bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cutaneous horn arising from an area of discoid lupus erythematosus on the scalp
Authors: Fatani Mohammad Ibrahim , Hussain Waleed Mohd , Baltow Badee , Alsharif Sahar
Published: April 2014

A cutaneous horn is a rare clinical condition characterised by a conical projection of hyperkeratotic epidermis. Cutaneous horns most commonly arise from sun-exposed skin in elderly men, but may arise from any part of the body at any age in men and women. When a cutaneous horn forms, it is important to determine the underlying cause. Various skin diseases may present with cutaneous horns including viral warts, actinic keratosis, keratoacanthoma, seborrhoeic keratosis, pyogenic granuloma, discoid lupus erythematosus, verruca vulgaris, Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The underlying pathology is benign in 61.1% of cases, premalignant in 23.2% of cases and malignant in 15.7% of cases. We report a patient with a cutaneous horn arising from an area of discoid lupus erythematosus on the scalp.
Implant failure caused by non-union of bisphosphonate-associated subtrochanteric femur fracture
Authors: O'Neill Barry James , O'hEireamhoin Sven , Morrissey David I , Keogh Peter
Published: April 2014

Bisphosphonate use has been identified as a contributory factor in atypical subtrochanteric fracture of the femur. These fractures are commonly treated with an intramedullary device. We present a case of implant failure of an intrameduallary device caused by non-union of an atypical subtrochanteric fracture.
Auditory hallucinations induced by trazodone
Authors: Shiotsuki Ippei , Terao Takeshi , Ishii Nobuyoshi , Hatano Koji
Published: April 2014

A 26-year-old female outpatient presenting with a depressive state suffered from auditory hallucinations at night. Her auditory hallucinations did not respond to blonanserin or paliperidone, but partially responded to risperidone. In view of the possibility that her auditory hallucinations began after starting trazodone, trazodone was discontinued, leading to a complete resolution of her auditory hallucinations. Furthermore, even after risperidone was decreased and discontinued, her auditory hallucinations did not recur. These findings suggest that trazodone may induce auditory hallucinations in some susceptible patients.
Deaths and major biographical events: a study of all cancer deaths in Germany from 1995 to 2009
Authors: Medenwald Daniel , Kuss Oliver
Published: April 2014

Objective

To determine if people dying from cancer are able to prolong their own life in order to experience a certain biographical event, or whether the appearance of such an occasion leads to increased deaths before the event.

Methods

We compared numbers of cancer deaths during a period of 1 week before and after biographically important occasions, which were birthday, Christmas and Easter. As a psychogenic postponement or hastening of death is most likely in chronic diseases (as opposed to accidents or cardiovascular events), we included cancer deaths only. We estimated relative risks (RRs) with their corresponding Bonferroni corrected CIs to assess effects of biographical events. All registered cancer deaths in Germany from 1995 to 2009 were included (3 257 520 individual deaths). Numbers of deaths were corrected for seasonality.

Results

Considering all cases, there were noticeably more deaths than expected in the week preceding Christmas, leading to an RR of dying after the event of 0.987 (CI 0.978 to 0.997). Estimates indicating a hastening of death were consistent over several subgroups. Other occasions showed inconsistent results, especially there was no convincing postponement effect in our data.

Conclusions

While there is no evidence of different death numbers before and after Easter and birthdays, the appearance of Christmas seems to increase deaths.
Bone grafting in small animal orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Innes John
Published: April 2014

Bone grafting is a useful technique for a variety of orthopaedic injuries, but general practitioners may not routinely use it. This article aims to ‘demystify’ the subject of bone grafting and provide step‐by‐step guides for the harvest of autogenous cancellous bone grafting (grafts taken from the patient), as well as to provide information on the selection and use of ready‐to‐use allografts (grafts taken from donors of the same species) and other more recent modalities.
Sheep health, welfare and production planning 3. Using financial indicators
Authors: Wright Nerys , Phythian Clare , Phillips Kate , Morgan Mair
Published: April 2014

Implementing changes to sheep vaccination programmes, parasite control and flock nutrition often incur additional cost in advance of any improvements in performance. This article, the last in a series of three examining the opportunities for veterinary practitioners and livestock advisors to engage more sheep farmers in active health planning, looks at calculating the financial gain of implementing changes to improve flock performance, which is crucial to ensuring that farmers realise the benefits resulting from the initial investment.
Integrating exotics into mixed practice
Authors: Reynolds Elizabeth
Published: April 2014

A mixed practice that also treats exotic animals can provide an exciting work environment, but such a setup presents its own set of challenges. Elizabeth Reynolds discusses how to integrate exotics into a busy mixed practice and how this can affect the running of the business.
Comments on the dilemma in the March issue:‘Looking a store horse in the mouth’
Authors: Mullan Siobhan
Published: April 2014

