bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of moxibustion for allergic rhinitis: protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Chen Sheng , Guo Shengnan , Wang Jun , Ha Eunhae , Marmori Federico , Wang Yanping , Zhao Jiping
Published: May 2015

Introduction

The objective of this review is to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of moxibustion for treating allergic rhinitis (AR).

Methods and analysis

The following databases will be searched from their inception to January 2015: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AMED, Web of Science, Ovid Healthstar, PubMed, SciELO, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, the Chinese Biomedical Database, the Wanfang Database, the Japanese Medical Research Database, and Korean Medical Databases. The methodological quality will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcome is total nasal symptoms, which may be evaluated by any appropriate scores or other forms of measurement. Secondary outcome measures will include quality of life, total non-nasal symptoms, use of daily medication and laboratory indicators.

Ethics and dissemination

Because this study will not involve patients, institutional review body permission is not required. The systematic review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The review will also be disseminated electronically and in print to help guide healthcare practice and policy.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42014013275.
Workload and management of childhood fever at general practice out-of-hours care: an observational cohort study
Authors: de Bont Eefje G P M , Lepot Julie M M , Hendrix Dagmar A S , Loonen Nicole , Guldemond-Hecker Yvonne , Dinant Geert-Jan , Cals Jochen W L
Published: May 2015

Objective

Even though childhood fever is mostly self-limiting, children with fever constitute a considerable workload in primary care. Little is known about the number of contacts and management during general practitioners’ (GPs) out-of-hours care. We investigated all fever related telephone contacts, consultations, antibiotic prescriptions and paediatric referrals of children during GP out-of-hours care within 1 year.

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting and patients

We performed an observational cohort study at a large Dutch GP out-of-hours service. Children (<12 years) whose parents contacted the GP out-of-hours service for a fever related illness in 2012 were included.

Main outcome measures

Number of contacts and consultations, antibiotic prescription rates and paediatric referral rates.

Results

We observed an average of 14.6 fever related contacts for children per day at GP out-of-hours services, with peaks during winter months. Of 17 170 contacts in 2012, 5343 (31.1%) were fever related and 70.0% resulted in a GP consultation. One in four consultations resulted in an antibiotic prescription. Prescriptions increased by age and referrals to secondary care decreased by age (p<0.001). The majority of parents (89.5%) contacted the out-of-hours service only once during a fever episode (89.5%) and 7.6% of children were referred to secondary care.

Conclusions

This study shows that childhood fever does account for a large workload at GP out-of-hours services. One in three contacts is fever related and 70% of those febrile children are called in to be assessed by a GP. One in four consultations for childhood fever results in antibiotic prescribing and most consultations are managed in primary care without referral.
DNA sequence analysis and genotype–phenotype assessment in 71 patients with syndromic hearing loss or auditory neuropathy
Authors: Tang Hsiao-Yuan , Fang Ping , Lin Jerry W , Darilek Sandra , Osborne Brooke T , Haymond Jo Ann , Manolidis Spiros , Roa Benjamin B , Oghalai John S , Alford Raye L
Published: May 2015

Objectives

Aetiological assessment of 71 probands whose clinical presentation suggested a genetic syndrome or auditory neuropathy.

Methods

Sanger sequencing was performed on DNA isolated from peripheral blood or lymphoblastoid cell lines. Genes were selected for sequencing based on each patient's clinical presentation and suspected diagnosis. Observed DNA sequence variations were assessed for pathogenicity by review of the scientific literature, and mutation and polymorphism databases, through the use of in silico tools including sorting intolerant from tolerant (SIFT) and polymorphism phenotyping (PolyPhen), and according to the recommendations of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics for the interpretation of DNA sequence variations. Novel DNA sequence variations were sought in controls.

Results

DNA sequencing of the coding and near-coding regions of genes relevant to each patient's clinical presentation revealed 37 sequence variations of known or uncertain pathogenicity in 9 genes from 25 patients. 14 novel sequence variations were discovered. Assessment of phenotypes revealed notable findings in 9 patients.

Conclusions

DNA sequencing in patients whose clinical presentation suggested a genetic syndrome or auditory neuropathy provided opportunities for aetiological assessment and more precise genetic counselling of patients and families. The failure to identify a genetic aetiology in many patients in this study highlights the extreme heterogeneity of genetic hearing loss, the incompleteness of current knowledge of aetiologies of hearing loss, and the limitations of conventional DNA sequencing strategies that evaluate only coding and near-coding segments of genes.
Immunohistochemical panel to differentiate endometrial stromal sarcoma, uterine leiomyosarcoma and leiomyoma: something old and something new
Authors: Hwang Helena , Matsuo Koji , Duncan Kara , Pakzamir Elham , Pham Huyen Q , Correa Adrian , Fedenko Alexander , Mhawech-Fauceglia Paulette
Published: May 2015

Aims

To evaluate an immunohistochemical panel differentiating endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) from uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) and leiomyoma (LM).

Methods

94 cases (28 ESS, 41 ULMS, 25 LM) were retrieved and arrayed. 10 immunomarkers (estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), CD10, smooth muscle actin, desmin, h-caldesmon, transgelin, GEM, ASC1, stathmin1) were used. A predictive model was constructed and examined by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis to determine area under the curve (AUC).

