bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method to Solve the Side Effects of Dual-Line Timed Address Event Vision System
Authors: Xu Jiangtao , Zhang Mengxing , Yan Shi , Yao Suying
Published: November 2014

A method to reduce the side effects of dual-line timed address-event (TAE) vision system is proposed in this paper. The side effects include edge discontinuity and the natural insensitivity to object edges in the motion direction. X-event, a kind of artificial event is introduced to represent light intensity difference perpendicular to the motion direction of the target object. New timestamps are attached to the raw TAE data to adjust temporary resolution to the same order of magnitude with the vertical axis in the TAE representation. After removing noisy and redundant events, designed templates are used to generate X-events to renovate broken lines and reproduce perpendicular edges. It is a real-time process which is unnecessary to wait for the collection of all the raw TAE data. A behavioral model of a 2 × 256 TAE vision sensor is established in Matlab, and X-events Generation block is realized in FPGA. Experimental results show that the proposed method can patch the TAE representation effectively to obtain a one-pixel-wide, precise, closed and connected contour.
Parities and polynomial invariants for virtual links
Authors: Im Young Ho , Park Kyoung Il , Shin Mi Hwa
Published: November 2014

We introduce the odd Jones–Kauffman polynomial and odd Miyazawa polynomials of virtual link diagrams by using the parity of virtual link diagrams given in [Y. H. Im and K. I. Park, A parity and a multi-variable polynomial invariant for virtual links, J. Knot Theory Ramifications22(13) (2013), Article ID: 1350073, 18pp.], which are different from the original Jones–Kauffman and Miyazawa polynomials. Also, we give a family of parities and odd polynomials for virtual knots so that many virtual knots can be distinguished.
Thermodynamics Study of Removal of Heavy Metal by TiN-Nanotubes
Authors: Mahdavian Leila
Published: November 2014

The ability of TiN -nanotube to remove lead ( Pb ( II )) and arsenic ( As ( III )) ions from aqueous solutions is investigated. The thermodynamics properties of Pb ( II ) and As ( III ) ions passing through TiN -nanotubes ( TiN - NTs ) is calculated in basis set (B3LYP/6-31G**) DFT-IR method by Gaussian program package.

The results showed, Pb ( II ) and As ( III ) passing through had low potential in middle nanotubes, and are trapped in this place. The thermodynamic properties showed; the passing through are spontaneous and favorable because ΔGele (MJ/mol) is negative for them. The goal of this study is the detection of surface species of TiN - NTs for metal ions removal by using computer calculations. The structural and thermodynamic properties studied ions absorption on TiN - NTs at room temperature.
Activation of ENaC by AVP contributes to the urinary concentrating mechanism and dilution of plasma
Authors: Mironova Elena , Chen Yu , Pao Alan C. , Roos Karl P. , Kohan Donald E. , Bugaj Vladislav , Stockand James D.
Published: November 2014

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) activates the epithelial Na+channel (ENaC). The physiological significance of this activation is unknown. The present study tested if activation of ENaC contributes to AVP-sensitive urinary concentration. Consumption of a 3% NaCl solution induced hypernatremia and plasma hypertonicity in mice. Plasma AVP concentration and urine osmolality increased in hypernatremic mice in an attempt to compensate for increases in plasma tonicity. ENaC activity was elevated in mice that consumed 3% NaCl solution compared with mice that consumed a diet enriched in Na+with ad libitum tap water; the latter diet does not cause hypernatremia. To determine whether the increase in ENaC activity in mice that consumed 3% NaCl solution served to compensate for hypernatremia, mice were treated with the ENaC inhibitor benzamil. Coadministration of benzamil with 3% NaCl solution decreased urinary osmolality and increased urine flow so that urinary Na+excretion increased with no effect on urinary Na+concentration. This decrease in urinary concentration further increased plasma Na+concentration, osmolality, and AVP concentration in these already hypernatremic mice. Benzamil similarly compromised urinary concentration in water-deprived mice and in mice treated with desmopressin. These results demonstrate that stimulation of ENaC by AVP plays a critical role in water homeostasis by facilitating urinary concentration, which can compensate for hypernatremia or exacerbate hyponatremia. The present findings are consistent with ENaC in addition to serving as a final effector of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and blood pressure homeostasis, also playing a key role in water homeostasis by regulating urine concentration and dilution of plasma.
Stimulus-timing-dependent modifications of rate-level functions in animals with and without tinnitus
Authors: Stefanescu Roxana A. , Koehler Seth D. , Shore Susan E.
Published: November 2014

