bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular Docking of Potential Inhibitors for Influenza H7N9
Authors: Liu Zekun , Zhao Junpeng , Li Weichen , Wang Xinkun , Xu Jingxuan , Xie Jin , Tao Ke , Shen Li , Zhang Ran
Published: March 2015

As a new strain of virus emerged in 2013, avian influenza A (H7N9) virus is a threat to the public health, due to its high lethality and pathogenicity. Furthermore, H7N9 has already generated various mutations such as neuraminidase R294K mutation which could make the anti-influenza oseltamivir less effective or ineffective. In this regard, it is urgent to develop new effective anti-H7N9 drug. In this study, we used the general H7N9 neuraminidase and oseltamivir-resistant influenza virus neuraminidase as the acceptors and employed the small molecules including quercetin, chlorogenic acid, baicalein, and oleanolic acid as the donors to perform the molecular docking for exploring the binding abilities between these small molecules and neuraminidase. The results showed that quercetin, chlorogenic acid, oleanolic acid, and baicalein present oseltamivir-comparable high binding potentials with neuraminidase. Further analyses showed that R294K mutation in neuraminidase could remarkably decrease the binding energies for oseltamivir, while other small molecules showed stable binding abilities with mutated neuraminidase. Taken together, the molecular docking studies identified four potential inhibitors for neuraminidase of H7N9, which might be effective for the drug-resistant mutants.
HIV Vaccine Research: The Challenge and the Way Forward
Authors: Wang Hai-Bo , Mo Qiu-Hua , Yang Ze
Published: March 2015

Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a worldwide epidemic, with over 35 million people infected currently. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective HIV-1 vaccine is on top of the global health priority. In the past few years, there have been many promising advances in the prevention of HIV/AIDS, among which the RV144 Thai trial has been encouraging and suggests optimization of the current vaccine strategies or search for novel strategies. Here we reviewed the brief history of HIV-1 vaccine, analyzed key challenges existing now, and illustrated future research priority/directions for a therapeutic or prophylactic HIV-1 vaccine, with the hope of accelerating the speed of vaccine development. We believe that an effective HIV-1 vaccine, together with other prevention approaches, will bring an end to this epidemic in the near future.
An Update on Oligosaccharides and Their Esters from Traditional Chinese Medicines: Chemical Structures and Biological Activities
Authors: Chen Xiang-Yang , Wang Ru-Feng , Liu Bin
Published: March 2015

A great number of naturally occurring oligosaccharides and oligosaccharide esters have been isolated from traditional Chinese medicinal plants, which are used widely in Asia and show prominent curative effects in the prevention and treatment of kinds of diseases. Numerousin vitroandin vivoexperiments have revealed that oligosaccharides and their esters exhibited various activities, including antioxidant, antidepressant, cytotoxic, antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, cerebral protective, antidiabetic, plant growth-regulatory, and immunopotentiating activities. This review summarizes the investigations on the distribution, chemical structures, and bioactivities of natural oligosaccharides and their esters from traditional Chinese medicines between 2003 and 2013.
Surgical Results of Retrograde Mastoidectomy with Primary Reconstruction of the Ear Canal and Mastoid Cavity
Authors: Kuo Chao-Yin , Huang Bor-Rong , Chen Hsin-Chien , Shih Cheng-Ping , Chang Wei-Kang , Tsai Yang-Lien , Lin Yuan-Yung , Tsai Wan-Chun , Wang Chih-Hung
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to retrospectively review the long-term hearing results and the impact of mastoid exclusion/obliteration in patients with cholesteatoma (102 ears) who underwent retrograde tympanomastoidectomy and in whom bone chips/paté were applied as the sole materials during the procedure. In 79 ears, this was combined with ossiculoplasty in a single-stage procedure. In >71% of ears, the results of audiometric testing were monitored for more than 2 years. The results suggested there was a significant gain in hearing following surgery, with respect to the postoperative change in both air-conduction thresholds and air-bone gaps (P<0.001). Linear regression analyses of pure-tone averages at different frequencies, before and after surgery, demonstrated that patients benefitted from a postoperative hearing gain at low and middle frequencies, but their hearing often deteriorated at frequencies of 8000 Hz. As for the impact of the type of tympanoplasty on hearing outcomes, type III-interposition markedly increased hearing gain. The overall rate of postoperative adverse events was 8.8%. We conclude that reconstruction of the ear canal and mastoid via mastoid exclusion/obliteration using bone chips/paté can be considered as an alternative procedure following retrograde mastoidectomy. It gives excellent surgical results and has fewer postoperative adverse events.
Effects of Nuclear Genomes on Anther Development in Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Chicories (Cichorium intybus L.): Morphological Analysis
Authors: Habarugira Ildephonse , Hendriks Theo , Quillet Marie-Christine , Hilbert Jean-Louis , Rambaud Caroline
Published: March 2015

