bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Prototyping forIn VitroKnee Rig Investigations of Prosthetized Knee Biomechanics: Comparison with Cobalt-Chromium Alloy Implant Material
Authors: Schröder Christian , Steinbrück Arnd , Müller Tatjana , Woiczinski Matthias , Chevalier Yan , Weber Patrick , Müller Peter E. , Jansson Volkmar
Published: March 2015

Retropatellar complications after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) such as anterior knee pain and subluxations might be related to altered patellofemoral biomechanics, in particular to trochlear design and femorotibial joint positioning. A method was developed to test femorotibial and patellofemoral joint modifications separately with 3D-rapid prototyped components forin vitrotests, but material differences may further influence results. This pilot study aims at validating the use of prostheses made of photopolymerized rapid prototype material (RPM) by measuring the sliding friction with a ring-on-disc setup as well as knee kinematics and retropatellar pressure on a knee rig. Cobalt-chromium alloy (standard prosthesis material, SPM) prostheses served as validation standard. Friction coefficients between these materials and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were additionally tested as this latter material is commonly used to protect pressure sensors in experiments. No statistical differences were found between friction coefficients of both materials to PTFE. UHMWPE shows higher friction coefficient at low axial loads for RPM, a difference that disappears at higher load. No measurable statistical differences were found in knee kinematics and retropatellar pressure distribution. This suggests that using polymer prototypes may be a valid alternative to original components forin vitroTKA studies and future investigations on knee biomechanics.
Fast Adapting Ensemble: A New Algorithm for Mining Data Streams with Concept Drift
Authors: Ortíz Díaz Agustín , del Campo-Ávila José , Ramos-Jiménez Gonzalo , Frías Blanco Isvani , Caballero Mota Yailé , Mustelier Hechavarría Antonio , Morales-Bueno Rafael
Published: March 2015

The treatment of large data streams in the presence of concept drifts is one of the main challenges in the field of data mining, particularly when the algorithms have to deal with concepts that disappear and then reappear. This paper presents a new algorithm, called Fast Adapting Ensemble (FAE), which adapts very quickly to both abrupt and gradual concept drifts, and has been specifically designed to deal with recurring concepts. FAE processes the learning examples in blocks of the same size, but it does not have to wait for the batch to be complete in order to adapt its base classification mechanism. FAE incorporates a drift detector to improve the handling of abrupt concept drifts and stores a set of inactive classifiers that represent old concepts, which are activated very quickly when these concepts reappear. We compare our new algorithm with various well‐known learning algorithms, taking into account, common benchmark datasets. The experiments show promising results from the proposed algorithm (regarding accuracy and runtime), handling different types of concept drifts.
Indoor Solar Thermal Energy Saving Time with Phase Change Material in a Horizontal Shell and Finned‐Tube Heat Exchanger
Authors: Paria S. , Sarhan A. A. D. , Goodarzi M. S. , Baradaran S. , Rahmanian B. , Yarmand H. , Alavi M. A. , Kazi S. N. , Metselaar H. S. C.
Published: March 2015

An experimental as well as numerical investigation was conducted on the melting/solidification processes of a stationary phase change material (PCM) in a shell around a finned‐tube heat exchanger system. The PCM was stored in the horizontal annular space between a shell and finned‐tube where distilled water was employed as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). The focus of this study was on the behavior of PCM for storage (charging or melting) and removal (discharging or solidification), as well as the effect of flow rate on the charged and discharged solar thermal energy. The impact of the Reynolds number was determined and the results were compared with each other to reveal the changes in amount of stored thermal energy with the variation of heat transfer fluid flow rates. The results showed that, by increasing the Reynolds number from 1000 to 2000, the total melting time decreases by 58%. The process of solidification also will speed up with increasing Reynolds number in the discharging process. The results also indicated that the fluctuation of gradient temperature decreased and became smooth with increasing Reynolds number. As a result, by increasing the Reynolds number in the charging process, the theoretical efficiency rises.
Fingerprint Quality Evaluation in a Novel Embedded Authentication System for Mobile Users
Authors: Vitello Giuseppe , Conti Vincenzo , Vitabile Salvatore , Sorbello Filippo
Published: March 2015

The way people access resources, data and services, is radically changing using modern mobile technologies. In this scenario, biometry is a good solution for security issues even if its performance is influenced by the acquired data quality. In this paper, a novel embedded automatic fingerprint authentication system (AFAS) for mobile users is described. The goal of the proposed system is to improve the performance of a standard embedded AFAS in order to enable its employment in mobile devices architectures. The system is focused on the quality evaluation of the raw acquired fingerprint, identifying areas of poor quality. Using this approach, no image enhancement process is needed after the fingerprint acquisition phase. The Agility RC2000 board has been used to prototype the embedded device. Due its different image resolution and quality, the experimental tests have been conducted on both PolyU and FVC2002 DB2-B free databases. Experimental results show an interesting trade-off between used resources, authentication time, and accuracy rate. The best achieved false acceptance rate (FAR) and false rejection rate (FRR) indexes are 0% and 6.25%, respectively. The elaboration time is 62.6 ms with a working frequency of 50 MHz.
Laryngeal Preservation in Managing Advanced Tracheal Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma
Authors: Subramaniam Thavakumar , Lennon Paul , Kinsella John , O’Neill James Paul
Published: March 2015

