bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Mathematical Models for Generation of Crowned Tooth Surface
Authors: Kelemen Laszlo , Szente Jozsef
Published: January 2014

Gear couplings are mechanical components to connect shaft ends and eliminate the misalignments. The most important element of the gear coupling is the hub which is an external gear having crowned teeth. The crowned teeth on the hub are typically produced by hobbing. The resulting tooth surface depends on several parameters. It is influenced by the size of the hob and the feed. In this paper two mathematical models of the crowned tooth surface are introduced for the generation of the idealized tooth surfaces. These are the profile-shifting and the two-parameter enveloping methods. Our aim is to compare the obtained crowned tooth profiles for the two examined models and to investigate the results. From our numerical results, it was found that the two profiles show indistinguishable differences.
Some New Exact Solutions of (1+2)-Dimensional Sine-Gordon Equation
Authors: Chen Wei-Xiong , Lin Ji
Published: January 2014

We use a generalized tanh function expansion method and a direct method to study the analytical solutions of the (1+2)-dimensional sine Gordon (2DsG) equation. We obtain some new interaction solutions among solitary waves and periodic waves, such as the kink-periodic wave interaction solution, two-periodic solitoff solution, and two-toothed-solitoff solution. We also investigate the propagation properties of these solutions.
Synthesis of BiOI-TiO2Composite Nanoparticles by Microemulsion Method and Study on Their Photocatalytic Activities
Authors: Chen Yunfang , Xu Xiaoxin , Fang Jianzhang , Zhou Guangying , Liu Zhang , Wu Shuxing , Xu Weicheng , Chu Jinhui , Zhu Ximiao
Published: January 2014

This study was conducted to synthesize a series of nanosized BiOI-TiO2catalysts to photodegrade Bisphenol A solution. The BiOI-TiO2nanoparticles were synthesized in the reverse microemulsions, consisting of cyclohexane, Triton X-100, n-hexanol, and aqueous salt solutions. The synthesized particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analyzer, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible light (UV-Vis) absorption spectra and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The photodegradation of Bisphenol A (BPA) in aqueous suspension under visible light irradiation was investigated to explore the feasibility of using the photocatalytic method to treat BPA wastewater. The effects of different molar ratios of BiOI to TiO2on the photocatalytic activity were discussed. The experimental results revealed that the photocatalytic effect of the BiOI-TiO2particles was superior to the commercial P25 TiO2. The BPA degradation could be approached by a pseudo-first-order rate expression. The observed reaction rate constant (kobs) was related to nanoparticles dosage and initial solution pH.
Facile and Promising Method for Michael Addition of Indole and Pyrrole to Electron-Deficienttrans-β-Nitroolefins Catalyzed by a Hydrogen Bond Donor Catalyst Feist’s Acid and Preliminary Study of Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Al Majid Abdullah M. A. , Islam Mohammad Shahidul , Barakat Assem , Al-Agamy Mohamed H. M. , Naushad Mu.
Published: January 2014

The importance of cooperative hydrogen-bonding effects has been demonstrated using novel 3-methylenecyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (Feist’s acid (FA)) as hydrogen bond donor catalysts for the addition of indole and pyrrole totrans-β-nitrostyrene derivatives. Because of the hydrogen bond donor (HBD) ability, Feist’s acid (FA) has been introduced as a new class of hydrogen bond donor catalysts for the activation of nitroolefin towards nucleophilic substitution reaction. It has effectively catalyzed the Michael addition of indoles and pyrrole toβ-nitroolefins under optimum reaction condition to furnish the corresponding Michael adducts in good to excellent yields (up to 98%). The method is general, atom-economical, convenient, and eco-friendly and could provide excellent yields and regioselectivities. Some newly synthesized compounds were for examinedin vitroantimicrobial activity and their preliminary results are reported.
Closed Loop Direct Adaptive Inverse Control for Linear Plants
Authors: Shafiq Muhammad Amir , Shafiq Muhammad , Ahmed Nisar
Published: January 2014

In direct adaptive inverse control (DAIC), parameters of the controller are estimated directly in the feed-forward loop. In this paper, we propose a closed loop direct adaptive inverse control (CDAIC) scheme which improves tracking, error convergence, and disturbance rejection properties of DAIC. CDAIC is applicable to stable or stabilized, minimum or nonminimum phase linear plants. CDAIC and DAIC are compared using computer simulations for disturbance free and disturbed discrete type nonminimum phase linear plants. CDAIC shows better results compared to DAIC in terms of mean square tracking error and disturbance rejection.
Clinical Correlates of Awareness for Balance, Function, and Memory: Evidence for the Modality Specificity of Awareness
Authors: O'Connell Megan E. , Dal Bello-Haas Vanina , Crossley Margaret , Morgan Debra
Published: January 2014

