bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data profiling revisited
Authors: Naumann Felix
Published: March 2014

Data profiling comprises a broad range of methods to efficiently analyze a given data set. In a typical scenario, which mirrors the capabilities of commercial data profiling tools, tables of a relational database are scanned to derive metadata, such as data types and value patterns, completeness and uniqueness of columns, keys and foreign keys, and occasionally functional dependencies and association rules. Individual research projects have proposed several additional profiling tasks, such as the discovery of inclusion dependencies or conditional functional dependencies.

Data profiling deserves a fresh look for two reasons: First, the area itself is neither established nor defined in any principled way, despite significant research activity on individual parts in the past. Second, more and more data beyond the traditional relational databases are being created and beg to be profiled. The article proposes new research directions and challenges, including interactive and incremental profiling and profiling heterogeneous and non-relational data.
Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Rapid Reversal of Warfarin Anticoagulation to Allow Neuraxial Blockade
Authors: Skerritt Conor , Mannion Stephen
Published: March 2014

The development of Prothrombin Complex Concentrates (PCCs) has led to better outcomes in patients receiving emergency reversal of warfarin. However, most published data describes the use of PCCs in the setting of major bleeding or emergent major surgery, with little information on neuraxial blockade. We describe a case of rapid warfarin reversal using PCC and subsequent surgery under spinal anaesthesia in an 87-year-old lady, for whom general anaesthesia was deemed high risk. Her international normalised ratio (INR) on the morning of surgery was 1.8, precluding neuraxial blockade; however, it was felt that given, the need for imminent surgery, immediate reversal of the warfarin was indicated. We administered a single dose of 23 units/kg PCC and 5 mg vitamin K. Her INR 1 hour following PCC was 1.2, and spinal anesthetic was administered. The patient then underwent excision of melanoma deposits from her leg and groin dissection. There were no complications, the patient recovered satisfactorily, and there were no thrombotic or hemorrhagic events at 30 days postoperatively. This case study demonstrates a novel use of PCCs; in certain patients, PCCs may be safely used for immediate reversal of warfarin to allow for neuraxial blockade, safer anaesthesia, and better outcomes.
A Novel Macroblock Level Rate Control Method for Stereo Video Coding
Authors: Zhu Gaofeng , Yu Mei , Jiang Gangyi , Peng Zongju , Shao Feng , Chen Fen , Ho Yo-Sung
Published: March 2014

To compress stereo video effectively, this paper proposes a novel macroblock (MB) level rate control method based on binocular perception. A binocular just-notification difference (BJND) model based on the parallax matching is first used to describe binocular perception. Then, the proposed rate control method is performed in stereo video coding with four levels, namely, view level, group-of-pictures (GOP) level, frame level, and MB level. In the view level, different proportions of bitrates are allocated for the left and right views of stereo video according to the prestatistical rate allocation proportion. In the GOP level, the total number of bitrates allocated to each GOP is computed and the initial quantization parameter of each GOP is set. In the frame level, the target bits allocated to each frame are computed. In the MB level, visual perception factor, which is measured by the BJND value of MB, is used to adjust the MB level bit allocation, so that the rate control results in line with the human visual characteristics. Experimental results show that the proposed method can control the bitrate more accurately and get better subjective quality of stereo video, compared with other methods.
Cervical Spine Osteomyelitis and Epidural Abscess after Chemoradiotherapy for Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Ueki Yushi , Watanabe Jun , Hashimoto Shigehisa , Takahashi Sugata
Published: March 2014

Osteomyelitis of mandible as a delayed adverse event following radiation therapy has been widely reported; however, osteomyelitis of the cervical spine has rarely been reported. In this study, we reported our experience with a case of cervical spine osteomyelitis and epidural abscess after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. The case involved a 68-year old man who underwent radical CCRT after a diagnosis of stage IVb, T4bN2cM0 posterior hypopharyngeal wall carcinoma. At 7 months after completing the initial therapy, the patient complained of severe pain in the neck and both shoulders and reduced muscular strength in the extremities. A large defect was found on the mucosa of posterior hypopharyngeal wall. On cervical magnetic resonance imaging, cervical spine osteomyelitis and an epidural abscess were observed. Because antimicrobial therapy was not effective, hyperbaric oxygen therapy was administered. Abscess reduction and improvement of the mucosal defect were observed. Because cervical spine complications after CCRT can be fatal upon worsening, adequate attention must be given.
SAMuS: Service-Oriented Architecture for Multisensor Surveillance in Smart Homes
Authors: Van Hoecke Sofie , Verborgh Ruben , Van Deursen Davy , Van de Walle Rik
Published: March 2014

The design of a service-oriented architecture for multisensor surveillance in smart homes is presented as an integrated solution enabling automatic deployment, dynamic selection, and composition of sensors. Sensors are implemented as Web-connected devices, with a uniform Web API. RESTdesc is used to describe the sensors and a novel solution is presented to automatically compose Web APIs that can be applied with existing Semantic Web reasoners. We evaluated the solution by building a smart Kinect sensor that is able to dynamically switch between IR and RGB and optimizing person detection by incorporating feedback from pressure sensors, as such demonstrating the collaboration among sensors to enhance detection of complex events. The performance results show that the platform scales for many Web APIs as composition time remains limited to a few hundred milliseconds in almost all cases.
Association of Mammographic Breast Density with Dairy Product Consumption, Sun Exposure, and Daily Activity
Authors: Alipour Sadaf , Saberi Azin , Alikhassi Afsaneh , Bayani Leila , Hosseini Ladan
Published: March 2014

