bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FIFTEEN YEARS OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH: CURRENT PRACTICE, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Authors: KABIR S. M. ZOBAIDUL , MOMTAZ SALIM
Published: December 2013

The aim of this article is to review the current practice of EIA system in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, EIA has been practiced for more than fifteen years. However, there is a lack of scientific information about the current practice of EIA in Bangladesh. This article focused and reviewed three key areas of EIA system in Bangladesh: institutional arrangement, quality of EISs and implementation of mitigation measures. By using a set of good practice criteria, this article finds that still there are shortcomings in current EIA practice despite that fact that EIA practice in Bangladesh has been improving over the last fifteen years. This means Bangladesh could not harness the full benefit of EIA yet. This article suggest that in order to harness the full benefits of EIA, adequate implementation of mitigation measures is imperative while improving the capacity of proponents, regulatory agency and the quality of EIS.
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL CONSTITUTIVE MODEL OF NON-CONVENTIONAL ELASTIC RESPONSE
Authors: PANOSKALTSIS VASSILIS P. , SOLDATOS DIMITRIS
Published: December 2013

In this paper, a general model of elastic (non-dissipative) behavior is developed. This model belongs to a class of models, developed for the description of complex bodies, in which the local state is assumed to be determined not only by the deformation, but also by a family of additional material parameters. The latter, unlike some additional structures used in the mechanics of complex bodies (e.g., directors, order parameters, internal degrees of freedom), are not considered as interactions of microscopic nature; rather they are considered as variables of macroscopic nature that describe the internal structure of the material, while their rates describe the evolution of the internal structure in the course of deformation. Accordingly, these variables are assumed to evolve continuously with time in a manner that guaranties the reversibility of the applied dynamical process. A covariant theory for the continuum in question is derived by means of invariance properties of the global form of the spatial energy balance equation, under the superposition of arbitrary spatial diffeomorphisms. In particular, it is shown that the assumption of spatial covariance of the equation of balance of energy yields the standard conservation and balance laws of classical mechanics but it does not yield the standard Doyle–Ericksen formula. In fact, the "Doyle–Ericksen formula" derived in this work, has some extra terms in it, which are related directly to the internal structure of the material, as the latter is controlled by the additional parameters. In a similar manner, by assuming the absolute temperature as an additional state variable and by employing the invariance properties of the local form of the spatial balance of energy under superimposed spatial diffeomorphisms, which also include a temperature rescaling, a nonisothermal covariant constitutive theory is naturally obtained. A formal comparison of the proposed elastic material with the standard hyperelastic (Green elastic) solid is also presented.
NONLINEAR AERODYNAMIC FORCES ON THE FLAT PLATE IN LARGE AMPLITUDE OSCILLATION
Authors: HUANG LIN , LIAO HAILI
Published: December 2013

Nonlinear aerodynamic forces on the flat plate subjected to a forced torsional oscillation of asymptotically varying amplitude at high reduced velocities are investigated by using computational fluid dynamics method integrated with continuous wavelet transform method. The domain decomposition algorithm is used in the numerical simulation to accommodate large amplitude oscillation of plate. The continuous wavelet transform is used to extract the instantaneous amplitude and phase features from the computed time histories of the asymptotically aerodynamic forces on the plate. The results show that the computed characteristics of the aerodynamic forces are in good agreement with the available experimental data. The nonlinear features of the aerodynamic forces are well revealed by the present method.
Adaptive Fuzzy Dynamic Surface Sliding Mode Position Control for a Robot Manipulator with Friction and Deadzone
Authors: Cheong Jeong Yun , Han Seong Ik , Lee Jang Myung
Published: December 2013

Precise tracking positioning performance in the presence of both the deadzone and friction of a robot manipulator actuator is difficult to achieve by traditional control methodology without proper nonlinear compensation schemes. In this paper, we present a dynamic surface sliding mode control scheme combined with an adaptive fuzzy system, state observer, and parameter estimator to estimate the uncertainty, friction, and deadzone nonlinearities of a robot manipulator system. We design a dynamic surface sliding mode basic controller by systematic recursive design steps that yields several adaptive laws for the compensation of nonlinear friction, deadzone, and other unknown nonlinear dynamics. The boundedness and convergence of this closed-loop system are guaranteed by the Lyapunov stability theorem. Experiments on the Scorbot robot manipulator demonstrate the validity and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Expression of the Classical and Nonclassical HLA Molecules in Breast Cancer
Authors: da Silva Gisela Bevilacqua Rolfsen Ferreira , Silva Tarsia Giabardo Alves , Duarte Roberta Aparecida , Neto Nicolino Lia , Carrara Hélio Humberto Angotti , Donadi Eduardo Antônio , Gonçalves Maria Alice Guimarães , Soares Edson Garcia , Soares Christiane Pienna
Published: December 2013