The dilemma in the March issue concerned a well‐bred, four‐year‐old, National Hunt filly, to be vetted before the premier sales (In Practice, March 2014, volume 36, pages 158‐156). The horse sounded a bit ‘thick in her wind’ and the owner's behaviour during the lunge phase of the examination raised suspicions that all was not as it should be. There was no surgical scar or other abnormality on palpation of the laryngeal area, but you recalled a colleague saying he had scoped some of the client's horses at the previous month's endoscopy and laser surgery clinic. In discussing how to proceed, Joe Collins suggested thinking about all the responsibilities that a vet would have in such a situation (eg, responsibility to the horse, the client, the equine industry, the profession, to oneself). While it would be difficult to reconcile all these various and conflicting responsibilities, one possibility might be to tell the owner that you had heard an abnormal respiratory noise, making it necessary to scope the horse to make sure that nothing was amiss. Alternatively, you could surreptitiously contact the surgery to find out the filly's status. Either way the client might become upset but the vet's overriding responsibility was to behave in a professionally responsible manner.
Association between hemodynamic conditions and occlusion times after flow diversion in cerebral aneurysms
Authors: Mut Fernando , Raschi Marcelo , Scrivano Esteban , Bleise Carlos , Chudyk Jorge , Ceratto Rosana , Lylyk Pedro , Cebral Juan R
Published: April 2014

Background

Evaluation of flow diversion treatment of intracranial aneurysms is difficult owing to lack of knowledge of the target hemodynamic environment.

Objective

To identify hemodynamic conditions created after flow diversion that induce fast aneurysm occlusion.

Methods

Two groups of aneurysms treated with flow diverters alone were selected: (a) aneurysms completely occluded at 3 months (fast occlusion), and (b) aneurysms patent or incompletely occluded at 6 months (slow occlusion). A total of 23 aneurysms were included in the study. Patient-specific computational fluid dynamics models were constructed and used to characterize the hemodynamic environment immediately before and after treatment. Average post-treatment hemodynamic conditions between the fast and slow occlusion groups were statistically compared.

Results

Aneurysms in the fast occlusion group had significantly lower post-treatment mean velocity (fast=1.13cm/s, slow=3.11cm/s, p=0.02), inflow rate (fast=0.47mL/s, slow=1.89mL/s, p=0.004) and shear rate (fast=20.52 1/s, slow=32.37 1/s, p=0.02) than aneurysms in the slow occlusion group. Receiver operating characteristics analysis showed that mean post-treatment velocity, inflow rate, and shear rate below a certain threshold could discriminate between aneurysms of the fast and slow occlusion groups with good accuracy (84%, 77%, and 76%, respectively).

Conclusions

The occlusion time of cerebral aneurysms treated with flow diverters can be predicted by the hemodynamic conditions created immediately after device implantation. Specifically, low post-implantation flow velocity, inflow rate, and shear rate are associated with fast occlusion times.
Implementation and adherence issues in a workplace treadmill desk intervention
Authors: Tudor-Locke Catrine , Hendrick Chelsea A. , Duet Megan T. , Swift Damon L. , Schuna John M. , Martin Corby K. , Johnson William D. , Church Timothy S.
Published: April 2014

We report experiences, observations, and general lessons learned, specifically with regards to participant recruitment and adherence, while implementing a 6-month randomized controlled treadmill desk intervention (the WorkStation Pilot Study) in a real-world office-based health insurance workplace. Despite support from the company’s upper administration, relatively few employees responded to the company-generated e-mail to participate in the study. Ultimately only 41 overweight/obese participants were deemed eligible and enrolled from a recruitment pool of 728 workers. Participants allocated to the Treadmill Desk Group found the treadmill desk difficult to use for 45 min twice a day as scheduled. Overall attendance averaged 45%–50% of all possible scheduled sessions. The most frequently reported reasons for missing sessions included work conflict (35%), out of office (30%), and illness/injury/drop-out (20%). Although focus groups indicated consistently positive comments about treadmill desks, an apparent challenge was fitting a rigid schedule of shared use to an equally rigid and demanding work schedule punctuated with numerous tasks and obligations that could not easily be interrupted. Regardless, we documented that sedentary office workers average ∼43 min of light-intensity (∼2 METs) treadmill walking daily in response to a scheduled, facilitated, and shared access workplace intervention. Workstation alternatives that combine computer-based work with light-intensity physical activity are a potential solution to health problems associated with excessive sedentary behavior; however, there are numerous administrative, capital, and human resource challenges confronting employers considering providing treadmill desks to workers in a cost-effective and equitable manner.
New statistical lattice model with double honeycomb symmetry
Authors: Naji S. , Belhaj A. , Labrim H. , Bhihi M. , Benyoussef A. , El Kenz A.
Published: April 2014

Inspired from the connection between Lie symmetries and two-dimensional materials, we propose a new statistical lattice model based on a double hexagonal structure appearing in the G2 symmetry. We first construct an Ising-1/2 model, with spin values σ = ±1, exhibiting such a symmetry. The corresponding ground state shows the ferromagnetic, the antiferromagnetic, the partial ferrimagnetic and the topological ferrimagnetic phases depending on the exchange couplings. Then, we examine the phase diagrams and the magnetization using the mean field approximation (MFA). Among others, it has been suggested that the present model could be localized between systems involving the triangular and the single hexagonal lattice geometries.
Alloying-related trends in thermal properties of ternary TiN-based nitrides
Authors: Huang Shuo , Li Rui-Zi , Qi San-Tao , Chen Bao , Shen Jiang
Published: April 2014