Background. Mammographic density is a risk factor, for breast cancer and its association with various factors is under investigation; we carried out a study to assess its relationship with daily dairy intake, sun exposure, and physical activities.Patients and Methods. Women ≥40 years of age were interviewed about habits of dairy product consumption, daily sun exposure and physical activity. Exclusion criteria consisted of history of breast cancer, consumption of calcium and vitamin D supplements, hormone replacement therapy, or renal disease. Mammographic densities were classified according to the classification system of the American College of Radiologists into 4 classes.Results. Overall 703 cases were entered in the study. The mean age was48.2±6.2years. The most common and least frequent classes of mammographic density were classes 2 and 4, respectively. There was no significant association between mammographic density and rate of dairy consumption, amount of sunlight exposure, and daily physical activity.Conclusion. Relation of sunlight exposure and intake of milk products with mammographic density need further study, while the subject of physical activity can be evaluated by a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature.
Prolapse of the Small Intestine from the Uterine Perforation at Dilatation and Curettage
Authors: Matsubara Shigeki , Ohkuchi Akihide , Nonaka Hiroaki , Ito Homare , Lefor Alan T.
Published: March 2014

Dilatation and curettage (D&C) sometimes causes uterine perforation, which usually does not cause a serious problem. Here, we report uterine perforation caused by D&C, in which the small intestine prolapsed from the uterus, requiring intestinal resection. D&C was performed for missed abortion at 9 weeks. After dilating the cervix, forceps grasped tissue that, upon being pulled, resulted in the intestine being prolapsed into the vagina. Laparotomy revealed a perforation at the low anterior uterine wall, through which the ileum had prolapsed. The mesentery of the prolapsed ileum was completely detached and the ileum was necrotic, which was resected. The uterus and the intestine were reconstructed. Although intestinal prolapse is considered to be caused by “unsafe” D&C performed by inexperienced persons or even by nonphysicians in developing countries, this occurred in a tertiary center of a developed country. We must be aware that adverse events such as uterine perforation with intestinal prolapse can occur even during routine D&C.
Distant Ureteral Metastasis from Colon Adenocarcinoma: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Nikolaos Ferakis , Panagiotis Anastasopoulos , Konstantinos Bouropoulos , Vassilios Samaras , Iraklis Poulias
Published: March 2014

Carcinomas arising from organs neighbouring the ureter can directly infiltrate the ureter. Distant ureteral metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma is extremely rare and usually an incidental finding in performed autopsies. We report a case of a right ureteral metastasis in a 65-year-old Caucasian male with a history of rectal cancer for which he had been treated 4 years before. He presented with asymptomatic moderate right hydronephrosis. The patient underwent a right nephroureterectomy. Histology of the ureter revealed transmural adenocarcinoma with infiltration of the mucosa. Infiltration of the muscular coat of the bladder was found 2 years later. Thus, cystectomy and left ureterocutaneostomy were performed. The patient died 6 months later due to toxic megacolon during chemotherapy. The differential diagnosis of ureteral adenocarcinoma, especially in patients with previous history of colon adenocarcinoma, should include the possibility of distant metastasis from the primary colonic tumor.
The Effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum Extract on Mouse Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Lobo Sara Nadia , Qi Yu Qing , Liu Quan Zhong
Published: March 2014

Background. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract on mouse dermal fibroblasts. Recent studies have shown that this plant may possess great antioxidant properties, which can be very beneficial in combating oxidative stress. Methods. Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract was prepared and mouse dermal fibroblasts were obtained and cultured as per our laboratory protocols. Twelve samples of cells were cultured under the same conditions and both negative and positive controls were established. Induction of oxidative stress was carried out using ultraviolet C (UVC) light. Viable cell count was carried out, using microscopy. The analysis of the overall results was processed using SPSS version 16.0. Results. Statistical analysis showed strong positive correlation between the concentration of Gynostemma pentaphyllum and the mean duration of cell viability (rs = 1), with a high level of statistical significance (P < 0.01). Likewise, strong positive correlation existed between trials of cell viability (rs = 0.988–1), with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Conclusion. Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract prolongs viability of mouse dermal fibroblasts damaged by UVC light-induced oxidative stress. The results show the potential benefits of this extract on dermal cell aging.
Sarcoidosis Associated with Oxaliplatin-Based Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Choi Ji Hoon , Shin Jung A. , Park Hye Kyeong , Kim Su Young , Jung Hoon , Lee Sung-Soon , Lee Hye Ran , Koo Hyeon-Kyoung
Published: March 2014

Acute lung injury occasionally occurs after chemotherapy, but pulmonary toxicities by oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy have rarely been identified. A 76-year-old female with rectosigmoid colon cancer presented with ongoing dyspnea after the eighth cycle of standard chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, sodium folinic acid, and oxaliplatin: FOLFOX). Nodular consolidation progressed despite antibiotics and BAL fluid analysis was compatible with the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Corticosteroid therapy rapidly improved the symptoms and radiographic findings. We report this first case of secondary sarcoidosis related to FOLFOX therapy with review of references.
Screening of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation after Ischemic Stroke: 48-Hour Holter Monitoring versus Prolonged Intermittent ECG Recording
Authors: Orrsjö Gustav , Cederin Björn , Bertholds Eric , Nasic Salmir , Welin Lennart
Published: March 2014

