bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep Lab Adaptation in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Typically Developing Children
Authors: Bessey Meredith , Richards Jennifer , Corkum Penny
Published: May 2013

Objectives. Research has shown inconsistencies across studies examining sleep problems in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is possible that these inconsistencies are due to sleep lab adaptation. The goal of the current study was to investigate the possibility that children with ADHD adapt differently to the sleep lab than do typically developing (TD) children.Patients and Methods. Actigraphy variables were compared between home and the sleep lab. Sleep lab adaptation reports from the parent and child were compared between children with ADHD (n=25) and TD children (n=25).Results. Based on actigraphy, both groups had reduced sleep duration and reduced wake after sleep onset in the sleep lab compared to home. The only interaction effect was that TD children had increased sleep efficiency in the sleep lab compared to home.Conclusions. The results of this study do not support the hypothesis that children with ADHD adjust to the sleep lab differently than their typically developing peers. However, both groups of children did sleep differently in the sleep lab compared to home, and this needs to be considered when generalizing research findings from a sleep lab environment to children’s sleep in general.
Paradoxical Glucose-Sensitizing yet Proinflammatory Effects of Acute ASP Administration in Mice
Authors: Fisette Alexandre , Poursharifi Pegah , Oikonomopoulou Katerina , Munkonda Mercedes N. , Lapointe Marc , Cianflone Katherine
Published: May 2013

Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipokine derived from the immune complement system, which stimulates fat storage and is typically increased in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, the acute effects of ASP on energy metabolism and inflammatory processesin vivowere evaluated. We hypothesized that ASP would specifically exert proinflammatory effects. C57Bl/6 wild-type mice were put on a high-fat-high-sucrose diet for 12 weeks. Mice were then subjected to both glucose and insulin tolerance tests, each manipulation being preceded by recombinant ASP or vehicle (control) bolus injection. ASP supplementation increased whole-body glucose excursion, and this was accomplished with reduced concomitant insulin levels. However, ASP did not directly alter insulin sensitivity. ASP supplementation induced a proinflammatory phenotype, with higher levels of cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-αin plasma and in adipose tissue, liver, and skeletal muscle mRNA. Additionally, ASP increased M1 macrophage content of these tissues. ASP exerted a direct concentration-dependent role in the migration and M1 activation of cultured macrophages. Altogether, thein vivoandin vitroexperiments demonstrate that ASP plays a role in both energy metabolism and inflammation, with paradoxical whole-body glucose-sensitizing yet proinflammatory effects.
Gray’s Time-Varying Coefficients Model for Posttransplant Survival of Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients with a Diagnosis of Cancer
Authors: Ren Yi , Chang Chung-Chou H. , Zenarosa Gabriel L. , Tomko Heather E. , Donnell Drew Michael S. , Kang Hyung-joo , Roberts Mark S. , Bryce Cindy L.
Published: May 2013

Transplantation is often the only viable treatment for pediatric patients with end-stage liver disease. Making well-informed decisions on when to proceed with transplantation requires accurate predictors of transplant survival. The standard Cox proportional hazards (PH) model assumes that covariate effects are time-invariant on right-censored failure time; however, this assumption may not always hold. Gray’s piecewise constant time-varying coefficients (PC-TVC) model offers greater flexibility to capture the temporal changes of covariate effects without losing the mathematical simplicity of Cox PH model. In the present work, we examined the Cox PH and Gray PC-TVC models on the posttransplant survival analysis of 288 pediatric liver transplant patients diagnosed with cancer. We obtained potential predictors through univariable(P<0.15)and multivariable models with forward selection(P<0.05)for the Cox PH and Gray PC-TVC models, which coincide. While the Cox PH model provided reasonable average results in estimating covariate effects on posttransplant survival, the Gray model using piecewise constant penalized splines showed more details of how those effects change over time.
TIPdb: A Database of Anticancer, Antiplatelet, and Antituberculosis Phytochemicals from Indigenous Plants in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Ying-Chi , Wang Chia-Chi , Chen Ih-Sheng , Jheng Jhao-Liang , Li Jih-Heng , Tung Chun-Wei
Published: May 2013

The unique geographic features of Taiwan are attributed to the rich indigenous and endemic plant species in Taiwan. These plants serve as resourceful bank for biologically active phytochemicals. Given that these plant‐derived chemicals are prototypes of potential drugs for diseases, databases connecting the chemical structures and pharmacological activities may facilitate drug development. To enhance the utility of the data, it is desirable to develop a database of chemical compounds and corresponding activities from indigenous plants in Taiwan. A database of anticancer, antiplatelet, and antituberculosis phytochemicals from indigenous plants in Taiwan was constructed. The database, TIPdb, is composed of a standardized format of published anticancer, antiplatelet, and antituberculosis phytochemicals from indigenous plants in Taiwan. A browse function was implemented for users to browse the database in a taxonomy‐based manner. Search functions can be utilized to filter records of interest by botanical name, part, chemical class, or compound name. The structured and searchable database TIPdb was constructed to serve as a comprehensive and standardized resource for anticancer, antiplatelet, and antituberculosis compounds search. The manually curated chemical structures and activities provide a great opportunity to develop quantitative structure‐activity relationship models for the high‐throughput screening of potential anticancer, antiplatelet, and antituberculosis drugs.
BIBO Stability Analysis for Delay Switched Systems with Nonlinear Perturbation
Authors: Wei Jincheng , Shi Peng , Karimi Hamid Reza , Wang Bo
Published: May 2013