A 37-year-old male athlete was diagnosed with primary tracheal adenoid cystic carcinoma following investigation for dyspnea, wheeze, and eventual stridor. Preoperative bronchoscopy revealed a highly vascular tumor 4 cm distal to the cricoid with no gross disease extending to the carina. Imaging revealed circumferential tracheal irregularity immediately inferior to the cricoid, with no definite cricoid invasion. Locoregional extension of disease was noted invading the thyroid and abutment of the carotid approximately 180°. Intraoperative findings identified tracheal mucosal disease extending distal to the carina and proximally at the cricothyroid joints where bilateral functional recurrent nerves were preserved. A decision made to preserve the larynx given the inability to fully resect distal tracheal disease. A 5 cm sleeve resection of the trachea was made with a cricotracheal anastomosis following suprahyoidal muscle release and laryngeal drop-down. The patient was treated with adjuvant radiotherapy including platinum based chemotherapy in an effort to maximise local control. PET scanning three months after therapy revealed no FDG uptake locally or distally.
Finite Element Analysis of System-Level Electronic Packages for Space Applications
Authors: Lambert Adrien , Mian Ahsan , Hogan Justin , Kaiser Todd , LaMeres Brock
Published: March 2015

Thermal analysis was required in order to aid in the design and testing of a radiation tolerant computing (RTC) system using a radiation sensor. During development of the system, different test beds were employed in order to characterize the radiation sensor and its supporting electronic systems. The most common preliminary tests are high altitude balloon tests which allow the sensor to experience cosmic radiation at high altitudes, consistent with space flight operations. In this study, finite element analysis (FEA) was used to evaluate primary system architecture, system support structures, and the flight payload in order to determine if the system would survive preliminary and future testing. ANSYS FEA software was used to create thermal models which accurately simulated convective cooling, system heat generation, and solar radiation loading on the exterior of the payload. The results of the models were then used to optimize payload PC board (PCB) design to ensure that the internal electronic systems would be within acceptable operating temperatures.
Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structural Characterization of NiO/SnO2Composites and Hydrogen Sensing Properties
Authors: Wei Chao , Bo Bin , Tao Fengbo , Lu Yuncai , Peng Shudi , Song Wei , Zhou Qu
Published: March 2015

Pure SnO2and NiO doped SnO2nanostructures were successfully synthesized via a simple and environment-friendly hydrothermal method. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) were used to investigate the crystalline structures, surface morphologies and microstructures, and element components and their valences of the as-synthesized samples. Furthermore, planar chemical gas sensors based on the synthesized pure SnO2and NiO/SnO2composites were fabricated and their sensing performances to hydrogen, an important fault characteristic gas dissolved in power transformer oil, were investigated in detail. Gas sensing experiments indicate that the NiO/SnO2composites showed much higher gas response and lower working temperature than those of pure SnO2, which could be ascribed to the formation of p-n heterojunctions between p-type NiO and n-type SnO2. These results demonstrate that the as-synthesized NiO/SnO2composites a promising hydrogen sensing material.
The Combined Poisson INMA(q) Models for Time Series of Counts
Authors: Yu Kaizhi , Zou Hong
Published: March 2015

A new stationaryqth-order integer-valued moving average process with Poisson innovation is introduced based on decision random vector. Some statistical properties of the process are established. Estimators of the parameters of the process are obtained using the method of moments. Some numerical results of the estimators are presented to assess the performance of moment estimators.
Optimization, Composition, and Antioxidant Activities of Exo- and Intracellular Polysaccharides in Submerged Culture ofCordyceps gracilis(Grev.) Durieu & Mont.
Authors: Sharma Sapan Kumar , Gautam Nandini , Atri Narender Singh
Published: March 2015

Under present experiments, EPS and IPS production, monosaccharide composition, and antioxidant activities ofC. graciliswere studied for the first time under submerged culture conditions. Effect of different factors on polysaccharides production was studied by orthogonal experiments using one-factor-at-a-time method. Incubation of culture in the medium with capacity 200 mL (675.12 ± 5.01 and 385.20 ± 5.01 mg/L), rotation speed 150 rpm (324.62 ± 3.32 and 254.62 ± 4.62 mg/L), 6-day culture incubation time (445.24 ± 1.11, 216.60 ± 1.71 mg/L), pH 6.0 (374.81 ± 2.52 and 219.45 ± 2.59 mg/L), and temperature 23°C (405.24 ± 1.11 and 215.60 ± 1.71 mg/L) produced higher EPS and IPS, respectively. Maximum EPS and IPS production was observed in the medium supplemented with glucose as a carbon source (464.82 ± 2.12 and 264.42 ± 2.62 mg/L) and yeast extract as a nitrogen source (465.21 ± 3.11 and 245.17 ± 3.24 mg/L), respectively. Carbon to nitrogen ratio for maximum EPS and IPS production was observed as 10 : 1 (395.29 ± 2.15 and 235.62 ± 1.40 mg/L), respectively. Glucose was found to be the major monosaccharide (62.15 ± 7.33%). Both EPS and IPS ofC. gracilisshowed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and iron chelating activity.
Toothpaste Prevents Debonded Brackets on Erosive Enamel
Authors: Barros Érico Luiz Damasceno , Pinto Shelon Cristina Souza , Borges Alvaro Henrique , Tonetto Mateus Rodrigues , Ellwood Roger Phillip , Pretty Ian , Bandéca Matheus Coelho
Published: March 2015