Aims. Screening of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) after ischemic stroke and TIA is important. The ideal method is not known and studies of intermittent screening methods in particular are lacking. In this retrospective study we compared a shorter continuous screening method with an intermittent screening method. Methods. Since early 2011 our stroke unit has used two different methods of screening: either a 48-hour continuous screening with Holter monitor or a 21-day twice daily intermittent screening with a hand-held ECG recorder. Through the Swedish National Stroke Registry and medical records reviewing all screening episodes between 2011-02-01 and 2013-01-31 were collected and analysed.   Results. Of 386 screenings, 26 screenings were excluded leaving 360 screenings for the final analysis of which 114 screenings were made with hand-held ECG recorder and 246 with Holter monitoring. No significant difference between the groups concerning basic characteristics was observed. In the hand-held ECG recorder group a total of 13 PAF screenings (11.4%) were detected compared with 7 (2,8%) in the Holter group (P=0.001). Conclusions. A prolonged intermittent screening is a better method than a shorter continuous screening in terms of detecting PAF after ischemic stroke and TIA.
Titanium Alloy Stem as a Cause for Adverse Reaction to Metal Debris after Bipolar Hemiarthroplasty
Authors: Sakamoto Masaaki , Watanabe Hitoshi , Higashi Hidetaka , Kubosawa Hitoshi
Published: March 2014

A 68-year-old male with failure of bipolar hemiarthroplasty consistent with adverse reaction to metal debris (ARMD) who presented with a painful cystic lesion and lower extremity swelling was encountered. However, revision surgical findings showed no apparent cause of ARMD previously described in the literature, such as corrosion at the head-neck junction and articular abrasion. Therefore, it was difficult to make a definite diagnosis of failure secondary to ARMD, which consequently led to the decision to perform two-stage revision procedure, though the stem was firmly fixed. Postoperative analysis in the retrieval tissues showed that the metal debris mainly originated from the titanium alloy stem itself. Although this is a very rare case, one should be aware that even the well-fixed femoral components themselves have the potential to be the cause of ARMD.
Branchial Anomalies: Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Prasad Sampath Chandra , Azeez Arun , Thada Nikhil Dinaker , Rao Pallavi , Bacciu Andrea , Prasad Kishore Chandra
Published: March 2014

Objective. To find out the incidence of involvement of individual arches, anatomical types of lesions, the age and sex incidence, the site and side of predilection, the common clinical features, the common investigations, treatment, and complications of the different anomalies.Setting. Academic Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.Design. A 10 year retrospective study.Participants. 30 patients with clinically proven branchial anomalies including patients with bilateral disease totaling 34 lesions.Main Outcome Measures. The demographical data, clinical features, type of branchial anomalies, and the management details were recorded and analyzed.Results and Observations. The mean age of presentation was 18.67 years. Male to female sex ratio was 1.27 : 1 with a male preponderance. Of the 34 lesions, maximum incidence was of second arch anomalies (50%) followed by first arch. We had two cases each of third and fourth arch anomalies. Only 1 (3.3%) patients of the 30 presented with lesion at birth. The most common pathological type of lesions was fistula (58.82%) followed by cyst. 41.18% of the lesions occurred on the right side. All the patients underwent surgical excision. None of our patients had involvement of facial nerve in first branchial anomaly. All patients had tracts going superficial to the facial nerve.Conclusion. Confirming the extent of the tract is mandatory before any surgery as these lesions pass in relation to some of the most vital structures of the neck. Surgery should always be the treatment option. injection of dye, microscopic removal and inclusion of surrounding tissue while excising the tract leads to a decreased incidence of recurrence.
Enhanced Temperature Control Method Using ANFIS with FPGA
Authors: Huang Chiung-Wei , Pan Shing-Tai , Zhou Jun-Tin , Chang Cheng-Yuan
Published: March 2014

Temperature control in etching process is important for semiconductor manufacturing technology. However, pressure variations in vacuum chamber results in a change in temperature, worsening the accuracy of the temperature of the wafer and the speed and quality of the etching process. This work develops an adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) using a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to improve the effectiveness. The proposed method adjusts every membership function to keep the temperature in the chamber stable. The improvement of the proposed algorithm is confirmed using a medium vacuum (MV) inductively-coupled plasma- (ICP-) type etcher.
On the Estimation of Parameter of Weighted Sums of Exponential Distribution
Authors: Abbasi N. , Namju A. , Safari N.
Published: March 2014

The random variable Zn,α=Y1+2αY2+⋯+nαYn, with α∈ℝ and Y1,Y2,…  being independent exponentially distributed random variables with mean one, is considered. Van Leeuwaarden and Temme (2011) attempted to determine good approximation of the distribution of Zn,α. The main problem is estimating the parameter α that has the main state in applicable research. In this paper we show that estimating the parameter α by using the relation between α and mode is available. The mean square error values are obtained for estimating α by mode, moment method, and maximum likelihood method.
Obstetric Considerations in a Rare Cardiovascular Catastrophe Needing Multidisciplinary Care
Authors: Singh Neeta , Karmakar Debjyoti , Devagorou V. , Tiwari Rajnish , Kumar Sunesh
Published: March 2014