Results

The combination of ER+/PR+/CD10+/GEM−/h-caldesmon−/transgelin−can predict ESS versus ULMS with AUC predictive value of 0.872 (95% CI 0.784 to 0.961, p<0.0001). The combination of ER+/PR+/CD10+/h-caldesmon−/transgelin−can predict low grade (LG) ESS from ‘LG’ ULMS with AUC predictive value of 0.914 (95% CI 0.832 to 0.995, p<0.0001). Finally, ULMS and ESS, including the LGs, were more likely to be stathmin1+than LM.

Conclusions

Due to the different clinical course and management, adding novel antibodies (GEM, transgelin) to the well established immunohistochemistry panel seemed to be useful in distinguishing ESS from ULMS and LG ESS from ‘LG’ ULMS. Finally, stathmin1 expression could be of value in differentiating LM from uterine sarcomas.
Observer variability in the assessment of CT coronary angiography and coronary artery calcium score: substudy of the Scottish COmputed Tomography of the HEART (SCOT-HEART) trial
Authors: Williams Michelle C , Golay Saroj K , Hunter Amanda , Weir-McCall Jonathan R , Mlynska Lucja , Dweck Marc R , Uren Neal G , Reid John H , Lewis Steff C , Berry Colin , van Beek Edwin J R , Roditi Giles , Newby David E , Mirsadraee Saeed
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Observer variability can influence the assessment of CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and the subsequent diagnosis of angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease.

Methods

We assessed 210 CTCAs from the Scottish COmputed Tomography of the HEART (SCOT-HEART) trial for intraobserver and interobserver variability. Calcium score, coronary angiography and image quality were evaluated. Coronary artery disease was defined as none (<10%), mild (10–49%), moderate (50–70%) and severe (>70%) luminal stenosis and classified as no (<10%), non-obstructive (10–70%) or obstructive (>70%) coronary artery disease. Post-CTCA diagnosis of angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease was classified as yes, probable, unlikely or no.

Results

Patients had a mean body mass index of 29 (28, 30) kg/m2, heart rate of 58 (57, 60)/min and 62% were men. Intraobserver and interobserver agreements for the presence or absence of coronary artery disease were excellent (95% agreement, κ 0.884 (0.817 to 0.951) and good (91%, 0.791 (0.703 to 0.879)). Intraobserver and interobserver agreement for the presence or absence of angina pectoris due to coronary heart disease were excellent (93%, 0.842 (0.918 to 0.755) and good (86%, 0.701 (0.799 to 0.603)), respectively. Observer variability of calcium score was excellent for calcium scores below 1000. More segments were categorised as uninterpretable with 64-multidetector compared to 320-multidetector CTCA (10.1% vs 2.6%, p<0.001) but there was no difference in observer variability.

Conclusions

Multicentre multidetector CTCA has excellent agreement in patients under investigation for suspected angina due to coronary heart disease.

Trial registration number

NCT01149590.
Body composition changes affect energy cost of running during 12 months of specific diet and training in amateur athletes
Authors: Ghiani Giovanna , Marongiu Elisabetta , Melis Franco , Angioni Giuseppina , Sanna Irene , Loi Andrea , Pusceddu Matteo , Pinna Virginia , Crisafulli Antonio , Tocco Filippo
Published: May 2015

Considering the relation between body weight composition and energy cost of running, we tested the hypothesis that by modifying body composition by means of a combined protocol of specific diet and training, the energy cost of motion (Cr) may be reduced. Forty-five healthy and normal-weight subjects were divided into 3 groups that performed a different treatment: the first group attended a dietary protocol (D), the second group participated in a running program (R), and the third group followed both the dietary and running protocols (R&D). Each subject underwent 3 anthropometric and exercise evaluation tests during 1 year (at entry (T0), month 6 (T6), and month 12 (T12)) to assess body composition and Cradjustments. The mean fat mass (FM) values were reduced in R&D from 12.0 ± 4.0 to 10.4 ± 3.0 kg (p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12) and in the D group from 14.2 ± 5.8 to 11.6 ± 4.7 kg (p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12). Conversely, the mean fat free mass values increased in R&D (from 56.3 ± 8.8 to 58.3 ± 9.8 kg, p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12) and in the D group (from 50.6 ± 13.2 to 52.9 ± 13.6 kg, p < 0.05 T0 vs. T12). The mean Cr values of the 2 groups were significantly modified throughout the 1-year protocol (1.48 ± 0.16 and 1.40 ± 0.15 kcal·kg–b·km−1in the R&D group at T0 and T12, respectively; 1.83 ± 0.17 and 1.76 ± 0.23 kcal·kg–b·km−1in D group at T0 to T12, respectively). The R&D and D groups that underwent the diet protocol had a positive change in body composition during the year (FM/fat free mass ratio decline), which determined a Crreduction.
The nonlinear effects of sound in a liquid with relaxation losses
Authors: Perelomova Anna
Published: May 2015

