bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GLOBAL ANALYSIS OF AN EXTENDED HIV DYNAMICS MODEL WITH GENERAL INCIDENCE RATE
Authors: ELAIW AHMED , ALMUALLEM NADA. , WANG XIA
Published: August 2015

The objective of this work is to investigate the qualitative behavior of an Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) dynamics model with two types of cocirculating target cells and under the effect of anti-viral drug therapy. The model takes into account both short-lived infected cells and long-lived chronically infected cells. In the two types of target cells, the drug efficacy is assumed to be different. The incidence rate of virus infection is given by general functional response. We have derived the basic reproduction number which determines the global dynamics of the model. We have established a set of conditions which are sufficient to investigate the global stability of the equilibria of the model. The global stability analysis of the model has been established using the Lyapunov method. Numerical simulations have been performed for the model with a specific form of the incidence rate function. We have shown that the numerical and theoretical results are consistent.
The Θ-KMS adjoint and time reversed quantum Markov semigroups
Authors: Bolaños-Servin Jorge R. , Quezada Roberto
Published: August 2015

We introduce the notion of Θ-KMS adjoint of a quantum Markov semigroup, which is identified with the time reversed semigroup. The break of Θ-KMS symmetry, or Θ-standard quantum detailed balance in the sense of Fagnola–Umanità,11 is measured by means of the von Neumann relative entropy of states associated with the semigroup and its Θ-KMS adjoint.
The Gaussian Radon transform and machine learning
Authors: Holmes Irina , Sengupta Ambar N.
Published: August 2015

There has been growing recent interest in probabilistic interpretations of kernel-based methods as well as learning in Banach spaces. The absence of a useful Lebesgue measure on an infinite-dimensional reproducing kernel Hilbert space is a serious obstacle for such stochastic models. We propose an estimation model for the ridge regression problem within the framework of abstract Wiener spaces and show how the support vector machine solution to such problems can be interpreted in terms of the Gaussian Radon transform.
KINECT-BASED SKELETON-MATCHING FEEDBACK FOR MOTOR REHABILITATION: TRANSIENT PERFORMANCE EFFECT OF SHOULDER TRAINING
Authors: REN WEIYAN , PU FANG , FAN XIAOYA , LI SHUYU , SUN LIANWEN , LI DEYU , WANG YU , FAN YUBO
Published: August 2015

For motor learning tasks, different feedback methods to the user may impact the efficiency of motor training. Microsoft Kinect has shown great potential as an assistive device for home-based exercise training. This study introduces a Kinect-based skeleton-matching feedback system and compares its training outcomes with those of traditional mirror feedback in order to explore its applicability for use in home-based motor training. Forty healthy adults were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, and were instructed to perform a set of continuous shoulder motions using Kinect-based skeleton-matching feedback and traditional mirror feedback respectively. Fisher’s z-transformed Pearson’s correlation coefficient ([Formula: see text]) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) were used to evaluate angular differences in shoulder movements between the subject’s actual motion and a reference motion for each group. Compared to the results under mirror feedback, r values with skeleton-matching feedback were significantly improved for symmetric abduction (SA), asymmetric abduction (ASA), and symmetric flexion/extension (SFE) ([Formula: see text]), and RMSE values were significantly decreased for symmetric flexion/extension (SFE) ([Formula: see text]). Therefore, the Kinect-based skeleton-matching feedback system boasts greater training efficiency for shoulder motor learning and has great potential as an assistive device for home-based rehabilitation exercise training.
CERVICAL SPINOLAMINOPLASTY WITH NEWLY DESIGNED TITANIUM MINI-PLATES
Authors: YALDIZ CAN , TOLUNAY TOLGA , ARSLAN ARSLAN KAĞAN , YAMAN ONUR , DEMIR TEYFIK
Published: August 2015

One of the complication of cervical laminoplasty is the restenosis of the opened laminae. Weakness of the screws placed on laminae may cause restenosis. Here, we describe a new technic ‘spinolaminoplasty (Turkish Open-door laminoplasty)’ with newly designed titanium mini plate that placed one side to lateral mass, and the other on spinous process to keep the laminae opened. Two different fixation materials were used for axial compression tests. One was Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene block with cervical vertebrae geometry and fresh ovine cervical vertebrae. In the first group, mini plates were fixed on laminae as in the conventional method described by Hirabayashi. In the second group, mini plates were fixed on spinous process to perform spinolaminoplasty with single and double screws. New fixation method with double screw provides 26% higher stiffness than the closest group, namely new fixation on polyethylene block. And new fixation method with double screw was exhibited significantly higher ([Formula: see text]) performance between the Ovine groups. As in the spinolaminoplasty technic fixing the mini plates to spinous process with longer screws instead of laminae, strengthens the system compared to the conventional method. This proves that rigidity of new construction model is more stable than the conventional method. Tight fixed laminae may prevent restenosis. Also applying the screw through spinous process instead of laminae may prevent the possible cord injuries.
Dynamic stability of the Nash equilibrium for a bidding game
Authors: Bressan Alberto , Wei Hongxu
Published: August 2015