Awareness in dementia is increasingly recognized not only as multifactorial, but also as domain specific. We demonstrate differential clinical correlates for awareness of daily function, awareness of memory, and the novel exploration of awareness of balance. Awareness of function was higher for participants with mild cognitive impairment (aMCI and non-aMCI) than for those with dementia (due to Alzheimer disease; AD and non-AD), whereas awareness of memory was higher for both non-aMCI and non-AD dementia patients than for those with aMCI or AD. Balance awareness did not differ based on diagnostic subgroup. Awareness of function was associated with instrumental activities of daily living and caregiver burden. In contrast, awareness of balance was associated with fall history, balance confidence, and instrumental activities of daily living. Clinical correlates of awareness of memory depended on diagnostic group: associations held with neuropsychological variables for non-AD dementia, but for patients with AD dementia, depression and instrumental activities of daily living were clinical correlates of memory awareness. Together, these data provide support for the hypothesis that awareness and dementia are not unitary and are, instead, modality specific.
A Mechanistic Explanation Linking Adaptive Mutation, Niche Change, and Fitness Advantage for the Wrinkly Spreader
Authors: Spiers Andrew J.
Published: January 2014

Experimental evolution studies have investigated adaptive radiation in static liquid microcosms using the environmental bacteriumPseudomonas fluorescensSBW25. In evolving populations a novel adaptive mutant known as the Wrinkly Spreader arises within days having significant fitness advantage over the ancestral strain. A molecular investigation of the Wrinkly Spreader has provided a mechanistic explanation linking mutation with fitness improvement through the production of a cellulose-based biofilm at the air-liquid interface. Colonisation of this niche provides greater access to oxygen, allowing faster growth than that possible for non-biofilm—forming competitors located in the lower anoxic region of the microcosm. Cellulose is probably normally used for attachment to plant and soil aggregate surfaces and to provide protection in dehydrating conditions. However, the evolutionary innovation of the Wrinkly Spreader in static microcosms is the use of cellulose as the matrix of a robust biofilm, and is achieved through mutations that deregulate multiple diguanylate cyclases leading to the over-production of cyclic-di-GMP and the stimulation of cellulose expression. The mechanistic explanation of the Wrinkly Spreader success is an exemplar of the modern evolutionary synthesis, linking molecular biology with evolutionary ecology, and provides an insight into the phenomenal ability of bacteria to adapt to novel environments.
Synergistic Exposure of Rice Seeds to Different Doses ofγ-Ray and Salinity Stress Resulted in Increased Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Gene-Specific Modulation of TC-NER Pathway
Authors: Macovei Anca , Garg Bharti , Raikwar Shailendra , Balestrazzi Alma , Carbonera Daniela , Buttafava Armando , Bremont Juan Francisco Jiménez , Gill Sarvajeet Singh , Tuteja Narendra
Published: January 2014

Recent reports have underlined the potential of gamma (γ)-rays as tools for seed priming, a process used in seed industry to increase seed vigor and to enhance plant tolerance to biotic/abiotic stresses. However, the impact ofγ-rays on key aspects of plant metabolism still needs to be carefully evaluated. In the present study, rice seeds were challenged with different doses ofγ-rays and grown in absence/presence of NaCl to assess the impact of these treatments on the early stages of plant life. Enhanced germination efficiency associated with increase in radicle and hypocotyl length was observed, while at later stages no increase in plant tolerance to salinity stress was evident. APX, CAT, and GR were enhanced at transcriptional level and in terms of enzyme activity, indicating the activation of antioxidant defence. The profiles of DNA damage accumulation were obtained using SCGE and the implication of TC-NER pathway in DNA damage sensing and repair mechanisms is discussed.OsXPB2,OsXPD,OsTFIIS,andOsTFIIS-likegenes showed differential modulation in seedlings and plantlets in response toγ-irradiation and salinity stress. Altogether, the synergistic exposure toγ-rays and NaCl resulted in enhanced oxidative stress and proper activation of antioxidant mechanisms, thus being compatible with plant survival.
Diesel Fuel from Used Frying Oil
Authors: Buczek Bronislaw
Published: January 2014

New conversion technologies of used edible oils and waste animal fats into a biofuel appropriate for use in standard diesel engines have been developed, taking into consideration environmental requirements and improvement in the economics of current trans-esterification technologies. The variation in the properties of substrates made from used rape oil after treatment with mixed adsorbents (active carbon, magnesium silicate) was studied in this work. The obtained results are compared with the quality requirements for the substrates used in Vogel & Noot GmbH technology for transesterification of oils and fats.
Network Analysis of Neurodegenerative Disease Highlights a Role of Toll-Like Receptor Signaling
Authors: Nguyen Thanh-Phuong , Caberlotto Laura , Morine Melissa J. , Priami Corrado
Published: January 2014