The problem of bounded-input bounded-output (BIBO) stability is investigated for a class of delay switched systems with mixed time-varying discrete and constant neutral delays and nonlinear perturbation. Based on the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional theory, new BIBO stabilization criteria are established in terms of delay-dependent linear matrix inequalities. The numerical simulation is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the results obtained in the paper.
Ultrasonic Motor Using Bending Modes with Single Foot
Authors: Yang Xiaohui , Zhang Qiang , Zhou Xiangyu
Published: May 2013

A new ultrasonic motor using bending modes with single foot is proposed in this study. Two groups of PZT elements are clamped between two horns and two ending caps, respectively, by bolts. Two horns are connected by the driving foot in the middle of the motor. Two orthogonal 3rd bending vibrations of the motor are superimposed and generate elliptical movement at the driving foot. The structure and working principle of the proposed motor are introduced. The structure parameters of the motor are obtained via the ANSYS software. A prototype is fabricated and tested using an impedance analyzer and a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. The maximum mechanical output force and power of the prototype are measured to be 23 N and 2.9 W, respectively.
Caseous Necrosis of Mitral Annulus: A Rare Cause of Stroke
Authors: Corre Jérôme , Leroux Lionel , Coste Pierre
Published: May 2013

The current report describes a rare case of a caseous necrosis presenting as a pseudotumor in ventricle, revealed by stroke. Cerebral MRI, showing multiples lacunes, evocates a cardioembolic mechanism. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrate a large hyperechogenic mass fixed to the posterior mitral valve and annulus while thoracic tomography revealed a fully calcified lesion, at the mitral annulus, evocative of caseus necrosis. Medical therapy was preferred (anticoagulation), because of her age and the decaying nature of surgery.
Novel Modified Elman Neural Network Control for PMSG System Based on Wind Turbine Emulator
Authors: Lin Chih-Hong
Published: May 2013

The novel modified Elman neural network (NN) controlled permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) system, which is directly driven by a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) based on wind turbine emulator, is proposed to control output of rectifier (AC/DC power converter) and inverter (DC/AC power converter) in this study. First, a closed loop PMSM drive control based on wind turbine emulator is designed to generate power for the PMSG system according to different wind speeds. Then, the rotor speed of the PMSG, the voltage, and current of the power converter are detected simultaneously to yield better power output of the converter. Because the PMSG system is the nonlinear and time-varying system, two sets online trained modified Elman NN controllers are developed for the tracking controllers of DC bus power and AC power to improve output performance of rectifier and inverter. Finally, experimental results are verified to show the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Improving the Convergence Rate in Affine Registration of PET and SPECT Brain Images Using Histogram Equalization
Authors: Salas-Gonzalez D. , Górriz J. M. , Ramírez J. , Padilla P. , Illán I. A.
Published: May 2013

A procedure to improve the convergence rate for affine registration methods of medical brain images when the images differ greatly from the template is presented. The methodology is based on a histogram matching of the source images with respect to the reference brain template before proceeding with the affine registration. The preprocessed source brain images are spatially normalized to a template using a general affine model with 12 parameters. A sum of squared differences between the source images and the template is considered as objective function, and a Gauss-Newton optimization algorithm is used to find the minimum of the cost function. Using histogram equalization as a preprocessing step improves the convergence rate in the affine registration algorithm of brain images as we show in this work using SPECT and PET brain images.
Community-Acquired Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusProstatic Abscess Presenting as Acute Urinary Retention: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Naboush Ali , Abou Yassine Ali , Yasmin Mohamad , Mobarakai Neville
Published: May 2013

Background. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains have emerged as a substantial cause of infection in individuals without exposure to the healthcare system. Prostatic abscess is an uncommon disease. To date, there are only 6 published reports of a prostatic abscess secondary to CA-MRSA.Case Description. A 52-year-old diabetic Caucasian presented to the emergency department with severe lower abdominal pain of few hours duration, urinary frequency, and dribbling over the last 3 weeks. Physical examination was remarkable for an enlarged nontender prostate. A urine analysis showed pyuria while urine cultures grew CA-MRSA. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed multiple prostate abscesses and a thickened urinary bladder wall. A TURP was performed by the urology team and pathology showed severe acute and chronic prostatitis with abscess formation and necrotic tissue. Our treatment regimen included IV vancomycin followed by oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and rifampin. Eradication of CA-MRSA was confirmed by follow-up cultures 2 months following discharge.Conclusion. This case illustrates the successful identification, diagnosis, and prompt treatment of a prostatic abscess secondary to CA-MRSA in a diabetic patient without recent hospitalization. Early treatment with antibiotics and transurethral resection of the prostate abscess led to a shortened hospital stay and decreased morbidity.
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome: An Unusual Presentation You Need to Know about
Authors: Karaa Amel , Stoler Joan M.
Published: May 2013