A one-sided limit order book is modeled as a noncooperative game for several players. An external buyer asks for an amount [Formula: see text] of a given asset. This amount will be bought at the lowest available price, as long as the price does not exceed an upper bound [Formula: see text]. One or more sellers offer various quantities of the asset at different prices, competing to fulfill the incoming order. The size [Formula: see text] of the order and the maximum acceptable price [Formula: see text] are not a priori known, and thus regarded as random variables. In this setting, we prove that a unique Nash equilibrium exists, where each seller optimally prices his assets in order to maximize his own expected profit. Furthermore, a dynamics is introduced, assuming that each player gradually adjusts his pricing strategy in reply to the strategies adopted by all other players. In the case of (i) infinitely many small players or (ii) two large players with one dominating the other, we show that the pricing strategies asymptotically converge to the Nash equilibrium.
Real-time dynamics acquisition from irregular samples — With application to anesthesia evaluation
Authors: Chui Charles K. , Lin Yu-Ting , Wu Hau-Tieng
Published: August 2015

Although most digital representations of information sources are obtained by uniform sampling of some continuous function representations, there are many important events for which only irregular data samples are available, including trading data of the financial market and various clinical data, such as the respiration signals hidden in ECG measurements. For such digital information sources, the only available effective smooth function interpolation scheme for digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion algorithms are mainly for offline applications. Hence, in order to adapt the powerful continuous-function mathematical approaches for real-time applications, it is necessary to introduce an effective D/A conversion scheme as well as to modify the desired continuous-function mathematical method for online implementation. The powerful signal processing tool to be discussed in this paper is the synchrosqueezed continuous wavelet transform (SST), which requires computation of the continuous wavelet transform (CWT), as well as its derivative, of the analog signal of interest. An important application of this transform is to extract information, such as the underlying dynamics, hidden in the signal representation. The first objective of this paper is to introduce a unified approach to remove the two main obstacles for adapting the SST approach to irregular data samples in order to allow online computation. Firstly, for D/A conversion, a real-time algorithm, based on spline functions of arbitrarily desired order, is proposed to interpolate the irregular data samples, while preserving all polynomials of the same spline order, with assured maximum order of approximation. Secondly, for real-time dynamic information extraction from an oscillatory signal via SST, a family of vanishing-moment and minimum-supported spline-wavelets (to be called VM wavelets) are introduced for online computation of the CWT and its derivative. The second objective of this paper is to apply the proposed real-time algorithm and VM wavelets to clinical applications, particularly to the study of the “anesthetic depth” of a patient during surgery, with emphasis on analyzing two dynamic quantities: the “instantaneous frequencies” and the “non-rhythmic to rhythmic ratios” of the patient’s respiration, based on a one-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. Indeed, the “R-peaks” of the ECG signal, which constitute a waveform landmark for clinical evaluation, are non-uniform samples of the respiratory signal. It is envisioned that the proposed algorithm and VM wavelets should enable real-time monitoring of “anesthetic depth”, during surgery, from the respiration signal via ECG measurement.
Local Hardy spaces associated with inhomogeneous higher order elliptic operators
Authors: Cao Jun , Mayboroda Svitlana , Yang Dachun
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a divergence form inhomogeneous higher order elliptic operator with complex bounded measurable coefficients. In this paper, for all [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] satisfying a weak ellipticity condition, the authors introduce the local Hardy spaces [Formula: see text] associated with [Formula: see text], which coincide with Goldberg’s local Hardy spaces [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] (the Laplace operator). The authors also establish a real-variable theory of [Formula: see text], which includes their characterizations in terms of the local molecules, the square functions or the maximal functions, the complex interpolation and dual spaces. These real-variable characterizations on the local Hardy spaces are new even when [Formula: see text] (the divergence form homogeneous second-order elliptic operator). Moreover, the authors show that [Formula: see text] coincides with the Hardy space [Formula: see text] associated with the operator [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is some positive constant depending on the ellipticity and the off-diagonal estimates of [Formula: see text]. As an application, the authors establish some mapping properties for the local Riesz transforms [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Towards spaces of harmonic functions with traces in square Campanato spaces and their scaling invariants
Authors: Jiang Renjin , Xiao Jie , Yang Dachun
Published: August 2015

For [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text] be the space of harmonic functions [Formula: see text] on the upper half-space [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be the Campanato space on [Formula: see text]. We show that [Formula: see text] coincides with [Formula: see text] for all [Formula: see text], where the case [Formula: see text] was originally discovered by Fabes, Johnson and Neri [E. B. Fabes, R. L. Johnson and U. Neri, Spaces of harmonic functions representable by Poisson integrals of functions in BMO and [Formula: see text], Indiana Univ. Math. J. 25 (1976) 159–170] and yet the case [Formula: see text] was left open. Moreover, for the scaling invariant version of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], which comprises all harmonic functions [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text] we show that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the collection of all functions [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] are in [Formula: see text]. Analogues for solutions to the heat equation are also established. As an application, we show that the spaces [Formula: see text] unify naturally [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which can be effectively adapted and applicable to suit handling the well/ill-posedness of the incompressible Navier–Stokes system on [Formula: see text].
Spectrum analysis of the linear Fokker–Planck equation
Authors: Luo Lan , Yu Hongjun
Published: August 2015