Despite significant advances in the study of the molecular mechanisms altered in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), the etiology is still enigmatic and the distinctions between diseases are not always entirely clear. We present an efficient computational method based on protein-protein interaction network (PPI) to model the functional network of NDs. The aim of this work is fourfold: (i) reconstruction of a PPI network relating to the NDs, (ii) construction of an association network between diseases based on proximity in the disease PPI network, (iii) quantification of disease associations, and (iv) inference of potential molecular mechanism involved in the diseases. The functional links of diseases not only showed overlap with the traditional classification in clinical settings, but also offered new insight into connections between diseases with limited clinical overlap. To gain an expanded view of the molecular mechanisms involved in NDs, both direct and indirect connector proteins were investigated. The method uncovered molecular relationships that are in common apparently distinct diseases and provided important insight into the molecular networks implicated in disease pathogenesis. In particular, the current analysis highlighted the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway as a potential candidate pathway to be targeted by therapy in neurodegeneration.
Immune Escape Mechanisms in Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis and Liver Metastasis
Authors: Pancione Massimo , Giordano Guido , Remo Andrea , Febbraro Antonio , Sabatino Lina , Manfrin Erminia , Ceccarelli Michele , Colantuoni Vittorio
Published: January 2014

Over the past decade, growing evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment (TME) contributes with genomic/epigenomic aberrations of malignant cells to enhance cancer cells survival, invasion, and dissemination. Many factors, produced orde novosynthesized by immune, stromal, or malignant cells, acting in a paracrine and autocrine fashion, remodel TME and the adaptive immune response culminating in metastasis. Taking into account the recent accomplishments in the field of immune oncology and using metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) as a model, we propose that the evasion of the immune surveillance and metastatic spread can be achieved through a number of mechanisms that include (a) intrinsic plasticity and adaptability of immune and malignant cells to paracrine and autocrine stimuli or genotoxic stresses; (b) alteration of positional schemes of myeloid-lineage cells, produced by factors controlling the balance between tumour-suppressing and tumour-promoting activities; (c) acquisition by cancer cells of aberrant immune-phenotypic traits (NT5E/CD73, CD68, and CD163) that enhance the interactions among TME components through the production of immune-suppressive mediators. These properties may represent the driving force of metastatic progression and thus clinically exploitable for cancer prevention and therapy. In this review we summarize results and suggest new hypotheses that favour the growing impact of tumor-infiltrating immune cells on tumour progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
Risk Evaluation on UHV Power Transmission Construction Project Based on AHP and FCE Method
Authors: Zhao Huiru , Guo Sen
Published: January 2014

Ultra high voltage (UHV) power transmission construction project is a high‐tech power grid construction project which faces many risks and uncertainty. Identifying the risk of UHV power transmission construction project can help mitigate the risk loss and promote the smooth construction. The risk evaluation on “Zhejiang‐Fuzhou” UHV power transmission construction project was performed based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method in this paper. After the risk evaluation index system was built, the AHP was used to determine the weights of risk indicators, and the FCE method was to perform the risk evaluation. The evaluation result shows that (1) “Zhejiang‐Fuzhou” UHV power transmission construction project has moderate risk, which indicates the occurrence probability of project risk is medium and the risk occurrence will cause general loss for project, (2) “society risk” has the highest level, and the next is “policy and law risk,” “technique risk,” “natural environmental risk,” and “Management risk,” respectively, and it should keep main eye on the social risk, policy and law risk, and technique risk. Finally, according to the risk evaluation result, the specific risk control recommendations were proposed for the smooth construction of this project.
Novel Wideband MIMO Antennas That Can Cover the Whole LTE Spectrum in Handsets and Portable Computers
Authors: Sanad Mohamed , Hassan Noha
Published: January 2014

A dual resonant antenna configuration is developed for multistandard multifunction mobile handsets and portable computers. Only two wideband resonant antennas can cover most of the LTE spectrums in portable communication equipment. The bandwidth that can be covered by each antenna exceeds 70% without using any matching or tuning circuits, with efficiencies that reach 80%. Thus, a dual configuration of them is capable of covering up to 39 LTE (4G) bands besides the existing 2G and 3G bands.2×2MIMO configurations have been also developed for the two wideband antennas with a maximum isolation and a minimum correlation coefficient between the primary and the diversity antennas.
Characterization of Natural Organic Matter in Conventional Water Treatment Processes and Evaluation of THM Formation with Chlorine
Authors: Özdemır Kadir
Published: January 2014

This study investigates the fractions of natural organic matter (NOM) and trihalomethane (THM) formation after chlorination in samples of raw water and the outputs from ozonation, coagulation-flocculation, and conventional filtration treatment units. All the water samples are passed through various ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. UF membranes with different molecular size ranges based on apparent molecular weight (AMW), such as 1000, 3000, 10,000, and 30,000 Daltons (Da), are commonly used. The NOM fraction with AMW < 1000 Da (1 K) is the dominant fraction within all the fractionated water samples. Its maximum percentage is 85.86% after the filtration process and the minimum percentage is 65.01% in raw water samples. The total THM (TTHM) yield coefficients range from 22.5 to 42 μg-TTHM/mg-DOC in all fractionated samples, which is related to their specific ultraviolet Absorbance (SUVA) levels. As the molecular weight of the fractions decreased, the TTHM yield coefficients increased. The NOM fractions with AMW values less than 1 K had lower SUVA values (<3 L/mg·m) for all treatment stages and also they had higher yield of TTHM per unit of DOC. The NOM fraction with AMW < 1 K for chlorinated raw water samples has the highest yield coefficient (42 μg-TTHM/mg-DOC).
SomeIn Vitro/In VivoChemically-Induced Experimental Models of Liver Oxidative Stress in Rats
Authors: Simeonova Rumyana , Kondeva-Burdina Magdalena , Vitcheva Vessela , Mitcheva Mitka
Published: January 2014