The Cichorium intybus flower development in fertile, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS 524) and various phenotypes carrying the 524 male sterile cytoplasm was investigated macroscopically and by light microscopy. The development was similar in fertile and in male sterile florets up to meiosis, and then it was affected in anther wall structure and pollen grain development in male sterile floret. In the male sterile plants, the tapetum intrusion after meiosis was less remarkable, the microspores started to abort at vacuolate stage, the connective tissue collapsed, and endothecium failed to expand normally and did not undergo cell wall lignification, which prevented anther opening since the septum and stomium were not disrupted. Crosses undertaken in order to introduce the CMS 524 into two different nuclear backgrounds gave rise to morphologically diversified progenies due to different nuclear‐mitochondrial interactions. Macroscopic and cytological investigations showed that pollen‐donor plants belonging to Jupiter population had potential capacity to restore fertility while the CC line could be considered as a sterility maintainer.
A Bilinear Pairing-Based Dynamic Key Management and Authentication for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chen Chin-Ling , Shih Tzay-Farn , Tsai Yu-Ting , Li De-Kui
Published: March 2015

In recent years, wireless sensor networks have been used in a variety of environments; a wireless network infrastructure, established to communicate and exchange information in a monitoring area, has also been applied in different environments. However, for sensitive applications, security is the paramount issue. In this paper, we propose using bilinear pairing to design dynamic key management and authentication scheme of the hierarchical sensor network. We use the dynamic key management and the pairing-based cryptography (PBC) to establish the session key and the hash message authentication code (HMAC) to support the mutual authentication between the sensors and the base station. In addition, we also embed the capability of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to cluster nodes to find the best path of the sensor network. The proposed scheme can also provide the requisite security of the dynamic key management, mutual authentication, and session key protection. Our scheme can defend against impersonation attack, replay attack, wormhole attack, and message manipulation attack.
Neuroprotective Effect ofJuniperus communison Chlorpromazine Induced Parkinson Disease in Animal Model
Authors: Bais Souravh , Gill N. S. , Kumar Nitan
Published: March 2015

We evaluated anti-Parkinson’s activity of methanolic extract ofJuniperus communis(MEJC) leaves in chlorpromazine (CPZ) induced experimental animal model. In this study effects ofJuniperus communis(100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) were studied using various behavior parameters like catalepsy (bar test), muscle rigidity (rotarod test), and locomotor activity (actophotometer) and its effect on neurochemical parameters (TBARS, GSH, nitrite, and total protein) in rats. The experiment was designed, by giving chlorpromazine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 days to induce Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms. Chlorpromazine significantly induced motor dysfunctions (catalepsy, muscle rigidity, and hypolocomotion) in a period of 21 days. The MEJC significantly (P<0.001) reduced catalepsy and muscle rigidity and significantly (P<0.001) increased locomotor activity in rats. The maximum reduction was observed on the 21st day at a dose of 200 mg/kg (i.p.). The MEJC extract also showed an increase in the level of reduced gutathione (GSH) (P<0.001) and total protein (P<0.001) and decreased the elevated levels of TBARS (P<0.001) and nitrite (P<0.001) preferably at a higher dose (200 mg/kg) as compared to chlorpromazine group. Thus the present study showed the neuroprotective effect of MEJC against CPZ induced Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms or anti-Parkinson’s activity.
A System of Driving Fatigue Detection Based on Machine Vision and Its Application on Smart Device
Authors: Kong Wanzeng , Zhou Lingxiao , Wang Yizhi , Zhang Jianhai , Liu Jianhui , Gao Shenyong
Published: March 2015

Driving fatigue is one of the most important factors in traffic accidents. In this paper, we proposed an improved strategy and practical system to detect driving fatigue based on machine vision and Adaboost algorithm. Kinds of face and eye classifiers are well trained by Adaboost algorithm in advance. The proposed strategy firstly detects face efficiently by classifiers of front face and deflected face. Then, candidate region of eye is determined according to geometric distribution of facial organs. Finally, trained classifiers of open eyes and closed eyes are used to detect eyes in the candidate region quickly and accurately. The indexes which consist of PERCLOS and duration of closed-state are extracted in video frames real time. Moreover, the system is transplanted into smart device, that is, smartphone or tablet, due to its own camera and powerful calculation performance. Practical tests demonstrated that the proposed system can detect driver fatigue with real time and high accuracy. As the system has been planted into portable smart device, it could be widely used for driving fatigue detection in daily life.
Low Latency Network-on-Chip Router Microarchitecture Using Request Masking Technique
Authors: Monemi Alireza , Ooi Chia Yee , Marsono Muhammad Nadzir
Published: March 2015

Network-on-Chip (NoC) is fast emerging as an on-chip communication alternative for many-core System-on-Chips (SoCs). However, designing a high performance low latency NoC with low area overhead has remained a challenge. In this paper, we present a two-clock-cycle latency NoC microarchitecture. An efficient request masking technique is proposed to combine virtual channel (VC) allocation with switch allocation nonspeculatively. Our proposed NoC architecture is optimized in terms of area overhead, operating frequency, and quality-of-service (QoS). We evaluate our NoC against CONNECT, an open source low latency NoC design targeted for field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The experimental results on several FPGA devices show that our NoC router outperforms CONNECT with 50% reduction of logic cells (LCs) utilization, while it works with 100% and 35%~20% higher operating frequency compared to the one- and two-clock-cycle latency CONNECT NoC routers, respectively. Moreover, the proposed NoC router achieves 2.3 times better performance compared to CONNECT.
Smoothing Analysis of Distributive Red-Black Jacobi Relaxation for Solving 2D Stokes Flow by Multigrid Method
Authors: Zhu Xingwen , Zhang Lixiang
Published: March 2015

