bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vacuolar H+-ATPase: An Essential Multitasking Enzyme in Physiology and Pathophysiology
Authors: Holliday L. Shannon
Published: January 2014

Vacuolar H+-ATPases (V-ATPases) are large multisubunit proton pumps that are required for housekeeping acidification of membrane-bound compartments in eukaryotic cells. Mammalian V-ATPases are composed of 13 different subunits. Their housekeeping functions include acidifying endosomes, lysosomes, phagosomes, compartments for uncoupling receptors and ligands, autophagosomes, and elements of the Golgi apparatus. Specialized cells, including osteoclasts, intercalated cells in the kidney and pancreatic beta cells, contain both the housekeeping V-ATPases and an additional subset of V-ATPases, which plays a cell type specific role. The specialized V-ATPases are typically marked by the inclusion of cell type specific isoforms of one or more of the subunits. Three human diseases caused by mutations of isoforms of subunits have been identified. Cancer cells utilize V-ATPases in unusual ways; characterization of V-ATPases may lead to new therapeutic modalities for the treatment of cancer. Two accessory proteins to the V-ATPase have been identified that regulate the proton pump. One is the (pro)renin receptor and data is emerging that indicates that V-ATPase may be intimately linked to renin/angiotensin signaling both systemically and locally. In summary, V-ATPases play vital housekeeping roles in eukaryotic cells. Specialized versions of the pump are required by specific organ systems and are involved in diseases.
Test and Evaluation of Autonomous Ground Vehicles
Authors: Sun Yang , Xiong Guangming , Song Weilong , Gong Jianwei , Chen Huiyan
Published: January 2014

A preestablished test and evaluation system will benefit the development of autonomous ground vehicles. This paper proposes a design method for a scientific and comprehensive test and evaluation system for autonomous ground vehicles competitions. It can better guide and regulate the development of China's autonomous ground vehicles. The test and evaluation system includes the test contents, the test environment, the test methods, and the evaluation methods. Using a hierarchical design approach, the test content is designed to be stage by stage, moving from simplicity to complexity and from individual modules to the entire vehicle. The hierarchical test environment is established according to the levels of test content. The test method based on multilevel platforms and sensors is put forward to ensure the accuracy of test results. A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method combined with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used for the comprehensive evaluation which can quantitatively evaluate the individual module and the overall technical performance of autonomous ground vehicles. The proposed test and evaluation system has been successfully applied to real autonomous ground vehicle competitions.
Potra-Pták Iterative Method with Memory
Authors: Lotfi Taher , Shateyi Stanford , Hadadi Sommayeh
Published: January 2014

The problem is to extend the method proposed by Soleymani et al. (2012) to a method with memory. Following this aim, a free parameter is calculated using Newton’s interpolatory polynomial of the third degree. So the R-order of convergence is increased from 4 to 6 without any new function evaluations. Numerically the extended method is examined along with comparison to some existing methods with the similar properties.
Primary Zonal High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for Prostate Cancer: Results of a Prospective Phase IIa Feasibility Study
Authors: Van Velthoven Roland , Aoun Fouad , Limani Ksenija , Narahari Krishna , Lemort Marc , Peltier Alexandre
Published: January 2014

Aims.In this study we report our results with storage of cryopreserved semen intended for preservation and subsequent infertility treatment in men with testicular cancer during the last 18 years.Methods.Cryopreserved semen of 523 men with testicular cancer was collected between October 1995 and the end of December 2012. Semen of 34 men (6.5%) was used for fertilization of their partners. They underwent 57 treatment cycles with cryopreserved, fresh, and/or donor sperm.Results.A total of 557 men have decided to freeze their semen before cancer treatment. Seminoma was diagnosed in 283 men (54.1%) and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors in 240 men (45.9%). 34 patients who returned for infertility treatment underwent 46 treatment cycles with cryopreserved sperm. Totally 16 pregnancies were achieved, that is, 34.8% pregnancy rate.Conclusion.The testicular cancer survivors have a good chance of fathering a child by using sperm cryopreserved prior to the oncology treatment, even when it contains only limited number of spermatozoa.
Chemical Composition, Functional Properties, and Effect of Inulin from TunisianAgave americanaL. Leaves on Textural Qualities of Pectin Gel
Authors: Bouaziz Mohamed Ali , Rassaoui Rabaa , Besbes Souhail
Published: January 2014

In this study, the chemical composition and functional properties ofAgave americanaL. (AA) leaves were determined. TheAgaveleaves powder had a high amount of total dietary fiber (38.40%), total sugars (45.83%), and protein (35.33%), with a relatively low content in ash (5.94%) and lipid (2.03%). TheAgaveleaves were exhibited with potential food application. TheAgaveinulin showed a significant difference compared with the commercial inulin as for aw (0.275 against 0.282), pH (5.53 against 5.98), ash (2.89% against 1.19%), protein (3.46% against 1.58%), water holding capacity (2.42% against 1.59%), solubility (73 g/L against 113 g/L), and emulsion capacity (14.48% against 21.42%), respectively. The textural properties ofAgaveinulin-pectin mixed gels were examined using instrumental Texture Profile Analysis (TPA). Firmness of the preparedAgaveinulin-pectin mixed gels was lower than the pectin gel (0.3554 N against 5.7238 N, resp.). This reduction of firmness showed a synergetic effect between pectin and inulin. These results suggested a positive interaction betweenAgaveinulin and pectin to decrease the firmness of mixed gels and open a good alternative to obtain value added products from this resource.
Feasibility of Development of a Cohort in a Rural Area of Sub-Himalayan Region of India to Assess the Emergence of Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors
Authors: Bhardwaj Ashok Kumar , Kumar Dinesh , Raina Sunil Kumar , Bhushan Satya , Chander Vishav , Sharma Sushant
Published: January 2014