The Ehlers Danlos syndromes (EDS) comprise a group of connective tissue disorders characterized by tissue fragility of the skin, ligaments, blood vessels and internal organs. Variable degrees of clinical severity and organ involvement are due to the molecular and biochemical heterogeneity of this group of disorders and have led to classification into well-characterized subtypes that are extending with the discovery of new genes and overlapping syndrome. Types include classical EDS (EDS I/II), hypermobility EDS (EDS III), vascular EDS (EDS IV), kyphoscoliosis EDS (EDS VI), arthrochalasia (EDS VIIA, B) and Dermatospraxis (EDS VIIC). Even to the well trained professional, the diagnosis of EDS remains a challenge due to overlapping symptoms and cases can remain without a well-defined classification. Life altering complications of this group of disorders include vascular and hollow organ rupture and ligamentous laxity leading to chronic dislocation with ensuing pain and long term disability. Patients initially present to the general practitioner who is expected to recognize the symptoms of EDS and to proceed with appropriate referral for definitive diagnosis and management to prevent devastating complications. In this paper, we describe a male with classical EDS complicated by devastating vascular and orthopedic events.
Formulation and Particle Size Reduction Improve Bioavailability of Poorly Water-Soluble Compounds with Antimalarial Activity
Authors: Wang Hongxing , Li Qigui , Reyes Sean , Zhang Jing , Xie Lisa , Melendez Victor , Hickman Mark , Kozar Michael P.
Published: May 2013

Decoquinate (DQ) is highly effective at killing malaria parasites in vitro; however, it is extremely insoluble in water. In this study, solid dispersion method was used for DQ formulation which created a suitable physical form of DQ in aqueous phase for particle manipulation. Among many polymers and surfactants tested, polyvinylpyrrolidone 10, a polymer, and L-α-phosphatidylcholine or polysorbate, two surfactants, were chosen as DQ formulation components. The formulation particles were reduced to a mean size between 200 to 400 nm, which was stable in aqueous medium for at least three weeks. Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies showed that compared to DQ microparticle suspension, a nanoparticle formulation orally dosed to mice showed a 14.47-fold increase in area under the curve (AUC) of DQ plasma concentration and a 4.53-fold increase in AUC of DQ liver distribution. WR 299666, a poorly water-soluble compound with antimalarial activity, was also tested and successfully made into nanoparticle formulation without undergoing solid dispersion procedure. We concluded that nanoparticles generated by using appropriate formulation components and sufficient particle size reduction significantly increased the bioavailability of DQ and could potentially turn this antimalarial agent to a therapeutic drug.
Infinitely Many Solutions of Superlinear Elliptic Equation
Authors: Mao Anmin , Li Yang
Published: May 2013

Via the Fountain theorem, we obtain the existence of infinitely many solutions of the following superlinear elliptic boundary value problem:−Δu=f(x,u)inΩ,u=0on∂Ω, whereΩ⊂ℝN  (N>2)is a bounded domain with smooth boundary andfis odd inuand continuous. There is no assumption near zero on the behavior of the nonlinearityf, andfdoes not satisfy the Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz type technical condition near infinity.
Isolated Femoral Muscle and Bone Metastases Rarely Encountered in Testicular Seminoma
Authors: Degirmencioglu Serkan , Degirmencioglu Burcu
Published: May 2013

Isolated muscle and bone metastases are rarely encountered in patients with testicular seminomas. In the present study, a patient who was admitted with pain, loss of motion, and swelling in the right leg 20 months following surgery for stage I seminoma was presented. Hypermetabolic lesion was detected in the right femoral muscle and bone via positron emission tomography. After the presence of metastasis from seminoma was confirmed by biopsy, bleomycin, cisplatin, and etoposide, combination chemotherapy was administered to the patient.
Performance Analysis of a Noncontact Plastic Fiber Optical Fiber Displacement Sensor with Compensation of Target Reflectivity
Authors: Tosi Daniele , Perrone Guido , Vallan Alberto
Published: May 2013

An inexpensive fiber-based noncontact distance sensor specific for monitoring short-range displacements in micromachining applications is presented. To keep the overall costs low, the sensor uses plastic optical fibers and an intensiometric approach based on the received light intensity after the reflection from the target whose displacement has to be measured. A suitable target reflectivity compensation technique is implemented to mitigate the effects due to target surface nonuniformity or ageing. The performances of the sensor are first evaluated for different fiber configurations and target reflectivity profiles and positions using a numerical method based on Monte Carlo simulations. Then, experimental validations on a configuration designed to work up to 1.5 mm have been conducted. The results have confirmed the validity of the proposed sensor architecture, which demonstrated excellent compensation capabilities, with errors below 0.04 mm in the (0-1) mm range regardless the color and misalignment of the target.
More on Superconductors via Gauge/Gravity Duality with Nonlinear Maxwell Field
Authors: Momeni Davood , Raza Muhammad , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: May 2013

We have developed the recent investigations on the second-order phase transition in the holographic superconductor using the probe limit for a nonlinear Maxwell field strength coupled to a massless scalar field. By analytical methods, based on the variational Sturm-Liouville minimization technique, we study the effects of the spacetime dimension and the nonlinearity parameter on the critical temperature and the scalar condensation of the dual operators on the boundary. Further, as a motivated result, we analytically deduce the DC conductivity in the low and zero temperatures regime. Especially in the zero temperature limit and in two dimensional toy model, we thoroughly compute the conductivity analytically. Our work clarifies more features of the holographic superconductors both in different space dimensions and on the effect of the nonlinearity in Maxwell's strength field.
Interdisciplinary Team Collaboration during Discharge of Depressed Older Persons: A Norwegian Qualitative Implementation Study
Authors: Holm Anne Lise , Severinsson Elisabeth
Published: May 2013