The thermal properties of TiN -based nitrides are studied using first-principles calculations. Bulk modulus, thermal expansion, heat capacity, vibrational entropy and melting point for TiN –X compounds are computed, considering all possible transition-metal solute species X. The calculated properties show clear trends as a function of d-band filling. The results indicate that the largest increase of melting point of TiN is caused by alloying element W. Computed thermal properties for pure TiN are in good agreement with the available experimental and theoretical data.
Sign changes of Fourier coefficients of cusp forms supported on prime power indices
Authors: Kohnen Winfried , Martin Yves
Published: April 2014

Let f be an even integral weight, normalized, cuspidal Hecke eigenform over SL2(ℤ) with Fourier coefficients a(n). Let j be a positive integer. We prove that for almost all primes p the sequence (a(pjn))n≥0 has infinitely many sign changes. We also obtain a similar result for any cusp form with real Fourier coefficients that provide the characteristic polynomial of some generalized Hecke operator is irreducible over ℚ.
Banach algebras, Samelson products, and the Wang differential
Authors: Schochet Claude L.
Published: April 2014

Assume that given a principal G bundle ζ : P → Sk (with k ≥ 2) and a Banach algebra B upon which G acts continuously. Let [Formula: see text] denote the associated bundle and let [Formula: see text] denote the associated Banach algebra of sections. Then π* GL Aζ⊗B is determined by a mostly degenerate spectral sequence and by a Wang differential [Formula: see text] We show that if B is a C*-algebra then the differential is given explicitly in terms of an enhanced Samelson product with the clutching map of the principal bundle. Analogous results hold after localization and in the setting of topological K-theory.

We illustrate our technique with a close analysis of the invariants associated to the C*-algebra of sections of the bundle [Formula: see text] constructed from the Hopf bundle ζ : S7 → S4 and by the conjugation action of S3 on M2 = M2(ℂ). We compare and contrast the information obtained from the homotopy groups π*( U ◦Aζ⊗M2), the rational homotopy groups π*( U ◦Aζ⊗M2) ⊗ ℚ and the topological K-theory groups K*(Aζ⊗M2), where U ◦B is the connected component of the unitary group of the C*-algebra B.
Geomorphology of high-latitude coastal dunes: a review
Authors: Ruz M.-H. , Hesp P. A.
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this review is to assess if there are any specific processes and morphologies distinguishing coastal dunes developed in cold-climate conditions, in order to illustrate how climate can exert a control on coastal dune morphologies. In the Arctic, availability of sand supply and the duration of winter conditions are limiting factors for the development of large coastal dunes. They are small in size, and embryo dunes including nebkha are the dominant and often only coastal dune type. In milder subarctic settings, characterized by a longer surficial ice-free season, a greater variety of coastal dunes are found, mainly foredunes, blowouts and parabolic dunes. In subarctic areas, as along the SE coast of Hudson Bay, niveo-aeolian processes actively affect coastal dune development. These processes do not generally imprint permanent morphologies, although some distinctive sedimentary structures owing to the melting of snow are observed. The coastal dunes of the arctic regions differ from the dunes of subarctic and temperate regions mainly because of their limited spatial and morphological development. Extreme climatic conditions (low precipitation, extreme cold), and very limited vegetation growing season, combined with low sediment supply, explain the fact that only embryo dunes develop in arctic environments.
Upregulation of the large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated K+ channels by Janus kinase 2
Authors: Hosseinzadeh Zohreh , Almilaji Ahmad , Honisch Sabina , Pakladok Tatsiana , Liu GuoXing , Bhavsar Shefalee K. , Ruth Peter , Shumilina Ekaterina , Lang Florian
Published: April 2014

The iberiotoxin-sensitive large conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated potassium (BK) channels (maxi-K+-channels) hyperpolarize the cell membrane thus supporting Ca2+ entry through Ca2+-release activated Ca2+ channels. Janus kinase-2 (JAK2) has been identified as novel regulator of ion transport. To explore whether JAK2 participates in the regulation of BK channels, cRNA encoding Ca2+-insensitive BK channels (BKM513I+Δ899–903) was injected into Xenopus oocytes with or without cRNA encoding wild-type JAK2, gain-of-function V617FJAK2, or inactive K882EJAK2. K+ conductance was determined by dual electrode voltage clamp and BK-channel protein abundance by confocal microscopy. In A204 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma cells, iberiotoxin-sensitive K+ current was determined utilizing whole cell patch clamp. A204 cells were further transfected with JAK2 and BK-channel transcript, and protein abundance was quantified by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. As a result, the K+ current in BKM513I+Δ899–903-expressing oocytes was significantly increased following coexpression of JAK2 or V617FJAK2 but not K882EJAK2. Coexpression of the BK channel with V617FJAK2 but not K882EJAK2 enhanced BK-channel protein abundance in the oocyte cell membrane. Exposure of BK-channel and V617FJAK2-expressing oocytes to the JAK2 inhibitor AG490 (40 μM) significantly decreased K+ current. Inhibition of channel insertion by brefeldin A (5 μM) decreased the K+ current to a similar extent in oocytes expressing the BK channel alone and in oocytes expressing the BK channel and V617FJAK2. The iberiotoxin (50 nM)-sensitive K+ current in rhabdomyosarcoma cells was significantly decreased by AG490 pretreatment (40 μM, 12 h). Moreover, overexpression of JAK2 in A204 cells significantly enhanced BK channel mRNA and protein abundance. In conclusion, JAK2 upregulates BK channels by increasing channel protein abundance in the cell membrane.
DW1029M, a novel botanical drug candidate, inhibits advanced glycation end-product formation, rat lens aldose reductase activity, and TGF-β1signaling
Authors: Yoon Joobyoung , Lee Hyunyong , Chang Hwan Bong , Choi Hyunsik , Kim Yong Sung , Rho Yang Kook , Seong Seungkyoo , Choi Dong Hwa , Park Dongeun , Ku Bonchul
Published: April 2014