This study evaluated the effect of high fluoride dentifrice on the bond strength of brackets after erosive challenge. Eighty‐four enamel specimens were divided into seven groups (n = 12): WN (distilled water/no acid challenge), W3C (distilled water/3 cycles of acid challenge), and W6C (distilled water/6 cycles of acid challenge) were not submitted to dentifrice treatment. Groups RF3C (regular fluoride dentifrice/3 cycles of acid challenge) and RF6C (regular fluoride dentifrice/6 cycles of acid challenge) were treated with dentifrices containing 1450 μg F−/g and HF3C (high fluoride dentifrice/3 cycles of acid challenge) and HF6C (high fluoride dentifrice/6 cycles of acid challenge) were with 5000 μg F−/g. Acid challenges were performed for seven days. After bond strength test, there was no significant difference among groups submitted to 3 cycles of acid challenge (P > 0.05). Statistically significant difference was found between the regular and high fluoride dentifrices after 6 cycles of acid challenge (<0.05). Similar areas of adhesive remaining were found among control groups and among groups W6C, RF3C, RF6C, HF3C, and HF6C. The high fluoride dentifrice was able to prevent the reduction of bond strength values of brackets submitted to acid challenge. Clinical relevance: the high fluoride toothpaste prevents debonded brackets on erosive enamel.
The Diagnostic Value of18F-FDG PET/CT in Association with Serum Tumor Marker Assays in Breast Cancer Recurrence and Metastasis
Authors: Dong Ying , Hou Haifeng , Wang Chunyan , Li Jing , Yao Qiong , Amer Said , Tian Mei
Published: March 2015

Background. After initial treatment of breast cancer (BC), monitoring locoregional recurrence and distant metastases is a great clinical challenge.Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of PET/CT in association with serum tumor makers in BC follow-up.Methods. Twenty-six women with a history of modified radical mastectomy were evaluated by18F-FDG PET/CT. The results of PET/CT were compared with those of conventional imaging techniques (CITs) (including mammography, chest radiography, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and bone scintigraphy). Serum tumor markers of CEA, CA 125, and CA 15-3 in the BC patients were also analyzed in association with the results of PET/CT.Results. Compared with CITs, PET/CT was more sensitive to detect the malignant foci and had better patient-based sensitivity and specificity. The mean CA 15-3 serum level was significantly higher in the confirmed positive patients of PET/CT results than in the confirmed negative ones, while there were no significant differences in the serum levels of CEA and CA 125 of both groups.Conclusion. PET/CT is a highly efficient tool for BC follow-up compared with CITs. The high serum levels of CA 15-3 in confirmed positive PET/CT patients indicated the clinical value of CA 15-3 in BC follow-up.
An Experimental Study on Lateral Acceleration of Cars in Different Environments in Sichuan, Southwest China
Authors: Xu Jin , Yang Kui , Shao YiMing , Lu GongYuan
Published: March 2015

In view of the tremendous improvements in the dynamic performance of automobiles and changes in the composition of drivers over the past several decades, it is valuable to examine the distribution of automobile’s lateral acceleration in new environments. The lateral accelerations, speeds, and trajectory curvatures of a passenger car on twelve highways with different design speeds and topographies were obtained. By synchronizing, matching, and counting, the distribution of the lateral acceleration was obtained, and the level of driving comfort was estimated. The10th,15th,50th,85th, and90thpercentile values of the lateral acceleration on three road types (six-lane road, four-lane road, and two-lane road) were found. Combined with scatter diagrams of the lateral acceleration over the curvature, the negative correlation between the lateral acceleration and the curvature was analyzed and interpreted. In addition, regression models of the lateral acceleration with the curvature for the three kinds of roads were established. Based on scatter diagrams of the lateral acceleration over the speed, regression models of the averageaydepending on the speed and the85thpercentileaydepending on the speed of passenger cars and buses were established. The research provides calculation parameters and a control basis for operating speed prediction, pavement material design, and maximum and minimum limit value determination for the superelevation ratios and curve radii.
Influence of Cardiorespiratory Fitness onPPARGmRNA Expression Using Monozygotic Twin Case Control
Authors: Queiroga Marcos Roberto , Barbieri Ricardo Augusto , Ferreira Sandra Aires , Luchessi André Ducati , Hirata Rosario Dominguez Crespo , Hirata Mario Hiroyuki , Kokubun Eduardo
Published: March 2015