In order to deliver effective care, it is necessary to organise interdisciplinary activities for older persons who suffer from depressive disorders. This paper evaluated the interdisciplinary team members’ perceptions of cooperation in the discharge planning of depressed older persons based on the Chronic Care Model (CCM). A qualitative implementation design was used, data were collected by means of multistage focus groups, and a thematic analysis was performed. Three themes emerged: lack of effective team leadership in the community, the need to change the delivery system, and enhancing self-management support for depressed older persons as well as the participation of their families. It was concluded that nurse managers must find ways of supporting the depressed older persons by better structuring the care, increasing cooperation with organisational leadership, and creating an environment characterised by trust and mutual respect. Distrust can have serious implications for discharge planning collaboration. The development of a common vision of transparency in the organization is important as is a policy of change among leadership and in clinical practice.
Electroacupuncture and Brain Protection against Cerebral Ischemia: Specific Effects of Acupoints
Authors: Zhou Fei , Guo Jingchun , Cheng Jieshi , Wu Gencheng , Sun Jian , Xia Ying
Published: May 2013

Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to increase cerebral blood flow (CBF) and reduce ischemic infarction in the rat model of cerebral ischemia (middle cerebral artery occlusion, MCAO). Since multiple acupoints are recommended to treat cerebral ischemia, we performed this study to investigate if there is any variation in EA protection against cerebral ischemia with the stimulation of certain “acupoints” in rats. One hour of right MCAO with an 85% reduction of blood flow induced an extensive infarction (32.9% ±3.8% of the brain), serious neurological deficits (scale = 6.0±0.5, on a scale of 0–7), and a 17% (10 out of 60) mortality. EA, with a sparse-dense wave (5 Hz/20 Hz) at 1.0 mA for 30 minutes, at Du 20 and Du 26 greatly reduced the infarction to 4.5% ±1.5% (P<0.01), significantly improved neurological deficit (scale = 1.0±0.5,P<0.01), and decreased the death rate to 7% (2 out of 30,P<0.01). Similarly, EA at left LI 11 & PC 6 reduced the infarct volume to 8.6% ±3.8% (P<0.01), improved the neurological deficit (scale = 2.0±1.0,P<0.01), and decreased the death rate to 8% (2 out of 24,P<0.01). In sharp contrast, EA at right LI 11 & PC 6 did not lead to any significant changes in the infarct volume (33.4% ±6.3%), neurological deficit (scale = 6.5±0.5), and the death rate (20%, 5 out of 24). EA at left GB 34 & SP 6, also had an inconspicuous effect on the ischemic injury. EA at Du 20 & Du 26 or at left LI 11 & PC 6 instantaneously induced a significant increase in cerebral blood flow. Neither EA at right LI 11 & PC 6 nor at GB 34 & SP 6 increased cerebral blood flow. These results revealed that the EA protection against cerebral ischemia is relatively acupoint specific.
Splitting Matching Pursuit Method for Reconstructing Sparse Signal in Compressed Sensing
Authors: Jing Liu , ChongZhao Han , XiangHua Yao , Feng Lian
Published: May 2013

In this paper, a novel method named as splitting matching pursuit (SMP) is proposed to reconstructK-sparse signal in compressed sensing. The proposed method selectsFl  (Fl>2K)largest components of the correlation vectorc, which are divided intoFsplit sets with equal lengthl. The searching area is thus expanded to incorporate more candidate components, which increases the probability of finding the true components at one iteration. The proposed method does not require the sparsity levelKto be known in prior. The Merging, Estimation and Pruning steps are carried out for each split set independently, which makes it especially suitable for parallel computation. The proposed SMP method is then extended to more practical condition, e.g. the direction of arrival (DOA) estimation problem in phased array radar system using compressed sensing. Numerical simulations show that the proposed method succeeds in identifying multiple targets in a sparse radar scene, outperforming other OMP-type methods. The proposed method also obtains more precise estimation of DOA angle using one snapshot compared with the traditional estimation methods such as Capon, APES (amplitude and phase estimation) and GLRT (generalized likelihood ratio test) based on hundreds of snapshots.
Integration of High-Performance Nanocrystalline TiO2Photoelectrodes for N719-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Jiang Ke-Jian , Zhou Jin-Ming , Manseki Kazuhiro , Liu Qi-Sheng , Huang Jin-Hua , Song Yan-lin , Yanagida Shozo
Published: May 2013

We report on enhanced performance of N719-sensitized TiO2solar cells (DSCs) incorporating size and photoelectron diffusion-controlled TiO2as sensitizer-matched light-scatter layers on conventional nanocrystalline TiO2electrodes. The double-layered N719/TiO2composite electrode with a high dye-loading capacity exhibits the diffused reflectance of more than 50% in the range ofλ = 650–800 nm, even when the films are coupled with the titania nanocrystalline underlayer in the device. As a result, the increased near-infrared light-harvesting produces a high light-to-electricity conversion efficiency of over 9% mainly due to the significant increase ofJsc. Such an optical effect of the NIR-light scattering TiO2electrodes will be beneficial when the sensitizers with low molar extinction coefficients, such as N719, are introduced in the device.
Unusual Complications of Quinalphos Poisoning
Authors: Viswanathan Stalin
Published: May 2013