DW1029M is a botanical extract consisting of Morus bark and Puerariae radix, produced by Dong-Wha Pharmaceutical, for nephroprotective drug development; it has been in phase II clinical trials in Korea. In our mechanistic investigations, we found that DW1029M inhibits advanced glycation end products (AGEs), rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1signaling, all of which are implicated in diabetic complications such as diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy. DW1029M inhibits AGE formation via Fe2+chelation. The extract contains 13 active constituents that inhibit AGE formation, 8 active constituents that inhibit RLAR activity, and 1 inhibitor of TGF-β1signaling. Our results suggest DW1029M protects against diabetic nephropathy via blockade of AGE formation, RLAR activity, and TGF-β1signaling.
Security Enhancement for Smartphone Using Biometrics in Cyber-Physical Systems
Authors: Chae Seung-Hoon , Moon Daesung , Ko Kyeong-Ri , Shin JuHyun , Pan Sung Bum
Published: April 2014

With the expansion of the Cyber-Physical System (CPS) concept, smartphones have come to constitute a competitive platform that connects humans and the surrounding physical world. Along with the communication functions and mobility of cellular phones, smartphones have various sensors in addition to greatly enhanced performances and storage space compared with existing cellular phones. However the “unlock” process of smartphones and the need for user passwords when accessing SNSs prove to be great weaknesses in smartphone security. Therefore, smartphone security should be enhanced through biometrics, which can make up for the shortcomings of passwords. The present study proposes minutiae-ridge based fingerprint verification for enhancing the security of fingerprint verification, a biometrics, to improve smartphone security. To evaluate the proposed minutiae-ridge based fingerprint verification performance in smartphones, its performance was compared with existing fingerprint verification methods in terms of Equal Error Rate (EER), False Non-Match Rate (FNMR), and required number of cycles. The results show that although the required number of cycles increased by 1.5% with the proposed method, EER and FNMR improved by 53% and 92%, respectively.
Facing Contrast-Enhancing Gliomas: Perfusion MRI in Grade III and Grade IV Gliomas according to Tumor Area
Authors: Di Stefano Anna Luisa , Bergsland Niels , Berzero Giulia , Farina Lisa , Rognone Elisa , Gastaldi Matteo , Aquino Domenico , Frati Alessandro , Tomasello Francesco , Ceroni Mauro , Marchioni Enrico , Bastianello Stefano
Published: April 2014

Tumoral neoangiogenesis characterizes high grade gliomas. Relative Cerebral Blood Volume (rCBV), calculated with Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast (DSC) Perfusion-Weighted Imaging (PWI), allows for the estimation of vascular density over the tumor bed. The aim of the study was to characterize putative tumoral neoangiogenesis via the study of maximal rCBV with a Region of Interest (ROI) approach in three tumor areas—the contrast-enhancing area, the nonenhancing tumor, and the high perfusion area on CBV map—in patients affected by contrast-enhancing glioma (grades III and IV). Twenty-one patients were included: 15 were affected by grade IV and 6 by grade III glioma. Maximal rCBV values for each patient were averaged according to glioma grade. Although rCBV from contrast-enhancement and from nonenhancing tumor areas was higher in grade IV glioma than in grade III (5.58 and 2.68; 3.01 and 2.2, resp.), the differences were not significant. Instead, rCBV recorded in the high perfusion area on CBV map, independently of tumor compartment, was significantly higher in grade IV glioma than in grade III (7.51 versus 3.78,P=0.036). In conclusion, neoangiogenesis encompasses different tumor compartments and CBV maps appear capable of best characterizing the degree of neovascularization. Facing contrast-enhancing brain tumors, areas of high perfusion on CBV maps should be considered as the reference areas to be targeted for glioma grading.
BgCut: Automatic Ship Detection from UAV Images
Authors: Xu Chao , Zhang Dongping , Zhang Zhengning , Feng Zhiyong
Published: April 2014

Ship detection in static UAV aerial images is a fundamental challenge in sea target detection and precise positioning. In this paper, an improved universal background model based on Grabcut algorithm is proposed to segment foreground objects from sea automatically. First, a sea template library including images in different natural conditions is built to provide an initial template to the model. Then the background trimap is obtained by combing some templates matching with region growing algorithm. The output trimap initializes Grabcut background instead of manual intervention and the process of segmentation without iteration. The effectiveness of our proposed model is demonstrated by extensive experiments on a certain area of real UAV aerial images by an airborne Canon 5D Mark. The proposed algorithm is not only adaptive but also with good segmentation. Furthermore, the model in this paper can be well applied in the automated processing of industrial images for related researches.
Blood Transfusion Reactions in Elderly Patients Hospitalized in a Multilevel Geriatric Hospital
Authors: Lubart E. , Segal R. , Tryhub N. , Sigler E. , Leibovitz A.
Published: April 2014

