bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quandle colorings of knots and applications
Authors: Clark W. Edwin , Elhamdadi Mohamed , Saito Masahico , Yeatman Timothy
Published: July 2014

We present a set of 26 finite quandles that distinguish (up to reversal and mirror image) by number of colorings, all of the 2977 prime oriented knots with up to 12 crossings. We also show that 1058 of these knots can be distinguished from their mirror images by the number of colorings by quandles from a certain set of 23 finite quandles. We study the colorings of these 2977 knots by all of the 431 connected quandles of order at most 35 found by Vendramin. Among other things, we collect information about quandles that have the same number of colorings for all of the 2977 knots. For example, we prove that if Q is a simple quandle of prime power order then Q and the dual quandle Q* of Q have the same number of colorings for all knots and conjecture that this holds for all Alexander quandles Q. We study a knot invariant based on a quandle homomorphism f : Q1 → Q0. We also apply the quandle colorings we have computed to obtain some new results for the bridge index, the Nakanishi index, the tunnel number, and the unknotting number. In an appendix we discuss various properties of the quandles in Vendramin's list. Links to the data computed and various programs in C, GAP and Maple are provided.
Reflectivity and transmissivity of a cavity coupled to a nanoparticle
Authors: Khan M. A. , Farooq K. , Hou S. C. , Niaz Shanawer , Yi X. X.
Published: July 2014

Any dielectric nanoparticle moving inside an optical cavity generates an optomechanical interaction. In this paper, we theoretically analyze the light scattering of an optomechanical cavity which strongly interacts with a dielectric nanoparticle. The cavity is driven by an external laser field. This interaction gives rise to different dynamics that can be used to cool, trap and levitate nanoparticle. We analytically calculate reflection and transmission rate of the cavity field, and study the time evolution of the intracavity field, momentum and position of the nanoparticle. We find the nanoparticle occupies a discrete position inside the cavity. This effect can be exploited to separate nanoparticle and couplings between classical particles and quantized fields.
General considerations and highlights of low-lying coastal zones: passive continental margins from the poles to the tropics
Authors: Martini I. Peter
Published: July 2014

This Special Publication presents 23 papers that examine comparable, predominantly siliciclastic coastal zones of low-lying passive trailing-continental margins (primarily east Americas) from polar areas to the equator. The objective is to establish similarities and major differences among them. This introductory paper outlines major contributions of the various papers, but will also highlight coastal differences and briefly add information not fully treated by others. This is done in three parts: (a) some basic concepts are stressed, such as the importance of ‘coastal zone’ (total landscape) in the north–south comparison and the variable climates; (b) a review is made of the component materials of the coasts, such as difference in sediments owing to source rocks, weathering and geological history (glaciations), and in flora and fauna such as burrowing organisms; and (c) a few classical examples are reported from warm zones, such as Galveston Island and the Sapelo Island marshes, but the focus is on less well-known environments of cold areas – those most impacted by climate change. Each component of the coastal zone can develop diagnostic characteristics, but the entire assemblage of sedimentary and biological features is what uniquely defines present environments and allows identification of ancient coastal zones.
Multi-scale X-ray tomography analysis of carbonate porosity
Authors: Hebert V. , Garing C. , Luquot L. , Pezard P. A. , Gouze P.
Published: July 2014

The porosity (from values of <1% up to more than 50%, with a mean value of 36.5%) and permeability (from very low values to 20.4 D, with a mean value around 800 mD) of 38 plugs, with a diameter 40 mm, have been measured. These plugs were taken approximately every 1.5 m along a 100 m-long core, sampling a series of reefal carbonate platform lithofacies. A non-unique relationship between porosity and permeability is obtained. In addition, the porosity was measured from processing X-ray micro-tomography images with resolutions ranging from 0.42 to 190.0 µm and sampling volumes ranging from less than 1 µm
3
to few cm
3
. Depending on the structure of the pore network, the computed porosity is, in some cases, controlled by the X-ray image resolution and the sampled volume. While high resolution is required to image micro-porous material, large samples with lower resolution images are necessary for identifying distributed vugs and millimetre-scale structures. This study shows that multi-resolution X-ray micro-tomography is an effective tool for characterizing the multi-scale pore structure of carbonate rocks and understanding how it may control key petrophysical parameters such as porosity and permeability.
Calcite dissolution rates in texturally diverse calcareous rocks
Authors: Levenson Yael , Schiller May , Kreisserman Yevgeny , Emmanuel Simon
Published: July 2014

The injection of reactive fluids into carbonate reservoirs during enhanced recovery operations can induce important changes in rock permeability. However, reliably predicting these changes requires accurate knowledge of calcite reaction rates. While numerous studies have examined calcium carbonate dissolution rates, most have focused on pure calcite crystals rather than actual rocks. In this study, two types of flow-through experiments were carried out to determine the calcite dissolution rates in texturally diverse calcareous rocks: the first type of experiment had a duration of 3 days, while the second type ran for 3 months. Our experiments show that rocks with differing textures and roughness (samples included coarse-grained oolitic limestone, fine-grained Solnhofen limestone, marble and calcite spar) do in fact dissolve by different mechanisms. However, despite these differences, bulk reaction rates were found to be remarkably similar (with a relative standard deviation of <20%) and consistent with previously reported reaction rates for calcite. Thus, our results suggest that textural differences between rock types are unlikely to have an important impact on overall reaction rates in fractured carbonate reservoirs.
Natural stone in the built heritage of the interior of Brazil: the use of stone in Minas Gerais
Authors: Costa A. G.
Published: July 2014