Introduction. Rural area of India is facing epidemiological transitions due to growth and development, warranting a longitudinal study to assess the development of CVDs risk factors.Objective.Feasibility of setting up a rural cohort for the assessment and development of biochemical risk factors for CVDs.Methodology. In Himachal Pradesh, house-to-house surveys were carried out in six villages for anthropometry and assessment of lipid profile. All the information was stored in specifically designed web-based software, which can be retrieved at any time.Results. A total of 2749 individuals of more than 20 years of age were recruited with a 14.3% refusal rate. According to Asian criteria, measured overweight and obesity (BMI > 27.5 kg/m2) were 44.9% and 10.5%, respectively. Obesity was significantly more (P=0.01) among females (11.7%) as compared to males (8.4%). The prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was observed to be 16.3% and 37.4%, respectively. Eighty percent of individuals had borderline (46.5%) to high (35.4%) level of triglycerides (TGs). Elevated total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) level were observed among 30.0% and 11.0% individuals only.Conclusion. A high prevalence of biochemical risk factors for CVDs in a rural area urges establishment of an effective surveillance system.
Oxidative Stress, Prooxidants, and Antioxidants: The Interplay
Authors: Rahal Anu , Kumar Amit , Singh Vivek , Yadav Brijesh , Tiwari Ruchi , Chakraborty Sandip , Dhama Kuldeep
Published: January 2014

Oxidative stress is a normal phenomenon in the body. Under normal conditions, the physiologically important intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are maintained at low levels by various enzyme systems participating in thein vivoredox homeostasis. Therefore, oxidative stress can also be viewed as an imbalance between the prooxidants and antioxidants in the body. For the last two decades, oxidative stress has been one of the most burning topics among the biological researchers all over the world. Several reasons can be assigned to justify its importance: knowledge about reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production and metabolism; identification of biomarkers for oxidative damage; evidence relating manifestation of chronic and some acute health problems to oxidative stress; identification of various dietary antioxidants present in plant foods as bioactive molecules; and so on. This review discusses the importance of oxidative stress in the body growth and development as well as proteomic and genomic evidences of its relationship with disease development, incidence of malignancies and autoimmune disorders, increased susceptibility to bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases, and an interplay with prooxidants and antioxidants for maintaining a sound health, which would be helpful in enhancing the knowledge of any biochemist, pathophysiologist, or medical personnel regarding this important issue.
A Novel Approach for Discovering Condition-Specific Correlations of Gene Expressions within Biological Pathways by Using Cloud Computing Technology
Authors: Chang Tzu-Hao , Wu Shih-Lin , Wang Wei-Jen , Horng Jorng-Tzong , Chang Cheng-Wei
Published: January 2014

Microarrays are widely used to assess gene expressions. Most microarray studies focus primarily on identifying differential gene expressions between conditions (e.g., cancer versus normal cells), for discovering the major factors that cause diseases. Because previous studies have not identified the correlations of differential gene expression between conditions, crucial but abnormal regulations that cause diseases might have been disregarded. This paper proposes an approach for discovering the condition-specific correlations of gene expressions within biological pathways. Because analyzing gene expression correlations is time consuming, an Apache Hadoop cloud computing platform was implemented. Three microarray data sets of breast cancer were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and pathway information from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes was applied for discovering meaningful biological correlations. The results showed that adopting the Hadoop platform considerably decreased the computation time. Several correlations of differential gene expressions were discovered between the relapse and nonrelapse breast cancer samples, and most of them were involved in cancer regulation and cancer-related pathways. The results showed that breast cancer recurrence might be highly associated with the abnormal regulations of these gene pairs, rather than with their individual expression levels. The proposed method was computationally efficient and reliable, and stable results were obtained when different data sets were used. The proposed method is effective in identifying meaningful biological regulation patterns between conditions.
Xuezhikang Therapy Increases miR-33 Expression in Patients with Low HDL-C Levels
Authors: Cao Ruihua , Bai Yongyi , Sun Lan , Zheng Jin , Zu Mian , Du Guanhua , Ye Ping
Published: January 2014

