bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy-Efficient Node Scheduling Method for Cooperative Target Tracking in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Liu Weirong , He Yun , Zhang Xiaoyong , Jiang Fu , Gao Kai , Xiao Jianming
Published: August 2015

Using the sensor nodes to achieve target tracking is a challenging problem in resource-limited wireless sensor networks. The tracking nodes are usually required to consume much energy to improve the tracking performance. In this paper, an energy-efficient node scheduling method is proposed to minimize energy consumption while ensuring the tracking accuracy. Firstly, the Kalman-consensus filter is constructed to improve the tracking accuracy and predict the target position. Based on the predicted position, an adaptive node scheduling mechanism is utilized to adjust the sample interval and the number of active nodes dynamically. Rather than using traditional search algorithm, the scheduling problem is decomposed to decouple the sample interval and number of nodes. And the node index is mapped into real domain to get closed-form solution to decide the active nodes. Thus, the NP-complete nature is avoided in the proposed method. The proposed scheduling method can keep the tracking accuracy while minimizing energy consumption. Simulation results validate its effective performance for target tracking in wireless sensor networks.
Anti-VEGF Therapy and the Retina: An Update
Authors: Tah Vikas , Orlans Harry O. , Hyer Jonathan , Casswell Edward , Din Nizar , Sri Shanmuganathan Vishnu , Ramskold Louise , Pasu Saruban
Published: August 2015

Ocular angiogenesis and macular oedema are major causes of sight loss across the world. Aberrant neovascularisation, which may arise secondary to numerous disease processes, can result in reduced vision as a result of oedema, haemorrhage, and scarring. The development of antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents has revolutionised the treatment of retinal vasogenic conditions. These drugs are now commonly employed for the treatment of a plethora of ocular pathologies including choroidal neovascularisation, diabetic macular oedema, and retinal vein occlusion to name a few. In this paper, we will explore the current use of anti-VEGF in a variety of retinal diseases and the impact that these medications have had on visual outcome for patients.
Reproductive and Obstetric Factors Are Key Predictors of Maternal Anemia during Pregnancy in Ethiopia: Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey (2011)
Authors: Alemu Taddese , Umeta Melaku
Published: August 2015

Anemia is a major public health problem worldwide. In Ethiopia, a nationally representative and consistent evidence is lacking on the prevalence and determinants during pregnancy. We conducted an in-depth analysis of demographic and health survey for the year 2011 which is a representative data collected from all regions in Ethiopia. Considering maternal anemia as an outcome variable, predicting variables from sociodemographic, household, and reproductive/obstetric characteristics were identified for analyses. Logistic regression model was applied to identify predictors atP<0.05. The prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 23%. Maternal age, region, pregnancy trimester, number of under five children, previous history of abortion (termination of pregnancy), breastfeeding practices, and number of antenatal care visits were key independent predictors of anemia during pregnancy. In conclusion, the level of anemia during pregnancy is a moderate public health problem in Ethiopia. Yet, special preventive measures should be undertaken for pregnant women who are older in age and having too many under five children and previous history of abortion. Further evidence is expected to be generated concerning why pregnant mothers from the eastern part of the country and those with better access to radio disproportionately develop anemia more than their counterparts.
Buschke-Löwenstein Tumour: Successful Treatment with Minimally Invasive Techniques
Authors: Correia Estefânia , Santos António
Published: August 2015

We report a case of an 80-year-old female who presented with a four-year history of a growing mass in the perianal area with pain and bleeding during defaecation. Clinical examination revealed a locally destructive, cauliflower-like, verrucous mass measuring 10×12 cm in diameter. Histologic findings revealed a moderate degree of dysplasia of the epithelium with koilocytosis atypia, acanthosis, and parakeratosis, features that are consistent with Buschke-Löwenstein tumour. Polymerase-chain-reaction assay for human papillomavirus (HPV) showed an infection with HPV type 11. Full-thickness excision of involved skin was undertaken by cryotherapy and electrocautery over five months. The entire wound was left open to heal by secondary intention. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient has not experienced a recurrence, with excellent functional results, but the cosmetic results were satisfactory. These minimally invasive techniques can be safer and more cost-effective than surgery and the General Practitioner can play a key role in diagnosis.
The Bidirectional Relationship between Sleep and Immunity against Infections
Authors: Ibarra-Coronado Elizabeth G. , Pantaleón-Martínez Ana Ma. , Velazquéz-Moctezuma Javier , Prospéro-García Oscar , Méndez-Díaz Mónica , Pérez-Tapia Mayra , Pavón Lenin , Morales-Montor Jorge
Published: August 2015

Sleep is considered an important modulator of the immune response. Thus, a lack of sleep can weaken immunity, increasing organism susceptibility to infection. For instance, shorter sleep durations are associated with a rise in suffering from the common cold. The function of sleep in altering immune responses must be determined to understand how sleep deprivation increases the susceptibility to viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections. There are several explanations for greater susceptibility to infections after reduced sleep, such as impaired mitogenic proliferation of lymphocytes, decreased HLA-DR expression, the upregulation of CD14+, and variations in CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, which have been observed during partial sleep deprivation. Also, steroid hormones, in addition to regulating sexual behavior, influence sleep. Thus, we hypothesize that sleep and the immune-endocrine system have a bidirectional relationship in governing various physiological processes, including immunity to infections. This review discusses the evidence on the bidirectional effects of the immune response against viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections on sleep patterns and how the lack of sleep affects the immune response against such agents. Because sleep is essential in the maintenance of homeostasis, these situations must be adapted to elicit changes in sleep patterns and other physiological parameters during the immune response to infections to which the organism is continuously exposed.
Kinematic, Dynamic, and Energy Characteristics of Diastolic Flow in the Left Ventricle
Authors: Khalafvand Seyed Saeid , Hung Tin-Kan , Ng Eddie Yin-Kwee , Zhong Liang
Published: August 2015