Considering that downregulation of HLA expression could represent a potential mechanism for breast carcinogenesis and metastasis, the aim of the present study was to use immunohistochemical methods to analyze the expression of HLA-Ia, HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, HLA-E, and HLA-G in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast and to relate this HLA profile to anatomopathological parameters. Fifty-two IDC from breast biopsies were stratified according to histological differentiation (well, moderately, and poorly differentiated) and to the presence of metastases in axillary lymph nodes. The expression of HLA molecules was assessed by immunohistochemistry, using a computer-assisted system. Overall, 31 (59.6%) out of the 52 IDC breast biopsies exhibited high expression of HLA-G, but only 14 (26.9%) showed high expression of HLA-E. A large number (41, 78.8%) of the biopsies showed low expression of HLA-Ia, while 45 (86.5%) showed high expression of HLA-DQ and 36 (69.2%) underexpressed HLA-DR. Moreover, 24 (41.2%) of 52 biopsies had both low HLA-Ia expression and high HLA-G expression, while 11 (21.2%) had low HLA-Ia expression and high HLA-E expression. These results suggest that, by different mechanisms, the downregulation of HLA-Ia, HLA-E, and HLA-DR and the upregulation of HLA-G and HLA-DQ are associated with immune response evasion and breast cancer aggressiveness.
Citrulline Is an Important Biochemical Indicator in Tolerance to Saline and Drought Stresses in Melon
Authors: Kusvuran Sebnem , Dasgan H. Yildiz , Abak Kazim
Published: November 2013

Salt‐ and drought‐induced alterations in citrulline were assessed in 4 local melon genotypes, 2 sensitive (CU‐52, CU‐94) and 2 tolerant (CU‐196, CU‐280), grown in vermiculite in a growth chamber. Salt and drought stresses were started using 30‐day‐old plants, with 250 mM NaCI and 45 mM PEG (−1.0 MPa) and continued for 12 days. After 12 days under salt and drought conditions, the citrulline contents were increased in the tolerant CU 196 to 25.10 μmol gDW−1 and 24.10 μmol gDW−1 for salt and drought stresses, respectively. However, the citrulline contents of the sensitive CU‐52 were 11.68 μmol gDW−1 and 11.76 μmol gDW−1 for salt and drought, respectively. The striking alteration was obtained in the citrulline accumulation. The tolerant melons accumulated 2 times more citrulline than the sensitive melons. For assessing or screening melon genotypes in a large number of accessions or breeding lines for their tolerance to salinity and drought during their young plant stage, the amount of citrulline accumulation in response to the given treatments might be considered as a novel biochemical indicator of interest in early selection studies.
Earthquake Damage Assessment for RC Structures Based on Fuzzy Sets
Authors: He Haoxiang , Cong Maolin , Lv Yongwei
Published: December 2013

A global damage index based on multiple linear force-deformation curves in pushover analysis is presented to evaluate the integrated damage of reinforced concrete structure. The modified coefficient is provided considering the cyclic load and hysteresis energy. The number of inelastic cycles and the coefficient of hysteresis energy concentration are also introduced as damage indices. Hence, multiple damage indices about displacement and energy for performance-based design are considered. The relation of multiple damage indices or factors and the fuzzy damage set is presented by comprehensive fuzzy evaluation; hence, a performance-based multiple fuzzy seismic damage-assessment method for reinforced concrete frame structures is established. The method can be accomplished based on pushover analysis, code spectrum, and capacity spectrum method. The fuzzy seismic damage-assessment method is verified through nonlinear analysis four different structures and the corresponding results and assessment conclusions are accurate.
Improved Message Diffusion Model for Node Coverage Problem of Ad Hoc Network Based on Node Visit Times
Authors: Yang Zhe , Li Lingzhi , Zhang Shukui , Sun Yong , Zhu Yanqin
Published: December 2013

It is of great significance to conduct researches on the message diffusion process for the node coverage problem, which can be generally abstracted as a random sampling model in the cooperative communication systems including the ad hoc and unstructured P2P networks. However, the message diffusion in the ad hoc network is not a completely independent random process. When forwarding the messages, the nodes will be influenced by such factors as degrees, visit times, and network connectivity. But the random sampling model does not take these factors into consideration, resulting in the overestimated node coverage degree. Discussing the message diffusion process of the cooperative communication systems like ad hoc network, this paper analyzes the causes of the inaccuracy problems of random sampling model and solves the problems by specially introducing the factors such as node degree and visit times. As for the E-R random network topology, it validates the effectiveness of the model proposed herein in contrast with the simulation experiment results. Compared with the random sampling model, the model proposed herein coincides better with the simulation results of the ad hoc network message diffusion process in the condition of network connectivity and its accuracy can meet the requirements for 3 and 5 visits.
Effect of Nitric Acid on the Low Fluorescing Performance of Drilling Fluid Lubricant Based Animal and Vegetable Oils
Authors: Zhou Feng-shan , Xiong Zheng-qiang , Cui Bao-lin , Liu Feng-bao , Li Guang-huan , Wei Jin-ran , Cui Hua
Published: December 2013