Background. MicroRNA-33a and -b (miR-33a/b) have been revealed to be posttranscriptional regulators of HDL metabolism. Xuezhikang (XZK) is a marked natural HDL-raising polypill. We aim to evaluate the effects of XZK on the expression of circulating miR-33a/b in patients with low plasma HDL-C levels.Methods. A total of 42 participating patients with low baseline levels of HDL cholesterol were assigned to receive an XZK capsule, 600 mg twice daily for 6 months. The expression of circulating miR-33a/b was detected at baseline and after XZK therapy measured with quantitative reverse-transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Results. The mean (SD) HDL-C level after XZK treatment was 1.19 (0.13) mmol/L, representing an increase of 11.2% from baseline (P<0.001). Q-PCR analysis of plasma miRNAs revealed an increase in relative miR-33a/b expression with XZK treatment. The miR-33a expression was raised from 0.81 to 1.73 (P=0.012); miR-33b expression was increased from 1.2 to 2.75 (P<0.001). The changes of miR-33a and miR-33b were inversely related to the posttreatment LDL-C levels (r=-0.37,P=0.019;r=-0.33,P=0.035, resp.).Conclusion. In patients with low HDL-C levels, XZK therapy raised plasma levels of miR-33a and miR-33b, which may inhibit cellular cholesterol export and limit the HDL-raising effect of XZK.
Potential Activity of 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-propenonein Accelerating Wound Healing in Rats
Authors: Dhiyaaldeen Summaya M. , Alshawsh Mohammed A. , Salama Suzy M. , Alwajeeh Nahla S. I. , Al Batran Rami , Ismail Salmah , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen
Published: January 2014

Wound healing involves inflammation followed by granular tissue development and scar formation. In this study, synthetic chalcone 3-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-propenone (CPPP) was investigated for a potential role in enhancing wound healing and closure. Twenty-four male rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (0.2 mL), Intrasite gel, and CPPP (25 or 50 mg/mL). Gross morphology, wounds treatment with the CPPP, and Intrasite gel accelerate the rate of wound healing compared to CMC group. Ten days after surgery, the animals were sacrificed. Histological assessment revealed that the wounds treated with CPPP showed that wound closure site contained little amount of scar and the granulation tissue contained more collagen and less inflammatory cells than wound treated with CMC. This finding was confirmed with Masson’s trichrome staining. The antioxidant defence enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly increased in the wound homogenates treated with CPPP (P<0.05) compared to CMC treated group. However, in the CPPP treatment group, lipid peroxidation (MDA) was significantly decreased (P<0.05), suggesting that the CPPP also has an important role in protection against lipid peroxidation-induced skin injury after ten days of treatment with CPPP, which is similar to the values of cytokines TGF-βand TNF-αin tissue homogenate. Finally the administration of CPPP at a dosage of 25 and 50 mg/kg was suitable for the stimulation of wound healing.
An Improved Multipoint Relaying Scheme for Message Propagation in Distributed Peer-to-Peer System
Authors: Liao Zhiping , Liu Song , Xi Shengfeng
Published: January 2014

Message propagation is a primary means to locate resources in current unstructured peer-to-peer (P2P) systems and how to reduce effectively the redundant messages of propagation while keeping its high network coverage is what many researchers go in for in this field. In this paper, we propose the algorithm of LMPR, a scheme of improved MPR for message propagation in distributed unstructured P2P system. Based on analyzing the process and message redundancy of MPR, this paper proposes to add to such scheme a mechanism of specified relay-list to reduce further the number of its retransmitting of message. By attaching to each relay-peer a relay-list with peers it will relay message to, the scheme can assure that in the view of each decision-peer a broadcast message can be dispatched and only be dispatched once to every neighbor peer within 2 hops of it. Simulation results show that the scheme of LMPR has better performance than that of MPR in message redundancy, network overhead, and fluctuation brought to the system.
Carbonaceous Aerosols in Fine Particulate Matter of Santiago Metropolitan Area, Chile
Authors: Toro Araya Richard , Flocchini Robert , Morales Segura Rául G. E. , Leiva Guzmán Manuel A.
Published: January 2014

Measurements of carbonaceous aerosols in South American cities are limited, and most existing data are of short term and limited to only a few locations. For 6 years (2002–2007), concentrations of fine particulate matter and organic and elemental carbon were measured continuously in the capital of Chile. The contribution of carbonaceous aerosols to the primary and secondary fractions was estimated at three different sampling sites and in the warm and cool seasons. The results demonstrate that there are significant differences in the levels in both the cold (March to August) and warm (September to February) seasons at all sites studied. The percent contribution of total carbonaceous aerosol fine particulate matter was greater in the cool season (53 ± 41%) than in the warm season (44 ± 18%). On average, the secondary organic carbon in the city corresponded to 29% of the total organic carbon. In cold periods, this proportion may reach an average of 38%. A comparison of the results with the air quality standards for fine particulate matter indicates that the total carbonaceous fraction alone exceeds the World Health Organization standard (10 µg/m3) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency standard (15 µg/m3) for fine particulate matter.
Boost Full Bridge Bidirectional DC/DC Converter for Supervised Aeronautical Applications
Authors: Cavallo Alberto , Guida Beniamino , Rubino Luigi
Published: January 2014

The More Electrical Aircraft concept requires electronic devices able to efficiently and safely convert electrical power between different voltage levels. The entire realization of a bidirectional DC/DC converter, from design to validation phase, is here discussed in detail. First, a boost full bridge electrical structure is selected, adopting a Parallel Input Parallel Output (PIPO) interleaving technique and an optimal turns ratio selection for the transformers in order to reduce both weight and size of the equipment. Next, modulation schemes in both step-down and step-up modes are discussed. Successively ad hoc PI regulators for both operative modes are presented. A key idea of the paper is that the converter behavior must be related not only to the control strategy but also to a global supervision logic able to safely conduct the converter operations and to react from external stimuli. Thus, a finite state machine (FSM) approach is employed. An innovative strategy called buffer mode is presented, defined as an intelligent combination of buck and boost modes. Extensive simulations and experimental results are shown, in order to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Effect of Temporal Relationships in Associative Rule Mining for Web Log Data
Authors: Mohd Khairudin Nazli , Mustapha Aida , Ahmad Mohd Hanif
Published: January 2014