The cultural heritage of Brazil built with natural stone is expressive and shows a great variety of rock types. The main differences between rock types are found when a comparison is made between the buildings located in the coastal zone and those located inland. In historical cities located on the coast, European limestones were widely used. Within the Brazilian interior, especially in the current State of Minas Gerais, a large number of historic buildings can be noticed. In this State, despite the large volumes of granites and gneisses and other less common rock types such as gabbros, basalts and sandstones, steatite and different types of schist, beside quartzites, were the rock types most commonly used in the construction of those 18th- and 19th-century buildings. This paper focuses on the extent and quality based on the use of steatites and schists in historic buildings in Brazil, which is part of a research project in progress. Assembled data justifies the inclusion of these rocks in the database on the rocks of world cultural heritage. The advancement of these studies may contribute to the maintenance and preservation of this heritage and the appropriate new uses of these rocks, as well as to propose some of them as Global Heritage Stone Resource for their international recognition.
Calculating anisotropic piezoelectric properties from texture data using the
MTEX
open source package
Authors: Mainprice David , Bachmann Florian , Hielscher Ralf , Schaeben Helmut , Lloyd Geoffrey E.
Published: July 2014

This paper presents the background for the calculation of anisotropic piezoelectric properties of single crystals and the graphical display of the results in two or three dimensions, and the calculation of the aggregate properties from constituent crystals and the texture of the aggregate in a coherent manner. The texture data can be obtained from a wide range of sources, including pole figure diffraction and single orientation measurements (electron backscattered diffraction, electron channelling pattern, Laue Pattern, optical microscope universal-stage). We consider the elastic wave propagation in piezoelectric crystals as an example of the interaction of electrical (2nd rank tensor), piezoelectric (3rd rank tensor) and elastic properties (4th rank tensor). In particular, we give explicit formulae for the calculation of the Voigt averaged tensor from individual orientations or from an orientation distribution function. For the latter we consider numerical integration and an approach based on the expansion into spherical harmonics. We illustrate the methods using single crystals, polycrystalline quartz measured using electron channelling patterns and ideal Curie limiting groups applied to quartz aggregates. This paper also serves as a reference paper for the mathematical tensor capabilities of the texture analysis software
MTEX
.
Selective inhibition of sphingosine kinase-1 protects adipose tissue against LPS-induced inflammatory response in Zucker diabetic fatty rats
Authors: Tous Monica , Ferrer-Lorente Raquel , Badimon Lina
Published: July 2014

Obesity is associated with a state of chronic inflammation. The chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) has been proposed to modulate the inflammatory response in adipose tissue (AT). However, the mechanisms underlying CCL5 upregulation in AT remain undefined. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the enzyme sphingosine kinase-1 (SK1) would modulate the expression of CCL5 and other inflammatory biomarkers in primary adipocytes and its potential role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AT inflammation in a rat model of diabetes. To address this, LPS-stimulated primary adipocytes and 3T3-L1 cells were treated with a SK inhibitor, and the expression of Ccl5 and other CC chemokines were studied. Moreover, the effect of SK1 knockdown on cytokine production was analyzed in 3T3-L1 cells by transfection of SK1-specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA). The anti-inflammatory effects of SK inhibitor in AT were also investigated in vivo using the Zucker lean normoglycemic control (ZLC) rats. LPS treatment stimulated Ccl5, IL-6, pentraxin 3 ( Ptx3), and Tnfα mRNA expression in primary adipocytes and 3T3-L1 cells, whereas pharmacologically and siRNA-mediated SK1 inhibition strongly reduced mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines in these cells. Similarly, administration of SK inhibitor to ZLC rats prevented the LPS-induced inflammatory response in AT. Our data demonstrate a role for SK1 in endotoxin-induced cytokine expression in adipocytes and suggest that inhibition of SK1 may be a potential therapeutic tool in the prevention and treatment of chronic and common metabolic disorders, including obesity, insulin-resistance, and type 2 diabetes.
FGF23 directly impairs endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation by increasing superoxide levels and reducing nitric oxide bioavailability
Authors: Silswal Neerupma , Touchberry Chad D. , Daniel Dorothy R. , McCarthy Darla L. , Zhang Shiqin , Andresen Jon , Stubbs Jason R. , Wacker Michael J.
Published: July 2014