Cardiovascular emergencies especially aortic dissections are rare in pregnancy. We report a case of Stanford Type A aortic dissection at 33 weeks of pregnancy presenting in shock. Rapid multidisciplinary approach and special obstetric considerations led to a successful outcome in this case.
Nitroglycerine Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Patient with Myocardial Bridging
Authors: Rujic Dragana , Nielsen Mette Lundgren , Veien Karsten Tange , Pareek Manan
Published: March 2014

Muscle overlying an intramyocardial segment of a coronary artery is termed a myocardial bridge. The intramyocardial segment, the tunneled artery, is compressed during systole. The condition is generally benign but may occasionally cause myocardial ischemia, infarction, arrhythmia, or sudden cardiac death. We present a case regarding a 52-year-old man with exercise-induced angina who was diagnosed with a myocardial bridge overlying the left anterior descending artery. He was initially treated with beta-blockers and later received coronary bypass graft surgery.
Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides Reduce Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Interleukin‐1 β Expression in Cultured Smooth Muscle Cells and in Thoracic Aortas in Mice
Authors: Liang Chan-Jung , Lee Chiang-Wen , Sung Hsin-Ching , Chen Yung-Hsiang , Chiang Yao-Chang , Hsu Hsien-Yeh , Tseng Ying-Chin , Li Chi-Yuan , Wang Shu-Huei , Chen Yuh-Lien
Published: March 2014

The expression of inflammatory cytokines on vascular walls is a critical event in vascular diseases and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of an extract of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) polysaccharides (EORPs), which is effective against immunological disorders, on interleukin‐ (IL‐) 1β expression by human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and the underlying mechanism. The lipopolysaccharide‐ (LPS‐) induced IL‐1β expression was significantly reduced when HASMCs were pretreated with EORP by Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. Pretreatment with 10 μg/mL EORP decreased LPS‐induced ERK, p38, JNK, and Akt phosphorylation. But the increase in IL‐1β expression with LPS treatment was only inhibited by pretreatment with the ERK1/2 inhibitor, while the JNK and p38 inhibitors had no effect. In addition, EORP reduced the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor‐ (NF‐) κB p65 in LPS‐treated HASMCs. Furthermore, in vivo, IL‐1β expression was strongly expressed in thoracic aortas in LPS‐treated mice. Oral administration of EORP decreased IL‐1β expression. The level of IL‐1β expression in LPS‐treated or in LPS/EORP‐treated group was very low and was similar to that of the saline‐treated group in toll‐like receptor 4‐deficient (TLR4−/−) mice. These findings suggest that EORP has the anti‐inflammatory property and could prove useful in the prevention of vascular diseases and inflammatory responses.
TF2LncRNA: Identifying Common Transcription Factors for a List of lncRNA Genes from ChIP-Seq Data
Authors: Jiang Qinghua , Wang Jixuan , Wang Yadong , Ma Rui , Wu Xiaoliang , Li Yu
Published: March 2014

High-throughput genomic technologies like lncRNA microarray and RNA-Seq often generate a set of lncRNAs of interest, yet little is known about the transcriptional regulation of the set of lncRNA genes. Here, based on ChIP-Seq peak lists of transcription factors (TFs) from ENCODE and annotated human lncRNAs from GENCODE, we developed a web-based interface titled “TF2lncRNA,” where TF peaks from each ChIP-Seq experiment are crossed with the genomic coordinates of a set of input lncRNAs, to identify which TFs present a statistically significant number of binding sites (peaks) within the regulatory region of the input lncRNA genes. The input can be a set of coexpressed lncRNA genes or any other cluster of lncRNA genes. Users can thus infer which TFs are likely to be common transcription regulators of the set of lncRNAs. In addition, users can retrieve all lncRNAs potentially regulated by a specific TF in a specific cell line of interest or retrieve all TFs that have one or more binding sites in the regulatory region of a given lncRNA in the specific cell line. TF2LncRNA is an efficient and easy-to-use web-based tool.
Adaptive Total Variation Minimization-Based Image Enhancement from Flash and No-Flash Pairs
Authors: Yoon Sang Min , Lee Yeon Ju , Yoon Gang-Joon , Yoon Jungho
Published: March 2014

We present a novel approach for enhancing the quality of an image captured from a pair of flash and no-flash images. The main idea for image enhancement is to generate a new image by combining the ambient light of the no-flash image and the details of the flash image. In this approach, we propose a method based on Adaptive Total Variation Minimization (ATVM) so that it has an efficient image denoising effect by preserving strong gradients of the flash image. Some numerical results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
An Iterated Tabu Search Approach for the Clique Partitioning Problem
Authors: Palubeckis Gintaras , Ostreika Armantas , Tomkevičius Arūnas
Published: March 2014