After synthesis of mixed fatty acid triethanolamine ester surfactant based on animal and vegetable mixed oils, the reaction solution was added into 4% (wt/wt) liquid nitric acid or 9% (wt/wt) solid nitric acid as eliminating fluorescent agent continuing to react from 1 to 2 hours. The low fluorescence lubricant named E167 for drilling fluid was prepared, in which maximum fluorescence intensity (Fmax) was less than 10 in three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of excitation wavelength range. When the E167 was added into fresh water based drilling fluid at the dosage of 0.5% (wt/wt), the sticking coefficient reduced rate (ΔKf) is 78% and the extreme pressure (E-P) friction coefficient reduced rate (Δf) is 79%. In the case of 4% brine mud with 0.5% (wt/wt) E167 in it, theΔKfandΔfare 75% and 62%, respectively. After the hot rolling ageing test 180°C × 16 h with the E167 was added into fresh water based drilling fluid at the dosage of 1% (wt/wt), theΔKfandΔfare greater than 70%, which shows a much better lubrication properties of strong resistance to high temperature. The fresh water based drilling fluid which contains 1% (wt/wt) E167 is almost nonfoaming even after hot rolling ageing 120°C × 16 h.
Finite Element Based Viscous Numerical Wave Flume
Authors: Qin Jianmin , Chen Bing , Lu Lin
Published: December 2013

A two-dimensional numerical wave flume (NWF) for viscous fluid flows with free surface is developed in this work. It is based on the upwind finite element solutions of Navier-Stokes equations, CLEAR-volume of fluid method for free surface capture, internal wave maker for wave generation, and sponge layer for wave absorbing. The wave generation and absorption by prescribing velocity boundary conditions along inlet and radiation boundary condition along outlet are also incorporated. The numerical model is validated against several benchmarks, including dam-breaking flow, liquid sloshing in baffled tank, linear water wave propagation and reflection from vertical wall, nonlinear solitary wave fission over sharp step, and wave-induced fluid resonance in narrow gap confined by floating structures. The comparisons with available experimental data, numerical results, and theoretical solutions confirm that the present numerical wave flume has good performance in dealing with complex interface flows and water wave interaction with structures.
The Effect of Cotrimoxazole Prophylactic Treatment on Malaria, Birth Outcomes, and Postpartum CD4 Count in HIV-Infected Women
Authors: Dow Anna , Kayira Dumbani , Hudgens Michael G. , Van Rie Annelies , King Caroline C. , Ellington Sascha , Chome Nelecy , Kourtis Athena , Turner Abigail Norris , Kacheche Zebrone , Jamieson Denise J. , Chasela Charles , van der Horst Charles
Published: December 2013

Background. Limited data exist on cotrimoxazole prophylactic treatment (CPT) in pregnant women, including protection against malaria versus standard intermittent preventive therapy with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTp).Methods. Using observational data we examined the effect of CPT in HIV-infected pregnant women on malaria during pregnancy, low birth weight and preterm birth using proportional hazards, logistic, and log binomial regression, respectively. We used linear regression to assess effect of CPT on CD4 count.Results. Data from 468 CPT-exposed and 768 CPT-unexposed women were analyzed. CPT was associated with protection against malaria versus IPTp (hazard ratio: 0.35, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.20, 0.60). After adjustment for time period this effect was not statistically significant (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.28, 1.52). Among women receiving and not receiving CPT, rates of low birth weight (7.1% versus 7.6%) and preterm birth (23.5% versus 23.6%) were similar. CPT was associated with lower CD4 counts 24 weeks postpartum in women receiving (−77.6 cells/μL, 95% CI: −125.2, −30.1) and not receiving antiretrovirals (−33.7 cells/μL, 95% CI: −58.6, −8.8).Conclusions. Compared to IPTp, CPT provided comparable protection against malaria in HIV-infected pregnant women and against preterm birth or low birth weight. Possible implications of CPT-associated lower CD4 postpartum warrant further examination.
Modeling, Real-Time Estimation, and Identification of UWB Indoor Wireless Channels
Authors: Olama Mohammed M. , Djouadi Seddik M. , Li Yanyan , Fathy Aly
Published: December 2013

Stochastic differential equations (SDEs) are used to model ultrawideband (UWB) indoor wireless channels. We show that the impulse responses for time-varying indoor wireless channels can be approximated in a mean-square sense as close as desired by impulse responses that can be realized by SDEs. The state variables represent the inphase and quadrature components of the UWB channel. The expected maximization and extended Kalman filter are employed to recursively identify and estimate the channel parameters and states, respectively, from online received signal strength measured data. Both resolvable and nonresolvable multipath received signals are considered and represented as small-scaled Nakagami fading. The proposed models together with the estimation algorithm are tested using UWB indoor measurement data demonstrating the method’s viability and the results are presented.
Preliminary Study on Hepatocyte-Targeted Phosphorus-31 MRS Using ATP-Loaded Galactosylated Chitosan Oligosaccharide Nanoparticles
Authors: Yu Ri-Sheng , Zhu Xiu-Liang , Sun Jian-Zhong , Shi Dan , Chen Ying , Wang Zhi-Kang , Tang Ke-Zhong , Du Yong-Zhong
Published: December 2013