This 40-year-old man was treated for suicidal quinalphos 25%EC consumption. He developed intermediate syndrome with normal response to repetitive nerve stimulation, pancreatitis with high enzyme elevations, and normal computed tomography and excreted black, brown, and orange urine sequentially over the first nine days of hospitalization. The last complication has not been previously reported with any organophosphate compound. He finally succumbed to complication of ventilator associated pneumonia related septic shock and ventricular tachycardia.
Orbital Prosthetic Rehabilitation in “ADAM Complex” Multiple Orofacial-Cleft Disruption Syndrome
Authors: Barabde Aparna , Barabde Shailesh M. , Bhagat Ashish , Thakare Amar
Published: May 2013

To be human is great; to look human is wonderful! It is nature's greatest gift! Mother nature's womb is the safest place on earth for any life, but the calamity strikes and no one knows how Hence, Treasure your exceptions!, since nature seems nowhere accustomed more openly to display, its secret mysteries than in cases where it shows traces of its workings apart from the beaten path. A dismorphological pattern of congenital oro-craniofacial and limb defects which is a rare form of amniotic rupture sequence required persistent coordinated efforts of multiple disciplines and had manifested as bizarre orofacial clefting, cat eye syndrome with an ectopic eye, and aberrant tissue band lesions on limb. The challenge was to meet the child’s clamour for functional demands on premature exposure to open world and was overcome through a phased treatment implementation. Anophthalmos resulting from multiple ophthalmic surgeries for aberrant ectopic left eye and cat eye syndrome of right eye required a staged sequential preemptive planning for a successful outcome. Every phase of fabrication of orbital prosthesis comes with an impending challenge. Thus, a well-defined technique eliminating the common errors and creating a natural looking prosthesis, in the face of limitations, is imperative.
Determination of the Diagnostic Values of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine as an Indicator for Evaluation of the Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Spasovski Dejan , Latifi Arif , Osmani Bashkim , Krstevska-Balkanov Svetlana , Kafedizska Irena , Slaninka-Micevska Maja , Dejanova Beti , Alabakovska Sonja , Balkanov Trajan
Published: May 2013

Introduction. To compare the diagnostic values of laboratory variables, to present evaluations of the diagnostic test for asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), rheumatoid factor (RF), C-reactive protein (CRP), and DAS28 index, and to define the effect of untreated rheumatoid arthritis on endothelial function. In order to determine whether ADMA changes depending on the disease evolution, ADMA was used as an indicator for endothelial dysfunction. Methods. Using an ELISA technology of DLD-Diagnostika-GMBH for the detection of ADMA, the samples of serum and urine have been examined in 70 participants (35 RA who were not treated, 35 healthy controls). RF was defined with the test for agglutination (Latex RF test) in the same participants. Results. Out of 35 examined patients with RA, RF appeared in 17 patients (sensitivity of the test, 51.42%). In 20 of the 35 examined patients with RA, we found the presence of ADMA (sensitivity of the test, 57.14%). Anti-CCP antibody was present in 24 examined patients with RA (sensitivity of the test, 68.57%). Conclusion. ADMA has equal or very similar sensitivity and specificity to RF in untreated RA (sensitivity of 57.14% versus 48.57%, specificity of 88.57% versus 91.42%) in the detection of asymptomatic endothelial dysfunction in untreated RA.
Generalized Mittag-Leffler Function Associated with Weyl Fractional Calculus Operators
Authors: Faraj Ahmad , Salim Tariq , Sadek Safaa , Ismail Jamal
Published: May 2013

This paper is devoted to study further properties of generalized Mittag-Leffler functionEα,β,pγ,δ,qassociated with Weyl fractional integral and differential operators. A new integral operatorℰα,β,p,w,∞γ,δ,qdepending on Weyl fractional integral operator and containingEα,β,pγ,δ,q(z)in its kernel is defined and studied, namely, its boundedness. Also, composition of Weyl fractional integral and differential operators with the new operatorℰα,β,p,w,∞γ,δ,qis established.
Qualitative and Quantitative Control of Honeys Using NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Ohmenhaeuser Marc , Monakhova Yulia B. , Kuballa Thomas , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: May 2013

400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and multivariate data analysis techniques were used in the context of food surveillance to measure 328 honey samples with 1H and 13C NMR. Using principal component analysis (PCA), clusters of honeys from the same botanical origin were observed. The chemical shifts of the principal monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) were found to be mostly responsible for this differentiation. Furthermore, soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) could be used to automatically classify spectra according to their botanical origin with 95–100% accuracy. Direct quantification of 13 compounds (carbohydrates, aldehydes, aliphatic and aromatic acids) was additionally possible using external calibration curves and applying TSP as internal standard. Hence, NMR spectroscopy combined with chemometrics is an efficient tool for simultaneous identification of botanical origin and quantification of selected constituents of honeys.
Delay-Dependent Dynamics of Switched Cohen-Grossberg Neural Networks with Mixed Delays
Authors: Wang Peng , Hu Haijun , Jun Zheng , Tan Yanxiang , Liu Li
Published: May 2013