In this work, we show the spectrum structure of the linear Fokker–Planck equation by using the semigroup theory and the linear operator perturbation theory. As an application, we show the large time behavior of the solutions to the linear Fokker–Planck equation.
Moment classification of infinite energy solutions to the homogeneous Boltzmann equation
Authors: Morimoto Yoshinori , Wang Shuaikun , Yang Tong
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we will introduce a precise classification of characteristic functions in the Fourier space according to the moment constraint in the physical space of any order. Based on this, we construct measure-valued solutions to the homogeneous Boltzmann equation with the exact moment condition as the initial data.
On nonhomogeneous boundary value problems for the stationary Navier–Stokes equations in two-dimensional symmetric semi-infinite outlets
Authors: Chipot M. , Kaulakytė K. , Pileckas K. , Xue W.
Published: August 2015

We study the stationary nonhomogeneous Navier–Stokes problem in a two-dimensional symmetric domain with a semi-infinite outlet (for instance, either paraboloidal or channel-like). Under the symmetry assumptions on the domain, boundary value and external force, we prove the existence of at least one weak symmetric solution without any restriction on the size of the fluxes, i.e. the fluxes of the boundary value [Formula: see text] over the inner and the outer boundaries may be arbitrarily large. Only the necessary compatibility condition (the total flux is equal to zero) has to be satisfied. Moreover, the Dirichlet integral of the solution can be finite or infinite depending on the geometry of the domain.
Approximations by multivariate perturbed neural network operators
Authors: Anastassiou George A.
Published: August 2015

This article deals with the determination of the rate of convergence to the unit of each of three newly introduced here multivariate perturbed normalized neural network operators of one hidden layer. These are given through the multivariate modulus of continuity of the involved multivariate function or its high-order partial derivatives and that appears in the right-hand side of the associated multivariate Jackson type inequalities. The multivariate activation function is very general, especially it can derive from any multivariate sigmoid or multivariate bell-shaped function. The right-hand sides of our convergence inequalities do not depend on the activation function. The sample functionals are of multivariate Stancu, Kantorovich and quadrature types. We give applications for the first partial derivatives of the involved function.
Optimization of Fuzzy Logic Controllers with Rule Base Size Reduction using Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Shill Pintu Chandra , Akhand M. A. H. , Asaduzzaman MD. , Murase Kazuyuki
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we present the automatic design methods with rule base size reduction for fuzzy logic controllers (FLCs) through real and binary coded coupled genetic algorithms (GAs). The adaptive schema is divided into two phases: the first phase is concerned with optimizing the FLCs membership functions and second phase called rule learning and reducing phase which automatically generates the fuzzy rules as well as determines the minimum number of rules required for building the fuzzy models. In the second phase, the redundant rules are removed by setting their all consequent weight factor to zero and merging the conflicting rules during the learning process. The first and second phases are carried out by the real and binary coded coupled GAs, respectively. Optimizing the MFs with learning and reducing rule base concurrently represents a way to maximize the performance of a FLC. The control algorithm is successfully tested for intelligent control of two degrees of freedom inverted pendulum. Finally, the simulation studies exhibits the better or competitive performance of the proposed method when compared with the existing methods.
A generalization of a series for the density of abundant numbers
Authors: Kobayashi Mitsuo
Published: August 2015

Recently, it was shown that the density of abundant numbers has a simple series expression, which relies on the multiplicative property of the arithmetic function [Formula: see text]. We generalize this result by determining a class of multiplicative functions for which the series result carries over.
Eisenstein series in the Kohnen plus space for Hilbert modular forms
Authors: Su Ren-He
Published: August 2015

In 1975, Cohen constructed a kind of one-variable modular forms of half-integral weight, say [Formula: see text], whose [Formula: see text]th Fourier coefficient only occurs when [Formula: see text] is congruent to 0 or 1 modulo 4. The space of modular forms whose Fourier coefficients have the above property is called Kohnen plus space, initially introduced by Kohnen in 1980. Recently, Hiraga and Ikeda generalized the plus space to the spaces for half-integral weight Hilbert modular forms with respect to general totally real number fields. The [Formula: see text]th Fourier coefficients [Formula: see text] of a Hilbert modular form of parallel weight [Formula: see text] lying in the generalized Kohnen plus space does not vanish only if [Formula: see text] is congruent to a square modulo 4. In this paper, we use an adelic way to construct Eisenstein series of parallel half-integral weight belonging to the generalized Kohnen plus spaces and give an explicit form for their Fourier coefficients. These series give a generalization of the one introduced by Cohen. Moreover, we show that the Kohnen plus space is generated by the cusp forms and the Eisenstein series we constructed as a vector space over [Formula: see text].
What Sociologists Should Know About Complexity
Authors: Page Scott E.
Published: August 2015