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is secreted primarily by osteocytes and regulates phosphate and vitamin D metabolism. Elevated levels of FGF23 are clinically associated with endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients; however, the direct effects of FGF23 on endothelial function are unknown. We hypothesized that FGF23 directly impairs endothelial vasorelaxation by hindering nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. We detected expression of all four subtypes of FGF receptors ( Fgfr1–4) in male mouse aortas. Exogenous FGF23 (90–9,000 pg/ml) did not induce contraction of aortic rings and did not relax rings precontracted with PGF2α. However, preincubation with FGF23 (9,000 pg/ml) caused a ∼36% inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation elicited by acetylcholine (ACh) in precontracted aortic rings, which was prevented by the FGFR antagonist PD166866 (50 nM). Furthermore, in FGF23-pretreated (9,000 pg/ml) aortic rings, we found reductions in NO levels. We also investigated an animal model of CKD ( Col4a3 −/− mice) that displays highly elevated serum FGF23 levels and found they had impaired endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation and reduced nitrate production compared with age-matched wild types. To elucidate a mechanism for the FGF23-induced impairment, we measured superoxide levels in endothelial cells and aortic rings and found that they were increased following FGF23 treatment. Crucially, treatment with the superoxide scavenger tiron reduced superoxide levels and also restored aortic relaxation to ACh. Therefore, our data suggest that FGF23 increases superoxide, inhibits NO bioavailability, and causes endothelial dysfunction in mouse aorta. Together, these data provide evidence that high levels of FGF23 contribute to cardiovascular dysfunction.
Somatic modulation of spinal reflex bladder activity mediated by nociceptive bladder afferent nerve fibers in cats
Authors: Xiao Zhiying , Rogers Marc J. , Shen Bing , Wang Jicheng , Schwen Zeyad , Roppolo James R. , de Groat William C. , Tai Changfeng
Published: July 2014

The goal of the present study was to determine if supraspinal pathways are necessary for inhibition of bladder reflex activity induced by activation of somatic afferents in the pudendal or tibial nerve. Cats anesthetized with α-chloralose were studied after acute spinal cord transection at the thoracic T9/T10 level. Dilute (0.25%) acetic acid was used to irritate the bladder, activate nociceptive afferent C-fibers, and trigger spinal reflex bladder contractions (amplitude: 19.3 ± 2.9 cmH2O). Hexamethonium (a ganglionic blocker, intravenously) significantly ( P < 0.01) reduced the amplitude of the reflex bladder contractions to 8.5 ± 1.9 cmH2O. Injection of lidocaine (2%, 1–2 ml) into the sacral spinal cord or transection of the sacral spinal roots and spinal cord further reduced the contraction amplitude to 4.2 ± 1.3 cmH2O. Pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) at frequencies of 0.5–5 Hz and 40 Hz but not at 10–20 Hz inhibited reflex bladder contractions, whereas tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) failed to inhibit bladder contractions at all tested frequencies (0.5–40 Hz). These results indicate that PNS inhibition of nociceptive afferent C-fiber-mediated spinal reflex bladder contractions can occur at the spinal level in the absence of supraspinal pathways, but TNS inhibition requires supraspinal pathways. In addition, this study shows, for the first time, that after acute spinal cord transection reflex bladder contractions can be triggered by activating nociceptive bladder afferent C-fibers using acetic acid irritation. Understanding the sites of action for PNS or TNS inhibition is important for the clinical application of pudendal or tibial neuromodulation to treat bladder dysfunctions.
Regulation of proximal tubular cell differentiation and proliferation in primary culture by matrix stiffness and ECM components
Authors: Chen Wan-Chun , Lin Hsi-Hui , Tang Ming-Jer
Published: July 2014

To explore whether matrix stiffness affects cell differentiation, proliferation, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in primary cultures of mouse proximal tubular epithelial cells (mPTECs), we used a soft matrix made from monomeric collagen type I-coated polyacrylamide gel or matrigel (MG). Both kinds of soft matrix benefited primary mPTECs to retain tubular-like morphology with differentiation and growth arrest and to evade TGF-β1-induced EMT. However, the potent effect of MG on mPTEC differentiation was suppressed by glutaraldehyde-induced cross-linking and subsequently stiffening MG or by an increasing ratio of collagen in the soft mixed gel. Culture media supplemented with MG also helped mPTECs to retain tubular-like morphology and a differentiated phenotype on stiff culture dishes as soft MG did. We further found that the protein level and activity of ERK were scaled with the matrix stiffness. U-0126, a MEK inhibitor, abolished the stiff matrix-induced dedifferentiation and proliferation. These data suggest that the ERK signaling pathway plays a vital role in matrix stiffness-regulated cell growth and differentiation. Taken together, both compliant property and specific MG signals from the matrix are required for the regulation of epithelial differentiation and proliferation. This study provides a basic understanding of how physical and chemical cues derived from the extracellular matrix regulate the physiological function of proximal tubules and the pathological development of renal fibrosis.
A Service Based Adaptive U-Learning System Using UX
Authors: Jeong Hwa-Young , Yi Gangman
Published: July 2014

