bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Survivin Levels and Outcome of Chemotherapy in Patients with Malignant Mesothelioma
Authors: Goričar Katja , Kovač Viljem , Franko Alenka , Dodič-Fikfak Metoda , Dolžan Vita
Published: September 2015

Background.Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein involved in the regulation of cell proliferation that could be used as a marker for cancer diagnosis or prognosis. Our aim was to evaluate whether serum survivin levels influence the outcome of cisplatin-based chemotherapy in patients with malignant mesothelioma (MM).Methods.Serum survivin levels were determined using human survivin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 78 MM patients before chemotherapy, after chemotherapy, and at disease progression. The influence on tumor response and survival was evaluated using nonparametric tests and Cox regression.Results.A median serum survivin level at diagnosis was 4.1 (0–217.5) pg/mL. Patients with a progressive disease had significantly higher survivin levels before chemotherapy (p= 0.041). A median serum survivin level after chemotherapy was 73.1 (0–346.2) pg/mL. If survivin levels increased after chemotherapy, patients had, conversely, better response (p= 0.001, OR = 5.40, 95% CI = 1.98–14.72). Unexpectedly, patients with increased survivin levels after chemotherapy also had longer progression-free (p< 0.001, HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.20–0.57) and overall survival (p= 0.001, HR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.14–0.58).Conclusions.These results suggest that serum survivin levels before and during chemotherapy could serve as a biomarker predicting MM treatment response.
Laparoscopic Removal of Gossypiboma
Authors: Özsoy Zeki , Okan Ismail , Daldal Emin , Dasıran Mehmet Fatih , Angın Yavuz Selim , Şahin Mustafa
Published: September 2015

Gossypiboma is defined as a mass caused by foreign body reaction developed around the retained surgical item in the operative area. When diagnosed, it should be removed in symptomatic patients. Minimal invasive surgery should be planned for the removal of the retained item. The number of cases treated by laparoscopic approach is rare in the literature. We present a case of forty-year-old woman referred to emergency room with acute abdomen diagnosed as gossypiboma and treated successfully with laparoscopic surgery.
Research on Adaptive Dual-Mode Switch Control Strategy for Vehicle Maglev Flywheel Battery
Authors: Gao Hui , Wu Ying-Jun , Shen Jing-Jin
Published: September 2015

Because of the jamming signal is real-time changeable and control algorithm cannot timely tracking control flywheel rotor, this paper takes vehicle maglev flywheel battery as the research object. One kind of dual-model control strategy is developed based on the analysis of the vibration response impact of the flywheel battery control system. In view of the complex foundation vibration problems of electric vehicles, the nonlinear dynamic simulation model of vehicle maglev flywheel battery is solved. Through analyzing the nonlinear vibration response characteristics, one kind of dual-mode adaptive hybrid control strategy based onH∞control and unbalance displacement feed-forward compensation control is presented and a real-time switch controller is designed. The reliable hybrid control is implemented, and the stability in the process of real-time switch is solved. The results of this project can provide important basic theory support for the research of vehicle maglev flywheel battery control system.
Embedded Optimal Control of Robot Manipulators with Passive Joints
Authors: Olivares Alberto , Staffetti Ernesto
Published: September 2015

This paper studies the optimal control problem for planar underactuated robot manipulators with two revolute joints and brakes at the unactuated joints in the presence of gravity. The presence of a brake at an unactuated joint gives rise to two operating modes for that joint: free and braked. As a consequence, there exist two operating modes for a robot manipulator with one unactuated joint and four operating modes for a manipulator with two unactuated joints. Since these systems can change dynamics, they can be regarded as switched dynamical systems. The optimal control problem for these systems is solved using the so-called embedding approach. The main advantages of this technique are that assumptions about the number of switches are not necessary, integer or binary variables do not have to be introduced to model switching decisions between modes, and the optimal switching times between modes are not unknowns of the optimal control problem. As a consequence, the resulting problem is a classical continuous optimal control problem. In this way, a general method for the solution of optimal control problems for switched dynamical systems is obtained. It is shown in this paper that it can deal with nonintegrable differential constraints.
Fault Reconstruction Approach for Distributed Coordinated Spacecraft Attitude Control System
Authors: Huo Mingyi , Guo Yanning , Huo Xing
Published: September 2015

This work presents a novel fault reconstruction approach for a large-scale system, that is, a distributed coordinated spacecraft attitude control system. The attitude of all the spacecrafts in this distributed system is controlled by using thrusters. All possible faults of thruster including thrust magnitude error and alignment error are investigated. As a stepping stone, the mathematical model of thruster is firstly established based on the thruster configuration. On the basis of this, a sliding mode observer is then proposed to reconstruct faults in each agent of the coordinated control system. A Lyapunov-based analysis shows that the observer asymptotically converges to the actual faults. The key feature of this fault reconstruction approach is that it can achieve a faster reconstruction of the fault in comparison with the conventional fault reconstruction schemes. It can globally reconstruct thruster faults with zero reconstruction error, and this is accomplished within finite time. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is analytically authenticated via simulation study.
Deflated BiCG with an Application to Model Reduction
Authors: Meng Jing , Zhu Pei-Yong , Li Hou-Biao
Published: September 2015

