bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Classifying Secondary Task Driving Safety Using Method of F-ANP
Authors: Jin Lisheng , Li Keyong , Jiang Yuying , Xian Huacai , Gao Linlin
Published: March 2015

This study was designed to build an evaluation system for secondary task driving safety by using method of Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (F-ANP). Forty drivers completed driving on driving simulator while interacting with or without a secondary task. Measures of fixations, saccades, and vehicle running status were analyzed. According to five experts' opinions, a hierarchical model for secondary task driving safety evaluation was built. The hierarchical model was divided into three levels: goal, assessment dimension, and criteria. Seven indexes make up the level of criteria, and the assessment dimension includes two clusters: vehicle control risk and driver eye movement risk. By method of F-ANP, the priorities of the criteria and the subcriteria were determined. Furthermore, to rank the driving safety, an approach based on the principle of maximum membership degree was adopted. At last, a case study of secondary task driving safety evaluation by forty drivers using the proposed method was done. The results indicated that the application of the proposed method is practically feasible and adoptable for secondary task driving safety evaluation.
Study on Universal Parameter of Power System for Urban Bus in Cold Region Based on Driving Cycles
Authors: Li Shi-wu , Yang Zhong-kai , Yang Zhi-fa , Yang Liang-kun , Xu Yi , Guo Meng-zhu
Published: March 2015

In northern China, temperature is below zero degrees Celsius more than six months in a year. The buses lacked power and temperature in winter. In order to study the universal parameter of power system, 40 bus lines were selected. The bus lines came from the cities of Changchun, Jilin, Tonghua, and Songyuan. Driving cycle's data was collected by an experiment with the real urban bus in two years. After defining the kinematics fragments and characteristic parameter, 13660 divided kinematics fragments and 13 selected kinematic eigenvalues composed a matrix. After reducing the matrix by principal component analysis, the matrix has been reconstructed including the kinematics fragments and the corresponding principal component score. The 13660 kinematics fragments were divided into three categories by fuzzy C-means clustering. On this basis, abnormal data were removed by Pauta criterion. Then according to the characteristic parameter of kinematic eigenvalues, a model on engine power and driving cycles was built, which included the heating power in the winter. Finally, three sets of power-weight ratios were calculated by the weight and volume of the traditional local bus. The buses which are configured with this method have enough power to provide warm carriage.
Model of Bus and Urban Rail Transfer Behavior Based on General Cost Function
Authors: Zhang Jielin , Li Tiezhu
Published: March 2015

To design an efficient feeder bus route network and develop a better integrated intermodal system, it is necessary to study travelers' mode choice behavior. This paper focuses on the transfer behavior model between bus transit and urban rail. Based on the theory of Binary logit (BL) model, a new generalized travel cost model (GTC) which considers the influencing factors including travel distance, travel cost, and transfer time is established, and the choice model of bus and urban rail with the influence of transfer behavior is built. Then, a deeper analyzing process is conducted to get the significance of the model. In addition, the accuracy and feasibility of the model are verified through using the real survey data. Finally, according to the model results, some countermeasures consisting of improving the transfer condition and optimizing price charging pattern are given to promote a better public transportation system.
Active Speed Compensation Method of Direct Torque Control System and Stability Analysis
Authors: Li Rui , Tong Chao-nan , Yang Xu
Published: March 2015

By analyzing characteristics of the DTC (direct torque control) system in electrical driving system, a shortcoming of the classical DTC method is to point out that it is unable to decouple the mutual interference between torque and speed, so that when a running asynchronous motor subjected to an instantaneous impact load, rotor speed and its deviation appears excessive fluctuations that can not be quickly restored to the initial set value. In this research, under conditions that without sensors for measuring load torque and rotor speed, to an electrical drive systems contains DTC devices, a novel ASCC (active speed compensation control) method is proposed based on ADRC (active disturbance rejection control) theory, on account of DTC model of asynchronous motor, a multiobjective observer is designed to regulate both the speed and the torque, and a proof of asymptotic stability that related this new control systems with the observer is made by theoretical deduction. Finally stimulating results show that this method can overcome the shortcomings of classical DTC system and greatly enhance the ability of the high-speed driving system to deal with unexpected impact loads.
Configuration Design of Product Service System for CNC Machine Tools
Authors: Sheng Zhongqi , Xu Tao , Song Junyou
Published: March 2015

Product service system is a combination of product and services to meet the customer requirements. Configuration design is the key process of product service system development. This paper studies the configuration design of product service system for CNC machine tools. The research explores the configuration design process of product service system development, analyzes the retrieval method of product service system schemes, determines the configuration sequence of product modules and service modules by depth-first algorithm, uses fuzzy priority algorithm to produce product scheme, applies genetic algorithm to generate service scheme, and finally integrates product scheme and service scheme to obtain whole scheme of product service system. With CNC machine tools as an example, this paper verifies the feasibility and validity of proposed method.
The Effects of Using In-Vehicle Computer on Driver Eye Movements and Driving Performance
Authors: Xian Huacai , Jin Lisheng
Published: March 2015