Blood flow characteristics in the normal left ventricle are studied by using the magnetic resonance imaging, the Navier-Stokes equations, and the work-energy equation. Vortices produced during the mitral valve opening and closing are modeled in a two-dimensional analysis and correlated with temporal variations of the Reynolds number and pressure drop. Low shear stress and net pressures on the mitral valve are obtained for flow acceleration and deceleration. Bernoulli energy flux delivered to blood from ventricular dilation is practically balanced by the energy influx and the rate change of kinetic energy in the ventricle. The rates of work done by shear and energy dissipation are small. The dynamic and energy characteristics of the 2D results are comparable to those of a 3D model.
The Cortisol Awakening Response in Patients with Poststroke Depression Is Blunted and Negatively Correlated with Depressive Mood
Authors: Kwon Oh Jeong , Kim Munsoo , Lee Ho Sub , Sung Kang-keyng , Lee Sangkwan
Published: August 2015

It is important to reduce poststroke depression (PSD) to improve the stroke outcomes and quality of life in stroke patients, but the underlying mechanisms of PSD are not completely understood. As many studies implicate dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the etiology of major depression and stroke, we compared the cortisol awakening response (CAR) of 28 admitted PSD patients with that of 23 age-matched caregiver controls. Saliva samples for cortisol measurement were collected immediately, 15, 30, and 45 min after awakening for two consecutive days. Depressive mood status in PSD patients was determined with Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Salivary cortisol levels of PSD patients did not rise significantly at any sampling time, showing a somewhat flat curve. Caregiver controls showed significantly higher CAR at 15 and 30 min after awakening compared to PSD patients even though the two groups did not differ at awakening or 45 min after awakening. Area-under-the-curve analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the CAR and the degree of depression in PSD patients. Thus, our findings suggest that poststroke depression is closely related with dysfunctional HPA axis indicated by blunted CAR.
Sustained Reduction of Cerebellar Activity in Experimental Epilepsy
Authors: Rijkers Kim , Moers-Hornikx Véronique M. P. , Hemmes Roelof J. , Aalbers Marlien W. , Temel Yasin , Vles Johan S. H. , Hoogland Govert
Published: August 2015

Clinical and experimental evidence suggests a role for the cerebellum in seizure control, while no data are available on cerebellar activity between seizures. We hypothesized that interictal regional activity of the deep cerebellar nuclei is reduced in epilepsy and tested this in an animal model by using ΔFosB and cytochrome oxidase (COX) (immuno)histochemistry. The expression of these two markers of neuronal activity was analysed in the dentate nucleus (DN), interpositus nucleus (IN), and fastigial nucleus (FN) of the cerebellum of fully amygdala kindled rats that were sacrificed 48 hours after their last seizure. The DN and FN of kindled rats exhibited 25 to 29% less ΔFosB immunopositive cells than their respective counterpart in sham controls (P<0.05). COX expression in the DN and FN of kindled animals was reduced by 32 to 33% compared to respective control values (P<0.05). These results indicate that an epileptogenic state is characterized by decreased activity of deep cerebellar nuclei, especially the DN and FN. Possible consequences may include a decreased activation of the thalamus, contributing to further seizure spread. Restoration of FN activity by low frequency electrical stimulation is suggested as a possible treatment option in chronic epilepsy.
Role and Importance of IGF-1 in Traumatic Brain Injuries
Authors: Mangiola Annunziato , Vigo Vera , Anile Carmelo , De Bonis Pasquale , Marziali Giammaria , Lofrese Giorgio
Published: August 2015

It is increasingly affirmed that most of the long-term consequences of TBI are due to molecular and cellular changes occurring during the acute phase of the injury and which may, afterwards, persist or progress. Understanding how to prevent secondary damage and improve outcome in trauma patients, has been always a target of scientific interest. Plans of studies focused their attention on the posttraumatic neuroendocrine dysfunction in order to achieve a correlation between hormone blood level and TBI outcomes. The somatotropic axis (GH and IGF-1) seems to be the most affected, with different alterations between the acute and late phases. IGF-1 plays an important role in brain growth and development, and it is related to repair responses to damage for both the central and peripheral nervous system. The IGF-1 blood levels result prone to decrease during both the early and late phases after TBI. Despite this, experimental studies on animals have shown that the CNS responds to the injury upregulating the expression of IGF-1; thus it appears to be related to the secondary mechanisms of response to posttraumatic damage. We review the mechanisms involving IGF-1 in TBI, analyzing how its expression and metabolism may affect prognosis and outcome in head trauma patients.
An Influence of Birth Weight, Gestational Age, and Apgar Score on Pattern Visual Evoked Potentials in Children with History of Prematurity
Authors: Michalczuk Marta , Urban Beata , Chrzanowska-Grenda Beata , Oziębło-Kupczyk Monika , Bakunowicz-Łazarczyk Alina
Published: August 2015