The influence of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) on anthropometric variables andPPARGmRNA expression was investigated. Monozygotic twin pairs aged 11–18 years were grouped into discordant (D) and concordant (C) high and low VO2max groups. VO2max was determined by progressive maximal exercise test on treadmill with gas exchange analysis. Body mass (BM), BMI, waist circumference (WC), triceps (TR), and subscapular (SB) skinfold thicknesses were measured. Twins from the discordant group had differences in VO2max values (D-high =45.9±10.0versus D-low =32.4±10.6 mL·kg−1·min−1,P=0.025), while no differences were found in the concordant group (C-high =42.4±9.2versus C-low =38.8±9.8 mL·kg−1·min−1,P=0.952). In discordant group, VO2max was negatively correlated with TR + SB (r=-0.540,P=0.021) and positively correlated withPPARGexpression in leukocytes (r=0.952,P=0.001). Moreover,PPARGexpression was directly correlated with BM (r=0.714,P=0.047) and height (r=0.762,P=0.028). In concordant twins, VO2max was inversely correlated with BM (r=-0.290,P=0.027), BMI (r=-0.472,P=0.001), WC (r=-0.426,P=0.001), and TR + SB (r=-0.739,P=0.001). Twins D-high had 1.78-fold greaterPPARGexpression when compared with twins D-low (P=0.048). In conclusion, the cardiorespiratory fitness may modulatePPARGexpression in childhood and adolescence, independently of the genetic background.
Structural Characterisation of Asphaltenes during Residue Hydrotreatment with Light Cycle Oil as an Additive
Authors: Liu Yong-Jun , Li Zhi-Feng
Published: March 2015

Several atmospheric residues (AR) of Kuwaiti crude, in the absence, or in the presence, of light cycle oil (LCO) as an aromatic additive, were hydrotreated in an experimental plant. Asphaltenes (precipitated from Kuwaiti AR, a hydrotreated AR, and a hydrotreated blend of AR and LCO) were characterised by chemical structure and changes during residue hydrotreatment. The average structural parameters of these asphaltenes, obtained from a combined method of element analysis, average molecular weight, X-ray diffraction, and NMR, demonstrate that, after hydrotreatment, the aromatic cores of the asphaltenes become more compact and smaller whereas the peripheral alkyl branches are decreased in number and shortened. The influence of LCO on residue hydrotreating is also studied in terms of structural changes in the asphaltenes. The findings imply that LCO added to AR during hydrotreating improves the degree of aromatic substitution, the total hydrogen/carbon atomic ratio per average molecule, the distance between aromatic sheets and aliphatic chains, and so forth, by modifying the colloidal nature and microstructure of asphaltene: this is beneficial for the further hydroprocessing of AR. Three hypothetical average molecules are proposed to represent the changes undergone by such asphaltenes during hydrotreatment as well as the effects of additive LCO.
A Modified Nature Publishing Index via Shannon Entropy
Authors: Fu Yelin , Wang Ming , Lai Kin Keung
Published: March 2015

This paper develops a Shannon Entropy approach based only on the number of papers published to propose scientific institution rankings. A simple and efficient approach with weight restrictions is employed to derive the score under specific preferences. The importance degrees for each preference are determined using the concept of Shannon Entropy. Finally, a weighted linear combination of different lexicographic preferences with subjective perceptions between the corrected count and the number of articles criteria is proposed. An application to Asia-Pacific ranking of the Nature Publishing Index is to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Predictors of Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Interrelationship of Dyslipidemia and Arterial Blood Pressure
Authors: Macut Djuro , Bačević Marina , Božić-Antić Ivana , Bjekić-Macut Jelica , Čivčić Milorad , Erceg Snježana , Vojnović Milutinović Danijela , Stanojlović Olivera , Andrić Zoran , Kastratović-Kotlica Biljana , Šukilović Tijana
Published: March 2015

Background. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) could develop subclinical atherosclerosis during life.Purpose. To analyze cardiovascular risk (CVR) factors and their relation to clinical markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in respect to their age.Material and Methods. One hundred women with PCOS (26.32±5.26years, BMI:24.98±6.38 kg/m2) were compared to 50 respective controls. In all subjects, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, TC/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C ratios, glucose, insulin and HOMA index, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, resp.), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were analyzed in respect to their age and level of androgens.Results. PCOS over 30 years had higher WHR (P=0.008), SBP (P<0.001), DBP (P<0.001), TC (P=0.028), HDL-C (P=0.028), LDL-C (P=0.045), triglycerides (P<0.001), TC/HDL-C (P<0.001), and triglycerides/HDL-C (P<0.001) and had more prevalent hypertension and pronounced CIMT on common carotid arteries even after adjustment for BMI (P=0.005and 0.036, resp.). TC/HDL-C and TG/HDL-C were higher in PCOS with the highest quintile of FAI in comparison to those with lower FAI (P=0.045and 0.034, resp.).Conclusions. PCOS women older than 30 years irrespective of BMI have the potential for early atherosclerosis mirrored through the elevated lipids/lipid ratios and through changes in blood pressure.
Extended Duality in Fuzzy Optimization Problems
Authors: Zou Tingting
Published: March 2015

Duality theorem is an attractive approach for solving fuzzy optimization problems. However, the duality gap is generally nonzero for nonconvex problems. So far, most of the studies focus on continuous variables in fuzzy optimization problems. And, in real problems and models, fuzzy optimization problems also involve discrete and mixed variables. To address the above problems, we improve the extended duality theory by adding fuzzy objective functions. In this paper, we first define continuous fuzzy nonlinear programming problems, discrete fuzzy nonlinear programming problems, and mixed fuzzy nonlinear programming problems and then provide the extended dual problems, respectively. Finally we prove the weak and strong extended duality theorems, and the results show no duality gap between the original problem and extended dual problem.
Knowledge of Childhood Autism and Challenges of Management among Medical Doctors in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria
Authors: Eseigbe E. E. , Nuhu F. T. , Sheikh T. L. , Eseigbe P. , Sanni K. A. , Olisah V. O.
Published: March 2015