Most calculations in model reduction involve the solutions of a sequence of dual linear systems with multiple right-hand sides. To solve such systems efficiently, a new deflated BiCG method is explored in this paper. The proposed algorithm uses harmonic Ritz vectors to approximate left and right invariant subspaces inexpensively via small descenting direction vectors found by subsequent runs of deflated BiCG and then derives the deflated subspaces for the next pair of dual linear systems. This process leads to faster convergence for the next pair of systems. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Stem Cell Therapy for Corneal Epithelium Regeneration following Good Manufacturing and Clinical Procedures
Authors: Ramírez Beatriz E. , Sánchez Ana , Herreras José M. , Fernández Itziar , García-Sancho Javier , Nieto-Miguel Teresa , Calonge Margarita
Published: September 2015

Objective. To evaluate outcomes of cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) for management of ocular surface failure due to limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).Design. Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series and extensive comparison with recent similar studies.Participants. Twenty eyes with LSCD underwent CLET (11 autologous; 9 allogeneic) and were followed up for 3 years. Etiologies were divided into 3 prognostic categories: Group 1, chemical injuries (7 eyes); Group 2, immune-based inflammation (4 eyes); and Group 3, noninflammatory diseases (9 eyes).Intervention. Autologous and allogeneic limbal epithelial cells were cultivated on amniotic membranes and transplanted. Evaluations were based on clinical parameters, survival analysis, and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM). European Union Tissues/Cells Directive and good manufacturing procedures were followed.Main Outcome Measures. Improved clinical parameters, absence of epithelial defects, and improved central corneal epithelial phenotype.Results. Success rate was 80% at 1-2 years and 75% at 3 years. Autografts and allografts had similar survival. Success rate was significantly lower in prognostic Group 1 (42.9%) than in Groups 2-3 (100% each). All clinical parameters improved substantially. By IVCM, 80% of cases improved in epithelial status.Conclusions. CLET improved corneal epithelium quality, with subsequent improvement in symptoms, quality of life, and vision. These results confirm that CLET is a valid therapy for ocular surface failure.
Investigating the Hysteretic Behavior of Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Arch by Using a Fiber Beam Element
Authors: Ma Jun , Liu Yang , Gao Qingfei , Hou Kang
Published: September 2015

A fiber beam finite element that could account for the nonlinear constitutive relationship between steel and concrete was applied to investigate the hysteretic behavior of concrete filled steel tube (CFT) arch ribs of bridges. At first, the effectiveness of this fiber beam element using for nonlinear analysis was verified by comparing the analytical results with the experimental data, and then this composite element was applied to analyze the hysteretic performance of CFT arch ribs. The following hysteretic behavior of CFT arch ribs of bridges was investigated such as the hysteretic behaviors of moment-curvature of arch ribs in vertical direction of bridge and the hysteretic relationship between load and displacement of arch ribs in longitudinal and transverse direction of bridge. Finally, some parameters affecting the hysteretic behaviors of CFT arch ribs were presented by evaluating the capacity of ductility of CFT arch ribs.
Identifying Key Factors for Introducing GPS-Based Fleet Management Systems to the Logistics Industry
Authors: Hu Yi-Chung , Chiu Yu-Jing , Hsu Chung-Sheng , Chang Yu-Ying
Published: September 2015

The rise of e-commerce and globalization has changed consumption patterns. Different industries have different logistical needs. In meeting needs with different schedules logistics play a key role. Delivering a seamless service becomes a source of competitive advantage for the logistics industry. Global positioning system-based fleet management system technology provides synergy to transport companies and achieves many management goals such as monitoring and tracking commodity distribution, energy saving, safety, and quality. A case company, which is a subsidiary of a very famous food and retail conglomerate and operates the largest shipping line in Taiwan, has suffered from the nonsmooth introduction of GPS-based fleet management systems in recent years. Therefore, this study aims to identify key factors for introducing related systems to the case company. By using DEMATEL and ANP, we can find not only key factors but also causes and effects among key factors. The results showed that support from executives was the most important criterion but it has the worst performance among key factors. It is found that adequate annual budget planning, enhancement of user intention, and collaboration with consultants with high specialty could be helpful to enhance the faith of top executives for successfully introducing the systems to the case company.
Parameterizing the SFC Baryogenesis Model
Authors: Kirilova Daniela , Panayotova Mariana
Published: September 2015

We have numerically explored the scalar field condensate baryogenesis model for numerous sets of model’s parameters, within their natural range of values. We have investigated the evolution of the baryon charge carrying field, the evolution of the baryon charge contained in the scalar field condensate, and the final value of the generated baryon charge on the model’s parameters: the gauge coupling constantα, the Hubble constant at the inflationary stageHI, the massm, and the self-coupling constantsλi.
Fast Sampling Control of Singularly Perturbed Systems with Actuator Saturation andL2Disturbance
Authors: Miao Yanzi , Ma Lei , Ma Xiaoping , Zhou Linna
Published: September 2015