Background/Objectives. Blood transfusion is a critical issue for patients with chronic diseases such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and malignancy. However, side effects are not rare. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the frequency of adverse blood transfusion reactions in hospitalized elderly patients during a one-year period.Design/Setting/Participants. Blood transfusion reactions such as fever, chills, dyspnea, and others following blood transfusions in hospitalized geriatric patients during one-year period were examined.Results. 382 blood units (242 patients) were administered during the study period. In 40 (11%) cases, blood transfusion reactions occurred. Fever was the most common reaction in 29 cases (72%), four (10%) had shortness of breath, and 3 (8%) had vomiting and chills each. There were no lethal cases in the 24-hour period following blood transfusions.Conclusion. A relatively low rate of adverse blood transfusion reactions occurred in our geriatric patients. We may speculate that this is related to underreporting of minor symptoms due to the high percentage of demented patients in this population.
A Note on Wavelet Estimation of the Derivatives of a Regression Function in a Random Design Setting
Authors: Chesneau Christophe
Published: April 2014

We investigate the estimation of the derivatives of a regression function in the nonparametric regression model with random design. New wavelet estimators are developed. Their performances are evaluated via the mean integrated squared error. Fast rates of convergence are obtained for a wide class of unknown functions.
Role of Clinical Presentations and Routine CSF Analysis in the Rapid Diagnosis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Cases of Negative Gram Stained Smears
Authors: Fouad Rabab , Khairy Marwa , Fathalah Waleed , Gad Taha , El-Kholy Badawy , Yosry Ayman
Published: April 2014

Background and Aim.Bacterial meningitis is a lethal, disabling endemic disease needing prompt antibiotic management. Gram stained smears is rapid accurate method for diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. In cases of negative gram stained smears diagnosis is delayed till culture results. We aim to assess the role of clinical presentations and routine CSF analysis in the cost-effective rapid diagnosis of negative gram stained smears bacterial meningitis.Methods.Cross sectional study including 623 acute meningitis patients divided into two groups: bacterial meningitis and nonbacterial meningitis groups. The clinical presentations, systemic inflammatory parameters, and CSF analysis were evaluated and compared in both groups.Results.Altered conscious level, localizing neurological signs, Kernig’s and Brudzinski’s signs together with peripheral leucocytosis (>10.000/mm3), high CRP (>6) together with high CSF protein (>50 gl/dL), CSF neutrophilic count (≥50% of total CSF leucocytic count), and low CSF glucose level (<45 gm/dL) and CSF/serum glucose ≤0.6 were significantly diagnostic in bacterial meningitis patients. From the significant CSF analysis variables CSF protein carried the higher accuracy of diagnosis 78% with sensitivity 88% and specificity 72%.Conclusions.High CSF protein (>50 mg/dL) together with plasma inflammatory markers and CSF cytochemical parameters can diagnose bacterial meningitis in gram stain negative smear till culture results.
Some Generalizations and Modifications of Iterative Methods for Solving Large Sparse Symmetric Indefinite Linear Systems
Authors: Li Yu-Chien , Chen Jen-Yuan , Kincaid David R.
Published: April 2014

We discuss a variety of iterative methods that are based on the Arnoldi process for solving large sparse symmetric indefinite linear systems. We describe the SYMMLQ and SYMMQR methods, as well as generalizations and modifications of them. Then, we cover the Lanczos/MSYMMLQ and Lanczos/MSYMMQR methods, which arise from a double linear system. We present pseudocodes for these algorithms.
Radiation Efficiency Improvement Method for Multifeed Circular Polarization Antenna Array with Mutual Coupling Effect
Authors: Xing Zijian , Wang Ling , Li Jianying , Wei Kun
Published: April 2014

In the circular polarization antenna array, the input impedance, axial ratio, and radiation pattern of antenna patch will be changed. Compared with the performances of single antenna, the mutual coupling also led to the low efficiency of all antennas. A novel radiation efficiency elevation method of multifeed circular polarization (CP) antenna array is demonstrated in this paper, in order to solve the problem. To prove the concept of novel method, dual-feed antenna with stubs is developed and fabricated. According to the measured results, each antenna would increase in efficiency by approximate 1dB by applying this novel design method. Therefore, this paper provides dramatically useful results of lessening the negative effect resulting in mutual coupling.
AP-IO: Asynchronous Pipeline I/O for Hiding Periodic Output Cost in CFD Simulation
Authors: Xiaoguang Ren , Xinhai Xu
Published: April 2014

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation often needs to periodically output intermediate results to files in the form of snapshots for visualization or restart, which seriously impacts the performance. In this paper, we present asynchronous pipeline I/O (AP-IO) optimization scheme for the periodically snapshot output on the basis of asynchronous I/O and CFD application characteristics. InAP-IO, dedicated background I/O processes or threads are in charge of handling the file write in pipeline mode, therefore the write overhead can be hidden with more calculation than classic asynchronous I/O. We design the framework ofAP-IOand implement it in OpenFOAM, providing CFD users with a user-friendly interface. Experimental results on theTianhe-2supercomputer demonstrate thatAP-IOcan achieve a good optimization effect for the periodical snapshot output in CFD application, and the effect is especially better for massively parallel CFD simulations, which can reduce the total execution time up to about 40%.
Limit of Riemann Solutions to the Nonsymmetric System of Keyfitz-Kranzer Type
Authors: Guo Lihui , Yin Gan
Published: April 2014