The advent of web-based applications and services has created such diverse and voluminous web log data stored in web servers, proxy servers, client machines, or organizational databases. This paper attempts to investigate the effect of temporal attribute in relational rule mining for web log data. We incorporated the characteristics of time in the rule mining process and analysed the effect of various temporal parameters. The rules generated from temporal relational rule mining are then compared against the rules generated from the classical rule mining approach such as the Apriori and FP-Growth algorithms. The results showed that by incorporating the temporal attribute via time, the number of rules generated is subsequently smaller but is comparable in terms of quality.
Multiple Positive Solutions to Nonlinear Boundary Value Problems of a System for Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Zhai Chengbo , Hao Mengru
Published: January 2014

By using Krasnoselskii's fixed point theorem, we study the existence of at least one or two positive solutions to a system of fractional boundary value problems given by-D0+ν1y1(t)=λ1a1(t)f(y1(t),y2(t)),  -D0+ν2y2(t)=λ2a2(t)g(y1(t),y2(t)),whereD0+νis the standard Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative,ν1,ν2∈(n-1,n]forn>3andn∈N, subject to the boundary conditionsy1(i)(0)=0=y2(i)(0), for0≤i≤n-2, and[D0+αy1(t)]t=1=0=[D0+αy2(t)]t=1, for1≤α≤n-2, ory1(i)(0)=0=y2(i)(0), for0≤i≤n-2, and[D0+αy1(t)]t=1=ϕ1(y1),[D0+αy2(t)]t=1=ϕ2(y2), for1≤α≤n-2,ϕ1,ϕ2∈C([0,1],R).Our results are new and complement previously known results. As an application, we also give an example to demonstrate our result.
Experimental Gasification of Biomass in an Updraft Gasifier with External Recirculation of Pyrolysis Gases
Authors: Surjosatyo Adi , Vidian Fajri , Nugroho Yulianto Sulistyo
Published: January 2014

The updraft gasifier is a simple type of reactor for the gasification of biomass that is easy to operate and has high conversion efficiency, although it produces high levels of tar. This study attempts to observe the performance of a modified updraft gasifier. A modified updraft gasifier that recirculates the pyrolysis gases from drying zone back to the combustion zone and gas outlet at reduction zone was used. In this study, the level of pyrolysis gases that returned to the combustion zone was varied, and as well as measurements of gas composition, lower heating value and tar content. The results showed that an increase in the amount of pyrolysis gases that returned to the combustion zone resulted in a decrease in the amount of tar produced. An increase in the amount of recirculated gases tended to increase the concentrations of H2and CH4and reduce the concentration of CO with the primary (gasification) air flow held constant. Increasing the primary air flow tended to increase the amount of CO and decrease the amount of H2. The maximum of lower heating value was 4.9 MJ/m3.
Characteristics, Process Parameters, and Inner Components of Anaerobic Bioreactors
Authors: Abdelgadir Awad , Chen Xiaoguang , Liu Jianshe , Xie Xuehui , Zhang Jian , Zhang Kai , Wang Heng , Liu Na
Published: January 2014

The anaerobic bioreactor applies the principles of biotechnology and microbiology, and nowadays it has been used widely in the wastewater treatment plants due to their high efficiency, low energy use, and green energy generation. Advantages and disadvantages of anaerobic process were shown, and three main characteristics of anaerobic bioreactor (AB), namely, inhomogeneous system, time instability, and space instability were also discussed in this work. For high efficiency of wastewater treatment, the process parameters of anaerobic digestion, such as temperature, pH, Hydraulic retention time (HRT), Organic Loading Rate (OLR), and sludge retention time (SRT) were introduced to take into account the optimum conditions for living, growth, and multiplication of bacteria. The inner components, which can improve SRT, and even enhance mass transfer, were also explained and have been divided into transverse inner components, longitudinal inner components, and biofilm-packing material. At last, the newly developed special inner components were discussed and found more efficient and productive.
A Symmetric Rank-One Quasi-Newton Method for Nonnegative Matrix Factorization
Authors: Lai Shu-Zhen , Li Hou-Biao , Zhang Zu-Tao
Published: January 2014

As is well known, the nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) is a dimension reduction method that has been widely used in image processing, text compressing, signal processing, and so forth. In this paper, an algorithm on nonnegative matrix approximation is proposed. This method is mainly based on a relaxed active set and the quasi-Newton type algorithm, by using the symmetric rank-one and negative curvature direction technologies to approximate the Hessian matrix. The method improves some recent results. In addition, some numerical experiments are presented in the synthetic data, imaging processing, and text clustering. By comparing with the other six nonnegative matrix approximation methods, this method is more robust in almost all cases.
Crop Yield Forecasting Using Artificial Neural Networks: A Comparison between Spatial and Temporal Models
Authors: Guo William W. , Xue Heru
Published: January 2014