Tinnitus has been associated with enhanced central gain manifested by increased spontaneous activity and sound-evoked firing rates of principal neurons at various stations of the auditory pathway. Yet, the mechanisms leading to these modifications are not well understood. In a recent in vivo study, we demonstrated that stimulus-timing-dependent bimodal plasticity mediates modifications of spontaneous and tone-evoked responses of fusiform cells in the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN) of the guinea pig. Fusiform cells from sham animals showed primarily Hebbian learning rules while noise-exposed animals showed primarily anti-Hebbian rules, with broadened profiles for the animals with behaviorally verified tinnitus (Koehler SD, Shore SE. J Neurosci 33: 19647–19656, 2013a). In the present study we show that well-timed bimodal stimulation induces alterations in the rate-level functions (RLFs) of fusiform cells. The RLF gains and maximum amplitudes show Hebbian modifications in sham and no-tinnitus animals but anti-Hebbian modifications in noise-exposed animals with evidence for tinnitus. These findings suggest that stimulus-timing bimodal plasticity produced by the DCN circuitry is a contributing mechanism to enhanced central gain associated with tinnitus.
Related neuropeptides use different balances of unitary mechanisms to modulate the cardiac neuromuscular system in the American lobster,Homarus americanus
Authors: Dickinson Patsy S. , Calkins Andrew , Stevens Jake S.
Published: November 2014

To produce flexible outputs, neural networks controlling rhythmic motor behaviors can be modulated at multiple levels, including the pattern generator itself, sensory feedback, and the response of the muscle to a given pattern of motor output. We examined the role of two related neuropeptides, GYSDRNYLRFamide (GYS) and SGRNFLRFamide (SGRN), in modulating the neurogenic lobster heartbeat, which is controlled by the cardiac ganglion (CG). When perfused though an isolated whole heart at low concentrations, both peptides elicited increases in contraction amplitude and frequency. At higher concentrations, both peptides continued to elicit increases in contraction amplitude, but GYS caused a decrease in contraction frequency, while SGRN did not alter frequency. To determine the sites at which these peptides induce their effects, we examined the effects of the peptides on the periphery and on the isolated CG. When we removed the CG and stimulated the motor nerve with constant bursts of stimuli, both GYS and SGRN increased contraction amplitude, indicating that each peptide modulates the muscle or the neuromuscular junction. When applied to the isolated CG, neither peptide altered burst frequency at low peptide concentrations; at higher concentrations, SGRN decreased burst frequency, whereas GYS continued to have no effect on frequency. Together, these data suggest that the two peptides elicit some of their effects using different mechanisms; in particular, given the known feedback pathways within this system, the importance of the negative (nitric oxide) relative to the positive (stretch) feedback pathways may differ in the presence of the two peptides.
Microstimulation of area V4 has little effect on spatial attention and on perception of phosphenes evoked in area V1
Authors: Dagnino Bruno , Gariel-Mathis Marie-Alice , Roelfsema Pieter R.
Published: November 2014

Previous transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies suggested that feedback from higher to lower areas of the visual cortex is important for the access of visual information to awareness. However, the influence of cortico-cortical feedback on awareness and the nature of the feedback effects are not yet completely understood. In the present study, we used electrical microstimulation in the visual cortex of monkeys to test the hypothesis that cortico-cortical feedback plays a role in visual awareness. We investigated the interactions between the primary visual cortex (V1) and area V4 by applying microstimulation in both cortical areas at various delays. We report that the monkeys detected the phosphenes produced by V1 microstimulation but subthreshold V4 microstimulation did not influence V1 phosphene detection thresholds. A second experiment examined the influence of V4 microstimulation on the monkeys' ability to detect the dimming of one of three peripheral visual stimuli. Again, microstimulation of a group of V4 neurons failed to modulate the monkeys' perception of a stimulus in their receptive field. We conclude that conditions exist where microstimulation of area V4 has only a limited influence on visual perception.
Early-onset cortico-cortical synchronization in the hemiparkinsonian rat model
Authors: Jávor-Duray B. N. , Vinck M. , van der Roest M. , Mulder A. B. , Stam C. J. , Berendse H. W. , Voorn P.
Published: November 2014

Changes in synchronized neuronal oscillatory activity are reported in both cortex and basal ganglia of Parkinson's disease patients. The origin of these changes, in particular their relationship with the progressive nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation, is unknown. Therefore, in the present study we studied interregional neuronal synchronization in motor cortex and basal ganglia during the development of dopaminergic degeneration induced by a unilateral infusion of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the rat medial forebrain bundle. We performed serial local field potential recordings bilaterally in the motor cortex and the subthalamic nucleus of the lesioned hemisphere prior to, during, and after development of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic cell loss. We obtained signal from freely moving rats in both resting and walking conditions, and we computed local spectral power, interregional synchronization (using phase lag index), and directionality (using Granger causality). After neurotoxin injection the first change in phase lag index was an increment in cortico-cortical synchronization. We observed increased bidirectional Granger causality in the beta frequency band between cortex and subthalamic nucleus within the lesioned hemisphere. In the walking condition, the 6-OHDA lesion-induced changes in synchronization resembled that of the resting state, whereas the changes in Granger causality were less pronounced after the lesion. Considering the relatively preserved connectivity pattern of the cortex contralateral to the lesioned side and the early emergence of increased cortico-cortical synchronization during development of the 6-OHDA lesion, we suggest a putative compensatory role of cortico-cortical coupling.
A Mathematical Model of Cancer Treatment by Radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Zijian , Yang Chenxue
Published: November 2014