Smoothing analysis process of distributive red-black Jacobi relaxation in multigrid method for solving 2D Stokes flow is mainly investigated on the nonstaggered grid by using local Fourier analysis (LFA). For multigrid relaxation, the nonstaggered discretizing scheme of Stokes flow is generally stabilized by adding an artificial pressure term. Therefore, an important problem is how to determine the zone of parameter in adding artificial pressure term in order to make stabilization of the algorithm for multigrid relaxation. To end that, a distributive red-black Jacobi relaxation technique for the 2D Stokes flow is established. According to the 2h-harmonics invariant subspaces in LFA, the Fourier representation of the distributive red-black Jacobi relaxation for discretizing Stokes flow is given by the form of square matrix, whose eigenvalues are meanwhile analytically computed. Based on optimal one-stage relaxation, a mathematical relation of the parameter in artificial pressure term between the optimal relaxation parameter and related smoothing factor is well yielded. The analysis results show that the numerical schemes for solving 2D Stokes flow by multigrid method on the distributive red-black Jacobi relaxation have a specified convergence parameter zone of the added artificial pressure term.
Generalized Malcev-Neumann Series Modules with the Beachy-Blair Condition
Authors: Farahat Mohamed A.
Published: March 2015

We introduce a new class of extension rings called the generalized Malcev-Neumann series ring R((S;σ;τ)) with
coefficients in a ring R and exponents in a strictly ordered monoid S
which extends the usual construction of Malcev-Neumann series rings. Ouyang et al. in 2014 introduced the modules with the Beachy-Blair condition
as follows: A right R-module satisfies the right Beachy-Blair condition
if each of its faithful submodules is cofaithful. In this paper, we study
the relationship between the right Beachy-Blair condition of a right R-module MR and its Malcev-Neumann series module extension MSR((S;σ;τ)).
Postoperative Megarectum in an Adult Patient with Imperforate Anus and Rectourethral Fistula
Authors: Nakayama Yoshifumi , Uehara Toshihito , Akiyama Masaki , Minagawa Noritaka , Torigoe Takayuki , Fujimoto Naohiro
Published: March 2015

This report presents a surgical case of postoperative megarectum in an adult patient with imperforate anus/anorectal malformations. A 71-year-old Japanese male presented with a mass in the lower abdomen which was 15 × 12 × 8 cm in diameter, edema in the right lower extremity, and frequent urination. He had undergone sigmoid loop colostomy for an imperforate anus as a newborn infant. At 28 years of age, the sigmoid loop colostomy was changed to sigmoid divided colostomy in the left lower abdomen. Computed tomography revealed a large cystic mass in the lower abdomen. Retrograde urethrography indicated a rectourethral fistula and megarectum with stones. A small laparotomy incision was created in the right lower abdomen, and the wall of the megarectum was identified. Approximately 2,300 mL of gray muddy fluid was identified and drained. A mucous fistula of the upper rectum was created in the right lower abdomen. This is an extremely rare case of postoperative megarectum in an adult patient with an imperforate anus and rectourethral fistula.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Interacting with Th17 Cells May Be Involved in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Damage in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Authors: Xue Haibo , Yang Yuhua , Zhang Ying , Song Shoujun , Zhang Li , Ma Lei , Yang Tingting , Liu Huan
Published: March 2015

Purpose. To explore the possible role of MIF and Th17 cells in the thyroid‐specific autoimmune damage of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT). Material and Methods. We enrolled 40 HT patients and 30 healthy controls and divided HT patients into euthyroid subset (n = 22) and subclinical or overt hypothyroidism subset (n = 18). The percentages of Th17 cells and expressions of MIF, interleukin 17A (IL‐17A) mRNA in PBMCs, as well as serum concentrations of MIF, and IL‐17A, and thyroid functions, and thyroid‐specific autoantibodies (TPOAb, TgAb) were detected by flow cytometry, real‐time RT‐PCR, ELISA, and ECLIA in all subjects. Results. MIF mRNA, IL‐17A mRNA expressions and Th17 cells percentages, serum MIF, and IL‐17A protein levels were all significantly higher in HT patients, even in euthyroid subgroup. Additionally, the differences became more obvious in dysfunction subgroup. Importantly, both MIF levels and Th17 cells percentage were positively correlated with serum TPOAb, TgAb, and thyrotropin (TSH) levels in HT patients. Conclusions. These data suggest that MIF and Th17 cells increased dynamically and positively correlated with the markers of thyroid autoimmune damage, which indicated that interaction between MIF and Th17 cells may participate in the pathogenesis and development of thyroid‐specific autoimmunity in HT.
PVP Assisted Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite Nanorods with Tunable Aspect Ratio and Bioactivity
Authors: Nathanael A. Joseph , Seo Young Ho , Oh Tae Hwan
Published: March 2015