Our recent study using historic data of wheat yield and associated plantation area, rainfall, and temperature has shown that incorporating statistics and artificial neural networks can produce highly satisfactory forecasting of wheat yield. However, no comparison has been made between the outcomes from the spatial neural network model and commonly used temporal neural network models in crop forecasting. This paper presents the latest research outcomes from using both the spatial and temporal neural network models in crop forecasting. Our simulation shows that the spatial NN model is able to predict the wheat yield with respect to a given plantation area with a high accuracy compared with the temporal NARNN and NARXNN models. However, the high accuracy of the spatial NN model in crop yield forecasting is limited to the forecasting of crop yield only within normal ranges. Users must be cautious when using either NARNN or NARXNN for crop yield forecasting due to their inconsistency between the results of training and forecasting.
Successful External Cephalic Version: Factors Predicting Vaginal Birth
Authors: Lim Pei Shan , Ng Beng Kwang , Ali Anizah , Shafiee Mohamad Nasir , Kampan Nirmala Chandralega , Mohamed Ismail Nor Azlin , Omar Mohd Hashim , Abdullah Mahdy Zaleha
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To determine the maternal and fetal outcomes of successful external cephalic version (ECV) as well as factors predicting vaginal birth.Methods. The ECV data over a period of three years at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) between 1 September 2008 and 30 September 2010 was reviewed. Sixty-seven patients who had successful ECV were studied and reviewed for maternal, fetal, and labour outcomes. The control group comprised patients with cephalic singletons of matching parity who delivered following the index cases.Results. The mean gestational age at ECV was263±6.52 days (37.5 weeks ± 6.52 days). Spontaneous labour and transient cardiotocographic (CTG) changes were the commonest early adverse effects following ECV. The reversion rate was 7.46%. The mean gestational age at delivery of the two groups was significantly different (P=0.000) with277.9±8.91days and269.9±9.68days in the study group and control groups, respectively. The study group needed significantly more inductions of labour. They required more operative deliveries, had more blood loss at delivery, a higher incidence of meconium-stained liquor, and more cord around the neck. Previous flexed breeches had a threefold increase in caesarean section rate compared to previous extended breeches (44.1% versus 15.2%,P=0.010). On the contrary, an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of 13 or more is significantly associated with a higher rate of vaginal birth (86.8% versus 48.3%,P=0.001).Conclusions. Patients with successful ECV were at higher risk of carrying the pregnancy beyond 40 weeks and needing induction of labour, with a higher rate of caesarean section and higher rates of obstetrics complications. Extended breech and AFI 13 or more were significantly more likely to deliver vaginally postsuccessful ECV. This additional information may be useful to caution a patient with breech that ECV does not bring them to behave exactly like a normal cephalic, so that they have more realistic expectations. However, these predictive factors needed further confirmation and hopefully, in the future, they would be able to further enhance counselling prior to ECV.
Weighed Nonlinear Hybrid Neural Networks in Underground Rescue Mission
Authors: Yao Hongxing , Ansong Mary Opokua , Huang Jun Steed
Published: January 2014

In our previous work, a novel model called compact radial basis function (CRBF) in a routing topology control has been modelled. The computational burden of Zhang and Gaussian transfer functions was modified by removing the power parameters on the models. The results showed outstanding performance over the Zhang and Gaussian models. This study researched on several hybrids forms of the model where cosine (cos) and sine (sin) nonlinear weights were imposed on the two transfer functions such that Y(out)=logsig(R)+[exp⁡⁡(-abs(R))]*(±cos⁡  or±sin(R)). The purpose was to identify the best hybrid that optimized all of its parameters with a minimum error. The results of the nonlinear weighted hybrids were compared with a hybrid of Gaussian model. Simulation revealed that the negative nonlinear weights hybrids optimized all the parameters and it is substantially superior to the previous approaches presented in the literature, with minimized errors of 0.0098, 0.0121, 0.0135, and 0.0129 for the negative cosine (HSCR-BF-cos), positive cosine (HSCR-BF+cos), negative sine (HSCR-BF-sin), and positive sine (HSCR-BF+sin) hybrids, respectively, while sigmoid and Gaussian radial basis functions (HSGR-BF+cos) were 0.0117. The proposed hybrid could serve as an alternative approach to underground rescue operation.
Lung Matrix Metalloproteinase Activation following Partial Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats
Authors: Palladini Giuseppina , Ferrigno Andrea , Rizzo Vittoria , Tarantola Eleonora , Bertone Vittorio , Freitas Isabel , Perlini Stefano , Richelmi Plinio , Vairetti Mariapia
Published: January 2014