Oxidative stress is critically involved in a variety of diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly toxic molecules that are generated during the body's metabolic reactions and can react with and damage some cellular molecules such as lipids, proteins, or DNA. Liver is an important target of the oxidative stress because of its exposure to various prooxidant toxic compounds as well as of its metabolic function and ability to transform some xenobiotics to reactive toxic metabolites (as ROS). To investigate the processes of liver injuries and especially liver oxidative damages there are many experimental models, some of which we discuss further.
Effect of Micro- and Nanomagnetite on Printing Toner Properties
Authors: Ataeefard Maryam , Ghasemi Ebrahim , Ebadi Mona
Published: January 2014

Toner is a main component of electrophotographic printing and copying processes. One of the most important ingredients of toner is magnetite (Fe3O4) which provides the tribocharging property for toner particles. In this study, nano- and microparticles of Fe3O4were synthesized using the coprecipitation method and different amounts of lauric acid as a surfactant. The synthesized nano and micro Fe3O4was then used as the charge control agent to produce toner by emulsion aggregation. The Fe3O4and toner were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), atomic gradient force magnetometry (AGFM), dynamic laser scattering (DLS), particle size analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the optimum amount of surfactant not only reduced particle size but also reduced the magnetite properties of Fe3O4. It was found that the magnetite behavior of the toner is not similar to the Fe3O4used to produce it. Although small-sized Fe3O4created toner with a smaller size, toners made with micro Fe3O4showed better magnetite properties than toner made with nano Fe3O4.
High-Speed CurrentdqPI Controller for Vector Controlled PMSM Drive
Authors: Marufuzzaman Mohammad , Reaz Mamun Bin Ibne , Rahman Labonnah Farzana , Chang Tae Gyu
Published: January 2014

High-speed current controller for vector controlled permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) is presented. The controller is developed based on modular design for faster calculation and uses fixed-point proportional-integral (PI) method for improved accuracy. Currentdqcontroller is usually implemented in digital signal processor (DSP) based computer. However, DSP based solutions are reaching their physical limits, which are few microseconds. Besides, digital solutions suffer from high implementation cost. In this research, the overall controller is realizing in field programmable gate array (FPGA). FPGA implementation of the overall controlling algorithm will certainly trim down the execution time significantly to guarantee the steadiness of the motor. Agilent 16821A Logic Analyzer is employed to validate the result of the implemented design in FPGA. Experimental results indicate that the proposed currentdqPI controller needs only 50 ns of execution time in 40 MHz clock, which is the lowest computational cycle for the era.
Polynomial Solutions to the Matrix EquationX−AXTB=C
Authors: Song Caiqin , Feng Jun-e
Published: January 2014

Solutions are constructed for the Kalman-Yakubovich-transpose equationX−AXTB=C. The solutions are stated as a polynomial of parameters of the matrix equation. One of the polynomial solutions is expressed by the symmetric operator matrix, controllability matrix, and observability matrix. Moreover, the explicit solution is proposed when the Kalman-Yakubovich-transpose matrix equation has a unique solution. The provided approach does not require the coefficient matrices to be in canonical form. In addition, the numerical example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the derived method. Some applications in control theory are discussed at the end of this paper.
Generalizations on Some Hermite-Hadamard Type Inequalities for Differentiable Convex Functions with Applications to Weighted Means
Authors: Sroysang Banyat
Published: January 2014

Some new Hermite-Hadamard type inequalities for differentiable convex functions were presented by Xi and Qi. In this paper, we present new generalizations on the Xi-Qi inequalities.
Adverse Drug Reactions and Expected Effects to Therapy with Subcutaneous Mistletoe Extracts (Viscum album L.) in Cancer Patients
Authors: Steele Megan L. , Axtner Jan , Happe Antje , Kröz Matthias , Matthes Harald , Schad Friedemann
Published: January 2014