In recent years, traditional development techniques for e-learning systems have been changing to become more convenient and efficient. One new technology in the development of application systems includes both cloud and ubiquitous computing. Cloud computing can support learning system processes by using services while ubiquitous computing can provide system operation and management via a high performance technical process and network. In the cloud computing environment, a learning service application can provide a business module or process to the user via the internet. This research focuses on providing the learning material and processes of courses by learning units using the services in a ubiquitous computing environment. And we also investigate functions that support users’ tailored materials according to their learning style. That is, we analyzed the user’s data and their characteristics in accordance with their user experience. We subsequently applied the learning process to fit on their learning performance and preferences. Finally, we demonstrate how the proposed system outperforms learning effects to learners better than existing techniques.
A 7-Year-Old Extrauterine Pregnancy in a Cat
Authors: Osenko Agata , Tarello Walter
Published: July 2014

This paper describes a 7-year-old extrauterine pregnancy in a spayed cat. Three extrauterine fetuses were accidentally found in the abdomen of a 12-year-old domestic short hair cat that had ovariohysterectomy about 7 years before. The animal was under evaluation for a recent history of increased thirst, urination, and poor appetite. Biochemical analysis revealed high plasmatic levels of urea, creatinine, and phosphorus consistent with renal insufficiency. X-ray plates showed three calcified fetuses in the abdomen, apparently unrelated to the reported clinical signs. Despite intensive therapy, the cat died one day later. At necropsy, ovaries and uterus were not found but the presence of three well-developed, mummified, and mineralized fetuses loosely attached to the omentum was evident. Careful dissection of fetuses confirmed the diagnosis of extrauterine pregnancy. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a 7-year lasting ectopic pregnancy in an ovariohysterectomized cat. The absence of related clinical signs seems to confirm that such conditions are compatible with a normal healthy life.
Identification and Expression of a Putative Facilitative Urea Transporter in Three Species of True Frogs (Ranidae): Implications for Terrestrial Adaptation
Authors: Rosendale Andrew J. , Costanzo Jon P. , Kiss Andor J. , Lee Richard E.
Published: July 2014

Urea transporters (UTs) help mediate the transmembrane movement of urea and therefore are likely important in amphibian osmoregulation. Although UTs contribute to urea reabsorption in anuran excretory organs, little is known about the protein’s distribution and functions in other tissues, and their importance in the evolutionary adaptation of amphibians to their environment remains unclear. To address these questions, we obtained a partial sequence of a putative UT and examined relative abundance of this protein in tissues of the wood frog (Rana sylvatica), leopard frog (R. pipiens), and mink frog (R. septentrionalis), closely related species that are adapted to different habitats. Using immunoblotting techniques, we found the protein to be abundant in the osmoregulatory organs but also present in visceral organs, suggesting that UTs play both osmoregulatory and nonosmoregulatory roles in amphibians. UT abundance seems to relate to the species’ habitat preference, as levels of the protein were higher in the terrestrialR. sylvatica, intermediate in the semiaquaticR. pipiens, and quite low in the aquaticR. septentrionalis. These findings suggest that, in amphibians, UTs are involved in various physiological processes, including solute and water dynamics, and that they have played a role in adaptation to the osmotic challenges of terrestrial environments.
A Framing Link Based Tabu Search Algorithm for Large‐Scale Multidepot Vehicle Routing Problems
Authors: Zhang Xuhao , Zhong Shiquan , Liu Yiliu , Wang Xuelian
Published: July 2014

A framing link (FL) based tabu search algorithm is proposed in this paper for a large‐scale multidepot vehicle routing problem (LSMDVRP). Framing links are generated during continuous great optimization of current solutions and then taken as skeletons so as to improve optimal seeking ability, speed up the process of optimization, and obtain better results. Based on the comparison between pre‐ and postmutation routes in the current solution, different parts are extracted. In the current optimization period, links involved in the optimal solution are regarded as candidates to the FL base. Multiple optimization periods exist in the whole algorithm, and there are several potential FLs in each period. If the update condition is satisfied, the FL base is updated, new FLs are added into the current route, and the next period starts. Through adjusting the borderline of multidepot sharing area with dynamic parameters, the authors define candidate selection principles for three kinds of customer connections, respectively. Link split and the roulette approach are employed to choose FLs. 18 LSMDVRP instances in three groups are studied and new optimal solution values for nine of them are obtained, with higher computation speed and reliability.
Response of Soil CO2Emission and Summer Maize Yield to Plant Density and Straw Mulching in the North China Plain
Authors: Liu Quanru , Liu Xinhui , Bian Chengyue , Ma Changjian , Lang Kun , Han Huifang , Li Quanqi
Published: July 2014