The nonlinear effects of sound in electrolyte with a chemical reaction are examined. The dynamic equations that govern non-wave modes in the field of intense sound are derived, and acoustic forces of vortex, entropy, and relaxation modes are determined in the cases of low-frequency sound and high-frequency sound. The difference in the nonlinear effects of sound in electrolyte and in a gas with excited vibrational degrees of molecules, are specified and discussed.
Editorial — Recent Progress in Intelligent and Evolutionary Algorithms and their Applications
Authors: Sato Aki-Hiro , Kawakami Hiroshi , Hiraoka Toshihiro
Published: May 2015

This is a topical issue on the 16th Asia–Pacific Symposium on Intelligent and Evolutionary Systems (IES) which was held in Kyoto from December 12–14, 2012. This special issue contains six articles related to evolutionary algorithms that are designed to solve optimization problems, network concepts, mathematical methods and their real world applications.
Mitigating Cascading Failure with Adaptive Networking
Authors: Tran Hoang Anh Q. , Namatame Akira
Published: May 2015

The increase of a network connectivity may improve network performance, but at the same time, it may also increase the chance of extremely large risk contagion. If external shocks or excess loads at some agents are propagated to the other connected agents due to failure, the domino effects often come with disastrous consequences. How to prevent cascading failures due to external shocks is an important emerging issue. In this paper, we propose mechanisms of mitigating flow-based cascading failure. Our aim is to improve the network's resilience actively and topologically. In the scenario of how to increase cascade resilience actively, we provide a simple micro-foundation based on coordinated incentives to absorb external shocks in order to survive collectively. We propose two types of risk sharing protocols: The topology-based and non-topology-based risk sharing in which network topology plays an important role. These rules employ local sharing algorithms to achieve global shock balancing. The models of shock transfer are designed to investigate some stylized facts on how external or innate shocks tend to be allocated in a network, and how this allocation changes agents' failure probability. In the scenario of how to increase cascade resilience topologically, we provide a rewiring method in which a network is self-organizable to reduce the damage of cascading failure. Simulation results indicate that risk management and adaptive network may dramatically reduce the average size of large cascading failures.
Multi-objective Optimization for Common and Special Components: First Step Toward Network Optimization of Regular and Non-Regular Flights
Authors: Jinba Takahiro , Kitagawa Hiroto , Azuma Eriko , Sato Keiji , Sato Hiroyuki , Hattori Kiyohiko , Takadama Keiki
Published: May 2015

To optimize the problem composed of (i) the common components which should be optimized from the viewpoint of all objective functions and (ii) the special components which should be optimized from the viewpoint of one of the objective functions, this paper proposes a new multi-objective optimization method which optimizes not only the common components for all objective functions but also the special ones for each objective function. To investigate the effectiveness of the proposed method, this paper tested our method on the test-bed problem which is an extended version of the 0/1 knapsack problem. The intensive experiments have revealed the following implications: (i) Our method finds better solutions which have higher fitness than the conventional method (NSGA-II); (ii) our method can find the solutions that had a large norm (which corresponds to a high profit of an airline company in the flight scheduling problem) with the high rate of the common components; and (iii) since the crowding distance employed in our method contributes to keeping the diversity during the solution search, our method has high exploration capability of solutions.
Angiotensin II regulates brain (pro)renin receptor expression through activation of cAMP response element-binding protein
Authors: Li Wencheng , Liu Jiao , Hammond Sean L. , Tjalkens Ronald B. , Saifudeen Zubaida , Feng Yumei
Published: May 2015

We reported that brain (pro)renin receptor (PRR) expression levels are elevated in DOCA-salt-induced hypertension; however, the underlying mechanism remained unknown. To address whether ANG II type 1 receptor (AT1R) signaling is involved in this regulation, we implanted a DOCA pellet and supplied 0.9% saline as the drinking solution to C57BL/6J mice. Sham pellet-implanted mice that were provided regular drinking water served as controls. Concurrently, mice were intracerebroventricularly infused with the AT1R blocker losartan, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor captopril, or artificial cerebrospinal fluid for 3 wk. Intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan or captopril attenuated DOCA-salt-induced PRR mRNA elevation in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, suggesting a role for ANG II/AT1R signaling in regulating PRR expression during DOCA-salt hypertension. To test which ANG II/AT1R downstream transcription factors were involved in PRR regulation, we treated Neuro-2A cells with ANG II with or without CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) or AP-1 (activator protein-1) inhibitors, or CREB siRNA. CREB and AP-1 inhibitors, as well as CREB knockdown abolished ANG II-induced increases in PRR levels. ANG II also induced PRR upregulation in primary cultured neurons. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that ANG II treatment increased CREB binding to the endogenous PRR promoter in both cultured neurons and hypothalamic tissues of DOCA-salt hypertensive mice. This increase in CREB activity was reversed by AT1R blockade. Collectively, these findings indicate that ANG II acts via AT1R to upregulate PRR expression both in cultured cells and in DOCA-salt hypertensive mice by increasing CREB binding to the PRR promoter.
A hard-wired priority map in the superior colliculus shaped by asymmetric inhibitory circuitry
Authors: Bayguinov Peter O. , Ghitani Nima , Jackson Meyer B. , Basso Michele A.
Published: May 2015