This paper examined the effects of performing an e-mail receiving and sending task using in-vehicle computer (iPad4) on driving performance and driver eye movements to determine if performance decrements decreased with practice. Eighteen younger drivers completed the driving on driving simulator while interacting with or without an e-mail task. Measures of fixations, saccades, vehicle control, and completion time of the secondary task were analyzed. Results revealed that using in-vehicle computer featured “large touch-screen” to receive and send e-mail greatly weakened driver's distraction and decreased their ability to control the vehicle. There was also evidence that, however, drivers attempted to regulate their behavior when distracted by decreasing their driving speed and taking a large number of short fixations and a quick saccades towards the computer. The results suggest that performing e-mail receiving and sending tasks while driving is problematic and steps to prohibit this activity should be taken.
The Endocrine Role of Estrogens on Human Male Skeleton
Authors: Rochira Vincenzo , Kara Elda , Carani Cesare
Published: March 2015

Before the characterization of human and animal models of estrogen deficiency, estrogen action was confined in the context of the female bone. These interesting models uncovered a wide spectrum of unexpected estrogen actions on bone in males, allowing the formulation of an estrogen-centric theory useful to explain how sex steroids act on bone in men. Most of the principal physiological events that take place in the developing and mature male bone are now considered to be under the control of estrogen. Estrogen determines the acceleration of bone elongation at puberty, epiphyseal closure, harmonic skeletal proportions, the achievement of peak bone mass, and the maintenance of bone mass. Furthermore, it seems to crosstalk with androgen even in the determination of bone size, a more androgen-dependent phenomenon. At puberty, epiphyseal closure and growth arrest occur when a critical number of estrogens is reached. The same mechanism based on a critical threshold of serum estradiol seems to operate in men during adulthood for bone mass maintenance via the modulation of bone formation and resorption in men. This threshold should be better identified in-between the ranges of 15 and 25 pg/mL. Future basic and clinical research will optimize strategies for the management of bone diseases related to estrogen deficiency in men.
Experimental and Modeling Studies on the Prediction of Gas Hydrate Formation
Authors: Liu Jian-Yi , Zhang Jing , Liu Yan-Li , Tan Xiao-Hua , Zhang Jie
Published: March 2015

On the base of some kinetics model analysis and kinetic observation of hydrate formation process, a new prediction model of gas hydrate formation is proposed. The analysis of the present model shows that the formation of gas hydrate not only relevant with gas composition and free water content but also relevant with temperature and pressure. Through contrast experiment, the predicted result of the new prediction method of gas hydrate crystallization kinetics is close to measured result, it means that the prediction method can reflect the hydrate crystallization accurately.
The Expression and Distributions of ANP32A in the Developing Brain
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Wang Yunliang , Lu Qingshan , Liu Xinshan , Wang Fuyu , Ma Xiaodong , Cui Chunping , Shi Chenghe , Li Jinfeng , Zhang Dajin
Published: March 2015

Acidic (leucine-rich) nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family, member A (ANP32A), has multiple functions involved in neuritogenesis, transcriptional regulation, and apoptosis. However, whether ANP32A has an effect on the mammalian developing brain is still in question. In this study, it was shown that brain was the organ that expressed the most abundant ANP32A by human multiple tissue expression (MTE) array. The distribution of ANP32A in the different adult brain areas was diverse dramatically, with high expression in cerebellum, temporal lobe, and cerebral cortex and with low expression in pons, medulla oblongata, and spinal cord. The expression of ANP32A was higher in the adult brain than in the fetal brain of not only humans but also mice in a time-dependent manner. ANP32A signals were dispersed accordantly in embryonic mouse brain. However, ANP32A was abundant in the granular layer of the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex when the mice were growing up, as well as in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. The variation of expression levels and distribution of ANP32A in the developing brain would imply that ANP32A may play an important role in mammalian brain development, especially in the differentiation and function of neurons in the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex.
A Rapid and Accurate Extraction Procedure for Analysing Free Amino Acids in Meat Samples by GC-MS
Authors: Pérez-Palacios Trinidad , Barroso Miguel A. , Ruiz Jorge , Antequera Teresa
Published: March 2015

This study evaluated the use of a mixer mill as the homogenization tool for the extraction of free amino acids in meat samples, with the main goal of analyzing a large number of samples in the shortest time and minimizing sample amount and solvent volume. Ground samples (0.2 g) were mixed with 1.5 mL HCl 0.1 M and homogenized in the mixer mill. The final biphasic system was separated by centrifugation. The supernatant was deproteinized, derivatized and analyzed by gas chromatography. This procedure showed a high extracting ability, especially in samples with high free amino acid content (recovery = 88.73–104.94%). It also showed a low limit of detection and quantification (3.8 · 10−4–6.6 · 10−4 μg μL−1and 1.3 · 10−3–2.2 · 10−2 μg μL−1, resp.) for most amino acids, an adequate precision (2.15–20.15% for run-to-run), and a linear response for all amino acids (R2= 0.741–0.998) in the range of 1–100 µg mL−1. Moreover, it takes less time and requires lower amount of sample and solvent than conventional techniques. Thus, this is a cost and time efficient tool for homogenizing in the extraction procedure of free amino acids from meat samples, being an adequate option for routine analysis.
The Impact of Awareness Programs with Recruitment and Delay on the Spread of an Epidemic
Authors: Zuo Lixia , Liu Maoxing , Wang Jinqiang
Published: March 2015