Purpose. Warm hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury can lead to multiorgan dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether acute liver I/R does affect the function and/or structure of remote organs such as lung, kidney, and heart via modulation of extracellular matrix remodelling.Methods. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 30 min partial hepatic ischemia by clamping the hepatic artery and the portal vein. After a 60 min reperfusion, liver, lung, kidney, and heart biopsies and blood samples were collected. Serum hepatic enzymes, creatinine, urea, Troponin I and TNF-alpha, and tissue matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2, MMP-9), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and morphology were monitored.Results. Serum levels of hepatic enzymes and TNF-alpha were concomitantly increased during hepatic I/R. An increase in hepatic MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities was substantiated by tissue morphology alterations. Notably, acute hepatic I/R affect the lung inasmuch as MMP-9 activity and MPO levels were increased. No difference in MMPs and MPO was observed in kidney and heart.Conclusions. Although the underlying mechanism needs further investigation, this is the first study in which the MMP activation in a distant organ is reported; this event is probably TNF-alpha-mediated and the lung appears as the first remote organ to be involved in hepatic I/R injury.
Finite-Timel1-Gain Control for Positive Switched Systems with Time-Varying Delay via Delta Operator Approach
Authors: Li Shuo , Xiang Zhengrong , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: January 2014

This paper is concerned with the problem of finite-timel1-gain control for positive switched systems with time-varying delay via delta operator approach. Firstly, sufficient conditions which can guarantee thel1-gain finite-time boundedness of the underlying system are given by using the average dwell time approach and constructing an appropriate copositive type Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional in delta domain. Moreover, the obtained conditions can unify some previously suggested relevant results seen in literature of both continuous and discrete systems into the delta operator framework. Then, based on the results obtained, a state feedback controller is designed to ensure that the resulting closed-loop system is finite-time bounded with anl1-gain performance. Finally, a numerical example is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed method.
Block-Wise Two-Dimensional Maximum Margin Criterion for Face Recognition
Authors: Liu Xiao-Zhang , Yang Guan
Published: January 2014

Maximum margin criterion (MMC) is a well-known method for feature extraction and dimensionality reduction. However, MMC is based on vector data and fails to exploit local characteristics of image data. In this paper, we propose a two-dimensional generalized framework based on a block-wise approach for MMC, to deal with matrix representation data, that is, images. The proposed method, namely, block-wise two-dimensional maximum margin criterion (B2D-MMC), aims to find local subspace projections using unilateral matrix multiplication in each block set, such that in the subspace a block is close to those belonging to the same class but far from those belonging to different classes. B2D-MMC avoids iterations and alternations as in current bilateral projection based two-dimensional feature extraction techniques by seeking a closed form solution of one-side projection matrix for each block set. Theoretical analysis and experiments on benchmark face databases illustrate that the proposed method is effective and efficient.
Myelonecrosis: A Clinicopathological Study from a Tertiary Care Center in South India over a Twelve-Year Period
Authors: Rekha Jinkala Sree , Kar Rakhee , Basu Debdatta
Published: January 2014

Aims. To study the etiology, diagnostic features, and clinical significance of myelonecrosis. Methods. A retrospective review of all trephine biopsies done over 12 years (January 2000 to December 2012) in Department of pathology was done and all trephine biopsies showing MN were identified and studied. Results. Twenty-five cases accounting for 0.4% were identified. Fever and generalized weakness were the common presenting symptoms. Anemia was seen in all cases followed by thrombocytopaenia. Malignancy was the underlying cause in 64% of cases; hematolymphoid malignancy was seen in two-thirds and solid malignancies in one-third of the cases. Tuberculosis accounted for 16% of the cases and the etiology was unknown in 12%. Conclusions. The causes of MN are varied and hematological malignancy and solid malignancies are the most common causes. Presence of myelonecrosis is associated with a poor prognosis. Myelonecrosis may obscure the underlying disorder and hence a thorough search in the bone marrow biopsy itself with the help of immunohistochemistry may prove worthwhile in identifying the underlying disease.
Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Tanik Serhat , Sarikaya Savas , Zengin Kürşad , Albayrak Sebahattin , Yilmaz Yunus Keser , Akyol Lutfi
Published: January 2014

Introduction. There is an increasing interest in the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular risk factor. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with insulin resistance, increased cardiometabolic risk, and coronary artery disease. Our aim was to investigate relationships between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) as a cardiometabolic risk factor and erectile dysfunction.Method. We selected 30 erectile dysfunction patients without comorbidities and 30 healthy individuals. IIEF-5 score was applied to all patients, and IIEF-5 score below 22 was considered as erectile dysfunction. EFT was measured by echocardiography.Results. Body mass index (BMI) was higher in ED patients than those without ED (28.19 ± 4.45 kg/m2versus23.84±2.36 kg/m2,P = 0.001, resp.). Waist circumstance (WC) was higher in ED patients than those without ED (106.60±5.90versus87.86 ± 14.51,P = 0.001, resp.). EFT was higher in ED patients compared to non-ED patients (0.49 ± 0.09 cm versus0.45 ± 0.03 cm,P = 0.016, resp.). There was positive correlation among BMI, WC, and EFT. There was negative correlation between EFT and IIEF-5 score (r : -0.632,P = 0.001).Conclusion. EAT, BMI, and WC as cardiometabolic risk factors were higher in erectile dysfunction patients.
Involving Users to Improve the Collaborative Logical Framework
Authors: Santos Olga C. , Boticario Jesus G.
Published: January 2014