We will consider the problem of fast sampling control for singularly perturbed systems subject to actuator saturation andL2disturbance. A sufficient condition for the existence of a state feedback controller is proposed. Under this controller, the boundedness of the trajectories in the presence ofL2disturbances is guaranteed for any singular perturbation parameter less than or equal to a predefined upper bound. To improve the capacity of disturbance tolerance and disturbance rejection, two convex optimization problems are formulated. Finally, a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the main results of this paper.
Improved Genetic Algorithm with Two-Level Approximation for Truss Optimization by Using Discrete Shape Variables
Authors: Chen Shen-yan , Shui Xiao-fang , Li Dong-fang , Huang Hai
Published: September 2015

This paper presents an Improved Genetic Algorithm with Two-Level Approximation (IGATA) to minimize truss weight by simultaneously optimizing size, shape, and topology variables. On the basis of a previously presented truss sizing/topology optimization method based on two-level approximation and genetic algorithm (GA), a new method for adding shape variables is presented, in which the nodal positions are corresponding to a set of coordinate lists. A uniform optimization model including size/shape/topology variables is established. First, a first-level approximate problem is constructed to transform the original implicit problem to an explicit problem. To solve this explicit problem which involves size/shape/topology variables, GA is used to optimize individuals which include discrete topology variables and shape variables. When calculating the fitness value of each member in the current generation, a second-level approximation method is used to optimize the continuous size variables. With the introduction of shape variables, the original optimization algorithm was improved in individual coding strategy as well as GA execution techniques. Meanwhile, the update strategy of the first-level approximation problem was also improved. The results of numerical examples show that the proposed method is effective in dealing with the three kinds of design variables simultaneously, and the required computational cost for structural analysis is quite small.
Cytokine Profiles and Cell Proliferation Responses to Truncated ORF2 Protein in Iranian Patients Recovered from Hepatitis E Infection
Authors: Taherkhani Reza , Farshadpour Fatemeh , Makvandi Manoochehr , Rajabi Memari Hamid , Samarbafzadeh Ali Reza , Sharifi Nasrin , Naeimi Behrouz , Tajbakhsh Saeed , Akbarzadeh Samad
Published: September 2015

Background.The aim of this study was to evaluatehepatitis E virus(HEV) specific cellular immune responses to truncated ORF2 protein in Iranian patients recovered from HEV infection. Information about HEV-specific immune responses could be useful in finding an effective way for development of HEV vaccine.Methods.A truncated form of HEV ORF2 protein containing amino acids 112-608 was used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) separated from HEV-recovered and control groups. Finally, the levels of four cytokines, IFN-γELISPOT, and cell proliferative responses following stimulation with the truncated ORF2 protein were assessed in the both groups.Results.The truncated ORF2 protein was able to induce IFN-γELISPOT and cell proliferation responses and to produce significant amounts of IFN-γand IL-12 cytokines, but low amounts of IL-10 and IL-4 cytokinesin vitro. These responses were significantly higher in the recovered group compared to the control group. These results indicate the antigenic nature of the truncated ORF2 protein and production of T helper type 1 cytokines.Conclusion.The truncated ORF2 protein can effectively induce significant cellular immune responsesand can be introduced as a potential vaccine candidate. However, further studies are required to evaluate this proteinin vivo.
Hierarchical Recognition System for Target Recognition from Sparse Representations
Authors: Cui Zongyong , Cao Zongjie , Yang Jianyu , Ren Hongliang
Published: September 2015

A hierarchical recognition system (HRS) based on constrained Deep Belief Network (DBN) is proposed for SAR Automatic Target Recognition (SAR ATR). As a classical Deep Learning method, DBN has shown great performance on data reconstruction, big data mining, and classification. However, few works have been carried out to solve small data problems (like SAR ATR) by Deep Learning method. In HRS, the deep structure and pattern classifier are combined to solve small data classification problems. After building the DBN with multiple Restricted Boltzmann Machines (RBMs), hierarchical features can be obtained, and then they are fed to classifier directly. To obtain more natural sparse feature representation, the Constrained RBM (CRBM) is proposed with solving a generalized optimization problem. Three RBM variants,L1-RNM,L2-RBM, andL1/2-RBM, are presented and introduced to HRS in this paper. The experiments on MSTAR public dataset show that the performance of the proposed HRS with CRBM outperforms current pattern recognition methods in SAR ATR, like PCA + SVM, LDA + SVM, and NMF + SVM.
A New Wavelet Thresholding Function Based on Hyperbolic Tangent Function
Authors: He Can , Xing Jianchun , Li Juelong , Yang Qiliang , Wang Ronghao
Published: September 2015