A compartment epidemic model with delay is given to discuss the impact of awareness programs on the spread and control of infectious diseases in a given region. It is assumed that there is a constant recruitment rate in the cumulative density of awareness programs, and further it is assumed that awareness programs can influence the susceptible to a limited extent. The system exhibits two equilibria: the disease-free equilibrium is stable if the basic reproduction number is less than unity for any delay and the unique endemic equilibrium exhibits Hopf-bifurcation under certain conditions. Numerical simulations prove the results of analysis and the significance of awareness programs in preventing and controlling the diseases, by investigating the relationship between the proportion of the infective and the dissemination rate and the implementation rate, respectively.
Variability of TKR Knee Kinematics and Relationship with Gait Kinetics: Implications for Total Knee Wear
Authors: Ngai Valentina , Wimmer Markus A.
Published: March 2015

Several factors, including compressive load and knee kinematics, have been shown to influence wear. External knee moments (a surrogate for load) have recently been correlated with the medial and lateral wear scar areas of an unconstrained, PCL retaining knee design. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in kinetics during level walking are accompanied by specific differences in relative knee kinematics. Thirty TKR patients were gait tested using the point cluster technique to obtain 3D motions of the knee. External knee moments were calculated from ground reaction forces recorded with a multicomponent force plate. The subjects were separated into two distinct anteroposterior (AP) motion categories: a low motion group and a high motion group. Similarly, the low and high motion groups for internal-external (IE) rotation were also identified. For the IE motion, there was no significant difference between the transverse internal rotation moments between the two IE motion groups. However for the AP motion groups, a higher external peak flexion moment was found for the group displaying less AP motion. These observations suggest that subjects with higher joint moments execute smaller ranges of AP motion and thus are likely to incur less wear.
Critical Damage Analysis of WC-Co Tip of Conical Pick due to Coal Excavation in Mines
Authors: Dewangan Saurabh , Chattopadhyaya Somnath , Hloch Sergej
Published: March 2015

WC-Co based tools are widely used in the field of coal and rock excavation because of their unique combination of strength, hardness, and resistance to abrasive wear. Conical pick is one of the coal cutting tools. The tip of the pick is made of WC-Co material. As coal and rock are heterogeneous elements, they pose various constraints during excavation. As a result the tools wear out during the process. Other parameters like cutting techniques, tool orientation, and environmental conditions also affect the tool significantly. The wearing phenomenon greatly reduces the service life of the tools and thereby cuts down the production rate. To prevent such wearing process, it is important to investigate the different wear mechanisms in WC-Co. Simultaneously, there has to be an ongoing endeavour for the development of better quality WC-Co. This paper focuses on different wear mechanisms in a conical pick which has been used in a continuous miner machine for coal cutting. The worn out surface has been observed by using FE-SEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy) and EDS (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy). The mechanisms, namely, coal/rock intermixing, cracking and crushing of WC grains, and adhesion of rock particles, have been predominantly investigated in this study. A little indication of corrosive decay in the WC grain has also been reported. The EDS has detected material concentration in a selected area or point of the worn-out surface. The spectrograph confirms the presence of coal/rock materials. Elements such as W, C, Ca, K, O, and Co have been mainly found in different concentrations at different positions.
Iodine Supplementation: Usage “with a Grain of Salt”
Authors: Prete Alessandro , Paragliola Rosa Maria , Corsello Salvatore Maria
Published: March 2015

Iodine supplementation through salt iodization is a worldwide, effective strategy for preventing iodine deficiency-related problems. Its safety and efficacy profile has been extensively investigated, and benefits far outweigh the potential iodine-induced risks. Moreover, iodine supplementation during pregnancy in order to avoid brain damage in the newborn is considered a mainstay of preventive medicine. Exposure to high amounts of iodine is actually well tolerated in most cases and can be unrecognized. Nevertheless, at-risk individuals may develop thyroid dysfunction even when they are exposed to increases in iodine intake universally considered as safe. Iodine-induced thyroid disorders include thyroid autoimmunity, thyrotoxicosis, iodine-induced goiter, and hypothyroidism. Moreover, a relationship between iodine intake and histotype distribution of differentiated thyroid cancer has been observed, with a progressive shift from follicular to papillary thyroid cancer. To date, evaluating iodine status in a clinical setting has limitations, and assessing the actual risk for each individual can be challenging, since it is influenced by personal history, genetics, and environmental factors. In conclusion, iodine supplementation programs need to be continued and strengthened, but iodine should be used “with a grain of salt,” because a growing number of susceptible individuals will be exposed to the risk of developing iodine-induced thyroid disorders.
Motion Estimation Using the Firefly Algorithm in Ultrasonic Image Sequence of Soft Tissue
Authors: Chao Chih-Feng , Horng Ming-Huwi , Chen Yu-Chan
Published: March 2015