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder with serious implications in childhood. There is a significant gap in the identification and provision of health and social services for autism in Africa. The knowledge of autism among health care providers and identifying challenges associated with its management could facilitate bridging the gap and ensuring better outcomes. A self-administered tool, the Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers (KCAHW) questionnaire, was used in assessing knowledge of autism among 175 medical doctors (participants) attending an annual scientific meeting in northwest Nigeria. Other parameters assessed were sociodemographic and professional characteristics of the participants and challenges encountered in the management of autism. Out of 175 questionnaires distributed, 167 (95.4%) were returned. Good knowledge (KCAHW score ≥15) was significantly associated with being a paediatrician or psychiatrist and practicing in a tertiary health facility (P<0.05), while poor knowledge (KCAHW score <15) was significant among general practitioners (P<0.05). The highest knowledge gap was associated with onset of autism and its comorbidities (KCAHW Domain 4) while the least was concerning communication impairments (KCAHW Domain 2). Major challenges encountered in autism management were dearth of specialist services, cost of evaluation, and poor caregiver perspectives of autism.
Performance Analysis of Homogeneous On-Chip Large-Scale Parallel Computing Architectures for Data-Parallel Applications
Authors: Chen Xiaowen , Lu Zhonghai , Jantsch Axel , Chen Shuming , Guo Yang , Chen Shenggang , Chen Hu
Published: March 2015

On-chip computing platforms are evolving from single-core bus-based systems to many-core network-based systems, which are referred to asOn-chip Large-scale Parallel Computing Architectures (OLPCs)in the paper. Homogenous OLPCs feature strong regularity and scalability due to its identical cores and routers. Data-parallel applications have their parallel data subsets that are handled individually by the same program running in different cores. Therefore, data-parallel applications are able to obtain good speedup in homogenous OLPCs. The paper addresses modeling the speedup performance of homogeneous OLPCs for data-parallel applications. When establishing the speedup performance model, the network communication latency and the ways of storing data of data-parallel applications are modeled and analyzed in detail. Two abstract concepts (equivalent serial packet and equivalent serial communication) are proposed to construct the network communication latency model. The uniform and hotspot traffic models are adopted to reflect the ways of storing data. Some useful suggestions are presented during the performance model’s analysis. Finally, three data-parallel applications are performed on our cycle-accurate homogenous OLPC experimental platform to validate the analytic results and demonstrate that our study provides a feasible way to estimate and evaluate the performance of data-parallel applications onto homogenous OLPCs.
Hybrid Model: An Efficient Symmetric Multiprocessor Reference Model
Authors: Wang Shupeng , Huang Kai , Xie Tianyi , Yan Xiaolang
Published: March 2015

Functional verification has become one of the main bottlenecks in the cost-effective design of embedded systems, particularly for symmetric multiprocessors. It is estimated that verification in its entirety accounts for up to 60% of design resources, including duration, computer resources, and total personnel. Simulation-based verification is a long-standing approach used to locate design errors in the symmetric multiprocessor verification. The greatest challenge of simulation-based verification is the creation of the reference model of the symmetric multiprocessor. In this paper, we propose an efficient symmetric multiprocessor reference model, Hybrid Model, written with SystemC. SystemC can provide a high-level simulation environment and is faster than the traditional hardware description languages. Hybrid Model has been implemented in an efficient 32-bit symmetric multiprocessor verification. Experimental results show our proposed model is a fast, accurate, and efficient symmetric multiprocessor reference model and it is able to help designers to locate design errors easily and accurately.
Heat Transfer Analysis of MHD Water Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Flow over a Static/Moving Wedge
Authors: Khan Waqar A. , Culham Richard , Haq Rizwan Ul
Published: March 2015

The MHD flow and heat transfer from water functionalized CNTs over a static/moving wedge are studied numerically. Thermal conductivity and viscosity of both single and multiple wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) within a base fluid (water) of similar volume are investigated to determine the impact of these properties on thermofluid performance. The governing partial differential equations are converted into nonlinear, ordinary, and coupled differential equations and are solved using an implicit finite difference method with quasi‐linearization techniques. The effects of volume fraction of CNTs and magnetic and wedge parameters are investigated and presented graphically. The numerical results are compared with the published data and are found to be in good agreement. It is shown that the magnetic field reduces boundary layer thickness and increases skin friction and Nusselt numbers. Due to higher density and thermal conductivity, SWCNTs offer higher skin friction and Nusselt numbers.
Ontologies for the Transactions on IoT
Authors: Qu Chao , Liu Fagui , Tao Ming
Published: March 2015