Given an edge-weighted undirected graph with weights specifying dissimilarities between pairs of objects, represented by the vertices of the graph, the clique partitioning problem (CPP) is to partition the vertex set of the graph into mutually disjoint subsets such that the sum of the edge weights over all cliques induced by the subsets is as small as possible. We develop an iterated tabu search (ITS) algorithm for solving this problem. The proposed algorithm incorporates tabu search, local search, and solution perturbation procedures. We report computational results on CPP instances of size up to 2000 vertices. Performance comparisons of ITS against state-of-the-art methods from the literature demonstrate the competitiveness of our approach.
Enhanced Structural Integrity and Electrochemical Performance of AlPO4-Coated MoO2 Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: López-Pérez José I. , Ortiz-Quiles Edwin O. , Habiba Khaled , Jiménez-Rodríguez Mariel , Weiner Brad R. , Morell Gerardo
Published: March 2014

AlPO4 nanoparticles were synthesized via chemical deposition method and used for the surface modification of MoO2 to improve its structural stability and electrochemical performance. Structure and surface morphology of pristine and AlPO4-coated MoO2 anode material were characterized by electron microscopy imaging (SEM and TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). AlPO4 nanoparticles were observed, covering the surface of MoO2. Surface analyses show that the synthesized AlPO4 is amorphous, and the surface modification with AlPO4 does not result in a distortion of the lattice structure of MoO2. The electrochemical properties of pristine and AlPO4-coated MoO2 were characterized in the voltage range of 0.01–2.5 V versus Li/Li+. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicate that the improvement in electrochemical performance of the AlPO4-coated anode material was attributed to the stabilization of the lattice structure during lithiation. Galvanostatic charge/discharge and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies reveal that the AlPO4 nanoparticle coating improves the rate capability and cycle stability and contributes toward decreasing surface layer and charge-transfer resistances. These results suggest that surface modification with AlPO4 nanoparticles suppresses the elimination of oxygen vacancies in the lattice structure during cycling, leading to a better rate performance and cycle life.
Analysis of RF Front-End Performance of Reconfigurable Antennas with RF Switches in the Far Field
Authors: Yeom Insu , Choi Junghan , Kwoun Sung-su , Lee Byungje , Jung Changwon
Published: March 2014

The RF front-end performances in the far-field condition of reconfigurable antennas employing two commonly used RF switching devices (PIN diodes and RF-MEMS switches) were compared. Two types of antennas (monopole and slot) representing general direct/coupled feed types were used for the reconfigurable antennas to compare the excited RF power to the RF switches by the reconfigurable antenna types. For the switching operation of the antennas, a biasing circuit was designed and embedded in the same antenna board, which included a battery to emphasize the antenna’s adaptability to mobile devices. The measurement results of each reconfigurable antenna (radiation patterns and return losses) are presented in this study. The receiving power of the reference antenna was measured by varying the transmitting power of the reconfigurable antennas in the far-field condition. The receiving power was analyzed using the “Friis transmission equation” and compared for two switching elements. Based on the results of these measurements and comparisons, we discuss what constitutes an appropriate switch device and antenna type for reconfigurable antennas of mobile devices in the far-field condition.
Study of Linearity and Power Consumption Requirements of CMOS Low Noise Amplifiers in Context of LTE Systems and Beyond
Authors: Szczepkowski Grzegorz , Farrell Ronan
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a study of linearity in wideband CMOS low noise amplifiers (LNA) and its relationship to power consumption in context of Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems and its future developments. Using proposed figure of merit (FoM) to compare 35 state-of-the-art LNA circuits published over the last decade, the paper explores a dependence between amplifier performance (i.e., combined linearity, noise figure, and gain) and power consumption. In order to satisfy stringent linearity specifications for LTE standard (and its likely successors), the paper predicts that LNA FoM increase in the range of +0.2 dB/mW is expected and will inevitably translate into a significant increase in power consumption—a critical budget planning aspect for handheld devices, active antenna arrays, and base stations operating in small cells.
PDPA Investigation on an Electrostatically-Assisted Twin-Fluid Atomization Flow
Authors: Wang Zhentao , Wen John Z. , Wang Junfeng , Dong Qingming
Published: March 2014

The Phase Doppler Particle Analyzer (PDPA) technique is utilized for characterizing the droplet sizes and velocity profiles in an electrostatic spray flow which is atomized using the aerodynamic forces assisted with electrostatic forces. An electrostatically-assisted twin-fluid atomization system is presented and spatial distributions of the droplet size and two-dimensional velocity components are measured simultaneously at each specified point. The droplets are firstly ejected from a liquid jet through the nozzle by aerodynamic shear forces, and the breakup mechanism of such an electrostatically-assisted twin-fluid atomization is investigated using the Rayleigh instability conditions through studying the specific surface charges on these droplets measured by a Faraday canister. The discrepancies between experiment data and Rayleigh limit for specific charges of droplets are presented and discussed due to energy transforming from electrical energy to surface energy, energy loss, Taylor instability breakup and nonexcess charge polarization. The measured average velocity profiles and their RMS (root mean square) velocity values for two different scale drops further reveal the effects of the aerodynamic and electrostatic forces on the atomization process.
Quantification of Protoporphyrin IX Accumulation in Glioblastoma Cells: A New Technique
Authors: Lawrence Johnathan E. , Patel Ashish S. , Rovin Richard A. , Belton Robert J. , Bammert Catherine E. , Steele Christopher J. , Winn Robert J.
Published: March 2014