Background. In Europe, mistletoe extracts are widely used as a complementary cancer therapy. We assessed the safety of subcutaneous mistletoe as a conjunctive therapy in cancer patients within an anthroposophic medicine setting in Germany. Methods. A multicentre, observational study was performed within the Network Oncology. Suspected mistletoe adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were described by frequency, causality, severity, and seriousness. Potential risk factors, dose relationships and drug‐drug interactions were investigated. Results. Of 1923 cancer patients treated with subcutaneous mistletoe extracts, 283 patients (14.7%) reported 427 expected effects (local reactions <5 cm and increased body temperature <38°C). ADRs were documented in 162 (8.4%) patients who reported a total of 264 events. ADRs were mild (50.8%), moderate (45.1%), or severe (4.2%). All were nonserious. Logistic regression analysis revealed that expected effects were more common in females, while immunoreactivity decreased with increasing age and tumour stage. No risk factors were identified for ADRs. ADR frequency increased as mistletoe dose increased, while fewer ADRs occurred during mistletoe therapy received concurrent with conventional therapies. Conclusion. The results of this study indicate that mistletoe therapy is safe. ADRs were mostly mild to moderate in intensity and appear to be dose‐related and explained by the immune‐stimulating, pharmacological activity of mistletoe.
A Spherically Symmetric Model for the Tumor Growth
Authors: Ali Saeed M. , Bokhari Ashfaque H. , Yousuf M. , Zaman F. D.
Published: January 2014

The nonlinear tumor equation in spherical coordinates assuming that both the diffusivity and the killing rate are functions of concentration of tumor cell is studied. A complete classification with regard to the diffusivity and net killing rate is obtained using Lie symmetry analysis. The reduction of the nonlinear governing equation is carried out in some interesting cases and exact solutions are obtained.
Exercise Induced Adipokine Changes and the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Golbidi Saeid , Laher Ismail
Published: January 2014

The lack of adequate physical activity and obesity created a worldwide pandemic. Obesity is characterized by the deposition of adipose tissue in various parts of the body; it is now evident that adipose tissue also acts as an endocrine organ capable of secreting many cytokines that are though to be involved in the pathophysiology of obesity, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. Adipokines, or adipose tissue-derived proteins, play a pivotal role in this scenario. Increased secretion of proinflammatory adipokines leads to a chronic inflammatory state that is accompanied by insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Lifestyle change in terms of increased physical activity and exercise is the best nonpharmacological treatment for obesity since these can reduce insulin resistance, counteract the inflammatory state, and improve the lipid profile. There is growing evidence that exercise exerts its beneficial effects partly through alterations in the adipokine profile; that is, exercise increases secretion of anti-inflammatory adipokines and reduces proinflammatory cytokines. In this paper we briefly describe the pathophysiologic role of four important adipokines (adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6) in the metabolic syndrome and review some of the clinical trials that monitored these adipokines as a clinical outcome before and after exercise.
Analysis of the Unsteady Flow Field in a Centrifugal Compressor from Peak Efficiency to Near Stall with Full-Annulus Simulations
Authors: Bousquet Yannick , Carbonneau Xavier , Dufour Guillaume , Binder Nicolas , Trebinjac Isabelle
Published: January 2014

This study concerns a 2.5 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor stage consisting of a splittered unshrouded impeller and a vaned diffuser. The aim of this paper is to investigate the modifications of the flow structure when the operating point moves from peak efficiency to near stall. The investigations are based on the results of unsteady three-dimensional simulations, in a calculation domain comprising all the blade. A detailed analysis is given in the impeller inducer and in the vaned diffuser entry region through time-averaged and unsteady flow field. In the impeller inducer, this study demonstrates that the mass flow reduction from peak efficiency to near stall leads to intensification of the secondary flow effects. The low momentum fluid accumulated near the shroud interacts with the main flow through a shear layer zone. At near stall condition, the interface between the two flow structures becomes unstable leading to vortices development. In the diffuser entry region, by reducing the mass flow, the high incidence angle from the impeller exit induces a separation on the diffuser vane suction side. At near stall operating point, vorticity from the separation is shed into vortex cores which are periodically formed and convected downstream along the suction side.
Finite-Time Stability Analysis of Switched Genetic Regulatory Networks
Authors: Yin Lizi
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates the finite-time stability problem of switching genetic regulatory networks (GRNs) with interval time-varying delays and unbounded continuous distributed delays. Based on the piecewise Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and the average dwell time method, some new finite-time stability criteria are obtained in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which are easy to be confirmed by the Matlab toolbox. The finite-time stability is taken into account in switching genetic regulatory networks for the first time and the average dwell time of the switching signal is obtained. Two numerical examples are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Numerical Solution of Singularly Perturbed Delay Differential Equations with Layer Behavior
Authors: Ghomanjani F. , Kılıçman A. , Akhavan Ghassabzade F.
Published: January 2014

We present a numerical method to solve boundary value problems (BVPs) for singularly perturbed differential-difference equations with negative shift. In recent papers, the term negative shift has been used for delay. The Bezier curves method can solve boundary value problems for singularly perturbed differential-difference equations. The approximation process is done in two steps. First we divide the time interval, intoksubintervals; second we approximate the trajectory and control functions in each subinterval by Bezier curves. We have chosen the Bezier curves as piecewise polynomials of degreenand determined Bezier curves on any subinterval byn+1control points. The proposed method is simple and computationally advantageous. Several numerical examples are solved using the presented method; we compared the computed result with exact solution and plotted the graphs of the solution of the problems.
Rituximab for Remission Induction and Maintenance in Refractory Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Bonilla-Abadía Fabio , Coronel Restrepo Nicolás , Tobón Gabriel J. , Echeverri Andrés F. , Muñoz-Buitrón Evelyn , Castro Andres Mauricio , Bejarano Mercedes Andrade , Cañas Carlos A.
Published: January 2014