Thresholding function is an important part of the wavelet threshold denoising method, which can influence the signal denoising effect significantly. However, some defects are present in the existing methods, such as function discontinuity, fixed bias, and parameters determined by trial and error. In order to solve these problems, a new wavelet thresholding function based on hyperbolic tangent function is proposed in this paper. Firstly, the basic properties of hyperbolic tangent function are analyzed. Then, a new thresholding function with a shape parameter is presented based on hyperbolic tangent function. The continuity, monotonicity, and high-order differentiability of the new function are theoretically proven. Finally, in order to determine the final form of the new function, a shape parameter optimization strategy based on artificial fish swarm algorithm is given in this paper. Mean square error is adopted to construct the objective function, and the optimal shape parameter is achieved by iterative search. At the end of the paper, a simulation experiment is provided to verify the effectiveness of the new function. In the experiment, two benchmark signals are used as test signals. Simulation results show that the proposed function can achieve better denoising effect than the classical hard and soft thresholding functions under different signal types and noise intensities.
Legionella micdadei: A Forgotten Etiology of Growing Cavitary Nodules: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Lachant Daniel , Prasad Paritosh
Published: September 2015

Background.Legionella micdadeiis a Gram negative bacterium that can stain weakly acid fast. It was first described in 1979 after immunosuppressed patients developed pneumonia at a Pittsburgh VA, initially given the name Pittsburgh Pneumonia Agent. It is the second most commonLegionellaspecies causing infection afterpneumophila, and typically infects immunocompromised hosts. It is not easy to be cultured which makes diagnosing difficult.Case Presentation. A 31-year-old female with ulcerative colitis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and cirrhosis presented with fever, chills, shortness of breath, dry cough, and chest pain for five days after being started on immunosuppression for autoimmune hepatitis two months earlier. The first chest CT showed small bilateral cavitary nodules. The nodules continued to grow on subsequent imaging despite what was thought to be appropriate therapy. A transthoracic biopsy was performed which grewLegionella micdadeiand the patient improved after being treated with levofloxacin.Conclusion.Legionella micdadeiis an atypical pathogen known to cause pneumonia in immunosuppressed patients. This case highlights a typical presentation of an atypical infection not commonly thought about and should be considered when nodules are growing despite being on broad antimicrobial therapy.
Biomarkers of Guillain‐Barré Syndrome: Some Recent Progress, More Still to Be Explored
Authors: Wang Ying , Sun Shuang , Zhu Jie , Cui Li , Zhang Hong-Liang
Published: September 2015

Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS), the axonal subtype of which is mainly triggered by C. jejuni with ganglioside‐mimicking lipooligosaccharides (LOS), is an immune‐mediated disorder in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) accompanied by the disruption of the blood‐nerve barrier (BNB) and the blood‐cerebrospinal fluid barrier (B‐CSF‐B). Biomarkers of GBS have been extensively explored and some of them are proved to assist in the clinical diagnosis and in monitoring disease progression as well as in assessing the efficacy of immunotherapy. Herein, we systemically review the literature on biomarkers of GBS, including infection‐/immune‐/BNB, B‐CSF‐B, and PNS damage‐associated biomarkers, aiming at providing an overview of GBS biomarkers and guiding further investigations. Furthermore, we point out further directions for studies on GBS biomarkers.
Calculating the Contribution Rate of Intelligent Transportation System in Improving Urban Traffic Smooth Based on Advanced DID Model
Authors: Li Ming-wei , Yun Jun , Liu Na
Published: September 2015

Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of intelligent transportation system around the world, which helps to relieve urban traffic congestion problems. For instance, many mega-cities in China have devoted a large amount of money and resources to the development of intelligent transportation system. This poses an intriguing and important issue: how to measure and quantify the contribution of intelligent transportation system to the urban city, which is still a puzzle. This paper proposes a matching difference-in-difference model to calculate the contribution rate of intelligent transportation system on traffic smoothness. Within the model, the main effect indicators of traffic smoothness are first identified, and then the evaluation index system is built, and finally the ideas of the matching pool are introduced. The proposed model is illustrated in Guangzhou, China (capital city of Guangdong province). The results show that introduction of ITS contributes 9.25% to the improvement of traffic smooth in Guangzhou. Also, the research explains the working mechanism of how ITS improves urban traffic smooth. Eventually, some strategy recommendations are put forward to improve urban traffic smooth.
Finite-TimeH∞Filtering for Singular Stochastic Markovian Jump Systems with Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Yan Bin , Zhou Xiaojia , Cheng Jun , Lang Fangnian
Published: September 2015

The issue of finite-timeH∞filtering for singular stochastic Markovian jump systems with time-varying delays is concerned in this paper.H∞filtering is designed for underlying closed-loop singular Markovian jump system and system state does not exceed a given bound over some finite-time interval. Considering the full information of underlying Markov process, sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee that the described system is finite-time stability andH∞filtering finite-time boundedness. By establishing the results of stochastic character and finite-time boundedness, the closed-loop singular Markovian jump system trajectory stays within the given bound. At last, a numerical example is supplied to show the efficiency of the proposed method.
Novel Degree Constrained Minimum Spanning Tree Algorithm Based on an Improved Multicolony Ant Algorithm
Authors: Sun Xuemei , Chang Cheng , Su Hua , Rong Chuitian
Published: September 2015

Degree constrained minimum spanning tree (DCMST) refers to constructing a spanning tree of minimum weight in a complete graph with weights on edges while the degree of each node in the spanning tree is no more thand(d≥ 2). The paper proposes an improved multicolony ant algorithm for degree constrained minimum spanning tree searching which enables independent search for optimal solutions among various colonies and achieving information exchanges between different colonies by information entropy. Local optimal algorithm is introduced to improve constructed spanning tree. Meanwhile, algorithm strategies in dynamic ant, random perturbations ant colony, and max-min ant system are adapted in this paper to optimize the proposed algorithm. Finally, multiple groups of experimental data show the superiority of the improved algorithm in solving the problems of degree constrained minimum spanning tree.
Multiple Solutions for Kirchhoff Equations under the Partially Sublinear Case
Authors: Feng Wenjun , Feng Xiaojing
Published: September 2015

We prove the infinitely many solutions to a class of sublinear Kirchhoff type equations by using an extension of Clark’s theorem established by Zhaoli Liu and Zhi-Qiang Wang.
A Mobile Cloud Computing Framework Integrating Multilevel Encoding for Performance Monitoring in Telerehabilitation
Authors: Li Saiyi , Pham Hai Trieu , Karunarathne M. Sajeewani , Lee Yee Siong , Ekanayake Samitha W. , Pathirana Pubudu N.
Published: September 2015

Recent years have witnessed a surge in telerehabilitation and remote healthcare systems blessed by the emerging low-cost wearable devices to monitor biological and biokinematic aspects of human beings. Although such telerehabilitation systems utilise cloud computing features and provide automatic biofeedback and performance evaluation, there are demands for overall optimisation to enable these systems to operate with low battery consumption and low computational power and even with weak or no network connections. This paper proposes a novel multilevel data encoding scheme satisfying these requirements in mobile cloud computing applications, particularly in the field of telerehabilitation. We introduce architecture for telerehabilitation platform utilising the proposed encoding scheme integrated with various types of sensors. The platform is usable not only for patients to experience telerehabilitation services but also for therapists to acquire essential support from analysis oriented decision support system (AODSS) for more thorough analysis and making further decisions on treatment.
Confusion Control in Generalized Petri Nets Using Synchronized Events
Authors: Chen Xiaoliang , Liu Gaiyun , Wu Naiqi , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman M. , El-Tamimi Abdulaziz Mohammed , Abouel Nasr Emad S.
Published: September 2015

The loss of conflicting information in a Petri net (PN), usually called confusions, leads to incomplete and faulty system behavior. Confusions, as an unfortunate phenomenon in discrete event systems modeled with Petri nets, are caused by the frequent interlacement of conflicting and concurrent transitions. In this paper, confusions are defined and investigated in bounded generalized PNs. A reasonable control strategy for conflicts and confusions in a PN is formulated by proposing elementary conflict resolution sequences (ECRSs) and a class of local synchronized Petri nets (LSPNs). Two control algorithms are reported to control the appeared confusions by generating a series of external events. Finally, an example of confusion analysis and control in an automated manufacturing system is presented.
Equivalent Transformation of Nonlinear Constraints to Linear Constraints in Petri Nets
Authors: Chen YuFeng , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman , Hon Chi Tin , Wu NaiQi
Published: September 2015

This paper focuses on the enforcement of nonlinear constraints in Petri nets. An integer linear programming model is formulated to transform a nonlinear constraint to a minimal number of conjunctive linear constraints that have the same admissible marking space as the nonlinear one does in Petri nets. The obtained linear constraints can be easily enforced to be satisfied by a set of control places with a place invariant based method. The control places make up a supervisor that can enforce the given nonlinear constraint. For a case that the admissible marking space decided by a nonlinear constraint is nonconvex, another integer linear programming model is developed to obtain a minimal number of constraints whose disjunctions are equivalent to the nonlinear constraint with respect to the reachable markings. Finally, a number of examples are provided to demonstrate the proposed approach.
Determination of Early and Late Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Peripheral Circulation and Their Clinical Association with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Tagawa Shotoku , Nakanishi Chiaki , Mori Masayuki , Yoshimuta Tsuyoshi , Yoshida Shohei , Shimojima Masaya , Yokawa Junichiro , Kawashiri Masa-aki , Yamagishi Masakazu , Hayashi Kenshi
Published: September 2015