Introduction. 5-Aminolevulinic Acid (5-ALA) is a precursor of heme synthesis. A metabolite, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), selectively accumulates in neoplastic tissue including glioblastoma. Presurgical administration of 5-ALA forms the basis of fluorescence-guided resection (FGR) of glioblastoma (GBM) tumors. However, not all gliomas accumulate sufficient quantities of PpIX to fluoresce, thus limiting the utility of FGR. We therefore developed an assay to determine cellular and pharmacological factors that impact PpIX fluorescence in GBM. This assay takes advantage of a GBM cell line engineered to express yellow fluorescent protein.Methods. The human GBM cell line U87MG was transfected with a YFP expression vector. After treatment with a series of 5-ALA doses, both PpIX and YFP fluorescence were measured. The ratio of PpIX to YFP fluorescence was calculated.Results. YFP fluorescence permitted the quantification of cell numbers and did not interfere with 5-ALA metabolism. The PpIX/YFP fluorescence ratio provided accurate relative PpIX levels, allowing for the assessment of PpIX accumulation in tissue.Conclusion. Constitutive YFP expression strongly correlates with cell number and permits PpIX quantification. Absolute PpIX fluorescence alone does not provide information regarding PpIX accumulation within the cells. Our research indicates that our PpIX/YFP ratio assay may be a promising model forin vitro5-ALA testing and its interactions with other compounds during FGR surgery.
Expression and Regulation of Facilitative Glucose Transporters in Equine Insulin-Sensitive Tissue: From Physiology to Pathology
Authors: Lacombe Véronique A.
Published: March 2014

Glucose uptake is the rate-limiting step in glucose utilization in mammalians and is tightly regulated by a family of specialized proteins, called the facilitated glucose transporters (GLUTs/SLC2). GLUT4, the major isoform in insulin-responsive tissue, translocates from an intracellular pool to the cell surface and as such determines insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. However, despite intensive research over 50 years, the insulin-dependent and -independent pathways that mediate GLUT4 translocation are not fully elucidated in any species. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the hallmarks of equine metabolic syndrome and is the most common metabolic predisposition for laminitis in horses. IR is characterized by the impaired ability of insulin to stimulate glucose disposal into insulin-sensitive tissues. Similar to other species, the functional capability of the insulin-responsive GLUTs is impaired in muscle and adipose tissue during IR in horses. However, the molecular mechanisms of altered glucose transport remain elusive in all species, and there is still much to learn about the physiological and pathophysiological functions of the GLUT family members, especially in regard to class III. Since GLUTs are key regulators of whole-body glucose homeostasis, they have received considerable attention as potential therapeutic targets to treat metabolic disorders in human and equine patients.
Support Vector Regression Method for Wind Speed Prediction Incorporating Probability Prior Knowledge
Authors: Chen Jiqiang , Xue Xiaoping , Ha Minghu , Yu Daren , Ma Litao
Published: March 2014

Prior knowledge, such as wind speed probability distribution based on historical data and the wind speed fluctuation between the maximal value and the minimal value in a certain period of time, provides much more information about the wind speed, so it is necessary to incorporate it into the wind speed prediction. First, a method of estimating wind speed probability distribution based on historical data is proposed based on Bernoulli’s law of large numbers. Second, in order to describe the wind speed fluctuation between the maximal value and the minimal value in a certain period of time, the probability distribution estimated by the proposed method is incorporated into the training data and the testing data. Third, a support vector regression model for wind speed prediction is proposed based on standard support vector regression. At last, experiments predicting the wind speed in a certain wind farm show that the proposed method is feasible and effective and the model’s running time and prediction errors can meet the needs of wind speed prediction.
Soft Tissue Chondroma of the Oral Cavity: An Extremely Rare Tumour Localized on the Hard Palate
Authors: Vescovi Paolo , Meleti Marco , Merigo Elisabetta , Manfredi Maddalena , Corradi Domenico , Giovannacci Ilaria , Poli Tito , Nammour Samir
Published: March 2014

Chondromas are benign cartilaginous tumors usually localized within the tubular bones of the extremities. Soft tissue chondromas (STCs) are rare and only few cases have been reported in the oral cavity. The present case documents the exceptional finding of a 12-year-standing STC of the hard palate of a 63-year-old man. The tumor measured approximately 6 cm in its larger size and it was radically excised through the use of a quantic resonance molecular (QRM) lancet. No recurrence was observed during 1-year follow-up. A concise review of the relevant literature is included in the present paper.
A Case of Perforated Sigmoid Diverticulitis in Which Gram Staining of Ascitic Fluid Was Useful for Diagnosis
Authors: Tsuchida Junko , Fujita Shouhei , Kawano Fumihiro , Tsukamoto Ryoichi , Honjo Kunpei , Naito Shigetoshi , Ishiyama Shun , Miyano Shozo , Machida Michio , Kitabatake Toshiaki , Fujisawa Minoru , Kojima Kuniaki , Ogura Kanako , Matsumoto Toshiharu
Published: March 2014