In order to support collaboration in web-based learning, there is a need for an intelligent support that facilitates its management during the design, development, and analysis of the collaborative learning experience and supports both students and instructors. At aDeNu research group we have proposed the Collaborative Logical Framework (CLF) to create effective scenarios that support learning through interaction, exploration, discussion, and collaborative knowledge construction. This approach draws on artificial intelligence techniques to support and foster an effective involvement of students to collaborate. At the same time, the instructors’ workload is reduced as some of their tasks—especially those related to the monitoring of the students behavior—are automated. After introducing the CLF approach, in this paper, we present two formative evaluations with users carried out to improve the design of this collaborative tool and thus enrich the personalized support provided. In the first one, we analyze, following the layered evaluation approach, the results of an observational study with 56 participants. In the second one, we tested the infrastructure to gather emotional data when carrying out another observational study with 17 participants.
Multifractal Framework Based on Blanket Method
Authors: Paskaš Milorad P. , Reljin Irini S. , Reljin Branimir D.
Published: January 2014

This paper proposes two local multifractal measures motivated by blanket method for calculation of fractal dimension. They cover both fractal approaches familiar in image processing. The first two measures (proposed Methods 1 and 3) support model of image with embedded dimension three, while the other supports model of image embedded in space of dimension three (proposed Method 2). While the classical blanket method provides only one value for an image (fractal dimension) multifractal spectrum obtained by any of the proposed measures gives a whole range of dimensional values. This means that proposed multifractal blanket model generalizes classical (monofractal) blanket method and other versions of this monofractal approach implemented locally. Proposed measures are validated on Brodatz image database through texture classification. All proposed methods give similar classification results, while average computation time of Method 3 is substantially longer.
Ultrasound-Guided Multiple Peripheral Nerve Blocks in a Superobese Patient
Authors: Kilicaslan Alper , Topal Ahmet , Erol Atilla , Borazan Hale , Bilge Onur , Otelcioglu Seref
Published: January 2014

The number of obese patients has increased dramatically worldwide. Morbid obesity is associated with an increased incidence of medical comorbidities and restricts the application choices in anesthesiology. We report a successfully performed combined ultrasound-guided blockade of the femoral, tibial, and common peroneal nerve in a superobese patient. We present a case report of a 31-year-old, ASA-PS II, super obese man (190 kg, 180 cm, BMI: 58 kg/m2) admitted to the emergency department with a type II segmental tibia shaft fracture and ankle dislocation after a vehicle accident. After two failed spinal anesthesia attempts, we decided to apply a femoral block combined with a sciatic block. Femoral blocks were successfully performed with US guided in-plane technique. Separate blocks of the tibial and common peroneal nerves were planned after the sciatic nerve could not be located due to the thick subcutaneous tissue. We performed a tibial nerve block at 2 cm above the popliteal crease and common peroneal nerve at the level of the fibular head with US guided in-plane technique. The blocks were successful and no block-related complications were noted. Ultrasound guidance allows new approaches for multiple peripheral nerve blocks with low local anesthetic doses in obese patients.
Do Nutritional Supplements Have a Role in Age Macular Degeneration Prevention?
Authors: Pinazo-Durán Maria D. , Gómez-Ulla Francisco , Arias Luis , Araiz Javier , Casaroli-Marano Ricardo , Gallego-Pinazo Roberto , García-Medina Jose J. , López-Gálvez Maria Isabel , Manzanas Lucía , Salas Anna , Zapata Miguel , Diaz-Llopis Manuel , García-Layana Alfredo
Published: January 2014

Purpose. To review the proposed pathogenic mechanisms of age macular degeneration (AMD), as well as the role of antioxidants (AOX) and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3) supplements in AMD prevention.Materials and Methods. Current knowledge on the cellular/molecular mechanisms of AMD and the epidemiologic/experimental studies on the effects of AOX andω-3 were addressed all together with the scientific evidence and the personal opinion of professionals involved in the Retina Group of the OFTARED (Spain).Results. High dietary intakes ofω-3 and macular pigments lutein/zeaxanthin are associated with lower risk of prevalence and incidence in AMD. The Age-Related Eye Disease study (AREDS) showed a beneficial effect of high doses of vitamins C, E, beta-carotene, and zinc/copper in reducing the rate of progression to advanced AMD in patients with intermediate AMD or with one-sided late AMD. The AREDS-2 study has shown that lutein and zeaxanthin may substitute beta-carotene because of its potential relationship with increased lung cancer incidence.Conclusion. Research has proved that elder people with poor diets, especially with low AOX andω-3 micronutrients intake and subsequently having low plasmatic levels, are more prone to developing AMD. Micronutrient supplementation enhances antioxidant defense and healthy eyes and might prevent/retard/modify AMD.
Oxidative Status and Acute Phase Reactants in Patients with Environmental Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Authors: Sezgi Cengizhan , Taylan Mahsuk , Selimoglu Sen Hadice , Evliyaoğlu Osman , Kaya Halide , Abakay Ozlem , Abakay Abdurrahman , Tanrıkulu Abdullah Cetin , Senyiğit Abdurrahman
Published: January 2014