Highly crystalline and reasonably uniform hydroxyapatite (HA) nanorods were prepared by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) assisted hydrothermal synthesis which produces high aspect ratio (length/width) nanorods. The aspect ratio of the nanorods was higher in the presence of PVP and increased with increasing concentrations of PVP. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the HA nanorods were of the hexagonal apatite phase. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirmed that the nanorods grew in the c‐axis direction (preferred orientation). The calculated lattice spacing was ~0.35 nm which is the c‐axis value of hexagonal HA. Morphological variations of pristine and PVP added HA were evaluated by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and TEM, which revealed that the presence of PVP greatly increased the aspect ratio of the HA nanorods. The formation mechanism of the PVP assisted HA was studied and a possible reaction model was given. Cell viability analysis by in vitro studies showed encouraging results for the high aspect ratio nanorods and indicated a possibility for tuning the activity based on controlling the aspect ratio.
Prediction of Load Capacity Variation in FRP Bonded Concrete Specimens Using Brownian Motion
Authors: Mohammadi Tayyebeh , Wan Baolin , Dai Jian-Guo , Zhu Chao
Published: March 2015

In wet lay-up process, dry fiber sheets are saturated with a polymer and applied to the concrete surface by hand. This causes relatively large variation in properties of the cured FRP composite material. It is hard to know the exact mechanical properties of the FRP constructed by wet lay-up process. In addition, the stiffness of FRP changes during debonding process due to different amount of concrete attached to the debonded FRP at different locations. It is also inevitable to have considerable variations in the strength of concrete. Therefore, the behaviour of FRP bonded concrete members varies among specimens even when the same materials are used. The variation of localized FRP stiffness and concrete strength can be combined in a single parameter as variation of the localized interfacial fracture energy. In an effort to effectively model the effects of the variation of interfacial fracture energy on the load versus deflection responses of FRP bonded concrete specimens subjected to Mode I and Mode II loading, a random white noise using a one-dimensional standard Brownian motion is added to the governing equations, yielding stochastic differential equations. By solving these stochastic equations, the bounds of load carrying capacity variation with 95% probability are found for different experimental tests.
Two Basal Cell Carcinomas of the Axillae: A Metastasis or an Independent Development?
Authors: Endo Yuichiro , Miyachi Yoshiki
Published: March 2015

Cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a common malignancy amongst the elderly. BCC rarely metastasises, and fewer than 300 cases of metastatic BCC have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of sequentially developed BCCs located adjacent to each other. We discuss that these BCCs were considered to have developed independently rather than due to metastasis, after referencing previous studies on metastatic BCC.
Influence of NH4Cl on Hydrothermal Formation of α‐CaSO4·0.5H2O Whiskers
Authors: Chen Haoyuan , Wang Jing , Hou Sichao , Xiang Lan
Published: March 2015

The influence of NH4Cl on hydrothermal formation of CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers from CaSO4·2H2O precursor at 135°C was investigated in this paper. Compared with the blank experiment, the presence of 3 × 10−2 mol·L−1 NH4Cl led to the increase of the lengths of the whiskers from 50 to 160 μm to 150 to 300 μm and the decrease of the diameters from 1.0 to 1.5 μm to 0.2 to 0.5 μm. The dissolution of CaSO4·2H2O was accelerated by the complex interactions with NH4Cl and the soluble cations, which led to the decrease of the induction time for the occurrence of α‐CaSO4·0.5H2O from 46 minutes to 34 minutes and the formation of CaSO4·0.5H2O whiskers with high aspect ratios. Furthermore the critical supersaturation for the formation of α‐CaSO4·0.5H2O was investigated.
Improvement of Endurance of DMD Animal Model Using Natural Polyphenols
Authors: Sitzia Clementina , Farini Andrea , Colleoni Federica , Fortunato Francesco , Razini Paola , Erratico Silvia , Tavelli Alessandro , Fabrizi Francesco , Belicchi Marzia , Meregalli Mirella , Comi Giacomo , Torrente Yvan
Published: March 2015

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), the most common form of muscular dystrophy, is characterized by muscular wasting caused by dystrophin deficiency that ultimately ends in force reduction and premature death. In addition to primary genetic defect, several mechanisms contribute to DMD pathogenesis. Recently, antioxidant supplementation was shown to be effective in the treatment of multiple diseases including muscular dystrophy. Different mechanisms were hypothesized such as reduced hydroxyl radicals, nuclear factor-κB deactivation, and NO protection from inactivation. Following these promising evidences, we investigated the effect of the administration of a mix of dietary natural polyphenols (ProAbe) on dystrophic mdx mice in terms of muscular architecture and functionality. We observed a reduction of muscle fibrosis deposition and myofiber necrosis together with an amelioration of vascularization. More importantly, the recovery of the morphological features of dystrophic muscle leads to an improvement of the endurance of treated dystrophic mice. Our data confirmed that ProAbe-based diet may represent a strategy to coadjuvate the treatment of DMD.
A Review on the Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Morphologies Studied via TEM
Authors: Rauwel Protima , Küünal Siim , Ferdov Stanislav , Rauwel Erwan
Published: March 2015