This paper aims at studying the problem of the dynamics of switched Cohen-Grossberg neural networks with mixed delays by using Lyapunov functional method, average dwell time (ADT) method, and linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) technique. Some conditions on the uniformly ultimate boundedness, the existence of an attractors, the globally exponential stability of the switched Cohen-Grossberg neural networks are developed. Our results extend and complement some earlier publications.
New Configuration of Handset MIMO Antenna for LTE 700 Band Applications
Authors: Mun Byeonggwi , Harackiewicz Frances J. , Kim Byeongkwan , Wi Hyunho , Lee Jonghyun , Park Myun-Joo , Jung Changwon , Lee Byungje
Published: May 2013

A compact handset multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for long-term evolution (LTE) 700 band (746~787 MHz) applications is proposed. The proposed antenna consists of two symmetrical PIFAs. Without the usage of any additional coupling elements between closely mounted antennas, a high isolation (>15 dB) and a low enveloped correlation coefficient (ECC<0.35) are achieved by the optimum location and arrangement of MIMO antenna elements.
Chronic Caloric Restriction and Exercise Improve Metabolic Conditions of Dietary-Induced Obese Mice in Autophagy Correlated Manner without Involving AMPK
Authors: Cui Mingxia , Yu Han , Wang Jinli , Gao Junjie , Li Ji
Published: May 2013

Aim. To investigate the role of AMPK activation and autophagy in mediating the beneficial effects of exercise and caloric restriction in obesity.Methods. Dietary-induced obesity mice were made and divided into 5 groups; one additional group of normal mice serves as control. Mice in each group received different combinations of interventions including low fat diet, caloric restriction, and exercise. Then their metabolic conditions were assessed by measuring serum glucose and insulin, serum lipids, and liver function. AMPK phosphorylation and autophagy activity were detected by western blotting.Results. Obese mice models were successfully induced by high fat diet. Caloric restriction consistently improved the metabolic conditions of the obese mice, and the effects are more prominent than the mice that received only exercise. Also, caloric restriction, exercise, and low fat diet showed a synergistic effect in the improvement of metabolic conditions. Western blotting results showed that this improvement was not related with the activation of AMPK in liver, skeletal muscle, or heart but correlates well with the autophagy activity.Conclusion. Caloric restriction has more prominent beneficial effects than exercise in dietary-induced obese mice. These effects are correlated with the autophagy activity and may be independent of AMPK activation.
An Improvement of the Differential Transformation Method and Its Application for Boundary Layer Flow of a Nanofluid
Authors: Ebaid Abdelhalim , El-Arabawy Hassan A. , Abd Elazem Nader Y.
Published: May 2013

The main feature of the boundary layer flow problems of nanofluids or classical fluids is the inclusion of the boundary conditions at infinity. Such boundary conditions cause difficulties for any of the series methods when applied to solve such a kind of problems. In order to solve these difficulties, the authors usually resort to either Padé approximants or the commercial numerical codes. However, an intensive work is needed to perform the calculations using Padé technique. Due to the importance of the nanofluids flow as a growing field of research and the difficulties caused by using Padé approximants to solve such problems, a suggestion is proposed in this paper to map the semi-infinite domain into a finite one by the help of a transformation. Accordingly, the differential equations governing the fluid flow are transformed into singular differential equations with classical boundary conditions which can be directly solved by using the differential transformation method. The numerical results obtained by using the proposed technique are compared with the available exact solutions, where excellent accuracy is found. The main advantage of the present technique is the complete avoidance of using Padé approximants to treat the infinity boundary conditions.
Some Explicit Expressions and Interesting Bifurcation Phenomena for Nonlinear Waves in Generalized Zakharov Equations
Authors: Li Shaoyong , Liu Rui
Published: May 2013

Using bifurcation method of dynamical systems, we investigate the nonlinear waves for the generalized Zakharov equationsutt-cs2uxx=β(|E|2)xx,  iEt+αExx-δ1uE+δ2|E|2E+δ3|E|4E=0,whereα,β,δ1,δ2,δ3, andcsare real parameters,E=E(x,t)is a complex function, andu=u(x,t)is a real function. We obtain the following results. (i) Three types of explicit expressions of nonlinear waves are obtained, that is, the fractional expressions, the trigonometric expressions, and the exp-function expressions. (ii) Under different parameter conditions, these expressions represent symmetric and antisymmetric solitary waves, kink and antikink waves, symmetric periodic and periodic-blow-up waves, and 1-blow-up and 2-blow-up waves. We point out that there are two sets of kink waves which are called tall-kink waves and low-kink waves, respectively. (iii) Five kinds of interesting bifurcation phenomena are revealed. The first kind is that the 1-blow-up waves can be bifurcated from the periodic-blow-up and 2-blow-up waves. The second kind is that the 2-blow-up waves can be bifurcated from the periodic-blow-up waves. The third kind is that the symmetric solitary waves can be bifurcated from the symmetric periodic waves. The fourth kind is that the low-kink waves can be bifurcated from four types of nonlinear waves, the symmetric solitary waves, the 1-blow-up waves, the tall-kink waves, and the antisymmetric solitary waves. The fifth kind is that the tall-kink waves can be bifurcated from the symmetric periodic waves. We also show that the exp-function expressions include some results given by pioneers.
A Network Pharmacology Approach to Evaluating the Efficacy of Chinese Medicine Using Genome-Wide Transcriptional Expression Data
Authors: Wu Leihong , Wang Yi , Nie Jing , Fan Xiaohui , Cheng Yiyu
Published: May 2013