Ultrasonic image sequence of the soft tissue is widely used in disease diagnosis; however, the speckle noises usually influenced the image quality. These images usually have a low signal-to-noise ratio presentation. The phenomenon gives rise to traditional motion estimation algorithms that are not suitable to measure the motion vectors. In this paper, a new motion estimation algorithm is developed for assessing the velocity field of soft tissue in a sequence of ultrasonic B-mode images. The proposed iterative firefly algorithm (IFA) searches for few candidate points to obtain the optimal motion vector, and then compares it to the traditional iterative full search algorithm (IFSA) via a series of experiments ofin vivoultrasonic image sequences. The experimental results show that the IFA can assess the vector with better efficiency and almost equal estimation quality compared to the traditional IFSA method.
Alterations in Salivary Proteome following Single Twenty-Minute Session of Yogic Breathing
Authors: Balasubramanian Sundaravadivel , Janech Michael G. , Warren Graham W.
Published: March 2015

Yogic breathing (YB) has been suggested to reduce stress and blood pressure and increase cognitive processes. However, alterations after YB at the molecular level are not well established. Twenty healthy volunteers were randomized into two groups (N=10per group): YB or attention controls (AC). The YB group performed two YB exercises, each for ten minutes, for a total of twenty minutes in a single session. AC group read a text of their choice for 20 minutes. Saliva was collected at baseline and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes. Using Mass Spectrometry (MS), we initially found that 22 proteins were differentially expressed and then validated deleted in malignant brain tumor-1 (DMBT1) and Ig lambda-2 chain C region (IGLC2) using Western Blotting. DMBT1 was elevated in 7 of YB group by 10-fold and 11-fold at 10 and 15 minutes, respectively, whereas it was undetectable in the time-matched AC group (P<0.05). There was a significant interaction between groups and time assessed by two-way ANOVA (P<0.001). IGLC2 also showed a significant increase in YB group as measured by Western Blotting. These data are the first to demonstrate the feasibility of stimulating and detecting salivary protein biomarkers in response to an acute Yoga exercise. This trial is registered with ClincalTrials.govNCT02108769.
Tracking- and Scintillation-Aware Channel Model for GEO Satellite to Land Mobile Terminals at Ku-Band
Authors: Al-Saegh Ali M. , Sali A. , Mandeep J. S. , Ismail Alyani
Published: March 2015

Recent advances in satellite to land mobile terminal services and technologies, which utilize high frequencies with directional antennas, have made the design of an appropriate model for land mobile satellite (LMS) channels a necessity. This paper presents LMS channel model at Ku-band with features that enhance accuracy, comprehensiveness, and reliability. The effect of satellite tracking loss at different mobile terminal speeds is considered for directional mobile antenna systems, a reliable tropospheric scintillation model for an LMS scenario at tropical and temperate regions is presented, and finally a new quality indicator module for different modulation and coding schemes is included. The proposedextended LMS channel (ELMSC)model is designed based on actual experimental measurements and can be applied to narrow- and wide-band signals at different regions and at different speeds and multichannel states. The proposed model exhibits lower root mean square error (RMSE) and significant performance observation compared with the conventional model in terms of the signal fluctuations, fade depth, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and quality indicators accompanied for several transmission schemes.
In VivoEvaluation of TNF-Alpha in the Lungs of Patients Affected by Sarcoidosis
Authors: Galli Filippo , Lanzolla Tiziana , Pietrangeli Vittorio , Malviya Gaurav , Ricci Alberto , Bruno Pierdonato , Ragni Paola , Scopinaro Francesco , Mariotta Salvatore , Signore Alberto
Published: March 2015

Introduction. Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disorder characterized by multiple noncaseating granulomas involving intrathoracic lymph nodes and lung parenchyma. Recently, the use of anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNFα) agents has been introduced for therapy of chronic and refractory sarcoidosis with controversial results. Infliximab (Remicade) is a chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes and binds TNFα, neutralizing its biological effects. In the present study,Tc 99mlabelled infliximab was used to study the expression of TNFαin sarcoid lesions and to evaluate its role as a predictive marker in response to therapy with Remicade.Material and Methods. A total of 10 patients with newly diagnosed sarcoidosis were enrolled together with 10 control patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis. All patients were studied by planar imaging of the chest withTc 99m-infliximab at 6 h and 24 h and total body [18F]-FDG PET/CT. Regions of interest were drawn over the lungs and the right arm and target-to-background ratios were analysed forTc 99m-infliximab. SUVmeanand SUVmaxwere calculated over lungs for FDG.Results and Discussion. Image analysis showed low correlation betweenT/Bratios and BAL results in patients despite positivity at [18F]-FDG PET.Conclusion. In conclusion, patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary sarcoidosis, with FDG-PET and BAL positivity, showed a negativeTc 99m-infliximab scintigraphy.
Ouabain-Induced Cytoplasmic Vesicles and Their Role in Cell Volume Maintenance
Authors: Russo M. A. , Morgante E. , Russo A. , Rossum G. D. van , Tafani M.
Published: March 2015

