavailability and reactivity, and aspects of the cycling of this carbon remain an enigma. The size-reactivity continuum model provides a conceptual framework for understanding the mechanisms governing the formation and mineralization of this carbon. In the seawater bioassay experiments that served as the original basis for this model, investigators observed that larger size classes of organic matter were more bioavailable and more rapidly remineralized by microbes than were smaller size classes. Studies of the chemical composition and radiocarbon content of marine organic matter have further indicated that the complexity and age of organic matter increase with decreasing molecular size. Biodegradation processes appear to shape the size distribution of organic matter and the nature of the small dissolved molecules that persist in the ocean.
Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α-positive cells and not smooth muscle cells mediate purinergic hyperpolarization in murine colonic muscles
Authors: Kurahashi Masaaki , Mutafova-Yambolieva Violeta , Koh Sang Don , Sanders Kenton M.
Published: July 2014

Enteric inhibitory neurotransmission is an important feature of the neural regulation of gastrointestinal motility. Purinergic neurotransmission, via P2Y1 receptors, mediates one phase of inhibitory neural control. For decades, ATP has been assumed to be the purinergic neurotransmitter and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) have been considered the primary targets for inhibitory neurotransmission. Recent experiments have cast doubt on both of these assumptions and suggested that another cell type, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α-positive (PDGFRα+) cells, is the target for purinergic neurotransmission. We compared responses of PDGFRα+ cells and SMCs to several purine compounds to determine if these cells responded in a manner consistent with enteric inhibitory neurotransmission. ATP hyperpolarized PDGFRα+ cells but depolarized SMCs. Only part of the ATP response in PDGFRα+ cells was blocked by MRS 2500, a P2Y1 antagonist. ADP, MRS 2365, β-NAD, and adenosine 5-diphosphate-ribose, P2Y1 agonists, hyperpolarized PDGFRα+ cells, and these responses were blocked by MRS 2500. Adenosine 5-diphosphate-ribose was more potent in eliciting hyperpolarization responses than β-NAD. P2Y1 agonists failed to elicit responses in SMCs. Small hyperpolarization responses were elicited in SMCs by a small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel agonist, cyclohexyl-[2-(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-yl]-amine, consistent with the low expression and current density of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in these cells. Large-amplitude hyperpolarization responses, elicited in PDGFRα+ cells, but not SMCs, by P2Y1 agonists are consistent with the generation of inhibitory junction potentials in intact muscles in response to purinergic neurotransmission. The responses of PDGFRα+ cells and SMCs to purines suggest that SMCs are unlikely targets for purinergic neurotransmission in colonic muscles.
Two-week normobaric intermittent hypoxia exposures enhance oxyhemoglobin equilibrium and cardiac responses during hypoxemia
Authors: Zhang Peizhen , Downey H. Fred , Chen Shande , Shi Xiangrong
Published: July 2014

Intermittent hypoxia (IH) is extensively applied to challenge cardiovascular and respiratory function, and to induce physiological acclimatization. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that oxyhemoglobin equilibrium and tachycardiac responses during hypoxemia were enhanced after 14-day IH exposures. Normobaric-poikilocapnic hypoxia was induced with inhalation of 10% O2for 5–6 min interspersed with 4 min recovery on eight nonsmokers. Heart rate (HR), arterial O2saturation (SaO2), and end-tidal O2(PetO2) were continuously monitored during cyclic normoxia and hypoxia. These variables were compared during the first and fifth hypoxic bouts between day 1 and day 14. There was a rightward shift in the oxyhemoglobin equilibrium response following 14-day IH exposures, as indicated by the greater PetO2(an index of arterial Po2) at 50% of SaO2on day 14 compared with day 1 [33.9 ± 1.5 vs. 28.2 ± 1.3 mmHg ( P = 0.005) during the first hypoxic bout and 39.4 ± 2.4 vs. 31.4 ± 1.5 mmHg ( P = 0.006) during the fifth hypoxic bout] and by the augmented gains of ΔSaO2/ΔPetO2(i.e., deoxygenation) during PetO2from 65 to 40 mmHg in the first (1.12 ± 0.08 vs. 0.80 ± 0.02%/mmHg, P = 0.001) and the fifth (1.76 ± 0.31 vs. 1.05 ± 0.06%/mmHg, P = 0.024) hypoxic bouts. Repetitive IH exposures attenuated ( P = 0.049) the tachycardiac response to hypoxia while significantly enhancing normoxic R-R interval variability in low-frequency and high-frequency spectra without changes in arterial blood pressure at rest or during hypoxia. We conclude that 14-day IH exposures enhance arterial O2delivery and improve vagal control of HR during hypoxic hypoxemia.
Targeted delivery of solutes and oxygen in the renal medulla: role of microvessel architecture
Authors: Pannabecker Thomas L. , Layton Anita T.
Published: July 2014