I discuss the concept of complexity and the burgeoning field of complex systems and their relevance to sociology. I begin by comparing and contrasting various definitions of complexity and then describe the attributes of systems capable of producing complexity: diversity, networked interactions, interdependent behavior, and adaptation. Next, I survey the contributions of complexity sciences with the most resonance with sociology. I organize those contributions into four categories: dynamics, aggregation, distributions, and functional properties of structure and diversity. On the basis of that survey, I conclude that incorporating complexity science into sociology requires the introduction of new models and methodologies as well as a more expansive approach to empirical research, and that the benefits of a deeper engagement with complexity will be substantial.
Incarceration and Health
Authors: Massoglia Michael , Pridemore William Alex
Published: August 2015

The expansion of the penal system has been one of the most dramatic trends in contemporary American society. A wealth of research has examined the impact of incarceration on a range of later life outcomes and has considered how the penal system has emerged as a mechanism of stratification and inequality in the United States. In this article, we review the literature from a comparatively new vein of this research: the impact of incarceration on health outcomes. We first consider the impact of incarceration on a range of individual outcomes, from chronic health conditions to mortality. We then consider outcomes beyond the individual, including the health of family members and community health outcomes. Next, we discuss mechanisms linking incarceration and health outcomes before closing with a consideration of limitations in the field and directions for future research.
Impaired Fertility Associated with Subclinical Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Autoimmunity: The Danish General Suburban Population Study
Authors: Feldthusen Anne-Dorthe , Pedersen Palle L. , Larsen Jacob , Toft Kristensen Tina , Ellervik Christina , Kvetny Jan
Published: August 2015

Introduction.The aim of this study was to estimate the significance of TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism in women from The Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS) on the number of children born, the number of pregnancies, and the number of spontaneous abortions.Methods.Retrospective cross sectional study of 11254 women participating in GESUS. Data included biochemical measurements and a self-administrated questionnaire.Results.6.7% had mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism and 9.4% prevalent hypothyroidism. In women with mild hypothyroidism TPOAb was significantly elevated and age at first child was older compared to controls. TSH and TPOAb were negatively linearly associated with the number of children born and the number of pregnancies in the full cohort in age-adjusted and multiadjusted models. TSH or TPOAb was not associated with spontaneous abortions. Mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism was associated with a risk of not having children and a risk of not getting pregnant in age-adjusted and multiadjusted models. Prevalent hypothyroidism was not associated with the number of children born, the number of pregnancies, or spontaneous abortions.Conclusion.Impaired fertility is associated with TSH, TPOAb, and mild (subclinical) hypothyroidism in a Danish population of women.
Nonuniform Polynomial Dichotomy for Noninvertible Linear Discrete-Time Systems in Banach Spaces
Authors: Yue Tian
Published: August 2015

We study three polynomial dichotomy concepts for linear discrete-time systems in Banach spaces. Our main objective is to give characterizations in terms of Lyapunov functions for nonuniform polynomial dichotomy of nonautonomous and noninvertible linear discrete-time systems.
How the Knowledge of Interactions between Meningococcus and the Human Immune System Has Been Used to Prepare EffectiveNeisseria meningitidisVaccines
Authors: Gasparini R. , Panatto D. , Bragazzi N. L. , Lai P. L. , Bechini A. , Levi M. , Durando P. , Amicizia D.
Published: August 2015

In the last decades, tremendous advancement in dissecting the mechanisms of pathogenicity ofNeisseria meningitidisat a molecular level has been achieved, exploiting converging approaches of different disciplines, ranging from pathology to microbiology, immunology, and omics sciences (such as genomics and proteomics). Here, we review the molecular biology of the infectious agent and, in particular, its interactions with the immune system, focusing on both the innate and the adaptive responses. Meningococci exploit different mechanisms and complex machineries in order to subvert the immune system and to avoid being killed. Capsular polysaccharide and lipooligosaccharide glycan composition, in particular, play a major role in circumventing immune response. The understanding of these mechanisms has opened new horizons in the field of vaccinology. Nowadays different licensed meningococcal vaccines are available and used: conjugate meningococcal C vaccines, tetravalent conjugate vaccines, an affordable conjugate vaccine against theN. menigitidisserogroup A, and universal vaccines based on multiple antigens each one with a different and peculiar function against meningococcal group B strains.
Vitamin D and Alzheimer’s Disease: Neurocognition to Therapeutics
Authors: Banerjee Anindita , Khemka Vineet Kumar , Ganguly Anirban , Roy Debashree , Ganguly Upasana , Chakrabarti Sasanka
Published: August 2015