Cellular swelling is controlled by an active mechanism of cell volume regulation driven by a Na+/K+-dependent ATPase and by aquaporins which translocate water along the osmotic gradient. Na+/K+-pump may be blocked by ouabain, a digitalic derivative, by inhibition of ATP, or by drastic ion alterations of extracellular fluid. However, it has been observed that some tissues are still able to control their volume despite the presence of ouabain, suggesting the existence of other mechanisms of cell volume control. In 1977, by correlating electron microscopy observation with ion and water composition of liver slices incubated in different metabolic conditions in the presence or absence of ouabain, we observed that hepatocytes were able to control their volume extruding water and recovering ion composition in the presence of ouabain. In particular, hepatocytes were able to sequester ions and water in intracellular vesicles and then secrete them at the bile canaliculus pole. We named this “vesicular mechanism of cell volume control.” Afterward, this mechanism has been confirmed by us and other laboratories in several mammalian tissues. This review summarizes evidences regarding this mechanism, problems that are still pending, and questions that need to be answered. Finally, we shortly review the importance of cell volume control in some human pathological conditions.
Prenatal Stress due to a Natural Disaster Predicts Adiposity in Childhood: The Iowa Flood Study
Authors: Dancause Kelsey N. , Laplante David P. , Hart Kimberly J. , O’Hara Michael W. , Elgbeili Guillaume , Brunet Alain , King Suzanne
Published: March 2015

Prenatal stress can affect lifelong physical growth, including increased obesity risk. However, human studies remain limited. Natural disasters provide models of independent stressors unrelated to confounding maternal characteristics. We assessed degree of objective hardship and subjective distress in women pregnant during severe flooding. At ages 2.5 and 4 years we assessed body mass index (BMI), subscapular plus triceps skinfolds (SS + TR, an index of total adiposity), and SS : TR ratio (an index of central adiposity) in their children (n=106). Hierarchical regressions controlled first for several potential confounds. Controlling for these, flood exposure during early gestation predicted greater BMI increase from age 2.5 to 4, as well as total adiposity at 2.5. Greater maternal hardship and distress due to the floods, as well as other nonflood life events during pregnancy, independently predicted greater increase in total adiposity between 2.5 and 4 years. These results support the hypothesis that prenatal stress increases adiposity beginning in childhood and suggest that early gestation is a sensitive period. Results further highlight the additive effects of maternal objective and subjective stress, life events, and depression, emphasizing the importance of continued studies on multiple, detailed measures of maternal mental health and experience in pregnancy and child growth.
PMMA Third-Body Wear after Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty Decuples the UHMWPE Wear Particle GenerationIn Vitro
Authors: Paulus Alexander Christoph , Franke Manja , Kraxenberger Michael , Schröder Christian , Jansson Volkmar , Utzschneider Sandra
Published: March 2015

Introduction. Overlooked polymethylmethacrylate after unicondylar knee arthroplasty can be a potential problem, since this might influence the generated wear particle size and morphology. The aim of this study was the analysis of polyethylene wear in a knee wear simulator for changes in size, morphology, and particle number after the addition of third-bodies.Material and Methods. Fixed bearing unicondylar knee prostheses (UKA) were tested in a knee simulator for 5.0 million cycles. Following bone particles were added for 1.5 million cycles, followed by 1.5 million cycles with PMMA particles. A particle analysis by scanning electron microscopy of the lubricant after the cycles was performed. Size and morphology of the generated wear were characterized. Further, the number of particles per 1 million cycles was calculated for each group.Results. The particles of all groups were similar in size and shape. The number of particles in the PMMA group showed 10-fold higher values than in the bone and control group (PMMA:10.251×1012; bone:1.145×1012; control:1.804 × 1012).Conclusion. The addition of bone or PMMA particles in terms of a third-body wear results in no change of particle size and morphology. PMMA third-bodies generated tenfold elevated particle numbers. This could favor an early aseptic loosening.
Long-Term Outcomes of Radial Keratotomy, Laser In Situ Keratomileusis, and Astigmatic Keratotomy Performed Consecutively over a Period of 21 Years
Authors: Chhadva Priyanka , Cabot Florence , Galor Anat , Yoo Sonia H.
Published: March 2015