The research of multicomponent drugs, such as in Chinese Medicine, on both mechanism dissection and drug discovery is challenging, especially the approaches to systematically evaluating the efficacy at a molecular level. Here, we presented a network pharmacology-based approach to evaluating the efficacy of multicomponent drugs by genome-wide transcriptional expression data and applied it to Shenmai injection (SHENMAI), a widely used Chinese Medicine composed of red ginseng (RG) and Radix Ophiopogonis (RO) in clinically treating myocardial ischemia (MI) diseases. The disease network, MI network in this case, was constructed by combining the protein-protein interactions (PPI) involved in the MI enriched pathways. The therapeutic efficacy of SHENMAI, RG, and RO was therefore evaluated by a network parameter, namely, network recovery index (NRI), which quantitatively evaluates the overall recovery rate in MI network. The NRI of SHENMAI, RG, and RO were 0.876, 0.494, and 0.269 respectively, which indicated SHENMAI exerts protective effects and the synergistic effect of RG and RO on treating myocardial ischemia disease. The successful application of SHENMAI implied that the proposed network pharmacology-based approach could help researchers to better evaluate a multicomponent drug on a systematic and molecular level.
Human Cardiospheres as a Source of Multipotent Stem and Progenitor Cells
Authors: Barile Lucio , Gherghiceanu Mihaela , Popescu Laurenţiu M. , Moccetti Tiziano , Vassalli Giuseppe
Published: May 2013

Cardiospheres (CSs) are self-assembling multicellular clusters from the cellular outgrowth from cardiac explants cultured in nonadhesive substrates. They contain a core of primitive, proliferating cells, and an outer layer of mesenchymal/stromal cells and differentiating cells that express cardiomyocyte proteins and connexin 43. Because CSs contain both primitive cells and committed progenitors for the three major cell types present in the heart, that is, cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and because they are derived from percutaneous endomyocardial biopsies, they represent an attractive cell source for cardiac regeneration. In preclinical studies, CS-derived cells (CDCs) delivered to infarcted hearts resulted in improved cardiac function. CDCs have been tested safely in an initial phase-1 clinical trial in patients after myocardial infarction. Whether or not CDCs are superior to purified populations, for example, c-kit+cardiac stem cells, or to gene therapy approaches for cardiac regeneration remains to be evaluated.
Effect of Siguan Acupuncture on Gastrointestinal Motility: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled, Crossover Trial
Authors: Shin Kyung-Min , Park Ji-Eun , Lee Sanghun , Choi Sun-Mi , Ahn Yo-Chan , Lee Jin-Woo , Kim Jin-Hee , Son Chang-Gue
Published: May 2013

Siguan acupoints have been used to treat gastrointestinal symptoms in acupuncture practices for a long time. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Siguan acupuncture on gastrointestinal motility under accelerated conditions using a randomized, sham-acupuncture-controlled, crossover study. Twenty-one healthy male subjects were hospitalized and randomized into either a real acupuncture group (at Siguan acupoints) or a sham acupuncture group. Subjects were administered with mosapride citrate (15 mg a day) for 2 days starting 24 hours before the first acupuncture treatment. Immediately after the administration of radio markers, acupuncture treatment was conducted 4 times at 12-hour intervals. Gastrointestinal motility was assessed using radiograph distribution of the radio-markers located in the small intestine, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, rectum, and outside the body immediately after the first acupuncture treatment and at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. After a 2-week washout period, the real acupuncture group in the first session was treated with sham acupuncture in the second session, and vice versa. Gastrointestinal motility was generally reduced in the real acupuncture group compared with the sham acupuncture group throughout the 4 different time points. A significant difference was observed at 24 hours following the first acupuncture treatment (P<0.05).
Variable-Coefficient Exact Solutions for Nonlinear Differential Equations by a New Bernoulli Equation-Based Subequation Method
Authors: Qi Chunxia , Huang Shunliang
Published: May 2013

A new Bernoulli equation-based subequation method is proposed to establish variable-coefficient exact solutions for nonlinear differential equations. For illustrating the validity of this method, we apply it to the asymmetric (2 + 1)-dimensional NNV system and the Kaup-Kupershmidt equation. As a result, some new exact solutions with variable functions coefficients for them are successfully obtained.
Manic-Like Psychosis Associated with Elevated Trough Tacrolimus Blood Concentrations 17 Years after Kidney Transplant
Authors: Bersani Giuseppe , Marino Pietropaolo , Valeriani Giuseppe , Cuoco Valentina , Zitelli Claudia , Melcore Claudia , Bersani Francesco Saverio
Published: May 2013

Several neurological side effects induced by tacrolimus are described in the scientific literature, ranging from mild neurological symptoms to delirium and psychosis. We report the case of a 46-year-old man with no prior psychiatric history who suddenly manifested manic-like psychosis associated with elevated trough tacrolimus blood concentrations 17 years after kidney transplant. The use of antipsychotics may improve the severity of symptoms; but in order to obtain a complete remission, the reduction in the dose of tacrolimus, or its replacement with alternative immunosuppressant therapies, is recommended.
Effect of Clonidine (an Antihypertensive Drug) Treatment on Oxidative Stress Markers in the Heart of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Nik Yusoff Nik Syamimi , Mustapha Zulkarnain , Govindasamy Chandran , Sirajudeen K. N. S.
Published: May 2013