Demand for food security and the current global warming situation make high and strict demands on the North China Plain for both food production and the inhibition of agricultural carbon emissions. To explore the most effective way to decrease soil CO2emissions and maintain high grain yield, studies were conducted during the 2012 and 2013 summer maize growing seasons to assess the effects of wheat straw mulching on the soil CO2emissions and grain yield of summer maize by adding 0 and 0.6 kg m−2to fields with plant densities of 100 000, 75 000, and 55 000 plants ha−1. The study indicated that straw mulching had some positive effects on summer maize grain yield by improving the 1000-kernel weight. Meanwhile, straw mulching effectively controlled the soil respiration rate and cumulative CO2emission flux, particularly in fields planted at a density of 75 000 plants ha−1, which achieved maximum grain yield and minimum carbon emission per unit yield. In addition, soil microbial biomass and microbial activity were significantly higher in mulching treatments than in nonmulching treatments. Consequently, summer maize with straw mulching at 75 000 plants ha−1is an environmentally friendly option in the North China Plain.
The Danish Symptom Cohort: Questionnaire and Feasibility in the Nationwide Study on Symptom Experience and Healthcare-Seeking among 100 000 Individuals
Authors: Rasmussen Sanne , Søndergaard Jens , Larsen Pia Veldt , Balasubramaniam Kirubakaran , Elnegaard Sandra , Svendsen Rikke Pilsgaard , Andersen Rikke Sand , Pedersen Anette Fischer , Vedsted Peter , Jarbøl Dorte Ejg
Published: July 2014

Introduction. In order to develop strategies to prevent delay in diagnosis, it is important to gain knowledge of symptoms and healthcare-seeking processes in the population. This paper describes a combined survey and register-based study with (1) focus on development of a questionnaire concerning experience of symptoms and subsequent consequences and (2) feasibility of the study.Methods. The study is a nationwide cohort study of 100 000 individuals randomly selected from the Danish general population. A comprehensive questionnaire concerning experience of symptoms and subsequent consequences was developed. The methodological framework for the development included defining the domains to be measured, identification of previous items, scales and questionnaires in the literature, and pilot and field testing.Results. A total of five domains and 16 subdomains were defined covering the area of symptom experience, symptom characteristics, reaction in response to symptom experience, external factors, and personality characteristics with potential influence on the symptom experience. In total, 49 706 questionnaires were completed, yielding a response rate of 52.2%.Conclusion. We developed a comprehensive questionnaire used in a large combined survey and register-based study concerning experience of symptoms and subsequent consequences of symptom experiences. We succeeded in conducting a large survey providing the groundwork for The Danish Symptom Cohort.
Schedulability Analysis for Rate Monotonic Algorithm-Shortest Job First Using UML-RT
Authors: Pon Pushpa S. Ewins , Devasikamani Manamalli
Published: July 2014

System modelling with a unified modelling language (UML) is an active research area for developing real-time system development. UML is widely used modelling language in software engineering community, to specify the requirement, and analyse the target system successfully. UML can be used to provide multiple views of the system under design with the help of a variety of structural and behavioural diagrams at an early stage. UML-RT (unified modelling language-real time) is a language used to build an unambiguous executable specification of a real-time system based on UML concepts. This paper presents a unified modeling approach for a newly proposed rate monotonic scheduling algorithm-shortest job first (RMA-SJF) for partitioned, semipartitioned and global scheduling strategies in multiprocessor architecture using UML-RT for different system loads. As a technical contribution, effective processor utilization of individual processors and success ratio are analyzed for various scheduling principles and compared with EDF and D_EDF to validate our proposal.
Adaptive Quantization for Distributed Estimation in Energy-Harvesting Wireless Sensor Networks: A Game-Theoretic Approach
Authors: Liu Hua , Liu Guiyun , Liu Yonggui , Mo Lei , Chen Hongbin
Published: July 2014

The problem of distributed estimation in energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks (EH-WSNs) is studied. In general, the energy state of an energy-harvesting sensor varies dramatically. Existing efforts mainly concentrate on the problem of distributed estimation for battery-powered WSNs, ignoring the crucial issue of energy harvesting. Therefore, the unpredictable energy harvesting, the energy storage device, and energy consumption are modeled in a unified way to jointly address the energy harvesting and distributed estimation problem. In this paper, combining with the classical adaptive distributed estimation scheme, the problem of parameter estimation in EH-WSNs is formulated as a game of complete and perfect information. Each player decides its strategy according to the others' energy states and actions. The subgame perfect equilibrium (SPE) is derived by backward induction. Simulation results show that the proposed SPE makes full use of the harvested energy and improves the estimation performance.
Effect of GH/IGF-1 on Bone Metabolism and Osteoporsosis
Authors: Locatelli Vittorio , Bianchi Vittorio E.
Published: July 2014

Background. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) are fundamental in skeletal growth during puberty and bone health throughout life. GH increases tissue formation by acting directly and indirectly on target cells; IGF-1 is a critical mediator of bone growth. Clinical studies reporting the use of GH and IGF-1 in osteoporosis and fracture healing are outlined.Methods. A Pubmed search revealed 39 clinical studies reporting the effects of GH and IGF-1 administration on bone metabolism in osteopenic and osteoporotic human subjects and on bone healing in operated patients with normal GH secretion. Eighteen clinical studies considered the effect with GH treatment, fourteen studies reported the clinical effects with IGF-1 administration, and seven related to the GH/IGF-1 effect on bone healing.Results. Both GH and IGF-1 administration significantly increased bone resorption and bone formation in the most studies. GH/IGF-1 administration in patients with hip or tibial fractures resulted in increased bone healing, rapid clinical improvements. Some conflicting results were evidenced.Conclusions. GH and IGF-1 therapy has a significant anabolic effect. GH administration for the treatment of osteoporosis and bone fractures may greatly improve clinical outcome. GH interacts with sex steroids in the anabolic process. GH resistance process is considered.
Heat Transfer Enhancement by Using Different Types of Inserts
Authors: Tabatabaeikia S. , Mohammed H. A. , Nik-Ghazali N. , Shahizare B.
Published: July 2014