A periodic mathematical model of cancer treatment by radiotherapy is presented and studied in this paper. Conditions on the coexistence of the healthy and cancer cells are obtained. Furthermore, sufficient conditions on the existence and globally asymptotic stability of the positive periodic solution, the cancer eradication periodic solution, and the cancer win periodic solution are established. Some numerical examples are shown to verify the validity of the results. A discussion is presented for further study.
Using Capacitance Sensor to Extract Characteristic Signals of Dozing from Skin Surface
Authors: Chen Po-Ying , Chen Chi-Chang , Yeh Wen-Kuan , Chang Yukan , Huang Der-Chen , Yu Shyr-Shen , Tsai Chwei-Shyong , Huang Yu-Jung , Lin Wei-Cheng , Chu Shao-I , Pan Chung-Long , Lin Tsung-Hung , Liu Shyh-Chang
Published: November 2014

Skin is the largest organ of the human body and a physiological structure that is directly exposed to the environment. From a theoretical perspective, numerous physiological and psychological signals use the skin as a medium for input and output with the outside world. Therefore, the skin is considered an optimal signal interception point when developing noninvasive, direct, and rapid signal exploration devices. To date, skin signal interceptions are predominantly performed by measuring skin impedance. However, this method is prone to interference such as sweat secretion, salt accumulation on the skin, and muscle contractions, which may result in a substantial amount of interference and erroneous results. The present study proposes novel and effective methods for skin signal interception, such as using a nested probe as a sensor to measure capacitance to be further processed as physiological and psychological signals. The experimental results indicate that the capacitance curve for the transition between wakefulness and dozing exhibits significant changes. This change in the curve can be analyzed by computer programs to clearly and rapidly determine whether the subject has entered the initial phases of sleep.
Densification Behaviour and Mechanical Properties of Aluminium Oxide and Cerium Oxide-Doped Yttria Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal Ceramics Using Two-Step Sintering
Authors: Golieskardi M. , Satgunam M. , Ragurajan D.
Published: November 2014

The densification behaviour, mechanical properties, and microstructure of high-purity Al2O3and CeO2-doped Y-TZP with different weight percentage varied from 0.3 to 1 wt% were investigated. The samples were pressed uniaxially at 200 MPa into rectangular bars and discs and pressureless-sintered at temperature ranging between 1250°C and 1450°C for 2 h while the microstructure was characterized with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two-step sintering process works well for temperature higher than 1400°C and it created most tetragonal phase arrangement for stable structure to delay ageing through phase transformation. The mechanical properties in terms of bulk density, Young’s modulus, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness were also measured. The results indicate that the addition of dopants accelerated the densification parameters and reinforced and toughened the obtained bodies. The maximum values for the mechanical properties of the Al2O3and CeO2-doped Y-TZP ceramics were 6.01, 220 GPa, 13.8 GPa, and 7 MPa for density, Young’s modulus, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness, respectively, which are higher than those of the doped samples.
Lossy-Transmission-Line Analysis of Frequency Reconfigurable Rectangular-Ring Microstrip Antenna
Authors: Nugroho Bambang Setia , Zulkifli Fitri Yuli , Rahardjo Eko Tjipto
Published: November 2014

An analytical model for a frequency reconfigurable rectangular-ring microstrip antenna is proposed. The resonant frequencies and input impedance of the reconfigurable antenna are analyzed using a lossy-transmission-line (LTL) model. By making use of Y-admittance matrices, a formulation for the input impedance is analytically derived. The structure of the frequency reconfigurable antenna consists of a rectangular-ring shaped microstrip antenna which is loaded with a rectangular patch in the middle of the rectangular-ring antenna and fed by a microstrip line. RF switches are applied to connect the load to the antenna in order to reconfigure the operating frequencies. By modeling the antenna into a multiport equivalent circuit, the total input impedance is analytically derived to predict the resonant frequencies. To verify the analysis, the model input impedance and reflection coefficient calculation have been compared with the full-wave simulation and measurement results. The proposed model shows good agreement with full-wave simulated and measured results in the range of 1–3 GHz.
Mild Anemia and Pregnancy Outcome in a Swiss Collective
Authors: Bencaiova Gabriela , Breymann Christian
Published: November 2014

Background. Over half of all women in the world experience anemia during their pregnancy. Our aim was to investigate the relation between hemoglobin and iron status examined in second trimester and pregnancy outcome.Methods. In a prospective longitudinal study, 382 pregnant women were included. Blood samples were examined for hematological status and serum ferritin between 16 and 20 weeks and for hemoglobin before delivery. The adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes were determined. Regression analysis was performed to establish if anemia and low serum ferritin are risk factors for pregnancy complications.Results. There was no increase of complications in women with mild anemia and in women with depleted iron stores. The finding showed that mild iron deficiency anemia and depleted iron stores are not risk factors for adverse outcomes in iron supplemented women.Conclusions. Mild anemia and depleted iron stores detected early in pregnancy were not associated with adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in iron supplemented women.
Objectifying Facial Expressivity Assessment of Parkinson’s Patients: Preliminary Study
Authors: Wu Peng , Gonzalez Isabel , Patsis Georgios , Jiang Dongmei , Sahli Hichem , Kerckhofs Eric , Vandekerckhove Marie
Published: November 2014