The mammalian superior colliculus (SC) is a laminar midbrain structure that translates visual signals into commands to shift the focus of attention and gaze. The SC plays an integral role in selecting targets and ultimately generating rapid eye movements to those targets. In all mammals studied to date, neurons in the SC are arranged topographically such that the location of visual stimuli and the endpoints of orienting movements form organized maps in superficial and deeper layers, respectively. The organization of these maps is thought to underlie attentional priority by assessing which regions of the visual field contain behaviorally relevant information. Using voltage imaging and patch-clamp recordings in parasagittal SC slices from the rat, we found the synaptic circuitry of the visuosensory map in the SC imposes a strong bias. Voltage imaging of responses to electrical stimulation revealed more spread in the caudal direction than the rostral direction. Pharmacological experiments demonstrated that this asymmetry arises from GABAA receptor activation rostral to the site of stimulation. Patch-clamp recordings confirmed this rostrally directed inhibitory circuit and showed that it is contained within the visuosensory layers of the SC. Stimulation of two sites showed that initial stimulation of a caudal site can take priority over subsequent stimulation of a rostral site. Taken together, our data indicate that the circuitry of the visuosensory SC is hard-wired to give higher priority to more peripheral targets, and this property is conferred by a uniquely structured, dedicated inhibitory circuit.
Diabetes induces GABA receptor plasticity in murine vagal motor neurons
Authors: Boychuk C. R. , Halmos K. Cs. , Smith B. N.
Published: May 2015

Autonomic dysregulation accompanies type-1 diabetes, and synaptic regulation of parasympathetic preganglionic motor neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) is altered after chronic hyperglycemia/hypoinsulinemia. Tonic gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) inhibition prominently regulates DMV neuron activity, which contributes to autonomic control of energy homeostasis. This study investigated persistent effects of chronic hyperglycemia/hypoinsulinemia on GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition in the DMV after streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetes using electrophysiological recordings in vitro, quantitative (q)RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Application of the nonspecific GABAA receptor agonist muscimol evoked an outward current of significantly larger amplitude in DMV neurons from diabetic mice than controls. Results from application of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4- c]pyridin-3-ol hydrochloride (THIP), a δ-subunit agonist, suggested that GABAA receptors containing δ-subunits contributed to the enhanced inducible tonic GABA current in diabetic mice. Sensitivity to THIP of inhibitory postsynaptic currents in DMV neurons from diabetic mice was also increased. Results from qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical analyses indicated that the altered GABAergic inhibition may be related to increased trafficking of GABAA receptors that contain the δ-subunit, rather than an expression change. Overall these findings suggest increased sensitivity of δ-subunit containing GABAA receptors after several days of hyperglycemia/hypoinsulinemia, which dramatically alters GABAergic inhibition of DMV neurons and could contribute to diabetic autonomic dysregulation.
Value-based attentional capture influences context-dependent decision-making
Authors: Itthipuripat Sirawaj , Cha Kexin , Rangsipat Napat , Serences John T.
Published: May 2015

Normative theories posit that value-based decision-making is context independent. However, decisions between two high-value options can be suboptimally biased by the introduction of a third low-value option. This context-dependent modulation is consistent with the divisive normalization of the value of each stimulus by the total value of all stimuli. In addition, an independent line of research demonstrates that pairing a stimulus with a high-value outcome can lead to attentional capture that can mediate the efficiency of visual information processing. Here we tested the hypothesis that value-based attentional capture interacts with value-based normalization to influence the optimality of decision-making. We used a binary-choice paradigm in which observers selected between two targets and the color of each target indicated the magnitude of their reward potential. Observers also had to simultaneously ignore a task-irrelevant distractor rendered in a color that was previously associated with a specific reward magnitude. When the color of the task-irrelevant distractor was previously associated with a high reward, observers responded more slowly and less optimally. Moreover, as the learned value of the distractor increased, electrophysiological data revealed an attenuation of the lateralized N1 and N2Pc responses evoked by the relevant choice stimuli and an attenuation of the late positive deflection (LPD). Collectively, these behavioral and electrophysiological data suggest that value-based attentional capture and value-based normalization jointly mediate the influence of context on free-choice decision-making.
Context cue-dependent saccadic adaptation in rhesus macaques cannot be elicited using color
Authors: Cecala Aaron L. , Smalianchuk Ivan , Khanna Sanjeev B. , Smith Matthew A. , Gandhi Neeraj J.
Published: May 2015