Heat transfer enhancement has been always a significantly interesting topic in order to develop high efficient, low cost, light weight, and small heat exchangers. The energy cost and environmental issue are also encouraging researchers to achieve better performance than the existing designs. Two of the most effective ways to achieve higher heat transfer rate in heat exchangers are using different kinds of inserts and modifying the heat exchanger tubes. There are different kinds of inserts employed in the heat exchanger tubes such as helical/twisted tapes, coiled wires, ribs/fins/baffles, and winglets. This paper presents an overview about the early studies on the improvement of the performance of thermal systems by using different kinds of inserts. Louvered strip insert had better function in backward flow compared to forward one. Modifying the shape of twisted tapes led to a higher efficiency in most of the cases excpet for perforated twisted tape and notched twisted tape. Combination of various inserts and tube with artificial roughness provided promising results. In case of using various propeller types, heat transfer enhancement was dependent on higher number of blades and blade angle and lower pitch ratio.
Performance of Water-Based Liquid Scintillator: An Independent Analysis
Authors: Beznosko D. , Batyrkhanov A. , Duspayev A. , Iakovlev A. , Yessenov M.
Published: July 2014

The water-based liquid scintillator (WbLS) is a new material currently under development. It is based on the idea of dissolving the organic scintillator in water using special surfactants. This material strives to achieve the novel detection techniques by combining the Cerenkov rings and scintillation light, as well as the total cost reduction compared to pure liquid scintillator (LS). The independent light yield measurement analysis for the light yield measurements using three different proton beam energies (210 MeV, 475 MeV, and 2000 MeV) for water, two different WbLS formulations (0.4% and 0.99%), and pure LS conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory, USA, is presented. The results show that a goal of ~100 optical photons/MeV, indicated by the simulation to be an optimal light yield for observing both the Cerenkov ring and the scintillation light from the proton decay in a large water detector, has been achieved.
An Improved Path‐Generating Regulator for Two‐Wheeled Robots to Track the Circle/Arc Passage
Authors: Dai Jun , Hanajima Naohiko , Kazama Toshiharu , Takashima Akihiko
Published: July 2014

The improved path‐generating regulator (PGR) is proposed to path track the circle/arc passage for two‐wheeled robots. The PGR, which is a control method for robots so as to orient its heading toward the tangential direction of one of the curves belonging to the family of path functions, is applied to navigation problem originally. Driving environments for robots are usually roads, streets, paths, passages, and ridges. These tracks can be seen as they consist of straight lines and arcs. In the case of small interval, arc can be regarded as straight line approximately; therefore we extended the PGR to drive the robot move along circle/arc passage based on the theory that PGR to track the straight passage. In addition, the adjustable look‐ahead method is proposed to improve the robot trajectory convergence property to the target circle/arc. The effectiveness is proved through MATLAB simulations on both the comparisons with the PGR and the improved PGR with adjustable look‐ahead method. The results of numerical simulations show that the adjustable look‐ahead method has better convergence property and stronger capacity of resisting disturbance.
Variation in Seedling Growth of Tamarindus indica (L.): A Threatening Medicinal Fruit Tree Species in Bangladesh
Authors: Azad Md. Salim , Nahar Nurun , Mollick Abdus Subhan , Matin Md. Abdul
Published: July 2014

Seedling growth is a precondition for conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources which depends upon understanding of breeding system, genetic inconsistency, and evolutionary forces in forest tree improvement. The aim of this study was to determine variation in seedling growth and age-age correlations of Tamarindus indica at population level in Bangladesh. The study revealed significant (P<0.05) differences of seasonal variation in seedling growth. Height and collar diameter growth showed significant (P<0.05) positive correlation with mean monthly rainfall. The study also revealed significant difference (P<0.05) of seedling growth among T. indica population. PCA illustrated rainfall, height growth, and diameter growth as the main characters in this study which defined drought as an additive character for this species. Cluster analysis of similarity showed how seedlings from 22.67°N latitude (origin) separated from others. An increasing trend of age-age correlation was identified in both cases of shoot height and diameter growth. The study concluded that seed collection for either ex situ conservation or seedling production can be done from 22.67°N latitude as seedlings from that area performed better than others, and early clonal selection of T. indica can be done at the age of 9 months.
A Communication Based Islanding Detection Method for Photovoltaic Distributed Generation Systems
Authors: Bayrak Gökay , Cebeci Mehmet
Published: July 2014