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) can exhibit a reduction of spontaneous facial expression, designated as “facial masking,” a symptom in which facial muscles become rigid. To improve clinical assessment of facial expressivity of PD, this work attempts to quantify the dynamic facial expressivity (facial activity) of PD by automatically recognizing facial action units (AUs) and estimating their intensity. Spontaneous facial expressivity was assessed by comparing 7 PD patients with 8 control participants. To voluntarily produce spontaneous facial expressions that resemble those typically triggered by emotions, six emotions (amusement, sadness, anger, disgust, surprise, and fear) were elicited using movie clips. During the movie clips, physiological signals (facial electromyography (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG)) and frontal face video of the participants were recorded. The participants were asked to report on their emotional states throughout the experiment. We first examined the effectiveness of the emotion manipulation by evaluating the participant’s self-reports. Disgust-induced emotions were significantly higher than the other emotions. Thus we focused on the analysis of the recorded data during watching disgust movie clips. The proposed facial expressivity assessment approach captured differences in facial expressivity between PD patients and controls. Also differences between PD patients with different progression of Parkinson’s disease have been observed.
Adsorption of Arsenite by Six Submerged Plants from Nansi Lake, China
Authors: Zhang Zhibin , Sun Yulin , Sun Cuizhen , Wang Ning , Zhang Yanhao
Published: November 2014

Nansi Lake is the largest and the most important freshwater lake in north China for the South-North Water Transfer Project. Due to long-time and large-scale fish farming of history, the excess fish food and excretion usually release pentavalent arsenic, which is converted into trivalent arsenic (As (III)) in the lake sediment and released into lake water. Adsorption of arsenite using six submerged plants (Mimulicalyx rosulatus,Potamogeton maackianus,Hydrilla,Watermifoil,Pteris vittata, andPotamogeton crispus) as adsorbing materials was investigated. The experimental data obtained have been analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models and the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion kinetics models. According to the results, the As (III) equilibrium data agreed well with the Freundlich isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of the plants was in the following order:Potamogeton crispus>Pteris vittata>Potamogeton maackianus>Mimulicalyx rosulatus>Hydrilla>Watermifoil. The sorption system with the six submerged plants was better described by pseudo-second-order than by first-order kinetics. Moreover, the adsorption withPotamogeton crispuscould follow intraparticle diffusion (IPD) model. The initial adsorption and rate of IPD usingPotamogeton crispusandPteris vittatawere higher than those using other plants studied.
Fatal Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in a Young Boy with Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Medulloblastoma on High Dose Dexamethasone
Authors: Wong Victor , Lefloch Nathalie , Crawford John R.
Published: November 2014

A 10-year-old boy with newly diagnosed metastatic medulloblastoma was placed on high dose dexamethasone and ranitidine prior to surgery. The child underwent subtotal resection and was discharged 5 days postoperatively with an uneventful hospital course on a tapering dose of dexamethasone and ranitidine. Over the next 2 days the patient complained of mild abdominal distension with flatulence, without pain, vomiting, or dysmotility. On follow-up in clinic 5 days after discharge, he had normal vital signs when he suddenly became pale and had loss of consciousness. Emergent computerized tomography of the head showed no acute hemorrhage and complete blood count revealed hemoglobin of 4.2 gm/dL. In spite of maximum resuscitation with copious blood products the patient died. Autopsy revealed evidence of duodenal perforation with intraluminal hemorrhage. This case demonstrates a rare fatal complication of high dose dexamethasone therapy even with concurrent gastrointestinal prophylactic therapy. We provide a review of the limited literature on steroid use in pediatric neurooncology with regard to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Recent Advances in Delivery Systems and Therapeutics of Cinnarizine: A Poorly Water Soluble Drug with Absorption Window in Stomach
Authors: Raghuvanshi Smita , Pathak Kamla
Published: November 2014

Low solubility causing low dissolution in gastrointestinal tract is the major problem for drugs meant for systemic action after oral administration, like cinnarizine. Pharmaceutical products of cinnarizine are commercialized globally as immediate release preparations presenting low absorption with low and erratic bioavailability. Approaches to enhance bioavailability are widely cited in the literature. An attempt has been made to review the bioavailability complications and clinical therapeutics of poorly water soluble drug: cinnarizine. The interest of writing this paper is to summarize the pharmacokinetic limitations of drug with special focus on strategies to improvise bioavailability along with effectiveness of novel dosage forms to circumvent the obstacle. The paper provides insight to the approaches to overcome low and erratic bioavailability of cinnarizine by cyclodextrin complexes and novel dosage forms: self-nanoemulsifying systems and buoyant microparticulates. Nanoformulations need to systematically explored in future, for their new clinical role in prophylaxis of migraine attacks in children. Clinical reports have affirmed the role of cinnarizine in migraine prophylaxis. Research needs to be dedicated to develop dosage forms for efficacious bioavailability and drug directly to brain.
Ureteroarterial Fistula from Ureteral Stump: A Challenging Case
Authors: Pozzilli Pietro , Lenti Massimo , Mosca Stefano , Nunzi Elisabetta , Mearini Luigi
Published: November 2014