Silver has been recognized as a nontoxic, safe inorganic antibacterial/antifungal agent used for centuries. Silver demonstrates a very high potential in a wide range of biological applications, more particularly in the form of nanoparticles. Environmentally friendly synthesis methods are becoming more and more popular in chemistry and chemical technologies and the need for ecological methods of synthesis is increasing; the aim is to reduce polluting reaction by-products. Another important advantage of green synthesis methods lies in its cost-effectiveness and in the abundance of raw materials. During the last five years, many efforts were put into developing new greener and cheaper methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The cost decrease and less harmful synthesis methods have been the motivation in comparison to other synthesis techniques where harmful reductive organic species produce hazardous by-products. This environment-friendly aspect has now become a major social issue and is instrumental in combatting environmental pollution through reduction or elimination of hazardous materials. This review describes a brief overview of the research on green synthesis of silver metal nanoparticles and the influence of the method on their size and morphology.
Is There Any Advantage of Treating Partners inHelicobacter pyloriEradication?
Authors: Rakici Halil , Akdogan Remzi Adnan , Ayaz Teslime , Bedir Recep
Published: March 2015

Aim.We designed this trial to find answers to the following questions. (1) Does the success rate decrease in a country where HP prevalence is high? (2) Can we provide benefit by simultaneously treating the partners of infected patients?Materials and Methods.The first group consisted of 102 HP-positive patients, and both the patients and their HP-positive partners were treated. The second group consisted of 104 HP-positive patients whose partners were HP-positive but only the patients were treated. The participants in both groups were treated with levofloxacin 500 mg daily, amoxicillin 1 g b.i.d, and lansoprazole 30 mg b.i.d (LAL) for ten days.Results.In the per-protocol analysis, the eradication success rate was found to be 92.2% (94/8) in the first group and 90.4% (94/10) in the second group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusions.With regard to the HP eradication rate, no difference was found between treating the HP-positive partners of HP-positive patients simultaneously and not treating them simultaneously. According to these results, we can say that reinfections between partners do not significantly contribute to the failure of eradication.
Deformed Entropic and Information Inequalities forX-States of Two-Qubit and Single Qudit States
Authors: Man’ko V. I. , Markovich L. A.
Published: March 2015

Theq-deformed entropies of quantum and classical systems are discussed. Standard andq-deformed entropic inequalities forX-states of the two-qubit system and the state of single qudit withj=3/2are presented.
Structural and X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study of Al-Doped Zinc-Oxide Thin Films
Authors: Lee Bong Ju , Song Ho Jun , Jeong Jin
Published: March 2015

Al-doped zinc-oxide (AZO) thin films were prepared by RF magnetron sputtering at different oxygen partial pressures and substrate temperatures. The charge-carrier concentrations in the films decreased from 1.69 × 1021to 6.16 × 1017 cm−3with increased gas flow rate from 7 to 21 sccm. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns show that the (002)/(103) peak-intensity ratio decreased as the gas flow rate increased, which was related to the increase of AZO thin film disorder. X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS) of the O1s were decomposed into metal oxide component (peak A) and the adsorbed molecular oxygen on thin films (peak B). The area ratio of XPS peaks (A/B) was clearly related to the stoichiometry of AZO films; that is, the higher value of A/B showed the higher stoichiometric properties.
Andrographolide Suppresses Proliferation of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells via Attenuating NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Peng Tao , Hu Min , Wu Ting-Ting , Zhang Cen , Chen Zhe , Huang Shuo , Zhou Xu-Hong
Published: March 2015

Andrographolide (Andro) has been reported to have anticancer activity in multiple types of cancer due to its capacity to inactivate NF-κB pathway. Previous studies showed the therapeutic potential of targeting NF-κB pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the anticancer activity of Andro in NPC has not been reported. In this study, we defined the anticancer effects of Andro in NPC and elucidated its potential mechanisms of action. Our results showed that Andro significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of NPC cells (P<0.05, resp.). These anticancer activities were associated with cell apoptosis, cell death and induction of cell cycle arrest, and the downregulation of NF-κB target genes. This work provides evidence that NF-κB pathway is a potential therapeutic target and may also be indispensable in the Andro-mediated anticancer activities in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
The Quantum Effects Role on Weibel Instability Growth Rate in Dense Plasma
Authors: Mahdavi M. , Khodadadi Azadboni F.
Published: March 2015

The Weibel instability is one of the basic plasma instabilities that plays an important role in stopping the hot electrons and energy deposition mechanism. In this paper, combined effect of the density gradient and quantum effects on Weibel instability growth rate is investigated. The results have shown that, by increasing the quantum parameter, for large wavelengths, the Weibel instability growth rate shrinks to zero. In the large wavelengths limit, the analysis shows that quantum effects and density gradient tend to stabilize the Weibel instability. The density perturbations have decreased the growth rate of Weibel instability in the near corona fuel,η>0.1. In the small wavelengths limit, for the density gradient,η<0.1, the tunneling quantum effects increase anisotropy in the phase space. The quantum tunneling effect leads to an unexpected increase in the Weibel instability growth rate.
Design Time Optimization for Hardware Watermarking Protection of HDL Designs
Authors: Castillo E. , Morales D. P. , García A. , Parrilla L. , Todorovich E. , Meyer-Baese U.
Published: March 2015