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the major cause of dementia worldwide, is characterized by progressive loss of memory and cognition. The sporadic form of AD accounts for nearly 90% of the patients developing this disease. The last century has witnessed significant research to identify various mechanisms and risk factors contributing to the complex etiopathogenesis of AD by analyzing postmortem AD brains and experimenting with animal and cell culture based models. However, the treatment strategies, as of now, are only symptomatic. Accumulating evidences suggested a significant association between vitamin D deficiency, dementia, and AD. This review encompasses the beneficial role of vitamin D in neurocognition and optimal brain health along with epidemiological evidence of the high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among aged and AD population. Moreover, disrupted signaling, altered utilization of vitamin D, and polymorphisms of several related genes including vitamin D receptor (VDR) also predispose to AD or AD-like neurodegeneration. This review explores the relationship between this gene-environmental influence and long term vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for development of sporadic AD along with the role and rationale of therapeutic trials with vitamin D. It is, therefore, urgently warranted to further establish the role of this potentially neuroprotective vitamin in preventing and halting progressive neurodegeneration in AD patients.
Cooperative Search by Multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in a Nonconvex Environment
Authors: Ji Xiaoting , Wang Xiangke , Niu Yifeng , Shen Lincheng
Published: August 2015

This paper presents a distributed cooperative search algorithm for multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with limited sensing and communication capabilities in a nonconvex environment. The objective is to control multiple UAVs to find several unknown targets deployed in a given region, while minimizing the expected search time and avoiding obstacles. First, an asynchronous distributed cooperative search framework is proposed by integrating the information update into the coverage control scheme. And an adaptive density function is designed based on the real-time updated probability map and uncertainty map, which can balance target detection and environment exploration. Second, in order to handle nonconvex environment with arbitrary obstacles, a new transformation method is proposed to transform the cooperative search problem in the nonconvex region into an equivalent one in the convex region. Furthermore, a control strategy for cooperative search is proposed to plan feasible trajectories for UAVs under the kinematic constraints, and the convergence is proved by LaSalle’s invariance principle. Finally, by simulation results, it can be seen that our proposed algorithm is effective to handle the search problem in the nonconvex environment and efficient to find targets in shorter time compared with other algorithms.
A Bit String Content Aware Chunking Strategy for Reduced CPU Energy on Cloud Storage
Authors: Zhou Bin , Zhang ShuDao , Zhang Ying , Tan JiaHao
Published: August 2015

In order to achieve energy saving and reduce the total cost of ownership, green storage has become the first priority for data center. Detecting and deleting the redundant data are the key factors to the reduction of the energy consumption of CPU, while high performance stable chunking strategy provides the groundwork for detecting redundant data. The existing chunking algorithm greatly reduces the system performance when confronted with big data and it wastes a lot of energy. Factors affecting the chunking performance are analyzed and discussed in the paper and a new fingerprint signature calculation is implemented. Furthermore, a Bit String Content Aware Chunking Strategy (BCCS) is put forward. This strategy reduces the cost of signature computation in chunking process to improve the system performance and cuts down the energy consumption of the cloud storage data center. On the basis of relevant test scenarios and test data of this paper, the advantages of the chunking strategy are verified.
Graves’ Ophthalmopathy: VISA versus EUGOGO Classification, Assessment, and Management
Authors: Barrio-Barrio Jesús , Sabater Alfonso L. , Bonet-Farriol Elvira , Velázquez-Villoria Álvaro , Galofré Juan C.
Published: August 2015

Graves’ ophthalmopathy (GO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder associated with thyroid disease which affects ocular and orbital tissues. GO follows a biphasic course in which an initial active phase of progression is followed by a subsequent partial regression and a static inactive phase. Although the majority of GO patients have a mild, self-limiting, and nonprogressive ocular involvement, about 3–7% of GO patients exhibit a severe sight-threatening form of the disease due to corneal exposure or compressive optic neuropathy. An appropriate assessment of both severity and activity of the disease warrants an adequate treatment. The VISA (vision, inflammation, strabismus, and appearance), and the European Group of Graves’ Orbitopathy (EUGOGO) classifications are the two widely used grading systems conceived to assess the activity and severity of GO and guide the therapeutic decision making. A critical analysis of classification, assessment, and management systems is reported. A simplified “GO activity assessment checklist” for routine clinical practice is proposed. Current treatments are reviewed and management guidelines according to the severity and activity of the disease are provided. New treatment modalities such as specific monoclonal antibodies, TSH-R antagonists, and other immunomodulatory agents show a promising outcome for GO patients.
Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Cervical Spine: A Review on the Role of Surgery
Authors: Gillick John L. , Wainwright John , Das Kaushik
Published: August 2015