Renal medullary function is characterized by corticopapillary concentration gradients of various molecules. One example is the generally decreasing axial gradient in oxygen tension (Po2). Another example, found in animals in the antidiuretic state, is a generally increasing axial solute gradient, consisting mostly of NaCl and urea. This osmolality gradient, which plays a principal role in the urine concentrating mechanism, is generally considered to involve countercurrent multiplication and countercurrent exchange, although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Radial oxygen and solute gradients in the transverse dimension of the medullary parenchyma have been hypothesized to occur, although strong experimental evidence in support of these gradients remains lacking. This review considers anatomic features of the renal medulla that may impact the formation and maintenance of oxygen and solute gradients. A better understanding of medullary architecture is essential for more clearly defining the compartment-to-compartment flows taken by fluid and molecules that are important in producing axial and radial gradients. Preferential interactions between nephron and vascular segments provide clues as to how tubular and interstitial oxygen flows contribute to safeguarding active transport pathways in renal function in health and disease.
Vocal motor changes beyond the sensitive period for song plasticity
Authors: James Logan S. , Sakata Jon T.
Published: July 2014

Behavior is critically shaped during sensitive periods in development. Birdsong is a learned vocal behavior that undergoes dramatic plasticity during a sensitive period of sensorimotor learning. During this period, juvenile songbirds engage in vocal practice to shape their vocalizations into relatively stereotyped songs. By the time songbirds reach adulthood, their songs are relatively stable and thought to be “crystallized.” Recent studies, however, highlight the potential for adult song plasticity and suggest that adult song could naturally change over time. As such, we investigated the degree to which temporal and spectral features of song changed over time in adult Bengalese finches. We observed that the sequencing and timing of song syllables became more stereotyped over time. Increases in the stereotypy of syllable sequencing were due to the pruning of infrequently produced transitions and, to a lesser extent, increases in the prevalence of frequently produced transitions. Changes in song tempo were driven by decreases in the duration and variability of intersyllable gaps. In contrast to significant changes to temporal song features, we found little evidence that the spectral structure of adult song syllables changed over time. These data highlight differences in the degree to which temporal and spectral features of adult song change over time and support evidence for distinct mechanisms underlying the control of syllable sequencing, timing, and structure. Furthermore, the observed changes to temporal song features are consistent with a Hebbian framework of behavioral plasticity and support the notion that adult song should be considered a form of vocal practice.
Spatiotemporal control of interlimb coordination during transverse split-belt locomotion with 1:1 or 2:1 coupling patterns in intact adult cats
Authors: Thibaudier Yann , Frigon Alain
Published: July 2014

Interlimb coordination must be flexible to adjust to an ever-changing environment. Here adjustments in interlimb coordination were quantified during tied-belt (equal speed of the fore- and hindlimbs) and transverse split-belt (unequal speed of the fore- and hindlimbs) locomotion in five intact adult cats. Cats performed tied-belt locomotion at 0.4 m/s and 0.8 m/s. For transverse split-belt locomotion, the forelimbs stepped at 0.4 m/s and 0.8 m/s while the hindlimbs stepped at 0.8 m/s (4F8H condition) and 0.4 m/s (8F4H condition), respectively. In the 8F4H condition, the forelimbs could take two steps within one hindlimb cycle, or a 2:1 forelimb-hindlimb relationship. The sequence of limbs contacting the ground and the duration of support periods were differentially modified if the forelimbs stepped faster or slower than the hindlimbs. During transverse split-belt locomotion, the hindlimbs performed longer strides when the forelimbs took shorter strides. In the 8F4H condition with a 2:1 forelimb-hindlimb relationship, phase and gap intervals for the first and second steps were found around certain values and were not randomly distributed, indicating that a new coupling pattern was established. However, temporal and spatial coordination indexes revealed that bilateral coordination between hindlimbs was less accurate and more variable with a 2:1 coupling pattern. Importantly, the animals did not stumble, indicating that spatial and temporal adjustments in interlimb coordination allowed the animals to maintain dynamic stability. The results provide a better understanding of the spatiotemporal adjustments that take place among the four limbs during locomotion when interlimb coordination is challenged.
Protective Effect of Tetramethylpyrazine on Myocardial Ischemia‐Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Qian Weidong , Xiong Xingjiang , Fang Zhuyuan , Lu Haiting , Wang Zhensheng
Published: July 2014