To facilitate the efficient use of information generated from the Internet of Things (IoT) by sensors and automatically drive entities to meet the needs of human beings, this paper presents an information processing framework using semantic web technologies. The framework represents the entities as semantic web services and automatically creates service sequences as transactions by analyzing the information need in specific queries. Moreover, the framework ensures the effective management and control of information collected by mobile sensors during the transaction. The foundation of this framework lies in a set of ontologies we proposed: goal ontology, role ontology, constraint ontology, message ontology, status ontology, space-time ontology, and activity ontology. In addition to their respective definitions, we also present a detailed exploration of the relationships between them. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of the framework and the ontologies with a case study of the logistics system. The evaluation shows that the ontologies support the framework well and our approach increases the logistics system efficiency with lower operating costs.
An Overview of Diabetes Management in Schizophrenia Patients: Office Based Strategies for Primary Care Practitioners and Endocrinologists
Authors: Annamalai Aniyizhai , Tek Cenk
Published: March 2015

Diabetes is common and seen in one in five patients with schizophrenia. It is more prevalent than in the general population and contributes to the increased morbidity and shortened lifespan seen in this population. However, screening and treatment for diabetes and other metabolic conditions remain poor for these patients. Multiple factors including genetic risk, neurobiologic mechanisms, psychotropic medications, and environmental factors contribute to the increased prevalence of diabetes. Primary care physicians should be aware of adverse effects of psychotropic medications that can cause or exacerbate diabetes and its complications. Management of diabetes requires physicians to tailor treatment recommendations to address special needs of this population. In addition to behavioral interventions, medications such as metformin have shown promise in attenuating weight loss and preventing hyperglycemia in those patients being treated with antipsychotic medications. Targeted diabetes prevention and treatment is critical in patients with schizophrenia and evidence-based interventions should be considered early in the course of treatment. This paper reviews the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of diabetes in schizophrenia and outlines office based interventions for physicians treating this vulnerable population.
Development and Validation of a Clinical Score for Predicting Risk of Adenoma at Screening Colonoscopy
Authors: Shaukat Aasma , Church Timothy R. , Shanley Ryan , Kauff Noah D. , O'Brien Michael J. , Mills Glenn M. , Jordan Paul A. , Allen John A. , Kim Adam , Feld Andrew D. , Zauber Ann Graham , Winawer Sidney J.
Published: March 2015

Background: Currently, no clinical tools use demographic and risk factor information to predict the risk of finding an adenoma in individuals undergoing colon cancer screening. Such a tool would be valuable for identifying those who would most benefit from screening colonoscopy.

Methods: We used baseline data from men and women who underwent screening colonoscopy from the randomized, multicenter National Colonoscopy Study (NCS) to develop and validate an adenoma risk model. The study, conducted at three sites in the United States (Minneapolis, MN; Seattle, WA; and Shreveport, LA) asked all participants to complete baseline questionnaires on clinical risk factors and family history. Model parameters estimated from logistic regression yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC) used to assess prediction.

Results: Five hundred forty-one subjects were included in the development model, and 1,334 in the validation of the risk score. Variables in the prediction of adenoma risk for colonoscopy screening were age (likelihood ratio test for overall contribution to model, P < 0.001), male sex (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), family history of at least one first-degree relative with colorectal cancer (P = 0.036), and smoking history (P < 0.001). The adjusted AUROCC of 0.67 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.61–0.74] for the derivation cohort was not statistically significantly different from that in the validation cohort. The adjusted AUROCC for the entire cohort was 0.64 (95% CI, 0.60–0.67).

Conclusion: We developed and validated a simple well-calibrated risk score.

Impact: This tool may be useful for estimating risk of adenomas in screening eligible men and women Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(6); 913–20. ©2015 AACR.
The Fallopian Tube: From Back Stage to Center Stage
Authors: Greene Mark H. , Mai Phuong L.
Published: March 2015

The recognition that a significant fraction of what historically has been classified as ovarian cancer is, in fact, a malignancy that arises in the fallopian tube mucosa comprises a paradigm shift in our understanding of these neoplasms. New etiologic and management opportunities have been created by this insight, both for women at increased genetic risk of ovarian cancer by virtue of being BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and, perhaps, for women in the general population as well. Cancer Prev Res; 8(5); 339–41. ©2015 AACR.

See related article by Daly et al., p. 342
Investigation of microRNA Expression Profiles Associated with Human Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jing Ling , Jin Chengmei , Lu Ying , Huo Pingyan , Zhou Lijun , Wang Ye , Tian Ye
Published: March 2015

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes in human alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Methods: The expression levels of plasma miRNAs of 78 male ACM patients and 78 healthy men were detected by using the 6th-generation miRCURY™ LNA array (v.16.0). The prediction analysis for microarrays (PAM) method was used to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs. Target genes of the identified differentially expressed miRNAs were predicted using TargetScan 5.2 and Miranda. Gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were used to perform functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis of target genes respectively, followed by real-time RT-PCR analysis to validate the expression changes of miRNAs. Results: Twenty-one differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. Nine differentially expressed miRNAs (hsa-miR-506, hsa-miR-1285, hsa-miR-512-3P, hsa-miR-138, hsa-miR-485-5P, hsa-miR-4262, hsa-miR-548c-3P, has-miR-548a-5P and kshv-miR-K12-1), involved in multiple functions and pathways, were selected for real-time RT-PCR confirmation. Moreover, two significantly important subpathways (neurotrophin signaling pathway and inositol phosphate metabolism) were predicted. Conclusion: The screened differentially expressed miRNAs may be involved in the development of ACM. Specific miRNAs, such as miR-138, may be considered as a new target for the early diagnosis and treatment of human ACM.
Antibacterial Activity of Fosfomycin against Uropathogens
Authors: Sun Fengjun , Chen Sheng , Qiu Xuewen , Sun Yixuan , Feng Wei , Chen Jianhong , Xia Peiyuan
Published: March 2015