Background. The clinical applications of hepatic phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P MRS) remain to be difficult because the changes of phosphates between normal hepatic tissues and pathological tissues are not so obvious, and furthermore, up to now there is few literature on hepatocyte-targeted 31P MRS.Materials and Methods. The ATP-loaded Gal-CSO (Gal-CSO/ATP) nanoparticles were prepared and the special cellular uptake of them as evaluated by using HepG-2 tumor cells and A549 tumor cells, respectively. Two kinds of cells were incubated with the nanoparticles suspension, respectively. Then were prepared the cell samples and the enhancement efficiency of ATP peaks detected by 31P MRS was evaluated.Results. The cellular uptake rate of Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles in HepG-2 cells was higher than that in A549 cells. Furthermore, the enlarged ATP peaks of Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles in HepG-2 cells were higher than those in A549 cellsin vitrodetected by 31P MRS.Conclusions. Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles have significant targeting efficiency in hepatic cellsin vitroand enhancement efficiency of ATP peaks in HepG-2 cells. Furthermore, 31P MRS could be applied in the research of hepatic molecular imaging.
Severe Postpartum Hemorrhage from Uterine Atony: A Multicentric Study
Authors: Montufar-Rueda Carlos , Rodriguez Laritza , Jarquin José Douglas , Barboza Alejandra , Bustillo Maura Carolina , Marin Flor , Ortiz Guillermo , Estrada Francisco
Published: December 2013

Objective. Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is an important cause of maternal mortality (MM) around the world. Seventy percent of the PPH corresponds to uterine atony. The objective of our study was to evaluate multicenter PPH cases during a 10-month period, and evaluate severe postpartum hemorrhage management.Study Design. The study population is a cohort of vaginal delivery and cesarean section patients with severe postpartum hemorrhage secondary to uterine atony. The study was designed as a descriptive, prospective, longitudinal, and multicenter study, during 10 months in 13 teaching hospitals.Results. Total live births during the study period were 124,019 with 218 patients (0.17%) with severe postpartum hemorrhage (SPHH). Total maternal deaths were 8, for mortality rate of 3.6% and a MM rate of 6.45/100,000 live births (LB). Maternal deaths were associated with inadequate transfusion therapy.Conclusions. In all patients with severe hemorrhage and subsequent hypovolemic shock, the most important therapy is intravascular volume resuscitation, to reduce the possibility of target organ damage and death. Similarly, the current proposals of transfusion therapy in severe or massive hemorrhage point to early transfusion of blood products and use of fresh frozen plasma, in addition to packed red blood cells, to prevent maternal deaths.
Numerical Simulation on the Residual Stress Induction due to Welding Process and Assessment by the Application of the Crack Compliance Method
Authors: Urriolagoitia-Sosa Guillermo , Pérez-Cabrera Armando , Romero-Ángeles Beatriz , Rodríguez-Martínez Rafael , Molina-Ballinas Arafat , Torres-San Miguel Christopher Rene , Hernández-Gómez Luis Héctor , Urriolagoitia-Calderón Guillermo
Published: December 2013

Residual stresses are mechanical effects that remain in a body after all external loads have been removed. In this sense and because a weldment is locally heated by a welding heat source, the temperature distribution is not uniform and changes as welding progresses. During the welding thermal cycle, complex transient thermal stresses are produced in the weldment and the surrounding joint. With the advancement of modern computers and computational techniques (such as the finite-element and the finite-difference methods), a renewed effort has been made in recent years to study and simulate residual stresses and the related phenomena. This paper discusses the procedure applying a finite element analysis by a 2D model to determine the residual stresses and distortions of steel AISI 316 bars under an arc welding process; additionally, the state of the stresses in the component is determined by the application of the crack compliance method (CCM); this is destructive experimental method based on fracture mechanics theory. This research also demonstrates that the residual stress distribution and the magnitude inducted into the component must be carefully assessed, or it could result in a component susceptible to failure.
Prescription of Kampo Drugs in the Japanese Health Care Insurance Program
Authors: Katayama Kotoe , Yoshino Tetsuhiro , Munakata Kaori , Yamaguchi Rui , Imoto Seiya , Miyano Satoru , Watanabe Kenji
Published: November 2013

Kampo medicine or traditional Japanese medicine has been used under Japan’s National Health Insurance scheme for 46 years. Recent research has shown that more than 80% of physicians use Kampo in daily practice. However, the use of Kampo from the patient perspective has received scant attention. To assess the current use of Kampo drugs in the National Health Insurance Program, we analysed a total of 67,113,579 health care claim records, which had been collected by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2009. We found that Kampo drugs were prescribed for 1.34% of all patients. Among these, 92.2% simultaneously received biomedical drugs.Shakuyakukanzotowas the most frequently prescribed Kampo drug. The usage of frequently prescribed Kampo drugs differed between the youth and the elderly, males and females, and inpatients and outpatients. Kampo medicine has been employed in a wide variety of conditions, but the prescription rate was highest for disorders associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (4.08%). Although the adoption of Kampo medicine by physicians is large in a variety of diseases, the prescription rate of Kampo drugs is very limited.
The Use of Integrative Therapies in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Shanghai, China
Authors: Pan Weidong , Chen Xiangjun , Bao Jie , Bai Yu , Lu Hua , Wang Qiudong , Liu Yi , Yuan Canxing , Li Wenwei , Liu Zhenguo , Liu Jun , Zhu Xuying , Qin Baofeng , Cai Dingfang , Zhou Hua
Published: December 2013