Background and Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory indicators and oxidative status in patients with asbestos exposure with and without mesothelioma and to compare results with data from healthy subjects.Methods. Eighty people with exposure to environmental asbestos and without any disease, 46 mesothelioma patients, and a control group of 50 people without exposure to environmental asbestos were enrolled in this prospective study. Serum total oxidant level (TOL), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and oxidative stress index (OSI), CRP, transferrin, ceruloplasmin,α-1 antitrypsin, ferritin, and copper levels were measured.Results. Mesothelioma group exhibited higher TOL, OSI,α1-antitrypsin, ferritin and copper levels as compared to the other groups (P<0.001,P=0.007,P<0.0001,P<0.001, andP<0.001, resp.). Transferrin was lower in the mesothelioma group than in the other two groups (P<0.001). The asbestos group had higher TOL, TAC,α1-antitrypsin, and transferrin levels (P<0.001,P<0.001,P<0.001, andP<0.001, resp.), as well as lower OSI and ferritin levels as compared to the control group (P<0.001andP<0.001).Conclusions. We believe that elevated acute phase reactants and oxidative stress markers (TOL and OSI) in the mesothelioma group can be used as predictive markers for the development of asbestos-related malignancy.
In VitroEffect of Aqueous Extract and Fraction IV Portion ofXimenia americanaStem Bark onTrypanosoma congolenseDNA
Authors: Maikai Victor Ambrose , Maikai Beatty Viv , Kobo Patricia Ishyaku
Published: January 2014

Trypanosomosis is a debilitating disease affecting mainly livestock and humans in tropical Africa. Chemically synthesized drugs and medicinal plants have been used in the treatment and control of this disease. In this study, thein vitroeffect of aqueous extracts and fraction IV extract ofXimenia americanastem bark onTrypanosoma congolenseDNA was investigated. The extracts were incubated with the parasitesin vitroat 300 mg/mL aqueous extract and 25 mg/mL fraction IV portion for 30, 60, and 120 mins. The DNA of the trypanosomes was isolated and digested using ECOR1 enzyme and subsequently PCR was carried out. Results showed that aqueous extract and fraction IV portion immobilized 55% and 90% of the trypanosomes after 30-minute incubation. Subsequent isolation of the parasite DNA and agarose gel electrophoresis did not reveal that cell death was as a result of DNA fragmentation. This suggests that cell death was by another mechanism of action.
Study of Water Absorption in RaffiaviniferaFibres from Bandjoun, Cameroon
Authors: Sikame Tagne N. R. , Njeugna E. , Fogue M. , Drean J.-Y. , Nzeukou A. , Fokwa D.
Published: January 2014

The study is focused on the water diffusion phenomenon through the Raffiaviniferafibre from the stem. The knowledge on the behavior of those fibres in presence of liquid during the realization of biocomposite, is necessary. The parameters like percentage of water gain at the point of saturation, modelling of the kinetic of water absorption, and the effective diffusion coefficient were the main objectives. Along a stem of raffia, twelve zones of sampling were defined. From Fick’s 2nd law of diffusion, a new model was proposed and evaluated compared to four other models at a constant temperature of 23°C. From the proposed model, the effective diffusion coefficient was deduced. The percentage of water gain was in the range of 303–662%. The proposed model fitted better to the experimental data. The estimated diffusion coefficient was evaluated during the initial phase and at the final phase. In any cross section located along the stem of Raffiavinifera, it was found that the effective diffusion coefficient increases from the periphery to the centre during the initial and final phases.
Prediction of Tetraoxygen Reaction Mechanism with Sulfur Atom on the Singlet Potential Energy Surface
Authors: Khademzadeh Ashraf , Vahedpour Morteza , Karami Fereshte
Published: January 2014

The mechanism of S+O4(D2h) reaction has been investigated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df) and CCSD levels on the singlet potential energy surface. One stable complex has been found for the S+O4(D2h) reaction, IN1, on the singlet potential energy surface. For the title reaction, we obtained four kinds of products at the B3LYP level, which have enough thermodynamic stability. The results reveal that the product P3 is spontaneous and exothermic with −188.042 and −179.147 kcal/mol in Gibbs free energy and enthalpy of reaction, respectively. Because P1 adduct is produced after passing two low energy level transition states, kinetically, it is the most favorable adduct in the1S+1O4(D2h) atmospheric reactions.
Impacts of Nickel Nanoparticles on Mineral Carbonation
Authors: Bodor Marius , Santos Rafael M. , Chiang Yi Wai , Vlad Maria , Van Gerven Tom
Published: January 2014

This work presents experimental results regarding the use of pure nickel nanoparticles (NiNP) as a mineral carbonation additive. The aim was to confirm if the catalytic effect of NiNP, which has been reported to increase the dissolution of CO2and the dissociation of carbonic acid in water, is capable of accelerating mineral carbonation processes. The impacts of NiNP on the CO2mineralization by four alkaline materials (pure CaO and MgO, and AOD and CC steelmaking slags), on the product mineralogy, on the particle size distribution, and on the morphology of resulting materials were investigated. NiNP-containing solution was found to reach more acidic pH values upon CO2bubbling, confirming a higher quantity of bicarbonate ions. This effect resulted in acceleration of mineral carbonation in the first fifteen minutes of reaction time when NiNP was present. After this initial stage, however, no benefit of NiNP addition was seen, resulting in very similar carbonation extents after one hour of reaction time. It was also found that increasing solids content decreased the benefit of NiNP, even in the early stages. These results suggest that NiNP has little contribution to mineral carbonation processes when the dissolution of alkaline earth metals is rate limiting.