PV based distributed generation (DG) systems must have some electrical connection standards while they connected to an electrical grid. One of these electrical conditions and the most important one is unplanned islanding condition. Islanding is a very dangerous condition because it could damage the PV system and related electrical systems and also working people have been at risk in islanding condition. In this application study, a new communication based islanding detection method was introduced for grid tied PV systems. A real time controller was developed with Labview for detecting islanding condition. Developed method is a hybrid method which uses the effective ways of communication based and passive methods. The results obtained from the proposed real time islanding detection method show that proposed method is reliable, robust, and independent from load and inverter. Nondetection zone (NDZ) is almost zero and islanding detection time is approximately 1-2 cycles indicated in experimental results so this time has a significant short response time according to IEEE 929-2000 standard. The proposed method is effective and presents a realistic solution to islanding so it could be implemented easily to grid tied PV systems and could be used in real system applications.
The Study on Stage Financing Model of IT Project Investment
Authors: Chen Si-hua , Xu Sheng-hua , Lee Changhoon , Xiong Neal N. , He Wei
Published: July 2014

Stage financing is the basic operation of venture capital investment. In investment, usually venture capitalists use different strategies to obtain the maximum returns. Due to its advantages to reduce the information asymmetry and agency cost, stage financing is widely used by venture capitalists. Although considerable attentions are devoted to stage financing, very little is known about the risk aversion strategies of IT projects. This paper mainly addresses the problem of risk aversion of venture capital investment in IT projects. Based on the analysis of characteristics of venture capital investment of IT projects, this paper introduces a real option pricing model to measure the value brought by the stage financing strategy and design a risk aversion model for IT projects. Because real option pricing method regards investment activity as contingent decision, it helps to make judgment on the management flexibility of IT projects and then make a more reasonable evaluation about the IT programs. Lastly by being applied to a real case, it further illustrates the effectiveness and feasibility of the model.
Red Ginseng Extract Ameliorates Autoimmune Arthritis via Regulation of STAT3 Pathway, Th17/Treg Balance, and Osteoclastogenesis in Mice and Human
Authors: Jhun JooYeon , Lee Jennifer , Byun Jae-Kyeong , Kim Eun-Kyung , Woo Jung-Won , Lee Jae-Ho , Kwok Seung-Ki , Ju Ji-Hyeon , Park Kyung-Su , Kim Ho-Youn , Park Sung Hwan , Cho Mi-La
Published: July 2014

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic joint inflammation. Red ginseng is a steamed and driedPanax ginsengC.A. Meyer, which has been used as alternative medicine for thousands of years. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of red ginseng extracts (RGE) on autoimmune arthritis in mice and humans and to delineate the underlying mechanism. RGE was orally administered three times a week to mice with arthritis. Oral administration of RGE markedly ameliorated clinical arthritis score and histologically assessed joint inflammation in mice with CIA. A significant reduction in STAT3 phosphorylation and a decrease in the number of Th17 cells were observed with RGE treatment. There was also a marked reduction in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis with treatment of RGE. The inhibitory effect of RGE on Th17 differentiation and osteoclastogenesis observed in mice was also confirmed in the subsequent experiments performed using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our findings provide the first evidence that RGE can regulate Th17 and reciprocally promote Treg cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT3. Therefore, RGE can ameliorate arthritis in mice with CIA by targeting pathogenic Th17 and osteoclast differentiation, suggesting a novel therapy for treatment of RA.
Molecular Regulation of Bone Marrow Metastasis in Prostate and Breast Cancer
Authors: Rahim Fakher , Hajizamani Saeideh , Mortaz Esmaeil , Ahmadzadeh Ahmad , Shahjahani Mohammad , Shahrabi Saeid , Saki Najmaldin
Published: July 2014

Metastasis is a multistep process, which refers to the ability to leave a primary tumor through circulation toward the distant tissue and form a secondary tumor. Bone is a common site of metastasis, in which osteolytic and osteoblastic metastasis are observed. Signaling pathways, chemokines, growth factors, adhesion molecules, and cellular interactions as well as miRNAs have been known to play an important role in the development of bone metastasis. These factors provide an appropriate environment (soil) for growth and survival of metastatic tumor cells (seed) in bone marrow microenvironment. Recognition of these factors and determination of their individual roles in the development of metastasis and disruption of cellular interactions can provide important therapeutic targets for treatment of these patients, which can also be used as prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers. Thus, in this paper, we have attempted to highlight the molecular regulation of bone marrow metastasis in prostate and breast cancers.
Optimization of Fractional-N-PLL Frequency Synthesizer for Power Effective Design
Authors: Arshad Sahar , Ismail Muhammad , Ahmad Usman , Husnain Anees ul , Ijaz Qaiser
Published: July 2014

We are going to design and simulate low power fractional-N phase-locked loop (FNPLL) frequency synthesizer for industrial application, which is based on VLSI. The design of FNPLL has been optimized using different VLSI techniques to acquire significant performance in terms of speed with relatively less power consumption. One of the major contributions in optimization is contributed by the loop filter as it limits the switching time between cycles. Sigma-delta modulator attenuates the noise generated by the loop filter. This paper presents the implementation details and simulation results of all the blocks of optimized design.
The Cauchy Problem for a Dissipative Periodic 2-Component Degasperis-Procesi System
Authors: Ming Sen , Yang Han , Yong Ls
Published: July 2014