Objective. To investigate the current use of integrative therapies (IT) in the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Methods. A cross-sectional, multicenter clinical epidemiological survey was conducted in 12 hospitals in Shanghai. We investigated the type and frequency of IT use and determined whether the use of IT correlated with demographic, social, or disease-specific characteristics in our patient population.Results. A total of 231 (89.5%) of 258 patients with ALS were eligible for the study and 229 (99% of all) of 231 reported the use of at least one IT for the treatment of ALS. Vitamins and Chinese herb decoctions, Chinese herb compounds, massage therapy, and acupuncture were the 5 most commonly used therapies. There was a strong association between education level, income, and use of IT. A household income of more than 75,000 RMB ($49,995) correlated with multiple IT use, and married patients used IT more often than single individuals. The main reasons for using IT were to treat weakness and fatigue, muscle atrophy, the development of ALS, depression, insomnia, limb pain or numbness, and side effects associated with Riluzole.Conclusion. The use of IT is common in patients with ALS in Shanghai. Vitamins and TCM are the most used additional therapies and the widespread and largely unexamined use of IT for ALS requires more attention.
Development of a pyrG Mutant of Aspergillus oryzae Strain S1 as a Host for the Production of Heterologous Proteins
Authors: Ling Selina Oh Siew , Storms Reginald , Zheng Yun , Rodzi Mohd Rohaizad Mohd , Mahadi Nor Muhammad , Illias Rosli Md , Abdul Murad Abdul Munir , Abu Bakar Farah Diba
Published: November 2013

The ease with which auxotrophic strains and genes that complement them can be manipulated, as well as the stability of auxotrophic selection systems, are amongst the advantages of using auxotrophic markers to produce heterologous proteins. Most auxotrophic markers in Aspergillus oryzae originate from chemical or physical mutagenesis that may yield undesirable mutations along with the mutation of interest. An auxotrophic A. oryzae strain S1 was generated by deleting the orotidine‐5′‐monophosphate decarboxylase gene (pyrG) by targeted gene replacement. The uridine requirement of the resulting strain GR6 pyrGΔ0 was complemented by plasmids carrying a pyrG gene from either Aspergillus nidulans or A. oryzae. β‐Galactosidase expression by strain GR6 pyrGΔ0 transformed with an A. niger plasmid encoding a heterologous β‐galactosidase was at least 150 times more than that obtained with the untransformed strain. Targeted gene replacement is thus an efficient way of developing auxotrophic mutants in A. oryzae and the auxotrophic strain GR6 pyrGΔ0 facilitated the production of a heterologous protein in this fungus.
Smallest-Small-World Cellular Harmony Search for Optimization of Unconstrained Benchmark Problems
Authors: Im Sung Soo , Yoo Do Guen , Kim Joong Hoon
Published: November 2013

We presented a new hybrid method that combines cellular harmony search algorithms with the Smallest-Small-World theory. A harmony search (HS) algorithm is based on musical performance processes that occur when a musician searches for a better state of harmony. Harmony search has successfully been applied to a wide variety of practical optimization problems. Most of the previous researches have sought to improve the performance of the HS algorithm by changing the pitch adjusting rate and harmony memory considering rate. However, there has been a lack of studies to improve the performance of the algorithm by the formation of population structures. Therefore, we proposed an improved HS algorithm that uses the cellular automata formation and the topological structure of Smallest-Small-World network. The improved HS algorithm has a high clustering coefficient and a short characteristic path length, having good exploration and exploitation efficiencies. Nine benchmark functions were applied to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Unlike the existing improved HS algorithm, the proposed algorithm is expected to have improved algorithmic efficiency from the formation of the population structure.
Synthesis, Spectral, Thermogravimetric, XRD, Molecular Modelling and Potential Antibacterial Studies of Dimeric Complexes with Bis Bidentate ON–NO Donor Azo Dye Ligands
Authors: Mahapatra Bipin Bihari , Mishra Ramani Ranjan , Sarangi Ashish Kumar
Published: December 2013

The dimeric complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) with two new symmetrical ON–NO donor bis bidentate (tetradentate) azo dye ligands, LH2 = 4,4′‐bis(4′‐hydroxyquinolinolinylazo)diphenylsulphone, and L′H2 = 4,4′‐bis(acetoacetanilideazo)diphenylsulphone have been synthesized. The metal complexes have been characterised by elemental analytical, conductance, magnetic susceptibility, IR, electronic spectra, ESR, NMR, thermogravimetry, X‐ray diffraction (powder pattern) spectra, and molecular modelling studies. The Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes are found to be octahedral, Cu(II) complexes are distorted octahedral, and a tetrahedral stereochemistry has been assigned to Zn(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) complexes. The thermogravimetric study indicates that compounds are quite stable. The energy optimized structures are proposed using the semiempirical ZINDO/1 quantum mechanical calculations. The potential antibacterial study of the ligands and some metal complexes has been made with one gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and one gram negative bacteria E. coli which gives encouraging results. Both the Co(II) complexes are found to possess monoclinic crystal system.
Cluster Synchronization of Impulsive Complex Networks with Stochastic Perturbations and Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Zhao Yi , Feng Jianwen , Wang Jingyi
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates the cluster synchronization of impulsive complex networks with stochastic perturbation and time-varying delays. Besides, the nodes in the complex networks are nonidentical. By utilizing the Lyapunov stability theory, stochastic analysis theory, and linear matrix inequalities (LMI), sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee the cluster synchronization. The numerical simulation is provided to show the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Graviatoms with de Sitter Interior
Authors: Dymnikova Irina , Fil’chenkov Michael
Published: December 2013

We present a graviatom with de Sitter interior as a new candidate to atomic dark matter generically related to a vacuum dark energy through its de Sitter vacuum interior. It is a gravitationally bound quantum system consisting of a nucleus represented by a regular primordial black hole (RPBH), its remnant or gravitational vacuum soliton G-lump, and a charged particle. We estimate probability of formation of RPBHs and G-lumps in the early Universe and evaluate energy spectrum and electromagnetic radiation of graviatom which can in principle bear information about a fundamental symmetry scale responsible for de Sitter interior and serve as its observational signatures.
Design and Synthesis of Metal Complexes of (2E)‐2‐[(2E)‐3‐Phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide and Their Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue
Authors: Krishna P. Murali , Reddy N. B. Gopal , Kottam Nagaraju , Yallur B. C. , Katreddi Hussain Reddy
Published: December 2013

The photocatalytic degradation has been considered to be an efficient process for the degradation of organic pollutants, which are present in the effluents released by industries. The photocatalytic bleaching of cationic dye methylene blue was carried out spectrometrically on irradiation of UV light using Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes of (2E)‐2‐[(2E)‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐en‐1‐ylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide (HL). The effects of pH and metal ion were studied on the efficiency of the reaction. Cu(II) complex shows better catalytic activity and the highest percentage degradation (~88.8%) of methylene blue was observed at pH 12. A tentative mechanism has also been proposed for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.
Honey as a Potential Natural Anticancer Agent: A Review of Its Mechanisms
Authors: Ahmed Sarfraz , Othman Nor Hayati
Published: December 2013

The main treatment for cancer is by using chemotherapy and radiotherapy which themselves are toxic to other viable cells of the body. Recently, there are many studies focusing on the use of natural products for cancer prevention and treatment. Of these natural products, honey has been extensively researched. The mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of honey as chemopreventive and therapeutic agent has not been completely understood. The possible mechanisms are due to its apoptotic, antiproliferative, antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, estrogenic and immunomodulatory activities. We collate the findings of several studies published in the literature in order to understand the mechanism of its action.
Understanding Patient Values and the Manifestations in Clinical Research with Traditional Chinese Medicine—With Practical Suggestions for Trial Design and Implementation
Authors: Mu Wei , Shang Hongcai
Published: December 2013

Objective. To define patient values, identify their manifestations in a randomized clinical trial, and investigate the possible implications for clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine.Methods. We categorized patient values manifestations into patient choice, preference, compliance, and patient-reported outcomes and summarized the underlying personal values through purposeful electronic searches for relevant reports. By hypothesizing a set of positive versus negative circumstances occurring in the enrollment, intervention allocation, treatment, and the follow-up stage of a trial, it is possible to discuss the potential implications of patient values manifestation on a trial with traditional Chinese medicine.Results. Patient values and its manifestations are ubiquitous in the process of clinical research with traditional Chinese medicine. These values may provide motivation for participation or engender the internal and external validity of the study.Conclusions. Trialists should attach sufficient importance to the needs and concerns of individual participant. To incorporate patient values into the design and conduct of a clinical study with traditional Chinese medicine, researchers are recommended to adopt participant-friendly design and use patient-reported outcomes, take convenience-for-patients measures, and help foster rational beliefs and behaviors of trial participants.
Transient Limb Ischemia Alters Serum Protein Expression in Healthy Volunteers: Complement C3 and Vitronectin May Be Involved in Organ Protection Induced by Remote Ischemic Preconditioning
Authors: Pang Ting , Zhao Yang , Zhang Nan-Rong , Jin San-Qing , Pan San-Qiang
Published: December 2013

The protective mechanism underlying remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is unclear. This study aims to verify whether the protein expression profile in the serum could be altered by RIPC and to detect potential protein mediators. Transient limb ischemia consisting of three cycles of 5-min ischemia followed by 5-min reperfusion was performed on sixty healthy volunteers. Serum samples were collected at 30 min before transient limb ischemia and at 1 hour (h), 3 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h after completion of three cycles. Changes in the serum protein profile were analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and proteins were identified by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry. Fourteen differentially expressed proteins were identified and, respectively, involved in immune system, lipid binding and metabolism, apoptosis, and blood coagulation. Complement C3, vitronectin, and apolipoprotein A-I were further confirmed by western blotting, and the results showed that their contents decreased significantly after transient limb ischemia. It is concluded that transient limb ischemia alters the serum protein expression profile in human being, and that reduction of serum contents of complement C3 and vitronectin may represent an important part of the mechanism whereby RIPC confers its protection.
A Real‐World, Multicenter Assessment of Drugs Requiring Weight‐Based Calculations in Overweight, Adult Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Kane-Gill Sandra L. , Wytiaz Nicholas P. , Thompson Lisa M. , Muzykovsky Karina , Buckley Mitchell S. , Cohen Henry , Seybert Amy L.
Published: November 2013