Background: In recent years, the rising rates of resistance to antimicrobial drugs among pathogens have caused great difficulty for clinicians treating infectious diseases. The aim of the study was to assess the curative effect of fosfomycin in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs) in China. Methods: We collected clinical isolates of UTIs to determine their susceptibility to fosfomycin by the agar dilution method and to analyze extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing isolates by the double-disc method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Fosfomycin-modifying enzyme analysis was conducted by PCR. Differences between the different groups were determined by the χ2 test. Results: We collected 433 UTI isolates, and the result showed that the susceptibility rates of clinical isolates were all above 80%. Only Klebsiella pneumoniae was fosA positive, with a positive rate of 26.7%. No correlation was found for the resistance between the antibiotic drugs tested and fosfomycin in the other bacteria, except for cefepime, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in Enterobacter cloacae and imipenem in K. pneumoniae. Conclusion: Our data suggest that fosfomycin may be a suitable antimicrobial agent for UTI isolates and ESBL-producing bacteria in our hospital.
Prostate Biopsy Core Handling: Comparison of Contemporary Preembedding Methods
Authors: Pryalukhin Alexey E. , Vandromme Alkuin , Dellmann Ansgar , Donhuijsen Konrad , Hammerer Peter G.
Published: March 2015

Introduction: The probability of prostate cancer detection is related to the amount of tissue represented. For optimal tissue representation, the specimens should preserve their regular cylindrical shape and avoid artefacts and deformation caused by fixation and preembedding. The aim of our study was to compare contemporary preembedding methods including a new method of using thick cardboard. Materials and Methods: To compare the preembedding methods, we took 36 nonfragmented cores from fresh prostatectomy specimens for each method, fixed them in formalin and made histological slides. The comparison criteria were a core section area in the middle section and the number of fragments per core after processing. Results: Two methods (preembedding on the edge of thick cardboard and on biplicated paper) provided a bigger section area of specimens. The differences in amounts of fragments were very small among the methods mentioned above and the preembedding glass with grooves, but preembedding between two sponges in a histological cassette showed higher fragmentation. Conclusions: Preembedding on the edge of thick cardboard and on biplicated paper can be recommended as effective methods of prostate biopsy core fixation. Paper or cardboard for fixation of prostate biopsy cores should be presoaked with formalin or normal saline.
Risk Indicators for Air Leaks in Preterm Infants Exposed to Restrictive Use of Endotracheal Intubation
Authors: Hummler Helmut D. , Parys Elisa , Mayer Benjamin , Essers Jochen , Fuchs Hans , Schmid Manuel
Published: March 2015

Objectives: To identify perinatal risk indicators for air leaks in preterm infants treated with a policy of restrictive use of endotracheal intubation based on sustained inflations followed by noninvasive ventilation in the delivery room. Methods: Perinatal variables and variables of respiratory support in the delivery room were analyzed retrospectively in a cohort of 297 inborn preterm infants with a gestational age <29 weeks born in 2005-2009 in a tertiary care center with respect to their associations with air leaks. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze independent risk indicators. Results: Gestational age was 26 weeks + 0 days (22+3 to 28+6), birth weight was 790 g (265-1,660) and 270/297 survived (91.0%). A total of 63 (21.2%) developed air leaks, 32 (10.8%) pneumothorax, 44 (14.8%) pulmonary interstitial emphysema, and 1 (0.3%) pneumopericardium. The infants with air leaks had a higher risk of death (p < 0.01) and of intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3/4 (p < 0.05). Air leaks were associated with less use of prenatal steroids (p < 0.01), more frequent use of cardiac compressions (p < 0.01), use of a pressure of 30 cm H2O for sustained inflations (p < 0.05), and intubation in the delivery room (p < 0.01). After multivariate logistic regression only prenatal steroids (OR 0.41, 0.20-0.85), epinephrine (OR 3.56, 1.55-8.15) and surfactant use (OR 12.03, 3.39-42.72) remained significant. Conclusions: Our approach resulted in a high survival rate but was associated with a substantial rate of air leaks, which were associated with death and severe intraventricular hemorrhage. Prenatal steroids were protective, and epinephrine and surfactant use were significant risk indicators, whereas the use of sustained inflations was not a risk factor.
Guidelines for the Cytopathologic Diagnosis of Epithelioid and Mixed-Type Malignant Mesothelioma
Authors: Hjerpe Anders , Ascoli Valeria , Bedrossian Carlos W.M. , Boon Mathilde E. , Creaney Jenette , Davidson Ben , Dejmek Annika , Dobra Katalin , Fassina Ambrogio , Field Andrew , Firat Pinar , Kamei Toshiaki , Kobayashi Tadao , Michael Claire W. , Önder Sevgen , Segal Amanda , Vielh Philippe
Published: March 2015