The dissipative periodic 2-component Degasperis-Procesi system is investigated. A local well-posedness for the system in Besov space is established by using the Littlewood-Paley theory and a priori estimates for the solutions of transport equation. The wave-breaking criterions for strong solutions to the system with certain initial data are derived.
Fibrinogen Alpha Chain Precursor and Apolipoprotein A-I in Urine as Biomarkers for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis: A Proteomics Study
Authors: Zhu Wei , Liu Min , Wang Guang-Chun , Peng Bo , Yan Yang , Che Jian-Ping , Ma Qing-Wei , Yao Xu-Dong , Zheng Jun-Hua
Published: July 2014

Calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis is the most common urological disease, but noninvasive and convenient methods of diagnosis are rarely available.Objective.The present study aimed to identify potential urine biomarkers for noninvasive diagnosis of CaOx nephrolithiasis.Methodology.Urine samples from 72 patients with CaOx nephrolithiasis and 30 healthy controls were collected and proteomics analysis was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS).Results.Thirteen proteins/peptides displayed statistically significant differences. The peptides of m/z 1207.23 and 2773.86 were selected by the genetic algorithm (GA) to build a possible diagnostic model. The area under the curve of m/z 1207.23 and 2773.86 was 0.936 and 0.987, respectively. The diagnostic model in distinguishing patients and healthy subjects showed 100% sensitivity and specificity. The peak at m/z 2773.86 was identified as fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA) with the sequence G.EGDFLAEGGGVR.G, and the peak at m/z 2773.86 was identified as apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) with the sequence L.PVLESFKVSFLSALEEYTKKLNTQ.Conclusion.The study results strongly suggested that urinary FGA and apoA-I are highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for noninvasive diagnosis of CaOx nephrolithiasis.
Model of Wagons’ Placing‐In and Taking‐Out Problem in a Railway Station and Its Heuristic Algorithm
Authors: Guo Chuijiang , Lei Dingyou
Published: July 2014

Placing‐in and taking‐out wagons timely can decrease wagons’ dwell time in railway stations, improve the efficiency of railway transportation, and reduce the cost of goods transportation. We took the locomotive running times between goods operation sites as weights, so the wagons’ placing‐in and taking‐out problem could be regarded as a single machine scheduling problem, 1|pij|Cmax, which could be transformed into the shortest circle problem in a Hamilton graph whose relaxation problem was an assignment problem. We used a Hungarian algorithm to calculate the optimal solution of the assignment problem. Then we applied a broken circle and connection method, whose computational complexity was O(n2), to find the available satisfactory order of wagons’ placing‐in and taking‐out. Complex problems, such as placing‐in and transferring combined, taking‐out and transferring combined, placing‐in and taking‐out combined, or placing‐in, transferring, and taking‐out combined, could also be resolved with the extended algorithm. A representative instance was given to illustrate the reliability and efficiency of our results.
Parallel-Batch Scheduling with Two Models of Deterioration to Minimize the Makespan
Authors: Miao Cuixia
Published: July 2014

We consider the bounded parallel-batch scheduling with two models of deterioration, in which the processing time of the first model ispj=aj+αtand of the second model ispj=a+αjt. The objective is to minimize the makespan. We presentO(n log n)time algorithms for the single-machine problems, respectively. And we propose fully polynomial time approximation schemes to solve the identical-parallel-machine problem and uniform-parallel-machine problem, respectively.
Trade Negotiation Capacity and Health Carve-Outs in Trade Agreements
Authors: Shahnawaz Sheikh
Published: July 2014

There is a dearth of scholarship on the relationship between international trade and health status in countries. This paper contributes to filling this gap by proposing a formal analytical framework to study the link between the extent of health issues carved out from trade agreements by negotiating countries and their expenditure on public health. We also examine the role played by the nature of the political and fiscal regime prevalent in the country in the securing of the carve-outs. The model predicts that a higher level of carve-outs is more likely for countries that have relatively low levels of public health spending and which tend to be more politically free and fiscally liberal. We provide anecdotal evidence that supports our findings.
Optimal Finite‐Time State Estimation for Discrete‐Time Switched Systems under Switching Frequency Constraint
Authors: Du Lin , Xiang Weiming , Zhao Yongchi
Published: July 2014

The state estimation problem for a class of switched linear systems which only switches in some short interval is addressed. Besides the asymptotic stability of error dynamics, the boundness of error state is a significant issue for short‐time switched systems. By introducing the concept of finite‐time stability, the state estimation procedure is formulated to determine appropriate observer gains ensuring the error dynamics is finite‐time stable in the short‐time switching intervals of interest. Optimal finite‐time observers are designed through iterative algorithms to minimize the bound of error state, in the cases with and without disturbances. Particularly, when the total activation time is known, a less conservative result can be derived and an optimization problem can be solved with the help of the genetic algorithm. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the theoretical findings in this paper.