Prescribing appropriate doses of drugs requiring weight‐based dosing is challenging in overweight patients due to a lack of data. With 68% of the US population considered overweight and these patients being at an increased risk for hospitalization, clinicians need guidance on dosing weight‐based drugs. The purpose of this study was to identify “real‐world” dose ranges of high‐risk medications administered via continuous infusion requiring weight‐based dosing and determine the reasons for dosing changes (ineffectiveness or adverse drug reactions). A prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in four intensive care units at three institutions. A total of 857 medication orders representing 11 different high‐risk medications in 173 patients were reviewed. It was noted that dosing did not increase in proportion to weight classification. Overall, 14 adverse drug reactions occurred in nine patients with more in overweight patients (9 of 14). A total of 75% of orders were discontinued due to ineffectiveness in groups with higher body mass indexes. Ineffectiveness leads to dosing adjustments resulting in the opportunity for medication errors. Also, the frequent dosing changes further demonstrate our lack of knowledge of appropriate dosing for this population. Given the medications’ increased propensity to cause harm, institutions should aggressively monitor these medications in overweight patients.
Improved Extended Multiplicative Scatter Correction Algorithm Applied in Blood Glucose Noninvasive Measurement with FT-IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Li Qingbo , Gao Qishuo , Zhang Guangjun
Published: December 2013

In order to improve the predictive accuracy of human blood glucose quantitative analysis model with fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, this paper uses a method named improved extended multiplicative scatter correction (Im-EMSC), which can effectively eliminate the scattering effects caused by human body strong scattering. The principal components of the differential spectra are used instead of the pure spectra of the analytes in this algorithm. Calibrate the unwanted physical characteristic through the shape of the curve of principal components, and extract the original glucose concentration information. Im-EMSC can efficiently remove most of the pathlength difference and baseline shift influences. Firstly, Im-EMSC is used as a preprocessing method, and then partial least squares (PLS) regression method is adopted to establish a quantitative analysis model. In this paper, the result of Im-EMSC is compared with those popular scattering correction algorithms of multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and extended multiplicative scatter correction (EMSC) preprocessing methods. Experimental results show that the prediction accuracy has been greatly improved with Im-EMSC method, which is helpful for human noninvasive glucose concentration detection technology.
Mathematical Model and Analysis of Negative Skin Friction of Pile Group in Consolidating Soil
Authors: Kong Gangqiang , Liu Hanlong , Yang Qing , Liang Robert Y. , Zhou Hang
Published: November 2013

In order to calculate negative skin friction (NSF) of pile group embedded in a consolidating soil, the dragload calculating formulas of single pile were established by considering Davis one-dimensional nonlinear consolidation soils settlement and hyperbolic load-transfer of pile-soil interface. Based on effective influence area theory, a simple semiempirical mathematical model of analysis for predicting the group effect of pile group under dragload was described. The accuracy and reliability of mathematical models built in this paper were verified by practical engineering comparative analysis. Case studies were studied, and the prediction values were found to be in good agreement with those of measured values. Then, the influences factors, such as, soil consolidation degree, the initial volume compressibility coefficient, and the stiffness of bearing soil, were analyzed and discussed. The results show that the mathematical models considering nonlinear soil consolidation and group effect can reflect the practical NSF of pile group effectively and accurately. The results of this paper can provide reference for practical pile group embedded in consolidating soil under NSF design and calculation.
Research on Land Surface Thermal-Hydrologic Exchange in Southern China under Future Climate and Land Cover Scenarios
Authors: Yan Jianwu , Chen Baozhang , Feng Min , Innes John L. , Wang Guangyu , Fang Shifeng , Xu Guang , Zhang Huifang , Fu Dongjie , Wang Huimin , Yu Guirui , Sun Xiaomin
Published: November 2013

Climate change inevitably leads to changes in hydrothermal circulation. However, thermal-hydrologic exchanging caused by land cover change has also undergone ineligible changes. Therefore, studying the comprehensive effects of climate and land cover changes on land surface water and heat exchanges enables us to well understand the formation mechanism of regional climate and predict climate change with fewer uncertainties. This study investigated the land surface thermal-hydrologic exchange across southern China for the next 40 years using a land surface model (ecosystem-atmosphere simulation scheme (EASS)). Our findings are summarized as follows. (i) Spatiotemporal variation patterns of sensible heat flux (H) and evapotranspiration (ET) under the land cover scenarios (A2a or B2a) and climate change scenario (A1B) are unanimous. (ii) BothHand ET take on a single peak pattern, and the peak occurs in June or July. (iii) Based on the regional interannual variability analysis,Hdisplays a downward trend (10%) and ET presents an increasing trend (15%). (iv) The annual averageHand ET would, respectively, increase and decrease by about 10% when woodland converts to the cultivated land. Through this study, we recognize that land surface water and heat exchanges are affected greatly by the future climate change as well as land cover change.
Can Immunity to Breast Cancer Eliminate Residual Micrometastases?
Authors: Disis Mary L. , Stanton Sasha E.
Published: December 2013