The clinical implications of early and late endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in coronary artery disease (CAD) remain unclear. We investigated endothelial dysfunction in CAD by simultaneously examining early and late EPC colony formation and gene expression of specific surface markers in EPCs. EPCs were extracted from a total of 83 subjects with (n=47) and without (n=36) CAD. Early and late EPC colonies were formed from mononuclear cells extracted from peripheral blood. We found that fewer early EPC colonies were produced in the CAD group (7.2 ± 3.l/well) than those in the control group (12.4 ± 1.4/well,p<0.05), and more late EPC colonies were produced in the CAD group (0.8 ± 0.2/well) than those in the control group (0.25 ± 0.02/well,p<0.05). In the CAD group, the relative expression of CD31 and KDR of early and late EPCs was lower than in the control group. These results demonstrate that CAD patients could have increased late EPC density and that early and late EPCs in CAD patients exhibited immature endothelial characteristics. We suggest that changes in EPC colony count and gene expression of endothelial markers may have relation with development of CAD.
A Method for Signal Coordination in Large-Scale Urban Road Networks
Authors: Ye Bao-Lin , Wu Weimin , Mao Weijie
Published: September 2015

Signal coordination methods have been widely investigated to improve the performance of traffic control system in urban road networks. Due to the large-scale of road networks and numerous time-varying parameters, a basic challenge faced by these methods is the high computational complexity. In this research, a method to optimize and coordinate the traffic signal in urban road networks is developed, which deals with this challenge by decomposing the network into several arterial roads and scattered intersections. As a result, an area coordination problem has been solved by coordinating several principal arterial roads and isolated intersections. Firstly, we propose a bandwidth oriented two-way arterial coordination approach. In contrast to previous methods, one important feature of the proposed approach is that not only the phases which provide right of way to the coordinated directions but the phases which provide right of way to the uncoordinated directions are considered. Secondly, to reduce the computational complexity a network decomposition approach is designed, in which a priority level index is defined to quantify the priority level of each road. Then, a coordination algorithm for the whole road network is developed. Finally, effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method are validated by simulations on VISSIM.
The Spectrum of Psychiatric Pathology in a Patient with Genetically Verified Huntington’s Disease
Authors: Alkabie Samir , Singh Daljinder , Hernandez Amy , Dumenigo Rhaisa
Published: September 2015

Psychiatric and behavioral disturbances are common in Huntington’s disease (HD) and contribute significantly to its morbidity and mortality. We herein present the case of a 43-year-old woman with genetically verified HD, whose deteriorating psychiatric condition necessitated multiple inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations and featured a clinical spectrum of neuropsychiatric disturbances classically associated with HD. This paper reviews the literature concerning Huntington’s psychopathology and provides an illustrative case example of its clinical nature.
Role of Paricalcitol in Modulating the Immune Response in Patients with Renal Disease
Authors: Lucisano Silvia , Arena Adriana , Stassi Giovanna , Iannello Daniela , Montalto Gaetano , Romeo Adolfo , Costantino Giuseppe , Lupica Rosaria , Cernaro Valeria , Santoro Domenico , Buemi Michele
Published: September 2015

Introduction. The aim was to highlight the existence of a relationship between vitamin D deficiency, chronic inflammation, and proteinuria, by measuring neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) and common inflammatory markers after administration of paricalcitol, a vitamin D analog,in vivoandin vitro.Methods. 40 patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism and 40 healthy subjects were enrolled. Serum calcium, phosphorus, 25(OH)-vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin- (IL-) 17, IL-6, IL-1β, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), plasmatic and urinary NGAL, and 24 h albuminuria and proteinuria were measured before and 24 h after an intravenous bolus of paricalcitol (5 mcg). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin. NGAL, IL-1β, IL-17, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γwere measured in the culture medium and in the 24 h urine collection.Results. 25(OH)-vitamin D was lower in CKD than in controls (p<0.0001), while inflammatory markers were higher in CKD group (p<0.0001).In vivoandin vitrostudies showed a downregulation of NGAL, IL-17, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γafter paricalcitol administration (p<0.0001).Conclusions. 25(OH)-vitamin D regulates immune and inflammatory processes. Further studies are needed to confirm these data in order to improve the treatment of CKD patients.
The Partition Function of the Dirichlet OperatorD2s=∑i=1d‍(-∂i2)son ad-Dimensional Rectangle Cavity
Authors: Hatzinikitas Agapitos N.
Published: September 2015

We study the asymptotic behavior of the free partition function in thet→0+limit for a diffusion process which consists ofd-independent, one-dimensional, symmetric,2s-stable processes in a hyperrectangular cavityK⊂Rdwith an absorbing boundary. Each term of the partition function for this polyhedron ind-dimensions can be represented by a quermassintegral and the geometrical information conveyed by the eigenvalues of the fractional Dirichlet Laplacian for this solvable model is now transparent. We also utilize the intriguing method of images to solve the same problem, in one and two dimensions, and recover identical results to those derived in the previous analysis.
Multicriteria Resource Brokering in Cloud Computing for Streaming Service
Authors: Chou Chih-Lun , Horng Gwo-Jiun , Huang Chieh-Ling , Hsieh Wei-Chun
Published: September 2015