Purpose. To describe a case of 3 refractive procedures performed in one eye over 2 decades.Methods. Case report.Results. A 41-year-old patient presented for refractive surgery evaluation. His ocular history includes bilateral radial keratotomy performed 21 years ago for moderate myopia: spherical equivalence of −4.25 D bilaterally. Postoperative uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/30; however, over time he developed a hyperopic shift and UCVA decreased to 20/40 in the right eye. Thus, laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was performed at an outside institution 6.5 years later, and the patient had initial improvement of UCVA to 20/25. Due to a change in refractive error, the patient underwent uneventful astigmatic keratotomy 13 years after LASIK in the right eye, and 1.5 years after surgery best-corrected visual acuity was 20/25 with manifest refraction of −1.00+5.50×134°.  Conclusion. We report the outcomes and natural refractive progression in a patient who underwent three corneal refractive procedures over two decades. This case underlines the difficulties of long-term management of post-RK hyperopia and astigmatism.
An Atypical Case of Methemoglobinemia due to Self-Administered Benzocaine
Authors: Nappe Thomas M. , Pacelli Anthony M. , Katz Kenneth
Published: March 2015

Acquired methemoglobinemia is an uncommon hemoglobinopathy that results from exposure to oxidizing agents, such as chemicals or medications. Although, as reported in the adult population, it happens most often due to prescribed medication or procedural anesthesia and not due to easily accessed over-the-counter medications, the authors will describe an otherwise healthy male adult with no known medical history and no prescribed medications, who presented to the emergency department reporting generalized weakness, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and pale gray skin. In addition, the patient reported that he also had a severe toothache for several days, which he had been self-treating with an over-the-counter oral benzocaine gel. Ultimately, the diagnosis of methemoglobinemia was made by clinical history, physical examination, and the appearance of chocolate-colored blood and arterial blood gas (ABG) with cooximetry. After 2 mg/kg of intravenous methylene blue was administered, the patient had complete resolution of all signs and symptoms. This case illustrates that emergency physicians should be keenly aware of the potential of toxic hemoglobinopathy secondary to over-the-counter, nonprescribed medications. Discussion with patients regarding the dangers of inappropriate use of these medicines is imperative, as such warnings are typically not evident on product labels.
Combined Therapy of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy with Breviscapine and Mecobalamin: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis of Chinese Studies
Authors: Zheng Chanjiao , Ou Weilin , Shen Huanyu , Zhou Zhiheng , Wang Jiaji
Published: March 2015

Objective. A meta-analysis on combined therapy of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) with breviscapine and mecobalamin was performed to evaluate the efficacy of this therapy.Methods. Six English databases (Medline, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL) and four Chinese databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Journals Database, CBM, and Wanfang database) were searched for studies on the clinical trials in which DPN was treated with breviscapine and mecobalamin, and RevMan 5.1 package was employed for analyzing pooled trials and publication bias.Results. A total of 17 articles including 1398 DPN patients were identified. Homogeneity was observed among different studies (P=0.74). The efficacy of combined therapy with breviscapine and mecobalamin was significantly better than that in control group [P<0.0001(OR=5.01, 95% CI: 3.70–6.78)].Conclusion. Available findings suggest that the therapeutic efficacy of breviscapine combining mecobalamin is superior to mecobalamin alone, and this strategy is required to be popularized in clinical practice.
FSI Analysis and Fatigue Analysis of BOP Gantry Crane
Authors: Kim Hyun Ji , Kim Gwi Nam , Jeong Chang Kweon , Jung Yong Gil , Huh Sun Shul
Published: March 2015

Oil and natural gases have been developed, being the most convenient and high-quality resources for human. Offshore plant means design, production, installation, and operation of drilling equipment for natural energy in the deep ocean. BOP gantry crane is the essential equipment of Drilling System Package for drillship/rig. It is used to move BOP stack in drilling platform using BOP trolley. In this research, CFX analysis was used to consider wind pressure, and structure analysis was used to consider dynamic coefficient, rolling, pitching, and self-weight. As a result of crane analysis, even though it is a weight-lightened model, it is observed that the pressure, deformation, and stress value caused by the wind load are stably maintained above those of the previous model. Therefore, the structure is thought to be safe.
Dramatic Improvement of Proteomic Analysis of Zebrafish Liver Tumor by Effective Protein Extraction with Sodium Deoxycholate and Heat Denaturation
Authors: Wang Jigang , Lee Yew Mun , Li Caixia , Li Ping , Li Zhen , Lim Teck Kwang , Gong Zhiyuan , Lin Qingsong
Published: March 2015

Majority of the proteomic studies on tissue samples involve the use of gel-based approach for profiling and digestion. The laborious gel-based approach is slowly being replaced by the advancing in-solution digestion approach. However, there are still several difficulties such as difficult-to-solubilize proteins, poor proteomic analysis in complex tissue samples, and the presence of sample impurities. Henceforth, there is a great demand to formulate a highly efficient protein extraction buffer with high protein extraction efficiency from tissue samples, high compatibility with in-solution digestion, reduced number of sample handling steps to reduce sample loss, low time consumption, low cost, and ease of usage. Here, we evaluated various existing protein extraction buffers with zebrafish liver tumor samples and found that sodium deoxycholate- (DOC-) based extraction buffer with heat denaturation was the most effective approach for highly efficient extraction of proteins from complex tissues such as the zebrafish liver tumor. A total of 4,790 proteins have been identified using shotgun proteomics approach with 2D LC, which to our knowledge is the most comprehensive study for zebrafish liver tumor proteome.
Atmosphere-Cryosphere Coupled Model for Regional Climate Applications
Authors: Min Ki-Hong , Sun Wen-Yih
Published: March 2015