Ureteroarterial fistula (UAF) is a relatively rare condition with about 150 cases reported in the literature. Since it is a potentially life-threatening condition, a prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial. We present here a rare, challenging case of UAF diagnosed after left nephrectomy, thus involving the ureteral stump. The difficult diagnosis and treatment by contemporary use of endovascular stent placement and ureteral occlusion by mean of metallic coils and Onyx injection are discussed.
Abundance and Diversity of Holothuroids in Shallow Habitats of the Northern Red Sea
Authors: Yuval Boaz , Sudai Lee , Ziv Yarden
Published: November 2014

Holothuroid sea cucumbers are vital members of Coral Reefs and associated marine habitats and provide vital ecological services. In the southern regions of the Red Sea their populations have been decimated by overfishing. The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the northern part of the Red Sea serves as an ecological refuge for the species threatened farther to the south. Accordingly, populations of sea cucumbers in 4 shallow sites south of Eilat, Israel (29°33′00N 34°57′14E), were repeatedly surveyed from November 2013 to April 2014. Overall 11 species were observed in these shallow sites. Their abundance and diversity differed significantly between sites, but not temporally. In sites in marine protected areas, with an intact fringing reef, diversity was high, withHolothuria edulisandBohadschiasp. being the most common species. In areas with higher human use and characterized by rubble and scattered corals, diversity was low, andActinopyga bannwarthiwas the most common species. The observed abundance and diversity did not support the refuge hypothesis. These findings are discussed in relation to other surveys of abundance and diversity in similar habitats.
Aqueous Colloidal Stability of Graphene Oxide and Chemically Converted Graphene
Authors: Kashyap Swarnima , Mishra Shashank , Behera Shantanu K.
Published: November 2014

Graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by modified Hummer’s method, and chemically converted graphene (CCG) was prepared by further reduction of the aqueous GO colloid. The effect of pH on particle size, particle charge, and light absorption of the aqueous colloids of GO and CCG was studied with titration against HCl or NaOH, to find the ideal characteristics for a stable dispersion. The GO colloid was stable in the pH range of 4–11, whereas the CCG colloid gained stability at a relatively narrower pH range of 7–10. Poor stability of the colloids was observed for both GO and CCG colloids at both extremes of the pH scale. Both of the colloids exhibited average size of ~1 micron in the low pH range, whereas for higher pH the size ranged between 300 and 500 nm. The UV-Vis spectra showed absorption peak at 230 nm for GO colloids that shifted to 260 nm for the CCG colloid. Such shift can be ascribed to restoring of electronic conjugation of the C=C bonds in CCG.
Harnessing Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications for 3G Downloads on the Move
Authors: Zhu Yanmin , Chen Qinghua , Chen Chao
Published: November 2014

This paper studies the problem of 3G downloads in vehicles on the move. Although the 3G brings larger coverage and instant access to data transfer, it may also incur high cost. We observe that many applications of vehicular 3G users can actually tolerate certain data access latency. In addition, vehicle-to-vehicle communications have been practical and can be exploited for intervehicle data delivery. Based on these observations, we propose to augment vehicular 3G users by data sharing through vehicle-to-vehicle communications. We formulate an optimization problem. The objective is to minimize the cost of 3G data communications, meanwhile maximizing the success probability of downloading all 3G user data. The two-hop transmission process and the bandwidth limitation in vehicular network are both modeled in the optimization problem. To lower the cost of 3G and meet the delivery ratio and delay constraints of data, one single-stage algorithm and one multistage algorithm are proposed for selection of seed vehicles (that download the data via 3G channel). We have evaluated our algorithm with simulations with real vehicular traces and the results show that our algorithms reduce the 3G cost and achieve good performance of data downloads.
Early Postoperative Results after Removal of Cranially Migrated Lumbar Disc Prolapse: Retrospective Comparison of Three Different Surgical Strategies
Authors: Schulz C. , Kunz U. , Mauer U. M. , Mathieu R.
Published: November 2014

Background. To compare the early postoperative results of three surgical approaches to lumbar disc herniations that migrated cranially. Minimally invasive techniques such as the translaminar and endoscopic transforaminal approaches are utilized in patients with lumbar disc herniations to gain access to cranially located disc material and to avoid the potentially destabilizing resection of ligament and bone tissue, which is associated with an extended interlaminar approach.Methods. This retrospective study compares the postoperative pain and functional capacity levels of 69 patients who underwent an interlaminar (Group A,n=27), a translaminar (Group B,n=22), or an endoscopic transforaminal procedure (Group C,n=20).Results. Median VAS scores for leg pain decreased significantly from before to after surgery in all groups. Surgical revisions were required in thirteen cases (five in Group A, one in Group B, and seven in Group C;P=0.031). After six weeks, there were significant differences in back pain and functional outcome scores and in the results for the MacNab criteria but not in leg pain scores.Conclusions. The interlaminar and translaminar techniques were the safest and fastest ways of gaining access to cranially migrated disc material and the most effective approaches over a period of six weeks.
Pricing Spread Options with Stochastic Interest Rates
Authors: Jin Yunguo , Zhong Shouming
Published: November 2014