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with high morbidity if untreated. Sometimes, despite aggressive treatments, the disease remains active with cumulative organic damage. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive observational study of patients with SLE refractory to conventional treatment who were treated with rituximab (RTX) as remission induction therapy and maintenance. There was a significant reduction in the conventional immunosuppressive drug dose and the number of relapses of disease. RTX appeared to be effective and safe for the induction and maintenance of remission in patient with SLE refractory to conventional treatment.
Detection Progress of Selected Drugs in TLC
Authors: Pyka Alina
Published: January 2014

This entry describes applications of known indicators and dyes as new visualizing reagents and various visualizing systems as well as photocatalytic reactions and bioautography method for the detection of bioactive compounds including drugs and compounds isolated from herbal extracts. Broadening index, detection index, characteristics of densitometric band, modified contrast index, limit of detection, densitometric visualizing index, and linearity range of detected compounds were used for the evaluation of visualizing effects of applied visualizing reagents. It was shown that visualizing effect depends on the chemical structure of the visualizing reagent, the structure of the substance detected, and the chromatographic adsorbent applied. The usefulness of densitometry to direct detection of some drugs was also shown. Quoted papers indicate the detection progress of selected drugs investigated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC).
Design, Synthesis, Characterization, and Computational Studies on Benzamide Substituted Mannich Bases as Novel, Potential Antibacterial Agents
Authors: Bala Suman , Sharma Neha , Kajal Anu , Kamboj Sunil
Published: January 2014

A series of benzamide substituted Mannich bases(1–7)were synthesized. The synthesized derivatives were authenticated by TLC, UV-Visible, FTIR, NMR, and mass spectroscopic techniques and further screened forin vitroantibacterial activity by test tube dilution method using amoxicillin and cefixime as standard drugs. The compounds5,6, and7were found to be the most active antibacterial agents among all the synthesized compounds. The physicochemical similarity of the compounds with standard drugs was assessed by calculating various physicochemical properties using software programs. The percent similarity of synthesized compounds was found to be good and compound1was found to have higher percentage of similarity. The compounds were subjected to QSAR by multilinear regression using Analyze it version 3.0 software, and four statistically sound models were developed withR2(0.963–0.997),Radj2(0.529–0.982), andQ2(0.998–0.999) with goodF(2.35–65.56) values.
Partial Discharge Characteristics of Polymer Nanocomposite Materials in Electrical Insulation: A Review of Sample Preparation Techniques, Analysis Methods, Potential Applications, and Future Trends
Authors: Izzati Wan Akmal , Arief Yanuar Z. , Adzis Zuraimy , Shafanizam Mohd
Published: January 2014

Polymer nanocomposites have recently been attracting attention among researchers in electrical insulating applications from energy storage to power delivery. However, partial discharge has always been a predecessor to major faults and problems in this field. In addition, there is a lot more to explore, as neither the partial discharge characteristic in nanocomposites nor their electrical properties are clearly understood. By adding a small amount of weight percentage (wt%) of nanofillers, the physical, mechanical, and electrical properties of polymers can be greatly enhanced. For instance, nanofillers in nanocomposites such as silica (SiO2), alumina (Al2O3) and titania (TiO2) play a big role in providing a good approach to increasing the dielectric breakdown strength and partial discharge resistance of nanocomposites. Such polymer nanocomposites will be reviewed thoroughly in this paper, with the different experimental and analytical techniques used in previous studies. This paper also provides an academic review about partial discharge in polymer nanocomposites used as electrical insulating material from previous research, covering aspects of preparation, characteristics of the nanocomposite based on experimental works, application in power systems, methods and techniques of experiment and analysis, and future trends.
New Iteration Methods for Time-Fractional Modified Nonlinear Kawahara Equation
Authors: Atangana Abdon , Bildik Necdet , Noutchie S. C. Oukouomi
Published: January 2014

We put side by side the methodology of two comparatively new analytical techniques to get to the bottom of the system of nonlinear fractional modified Kawahara equation. The technique is described and exemplified with a numerical example. The dependability of both methods and the lessening in computations give these methods a wider applicability. In addition, the computations implicated are very simple and undemanding.
Multiple Attribute Decision Making Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Einstein Geometric Aggregation Operators
Authors: Zhou Xiaoqiang , Li Qingguo
Published: January 2014

We first define an accuracy function of hesitant fuzzy elements (HFEs) and develop a new method to compare two HFEs. Then, based on Einstein operators, we give some new operational laws on HFEs and some desirable properties of these operations. We also develop several new hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators, including the hesitant fuzzy Einstein weighted geometric (HFEWGε) operator and the hesitant fuzzy Einstein ordered weighted geometric (HFEWGε) operator, which are the extensions of the weighted geometric operator and the ordered weighted geometric (OWG) operator with hesitant fuzzy information, respectively. Furthermore, we establish the connections between the proposed and the existing hesitant fuzzy aggregation operators and discuss various properties of the proposed operators. Finally, we apply the HFEWGεoperator to solve the hesitant fuzzy decision making problems.
Meta-Analysis of Interactions between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and Biotic Stressors of Plants
Authors: Yang Haishui , Dai Yajun , Wang Xiaohua , Zhang Qian , Zhu Liqun , Bian Xinmin
Published: January 2014