There have been significant advances in our understanding of the climate system, but two major problems still exist in modeling atmospheric response during cold seasons: (a) lack of detailed physical description of snow and frozen soil in the land-surface schemes and (b) insufficient understanding of regional climate response from the cryosphere. A multilayer snow land-surface model based on the conservations of heat and water substance inside the soil and snow is coupled to an atmospheric RCM, to investigate the effect of snow, snowmelt, and soil frost on the atmosphere during cold seasons. The coupled RCM shows much improvement in moisture and temperature simulation for March-April of 1997 compared to simple parameterizations used in GCMs. The importance of such processes in RCM simulation is more pronounced in mid-to-high latitudes during the transition period (winter–spring) affected by changes in surface energy and the hydrological cycle. The effect of including cryosphere physics through snow-albedo feedback mechanism changes the meridional temperature gradients and in turn changes the location of weather systems passing over the region. The implications from our study suggest that, to reduce the uncertainties and better assess the impacts of climate change, RCM simulations should include the detailed snow and frozen soil processes.
Exercise Training and Calorie Restriction Influence the Metabolic Parameters in Ovariectomized Female Rats
Authors: Pósa Anikó , Szabó Renáta , Kupai Krisztina , Csonka Anett , Szalai Zita , Veszelka Médea , Török Szilvia , Daruka Lejla , Varga Csaba
Published: March 2015

The estrogen deficiency after menopause leads to overweight or obesity, and physical exercise is one of the important modulators of this body weight gain. Female Wistar rats underwent ovariectomy surgery (OVX) or sham operation (SO). OVX and SO groups were randomized into new groups based on the voluntary physical activity (with or without running) and the type of diet for 12 weeks. Rats were fed standard chow (CTRL), high triglyceride diet (HT), or restricted diet (CR). The metabolic syndrome was assessed by measuring the body weight gain, the glucose sensitivity, and the levels of insulin, triglyceride, leptin, and aspartate aminotransferase transaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The exercise training combined with the CR resulted in improvements in the glucose tolerance and the insulin sensitivity. Plasma TG, AST, and ALT levels were significantly higher in OVX rats fed with HT but these high values were suppressed by exercise and CR. Compared to SO animals, estrogen deprivation with HT caused a significant increase in leptin level. Our data provide evidence that CR combined with voluntary physical exercise can be a very effective strategy to prevent the development of a metabolic syndrome induced by high calorie diet.
A Fuzzy Supplier Selection Application Using Large Survey Datasets of Delivery Performance
Authors: Davis Jonathan , Shipley Margaret F. , Stading Gary
Published: March 2015

A model is developed using fuzzy probability to screen survey data across relevant criteria for selecting suppliers based on fuzzy expected values. The values are derived from qualitative variables and expert opinion of membership in these variables found in industry survey data. The application is made to a supply chain management decision of supplier selection based upon delivery performance which is further divided into attributes that comprise this criterion. The algorithm allows multiple criteria to be considered for each decision parameter. Large sets of survey data regarding six suppliers in the electronic parts industry are gathered from over 150 purchasers and are analyzed through spreadsheet modeling of the fuzzy algorithm. The resulting decision support system allows supply chain managers to improve supplier selection decisions by applying fuzzy measures of criteria and associated beliefs across the dataset. The proposed model and method are highly adaptable to existing survey datasets, including datasets that have incomplete data, and can be implemented in organizations with low decision support resources, such as small and medium sized organizations.
Chemotherapy and Chemoprevention by Thiazolidinediones
Authors: Fröhlich Eleonore , Wahl Richard
Published: March 2015

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are synthetic ligands of Peroxisome-Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ). Troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and pioglitazone have been approved for treatment of diabetes mellitus type II. All three compounds, together with the first TZD ciglitazone, also showed an antitumor effect in preclinical studies and a beneficial effect in some clinical trials. This review summarizes hypotheses on the role of PPARγin tumors, on cellular targets of TZDs, antitumor effects of monotherapy and of TZDs in combination with other compounds, with a focus on their role in the treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The results of chemopreventive effects of TZDs are also considered. Existing data suggest that the action of TZDs is highly complex and that actions do not correlate with cellular PPARγexpression status. Effects are cell-, species-, and compound-specific and concentration-dependent. Data from human trials suggest the efficacy of TZDs as monotherapy in prostate cancer and glioma and as chemopreventive agent in colon, lung, and breast cancer. TZDs in combination with other therapies might increase antitumor effects in thyroid cancer, soft tissue sarcoma, and melanoma.
Status of the Reactive Extraction as a Method of Separation
Authors: Datta Dipaloy , Kumar Sushil , Uslu Hasan
Published: March 2015