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease affecting a significant percentage of the population. The cervical spine is often affected in this disease and can present in the form of atlantoaxial instability (AAI), cranial settling (CS), or subaxial subluxation (SAS). Patients may present with symptoms and disability secondary to these entities but may also be neurologically intact. Cervical spine involvement in RA can pose a challenge to the clinician and the appropriate role of surgical intervention is controversial. The aim of this paper is to describe the pathology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis in the cervical spine in order to provide a better understanding of the indications and options for surgery. Both the medical and surgical treatment options for RA have improved, so has the prognosis of the cervical spine disease. With the advent of disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), fewer patients are presenting with cervical spine manifestations of RA; however, those that do, now have improved surgical techniques available to them. We hope that, by reading this paper, the clinician is able to better evaluate patients with RA in the cervical spine and determine in which patients surgery is indicated.
Linux Low-Latency Tracing for Multicore Hard Real-Time Systems
Authors: Beamonte Raphaël , Dagenais Michel R.
Published: August 2015

Real-time systems have always been difficult to monitor and debug because of the timing constraints which rule out any tool significantly impacting the system latency and performance. Tracing is often the most reliable tool available for studying real-time systems. The real-time behavior of Linux systems has improved recently and it is possible to have latencies in the low microsecond range. Therefore, tracers must ensure that their overhead is within that range and predictable and scales well to multiple cores. The LTTng 2.0 tools have been optimized for multicore performance, scalability, and flexibility. We used and extended the real-time verification tool rteval to study the impact of LTTng on the maximum latency on hard real-time applications. We introduced a new real-time analysis tool to establish the baseline of real-time system performance and then to measure the impact added by tracing the kernel and userspace (UST) with LTTng. We then identified latency problems and accordingly modified LTTng-UST and the procedure to isolate the shielded real-time cores from the RCU interprocess synchronization routines. This work resulted in extended tools to measure the real-time properties of multicore Linux systems, a characterization of the impact of LTTng kernel and UST tracing tools, and improvements to LTTng.
Preparation of Nanostructured Microporous Metal Foams through Flow Induced Electroless Deposition
Authors: Akay Galip , Calkan Burak
Published: August 2015

Monolithic nanostructured metallic porous structures with a hierarchy of pore size ranging from ca. 10 μm to 1 nm are processed for use as microreactors. The technique is based on flow induced electroless deposition of metals on a porous template known as PolyHIPE Polymer. The process is conducted in a purpose built flow reactor using a processing protocol to allow uniform and efficient metal deposition under flow. Nickel chloride and sodium hypophosphite were used as the metal and reducing agent, respectively. Electroless deposition occurs in the form of grains with a composition of NixPy in which the grain size range was ca. 20–0.2 μm depending on the composition of the metal deposition solution. Structure formation in the monoliths starts with heat treatment above 600°C resulting in the formation of a 3‐dimensional network of capillary‐like porous structures which form the walls of large arterial pores. These monoliths have a dense but porous surface providing mechanical strength for the monolith. The porous capillary‐like arterial pore walls provide a large surface area for any catalytic activity. The mechanisms of metal deposition and nanostructure formation are evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, XRD, BET‐surface area, and mercury intrusion porosimetry.
Formation of Al2O3‐HfO2 Eutectic EBC Film on Silicon Carbide Substrate
Authors: Seya Kyosuke , Ueno Shunkichi , Jang Byung-Koog
Published: August 2015

The formation mechanism of Al2O3‐HfO2 eutectic structure, the preparation method, and the formation mechanism of the eutectic EBC layer on the silicon carbide substrate are summarized. Al2O3‐HfO2 eutectic EBC film is prepared by optical zone melting method on the silicon carbide substrate. At high temperature, a small amount of silicon carbide decomposed into silicon and carbon. The components of Al2O3 and HfO2 in molten phase also react with the free carbon. The Al2O3 phase reacts with free carbon and vapor species of AlO phase is formed. The composition of the molten phase becomes HfO2 rich from the eutectic composition. HfO2 phase also reacts with the free carbon and HfC phase is formed on the silicon carbide substrate; then a high density intermediate layer is formed. The adhesion between the intermediate layer and the substrate is excellent by an anchor effect. When the solidification process finished before all of HfO2 phase is reduced to HfC phase, HfC‐HfO2 functionally graded layer is formed on the silicon carbide substrate and the Al2O3‐HfO2 eutectic structure grows from the top of the intermediate layer.
Ear Acupuncture Therapy for Masticatory Myofascial and Temporomandibular Pain: A Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Ferreira Luciano Ambrosio , Grossmann Eduardo , Januzzi Eduardo , Gonçalves Rafael Tardin Rosa Ferraz , Mares Fernando Antonio Guedes , Paula Marcos Vinicius Queiroz de , Carvalho Antonio Carlos Pires
Published: August 2015