HDL‐level design offers important advantages for the application of watermarking to IP cores, but its complexity also requires tools automating these watermarking algorithms. A new tool for signature distribution through combinational logic is proposed in this work. IPP@HDL, a previously proposed high‐level watermarking technique, has been employed for evaluating the tool. IPP@HDL relies on spreading the bits of a digital signature at the HDL design level using combinational logic included within the original system. The development of this new tool for the signature distribution has not only extended and eased the applicability of this IPP technique, but it has also improved the signature hosting process itself. Three algorithms were studied in order to develop this automated tool. The selection of a cost function determines the best hosting solutions in terms of area and performance penalties on the IP core to protect. An 1D‐DWT core and MD5 and SHA1 digital signatures were used in order to illustrate the benefits of the new tool and its optimization related to the extraction logic resources. Among the proposed algorithms, the alternative based on simulated annealing reduces the additional resources while maintaining an acceptable computation time and also saving designer effort and time.
Dosing-Time Dependent Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside on Cerebral, Renal, and Hepatic Catalase Activity in Mice
Authors: Sani Mamane , Sebai Hichem , Refinetti Roberto , Mondal Mohan , Ghanem-Boughanmi Néziha , Boughattas Naceur A. , Ben-Attia Mossadok
Published: March 2015

To investigate the time dependence of sodium nitroprusside- (NPS-) induced oxidative effects, the authors study the variation of the antioxidant enzyme CAT activity in various tissues after the administration of a single 2.5 mg/kg dose of SNP or sodium chloride (NaCl 0.9%). For each of the two dosing times (1 and 13 hours after light onset, HALO, which correspond to the beginning of diurnal rest span and of nocturnal activity span of mice, resp.), brain, kidney, and liver tissues were excised from animals at 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, and 36 h following the drug administration and CAT activity was assayed. The results suggest that SNP-induced stimulation of CAT activity is greater in all three tissues when the drug is administered at 1 HALO than at 13 HALO. Two-way ANOVA revealed that CAT activity significantly (P<0.004) varied as a function of the sampling time but not of the treatment in all three tissues. Moreover, a statistically significant (P<0.004) interaction between the organ sampling-time and the SNP treatment was revealed in kidney regardless of the dosing time, whereas a highly significant (P<0.0002) interaction was validated in liver only in animals injected at 13 HALO.
Procalcitonin Improves the Glasgow Prognostic Score for Outcome Prediction in Emergency Patients with Cancer: A Cohort Study
Authors: Rast Anna Christina , Kutz Alexander , Felder Susan , Faessler Lukas , Steiner Deborah , Laukemann Svenja , Haubitz Sebastian , Huber Andreas , Buergi Ulrich , Conca Antoinette , Reutlinger Barbara , Mueller Beat , Bargetzi Mario , Schuetz Philipp
Published: March 2015

The Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS) is useful for predicting long-term mortality in cancer patients. Our aim was to validate the GPS in ED patients with different cancer-related urgency and investigate whether biomarkers would improve its accuracy. We followed consecutive medical patients presenting with a cancer-related medical urgency to a tertiary care hospital in Switzerland. Upon admission, we measured procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell count, urea, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, corrected calcium, C-reactive protein, and albumin and calculated the GPS. Of 341 included patients (median age 68 years, 61% males), 81 (23.8%) died within 30 days after admission. The GPS showed moderate prognostic accuracy (AUC 0.67) for mortality. Among the different biomarkers, PCT provided the highest prognostic accuracy (odds ratio 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.3 to 1.9),P<0.001, AUC 0.69) and significantly improved the GPS to a combined AUC of 0.74 (P=0.007). Considering all investigated biomarkers, the AUC increased to 0.76 (P<0.001). The GPS performance was significantly improved by the addition of PCT and other biomarkers for risk stratification in ED cancer patients. The benefit of early risk stratification by the GPS in combination with biomarkers from different pathways should be investigated in further interventional trials.
Chronic Kidney Disease Influences Multiple Systems: Describing the Relationship between Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Kidney Damage, and Concomitant Disease
Authors: Tucker Patrick S. , Scanlan Aaron T. , Dalbo Vincent J.
Published: March 2015

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by increased levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. Oxidative stress and inflammation promote renal injury via damage to molecular components of the kidney. Unfortunately, relationships between inflammation and oxidative stress are cyclical in that the inflammatory processes that exist to repair radical-mediated damage may be a source of additional free radicals, resulting in further damage to renal tissue. Oxidative stress and inflammation also have the ability to become systemic, serving to injure tissues distal to the site of original insult. This review describes select mediators in the exacerbatory relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, and CKD. This review also discusses oxidative stress, inflammation, and CKD as they pertain to the development and progression of common CKD-associated comorbidities. Lastly, the utility of several widely accessible and cost-effective lifestyle interventions and their ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.
Controllable Processing Times in Project and Production Management: Analysing the Trade-Off between Processing Times and the Amount of Resources
Authors: Fernandez-Viagas Victor , Framinan Jose M.
Published: March 2015

The amount of resources assigned to a task highly influences its processing time. Traditionally, different functions have been used in the literature in order to map the processing time of the task with the amount of resources assigned to the task. Obviously, this relation depends on several factors such as the type of resource and/or decision problem under study. Although in the literature there are hundreds of papers using these relations in their models or methods, most of them do not justify the motivation for choosing a specific relation over another one. In some cases, even wrong justifications are given and, hence, infeasible or nonappropriated relations have been applied for the different problems, as we will show in this paper. Thus, our paper intends to fill this gap establishing the conditions where each relation can be applied by analysing the relations between the processing time of a task and the amount of resources assigned to that task commonly employed in the production and project management literature.
Successful Perioperative Management of a Patient with the Left Ventricular Assist Device for Brain Tumor Resection: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Vandse Rashmi , Papadimos Thomas J.
Published: March 2015