By leveraging cloud computing such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), the outsourcing of computing resources used to support operations, including servers, storage, and networking components, is quite beneficial for various providers of Internet application. With this increasing trend, resource allocation that both assures QoS via Service Level Agreement (SLA) and avoids overprovisioning in order to reduce cost becomes a crucial priority and challenge in the design and operation of complex service-based platforms such as streaming service. On the other hand, providers of IaaS also concern their profit performance and energy consumption while offering these virtualized resources. In this paper, considering both service-oriented and infrastructure-oriented criteria, we regard this resource allocation problem as Multicriteria Decision Making problem and propose an effective trade-off approach based on goal programming model. To validate its effectiveness, a cloud architecture for streaming application is addressed and extensive analysis is performed for related criteria. The results of numerical simulations show that the proposed approach strikes a balance between these conflicting criteria commendably and achieves high cost efficiency.
Escherichia coliEyelid Abscess in a Patient with Alcoholic Cirrhosis
Authors: Stratton Matthew , Capitena Cara , Christensen Logan , Paciuc-Beja Miguel
Published: September 2015

Escherichia coli(E. coli) is a rare cause of ocular infections and has not yet been reported as a cause of an ocular abscess. We describe the case of a 47-year-old woman with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis who presented with painful left lower eyelid swelling that did not improve with oral antibiotics. The abscess was drained and cultures were positive forE. coli. Patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for developingE. colibacterial infections, but to our knowledge this is the first case of anE. colieyelid abscess reported in the literature.
Analysis of the EBR-II SHRT-45R Unprotected Loss of Flow Experiment with ERANOS and RELAP
Authors: van Rooijen W. F. G. , Mochizuki H.
Published: September 2015

This paper presents the results of the analysis of the Unprotected Loss of Flow (ULOF) experiment SHRT-45R performed in the EBR-II fast reactor. These experiments are being analyzed in the scope of a benchmark exercise coordinated by the IAEA. The SHRT-45R benchmark contains a neutronic and a thermal-hydraulic part and results are presented for both. Neutronic calculations are performed with the ERANOS2.0 code in combination with various sets of nuclear data. The thermal-hydraulic evaluation is done with RELAP5-3D. The results are that the major neutronic parameters are well predicted with error margins on the order of 1%. The thermal-hydraulic results are less favourable: a consistent overestimation of the outlet temperature occurs in combination with erroneous flow distribution. Observed differences with measured data cannot be explained easily. The work presented in this paper was undertaken to investigate and validate the effectiveness of the calculational tools and data that are commonly used in our lab for the design and analysis of liquid metal cooled fast reactors.
Identification of Crack Location in Beam Structures Using Wavelet Transform and Fractal Dimension
Authors: Jiang Yong-Ying , Li Bing , Zhang Zhou-Suo , Chen Xue-Feng
Published: September 2015

Identification of structural crack location has become an intensely investigated subject due to its practical importance. In this paper, a hybrid method is presented to detect crack locations using wavelet transform and fractal dimension (FD) for beam structures. Wavelet transform is employed to decompose the mode shape of the cracked beam. In many cases, small crack location cannot be identified from approximation signal and detailed signals. And FD estimation method is applied to calculate FD parameters of detailed signals. The crack locations will be detected accurately by FD singularity of the detailed signals. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated by numerical simulations and experimental investigations for a cantilever beam. The results indicate that the proposed method is feasible and can been extended to more complex structures.
Robust Stability of Fractional Order Time-Delay Control Systems: A Graphical Approach
Authors: Matušů Radek , Prokop Roman
Published: September 2015

The paper deals with a graphical approach to investigation of robust stability for a feedback control loop with an uncertain fractional order time-delay plant and integer order or fractional order controller. Robust stability analysis is based on plotting the value sets for a suitable range of frequencies and subsequent verification of the zero exclusion condition fulfillment. The computational examples present the typical shapes of the value sets of a family of closed-loop characteristic quasipolynomials for a fractional order plant with uncertain gain, time constant, or time-delay term, respectively, and also for combined cases. Moreover, the practically oriented example focused on robust stability analysis of main irrigation canal pool controlled by either classical integer order PID or fractional order PI controller is included as well.
Performance and Characterization for Blend Membrane of PES with Manganese(III) Acetylacetonate as Metalorganic Nanoparticles
Authors: Abdallah H. , Shalaby M. S. , Shaban A. M. H.
Published: September 2015