Ear acupuncture works by reducing painful sensations with analgesic effect through microsystem therapy and has been demonstrated to be as effective as conventional therapies in the control of facial pain. This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the adjuvant action of auricular acupuncture through an observation of the evolution of temporomandibular and masticatory myofascial symptoms in two groups defined by the therapies elected: auricular acupuncture associated with occlusal splint (study) and the use of the occlusal splint plate alone (control). We have selected 20 patients, who were randomly allocated into two groups of ten individuals. Symptoms were evaluated in five different moments, every seven days. We analyzed the orofacial muscle and joint palpation in order to measure the intensity of the experienced pain. Both groups showed a statistically significant decrease in muscle and joint symptoms (p<0.05). However, comparisons between the groups showed an expressive and significant reduction of symptomatology in the study group (p<0.05) already on the first week of therapy. According to the results, to the methodological criteria developed and statistical analysis applied, the conclusion is that auricular acupuncture therapy has synergistic action on conventional occlusal splint treatment. It was demonstrated to be effective in the reduction of symptoms in the short term.
Meningococcal Antigen Typing System Development and Application to the Evaluation of Effectiveness of Meningococcal B Vaccine and Possible Use for Other Purposes
Authors: Domnich Alexander , Gasparini Roberto , Amicizia Daniela , Boccadifuoco Giuseppe , Giuliani Marzia Monica , Panatto Donatella
Published: August 2015

Development of the 4-component meningococcal serogroup B vaccine (4CMenB) has required new assays for the reliable evaluation of the expression and cross-reactivity of those specific antigen variants that are predicted to be targeted by bactericidal antibodies elicited by the vaccine in different isolates. Existing laboratory techniques, such as multilocus sequence typing, are poorly suited to this purpose, since they do not provide information on the contribution of single vaccine components and therefore cannot be applied to estimate the potential coverage of the multicomponent vaccine. The hSBA, the only correlate of protection against invasive meningococcal disease accepted thus far, cannot conveniently be used to test large number of strains. To overcome these issues, the meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) has been specifically developed in order to predict 4CMenB coverage of individual meningococcus serogroup B strains. To date, MATS has proved advantageous for several reasons, including its ability to assess both qualitative and quantitative aspects of surface antigens of single strains in a highly reproducible, rapid, and resource-saving manner, while its shortcomings include a possible underestimation of 4CMenB coverage and the use of pooled sera to calculate the positive bactericidal threshold. This paper provides an overview of MATS development and its field application.
Preservation of the Photoreceptor Inner/Outer Segment Junction in Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration Treated by Rheohemapheresis
Authors: Rencová Eva , Bláha Milan , Studnička Jan , Bláha Vladimír , Lánská Miriam , Renc Ondřej , Stepanov Alexander , Kratochvílová Věra , Langrová Hana
Published: August 2015

Aim. To evaluate the long-term effect of rheohemapheresis (RHF) treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on photoreceptor IS/OS junction status.Methods. In our study, we followed 24 patients with dry AMD and drusenoid retinal pigment epithelium detachment (DPED) for a period of more than 2.5 years. Twelve patients (22 eyes) were treated by RHF and 12 controls (18 eyes) were randomized. The treated group underwent 8 RHF standardized procedures. We evaluated best-corrected visual acuity, IS/OS junction status (SD OCT), and macular function (multifocal electroretinography) at baseline and at 2.5-year follow-up.Results. RHF caused a decrease of whole-blood viscosity/plasma viscosity at about 15/12%. BCVA of treated patients increased insignificantlyP=0.187from median 74.0 letters (56.2 to 81.3 letters) to median 79.0 letters (57.3 to 83.4 letters), but it decreased significantly from 74.0 letters (25.2 to 82.6 letters) to 72.5 letters (23.4 to 83.1 letters) in the control groupP=0.041. The mfERG responses in the region of eccentricity between 1.8° and 7° were significantly higher in treated patientsP=0.04.Conclusions. RHF contributed to sparing of photoreceptor IS/OS junction integrity in the fovea, which is assumed to be a predictive factor for preservation of visual acuity.
Cisplatin Loaded Hyaluronic Acid Modified TiO2 Nanoparticles for Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy of Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Liu Enling , Zhou Yuxiu , Liu Zheng , Li Jun , Zhang Donghong , Chen Junchen , Cai Zhaohui
Published: August 2015

Novel tumor‐targeting titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) were developed to explore the feasibility of exploiting the pH‐responsive drug release property of TiO2 and the tumor‐targeting ability of HA to construct a tumor‐targeting cisplatin (CDDP) delivery system (HA‐TiO2) for potential neoadjuvant chemotherapy of ovarian cancer. The experimental results indicated that CDDP release from the HA‐TiO2 nanoparticles was significantly accelerated by decreasing pH from 7.4 to 5.0, which is of particular benefit to cancer therapy. CDDP‐loaded HA‐TiO2 nanoparticles increased the accumulation of CDDP in A2780 ovarian cancer cells via HA‐mediated endocytosis and exhibited superior anticancer activity in vitro. In vivo real‐time imaging assay revealed that HA‐TiO2 nanoparticles possessed preferable tumor‐targeting ability which might potentially minimize the toxic side effects of CDDP in clinical application.
Meningococcal B Vaccination (4CMenB) in Infants and Toddlers
Authors: Esposito Susanna , Tagliabue Claudia , Bosis Samantha
Published: August 2015