Hypertension is a risk factor for several cardiovascular diseases and oxidative stress suggested to be involved in the pathophysiology. Antihypertensive drug Clonidine action in ameliorating oxidative stress was not well studied. Therefore, this study investigate the effect of Clonidine on oxidative stress markers and nitric oxide (NO) in SHR and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) administered SHR. Male rats were divided into four groups [SHR, SHR+Clonidine (SHR-C), SHR+L-NAME, SHR+Clonidine+L-NAME(SHRC+L-NAME)]. Rats (SHRC) were administered with Clonidine (0.5 mg kg−1 day−1) from 4 weeks to 28 weeks in drinking water and L-NAME (25 mg kg−1 day−1) from 16 weeks to 28 weeks to SHRC+L-NAME. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured. At the end of 28 weeks, all rats were sacrificed and in their heart homogenate, oxidative stress parameters and NO was assessed. Clonidine treatment significantly enhanced the total antioxidant status (TAS) (P<0.001) and reduced the thibarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P<0.001) and protein carbonyl content (PCO) (P<0.05). These data suggest that oxidative stress is involved in the hypertensive organ damage and Clonidine not only lowers the SBP but also ameliorated the oxidative stress in the heart of SHR and SHR+L-NAME.
Synovial Sarcoma of the Buccal Mucosa: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Mahesh Kumar T. S. , Ponnuswamy Indira Annamalai , David Maria Priscilla , Shivhare Peeyush , Puttaranganayak Mahalakshmi Ikkanur , Sinha Pooja
Published: May 2013

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a rare malignant neoplasm that arises most commonly in joint capsules and articular tendons, but its relationship to the synovium is not always obvious. Synovial sarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor representing 5.6% to 10% of all soft tissue sarcomas. They are termed SS because of their histologic resemblance to the synovium, but they rarely involve a synovial structure and are thought to arise from pluripotential mesenchymal cells. The tumor usually occurs in close association with tendon sheaths, bursae, and joint capsules, primarily in the para-articular regions of the extremities, with approximately 9% occurring in the head and neck region. Synovial sarcoma has been reported rarely in the oral cavity. We report a very rare case of Synovial sarcoma of the buccal mucosa in a 24-year-old male patient.
An Uncommon Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding in an 84-Year-Old Female
Authors: Prueksaritanond Suartcha , Barbaryan Aram , Ali Alaa M. , Mirrakhimov Aibek E.
Published: May 2013

The estimated annual incidence for drug-induced thrombocytopenia is 10 per million. Although fatal consequences are uncommon, life-threatening hemorrhage can occur due to spontaneous bleeding. We report a case of 84-year-old Caucasian female who presented to the emergency department with multiple episodes of bloody bowel movements. One week prior to this admission, she was started on trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for the treatment of skin abscess. On admission laboratory results showed platelet count of 4 × 103/mm3and hemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL. Because of unstable vital signs, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit where she received multiple units of platelet and blood transfusion. Drug-induced thrombocytopenia due to TMP/SMX was suspected. Intravenous methylprednisolone was started as well as immune globulin with good clinical response.
Effect of Bed Deformation on Natural Gas Production from Hydrates
Authors: Pallipurath Mohamed Iqbal
Published: May 2013

This work is based on modelling studies in an axisymmetric framework. The thermal stimulation of hydrated sediment is taken to occur by a centrally placed heat source. The model includes the hydrate dissociation and its effect on sediment bed deformation and resulting effect on gas production. A finite element package was customized to simulate the gas production from natural gas hydrate by considering the deformation of submarine bed. Three sediment models have been used to simulate gas production. The effect of sediment deformation on gas production by thermal stimulation is studied. Gas production rate is found to increase with an increase in the source temperature. Porosity of the sediment and saturation of the hydrate both have been found to significantly influence the rate of gas production.
Primo Vascular System Accompanying a Blood Vessel from Tumor Tissue and a Method to Distinguish It from the Blood or the Lymph System
Authors: Lim Jaekwan , Lee Sungwoo , Su Zhendong , Kim Hong Bae , Yoo Jung Sun , Soh Kwang-Sup , Kim Sungchul , Ryu Yeon Hee
Published: May 2013

A primo vessel was observed in the abdominal cavity in the lung cancer mouse model, and its function as an extra metastatic path was observed. In this work, we found a primo vessel accompanying a blood vessel emanating from a tumor in the skin. We also presented simple and efficient criteria to distinguish a primo vessel from a blood or a lymph vessel and from a nerve. The criteria for using DAPI and Phalloidin will be useful in clinical situations to find and identify the primo vessels among the blood vessels, lymph vessels, or nerves in the tissue surrounding a tumor such as a melanoma or breast cancer.
Information Propagation in Online Social Network Based on Human Dynamics
Authors: Yan Qiang , Wu Lianren , Liu Chao , Li Xiye
Published: May 2013

We investigate the impact of human dynamics on the information propagation in online social networks. First, statistical properties of the human behavior are studied using the data from “Sina Microblog,” which is one of the most popular online social networks in China. We find that human activity patterns are heterogeneous and bursty and are often described by a power-law interevent time distributionP(τ)~τ−α. Second, we proposed an extended Susceptible-Infected (SI) propagation model to incorporate bursty and limited attention. We unveil how bursty human behavior and limited attention affect the information propagation in online social networks. The result in this paper can be useful for optimizing or controlling information propagation in online social networks.