Purpose. The objective of our study was to examine a possible influence of gestational age, birth weight, and Apgar score on amplitudes and latencies of P100 wave in preterm born school-age children.Materials and Methods. We examined the following group of school-age children: 28 with history of prematurity (mean age 10.56 ± 1.66 years) and 25 born at term (mean age 11.2 ± 1.94 years). The monocular PVEP was performed in all children.Results. The P100 wave amplitudes and latencies significantly differ between preterm born school-age children and those born at term. There was an essential positive linear correlation of the P100 wave amplitudes with birth weight, gestational age, and Apgar score. There were the negative linear correlations of P100 latencies in 15-minute stimulation from O1 and Oz electrode with Apgar score and O1 and O2 electrode with gestational age.Conclusions. PVEP responses vary in preterm born children in comparison to term. Low birth weight, early gestational age, and poor baseline output seem to be the predicting factors for the developmental rate of a brain function in children with history of prematurity. Further investigations are necessary to determine perinatal factors that can affect the modified visual system function in preterm born children.
Regeneration, Plasticity, and Induced Molecular Programs in Adult Zebrafish Brain
Authors: Cosacak Mehmet Ilyas , Papadimitriou Christos , Kizil Caghan
Published: August 2015

Regenerative capacity of the brain is a variable trait within animals. Aquatic vertebrates such as zebrafish have widespread ability to renew their brains upon damage, while mammals have—if not none—very limited overall regenerative competence. Underlying cause of such a disparity is not fully evident; however, one of the reasons could be activation of peculiar molecular programs, which might have specific roles after injury or damage, by the organisms that regenerate. If this hypothesis is correct, then there must be genes and pathways that (a) are expressed only after injury or damage in tissues, (b) are biologically and functionally relevant to restoration of neural tissue, and (c) are not detected in regenerating organisms. Presence of such programs might circumvent the initial detrimental effects of the damage and subsequently set up the stage for tissue redevelopment to take place by modulating the plasticity of the neural stem/progenitor cells. Additionally, if transferable, those “molecular mechanisms of regeneration” could open up new avenues for regenerative therapies of humans in clinical settings. This review focuses on the recent studies addressing injury/damage-induced molecular programs in zebrafish brain, underscoring the possibility of the presence of genes that could be used as biomarkers of neural plasticity and regeneration.
Fascioliasis: An Ongoing Zoonotic Trematode Infection
Authors: Nyindo Mramba , Lukambagire Abdul-Hamid
Published: August 2015

Zoonotic trematode infections are an area of the neglected tropical diseases that have become of major interest to global and public health due to their associated morbidity. Human fascioliasis is a trematode zoonosis of interest in public health. It affects approximately 50 million people worldwide and over 180 million are at risk of infection in both developed and underdeveloped countries. The one health paradigm is an area that seeks to address the problem of zoonotic infections through a comprehensive and sustainable approach. This review attempts to address the major challenges in managing human and animal fascioliasis with valuable insights gained from the one health paradigm to global health and multidisciplinary integration.
A Wavelet Algorithm for Fourier-Bessel Transform Arising in Optics
Authors: Irfan Nagma , Siddiqi A. H.
Published: August 2015

The aim of the paper is to propose an efficient and stable algorithm that is quite accurate and fast for numerical evaluation of the Fourier-Bessel transform of order ν,  ν>-1, using wavelets. The philosophy behind the proposed algorithm is to replace the part tf(t) of the integral by its wavelet decomposition obtained by using CAS wavelets thus representing Fν(p) as a Fourier-Bessel series with coefficients depending strongly on the input function tf(t). The wavelet method indicates that the approach is easy to implement and thus computationally very attractive.
Polymorphism on Chromosome 9p21.3 Is Associated with Severity and Early-Onset CAD in Type 2 Diabetic Tunisian Population
Authors: Abid Kaouthar , Mili Donia , Kenani Abderraouf
Published: August 2015

Multiple association studies found that the human 9p21.3 chromosome locus is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of the severity and early-onset of coronary artery disease with variant rs1333049 on chromosome 9p21.3 polymorphism and the impact of this variant on cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients. The study population consisted of a control CAD group (101 patients) and 273 consecutive type 2 diabetic patients. Severity and extent of coronary atherosclerosis were scored numerically using the Gensini scoring system. The diabetic population was divided into three groups according to Gensini score: Group 1: no stenosis; Group 2: moderate CAD; Group 3, severe CAD. The homozygous CC genotype of rs1333049 was significantly associated with CAD in Group 2 (OR: 1.36;p=0.02) and Group 3 (OR: 5.77,p<0.001) compared to Group 1 (OR: 0.18;p=0.2) and control group (OR: 0.22;p=0.21). Among diabetic patients with early-onset CAD, CC genotype carriers had significantly higher Gensini scores than non-CC genotype carriers (49±21.3versus14.87±25.22;p<0.001). The homozygous CC genotype of rs1333049 confers a magnified risk of early-onset and severe CAD in type 2 diabetic Tunisian population.
Posterior Cortical Atrophy Presenting with Superior Arcuate Field Defect
Authors: Wan Sue Ling , Bukowska Danuta M. , Ford Stephen , Chen Fred K.
Published: August 2015