The limit of Riemann solutions to the nonsymmetric system of Keyfitz-Kranzer type with a scaled pressure is considered for both polytropic gas and generalized Chaplygin gas. In the former case, the delta shock wave can be obtained as the limit of shock wave and contact discontinuity whenu->u+and the parameterϵtends to zero. The point is, the delta shock wave is not the one of transport equations, which is obviously different from cases of some other systems such as Euler equations or relativistic Euler equations. For the generalized Chaplygin gas, unlike the polytropic or isothermal gas, there exists a certain critical valueϵ2depending only on the Riemann initial data, such that whenϵdrops toϵ2, the delta shock wave appears asu->u+, which is actually a delta solution of the same system in one critical case. Then asϵbecomes smaller and goes to zero at last, the delta shock wave solution is the exact one of transport equations. Furthermore, the vacuum states and contact discontinuities can be obtained as the limit of Riemann solutions whenu-<u+andu-=u+, respectively.
Hermitian(ϵ,δ)-Freudenthal-Kantor Triple Systems and Certain Applications of*-Generalized Jordan Triple Systems to Field Theory
Authors: Kamiya Noriaki , Sato Matsuo
Published: April 2014

We define Hermitian(ϵ,δ)-Freudenthal-Kantor triple systems and prove a structure theorem. We also give some examples of triple systems that are generalizations of theu(N)⊕u(M)andsp(2N)⊕u(1)Hermitian 3-algebras. We apply a*-generalized Jordan triple system to a field theory and obtain a Chern-Simons gauge theory. We find that the novel Higgs mechanism works, where the Chern-Simons gauge theory reduces to a Yang-Mills theory in a certain limit.
“Sometimes It’s Difficult to Have a Normal Life”: Results from a Qualitative Study Exploring Caregiver Burden in Schizophrenia
Authors: Gater Adam , Rofail Diana , Tolley Chloe , Marshall Chris , Abetz-Webb Linda , Zarit Steven H. , Berardo Carmen Galani
Published: April 2014

Objectives. As a disease typified by early onset and chronic disease course, caring for a person with schizophrenia may have a significant impact on caregivers’ lives. This study aimed to investigate the subjective experiences of caregivers of people with schizophrenia as a means of understanding “caregiver burden” in this population.Methods. Face-to-face qualitative interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 19 US-English speaking caregivers of people with schizophrenia (who were at least moderately ill). Interview transcripts were analyzed using grounded theory methods and findings used to inform the development of a preliminary conceptual model outlining caregivers’ experiences.Results. Findings support assertions that people with schizophrenia were largely dependent upon caregivers for the provision of care and caregivers subsequently reported lacking time for themselves and their other responsibilities (e.g., family and work). Caregiver burden frequently manifested as detriments in physical (e.g., fatigue, sickness) and emotional well-being (e.g., depression and anxiety).Conclusions. Caring for a person with schizophrenia has a significant impact on the lives of informal (unpaid) caregivers and alleviating caregiver burden is critical for managing individual and societal costs. Future research should concentrate on establishing reliable and valid means of assessing burden among caregivers of persons with schizophrenia to inform the development and evaluation of interventions for reducing this burden.
A Conceptual Architecture for Adaptive Human-Computer Interface of a PT Operation Platform Based on Context-Awareness
Authors: Xue Qing , Han Xuan , Li Mingrui , Liu Minxia
Published: April 2014

We present a conceptual architecture for adaptive human-computer interface of a PT operation platform based on context-awareness. This architecture will form the basis of design for such an interface. This paper describes components, key technologies, and working principles of the architecture. The critical contents covered context information modeling, processing, relationship establishing between contexts and interface design knowledge by use of adaptive knowledge reasoning, and visualization implementing of adaptive interface with the aid of interface tools technology.
Oxidative Modification of Proteins in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis with Bacterial Infections
Authors: Sadowska-Bartosz Izabela , Galiniak Sabina , Bartosz Grzegorz , Rachel Marta
Published: April 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureuscause chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, inducing chronic oxidative stress. Several markers of plasma protein oxidative damage and glycoxidation and activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes have been compared in stable CF patients chronically infected withPseudomonas aeruginosa(n=12) andStaphylococcus aureus(n=10) in relation to healthy subjects (n=11). Concentration of nitric oxide was also measured in the exhaled air from the lower respiratory tract of patients with CF. Elevated glycophore (4.22 ± 0.91 and 4.19 ± 1.04 versus control 3.18 ± 0.53 fluorescence units (FU)/mg protein;P<0.05) and carbonyl group levels (1.9 ± 0.64, 1.87 ± 0.45 versus control 0.94 ± 0.19 nmol/mg protein;P<0.05) as well as increased glutathioneS-transferase activity (2.51 ± 0.88 and 2.57 ± 0.79 U/g Hb versus 0.77 ± 0.16 U/g Hb;P<0.05) were noted inPseudomonas aeruginosaandStaphylococcus aureusinfected CF. Kynurenine level (4.91 ± 1.22 versus 3.89 ± 0.54 FU/mg protein;P<0.05) was elevated only inStaphylococcus aureusinfected CF. These results confirm oxidative stress in CF and demonstrate the usefulness of the glycophore level and protein carbonyl groups as markers of oxidative modifications of plasma proteins in this disease.
The Commutators of Fractional Integrals on Generalized Herz Spaces
Authors: Hu Yue , He Yuexiang , Wang Yueshan
Published: April 2014