Heart failure is the leading cause of death in the United States. Our increasingly aged population will contribute to an increased incidence and prevalence of heart failure, thereby augmenting the need for mechanical circulatory devices. Here we present the first successful resection of a brain tumor in a left ventricular device- (LVAD-) dependent patient with increased intracranial pressure and address pertinent perioperative anesthetic considerations and management.
Developing an Algorithm Learning Tool for High School Introductory Computer Science
Authors: Avancena Aimee Theresa , Nishihara Akinori , Kondo Chika
Published: March 2015

This paper presents the initial stage of developing an algorithm learning tool for the students of the Information Systems course at Tokyo Tech High School of Science and Technology in Japan. The tool applies the concept of Algorithm Visualization (AV) technology and was used as an aid for learning basic algorithms such as searching and sorting. Two AV types were included in the tool, one with more input options and control and the other with less. Previously proposed AV evaluation properties and the Categories of Algorithm Learning Objectives (CALO) were considered in designing the tool’s evaluation questionnaire. Written tests based on CALO were also designed. Posttest results indicate moderate improvement in the performance of the students. Test results also show that student abilities match some of the algorithm learning objectives. The students who used the AV with more options have a slightly higher gain score average in the posttest compared with those who used the AV with limited control. Overall assessment indicates a positive evaluation of the tool and signifies the students’ preferred AV characteristics. After factor analysis of the evaluation questionnaire, three factors were extracted which correspond to the suggested AV evaluation properties. These results may be used in improving the learning tool and the evaluation questionnaire.
Small Displacement Detection of Biological Signals Using the Cyclic Frequency Method
Authors: Zhang Dan , Kurata Masahiko , Inaba Takayuki
Published: March 2015

A new signal processing method called the Cyclic Frequency method is proposed for small displacement detection of vital signals such as heart rate and respiration using the CW radar method. We have presented experimental results of small displacement detection to confirm the validity of the method. The displacement amplitude 2.5 mm can be detected with a propagation frequency of 24.15 GHz. We may increase the propagation frequency for smaller displacement amplitude or target velocity.
Microstructures and Electrochemical Behavior of Ti-Mo Alloys for Biomaterials
Authors: Sung Back-Sub , Park Tae-Eon , Yun Young-Hoon
Published: March 2015

The Ti alloy with 7 wt% Mo revealed a microstructure that contained only the orthorhombicα′′phase of a fine acicular martensitic structure. The corrosion resistance of the Ti-Mo alloys increased as the Mo content increased. Based on the results obtained from the polarization curve and electrochemical impedance, the Ti-Mo alloys were shown to be corrosion resistant because of the passive films formed on their surfaces. No ion release was detected in SBF (simulated body fluid) solution, while Ti ions were released in 0.1% lactic acid ranging from 0.05 to 0.12 μg/mL for the Ti-Mo alloys. In vitro tests showed that MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation on Ti-7 wt% Mo alloy was rather active compared to other Ti-Mo alloys and commercial-grade pure Ti.
Irreducible Fifth Metatarsophalangeal Joint after Car Crush Injury
Authors: Turkmensoy Fatih , Erinc Samet , Ergin Omer Naci , Ozkan Korhan , Kemah Bahattin
Published: March 2015

Metatarsophalangeal joint dislocations are uncommon injuries. Herein, an irreducible dislocation of fifth metatarsophalangeal joint with fractures on the second, third, and fourth metatarsal head was reported. Joint reduction could not be achieved which necessitated open reduction. Six months after surgery the patient was walking and doing his daily activities without any complaints. He had returned to his pretrauma functional level.
Laser‐Assisted Synthesis of Mn0.50Zn0.50Fe2O4 Nanomaterial: Characterization and In Vitro Inhibition Activity towards Bacillus subtilis Biofilm
Authors: Shahid Shaukat Ali , Anwar Farooq , Shahid Muhammad , Majeed Nazia , Azam Ahmed , Bashir Mamoona , Amin Muhammad , Mahmood Zahed , Shakir Imran
Published: March 2015

There is growing interest in the development of novel nanomaterials with potential antimicrobial activity and lesser toxicity. In the current research work, Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized via a novel coprecipitation cum laser ablation technique yielding fine spinal structured material. The synthesized nanomaterial was structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction technique which confirmed the formation and the crystalline nature of Mn0.50Zn0.50Fe2O4 nanomaterial. The crystallite size determined by Debye‐Scherrer’s formula was found to be ~12 nm. The formation of nanoparticles was evidenced by scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDXA) was performed for elemental analysis. The synthesized nanomaterial was interestingly found to be an effective antimicrobial agent and inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis biofilm formation. The 5 µg of Mn0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 nanomaterial dissolved in 1 mL of DMSO showed excellent biofilm inhibitory activity 91.23% ± 1.87 against Bacillus subtilis.
Mathematical Modelling and Tuberculosis: Advances in Diagnostics and Novel Therapies
Authors: Zwerling Alice , Shrestha Sourya , Dowdy David W.
Published: March 2015