Objective: To provide practical guidelines for the cytopathologic diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma. Data Sources: Cytopathologists with an interest in the field involved in the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG) and the International Academy of Cytology (IAC) contributed to this update. Reference material includes peer-reviewed publications and textbooks. Rationale: This article is the result of discussions during and after the IMIG 2012 conference in Boston, followed by thorough discussions during the 2013 IAC meeting in Paris. Additional contributions have been obtained from cytopathologists and scientists who could not attend these meetings, with final discussions and input during the IMIG 2014 conference in Cape Town.
Low Dose of Clonazepam Is Effective in the Treatment of Painless Legs and Moving Toes Syndrome: A Case Report
Authors: Kawajiri Sumihiro , Noda Kazuyuki , Ikeda Aya , Koinuma Takahiro , Tomizawa Yuji , Hattori Nobutaka , Okuma Yasuyuki
Published: March 2015

Introduction: Painless legs and moving toes syndrome (PoLMT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and torsion of toes in the absence of pain. It is considered a variant of painful legs and moving toes syndrome, which is characterized by similar movements but is accompanied by pain. Although neuropathy, spinal cord compression, brain tumor, cerebral infarction, and Wilson's disease have been reported to be associated with PoLMT, the actual cause, trigger, and mechanism remain unclear. Therefore, a standardized treatment for PoLMT is not established yet. Case Presentation: We describe a 64-year-old Japanese woman with no past medical history who presented with nonrhythmic repetitive involuntary toe movement of the left foot in the absence of pain. She was diagnosed with idiopathic PoLMT and treated with a low dose of clonazepam (0.5 mg/day). The involuntary movement disappeared completely several days after treatment. Conclusion: A low dose of clonazepam is effective in the treatment of PoLMT.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Myocardial Perfusion Reserve Index Is Reduced in Women With Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction
Authors: Thomson Louise E.J. , Wei Janet , Agarwal Megha , Haft-Baradaran Afsaneh , Shufelt Chrisandra , Mehta Puja K. , B. Gill Edward , Johnson B. Delia , Kenkre Tanya , M. Handberg Eileen , Li Debiao , Sharif Behzad , Berman Daniel S. , W. Petersen John , Pepine Carl J. , Bairey Merz C. Noel
Published: March 2015

Background—

Women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive coronary artery disease often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), diagnosed by invasive coronary reactivity testing (CRT). Although traditional noninvasive stress imaging is often normal in CMD, cardiac MRI may be able to detect CMD in this population.

Methods and Results—

Vasodilator stress cardiac MRI was performed in 118 women with suspected CMD who had undergone CRT and 21 asymptomatic reference subjects. Semi-quantitative evaluation of the first-pass perfusion images was completed to determine myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI). The relationship between CRT findings and MPRI was examined by Pearson correlations, logistic regression, and sensitivity/specificity. Symptomatic women had lower mean pharmacological stress MPRI compared with reference subjects (1.71±0.43 versus 2.23±0.37;
P
<0.0001). Lower MPRI was predictive of ≥1 abnormal CRT variables (odds ratio =0.78 [0.70, 0.88],
P
<0.0001, c-statistic 0.78 [0.68, 0.88]). An MPRI threshold of 1.84 predicted CRT abnormality with sensitivity 73% and specificity 74%.

Conclusions—

Noninvasive cardiac MRI MPRI can detect CMD defined by invasive CRT. Further work is aimed to optimize the noninvasive identification and management of CMD patients.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00832702.
TGFβ Triggers miR-143/145 Transfer From Smooth Muscle Cells to Endothelial Cells, Thereby Modulating Vessel Stabilization
Authors: Climent Montserrat , Quintavalle Manuela , Miragoli Michele , Chen Ju , Condorelli Gianluigi , Elia Leonardo
Published: March 2015

Rationale:

The miR-143/145 cluster is highly expressed in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), where it regulates phenotypic switch and vascular homeostasis. Whether it plays a role in neighboring endothelial cells (ECs) is still unknown.

Objective:

To determine whether SMCs control EC functions through passage of miR-143 and miR-145.

Methods and Results:

We used cocultures of SMCs and ECs under different conditions, as well as intact vessels to assess the transfer of miR-143 and miR-145 from one cell type to another. Imaging of cocultured cells transduced with fluorescent miRNAs suggested that miRNA transfer involves membrane protrusions known as tunneling nanotubes. Furthermore, we show that miRNA passage is modulated by the transforming growth factor (TGF) β pathway because both a specific transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) inhibitor (SB431542) and an shRNA against TGFβRII suppressed the passage of miR-143/145 from SMCs to ECs. Moreover, miR-143 and miR-145 modulated angiogenesis by reducing the proliferation index of ECs and their capacity to form vessel-like structures when cultured on matrigel. We also identified hexokinase II (
HKII
) and integrin β 8 (
ITGβ8
)—2 genes essential for the angiogenic potential of ECs—as targets of miR-143 and miR-145, respectively. The inhibition of these genes modulated EC phenotype, similarly to miR-143 and miR-145 overexpression in ECs. These findings were confirmed by ex vivo and in vivo approaches, in which it was shown that TGFβ and vessel stress, respectively, triggered miR-143/145 transfer from SMCs to ECs.

Conclusions:

Our results demonstrate that miR-143 and miR-145 act as communication molecules between SMCs and ECs to modulate the angiogenic and vessel stabilization properties of ECs.