An effective immune response has the potential for breast cancer sterilization with marked reduction in the potential for disease relapse. Adaptive type I immune cells uniquely have the capability of (i) cytotoxic T-cell activation and proliferation until all antigen expressing cells are eradicated, (ii) traversing endothelial barriers to penetrate tumor deposits wherever they occur, and (iii) immunologic memory, which allows the persistence of destructive immunity over the years it may take for breast cancer micrometastases to become clinically evident. Numerous recent investigations suggest that some breast cancers stimulate the type of immunity that results in a decreased risk of relapse. Moreover, the endogenous type I tumor microenvironment or type I immunity induced by drugs or biologic agents may improve response to standard therapies, further lowering the probability of disease recurrence. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6398–403. ©2013 AACR.
CNS Metastases in Breast Cancer: Old Challenge, New Frontiers
Authors: Lin Nancy U. , Amiri-Kordestani Laleh , Palmieri Diane , Liewehr David J. , Steeg Patricia S.
Published: December 2013

Despite major therapeutic advances in the management of patients with breast cancer, central nervous system (CNS) metastases remain an intractable problem, particularly in patients with metastatic HER2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer. As systemic therapies to treat extracranial disease improve, some patients are surviving longer, and the frequency of CNS involvement seems to be increasing. Furthermore, in the early-stage setting, the CNS remains a potential sanctuary site for relapse. This review highlights advances in the development of biologically relevant preclinical models, including the development of brain-tropic cell lines for testing of agents to prevent and treat brain metastases, and summarizes our current understanding of the biology of CNS relapse. From a clinical perspective, a variety of therapeutic approaches are discussed, including methods to improve drug delivery, novel cytotoxic agents, and targeted therapies. Challenges in current trial design and endpoints are reviewed. Finally, we discuss promising new directions, including novel trial designs, correlative imaging techniques, and enhanced translational opportunities. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6404–18. ©2013 AACR.
Neoadjuvant Therapy as a Platform for Drug Development and Approval in Breast Cancer
Authors: Bardia Aditya , Baselga José
Published: December 2013

The traditional drug development process in breast cancer based on large phase III studies has serious limitations and needs a major overhaul. Searching for new approaches, the testing of novel agents in the preoperative (neoadjuvant) setting approach offers a potentially rapid and efficient strategy for drug development utilizing pathologic complete response (path CR), a surrogate marker for survival, as the primary endpoint. In addition, neoadjuvant studies allow the assessment of drug effects on the target (pharmacodynamic response) and the development of predictive biomarkers of response. Molecular profiling of the residual tumor in the surgical specimen may also provide insights into actionable mechanisms of resistance. Recognizing the potential of neoadjuvant trials for drug development, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced consideration of neoadjuvant trials for accelerated drug approval in early breast cancer, particularly for tumors with high risk of recurrence and unfavorable prognosis, and provided accelerated approval to neoadjuvant pertuzumab in September 2013. The FDA has emphasized that while improvement in path CR could be utilized for “accelerated” approval, improvement in survival will still need to be demonstrated for “regular” approval. Key considerations in conduct of such neoadjuvant drug development trials include (i) study design such as utilization of biomarker stratified design to evaluate a biomarker that could enrich response, (ii) definition of path CR, (iii) distribution of factors that influence path CR between the treatment arms, (iv) prespecified plan for follow-up to obtain data on survival, and (v) safety as it involves a patient population with curable disease. In the years to come, we anticipate an increase in the number of neoadjuvant trials testing novel therapies that hopefully will open a new path in bringing efficacious new therapies to patients with breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6360–70. ©2013 AACR.
Progress in Breast Cancer: Overview
Authors: Arteaga Carlos L.
Published: December 2013

This edition of CCR Focus titled Research in Breast Cancer: Frontiers in Genomics, Biology, and Clinical Investigation reviews six topics that cover areas of translational research of high impact in breast cancer. These topics represent areas of breast cancer research where significant progress has occurred but also where very important challenges remain. The papers in this CCR Focus section are contributed by experts in the respective areas of investigation. Herein, key aspects of these contributions and the research directions they propose are reviewed. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6353–9. ©2013 AACR.
Induction of the Connexin 32 Gene by Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Potentiates Vinblastine-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Renal Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Sato Ayami , Sekine Miki , Kobayashi Minako , Virgona Nantiga , Ota Masako , Yano Tomohiro
Published: December 2013

Background/Aim: Enforced expression of the connexin (Cx) 32 gene, a member of the gap junction gene family and a tumor suppressor gene in human renal cell carcinoma (RCC), enhanced vinblastine (VBL)-induced cytotoxicity in RCC cells due to suppression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) expression. Furthermore, in RCC the Cx32 gene is silenced by hypermethylation of CpG islands in a promoter region of the Cx gene. In this study, we investigated if the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) could enhance susceptibility of RCC cells (Caki-1, a human metastatic RCC cell) to VBL. Methods: The effects of EGCG on Caki-1 cells were estimated by WST-1 (cell viability), real-time RT-PCR (mRNA level) and immunoblotting (protein level). We estimated the methylation status in the promoter region of the Cx32 gene in RCC cells by methylation-specific PCR. Each protein function was inhibited by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and specific inhibitors. Results: The EGCG treatment elicited significant upregulation of Cx32 in Caki-1 cells, and the induction of the Cx led to the suppression of MDR1 mRNA expression through inactivation of Src and subsequent activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK). Chemical sensitivity to VBL in Caki-1 cells was increased by EGCG pretreatment, and this effect was abrogated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cx32. Conclusion: This study suggests that the restoration of Cx32 by EGCG pretreatment improves chemical tolerance on VBL in Caki-1 cells via the inactivation of Src and the activation of JNK.