Neisseria meningitidisis a Gram-negative pathogen that actively invades its human host and leads to the development of life-threatening pathologies. One of the leading causes of death in the world,N. meningitidiscan be responsible for nearly 1,000 new infections per 100,000 subjects during an epidemic period. The bacterial species are classified into 12 serogroups, five of which (A, B, C, W, and Y) cause the majority of meningitides. The three purified protein conjugate vaccines currently available target serogroups A, C, W, and Y. Serogroup B has long been a challenge but the discovery of the complete genome sequence of an MenB strain has allowed the development of a specific four-component vaccine (4CMenB). This review describes the pathogenetic role ofN. meningitidisand the recent literature concerning the new meningococcal vaccine.
Diffuse Calcifications of the Spleen in a Woman with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Vaiopoulos Aristeides G. , Kanakis Meletios A. , Katsouri Kyriaki , Kyriazi Stavroula , Vaiopoulos George A. , Kaklamanis Phaedon
Published: August 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease, which affects a wide variety of organs including the spleen. Splenic involvement in SLE includes conditions such as splenomegaly, hyposplenism, infarction, and spontaneous rupture. However, only a few cases of splenic calcifications in patients with SLE have been reported. Herein, we present a case of a 24-year-old female diagnosed with SLE, in which we found diffuse splenic calcifications. The unique pattern of splenic calcifications in SLE contributes to the differential diagnosis from other conditions such as infections and other connective tissue diseases, which also cause calcifications in the spleen.
Automated 3D Scenes Reconstruction Using Multiple Stereo Pairs from Portable Four-Camera Photographic Measurement System
Authors: Peng Qi , Tu Lifen , Zhang Kaibing , Zhong Sidong
Published: August 2015

An effective automatic 3D reconstruction method using a portable four-camera photographic measurement system (PFCPMS) is proposed. By taking advantage of the complementary stereo information from four cameras, a fast and highly accurate feature point matching algorithm is developed for 3D reconstruction. Specifically, we first utilize a projection method to obtain a large number of dense feature points. And then a reduction and clustering treatment is applied to simplify the Delaunay triangulation process and reconstruct a 3D model for each scene. In addition, a 3D model stitching approach is proposed to further improve the performance of the limited field-of-view for image-based method. The experimental results tested on the 172 cave in Mogao Grottoes indicate that the proposed method is effective to reconstruct a 3D scene with a low-cost four-camera photographic measurement system.
Association of Sleep Quality and Waking Time with Prediabetes: The Qazvin Metabolic Diseases Study, Iran
Authors: Ghorbani Azam , Esmailzadehha Neda , Mohammadpoorasl Asghar , Ziaee Amir
Published: August 2015

Aims. It is known that sleep has a major role in the regulation of endocrine functions and glucose metabolism. However, it is not clear whether the sleep pattern is affected at or prior to the onset of diabetes, among those with prediabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of sleep patterns and prediabetes in Qazvin, Iran.Methods. A representative sample of residents of Qazvin was selected by multistage cluster random sampling method in 2011. Plasma glucose level and sleep quality were measured cross-sectionally as well as demographic characteristics. A logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of sleep status and prediabetes.Results. Mean age was 39.3 ± 10.1 years. Of 958, 474 (49.47%) were female. Poor sleep quality was associated with 2.197-fold increased risk of prediabetes after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, and metabolic syndrome.Conclusion. This study provides evidences that subjects with poor sleep quality are more likely to develop prediabetes than people with good sleep quality.
Starter Labelling of k-Windmill Graphs with Small Defects
Authors: Omer Farej , Shalaby Nabil
Published: August 2015

A graph on 2n vertices can be starter-labelled, if the vertices can be given labels from the nonzero elements of the additive group Z2n+1 such that each label i, either i or i-1, is assigned to exactly two vertices and the two vertices are separated by either i edges or i-1 edges, respectively. Mendelsohn and Shalaby have introduced Skolem-labelled graphs and determined the conditions of k-windmills to be Skolem-labelled. In this paper, we introduce starter-labelled graphs and obtain necessary and sufficient conditions for starter and minimum hooked starter labelling of all k-windmills.
Numerical Investigation on Fluid Flow in a 90-Degree Curved Pipe with Large Curvature Ratio
Authors: Wang Yan , Dong Quanlin , Wang Pengfei
Published: August 2015

In order to understand the mechanism of fluid flows in curved pipes, a large number of theoretical and experimental researches have been performed. As a critical parameter of curved pipe, the curvature ratioδhas received much attention, but most of the values ofδare very small (δ<0.1) or relatively small (δ≤0.5). As a preliminary study and simulation this research studied the fluid flow in a 90-degree curved pipe of large curvature ratio. The Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) turbulence model was employed to investigate the fluid flows at the Reynolds number range from 5000 to 20000. After validation of the numerical strategy, the pressure and velocity distribution, pressure drop, fluid flow, and secondary flow along the curved pipe were illustrated. The results show that the fluid flow in a curved pipe with large curvature ratio seems to be unlike that in a curved pipe with small curvature ratio. Large curvature ratio makes the internal flow more complicated; thus, the flow patterns, the separation region, and the oscillatory flow are different.