An 85-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for steroid therapy for relapsing nephrotic syndrome. During hospitalization, she complained of sudden epigastric pain at night. Although there were signs of peritoneal irritation, CT showed a large amount of ascitic fluid, but no free intraperitoneal gas. Gram staining of ascitic fluid obtained by abdominal paracentesis showed Gram-negative rods, which raised a strong suspicion of gastrointestinal perforation and peritonitis. Therefore, emergency surgery was performed. Exploration of the colon showed multiple sigmoid diverticula, one of which was perforated. The patient underwent an emergency Hartmann's procedure. Imaging studies failed to reveal any evidence of gastrointestinal perforation, presenting a diagnostic challenge. However, a physician performed rapid Gram staining of ascitic fluid at night when laboratory technicians were absent, had a strong suspicion of gastrointestinal perforation, and performed emergency surgery. Gram staining is superior in rapidity, and ascitic fluid Gram staining can aid in diagnosis, suggesting that it should be actively performed. We report this case, with a review of the literature on the significance of rapid diagnosis by Gram staining.
The Integrative Method “Suture Dragging and Simplified Vacuum Assisted Therapy” for Complex Pilonidal Sinus Disease
Authors: Wang Chen , Yao YiBo , Cao YongQing
Published: March 2014

Complex and recurrent pilonidal sinuses are best treated with surgery. Different surgical modalities as complete excision of the pilonidal sinus leave the wound open or procedures like closing the wound with or without reconstructive flap are widely used. The open procedure is radical but may cause broad excision and prolonged morbidity, while risk of infection and rate of recurrence are higher in the closed techniques. Traditional Chinese surgical treatments are less invasive and more effective; they have been used to treat sinus and fistula disease successfully. In this case report, we have described a male adolescent with complex pilonidal sinus, who received traditional Chinese surgical treatment combined with modern wound healing technique. He recovered completely with short hospitalization, good tolerance, less pain, and scarring. Therefore, we recommend using this integrative method to treat complex pilonidal sinus disease.
Synergistic Antiproliferative Effects of Combinedγ-Tocotrienol and PPARγAntagonist Treatment Are Mediated through PPARγ-Independent Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Malaviya Abhita , Sylvester Paul W.
Published: March 2014

Previous findings showed that the anticancer effects of combinedγ-tocotrienol and peroxisome proliferator activated receptorγ(PPARγ) antagonist treatment caused a large reduction in PPARγexpression. However, other studies suggest that the antiproliferative effects ofγ-tocotrienol and/or PPARγantagonists are mediated, at least in part, through PPARγ-independent mechanism(s). Studies were conducted to characterize the role of PPARγin mediating the effects of combined treatment ofγ-tocotrienol with PPARγagonists or antagonists on the growth of PPARγnegative +SA mammary cells and PPARγ-positive and PPARγ-silenced MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Combined treatment ofγ-tocotrienol with PPARγantagonist decreased, while combined treatment ofγ-tocotrienol with PPARγagonist increased, growth of all cancer cells. However, treatment with high doses of 15d-PGJ2, an endogenous natural ligand for PPARγ, had no effect on cancer cell growth. Western blot and qRT-PCR studies showed that the growth inhibitory effects of combinedγ-tocotrienol and PPARγantagonist treatment decreased cyclooxygenase (COX-2), prostaglandin synthase (PGDS), and prostaglandin D2(PGD2) synthesis. In conclusion, the anticancer effects of combinedγ-tocotrienol and PPARγantagonists treatment in PPARγnegative/silenced breast cancer cells are mediated through PPARγ-independent mechanisms that are associated with a downregulation in COX-2, PGDS, and PGD2synthesis.
Influence of Stress Connected with Moving to a New Farm on Potentially MAP-Infected Mouflons
Authors: Pribylova-Dziedzinska Radka , Slana Iva , Lamka Jiri , Pavlik Ivo
Published: March 2014

There is no European legislation concerning paratuberculosis that requires that imported animals be kept in quarantine and commonly they are directly released into areas with other animals. In this study, detection of latent infection of paratuberculosis in healthy mouflons previously diagnosed as paratuberculosis-free, but originating from a real time quantitative PCR- (qPCR-) positive herd, occurred after their transport to a new farm. During a twelve-day quarantine period, all mouflons irregularly shed Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in faeces, and in a small number of cases also in milk. After the animals were released from quarantine, MAP was detected for a further two days, after which, testing was negative, except in one case. Therefore, the stress connected with transport, novel environment, dietary change, or limited area with high density of animals might have contributed to the induction of paratuberculosis and the shedding of MAP from the animals, previously diagnosed as MAP-negative. According to these results, the keeping of imported animals in quarantine and their examination for MAP presence not only before the transport but also afterwards should be recommended. The designation of a particular area of a farm as a quarantine enclosure could help to mitigate the impact of stress caused by a confined space with a high density of animals.
In Silico Studies on Development of Novel Virostatic Agents against Bluetongue Virus
Authors: Anupama Pandrangi
Published: March 2014

The core of BTV is organized into three concentric structures of which VP7 protein forms the major core protein. The subcore consists of VP3 protein and the innermost part of the core is made of three minor proteins: VP1, VP4, and VP6. Earlier it was reported that core-like particles (CLPs) composed of viral VP7 and VP3 proteins were produced in order to study role of VP7 protein in intermolecular interactions in the BTV assembly process. Site specific mutational studies revealed that substitution of the single lysine residue of VP7 (Lys-255) by leucine abrogated CLP formation, indicating a critical role for this lysine. In the present study, homology modeling, mutagenesis, and docking studies were carried out in order to design potent leads in modulation of VP7 protein in abrogating CLP formation.
Olmesartan Associated Sprue-Like Enteropathy and Colon Perforation
Authors: Abdelghany Mahmoud , Gonzalez Luis , Slater John , Begley Christopher
Published: March 2014