Naturally, simultaneous interactions occurred among plants, herbivores, and soil biota, that is, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), nematodes, and fungal pathogens. These multiple interactions play fundamental roles in driving process, structure, and functioning of ecosystems. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis with 144 papers to investigate the interactions between AMF and plant biotic stressors and their effects on plant growth performance. We found that AMF enhanced plant tolerance to herbivores, nematodes, and fungal pathogens. We also found reciprocal inhibition between AMF and nematodes as well as fungal pathogens, but unidirectional inhibition for AMF on herbivores. Negative effects of AMF on biotic stressors of plants depended on herbivore feeding sites and actioning modes of fungal pathogens. More performance was reduced in root-feeding than in shoot-feeding herbivores and in rotting- than in wilt-fungal pathogens. However, no difference was found for AMF negative effects between migratory and sedentary nematodes. In return, nematodes and fungal pathogens generated more reduction of root colonization in Non-Glomeraceae than in Glomeraceae. Our results suggested that AMF positive effects on plants might be indirectly mediated by competitive inhibition with biotic stressors of plants. These positive and negative interactions make potential contributions to maintaining ecosystem stability and functioning.
A Virtual Motion Camouflage Approach for Cooperative Trajectory Planning of Multiple UCAVs
Authors: Gu Xueqiang , Shen Lincheng , Chen Jing , Zhang Yu , Zhang Wanpeng
Published: January 2014

This paper investigates cooperative trajectory planning of multiple unmanned combat aerial vehicles (multi‐UCAV) in performing autonomous cooperative air‐to‐ground target attack missions. By integrating an approximate allowable attack region model, several constraint models, and a multicriterion objective function, the problem is formulated as a cooperative trajectory optimal control problem (CTOCP). Then, a virtual motion camouflage (VMC) for cooperative trajectory planning of multi‐UCAV, combining with the differential flatness theory, Gauss pseudospectral method (GPM), and nonlinear programming, is designed to solve the CTOCP. In particular, the notion of the virtual time is introduced to the VMC problem formulation to handle the temporal cooperative constraints. The simulation experiments validate that the CTOCP can be effectively solved by the cooperative trajectory planning algorithm based on VMC which integrates the spatial and temporal constraints on the trajectory level, and the comparative experiments illustrate that VMC based algorithm is more efficient than GPM based direct collocation method in tackling the CTOCP.
Antiproliferative Activity of the Isofuranonaphthoquinone Isolated fromBulbine frutescensagainst Jurkat T Cells
Authors: Tambama Penelope , Abegaz Berhanu , Mukanganyama Stanley
Published: January 2014

Cancer is a major public health burden in both developed and developing countries. The quinone moiety has been shown to possess antitumor activity and several cancer drugs in clinical use contain this entity. The effect of isofuranonaphthoquinone isolated fromBulbine frutescenson Jurkat T cells was determined. Cells were exposed to the isofuranonaphthoquinone (IFNQ) at different concentrations. Significant antiproliferative effects were observed which were comparable to that of the anticancer drug 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). A combination of IFNQ with BCNU produced synergistic effects which were observed after 72 hrs. It was also observed that combining IFNQ with reduced glutathione abolished the anticancer activity of the compound. It is, therefore, proposed that the isofuranonaphthoquinone may exert part of its effect by producing reactive oxygen species resulting in death of the cells as the effects of this compound were antagonized by reduced glutathione. An investigation on the effects of isofuranonaphthoquinone on glutathione transferase (GST) activity and drug efflux pumps showed that this compound exhibited inhibitory effects on both the GST and the drug efflux pumping activities. Thus, the isofuranonaphthoquinone showed cytotoxicity, works through inhibition of some cellular mechanisms, and could present a potential source of lead compounds for anticancer drug development.
Atrioventricular Conduction Delay in the Second Trimester Measured by Fetal Magnetocardiography
Authors: Wacker-Gussmann Annette , Paulsen Henrike , Stingl Krunoslav , Braendle Johanna , Goelz Rangmar , Henes Joerg
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Fetal AV block in SSA/Ro pregnancies is generally not seen before 18-week gestation and onset is rare after 28-week gestation. If complete AV block appears, it is believed to be irreversible. The purpose of the study was to evaluate precise electrophysiological AV conduction from 18-week gestation onwards.Patients and Methods. 21 fetuses of pregnant women with collagen vascular diseases were included in the study group and 59 healthy fetuses served as controls. In addition to fetal echocardiography, fetal magnetocardiography (fMCG) was used to investigate precise electrophysiological fetal cardiac time intervals (fCTIs).Results. The PR segment (isoelectric segment between the end of the P wave and the start of the QRS complex) was significantly prolonged (P<0.0362nd trimester,P<0.0233rd trimester) in both trimesters within the study group. In fetuses less than 23-week gestational age, a nearly complete separation was found, where a PR segment of 60 ms or greater completely excluded control fetuses. All other fCTIs did not differ significantly. None of the fetuses progressed to a more advanced heart block.Conclusion. Slight antibody effects in pregnancy, leading to PR segment prolongation, can already be seen from 18-week gestation onwards by fMCG. Serial fetal Doppler echocardiography and additional fMCG can be useful methods to measure early and precise AV conduction time, to achieve best surveillance for these high-risk pregnancies.
Linear Chromatic Adaptation Transform Based on Delaunay Triangulation
Authors: Kreslin Rok , Calvo Pilar M. , Corzo Luis G. , Peer Peter
Published: January 2014