When the head does not move, rapid movements of the eyes called saccades are used to redirect the line of sight. Saccades are defined by a series of metrical and kinematic (evolution of a movement as a function of time) relationships. For example, the amplitude of a saccade made from one visual target to another is roughly 90% of the distance between the initial fixation point (T0) and the peripheral target (T1). However, this stereotypical relationship between saccade amplitude and initial retinal error (T1-T0) may be altered, either increased or decreased, by surreptitiously displacing a visual target during an ongoing saccade. This form of motor learning (called saccadic adaptation) has been described in both humans and monkeys. Recent experiments in humans and monkeys have suggested that internal (proprioceptive) and external (target shape, color, and/or motion) cues may be used to produce context-dependent adaptation. We tested the hypothesis that an external contextual cue (target color) could be used to evoke differential gain (actual saccade/initial retinal error) states in rhesus monkeys. We did not observe differential gain states correlated with target color regardless of whether targets were displaced along the same vector as the primary saccade or perpendicular to it. Furthermore, this observation held true regardless of whether adaptation trials using various colors and intrasaccade target displacements were randomly intermixed or presented in short or long blocks of trials. These results are consistent with hypotheses that state that color cannot be used as a contextual cue and are interpreted in light of previous studies of saccadic adaptation in both humans and monkeys.
Speed-accuracy tradeoff by a control signal with balanced excitation and inhibition
Authors: Lo Chung-Chuan , Wang Cheng-Te , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: May 2015

A hallmark of flexible behavior is the brain's ability to dynamically adjust speed and accuracy in decision-making. Recent studies suggested that such adjustments modulate not only the decision threshold, but also the rate of evidence accumulation. However, the underlying neuronal-level mechanism of the rate change remains unclear. In this work, using a spiking neural network model of perceptual decision, we demonstrate that speed and accuracy of a decision process can be effectively adjusted by manipulating a top-down control signal with balanced excitation and inhibition [balanced synaptic input (BSI)]. Our model predicts that emphasizing accuracy over speed leads to reduced rate of ramping activity and reduced baseline activity of decision neurons, which have been observed recently at the level of single neurons recorded from behaving monkeys in speed-accuracy tradeoff tasks. Moreover, we found that an increased inhibitory component of BSI skews the decision time distribution and produces a pronounced exponential tail, which is commonly observed in human studies. Our findings suggest that BSI can serve as a top-down control mechanism to rapidly and parametrically trade between speed and accuracy, and such a cognitive control signal presents both when the subjects emphasize accuracy or speed in perceptual decisions.
Choice of Antiepileptic Drugs in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy: UAE Experience
Authors: Alsaadi Taoufik , Taha Haytham , Al Hammadi Fatema
Published: May 2015

We retrospectively reviewed the electroencephalogram (EEG) reports of patients at our EEG lab from the years 2005–2010 to identify patients referred from the epilepsy clinic, with a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) by EEG criteria. We sought to report our experience in UAE of how often patients with IGE are placed on nonspecific antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) before being evaluated at an epilepsy referral clinic. 109 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of IGE based on EEG criteria were identified. When initially seen, 32.11% were taking a broad-spectrum (specific) AED only, 25.69% were taking a narrow-spectrum (nonspecific) AED, and 15.59% were placed on various combinations. Of the total patients who were receiving nonspecific AEDs, 35.71% were seizure-free and 64.28% were poorly controlled accounting for “pseudointractability status.” When converted to broad-spectrum (specific) AEDs, 50% became well controlled. Furthermore, 26.6% of patients, who were previously on no AED prior to the clinic visit, became well controlled once placed on specific AED.
Sedum mexicanumBritt. Induces Apoptosis of Primary Rat Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells
Authors: Lee Shou-Lun , Chin Ting-Yu , Lai Ching-Long , Wang Wen-Han
Published: May 2015

Background. Liver fibrosis is a significant liver disease in Asian countries.Sedum mexicanumBritt. (SM) has been claimed to have antihepatitis efficacy. In traditional folk medicine, a solution of boiling water-extracted SM (SME) is consumed to prevent and treat hepatitis. However, its efficacy has not yet been verified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of SME on hepatoprotection.Methods. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatocytes (HCs) were isolated from the livers of the rats by enzymatic digestion and density gradient centrifugation.Results. Treating the HCs and aHSCs with SME caused a dose-dependent decrease in the viability of aHSCs but not that of HCs. In addition, treatment with SME resulted in apoptosis of aHSCs, as determined by DAPI analysis and flow cytometry. SME also increased the amount of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) in aHSCs. Furthermore, SME treatment induced a dose-dependent reduction in Bcl-2 expression and increased the expression of Bax in aHSCs.Conclusions. SME did not cause cytotoxicity in HCs, but it induced apoptosis in aHSCs through the mitochondria-dependent caspase-3 pathway. Therefore, SME may possess therapeutic potential for liver fibrosis.
Advanced Smoothing Approach of RSSI and LQI for Indoor Localization System
Authors: Halder Sharly Joana , Giri Paritosh , Kim Wooju
Published: May 2015

Ubiquitous indoor environments often contain substantial amounts of metal and other similar reflective materials that affect the propagation of radio frequency signals in important ways, causing severe multipath effects, including noise and interference, when measuring the signal strength between sender and receiver. To minimize the noise level, this study proposes advanced fusion filter (AFF) and improved fusion filter (IFF) using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and link quality indicator (LQI) by using feedback filter. The aim of this research was to provide a low cost, simple technique based on RSSI and LQI values, provided by ZigBee module without considering needs to change the system according to specific indoor environments. The proposed technique could efficiently decrease huge amount of noise level from the original signal. To check the performance of the proposed technique, this study applied median filter and Savitzky-Golay filter to compare the performance of AFF and IFF. Further, the statistical analysis technique of cross-correlation method was used to check the similarity between original signal and filtered signal. The simulation results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed RF-based indoor location determination.
Dislocation Synchronization of the Different Complex Value Chaotic Systems Based on Single Adaptive Sliding Mode Controller
Authors: Huang Li-lian , Shi Shuai-shuai , Zhang Juan
Published: May 2015

Based on the active control and the adaptive sliding mode controller, a new method of the combination of the active control and the single adaptive sliding mode variable structure control is proposed to realize the dislocation synchronization of the three-dimensional different complex value chaotic systems. The synchronization method is suitable not only for the same complex value chaotic systems, but also for different complex value chaotic systems, so it expands the application of the single sliding mode controller. For the states in the complex space of the driving system and response system, the synchronization for the complex state of the two different chaotic systems is achieved according to the dislocation relationship, not in accordance with the corresponding relationship. The complexity of complex value chaotic system and the diversity of dislocation synchronization increase the security of the chaotic secure communication. This single adaptive sliding mode variable structure controller is simple, and it can enhance the robustness of the system. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation prove the feasibility and effectiveness of the controller designed.
Symmetry Properties of Optimal Relative Orbit Trajectories
Authors: Pontani Mauro
Published: May 2015

The determination of minimum-fuel or minimum-time relative orbit trajectories represents a classical topic in astrodynamics. This work illustrates some symmetry properties that hold for optimal relative paths and can considerably simplify their determination. The existence of symmetry properties is demonstrated in the presence of certain boundary conditions for the problems of interest, described by the linear Euler-Hill-Clohessy-Wiltshire equations of relative motion. With regard to minimum-fuel paths, the primer vector theory predicts the existence of several powered phases, divided by coast arcs. In general, the optimal thrust sequence and duration depend on the time evolution of the switching function. In contrast, a minimum-time trajectory is composed of a single continuous-thrust phase. The first symmetry property concerns minimum-fuel and minimum-time orbit paths, both in two and in three dimensions. The second symmetry property regards minimum-fuel relative trajectories. Several examples illustrate the usefulness of these properties in determining minimum-time and minimum-fuel relative paths.
Bayesian Network Based Fault Prognosis via Bond Graph Modeling of High-Speed Railway Traction Device
Authors: Wu Yunkai , Jiang Bin , Lu Ningyun , Zhou Yang
Published: May 2015

Reliability of the traction system is of critical importance to the safety of CRH (China Railway High-speed) high-speed train. To investigate fault propagation mechanism and predict the probabilities of component-level faults accurately for a high-speed railway traction system, a fault prognosis approach via Bayesian network and bond graph modeling techniques is proposed. The inherent structure of a railway traction system is represented by bond graph model, based on which a multilayer Bayesian network is developed for fault propagation analysis and fault prediction. For complete and incomplete data sets, two different parameter learning algorithms such as Bayesian estimation and expectation maximization (EM) algorithm are adopted to determine the conditional probability table of the Bayesian network. The proposed prognosis approach using Pearl’s polytree propagation algorithm for joint probability reasoning can predict the failure probabilities of leaf nodes based on the current status of root nodes. Verification results in a high-speed railway traction simulation system can demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Unsteady/Steady Hydromagnetic Convective Flow between Two Vertical Walls in the Presence of Variable Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Hamza M. M. , Usman I. G. , Sule A.
Published: May 2015

Unsteady as well as steady natural convection flow in a vertical channel in the presence of uniform magnetic field applied normal to the flow region and temperature dependent variable thermal conductivity is studied. The nonlinear partial differential equations governing the flow have been solved numerically using unconditionally stable and convergent semi-implicit finite difference scheme. For steady case, approximate solutions have been derived for velocity, temperature, skin friction, and the rate of heat transfer using perturbation series method. Results of the computations for velocity, temperature, skin friction, and the rate of heat transfer are presented graphically and discussed quantitatively for various parameters embedded in the problem. An excellent agreement was found during the numerical computations between the steady-state approximate solutions and unsteady numerical solutions at steady-state time. In addition, comparison with previously published work is performed and the results agree well.
An Improved LC‐MS/MS Method for Simultaneous Determination of the Eleven Bioactive Constituents for Quality Control of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis and Its Related Preparations
Authors: Li Jin , Zhang Qiu-Hong , He Jun , Liu Er-wei , Gao Xiu-mei , Chang Yan-xu
Published: May 2015

An improved LC‐MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous determination of eleven bioactive constituents of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis and its related preparations. It was the first report on the quantification of bioactive constituents in different preparations of Radix Angelicae Pubescentis by LC‐MS/MS analytical method. These samples were separated with an Agilent Zorbax Extend reversed‐phase C18 column (1.8 μm, 4.6 × 100 mm) by linear gradient elution using aqueous ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.3 mL min−1. The eleven bioactive constituents showed good regression (R > 0.990) within test ranges and the recoveries were in the range of 87.1–110%. The limit of detections and quantifications for most of the major constituents were less than 0.5 and 1.0 ng mL−1, respectively. All results indicated that the developed method could be readily utilized as a suitable quality control method for Radix Angelicae Pubescentis and related preparations.
Semiglobal Finite-Time Synchronization of Complex Dynamical Networks via Periodically Intermittent Control
Authors: Fan Yihan , Liu Hongmei , Mei Jun
Published: May 2015

This paper studies the finite-time synchronization problem for a class of complex dynamical networks by means of periodically intermittent control. Based on some analysis techniques and finite-time stability theory, some novel and effective finite-time synchronization criteria are given in terms of a set of linear matrix inequalities. Particularly, the previous synchronization problem by using periodically intermittent control has been extended in this paper. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to verify the theoretical results.
Extract ofAllium tuberosum Rottler ex SprengPromoted the Hair Growth through Regulating the Expression of IGF-1
Authors: Park Ki Moon , Kim Dong Woo , Lee Seung Ho
Published: May 2015

Allium tuberosum Rottler ex Spreng(ATRES) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and asthma. In this study, we investigated the hair growth promoting activities of ATRES on telogenic C57BL6/N mice. Hair growth was significantly increased in the dorsal skin of ethanol extract of ATRES treated mouse group compared with the control mouse group. To enrich the hair promoting activity, an ethanol-insoluble fraction was further extracted in sequence withn-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate,n-butanol, and distilled water. Interestingly, we found that extraction withn-butanol is most efficient in producing the hair promoting activity. In addition, the soluble fraction of then-butanol extract was further separated by silica gel chromatography and thin layer chromatography (TLC) resulting in isolating four single fractions which have hair growth regeneration potential. Furthermore, administration of ATRES extracts to dorsal skin area increased the number of hair follicles compared with control mouse group. Interestingly, administration of ATRES extract stimulated the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) but not of keratin growth factor (KGF) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Taken together, these results suggest that ATRES possesses strong hair growth promoting potential which controls the expression of IGF-1.
The Effect of Cataract on Eye Movement Perimetry
Authors: Thepass G. , Pel J. J. M. , Vermeer K. A. , Creten O. , Bryan S. R. , Lemij H. G. , van der Steen J.
Published: May 2015

Purpose. To determine how different grades of cataract affect sensitivity threshold and saccadic reaction time (SRT) in eye movement perimetry (EMP).Methods. In EMP, the visual field is tested by assessing the saccades that a subject makes towards peripheral stimuli using an eye tracker. Forty-eight cataract patients underwent pre- and postoperative EMP examination in both eyes. The subjects had to fix a central stimulus presented on the eye tracker monitor and to look at any detected peripheral stimulus upon its appearance. A multilevel mixed model was used to determine the factors that affected the sensitivity threshold and the SRT as a function of cataract grade.Results. We found no effect of cataract severity (LOCS III grades I through IV) on SRT and the sensitivity thresholds. In cataract of LOCS III grade V, however, we found an increase by 27% and 21% (p<0.001), respectively, compared to the SRT and the sensitivity threshold in LOCS III grade I. Eyes that underwent cataract surgery showed no change in mean SRTs and sensitivity thresholds after surgery in LOCS III grade IV and lower.Conclusion. The present study shows that EMP can be readily used in patients with cataract with LOCS III grade IV and below.
Structural and Electronic Properties of GaN (0001)/α-Al2O3(0001) Interface
Authors: Pereira M. B. , Diniz E. M. , Guerini S.
Published: May 2015

Structural and electronic properties of the interface betweenα-Al2O3(0001) and GaN (0001) surfaces are investigated throughab initiocalculations within the density functional theory. Two different structural models have been investigated interface N(Ga)-terminated. The interface N-terminated GaN surface seems to exhibit the lowest formation energy. The studied interface models are metallic, with the levels at energy spatially confined in the interface region. Our calculations show strong hybridization between atoms in the interface region.
Development of a Layer-by-Layer Assembled Film on Hydrogel for Ocular Drug Delivery
Authors: Chen Pin , Wang Xin , Dong Yan , Hu Xiaohong
Published: May 2015

Hydrogel is a kind of attractive drug carriers because of its good biocompatibility and transparency. But traditional hydrogel showed some restrictions in its application in ocular drug delivery. A simple surface modification technique based on layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembled multilayer for ocular drug delivery was developed in this work. Polycarboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin (poly(CM-β-CD))/poly-l-lysine (PLL) multilayer film was designed and constructed for ocular drug delivery, sinceβ-CD showed good drug delivery property. The properties such as the contact angle and transparency varied a little with the deposition of poly(CM-β-CD)/PLL multilayer. Orfloxacin and puerarin were loaded into multilayer during the self-assembly procedure by two methods, which were tracked by the largest drug absorbance of UV spectrum. The loaded drug amount by incorporating drugs into poly(CM-β-CD) solution was larger than that by incorporating drugs into PLL solution. The loaded drug in the multilayer could gradually be released from multilayer in some period either for orfloxacin or for puerarin. The drug release behavior was influenced by drug loading method and pH value of released medium. Moreover, the balanced released drug amount by incorporating drugs into poly(CM-β-CD) solution is much smaller than that by incorporating drugs into PLL solution.
Ship-Borne Phased Array Radar Using GA Based Adaptiveα-β-γFilter for Beamforming Compensation and Air Target Tracking
Authors: Mar J. , Liu Chen-Chih , Basnet M. B.
Published: May 2015

Beam pointing error caused by ship motion over the ocean affects the tracking performance of the ship-borne phased array radar. Due to the dynamic nature of the sea environments, the ship-borne phased array radar must be able to compensate for the ship’s motion adaptively. In this paper, the adaptiveα-β-γfilter is proposed for the ship-borne phased array radar to compensate for the beam pointing error and to track the air target. The genetic algorithm (GA) and the particle swarm optimization (PSO) methods are applied to estimate the gain parameters of adaptiveα-β-γfilters, while achieving the optimum objective of minimum root mean square error (RMSE). The roll and pitch data measured from a gyroscope of the sea vehicle and generated from ship motion mathematical model are used in the experiments. The tracking accuracy of adaptiveα-β-γfilter using the GA method is compared with PSO method under different ship motion conditions. The convergent time and tracking accuracy of ship-borne phased array radar using the proposed GA based adaptiveα-β-γfilter are also compared with the adaptive extended Kalman filter (AEKF). Finally, it is proved that the proposed GA based adaptiveα-β-γfilter is a real time applicable algorithm for ship-borne phased array radar.
Exact Solutions for Some Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Sonmezoglu Abdullah
Published: May 2015

The extended Jacobi elliptic function expansion method is used for solving fractional differential equations in the sense of Jumarie’s modified Riemann-Liouville derivative. By means of this approach, a few fractional differential equations are successfully solved. As a result, some new Jacobi elliptic function solutions including solitary wave solutions and trigonometric function solutions are established. The proposed method can also be applied to other fractional differential equations.
Body Image Disturbance in Acromegaly Patients Compared to Nonfunctioning Pituitary Adenoma Patients and Controls
Authors: Conaglen Helen M. , de Jong Dennis , Crawford Veronica , Elston Marianne S. , Conaglen John V.
Published: May 2015

Purpose. Excess growth hormone secretion in adults results in acromegaly, a condition in which multiple physical changes occur including bony and soft tissue overgrowth. Over time these changes can markedly alter a person’s appearance. The aim of this study was to compare body image disturbance in patients with acromegaly to those with nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) and controls and assess the impact of obesity in these groups.Methods. A cross-sectional survey including quality of life, body image disturbance, anxiety and depression measures, growth hormone, and BMI measurement was carried out.Results. The groups did not differ with respect to body image disturbance. However separate analysis of obese participants demonstrated relationships between mood scales, body image disturbance, and pain issues, particularly for acromegaly patients.Conclusions. While the primary hypothesis that acromegaly might be associated with body image disturbance was not borne out, we have shown that obesity together with acromegaly and NFA can be associated with body image issues, suggesting that BMI rather than primary diagnosis might better indicate whether patients might experience body image disturbance problems.
Towards an Analytical Age‐Dependent Model of Contrast Sensitivity Functions for an Ageing Society
Authors: Joulan Karine , Brémond Roland , Hautière Nicolas
Published: May 2015

The Contrast Sensitivity Function (CSF) describes how the visibility of a grating depends on the stimulus spatial frequency. Many published CSF data have demonstrated that contrast sensitivity declines with age. However, an age‐dependent analytical model of the CSF is not available to date. In this paper, we propose such an analytical CSF model based on visual mechanisms, taking into account the age factor. To this end, we have extended an existing model from Barten (1999), taking into account the dependencies of this model’s optical and physiological parameters on age. Age‐dependent models of the cones and ganglion cells densities, the optical and neural MTF, and optical and neural noise are proposed, based on published data. The proposed age‐dependent CSF is finally tested against available experimental data, with fair results. Such an age‐dependent model may be beneficial when designing real‐time age‐dependent image coding and display applications.
Extreme Precipitation Changes in the Semiarid Region of Xinjiang, Northwest China
Authors: Zhang Yanwei , Ge Quansheng , Liu Minzhe
Published: May 2015

This study focuses on extreme precipitation changes in Xinjiang Province of Northwest China, which has experienced an increase in climate disasters in recent years. This paper investigates extreme precipitation events in Xinjiang, using 54 stations with daily precipitation records from the period 1961–2008. Different statistical tests and approaches were used to check the significance of trends of single and Xinjiang regionally aggregated precipitation series for intensity and in frequency. There were predominantly positive trends in annual maximum precipitation and a remarkable increment in the frequency of extreme precipitation over certain thresholds (from 10 to 40 mm). Although the series of frequencies exceeding thresholds had positive trends, only a minority were statistically significant. This lack of significance is because of the high variability of extreme precipitation in space and time. Thus, significant trends were evident when we assessed the extreme precipitation indicators of intensity and frequency at the regional level, both in intensity and frequency over thresholds, with a clearer signal in Xinjiang.