LetIlbe the fractional integral,0<l<nand letb∈BMO. We will obtain the weighted estimates for the commutatorb,Ilon the generalized Herz spaces.
Neuroprotective Effects of Different Modalities of Acupuncture on Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury in Rats
Authors: Jiang Song-he , Tu Wen-zhan , Zou En-miao , Hu Jie , Wang Sai , Li Jiang-ru , Wang Wan-sheng , He Rong , Cheng Rui-dong , Liao Wei-jing
Published: April 2014

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can induce a series of histological, biochemical, and functional changes. Acupuncture is commonly used for SCI patients. Using male rats of spinal cord injury with the New York University (NYU) Impactor, we investigated the response of electroacupuncture (EA), manual acupuncture (MA), and transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) at Shuigou (DU26) and Fengfu (DU16) acupoints to understand the effects and mechanisms of acupuncture in neuroprotection and neuronal function recovery after SCI. Histological study showed a restored neural morphology and an increase in the quantity of neurons after EA, MA, and TAES administrations. Acupuncture′s antioxidation effects were demonstrated by alleviation of the post‐SCI superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increase and malondialdehyde (MDA) level decrease. The anti‐inflammation effect of acupuncture was shown as the reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) when SCI was treated. And the antiapoptosis role was approved by TUNEL staining. Our data confirmed that the role of acupuncture in neuroprotection and dorsal neuronal function recovery after rat SCI, especially, EA stimulating at Shuigou (DU26) and Fengfu (DU16) can greatly promote neuronal function recovery, which may result from antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and antiapoptosis effects of acupuncture.
Double-Framed Soft Hypervector Spaces
Authors: Muhiuddin G. , Al-Roqi Abdullah M.
Published: April 2014

The notions of double-framed soft subfields, double-framed soft algebras over double-framed soft subfields, and double-framed soft hypervector spaces are introduced, and their properties and characterizations are considered.
Effect of Laser Welding Parameters on Formation of NiTi Shape Memory Alloy Welds
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Xiaohong , Li Hongguang , Cong Fuzhong , Liu Yongbing
Published: April 2014

In this work experimental trials of welding of NiTi flat plates with 2.0 mm thickness were conducted using a 4.5 kW continuous wave (CW) Nd:YAG laser. The influences of laser output power, welding speed, defocus amount and side-blow shielding gas flow rate on the morphology, welding depth and width, and quality of the welded seam were investigated. Meanwhile, the effects of heat input on the mechanical and functional properties of welded joints were studied. The results show that laser welding can take better formation in NiTi alloys. The matching curves with laser power and welding speed affecting different formation of welds were experimentally acquired, which can provide references for laser welding and engineering application of NiTi alloy. The heat input has obvious effects on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and shape memory behavior of the welded joints.
Bilateral Simultaneous Heterotopic Ossification of the Reflected Head of Rectus Femoris Muscle: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Tonbul Murat , Ozen Seyma , Tonbul Ayse Tuba
Published: April 2014

Lamellar bone formation in an abnormal location is defined as heterotopic ossification. It commonly occurs around the hip joint and most often involves the abductor muscles. It is a benign condition; however, its etiology remains largely unknown. Most previously reported cases have been due to trauma or intramuscular hemorrhage. In this paper, we present a case of bilateral heterotopic ossification of the reflected head of rectus femoris muscle without antecedent trauma or any other known cause, as the first and unique case in the literature. She was treated by excision of the right symptomatic bony mass via a modified Smith-Petersen approach. Postoperatively, she received 75 mg indomethacin daily for six weeks. She was pain-free and obtained full range of motion 3 weeks after the first intervention.
Hierarchical Structures from Inorganic Nanocrystal Self-Assembly for Photoenergy Utilization
Authors: Zhu Yun-Pei , Ren Tie-Zhen , Ma Tian-Yi , Yuan Zhong-Yong
Published: April 2014

Self-assembly has emerged as a powerful strategy for controlling the structure and physicochemical properties of ensembles of inorganic nanocrystals. Hierarchical structures from nanocrystal assembly show collective properties that differ from individual nanocrystals and bulk samples. Incorporation of structural hierarchy into nanostructures is of great importance as a result of enhancing mass transportation, reducing resistance to diffusion, and high surface areas for adsorption and reaction, and thus much effort has been devoted to the exploration of various novel organizing schemes through which inorganic porous structure with architectural design can be created. In this paper, the recent research progress in this field is reviewed. The general strategies for the synthesis of hierarchical structures assembled from nanobuilding blocks are elaborated. The well-defined hierarchical structures provide new opportunities for optimizing, tuning, and/or enhancing the properties and performance of these materials and have found applications in photoenergy utilization including photodegradation, photocatalytic H2production, photocatalytic CO2conversion, and sensitized solar cells, and these are discussed illustratively.
A Time-Domain Hybrid Analysis Method for Detecting and Quantifying T-Wave Alternans
Authors: Wan Xiangkui , Yan Kanghui , Zhang Linlin , Zeng Yanjun
Published: April 2014