We are reporting a unique case of olmesartan associated severe sprue-like enteropathy in a 52-year-old woman who presented to our hospital complaining of severe abdominal pain and nausea. At the emergency department she suffered from a cardiac arrest and was found to have a colon perforation. The patient was treated conservatively without surgical intervention and olmesartan was discontinued. After one month, she had complete resolution of her symptoms.
Generalizing Krawtchouk Polynomials Using Hadamard Matrices
Authors: Chami Peter S. , Sing Bernd , Sookoo Norris
Published: March 2014

We investigate polynomials, called m-polynomials, whose generator polynomial has coefficients that can be arranged in a square matrix; in particular, the case where this matrix is a Hadamard matrix is considered. Orthogonality relations and recurrence relations are established, and coefficients for the expansion of any polynomial in terms of m-polynomials are obtained. We conclude this paper by an implementation of m-polynomials and some of the results obtained for them in Mathematica.
Expansive Soil Crack Depth under Cumulative Damage
Authors: Shi Bei-xiao , Chen Sheng-shui , Han Hua-qiang , Zheng Cheng-feng
Published: March 2014

The crack developing depth is a key problem to slope stability of the expansive soil and its project governance and the crack appears under the roles of dry-wet cycle and gradually develops. It is believed from the analysis that, because of its own cohesion, the expansive soil will have a certain amount of deformation under pulling stress but without cracks. The soil body will crack only when the deformation exceeds the ultimate tensile strain that causes cracks. And it is also believed that, due to the combined effect of various environmental factors, particularly changes of the internal water content, the inherent basic physical properties of expansive soil are weakened, and irreversible cumulative damages are eventually formed, resulting in the development of expansive soil cracks in depth. Starting from the perspective of volumetric strain that is caused by water loss, considering the influences of water loss rate and dry-wet cycle on crack developing depth, the crack developing depth calculation model which considers the water loss rate and the cumulative damages is established. Both the proposal of water loss rate and the application of cumulative damage theory to the expansive soil crack development problems try to avoid difficulties in matrix suction measurement, which will surely play a good role in promoting and improving the research of unsaturated expansive soil.
Surgical, Ultrasound Guided Drainage, and Medical Management of Tuboovarian Abscesses
Authors: Crespo Frank A. , Ganesh Dervi , Lo Kaming , Chin Kevin , Norris Paul , Chakhtoura Nahida
Published: March 2014

Objective. To compare surgical, ultrasound guided drainage, and medical management of tuboovarian abscesses (TOA) and determine if different characteristics in patient presentation influence treatment and outcome. Methods. Retrospective cohort study of 158 patients admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital between 2007 and 2012 with a TOA. Results. Patients treated with IV antibiotics (IV) alone were hospitalized for 5.59 days (SD 2.52), IV antibiotics and US guided drainage (IV/US) were hospitalized for 9.63 days (SD 7.58), and IV antibiotics and surgery (IV/surgery) were hospitalized for 8.14 days ((SD 3.9), (P<0.001)). A total of 52 patients were readmitted with TOA; 41.8% were treated with IV; 26.9% were readmitted with IV/US; 7.1% were readmitted with IV/surgery (P<0.022). Patients with a TOA measuring 0–8 cm were hospitalized for 5.97 days (SD 4.24), while those greater than 8 cm were hospitalized for 7.71 days ((SD 4.69), (P<0.029)). Patients treated with a triple antibiotic regimen were hospitalized for 8.42 days (SD 5.70) versus 5.8 days (SD 3.24) when receiving an alternative regimen (P<0.002). Conclusions. Longer hospitalization in patients treated uniformly with either triple antibiotics, ultrasound guided drainage, or surgery represents a delay in optimal treatment. Tailoring treatment plans based on patient presentation may allow for shorter hospital stays and improved morbidity.
Noncoding RNAs: Emerging Players in Muscular Dystrophies
Authors: Falcone Germana , Perfetti Alessandra , Cardinali Beatrice , Martelli Fabio
Published: March 2014

The fascinating world of noncoding RNAs has recently come to light, thanks to the development of powerful sequencing technologies, revealing a variety of RNA molecules playing important regulatory functions in most, if not all, cellular processes. Many noncoding RNAs have been implicated in regulatory networks that are determinant for skeletal muscle differentiation and disease. In this review, we outline the noncoding RNAs involved in physiological mechanisms of myogenesis and those that appear dysregulated in muscle dystrophies, also discussing their potential use as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
The Hybrid BFGS-CG Method in Solving Unconstrained Optimization Problems
Authors: Ibrahim Mohd Asrul Hery , Mamat Mustafa , Leong Wah June
Published: March 2014

In solving large scale problems, the quasi-Newton method is known as the most efficient method in solving unconstrained optimization problems. Hence, a new hybrid method, known as the BFGS-CG method, has been created based on these properties, combining the search direction between conjugate gradient methods and quasi-Newton methods. In comparison to standard BFGS methods and conjugate gradient methods, the BFGS-CG method shows significant improvement in the total number of iterations and CPU time required to solve large scale unconstrained optimization problems. We also prove that the hybrid method is globally convergent.