An 80-year-old female with reading difficulty presented with progressive arcuate field defect despite low intraocular pressure. Over a 5-year period, the field defect evolved into an incongruous homonymous hemianopia and the repeated neuroimaging revealed progressive posterior cortical atrophy. Further neuropsychiatric assessment demonstrated symptoms and signs consistent with Benson’s syndrome.
On Training Efficiency and Computational Costs of a Feed Forward Neural Network: A Review
Authors: Laudani Antonino , Lozito Gabriele Maria , Riganti Fulginei Francesco , Salvini Alessandro
Published: August 2015

A comprehensive review on the problem of choosing a suitable activation function for the hidden layer of a feed forward neural network has been widely investigated. Since the nonlinear component of a neural network is the main contributor to the network mapping capabilities, the different choices that may lead to enhanced performances, in terms of training, generalization, or computational costs, are analyzed, both in general-purpose and in embedded computing environments. Finally, a strategy to convert a network configuration between different activation functions without altering the network mapping capabilities will be presented.
Implementing PMIPv6 Protocol Based on Extended Service Set for IEEE 802.11 Infrastructure WLAN
Authors: Zhu Deqing , Xu Lin , Zhu Yi-hua , Tian Xianzhong
Published: August 2015

With the popularity of IEEE 802.11 based wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) portable devices, it becomes increasingly significant to support the mobile users carrying Wi-Fi devices to access the Internet of Things (IoT) so that the communications between the mobile users and the smart objects deployed in the IoT stay uninterrupted when the mobile users are in movement. A scheme using Extended Service Set- (ESS-) based architecture is presented to implement the proxy mobile IPv6 protocol, that is, PMIPv6, for IEEE 802.11 infrastructure Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). The key signaling packets together with their time sequences for the mobility management in the proposed scheme are proposed. Moreover, the handoff delay in the proposed scheme is derived, through which the performance of the proposed scheme is analyzed. Numerical analysis indicates that the proposed scheme considerably outperforms the existing scheme that uses the Basic Service Set (BSS) based architecture in terms of handoff delay in the case when the delay between Mobile Access Gateway (MAG) and local mobile anchor (LMA) is relatively large.
Psychopathology in Substance Use Disorder Patients with and without Substance-Induced Psychosis
Authors: Zhornitsky Simon , Tikàsz Andràs , Rizkallah Élie , Chiasson Jean-Pierre , Potvin Stéphane
Published: August 2015

Background. Substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) is a diagnosis constructed to distinguish substance-induced psychotic states from primary psychotic disorders. A number of studies have compared SIPD persons with primary psychotic patients, but there is little data on what differentiates substance use disorder (SUD) individuals with and without SIPD. Here, we compared psychopathology, sociodemographic variables, and substance use characteristics between SUD patients with and without SIPD.Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted on newly admitted patients at a rehabilitation centre between 2007 and 2012.Results. Of the 379 patients included in the study, 5% were diagnosed with SIPDn=19and 95% were diagnosed with SUDs without SIPDn=360. More SIPD patients reported using cannabis and psychostimulants, and fewer SIPD patients reported using alcohol than SUDs patients without SIPD. SIPD patients scored higher on the “schizophrenia nuclear symptoms” dimension of the SCL-90R psychoticism scale and exhibited more ClusterB personality traits than SUD patients without SIPD.Discussion. These data are consistent with previous studies suggesting that psychopathology, substance type, and sociodemographic variables play important role in the development of SIPD. More importantly, the results highlight the need for paying greater attention to the types of self-reported psychotic symptoms during the assessment of psychotomimetic effects associated with psychoactive substances.
Gray and White Matter Volumes and Cognitive Dysfunction in Drug-Naïve Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Epilepsy
Authors: Lee Jung Hwa , Kim Song E. , Park Chang-hyun , Yoo Jeong Hyun , Lee Hyang Woon
Published: August 2015

Epilepsy patients often have cognitive dysfunction even at early stages of disease. We investigated the relationship between structural findings and neuropsychological status in drug-naïve newly diagnosed pediatric epilepsy patients. Thirty newly diagnosed pediatric epilepsy patients and 25 healthy control subjects aged 7~16 years were enrolled, who were assessed by the Korean version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (K-WISC-III), the Stroop test, and the trail making test (TMT). Optimized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was performed for both Gray Matter (GM) and White Matter (WM) volumes. Lower performance levels of verbal intelligence quotient, freedom from distractibility, and executive function were observed in epilepsy group. Interestingly, poor performance in these cognitive subdomains was correlated with regional VBM findings involving both GM and WM volumes, but with different patterns between groups. GM volumes revealed clear differences predominantly in the bilateral frontal regions. These findings indicate that certain cognitive functions may be affected in the early stage of epilepsy, not related to the long-standing epilepsy or medication, but more related to the neurocognitive developmental process in this age. Epilepsy can lead to neuroanatomical alterations in both GM and WM, which may affect cognitive functions, during early stages even before commencement of AED medication.
Mutations Found inembCAB,embR, andubiAGenes of Ethambutol-Sensitive and -ResistantMycobacterium tuberculosisClinical Isolates from China
Authors: Xu Yuhui , Jia Hongyan , Huang Hairong , Sun Zhaogang , Zhang Zongde
Published: August 2015

To better understand the molecular mechanisms of Ethambutol (EMB) resistance, the mutant hot spot region of five genes (embB, embA, embC, embR, andubiA) was amplified and sequenced in 109 EMB-resistant and 153 EMB-susceptible clinical isolates from China. Twenty-seven EMB-susceptible isolates were found to have nonsynonym mutations, 23 of which were inembB. The mutations occurred most frequently inembB(85.3%, 93) and were seldom inembC(2.8%, 3),embA(3.7%, 4),embR(3.7%, 4), andubiA(8.3%, 9) in EMB-resistant isolates. For theembBgene, 63 isolates showed mutations atembB306, 20 atembB406, nine atembB497, and five atembB354 in EMB-resistant isolates. In addition, the particular mutants atembB406 andembB497 indicated both high levels of EMB resistance (MICs>5 μg/mL) and broad anti-TB drug resistance spectrums. Our data supported the facts thatembB306 could be used as a marker for EMB resistance with a sensitivity of 57.8% and a specificity of 78.8%.
The Optimal Multistage Effort and Contract of VC’s Joint Investment
Authors: Wu Meng
Published: August 2015

If the venture project has a great demand of investment, venture entrepreneurs will seek multiple venture capitalists to ensure necessary funding. This paper discusses the decision-making process in the case that multiple venture capitalists invest in a single project. From the beginning of the project till the withdrawal of the investment, the efforts of both parties are long term and dynamic. We consider the Stackelberg game model for venture capital investment in multiple periods. Given the optimal efforts by the entrepreneurs, our results clearly show that as time goes, in every single period entrepreneurs will expect their share of revenue paid to shrink. In other words, they expect a higher ex ante payment and a lower ex post payment. But, in contrast, venture capitalists are expecting exactly the opposite. With a further analysis, we also design an optimal contract in multiple periods. Last but not the least, several issues to be further investigated are proposed as well.
Exact Solutions of Heat and Mass Transfer with MHD Flow in a Porous Medium under Time Dependent Shear Stress and Temperature
Authors: Khan Arshad , Khan Ilyas , Ali Farhad , Khalid Asma , Shafie Sharidan
Published: August 2015

This paper aims to study the influence of thermal radiation on unsteady magnetohyrdodynamic (MHD) natural convection flow of an optically thick fluid over a vertical plate embedded in a porous medium with arbitrary shear stress. Combined phenomenon of heat and mass transfer is considered. Closed-form solutions in general form are obtained by using the Laplace transform technique. They are expressed in terms of exponential and complementary error functions. Velocity is expressed as a sum of thermal and mechanical parts. Corresponding limiting solutions are also reduced from the general solutions. It is found that the obtained solutions satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions and reduce to some known solutions from the literature as special cases. Analytical results for the pertinent flow parameters are drawn graphically and discussed in detail. It is found that the velocity profiles of fluid decrease with increasing shear stress. The magnetic parameter develops shear resistance which reduces the fluid motion whereas the inverse permeability parameter increases the fluid flow.
Multiple Target Localization with Bistatic Radar Using Heuristic Computational Intelligence Techniques
Authors: Zaman Fawad , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Rehman Ata Ur , Tanoli Shujaat Ali Khan
Published: August 2015

We assume Bistatic Phase Multiple Input Multiple Output radar having passive Centrosymmetric Cross Shape Sensor Array (CSCA) on its receiver. Let the transmitter of this Bistatic radar send coherent signals using a subarray that gives a fairly wide beam with a large solid angle so as to cover up any potential relevant target in the near field. We developed Heuristic Computational Intelligence (HCI) based techniques to jointly estimate the range, amplitude, and elevation and azimuth angles of these multiple targets impinging on the CSCA. In this connection, first the global search optimizers, that is,are developed separately Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE) are developed separately, and, to enhance the performances further, both of them are hybridized with a local search optimizer called Active Set Algorithm (ASA). Initially, the performance of PSO, DE, PSO hybridized with ASA, and DE hybridized with ASA are compared with each other and then with some traditional techniques available in literature using root mean square error (RMSE) as figure of merit.
Metabolomics Biomarkers for Breast Cancer
Authors: Günther Ulrich L.
Published: August 2015

Metabolomics represents a more recent addition to the range of omics tools, which are increasingly used in clinical applications. By measuring the composition of small molecules in tissues, blood or urine, it provides a sensitive molecular readout often associated with disease and its states, especially in cancer. Changes in metabolism related to cancer are increasingly well understood and are seen as a major hallmark of cancer. This review covers metabolomics used in human breast cancers, with a focus on its application in clinical diagnostics. There are clear indications that metabolomics could be a useful addition to currently established clinical diagnostic tools for breast cancer, including the possibility to detect cancer and to predict treatment responses and survival rates from blood and tissue samples.
Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Lymphovascular Invasion in Invasive Breast Cancer
Authors: Aleskandarany Mohammed A. , Sonbul Sultan N. , Mukherjee Abhik , Rakha Emad A.
Published: August 2015

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI), the presence of malignant cells within lymphovascular channels, is a crucial step in the invasion-metastasis cascade. LVI, when identified morphologically in the peritumoural area, is regarded as an indicator of metastatic potential and is strongly associated with a poor prognosis in many solid tumours, including breast cancer (BC). Although molecular mechanisms associated with the development of LVI have been extensively studied, details of driver genes, and molecular pathways and mechanisms involved in its development in BC, remain poorly defined. Although invasive BC cells have the ability to invade surrounding stroma, only those that can interact with endothelial cells, penetrate the vascular wall and withstand the intravascular stress will develop LVI and complete metastatic dissemination. Identification of additional molecular events associated with LVI in the primary tumour and characterisation of the contribution of the tumour micro-environment to modulating biological processes leading to LVI in BC remain a challenging task. This stems not only from the complexity of the molecular alterations in the primary tumour and the interactions with different components of its micro-environment but also from the subjective nature of LVI assessment in human BC. In this review, we discuss the clinicopathological features and the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying LVI in BC.
Herpes Virus Entry Mediator in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells Modulates the Production of Inflammatory Cytokines in Response to HSV Type 1 Challenge
Authors: Guo Hui , Pang Kunpeng , Wei Yan , Yi Cuihua , Wu Xinyi
Published: August 2015

Aims: To investigate the role of herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM) in viral entry and inflammatory cytokine production in response to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 challenge in human corneal epithelial cells. Methods: HVEM expression in human corneal epithelial cells was determined by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. The HSV-1 virus expressing β-galactosidase was used to challenge corneal epithelial cells and viral entry assays were performed to ascertain HSV-1 entry into cells. Levels of cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-12, and IL-18 and chemokines MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2 were detected in corneal epithelial cells treated with control or HVEM siRNA in response to HSV-1 challenge. Results: Human corneal epithelial cells were positive for HVEM expression and showed high susceptibility to HSV-1 entry. Silencing of HVEM did not alter viral entry dramatically. However, levels of the cytokine IFN-γ and chemokines MIP-1α and MIP-1β were measured to be higher in HVEM siRNA-treated cells than control after HSV-1 challenge. Conclusions: HVEM in human corneal epithelial cells may act to dampen the production of some cytokines and chemokines and thus it may modulate the innate immune response against HSV-1. This may provide a novel mechanism for the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection in the cornea.
Advances in Neurotrophic Factor and Cell-Based Therapies for Parkinson's Disease: A Mini-Review
Authors: Staudt Michael D. , Di Sebastiano Andrea R. , Xu Hu , Jog Mandar , Schmid Susanne , Foster Paula , Hebb Matthew O.
Published: August 2015

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects an estimated 7-10 million people worldwide and remains without definitive or disease-modifying treatment. There have been many recent developments in cell-based therapy (CBT) to replace lost circuitry and provide chronic biological sources of therapeutic agents to the PD-affected brain. Early neural transplantation studies underscored the challenges of immune compatibility, graft integration and the need for renewable, autologous graft sources. Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) offer a potential class of cytoprotective pharmacotherapeutics that may complement dopamine (DA) replacement and CBT strategies in PD. Chronic NTF delivery may be an integral goal of CBT, with grafts consisting of autologous drug-producing (e.g., DA, NTF) cells that are capable of integration and function in the host brain. In this mini-review, we outline the past experience and recent advances in NTF technology and CBT as promising and integrated approaches for the treatment of PD.
Serum Ferritin Predicts Mortality Regardless of Inflammatory and Nutritional Status in Patients Starting Dialysis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Park Kyoung Sook , Ryu Geun Woo , Jhee Jong Hyun , Kim Hyung Woo , Park Seohyun , Lee Sul A , Kwon Young Eun , Kim Yung Ly , Ryu Han Jak , Lee Mi Jung , Han Seung Hyeok , Yoo Tae-Hyun , Kim Yong-Lim , Kim Yon Su , Yang Chul Woo , Kim Nam-Ho , Kang Shin-Wook , Park Jung Tak
Published: August 2015

Background: The impact of serum ferritin on prognosis in patients starting hemodialysis (HD) is not fully elucidated. Methods: A prospective cohort of 946 incident HD patients from 26 dialysis centers in Korea was selected for this study. Patients were divided into tertiles according to natural logarithm (Ln) ferritin concentrations. Results: During a median follow-up of 39 months, 88 (9.3%) patients died. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that Ln ferritin was independently associated with an increase in cardiovascular mortality risk (hazard ratio (HR) 1.604, 95% CI 1.040-2.474, p = 0.033), infection-related mortality risk (HR 1.916, 95% CI 1.056-3.476, p = 0.032), and all-cause mortality risk (HR 1.547, 95% CI 1.156-2.069, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Serum ferritin levels at the time of HD commencement were a significant independent risk factor for mortality regardless of systemic inflammation and nutritional status. Therefore, elevated serum ferritin levels could be an effective indicator for prognosis.
The Suppressive Effect of Quercetin on Toll-Like Receptor 7-Mediated Activation in Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Yasui Masahiro , Matsushima Miyoko , Omura Aya , Mori Kanae , Ogasawara Nanako , Kodera Yuka , Shiga Marika , Ito Komei , Kojima Seiji , Kawabe Tsutomu
Published: August 2015

Respiratory viral infections that cause chronic airway and lung disease can result in the activation of the innate immune response. Alveolar macrophages (AMs), one of the first lines of defense in the lung, are abundantly located in alveoli and the respiratory tract. Flavonoids found in fruits and vegetables exhibit cytoprotective effects on various cell types. In this study, we investigated the effect of quercetin on activation of AMs that had been exposed to imiquimod, a ligand of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7. In both a mouse AM cell line (AMJ2-C11 cells) and mouse bronchoalveolar fluid cells, we demonstrated that quercetin attenuated TLR7-induced the expression of TNF-α and IL-6. In AMJ2-C11 cells, quercetin also attenuated the TLR7-induced CD40 expression; attenuated the translocation of p65; induced translocation of Nrf2 from cytosol to nucleus; and induced heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. Notably, tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an inhibitor of HO-1, also attenuated TLR7-induced transcription of the TNF-α and IL-6 genes, suggesting that the effect of quercetin is mediated by HO-1. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with quercetin may have efficacy in the treatment of respiratory viral infection.
Impact of a Glycolic Acid-Containing pH 4 Water-in-Oil Emulsion on Skin pH
Authors: Behm Barbara , Kemper Michael , Babilas Philipp , Abels Christoph , Schreml Stephan
Published: August 2015

The skin pH is crucial for physiological skin functions. A decline in stratum corneum acidity, as observed in aged or diseased skin, may negatively affect physiological skin functions. Therefore, glycolic acid-containing water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions adjusted to pH 4 were investigated regarding their effect on normal or increased skin pH. A pH 4 W/O emulsion was applied on three areas with pathologically increased skin surface pH in diabetics (n = 10). Further, a 28-day half-side trial (n = 30) was performed to test the long-term efficacy and safety of a pH 4 W/O emulsion (n = 30). In summary, the application of a pH 4 W/O emulsion reduced the skin pH in healthy, elderly and diabetic subjects, which may improve epidermal barrier functions.
Combination of Cilostazol and L-Carnitine Improves Walking Performance in Peripheral Arterial Disease Model Rats
Authors: Shiga Toshinori , Sahara Hiroeki , Orito Kensuke
Published: August 2015

Cilostazol and L-carnitine have been used as a first-line drug and supplement, respectively, in patients with peripheral arterial disease with intermittent claudication. In this study, the effect of the combination of cilostazol and L-carnitine has been investigated in rats with unilateral hindlimb ischemia. For 28 days, cilostazol and L-carnitine were administrated separately or as a combination. The distance walked before gait disturbance developed was measured using a treadmill for 5 days a week. The capillary density of the ischemic hindlimb was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining at days 7, 14, 21, and 28. Angiogenic gene expression was measured by real-time RT-PCR at days 7 and 28. The greatest increase in the distance was observed in the combination therapy group when compared to the other groups. The capillary density in the adductor muscles of rats treated with cilostazol alone and combination therapy increased at day 28. Angiopoietin-2/Angiopoietin-1 expression ratios were higher, suggesting the promotion of angiogenesis, with cilostazol alone and combination therapy at day 7. This is the first study to show functional improvement of the hind limb following combination therapy with cilostazol and L-carnitine in experimental animals. This study also revealed that cilostazol promotes angiogenesis, and L-carnitine additively contributes to functional improvement via a non-angiogenic mechanism.
Surgical Videos with Synchronised Vertical 2-Split Screens Recording the Surgeons' Hand Movement
Authors: Kaneko Hiroki , Ra Eimei , Kawano Kenichi , Yasukawa Tsutomu , Takayama Kei , Iwase Takeshi , Terasaki Hiroko
Published: August 2015

Purpose: To improve the state-of-the-art teaching system by creating surgical videos with synchronised vertical 2-split screens. Methods: An ultra-compact, wide-angle point-of-view camcorder (HX-A1, Panasonic) was mounted on the surgical microscope focusing mostly on the surgeons' hand movements. In combination with the regular surgical videos obtained from the CCD camera in the surgical microscope, synchronised vertical 2-split-screen surgical videos were generated with the video-editing software. Results: Using synchronised vertical 2-split-screen videos, residents of the ophthalmology department could watch and learn how assistant surgeons controlled the eyeball, while the main surgeons performed scleral buckling surgery. In vitrectomy, the synchronised vertical 2-split-screen videos showed the surgeons' hands holding the instruments and moving roughly and boldly, in contrast to the very delicate movements of the vitrectomy instruments inside the eye. Conclusions: Synchronised vertical 2-split-screen surgical videos are beneficial for the education of young surgical trainees when learning surgical skills including the surgeons' hand movements.
Perspectives from the Peripheries
Authors: Hanaoka Mimi
Published: August 2015

Authors of local histories composed in Persia during the 10th-15th centuries deftly wove their lands and their communities into Islamic narratives rooted in the Islamic heartlands of Iraq, Syria, and Arabia. They positioned their communities to better fit into the scope of Islamic history and claimed privileged connections to Mohammad and divine or prophetic authority in various ways. City and regional histories from Persia challenge and reconfigure notions of what constitutes “central” or “peripheral” in the medieval Islamic world and articulate identities that are simultaneously deeply local yet enmeshed within the broader Muslimomma. Authors and compilers used several literary strategies that, amongst other things, “centered” their cities and regions by including narratives about thesayyedsandsharifsassociated with the region; incorporating narratives of legitimating dreams and visions; associatingsahābawith the land; highlighting sites of pious visitation (ziārat) and other sources of blessing or sacred power (baraka); and incorporating sacralizing etymologies.
Ferdowsi’s Presentation of Zoroastrianism in an Islamic Light
Authors: Ghazanfari Kolsoum
Published: August 2015

Composed in 10th and 11th centuryce, theShāhnāmeh(The Book of the Kings) contains Iranian ancient history since the first king, Gayumart/Kayumars, up to the end of Sasanian era. One reason behind its popularity is the poet’s method and art in describing and explaining ancient religious elements in such a way that it does not cause religious bias among Zoroastrians and Muslims. This article shows that Ferdowsi has employed various methods to read religious issues of ancient Iran in the light of the social, cultural, and religious spirit of his own time. In his epic narratives, Ferdowsi paid serious attention to contemporary beliefs and social conditions, and this can account for the popularity of theShāhnāmehand its lasting influence.
Religious Democracy
Authors: Ghoreishi Fardin
Published: August 2015

This paper reviews and evaluates three salient interpretations of religious democracy among contemporary Iranian political thinkers. Based on their theoretical frameworks, these interpretations have been: 1) Precedence of religion over democracy, 2) Precedence of democracy over religion; 3) Equal importance of religion and democracy. The description of each interpretation is firstly based on original texts and then their content has been evaluated using logical axioms and objective facts. The main finding of this paper clarifies that the third interpretation, despite some theoretical challenges, has more logical capacity and is more consistent in comparison with the two other competing interpretations.
Globalization, Political Islam, and Moderation: The Case of Muslim Democratic Parties
Authors: Yildirim A. Kadir
Published: August 2015

In this article, I examine the rising significance of a moderate kind of Islamist party emerging in the Middle East in recent years—Muslim democratic parties—and, the factors underlying their electoral success. In this, the manuscript takes a closer look at an important constituency of Islamist parties, the small and medium business owners (smes). Briefly, I argue that smes’ support underlies the success of moderate Muslim democratic parties as opposed to more conservative Islamist parties, and what determines smes’ support for a moderate party is the change in their political preferences. The change in sme preferences, I show, is due to the form that economic liberalization takes, whether economic liberalization is more inclusive (what I call competitive liberalization) or exclusive/selective (what I call crony liberalization). Empirically, I rely on original field interviews I conducted with party officials and business owners in Egypt, Morocco, and Turkey. I also integrate primary sources such as party publications into the analysis.
Crossing Modalities: A Cognitive Semantics Perspective on Quoting
Authors: Lampert Martina
Published: August 2015

Elaborating on Talmy (2007a, forthcoming) and Lampert (2013, 2014), this follow- up study probes into quoting as an attention-and modality-sensitive phenomenon at the interface of speech and writing, taking inaugural addresses from Kennedy to Obama as cases in point.

Lexicalized to redirect some attention from a quotation’s referential content to concomitants closely associated with it, quotatives medium-specifically prime speech-internal properties of their targets, animating the ‘other voice’ through prosodic and gestural prompts in face-to-face interactions, while figural prompts demarcate verbatim citations in print.

Quotations from pre-scripted videotaped presidential inaugurals reveal a fundamental underlying cognitive principle: The orators refrain from ‘translating’ the figural delimiters into prosodic and gestural primes but rely on verbal primes to acknowledge another voice. Corroborating Talmy’s (2007b) analysis of the verbal mode’s evolutionary advantage over the analog devices available to the channels of oral performance, the quotative construction proves ultimately governed by a linguistic medium’s production and reception circumstances.
Time and Cognition in Marvell’s “To his Coy Mistress”
Authors: de Mendoza Ibáñez Francisco J. Ruiz , Gómez María Asunción Barreras
Published: August 2015

Andrew Marvell’s poem “To his coy mistress” has generally been taken as one more example of thecarpe diemtradition in literature. This tradition makes use of time metaphors, especially time is a resource. However, we find that Marvell exploits this and other time metaphors in ways that go beyond the traditional understanding of thecarpe diemmotif. We first give an overview of the treatment of the notion of time within Conceptual Metaphor Theory, which is then applied to the understanding of central thematic and structural aspects of the poem. We stress the importance of the metaphorstime is a resource, time moves, events are actionsand a cluster of metaphors revolving around thecarpe diemmotif. Finally, the paper discusses how Marvell imaginatively organizes what otherwise would be considered mere stock metaphors into an intricate logical network specifically tailored to sustain an argumentative line.
Bryophytes from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea (West Central Africa). III. Contribution to the bryoflora of Rio Muni (Continental Region)

Authors: Sánchez Marta Infante , Pérez Patxi Heras
Published: August 2015

First results of the identification work of the collections made by Patxi Heras on Río Muni, the continental part of Equatorial Guinea, are offered. A list of 155 taxa (85 liverworts and 70 mosses) is included, 90 of them being new records for the country.
Three Mosses New to Vietnam
Authors: Ninh Tran
Published: August 2015

Splachnobryum indicum, Leucobryum microleucophanoides and Claopodium prionophyllum are reported as new from Vietnam, based on material collected by the author.