This study describes the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of performance of blend Polyethersulfone (PES) with manganese(III) acetylacetonate Mn(acac)3to produce reverse osmosis blend membrane. The manganese(III) acetylacetonate nanoparticles were prepared by a simple and environmentally benign route based on hydrolysis of KMnO4followed by reaction with acetylacetone in rapid stirring rate. The prepared nanoparticle powder was dissolved in polymer solution mixture to produce RO PES/Mn(acac)3blend membrane, without any treatment of Polyethersulfone membrane surface. The membrane morphology, mechanical properties, and performance were presented. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images have displayed a typical asymmetric membrane structure with a dense top layer due to the migration of Mn(acac)3nanoparticles to membrane surface during the phase inversion process. Contact angle measurements have indicated that the hydrophilicity of the membrane was improved by adding Mn(acac)3. AFM images have proved excellent pores size distribution of blend membrane and lower surface roughness compared with bare PES. The desalination test was applied to blend membrane, where the blend membrane provided good performance; particularly, permeate flux was 24.2 Kg/m2·h and salt rejection was 99.5%.
Highway Traffic Flow Nonlinear Character Analysis and Prediction
Authors: Hui Meng , Bai Lin , Li YanBo , Wu QiSheng
Published: September 2015

In order to meet the highway guidance demand, this work studies the short-term traffic flow prediction method of highway. The Yu-Wu highway which is the main road in Chongqing, China, traffic flow time series is taken as the study object. It uses phase space reconstruction theory and Lyapunov exponent to analyze the nonlinear character of traffic flow. A new Volterra prediction method based on model order reduction via quadratic-linear systems (QLMOR) is applied to predict the traffic flow. Compared with Taylor-expansion-based methods, these QLMOR-reduced Volterra models retain more information of the system and more accuracy. The simulation results using this new Volterra model to predict short time traffic flow reveal that the accuracy of chaotic traffic flow prediction is enough for highway guidance and could be a new reference for intelligent highway management.
A Lower Extremity Exoskeleton: Human-Machine Coupled Modeling, Robust Control Design, Simulation, and Overload-Carrying Experiment
Authors: Guo Qing , Li Songjing , Jiang Dan
Published: September 2015

A robustH∞control method and switched control algorithm for hydraulic actuator presents in human-machine coordinated motion to solve the motion delay of lower extremity exoskeleton. After the characteristic parameters synthesis of human limb and exoskeleton linkage, the human-machine coupled motion model is constructed to estimate the appropriate hydraulic pressure, which is considered as a structural uncertainty in hydraulic model. Then the robust controller is designed to improve the robust stability and performance under the structural and parametric uncertainty disturbances. Simulation results show that, in walking mode, this robust controller can achieve a better dynamic response and aid-force efficiency than PID controller. Then, according to gait divisions of person’s limb motion, the switched control algorithm is designed to reduce the delay of exoskeleton tracking person. Finally, the experimental results show that the human-machine coordinated walk with bearing 60 kg load and squat action with no external load are realized effectively by this proposed method.
A Novel Trust-Aware Composite Semantic Web Service Selection Approach
Authors: Wang Denghui , Huang Hao , Xie Changsheng
Published: September 2015

The functional characteristics and the nonfunctional properties of service profile always play very important roles in composite semantic web service selection approach. But the credibility of this information cannot be guaranteed. This paper established a novel trust degree model of this information. Based on this model, the trust degrees can be calculated from execution log and user experience evaluation of candidate web services. Then the paper proposes a new composite semantic web service selection approach based on this credible information. Finally, we present two experiments to prove that the new approach can avoid the influence of exaggerated and unauthentic information effectively and accurately.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effectiveness of Court-Type Traditional Thai Massage versus Amitriptyline in Patients with Chronic Tension-Type Headache
Authors: Damapong Peerada , Kanchanakhan Naowarat , Eungpinichpong Wichai , Putthapitak Prasobsook , Damapong Pongmada
Published: September 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the court-type traditional Thai massage (CTTM) to treat patients with chronic tension-type headaches (CTTHs) comparing with amitriptyline taking. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty patients diagnosed with CTTH were equally divided into a treatment and a control group. The treatment group received a 45-minute course of CTTM twice per week lasting 4 weeks while the control group was prescribed 25 mg of amitriptyline once a day before bedtime lasting 4 weeks. Outcome measures were evaluated in week 2, week 4 and followed up in week 6 consisting of visual analog scale (VAS), tissue hardness, pressure pain threshold (PPT), and heart rate variability (HRV). The results demonstrated a significant decrease in VAS pain intensity for the CTTM group at different assessment time points while a significant difference occurred in within-group and between-group comparison (P< 0.05) for each evaluated measure. Moreover, the tissue hardness of the CTTM group was significantly lower than the control group at week 4 (P< 0.05). The PPT and HRV of the CTTM group were significantly increased (P< 0.05). CTTM could be an alternative therapy for treatment of patients with CTTHs.
Fast Consensus of Networked Multiagent Systems with Two-Hop Network
Authors: Gao Jinfeng , Bu Bin , Feng Lihui , Gu Minming
Published: September 2015

This paper studies the consensus convergence speed of multiagent systems (MASs) from two aspects including communication topology and the state of agents. Two-hop network is considered in the communication topology. A novel consensus protocol that includes the information of the states motions and their integrals is introduced. And the protocol has much faster convergence speed by choosing some appropriate weight values. The protocol can be applied to distributed control and large-scale systems. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.