Computer vision algorithms that use color information
require color constant images to operate correctly. Color constancy of the images is usually achieved in two steps: first the illuminant is detected and then image is transformed with the chromatic adaptation transform (CAT). Existing CAT methods use a single transformation matrix for all the colors of the input
image. The method proposed in this paper requires multiple corresponding color pairs between source and target illuminants given by patches of the Macbeth color checker. It uses Delaunay triangulation to divide the color gamut of the input image into small triangles. Each color of the input image is associated with the
triangle containing the color point and transformed with a full linear model associated with the triangle. Full linear model is used because diagonal models are known to be inaccurate if channel color matching functions do not have narrow peaks. Objective evaluation showed that the proposed method outperforms existing CAT methods by more than 21%; that is, it performs statistically
significantly better than other existing methods.
Magnetic Behavior of Sintered NdFeB Magnets on a Long-Term Timescale
Authors: Haavisto Minna , Tuominen Sampo , Santa-Nokki Timo , Kankaanpää Harri , Paju Martti , Ruuskanen Pekka
Published: January 2014

Stable polarization of permanent magnets over the lifetime of the application is an important aspect in electrical machine design. Specification of the long-term stability of magnet material is difficult, since knowledge of the phenomenon is incomplete. To be able to optimize magnet material selection, the long-term magnetic behavior of the material must also be understood. This study shows that material with a very squareJHcurve is stable until a certain critical operating temperature is reached. Major losses are detected as the critical temperature is exceeded. Material with a rounderJHcurve does not show a well-defined critical temperature, but increasing losses over a large temperature range. The critical temperature of a material is also dependent on the field conditions. Results differ whether the tests are performed in an open or closed magnetic circuit. In open-circuit tests, the opposing field is not homogeneously distributed throughout the volume of the magnet and thus the long-term behavior is different than that in closed-circuit conditions. Open-circuit tests seem to give bigger losses than closed-circuit tests in cases where the permeance coefficient of the open-circuit sample is considered to be the average permeance coefficient, calculated according to the dimensions of the magnet.
Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Induced Thermal Therapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Review
Authors: Norred Sarah E. , Johnson Jacqueline Anne
Published: January 2014

Magnetic resonance-guided laser induced thermotherapy (MRgLITT) has become an increasingly relevant therapy for tumor ablation due to its minimally invasive approach and broad applicability across many tissue types. The current state of the art applies laser irradiation via cooled optical fiber applicators in order to generate ablative heat and necrosis in tumor tissue. Magnetic resonance temperature imaging (MRTI) is used concurrently with this therapy to plan treatments and visualize tumor necrosis. Though application in neurosurgery remains in its infancy, MRgLITT has been found to be a promising therapy for many types of brain tumors. This review examines the current use of MRgLITT with regard to the special clinical challenge of glioblastoma multiforme and examines the potential applications of next-generation nanotherapy specific to the treatment of glioblastoma.
Analysis of the Influence of Quantile Regression Model on Mainland Tourists’ Service Satisfaction Performance
Authors: Wang Wen-Cheng , Cho Wen-Chien , Chen Yin-Jen
Published: January 2014

It is estimated that mainland Chinese tourists travelling to Taiwan can bring annual revenues of 400 billion NTD to the Taiwan economy. Thus, how the Taiwanese Government formulates relevant measures to satisfy both sides is the focus of most concern. Taiwan must improve the facilities and service quality of its tourism industry so as to attract more mainland tourists. This paper conducted a questionnaire survey of mainland tourists and used grey relational analysis in grey mathematics to analyze the satisfaction performance of all satisfaction question items. The first eight satisfaction items were used as independent variables, and the overall satisfaction performance was used as a dependent variable for quantile regression model analysis to discuss the relationship between the dependent variable under different quantiles and independent variables. Finally, this study further discussed the predictive accuracy of the least mean regression model and each quantile regression model, as a reference for research personnel. The analysis results showed that other variables could also affect the overall satisfaction performance of mainland tourists, in addition to occupation and age. The overall predictive accuracy of quantile regression modelQ0.25 was higher than that of the other three models.