T-wave alternans (TWA) in surface electrocardiograph (ECG) signals has been recognized as a marker of cardiac electrical instability and is hypothesized to be associated with increased risk for ventricular arrhythmias among patients. A novel time-domain TWA hybrid analysis method (HAM) utilizing the correlation method and least squares regression technique is described in this paper. Simulated ECGs containing artificial TWA (cases of absence of TWA and presence of stationary or time-varying or phase-reversal TWA) under different baseline wanderings are used to test the method, and the results show that HAM has a better ability of quantifying TWA amplitude compared with the correlation method (CM) and adapting match filter method (AMFM). The HAM is subsequently used to analyze the clinical ECGs, and results produced by the HAM have, in general, demonstrated consistency with those produced by the CM and the AMFM, while the quantifying TWA amplitudes by the HAM are universally higher than those by the other two methods.
Simulation-Based Optimization of a Vector Showerhead System for the Control of Flow Field Profile in a Vertical Reactor Chamber
Authors: Xia Huanxiong , Xiang Dong , Mou Peng
Published: April 2014

Optimization of a vector showerhead in a vertical reactor involves thousands of holes on the showerhead face plate and the spatial distribution of physical fields, so parameterizing the geometry configuration of the holes in high resolution is very difficult, which makes the conventional optimization methods hard to deal with. To solve this problem, a profile error feedback (PEF) optimization solution was proposed to optimize a vector showerhead gas delivery system for the control of mass transport. The gas velocity profile in the reactor and the continuous-feature impedance distribution profile on the showerhead face plate are defined as design objective and variables, respectively. A cyclic iterative approximation idea was implemented in this solution. The algorithm was started from a guessed initial design model and then cyclically adjusted the design variables by the constructed PEF iterative formula to generate a better model and to make the gas velocity profile in the critical domain of the new model continually approximate to the expected profile, until it could be accepted. Finally, the optimized impedance profile was mapped to the holes geometry configuration through the established equivalent impedance model for the showerhead face plate.
A Comparative Study of Phase States of the Peribacteroid Membrane from Yellow Lupin and Broad Bean Nodules
Authors: Kudryavtseva Natalia N. , Sof’in Alexis V. , Bobylev Georgiy S. , Sorokin Evgeny M.
Published: April 2014

A comparative study of the lipid bilayer phase status and structure of the outer membrane of free-livingBradyrhizobiumstrain 359a (Nod+Fix+) and 400 (Nod+FixL) orRhizobium leguminosarum97 (Nod+Fix+, effective) and 87 (Nod+FixL, ineffective) has been carried out. Also, the effect of the symbiotic pair combination on the lipid bilayer structure of the bacteroid outer membrane and peribacteroid membrane, isolated from the nodules ofLupinus luteusL. orVicia fabaL., has been studied. As a result, it is shown that the lipid bilayer status of the bacteroid outer membrane is mainly determined by microsymbiont, but not the host plant. In the contrast, the lipid bilayer status of the peribacteroid membrane and, as a consequence, its properties depend on interaction of both symbiotic partners.
Extracorporeal Ultrasound-Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Implications from the Present Clinical Trials
Authors: Yu Tinghe , Fu Xiao
Published: April 2014

Extracorporeal ultrasound-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) has been clinically used for 15 years, and over 36000 cases have been reported. However, there yet lacked a consensus in the clinical values, suggesting the necessity of checking clinical findings. Clinical trials were searched and data reevaluated. HIFU was hardly performed alone; almost all present anticancer means have been applied during an HIFU treatment, and a specific regimen varied between trials; there were heterogeneity and disagreement between trials. The complexity made it difficult to distinguish the effect of HIFU. Based upon evaluable data, the efficacy of HIFU was similar to that of radio frequency, chemoembolization, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy; a combined therapy did not improve the efficacy. The survival rate of HIFU plus radiotherapy was lower than that of radical surgery in liver cancers. Adverse events had no downtrend in the past years. HIFU was not a standardized procedure where the intensity and insonation mode were modified constantly throughout a treatment, limiting an evaluation from the perspective of ultrasonics. These implied that HIFU should be applied as an alternative at most occasions. The present clinical trials had defects making against the understating of HIFU.
Bioeconomics of Commercial Marine Fisheries of Bay of Bengal: Status and Direction
Authors: Habib Ahasan , Ullah Md. Hadayet , Duy Nguyen Ngoc
Published: April 2014

The fishery of the Bay of Bengal (BOB) is assumed to be suffering from the overexploitation. This paper aims to assess the sustainability of current level of fishing effort as well as possible changes driven by anthropogenic and climate driven factors. Therefore, the commercial marine fishery of BOB for the period of 1985/86 to 2007/08 is analyzed by applying Gordon-Schaefer Surplus Production Model on time series of total catch and standardized effort. Static reference points such as open-access equilibrium, maximum economic yield, and maximum sustainable yield are established. Assumptions about potential climatic and anthropogenic effects onr(intrinsic growth rate) andK(carrying capacity) of BOB fishery have been made under three different reference equilibriums. The results showed that the fishery is not biologically overexploited; however, it is predicted to be passing a critical situation, in terms of achieving reference points in the near future. But, on the other hand, economic overfishing started several years before. Higher fishing effort, and inadequate institutional and legal framework have been the major bottlenecks for the proper management of BOB fisheries and these may leads fishery more vulnerable against changing marine realm. Thus, the present study calls for policy intervention to rescue the stock from the existing high fishing pressure that would lead to depletion.