Although spread options have been extensively studied in the literature, few papers deal with the problem
of pricing spread options with stochastic interest rates. This study presents three novel spread option
pricing models that permit the interest rates to be random. The paper not only presents a good approach
to formulate spread option pricing models with stochastic interest rates but also offers a new test bed to
understand the dynamics of option pricing with interest rates in a variety of asset pricing models. We
discuss the merits of the models and techniques presented by us in some asset pricing models. Finally, we
use regular grid method to the calculation of the formula when underlying stock returns are continuous and
a mixture of both the regular grid method and a Monte Carlo method to the one when underlying stock
returns are discontinuous, and sensitivity analyses are presented.
Flexural Strength Analysis of Starch Based Biodegradable Composite Using Areca Frond Fibre Reinforcement
Authors: Heckadka Srinivas Shenoy , Kini Manjeshwar Vijaya , Ballambat Raghuvir Pai , Beloor Satish Shenoy , Udupi Sathish Rao , Kini Ullal Achutha
Published: November 2014

Natural fibres and biodegradable matrices are being considered nowadays as substitutes to synthetic fibre reinforced polymer composites mainly in sectors where high load carrying capacity and high strength are not prerequisites. Present study utilizes biodegradable matrix composite prepared by varying the weight of the base material (95–170 g), binder (5–10 g), and plasticizer (5–20 g) with treated areca frond fibres as reinforcement. Contents are transferred to a pneumatic press, compacted, and subjected to curing. Taguchi method with L8 orthogonal array was used to reduce the number of experiments. Specimens for the flexural tests are cut out from the prepared laminates and tests are performed using UTM. Maximum flexural strength of 16.97 MPa was obtained with a combination of base (170 g), binder (10 g), and plasticizer (5 g). Analysis of the results indicated that plasticizer has the maximum effect on flexural strength of the biodegradable composites.
Rectangular Ring Antenna Excited by Circular Disc Monopole for WiMAX System
Authors: Vongsack Souphanna , Phongcharoenpanich Chuwong , Kosulvit Sompol , Hamamoto Kazuhiko , Wakabayashi Toshio
Published: November 2014

This research presents a rectangular ring antenna excited by a circular disc monopole (CDM) mounted in front of a square reflector. The proposed antenna is designed to cover a frequency range of 2.300–5.825 GHz and thereby is suitable for WiMAX applications. Multiple parametric studies were carried out using the CST Microwave Studio simulation program. A prototype antenna was fabricated and experimented. The measurements were taken and compared with the simulation results, which indicates good agreement between both results. The prototype antenna produces an impedance bandwidth (|S11|< −10 dB) that covers the WiMAX frequency range and a constant unidirectional radiation pattern (θ=0°and∅=90°). The minimum and maximum gains are 3.7 and 8.7 dBi, respectively. The proposed antenna is of compact size and has good unidirectional radiation performance. Thus, it is very suitable for a multitude of WiMAX applications.
A Case of Complete Rectal Prolapse in an In-Gilt
Authors: Njoku Njoku Uchechukwu , Jeremiah Kelechi Theresa , Ukaha Rock Odimma , Orajaka Chioma Frances
Published: November 2014

A seven-month-old in-gilt was presented with an intractable rectal prolapse. The prolapsed rectum was swollen, necrotic, and ulcerated. The pig was apparently healthy and had been ingesting high fibre feed materials, with little water. The pig was anaesthetized with 1.1 mg/kg body weight of xylazine and 10 mg/kg body weight of ketamine administered intramuscularly and intravenously, respectively. The prolapse was removed by placing a stay suture distal to the necrotic tissue and excising the tissue close to the apparently healthy part. A rectopexy was also performed. The pig was placed on prophylactic antibiotics and discharged.
Protective Effects of Berberine on Isoproterenol‐Induced Acute Myocardial Ischemia in Rats through Regulating HMGB1‐TLR4 Axis
Authors: Zhang Tianzhu , Yang Shihai , Du Juan
Published: November 2014

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid originally isolated from the Chinese herb Coptis chinensis (Huanglian), has been shown to display a wide array of pharmacological activities. The present study was to investigate the effects of berberine against myocardial ischemia produced in rats by isoproterenol. 50 male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized equally into five groups: a control group, an untreated model group, berberine (30, 60 mg/kg) treatment, or propranolol (30 mg/kg). Rats were treated for 12 days and then given isoproterenol, 85 mg/kg for 2 consecutive days by subcutaneous injection. ST‐segment elevation was measured after the last administration. Serum levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK‐MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were measured after the rats were sacrificed. The hearts were excised for determining heart weight index, microscopic examination, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), toll‐like receptor (TLR4), prodeath protein (Bax), antideath protein (Bcl‐2), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) protein were determined by western blot. Berberine decreased the ST elevation induced by acute myocardial ischemia, and decreased serum levels of CK‐MB, LDH, TNF‐α, and IL‐6. Berberine increased total superoxide dismutase (T‐SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in myocardial tissue. Berberine can regulate HMGB1‐TLR4 axis to protect myocardial ischemia.
Male Pelvic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary Origin
Authors: Chiec Lauren , Verma Sadhna , Kendler Ady , Abdel Karim Nagla
Published: November 2014