Myocardial ischemia‐reperfusion injury (MIRI) is a common pathological and physiological phenomenon. Tetramethylpyrazine is the extract of the traditional Chinese medicine Chuanxiong, which can exert protective effects on MIRI in multiple ways. This paper reviewed the current research progress and evidence about the cardiovascular effects of tetramethylpyrazine, which included protecting mitochondria and improving energy metabolism, scavenging oxygen free radicals (OFRs) to inhibit lipid peroxidation, attenuating calcium (Ca2+) overload and maintaining Ca2+ homeostasis in cells, inhibiting apoptosis and protecting myocardial cells, interfering with the inflammatory reaction and mitigating cell injury, interfering with cell signaling pathways, and improving function of endothelial cells and protecting myocardial cells. However, further rigorously designed randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Apoptosis-Inducing Effect of Three Medicinal Plants on Oral Cancer Cells KB and ORL-48
Authors: Majid Mohd Zabidi , Mohamad Zaini Zuraiza , Abdul Razak Fathilah
Published: July 2014

Brucea javanica, Azadirachta indica,andTyphonium flagelliformeare medicinal plants commonly used to treat conditions associated with tumour formation. This study aimed to determine the antiproliferative activity of these plants extracts on KB and ORL-48 oral cancer cell lines and to suggest their mode of cell death. The concentration producing 50% cell inhibition (IC50) was determined and the activity was examined under an inverted microscope. Immunohistochemistry fluorescent staining method (TUNEL) was performed to indicate the mechanism of cell death and the fragmented DNA band pattern produced was obtained for verification. Compared toAzadirachtasp. andTyphoniumsp., the antiproliferative activity ofBruceasp. extract was the most potent on both KB and ORL-48 cells with IC50of 24.37 ± 1.75 and 6.67 ± 1.15 µg/mL, respectively. Signs of cell attrition were observed 24 hr after treatment. Green fluorescent spots indicating cell death by apoptosis were observed in images of both cells following treatment with all the three extracts. DNA fragments harvested fromBrucea-treated cells produced bands in a ladder pattern suggesting the apoptotic effect of the extract. It is thus concluded thatBruceasp. extract exhibited cytotoxic activity on ORL-48 cells and their action mechanism is via apoptosis.
Interleukin-17 Gene Polymorphisms Contribute to Cancer Risk
Authors: Niu Yu-Ming , Yuan Hua , Zhou Yu
Published: July 2014

Epidemiological studies have suggested that interleukin-17 (IL-17) polymorphisms are associated with cancer risk. However, the results of these studies are inconsistent. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to obtain a precise conclusion. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association of theIL-17Ars2275913G>A andIL-17Frs763780T>C polymorphisms with cancer risk. Publication bias and sensitivity analyses were performed to ensure the statistical power. Overall, 10 relevant case-control studies involving 4,516 cases and 5,645 controls were included. The pooled ORs with 95% CIs indicated that theIL-17Ars2275913G>A polymorphism was significantly associated with increased cancer risk (for A versus G: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.16–1.41,P<0.001,I2=61.1%; for GA versus GG: OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.02–1.23,P = 0.015,I2=27.8%; for AA versus GG: OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.38–2.41,P<0.001,I2=69.6%; for GA + AA versus GG: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.13–1.34,P<0.001,I2=6.4%; for AA versus GG + GA: OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.27–2.07,P<0.001,I2=81.4%). Succeeding analysis of HWE and stratified analysis of gastric cancer and the Asian (and Chinese) population revealed similar results. TheIL-17Frs763780T>C polymorphism was also significantly associated with gastric cancer development. Overall, the present meta-analysis suggests thatIL-17polymorphisms increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly gastric cancer, in the Asian (and Chinese) population.
The Use of Trajectory Cluster Analysis to Evaluate the Long-Range Transport of Black Carbon Aerosol in the South-Eastern Baltic Region
Authors: Byčenkienė Steigvilė , Dudoitis Vadimas , Ulevicius Vidmantas
Published: July 2014

Trajectory cluster analysis and source-receptor models (the potential source contribution function (PSCF), concentration weighted trajectories (CWT), and trajectory source apportionment (TSA)) were applied to investigate the source-receptor relationship for the aerosol black carbon (BC) measured at the coastal site (Preila, 55.55°N, 21.04°E) during 2013. The main sources and paths of advection to the south-eastern Baltic region and its relation to black carbon concentration were identified. The 72 h backward trajectories of air masses arriving at Preila from January to December 2013 were determined and were categorized by clustering them into six clusters. Subsequently, BC levels at Preila associated with each air mass cluster during this period were analyzed. The PSCF and CWT analysis shows that, on high BC concentration days, the air masses commonly originated and passed over southern regions of Europe before arriving at Preila in winter, while a strong impact of wildfires was observed in spring.
Crop Yield and Temperature Changes in North China during 601–900 AD
Authors: Liu Haolong , Ge Quansheng , Zheng Jingyun , Hao Zhixin , Zhang Xuezhen
Published: July 2014

Depending on the descriptions of crop yield and social response to crop failure/harvest from Chinese historical documents, we classified the crop yield of North China during 601–900 AD into six categories and quantified each category to be the crop yield grades. We found that the regional mean crop yield had a significant (P<0.01) negative trend at the rate of −0.24% per decade. The interannual, multiple-decadal, and century-scale variability accounted for ~47%, ~30%, and ~20% of the total variations of crop yield, respectively. The interannual variability was significantly (P<0.05) persistent across the entire period. The multiple-decadal variability was more dominant after 750 AD than that before 750 AD, while the century-scale variability was more dominant before 750 AD than that after 750 AD. The variations of crop yield could be partly explained by temperature changes. On one hand, the declining trend of crop yield cooccurred with the climate cooling trend from 601 to 900 AD; on the other hand, the crop yield was positively correlated with temperature changes at 30-year resolution with the correlation coefficient of 0.59 (P<0.1). These findings supported that high (low) crop yield occurred in the warming (cooling) climate.
A 3‐Arm, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Heat‐Sensitive Moxibustion Therapy to Determine Superior Effect among Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation
Authors: Chen Rixin , Chen Mingren , Su Tongsheng , Zhou Meiqi , Sun Jianhua , Xiong Jun , Chi Zhenhai , Xie Dingyi , Zhang Bo
Published: July 2014

Systematic reviews of moxibustion for LDH have identified ponderable evidence, especially for heat‐sensitive moxibustion (HSM). Therefore, we designed and carried out the large sample trial to evaluate it. 456 patients were recruited from 4 centers in China and were randomly divided into three groups by the ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 to HSM (152) group, conventional moxibustion (152) group, and conventional drug plus acupuncture (152) group. Compared with usual care, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean M‐JOA score at 2 weeks and 6 months for HSM (3.8 ± 2.6 versus 8.5 ± 2.9; 3.7 ± 2.2 versus 10.1 ± 2.9) and conventional moxibustion (7.9 ± 3.0 versus 8.5 ± 2.9; 8.9 ± 3.1 versus 10.1 ± 2.9). Compared with conventional moxibustion group, HSM group showed greater improvement in all the outcomes. The mean dose of moxibustion was 41.13 ± 5.26 (range 21–60) minutes in the HSM group. We found that HSM was more effective in treating patients with LDH, compared with conventional moxibustion and conventional drug plus acupuncture. This finding indicated that the application of moxibustion on the heat‐sensitive points is a good moxibustion technique in treating disease.
Theoretical Study on Electronic Structure and Optical Performance of Nickel and Nitrogen Codoped Rutile Titanium Dioxide
Authors: Wang Fei , Feng Lei , Zhang Dongmei , Tang Qingguo , Liang Jinsheng , Feng Dan
Published: July 2014

The nickel doped, nitrogen doped and nickel + nitrogen codoped rutile titanium dioxide have been investigated by ab initio calculations based on density functional theory. The electronic structure and optical performance of different ions doping models are researched through the obtained results, which reflects that the band gap of nickel and nitrogen codoped system declines apparently; the decrease of electron-hole pairs separation and charge carriers recombination rate becomes more desirable. Moreover, the optical absorption curves of nitrogen and nickel codoped rutile titanium dioxide demonstrate the higher photoresponse for visible-light than that of nickel or nitrogen single doped. The above results could provide theoretical basis for further developing of titanium dioxide photocatalyst and related experimental studies.
Characterization of Morphology and Composition of Inorganic Fillers in Dental Alginates
Authors: Guiraldo Ricardo Danil , Berger Sandrine Bittencourt , Consani Rafael Leonardo Xediek , Consani Simonides , de Carvalho Rodrigo Varella , Lopes Murilo Baena , Meneghel Luciana Lira , da Silva Fabiane Borges , Sinhoreti Mário Alexandre Coelho
Published: July 2014

Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy microanalysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Archimedes’ Principle were used to determine the characteristics of inorganic filler particles in five dental alginates, including Cavex ColorChange (C), Hydrogum 5 (H5), Hydrogum (H), Orthoprint (O), and Jeltrate Plus (JP). The different alginate powders (0.5 mg) were fixed on plastic stubs(n=5)and sputter coated with carbon for EDX analysis, then coated with gold, and observed using SEM. Volume fractions were determined by weighing a sample of each material in water before and after calcining at 450°C for 3 h. The alginate materials were mainly composed of silicon (Si) by weight (C—81.59%, H—79.89%, O—78.87%, H5—77.95%, JP—66.88%, wt). The filler fractions in volume (vt) were as follows: H5—84.85%, JP—74.76%, H—70.03%, O—68.31%, and C—56.10%. The tested materials demonstrated important differences in the inorganic elemental composition, filler fraction, and particle morphology.
Phytochemical Profiles and Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaves ofZanthoxylum bungeanum
Authors: Zhang Yujuan , Luo Ziwen , Wang Dongmei , He Fengyuan , Li Dengwu
Published: July 2014

The ethanol crude extracts (ECE) and their subfractions fromZanthoxylum bungeanumleaves were prepared and their phytochemical profiles and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities were investigated. Moreover, the effective HPLC procedure for simultaneous quantification of twelve compounds inZ. bungeanumleaves was established. The correlation between the phytochemicals and antioxidant activity was also discussed. The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) had the highest total phenolic (97.29 mmol GAE/100 g) and flavonoid content (67.93 mmol QE/100 g), while the greatest total alkaloid content (4.39 mmol GAE/100 g) was observed in the chloroform fraction (CF). Twelve compounds were quantified by RP-HPLC assay. EAF exhibited the highest content of quercitrin, kaempferol-3-rhamnoside, quercetin, sesamin, and nitidine chloride (125.21, 54.95, 24.36, 26.24, and 0.20 mg/g); acetone fraction (AF) contained the highest content of chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, and trifolin (5.87, 29.94, 98.33, and 31.24 mg/g), while kaempferol-3-rhamnoside, xanthyletin, and sesamin were rich in CF. EAF and AF exhibited significant DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging abilities and reducing power (FRAP), whereas CF exhibited significant antifungal activity. Moreover, EAF also showed stronger antibacterial activity. In conclusion,Z. bungeanumleaves have health benefits when consumed and could be served as an accessible source for production of functional food ingredients and medicinal exploration.
An Existence Theorem for a Nonlocal Global Pandemic Model for Insect-Borne Diseases
Authors: Cannon John R. , Galiffa Daniel J.
Published: July 2014

We construct and analyze a nonlocal global pandemic model that comprises a system of two nonlocal integrodifferential equations (functional differential equations) and an ordinary differential equation. This model was constructed by considering a spherical coordinate transformation of a previously established epidemiology model that can be applied to insect-borne diseases, like yellow fever. This transformation amounts to a nonlocal boundary value problem on the unit sphere and therefore can be interpreted as a global pandemic model for insect-borne diseases. We ultimately show that a weak solution to the weak formulation of this model exists using a fixed point argument, which calls upon the construction of a weak formulation and the existence and uniqueness of an auxiliary problem.
Stochastic Signal Processing for Sound Environment System with Decibel Evaluation and Energy Observation
Authors: Ikuta Akira , Orimoto Hisako
Published: July 2014

In real sound environment system, a specific signal shows various types of probability distribution, and the observation data are usually contaminated by external noise (e.g., background noise) of non‐Gaussian distribution type. Furthermore, there potentially exist various nonlinear correlations in addition to the linear correlation between input and output time series. Consequently, often the system input and output relationship in the real phenomenon cannot be represented by a simple model using only the linear correlation and lower order statistics. In this study, complex sound environment systems difficult to analyze by using usual structural method are considered. By introducing an estimation method of the system parameters reflecting correlation information for conditional probability distribution under existence of the external noise, a prediction method of output response probability for sound environment systems is theoretically proposed in a suitable form for the additive property of energy variable and the evaluation in decibel scale. The effectiveness of the proposed stochastic signal processing method is experimentally confirmed by applying it to the observed data in sound environment systems.
Five Canalled and Three-Rooted Primary Second Mandibular Molar
Authors: Selvakumar Haridoss , Kavitha Swaminathan , Bharathan Rajendran , Varghese Jacob Sam
Published: July 2014

A thorough knowledge of root canal anatomy and its variation is necessary for successful completion of root canal procedures. Morphological variations such as additional root canals in human deciduous dentition are rare. A mandibular second primary molar with more than four canals is an interesting example of anatomic variations, especially when three of these canals are located in the distal root. This case shows a rare anatomic configuration and points out the importance of looking for additional canals.
OrclassWeb: A Tool Based on the Classification Methodology ORCLASS from Verbal Decision Analysis Framework
Authors: Machado Thais Cristina Sampaio , Pinheiro Plácido Rogerio , Tamanini Isabelle
Published: July 2014

The decision making is present in every activity of the human world, either in simple day‐by‐day problems or in complex situations inside of an organization. Sometimes emotions and reasons become hard to separate; therefore decision support methods were created to help decision makers to make complex decisions, and Decision Support Systems (DSS) were created to aid the application of such methods. The paper presents the development of a new tool, which reproduces the procedure to apply the Verbal Decision Analysis (VDA) methodology ORCLASS. The tool, called OrclassWeb, is software that supports the process of the mentioned DSS method and the paper provides proof of concepts, that which presents its reliability with ORCLASS.
Dynamics of a Stochastic Multigroup SEIR Epidemic Model
Authors: Zhong Xiaojing , Deng Feiqi
Published: July 2014

To be more precise about the real world activity, a stochastic multigroup SEIR epidemic model is formulated. we define the basic reproduction numberR0Sand show that it is a sharp threshold for the dynamics of SDE model. IfR0S<1, the disease-free equilibrium is asymptotically stable; and ifR0S>1, the disease persists and there exists a globally asymptotically stable stationary distribution. Numerical simulation examples are carried out to substantiate the analytical results.
Hyperbolic Cross Truncations for Stochastic Fourier Cosine Series
Authors: Zhang Zhihua
Published: July 2014

Based on our decomposition of stochastic processes and our asymptotic representations of Fourier cosine coefficients, we deduce an asymptotic formula of approximation errors of hyperbolic cross truncations for bivariate stochastic Fourier cosine series. Moreover we propose a kind of Fourier cosine expansions with polynomials factors such that the corresponding Fourier cosine coefficients decay very fast. Although our research is in the setting of stochastic processes, our results are also new for deterministic functions.
Iterative Algorithms for Mixed Equilibrium Problems, System of Quasi-Variational Inclusion, and Fixed Point Problem in Hilbert Spaces
Authors: Kumam Poom , Jitpeera Thanyarat
Published: July 2014

We introduce a new iterative algorithm for approximating a common element of the set of solutions for mixed equilibrium problems, the set of solutions of a system of quasi-variational inclusion, and the set of fixed points of an infinite family of nonexpansive mappings in a real Hilbert space. Strong convergence of the proposed iterative algorithm is obtained. Our results generalize, extend, and improve the results of Peng and Yao, 2009, Qin et al. 2010 and many authors.
Some Hermite-Hadamard Type Inequalities for Harmonicallys-Convex Functions
Authors: Chen Feixiang , Wu Shanhe
Published: July 2014

We establish some estimates of the right-hand side of Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for functions whose derivatives absolute values are harmonicallys-convex. Several Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for products of two harmonicallys-convex functions are also considered.
Instance Transfer Learning with Multisource Dynamic TrAdaBoost
Authors: Zhang Qian , Li Haigang , Zhang Yong , Li Ming
Published: July 2014

Since the transfer learning can employ knowledge in relative domains to help the learning tasks in current target domain, compared with the traditional learning it shows the advantages of reducing the learning cost and improving the learning efficiency. Focused on the situation that sample data from the transfer source domain and the target domain have similar distribution, an instance transfer learning method based on multisource dynamic TrAdaBoost is proposed in this paper. In this method, knowledge from multiple source domains is used well to avoid negative transfer; furthermore, the information that is conducive to target task learning is obtained to train candidate classifiers. The theoretical analysis suggests that the proposed algorithm improves the capability that weight entropy drifts from source to target instances by means of adding the dynamic factor, and the classification effectiveness is better than single source transfer. Finally, experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has higher classification accuracy.
A Primal Analysis System of Brain Neurons Data
Authors: Pu Dong-Mei , Gao Da-Qi , Yuan Yu-Bo
Published: July 2014

It is a very challenging work to classify the 86 billions of neurons in the human brain. The most important step is to get the features of these neurons. In this paper, we present a primal system to analyze and extract features from brain neurons. First, we make analysis on the original data of neurons in which one neuron contains six parameters: room type,X,Y,Zcoordinate range, total number of leaf nodes, and fuzzy volume of neurons. Then, we extract three important geometry features including rooms type, number of leaf nodes, and fuzzy volume. As application, we employ the feature database to fit the basic procedure of neuron growth. The result shows that the proposed system is effective.
Adsorption Behaviors of 17α-Ethinylestradiol in Sediment-Water System in Northern Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Wang Yonghua , Hu Liangfeng , Wang Qiuying , Lu Guanghua , Li Yi
Published: July 2014

Adsorption behavior of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in northern Taihu Lake sediment was analyzed by using batch equilibrium experiment. Freundlich isotherm could describe the adsorption thermodynamic behavior of EE2 in sediment. Sediment organic matter (SOM) contents had important impacts on the adsorption capacity for EE2. The pH values also influenced the adsorption capacity for EE2. Increase of pH value could decrease the EE2 adsorption, which might be due to the electrostatic repulsion between the anionic form of EE2 and sediments with negative charge under high pH values. Competitive effects of bisphenol A (BPA) on EE2 adsorption were further analyzed. The results showed that low concentration BPA did not have significant influences on EE2 adsorption. However, high concentration BPA could reduce EE2 adsorption, which might be due to the similar molecular diameter of BPA with adsorption sites and one more benzene ring with a hydroxyl group in BPA. These results provide primary information of EE2 adsorption in sediment-water system in Taihu Lake, which is useful for the environmental risk assessment and management of EE2 in studied area.
Numerical Analysis of anH1-Galerkin Mixed Finite Element Method for Time Fractional Telegraph Equation
Authors: Wang Jinfeng , Zhao Meng , Zhang Min , Liu Yang , Li Hong
Published: July 2014

We discuss and analyze anH1-Galerkin mixed finite element (H1-GMFE) method to look for the numerical solution of time fractional telegraph equation. We introduce an auxiliary variable to reduce the original equation into lower-order coupled equations and then formulate anH1-GMFE scheme with two important variables. We discretize the Caputo time fractional derivatives using the finite difference methods and approximate the spatial direction by applying theH1-GMFE method. Based on the discussion on the theoretical error analysis inL2-norm for the scalar unknown and its gradient in one dimensional case, we obtain the optimal order of convergence in space-time direction. Further, we also derive the optimal error results for the scalar unknown inH1-norm. Moreover, we derive and analyze the stability ofH1-GMFE scheme and give the results of a priori error estimates in two- or three-dimensional cases. In order to verify our theoretical analysis, we give some results of numerical calculation by using the Matlab procedure.
Effects of Annealing on TiN Thin Film Growth by DC Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Jafari Azadeh , Ghoranneviss Z. , Elahi A. Salar , Ghoranneviss M. , Yazdi N. Fasihi , Rezaei A.
Published: July 2014

We have reviewed the deposition of titanium nitride (TiN) thin films on stainless steel substrates by a DC magnetron sputtering method and annealing at different annealing temperatures of 500, 600, and 700°C for 120 min in nitrogen/argon atmospheres. Effects of annealing temperatures on the structural and the optical properties of TiN films were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscope (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV-VIS spectrophotometer. Our experimental studies reveal that the annealing temperature appreciably affected the structures, crystallite sizes, and reflection of the films. By increasing the annealing temperature to 700°C crystallinity and reflection of the film increase. These results suggest that annealed TiN films can be good candidate for tokamak first wall due to their structural and optical properties.
An Assessment of Final-Year Medical Students and Interns Awareness of Radiation Exposure to Common Diagnostic Imaging Procedures
Authors: Dellie Seife Teferi , Admassie Daniel , Ewnetu Yenework
Published: July 2014

Objectives. To evaluate the level of knowledge about the radiation exposure to diagnostic imaging procedures among the final-year medical students and interns and to suggest how education could be improved. Material and Methods. All 355 final-year medical students and interns from Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital in Addis Ababa were included in the study. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire consisting of their actual knowledge on ionizing radiation and on their preferred method of learning. All questions were in multiple choice formats ranging from 4 to 7 choices. The obtained data were analyzed using statistical software. Results. A total of 343 completed questionnaires were received. Up to 78.9% of respondents underestimated or do not know the radiation dose from commonly requested radiological procedures. Surprisingly, 245 (71.4%) and 254 (79.3%) students incorrectly believed that ultrasound and MRI, respectively, emit ionizing radiation or they do not know if they emit radiation or not. Both interns and medical students did not have significant difference (P=0.56) in their knowledge of ionizing radiation. A combination of tutorials or workshops (29.7%) and learning modules (19.8%) combined were their first and last preferred methods of teaching for future radiation awareness, respectively.  Conclusion. This study has clearly shown that awareness of ionizing radiation from diagnostic imaging is lacking among senior medical students and interns. The results highlight the need for improved education to minimize unnecessary exposure of patients.
EVD Dualdating Based Online Subspace Learning
Authors: Jin Bo , Jing Zhongliang , Zhao Haitao
Published: July 2014

Conventional incremental PCA methods usually only discuss the situation of adding samples. In this paper, we consider two different cases: deleting samples and simultaneously adding and deleting samples. To avoid the NP‐hard problem of downdating SVD without right singular vectors and specific position information, we choose to use EVD instead of SVD, which is used by most IPCA methods. First, we propose an EVD updating and downdating algorithm, called EVD dualdating, which permits simultaneous arbitrary adding and deleting operation, via transforming the EVD of the covariance matrix into a SVD updating problem plus an EVD of a small autocorrelation matrix. A comprehensive analysis is delivered to express the essence, expansibility, and computation complexity of EVD dualdating. A mathematical theorem proves that if the whole data matrix satisfies the low‐rank‐plus‐shift structure, EVD dualdating is an optimal rank‐k estimator under the sequential environment. A selection method based on eigenvalues is presented to determine the optimal rank k of the subspace. Then, we propose three incremental/decremental PCA methods: EVDD‐IPCA, EVDD‐DPCA, and EVDD‐IDPCA, which are adaptive to the varying mean. Finally, plenty of comparative experiments demonstrate that EVDD‐based methods outperform conventional incremental/decremental PCA methods in both efficiency and accuracy.
Difference in Early Activation of NF-κB and MCP-1 in Acinar-Cell-Rich versus Fibrotic Human Pancreas Exposed to Surgical Trauma and Hypoxia
Authors: Laaninen Matias , Bläuer Merja , Sand Juhani , Nordback Isto , Laukkarinen Johanna
Published: July 2014

Objectives.Previously we have shown that a pancreas with over 40% acinar cells is exposed to postoperative pancreatitis and other complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Our aim was to analyze the expression of NF-κB and MCP-1 in the cut edge of human pancreas after PD in both acinar-cell-rich and fibrotic pancreata.Methods.Several pancreatic samples from six patients, three with acinar-cell-rich and three with fibrotic pancreata, were exposed to surgical trauma in PD, and thereafter to hypoxemia for 15 minutes, 2–2.5 hours, 4 hours, or 6 hours, to mimic postoperative conditions of the pancreatic remnant in a patient. Immunohistochemical analysis of inflammation markers (NF-κB, MCP-1) was performed.Results.In the acinar-cell-rich pancreata, intra-acinar NF-κB and MCP-1 expression increased from mild at 15 minutes to high during the first 4 hours, whereas in ductal cells MCP-1 staining was highly intense at both time points. Acinar cell NF-κB and MCP-1 expression and ductal cell MCP-1 expression were also observed in the fibrotic pancreata, but the activation remained low throughout the 6 hours.Conclusions.In acinar-cell-rich pancreas, an extensive inflammatory cascade begins almost immediately after surgical trauma. Fibrosis may limit the progression of inflammatory process in pancreas.
Function and Regulation of the Plant COPT Family of High-Affinity Copper Transport Proteins
Authors: Puig Sergi
Published: July 2014

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for all eukaryotes because it participates as a redox active cofactor in multiple biological processes, including mitochondrial respiration, photosynthesis, oxidative stress protection, and iron (Fe) transport. In eukaryotic cells, Cu transport toward the cytoplasm is mediated by the conserved CTR/COPT family of high-affinity Cu transport proteins. This outlook paper reviews the contribution of our research group to the characterization of the function played by the Arabidopsis thaliana COPT1–6 family of proteins in plant Cu homeostasis. Our studies indicate that the different tissue specificity, Cu-regulated expression, and subcellular localization dictate COPT-specialized contribution to plant Cu transport and distribution. By characterizing lack-of-function Arabidopsis mutant lines, we conclude that COPT1 mediates root Cu acquisition, COPT6 facilitates shoot Cu distribution, and COPT5 mobilizes Cu from storage organelles. Furthermore, our work with copt2 mutant and COPT-overexpressing plants has also uncovered Cu connections with Fe homeostasis and the circadian clock, respectively. Future studies on the interaction between COPT transporters and other components of the Cu homeostasis network will improve our knowledge of plant Cu acquisition, distribution, regulation, and utilization by Cu-proteins.