As novel diagnostics, therapies, and algorithms are developed to improve case finding, diagnosis, and clinical management of patients with TB, policymakers must make difficult decisions and choose among multiple new technologies while operating under heavy resource constrained settings. Mathematical modelling can provide helpful insight by describing the types of interventions likely to maximize impact on the population level and highlighting those gaps in our current knowledge that are most important for making such assessments. This review discusses the major contributions of TB transmission models in general, namely, the ability to improve our understanding of the epidemiology of TB. We focus particularly on those elements that are important to appropriately understand the role of TB diagnosis and treatment (i.e., what elements of better diagnosis or treatment are likely to have greatest population-level impact) and yet remain poorly understood at present. It is essential for modellers, decision-makers, and epidemiologists alike to recognize these outstanding gaps in knowledge and understand their potential influence on model projections that may guide critical policy choices (e.g., investment and scale-up decisions).
Transplantation of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells for End-Stage Liver Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis Based on Seven Controlled Trials
Authors: Ma Xiang-Rui , Tang Ya-Ling , Xuan Ming , Chang Zheng , Wang Xiao-Yi , Liang Xin-Hua
Published: March 2015

Background. The bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have demonstrated great potential as regenerative medicine in different therapeutic applications. This study aims to pool previous controlled clinical trials to make an update assessment of the effectiveness of BM-MSC transplantation on end-stage liver cirrhosis.Methods. Relevant studies published between January 1990 and June 2014 were searched among Pubmed, Embase, and ClinicalTrial.gov. A meta-analysis was performed to assess the effect of BM-MSCs on liver function indicators, including Models of End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, serum albumin (g/L), total bilirubin (mg/dl), Prothrombin concentration (%), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (U/L).Results. BM-MSCs therapy could significantly improve liver function in patients with end-stage liver cirrhosis, in terms of MELD score, serum albumin, total bilirubin, and prothrombin concentration, at least during the half year after transplantation.Conclusions. Due to BM-MSCs’ immunomodulatory functions and the potential to differentiate into hepatocytes, they are a promising therapeutic agent to liver cirrhosis. Considering currently available evidence, this therapy is relatively safe and effective in improving liver function. However, how different variables should be controlled to optimize the therapeutic effect is still not clear. Thus, future mechanism studies and clinical trials are required for this optimization.
Damage Evaluation of Critical Components of Tilted Support Spring Nonlinear System under a Rectangular Pulse
Authors: Duan Ningning , Hao Meng , Chen Anjun
Published: March 2015

Dimensionless nonlinear dynamical equations of a tilted support spring nonlinear packaging system with critical components were obtained under a rectangular pulse. To evaluate the damage characteristics of shocks to packaged products with critical components, a concept of the damage boundary surface was presented and applied to a titled support spring system, with the dimensionless critical acceleration of the system, the dimensionless critical velocity, and the frequency parameter ratio of the system taken as the three basic parameters. Based on the numerical results, the effects of the frequency parameter ratio, the mass ratio, the dimensionless peak pulse acceleration, the angle of the system, and the damping ratio on the damage boundary surface of critical components were discussed. It was demonstrated that with the increase of the frequency parameter ratio, the decrease of the angle, and/or the increase of the mass ratio, the safety zone of critical components can be broadened, and increasing the dimensionless peak pulse acceleration or the damping ratio may lead to a decrease of the damage zone for critical components. The results may lead to a thorough understanding of the design principles for the tilted support spring nonlinear system.
Research of Improved FP-Growth Algorithm in Association Rules Mining
Authors: Zeng Yi , Yin Shiqun , Liu Jiangyue , Zhang Miao
Published: March 2015

Association rules mining is an important technology in data mining. FP-Growth (frequent-pattern growth) algorithm is a classical algorithm in association rules mining. But the FP-Growth algorithm in mining needs two times to scan database, which reduces the efficiency of algorithm. Through the study of association rules mining and FP-Growth algorithm, we worked out improved algorithms of FP-Growth algorithm—Painting-Growth algorithm and N (not) Painting-Growth algorithm (removes the painting steps, and uses another way to achieve). We compared two kinds of improved algorithms with FP-Growth algorithm. Experimental results show that Painting-Growth algorithm is more than 1050 and N Painting-Growth algorithm is less than 10000 in data volume; the performance of the two kinds of improved algorithms is better than that of FP-Growth algorithm.
Co3O4Catalysts on CeO2-ZrO2Supports and Co3O4-CeO2Catalysts on Al2O3/SiO2Supports for the Oxidation of Propylene
Authors: Nguyen Tien The , Pham Phuong Thi Mai , Le Thang Minh , Van Driessche Isabel
Published: March 2015

Different compositions of Co3O4catalysts on CeO2-ZrO2solid solution (Ce0.9Zr0.1O2and Ce0.8Zr0.2O2) have been studied for the oxidation of propylene. The optional amount of Co3O4active phase on CeO2-ZrO2support of 30 wt% was found. The mixed Co3O4-CeO2-ZrO2with the same composition of the optimal supported ones showed approximately the same activity, which was not higher than the activity of the mixed Co3O4-CeO2catalyst. Catalytic activities of mixed Co3O4-CeO2with different loading contents supported on high surface area supports (Al2O3, SiO2) were then measured. The optimal composition of active phase was still 30 wt% but the minimum temperature of the highest activity increased to above 300°C due to the inert nature influence of the support.