Pelvic squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin has been described in several case reports of female patients. However, there have been no published reports describing male patients with pelvic squamous cell cancer of unknown primary origin. Our case describes a 52-year-old man who presented with right buttock pain, rectal urgency, and constipation. His physical examination demonstrated tenderness to palpation around his gluteal folds. Computed tomography scan of his abdomen and pelvis demonstrated a large mass in his retroperitoneum. The mass was determined to be squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin. Additionally, the patient had small nodules in his right lower lung lobe and right hepatic lobe. The patient was treated with concomitant chemoradiation, including cisplatin and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, followed by carboplatin and paclitaxel. The patient achieved partial remission, in which he remained one year after his presentation. Our case is consistent with the literature which suggests that squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary origin occurring outside of the head and neck region may have a more favorable prognosis than other carcinomas of unknown primary origin. Further studies are necessary to determine the most appropriate work-up, diagnosis, and optimal treatment strategies.
Lacrimal Sac Cysticercosis: A Rare Site for Manifestation
Authors: Raoot Amita
Published: November 2014

Cysticercosis, a parasitic tissue infestation caused by larval cysts (cysticercus cellulosae) of the pork tapeworm,Taenia solium, most commonly affects the central nervous system, subcutaneous tissue, skeletal muscle, heart muscle, and the eye. Ocular adnexal infestation in cysticercosis can involve various sites within the eye like vitreous humor, subretinal tissue, extraocular muscle, and lacrimal gland. In this case report, a lump slightly below and medial to inner corner of eye, surgically removed from a 21-year-old male patient, was diagnosed as case of lacrimal sac cysticercosis on histopathological examination. To our knowledge, this is the one of rare sites for manifestation of cysticercus cellulosae.
Identification and Diagnostic Performance of a Small RNA within the PCA3 and BMCC1 Gene Locus That Potentially Targets mRNA
Authors: Drayton Ross M. , Rehman Ishtiaq , Clarke Raymond , Zhao Zhongming , Pang Karl , Miah Saiful , Stoehr Robert , Hartmann Arndt , Blizard Sheila , Lavin Martin , Bryant Helen E. , Martens-Uzunova Elena S. , Jenster Guido , Hamdy Freddie C. , Gardiner Robert A. , Catto James W.F.
Published: November 2014

Background: PCA3 is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) with unknown function, upregulated in prostate cancer. LncRNAs may be processed into smaller active species. We hypothesized this for PCA3.

Methods: We computed feasible RNA hairpins within the BMCC1 gene (encompassing PCA3) and searched a prostate transcriptome for these. We measured expression using qRT-PCR in three cohorts of prostate cancer tissues (n = 60), exfoliated urinary cells (n = 484 with cancer and n = 166 controls), and in cell lines (n = 22). We used in silico predictions and RNA knockup to identify potential mRNA targets of short transcribed RNAs.

Results: We predicted 13 hairpins, of which PCA3-shRNA2 was most abundant within the prostate transcriptome. PCA3-shRNA2 is located within intron 1 of PCA3 and appears regulated by androgens. Expression of PCA3-shRNA2 was upregulated in malignant prostatic tissues, exfoliated urinary cells from men with prostate cancer (13–273 fold change; t test P < 0.003), and closely correlated to PCA3 expression (r = 0.84–0.93; P < 0.001). Urinary PCA3-shRNA2 (C-index, 0.75–0.81) and PCA3 (C-index, 0.78) could predict the presence of cancer in most men. PCA3-shRNA2 knockup altered the expression of predicted target mRNAs, including COPS2, SOX11, WDR48, TEAD1, and Noggin. PCA3-shRNA2 expression was negatively correlated with COPS2 in patient samples (r = −0.32; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: We identified a short RNA within PCA3, whose expression is correlated to PCA3, which may target mRNAs implicated in prostate biology.

Impact: This short RNA is stable ex vivo, suggesting a role as a robust biomarker. We identify cytoplasmic enrichment of this RNA and potential targeting of mRNAs implicated in prostate carcinogenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(1); 268–75. ©2014 AACR.
Tumor-Penetrating iRGD Peptide Inhibits Metastasis
Authors: Sugahara Kazuki N. , Braun Gary B. , de Mendoza Tatiana Hurtado , Kotamraju Venkata Ramana , French Randall P. , Lowy Andrew M. , Teesalu Tambet , Ruoslahti Erkki
Published: November 2014

Tumor-specific tissue-penetrating peptides deliver drugs into extravascular tumor tissue by increasing tumor vascular permeability through interaction with neuropilin (NRP). Here, we report that a prototypic tumor-penetrating peptide iRGD (amino acid sequence: CRGDKGPDC) potently inhibits spontaneous metastasis in mice. The antimetastatic effect was mediated by the NRP-binding RXXK peptide motif (CendR motif), and not by the integrin-binding RGD motif. iRGD inhibited migration of tumor cells and caused chemorepulsion in vitro in a CendR- and NRP-1–dependent manner. The peptide induced dramatic collapse of cellular processes and partial cell detachment, resulting in the repellent activity. These effects were prominently displayed when the cells were seeded on fibronectin, suggesting a role of CendR in functional regulation of integrins. The antimetastatic activity of iRGD may provide a significant additional benefit when this peptide is used for drug delivery to tumors. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(1); 120–8. ©2014 AACR.
The TWEAK Receptor Fn14 Is an Src-Inducible Protein and a Positive Regulator of Src-Driven Cell Invasion
Authors: Cheng Emily , Whitsett Timothy G. , Tran Nhan L. , Winkles Jeffrey A.
Published: November 2014