The prospective function of a novel energy efficient fermentation technology has been getting great attention in the past fifty years due to the quick raise in petroleum costs. Fermentation chemicals are still limited in the modern market in huge part because of trouble in recovery of carboxylic acids. Therefore, it is needed considerable development in the current recovery technology. Carboxylic acids have been used as the majority of fermentation chemicals. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review on the reactive extraction of carboxylic acids from fermentation broths. This paper principally focuses on reactive extraction that is found to be a capable option to the proper recovery methods.
Diffusion-Weighted MRI for the Assessment of Liver Fibrosis: Principles and Applications
Authors: Palmucci Stefano , Cappello Giuseppina , Attinà Giancarlo , Fuccio Sanzà Giovanni , Foti Pietro Valerio , Ettorre Giovanni Carlo , Milone Pietro
Published: March 2015

The importance of an early identification of hepatic fibrosis has been emphasized, in order to start therapy and obtain fibrosis regression. Biopsy is the gold-standard method for the assessment of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases, but it is limited by complications, interobserver variability, and sampling errors. Several noninvasive methods have been recently introduced into clinical routine, in order to detect liver fibrosis early. One of the most diffuse approaches is represented by diffusion-weighted liver MRI. In this review, the main technical principles are briefly reported in order to explain the rationale for clinical applications. In addition, roles of apparent diffusion coefficient, intravoxel incoherent motion, and relative apparent diffusion coefficient are also reported, showing their advantages and limits.
Exposure to Allergen Causes Changes in NTS Neural Activities after Intratracheal Capsaicin Application, in Endocannabinoid Levels and in the Glia Morphology of NTS
Authors: Spaziano Giuseppe , Luongo Livio , Guida Francesca , Petrosino Stefania , Matteis Maria , Palazzo Enza , Sullo Nikol , de Novellis Vito , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Rossi Francesco , Maione Sabatino , D’Agostino Bruno
Published: March 2015

Allergen exposure may induce changes in the brainstem secondary neurons, with neural sensitization of the nucleus solitary tract (NTS), which in turn can be considered one of the causes of the airway hyperresponsiveness, a characteristic feature of asthma. We evaluated neurofunctional, morphological, and biochemical changes in the NTS of naive or sensitized rats. To evaluate the cell firing activity of NTS, in vivo electrophysiological experiments were performed before and after capsaicin challenge in sensitized or naive rats. Immunohistochemical studies, endocannabinoid, and palmitoylethanolamide quantification in the NTS were also performed. This study provides evidence that allergen sensitization in the NTS induced: (1) increase in the neural firing response to intratracheal capsaicin application, (2) increase of endocannabinoid anandamide and palmitoylethanolamide, a reduction of 2-arachidonoylglycerol levels in the NTS, (3) glial cell activation, and (4) prevention by a Group III metabotropic glutamate receptor activation of neural firing response to intratracheal application of capsaicin in both naïve and sensitized rats. Therefore, normalization of ovalbumin-induced NTS neural sensitization could open up the prospect of new treatments based on the recovery of specific brain nuclei function and for extensive studies on acute or long-term efficacy of selective mGlu ligand, in models of bronchial hyperreactivity.
Characterization of PD-L1 Expression and Associated T-cell Infiltrates in Metastatic Melanoma Samples from Variable Anatomic Sites
Authors: Kluger Harriet M. , Zito Christopher R. , Barr Meaghan L. , Baine Marina K. , Chiang Veronica L.S. , Sznol Mario , Rimm David L. , Chen Lieping , Jilaveanu Lucia B.
Published: March 2015

Purpose: Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) tumor expression represents a mechanism of immune escape for melanoma cells. Drugs blocking PD-L1 or its receptor have shown unprecedented activity in melanoma, and our purpose was to characterize tumor PD-L1 expression and associated T-cell infiltration in metastatic melanomas.

Experimental Design: We used a tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of two cores from 95 metastatic melanomas characterized for clinical stage, outcome, and anatomic site of disease. We assessed PD-L1 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) content (total T cells and CD4/CD8 subsets) by quantitative immunofluorescence.

Results: High PD-L1 expression was associated with improved survival (P = 0.02) and higher T-cell content (P = 0.0005). Higher T-cell content (total and CD8 cells) was independently associated with improved overall survival; PD-L1 expression was not independently prognostic. High TIL content in extracerebral metastases was associated with increased time to developing brain metastases (P = 0.03). Cerebral and dermal metastases had slightly lower PD-L1 expression than other sites, not statistically significant. Cerebral metastases had less T cells (P = 0.01).

Conclusions: T-cell–infiltrated melanomas, particularly those with high CD8 T-cell content, are more likely to be associated with PD-L1 expression in tumor cells, an improved prognosis, and increased time to development of brain metastases. Studies of T-cell content and subsets should be incorporated into trials of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors to determine their predictive value. Furthermore, additional studies of anatomic sites with less PD-L1 expression and T-cell infiltrate are needed to determine if discordant responses to PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are seen at those sites. Clin Cancer Res; 21(13); 3052–60. ©2015 AACR.