The TNF receptor superfamily member Fn14 (TNFRSF12A) is the sole signaling receptor for the proinflammatory cytokine TWEAK (TNFSF12). TWEAK:Fn14 engagement stimulates multiple signal transduction pathways, including the NF-κB pathway, and this triggers important cellular processes (e.g., growth, differentiation, migration, and invasion). The TWEAK–Fn14 axis is thought to be a major physiologic mediator of tissue repair after acute injury. Various studies have revealed that Fn14 is highly expressed in many solid tumor types, and that Fn14 signaling may play a role in tumor growth and metastasis. Previously, it was shown that Fn14 levels are frequently elevated in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors and cell lines that exhibit constitutive EGFR phosphorylation (activation). Furthermore, elevated Fn14 levels increased NSCLC cell invasion in vitro and lung metastatic tumor colonization in vivo. The present study reveals that EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells that express high levels of Fn14 exhibit constitutive activation of the cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase Src, and that treatment with the Src family kinase (SFK) inhibitor dasatinib decreases Fn14 gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. Importantly, siRNA-mediated depletion of the SFK member Src in NSCLC cells also decreases Fn14 expression. Finally, expression of the constitutively active v-Src oncoprotein in NIH 3T3 cells induces Fn14 gene expression, and NIH 3T3/v-Src cells require Fn14 expression for full invasive capacity.

Implications: These results indicate that oncogenic Src may contribute to Fn14 overexpression in solid tumors, and that Src-mediated cell invasion could potentially be inhibited with Fn14-targeted therapeutics. Mol Cancer Res; 13(3); 575–83. ©2014 AACR.
Evaluation of the Immunogenicity of the Synthetic α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) Analogue Afamelanotide ([Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH, Scenesse®) in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria Patients by ELISA Detecting Both Anti-Afamelanotide and Anti-α-MSH Antibodies
Authors: Lengweiler Stephan , Kreim Saskia , Barman-Aksözen Jasmin , Maurer Marcus , Minder Elisabeth I.
Published: November 2014

Afamelanotide is an α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) agonist with proven efficacy in photodermatoses such as erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). This peptide drug, repeatedly administered over prolonged time, may induce anti-drug antibodies (ADA). Here, we describe a new ELISA method developed to monitor the occurrence of ADA against afamelanotide as well as against α-MSH. Covalent binding instead of absorption of antigen onto the microtitre wells prevented antigen leakage and enabled extensive washings followed by lower background. The cut-off between antibody-negative and -positive sera was determined. Inhibition of the antigen-antibody reaction by excess soluble antigen tested for specificity. The sensitivity of the ELISA was 608 and 1,390 ng/ml of specific ADA against afamelanotide and α-MSH, respectively. This ELISA method enabled us to investigate the occurrence of ADA during long-term administration of afamelanotide. No immunoreactivity was found in 23 of the 26 EPP patients exposed to the drug for up to 6 years. Pre-existing immunoreactivity against afamelanotide as well as α-MSH was found in 3 patients, whose titres did not change during afamelanotide administration. Conclusion: The new ELISA is suitable to determine ADA against afamelanotide and α-MSH. Afamelanotide did not elicit ADA during long-term administration in patients with EPP. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Health, Social and Economic Consequences of Polyneuropathy: A Controlled National Study Evaluating Societal Effects on Patients and Their Partners
Authors: Jennum Poul , Ibsen Rikke , Kjellberg Jakob
Published: November 2014

Objectives: To estimate the direct and indirect factual costs of polyneuropathy in a national sample of patients and their spouses based on a national register-based cohort study with matched controls. Methods: Using records from the Danish National Patient Registry (1997-2009) all patients with a diagnosis of polyneuropathy and their partners were identified and compared with randomly chosen controls matched for age, gender, geographic area and civil status. Direct costs included frequencies of primary and secondary sector contacts and procedures, and medication. Indirect costs included the effect on labor supply. Social-transfer payments were included to illustrate the effect on national accounts. All cost data were extracted from national databases. Results: 13,758 unspecified polyneuropathy patients were registered. They were compared with 54,900 matched controls identified from the National Danish Patient Registry. In addition, partners of patients in the case group were matched with partners in the corresponding control group. Almost half of the patients in the patient group had a partner. Patients had significantly higher rates of health-related contacts, medication use and greater socioeconomic costs than controls. They had very marginally lower employment rates, and those who were employed generally had lower incomes. The sum of direct net healthcare costs after the injury (general practitioner services, hospital services and medication) and indirect costs (loss of labor market income) was €12,647 for patients and €2,984 for their partners over and above that of controls. Social-transfer payments were all significantly larger in patients than in control subjects. Furthermore, the patients already exhibited a negative social- and health-related status up to eleven years before the first diagnosis, particularly for those with the highest costs. The health effects were present in all age groups and in both genders. Conclusions: Patients with a diagnosis of polyneuropathy experience increased mortality, morbidity and socioeconomic consequences. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel