bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunophenotype Heterogeneity in Nasal Glomangiopericytoma
Authors: Handra-Luca Adriana , Abd Elmageed Zakaria Y. , Magkou Christina , Lae Marick
Published: August 2015

Nasal glomangiopericytoma is rare. The immunophenotype is heterogeneous, more frequently smooth-muscle-actin and CD34-positive. We report expression patterns for several vascular-related proteins such as CD99, CD146, Bcl2, and WT1 as well as for treatment-related proteins such as mTOR and EGFR in a nasal glomangiopericytoma. The patient (woman, 86 years) presented with a left nasal tumefaction. The resected specimen (1.5-cm) showed a glomangiopericytoma. Tumor cells expressed smooth-muscle-actin, CD31, CD34, and progesterone receptor. They also expressed the vascular-cell-related proteins Bcl2, CD99, CD146, and WT1, as well as mTOR and EGFR. Nasal glomangiopericytomas show immunohistochemical heterogeneity for vascular-related markers, suggesting a possible extensive pericytic differentiation. The expression of potential targets for drug treatments such as mTOR and EGFR may impact on the clinical follow-up of these tumors occurring at advanced ages, which may require complex surgery.
Subclavian Artery Pseudoaneurysm Formation 3 Months after a Game of Rugby Union
Authors: Evans T. , Roy S. , Rocker M.
Published: August 2015

Pseudoaneurysms of the subclavian artery remain a rare complication after fracture of the clavicle. We report a case of delayed diagnosis of a subclavian artery pseudoaneurysm after a closed fracture of the clavicle in a 15-year-old patient, 3 months after the original injury while playing rugby union. Despite several attendances to the Emergency Department with vague symptoms, the final diagnosis was confirmed by duplex ultrasound and Computed Tomography of the thorax. Surgical repair was indicated due to acute limb ischaemia from distal embolisation from a large pseudoaneurysm, with the patient making a full recovery. This case highlights the need for clinical vigilance when assessing patients, particularly on repeated occasions when their recovery appears to be impaired. A thorough history and clinical examination can raise suspicion of even rare occurrences and aid prompt management.
Effect of Curing on the Tensile and Flexural Performance of Fully Biodegradable Corn Starch/Areca Frond Composites
Authors: Heckadka Srinivas Shenoy , Nayak Suhas Yeshwant , Kini Manjeshwar Vijaya , Chowgule Revati , Jain Pranay
Published: August 2015

Composites have monopolized the automotive, construction, and packaging industry. Their high strength to weight ratio has made them an integral part of numerous engineering applications. In this study biodegradable matrix is combined with areca frond fibres for developing composites for low strength structural applications. Areca frond fibres were extracted and treated with sodium bicarbonate to improve the surface characteristics. Hand lay-up and compression moulding techniques were used to fabricate composites having unidirectional fibre orientation. The specimens prepared were exposed to varied environments, namely, sunlight, OTG oven, steam oven, and hot air oven, for curing and the results were analyzed to best suit the implicated requirements. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the changes in surface characteristics of the frond fibres after treatment. Tensile and flexural strength of starch based/areca frond reinforced composites were evaluated according to ASTM standards. Test results revealed that composites cured in a steam oven resulted in improved tensile and flexural strength compared to other curing environments.
Indentation Depth Dependent Mechanical Behavior in Polymers
Authors: Alisafaei Farid , Han Chung-Souk
Published: August 2015

Various experimental studies have revealed size dependent deformation of materials at micro and submicron length scales. Among different experimental methods, nanoindentation testing is arguably the most commonly applied method of studying size effect in various materials where increases in the hardness with decreasing indentation depth are usually related to indentation size effects. Such indentation size effects have been observed in both metals and polymers. While the indentation size effects in metals are widely discussed in the literature and are commonly attributed to geometrically necessary dislocations, for polymer the experimental results are far sparser and there does not seem to be a common ground for their rationales. The indentation size effects of polymers are addressed in this paper, where their depth dependent deformation is reviewed along with the rationale provided in the literature.
Full-Wave Analysis of Stable Cross Fractal Frequency Selective Surfaces Using an Iterative Procedure Based on Wave Concept
Authors: Silva Neto V. P. , Duarte M. J. , D’Assunção A. G.
Published: August 2015

This work presents a full-wave analysis of stable frequency selective surfaces (FSSs) composed of periodic arrays of cross fractal patch elements. The shapes of these patch elements are defined conforming to a fractal concept, where the generator fractal geometry is successively subdivided into parts which are smaller copies of the previous ones (defined as fractal levels). The main objective of this work is to investigate the performance of FSSs with cross fractal patch element geometries including their frequency response and stability in relation to both the angle of incidence and polarization of the plane wave. The frequency response of FSS structures is obtained using the wave concept iterative procedure (WCIP). This method is based on a wave concept formulation and the boundary conditions for the FSS structure. Prototypes were manufactured and measured to verify the WCIP model accuracy. A good agreement between WCIP and measured results was observed for the proposed cross fractal FSSs. In addition, these FSSs exhibited good angular stability.
Promyelocytic Leukemia with No Retinoic Acid Receptor Alpha Abnormality but withRUNX1T1Insertion to Chromosome 7q: A Classification and Management Dilemma
Authors: Overholt Kathleen , Guinipero Terri L. , Heerema Nyla A. , Loken Michael R. , Kahwash Samir B.
Published: August 2015

A case of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) withRUNX1T1insertion to 7q is described and compared to reported cases of APL with negative retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA) abnormality. In this report, we describe the case of a 2-year-old boy who presented with bone pain and was found to have pancytopenia. Bone marrow examination showed morphologic and immunophenotypic findings typical of APL, but conventional cytogenetics, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed no evidence ofRARArearrangements. The only cytogenetic abnormality found was a small insertion in 7q, and three copies ofRUNX1T1. Gene sequencing results became available after initiating therapy but were not informative. We describe the rarity of such cases and discuss how the typical morphologic and immunophenotypic findings of APL, coupled with the definite absence ofRARArearrangement (by FISH and RT-PCR), present a diagnostic and classification dilemma, raising the possibility of an unknown alternative mechanism for the leukemogenesis and maturation arrest seen in other APL variants. The diagnostic challenges and urgent management issues this unusual case raises may justify including it, along with similar cases, in a separate subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in future classifications.
A New Lane Departure Warning Algorithm Considering the Driver’s Behavior Characteristics
Authors: Xu Lun Hui , Hu San Gen , Luo Qiang
Published: August 2015

In order to meet the driving safety warning required for different driver types and situations, a new lane departure warning (LDW) algorithm was proposed. Its adaptability is much better through setting the different thresholds of time to lane crossing (TLC) using fuzzy control method for driver with different driving behaviors in different lanes and different vehicle movements. To ensure the accuracy of computation of TLC under the different actual driving scenarios, the algorithm was established based on vehicle kinematics and advanced mathematics compared to other ways of computation of TLC. On this basis, a LDW strategy determining driver's intentions was presented by introducing identifying vehicle movements. Finally, a vast quantity of the real vehicle experiments was given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed LDW algorithm. The results of the tests show that the algorithm can decrease false alarm rate effectively because of distinguishing from unconscious by real-time vehicle movements, and promote the adaptability to the driver behavior characteristics, so it has favorable driver acceptance and strong intelligence.
Level of Service Analysis Based on Maximum Number of Passengers in Waiting Room of Railway Passenger Station Using Arena Simulation
Authors: Yang Bo , Yan Xuedong , Guo Dahai
Published: August 2015

The level of service is an important aspect of the operation and management at a railway passenger station. Particularly, the level of service in waiting room (LOSWR) is one of the most important influential factors in deciding passengers’ satisfaction. This paper proposes a model for finding the LOSWR based on the maximum number of passengers, and an Arena simulation model that simulates passengers’ aggregation behaviors in the waiting room is presented for analyzing the LOSWR. Through the simulation, we demonstrate how the passenger advanced arrival time and the accompany rate influence the maximum number of passengers and the LOSWR. In addition, the simulation also illustrates the effect utilities and the priority of different measures that can be used to improve the LOSWR. In detail, the simulation results demonstrate that the passenger advanced arrival time and advanced check-out time have much stronger effect utilities on the maximum number of passengers and the LOSWR than other discussed factors. The simulation suggests that the Arena is an effective simulation platform for analyzing complex passengers-related behaviors at railway passenger station.
Impact of Hybrid and Complex N-Glycans on Cell Surface Targeting of the Endogenous Chloride CotransporterSlc12a2
Authors: Singh Richa , Almutairi Mohammed Mashari , Pacheco-Andrade Romario , Almiahuob Mohamed Y. Mahmoud , Di Fulvio Mauricio
Published: August 2015

The Na+K+2Cl−cotransporter-1 (Slc12a2, NKCC1) is widely distributed and involved in cell volume/ion regulation. Functional NKCC1 locates in the plasma membrane of all cells studied, particularly in the basolateral membrane of most polarized cells. Although the mechanisms involved in plasma membrane sorting of NKCC1 are poorly understood, it is assumed that N-glycosylation is necessary. Here, we characterize expression, N-glycosylation, and distribution of NKCC1 in COS7 cells. We show that ~25% of NKCC1 is complex N-glycosylated whereas the rest of it corresponds to core/high-mannose and hybrid-type N-glycosylated forms. Further, ~10% of NKCC1 reaches the plasma membrane, mostly as core/high-mannose type, whereas ~90% of NKCC1 is distributed in defined intracellular compartments. In addition, inhibition of the first step of N-glycan biosynthesis with tunicamycin decreases total and plasma membrane located NKCC1 resulting in almost undetectable cotransport function. Moreover, inhibition of N-glycan maturation with swainsonine or kifunensine increased core/hybrid-type NKCC1 expression but eliminated plasma membrane complex N-glycosylated NKCC1 and transport function. Together, these results suggest that (i) NKCC1 is delivered to the plasma membrane of COS7 cells independently of its N-glycan nature, (ii) most of NKCC1 in the plasma membrane is core/hybrid-type N-glycosylated, and (iii) the minimal proportion of complex N-glycosylated NKCC1 is functionally active.
Paravertebral Block Combined with Sedation for a Myasthenic Patient Undergoing Breast Augmentation
Authors: Kozanhan Betul , Basaran Betul , Kutlucan Leyla , Ozmen Sadık
Published: August 2015

Paravertebral block is a unilateral analgesic technique that can provide adequate surgical anesthesia and great advantages in many types of surgery with a low side-effect profile. In this case we present combination of bilateral thoracic paravertebral block under ultrasound guidance with sedation which provides complete anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in a myasthenic patient undergoing cosmetic breast surgery. In myasthenic patients paravertebral blocks may be a better option for breast surgery with avoiding the need for muscle relaxants and opioids and risk of respiratory failure in postoperative period.
Novel Therapies for Myocardial Irritability following Extreme Hydroxychloroquine Toxicity
Authors: McBeth Paul B. , Missirlis Perseus I. , Brar Harry , Dhingra Vinay
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) overdose is rare and potentially deadly when consumed in large doses. Management of severe HCQ toxicity is limited and infrequently reported. This report presents the case of a massive ingestion of HCQ.Case Report. A 23-year-old female presents following an intentional ingestion of approximately 40 g of HCQ. Within six hours after ingestion, she developed severe hemodynamic instability resulting from myocardial irritability with frequent ventricular ectopic activity leading to runs of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (PMVT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) requiring multiple defibrillations. Additional treatments included intravenous diazepam, epinephrine, norepinephrine, sodium bicarbonate, and magnesium sulfate. Despite the ongoing hemodynamic instability, the patient was also treated with Intralipid (ILE) and received hemodialysis. Improvements in her hemodynamics were observed after 18 hours. She survived her massive overdose of HCQ.Conclusion. HCQ poisoning is rare but serious because of its rapid progression to life-threatening symptoms. Hemodynamic support, gastric decontamination, electrolyte monitoring and replacement, and management of arrhythmias are the mainstays of treatment. The combined role of dialysis and ILE in the setting of massive HCQ overdose may improve outcomes.
Synchronization and Stability of Two Unbalanced Rotors with Fast Antirotation considering Energy Balance
Authors: Hou Yongjun , Fang Pan
Published: August 2015

We consider synchronization and stability of two unbalanced rotors reversely and fast excited by induction motors fixed on an oscillating body. We explore the energy balance of the system and show how the energy is transferred between the rotors via the oscillating body allowing the implementation of the synchronization of the two rotors. An approximate analytical analysis, energy balance method, allows deriving the synchronization condition, and the stability criterion of the synchronization is deduce by disturbance differential equations. Later, to prove the correctness of the theoretical analysis, many features of the vibrating system are computed and discussed by computer simulations. The proposed method may be useful for analyzing and understanding the mechanism of synchronization, stability, and energy balance of similar fast rotation rotors excited by induction motors in vibrating systems.
GAECH: Genetic Algorithm Based Energy Efficient Clustering Hierarchy in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Baranidharan B. , Santhi B.
Published: August 2015

Clustering the Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is the major issue which determines the lifetime of the network. The parameters chosen for clustering should be appropriate to form the clusters according to the need of the applications. Some of the well-known clustering techniques in WSN are designed only to reduce overall energy consumption in the network and increase the network lifetime. These algorithms achieve increased lifetime, but at the cost of overloading individual sensor nodes. Load balancing among the nodes in the network is also equally important in achieving increased lifetime. First Node Die (FND), Half Node Die (HND), and Last Node Die (LND) are the different metrics for analysing lifetime of the network. In this paper, a new clustering algorithm, Genetic Algorithm based Energy efficient Clustering Hierarchy (GAECH) algorithm, is proposed to increase FND, HND, and LND with a novel fitness function. The fitness function in GAECH forms well-balanced clusters considering the core parameters of a cluster, which again increases both the stability period and lifetime of the network. The experimental results also clearly indicate better performance of GAECH over other algorithms in all the necessary aspects.
Clinicoetiological Characterization of Infectious Vaginitis amongst Women of Reproductive Age Group from Navi Mumbai, India
Authors: Narayankhedkar Anuradha , Hodiwala Anahita , Mane Arati
Published: August 2015

Vaginitis is one of the commonest reproductive tract infections in sexually active women. In the present study clinicoetiological characterization of infectious vaginitis amongst 380 women of reproductive age group (18–45 years) was done. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was detected by Nugent’s scoring,Candidainfection by culture, and trichomoniasis (TV) by wet mount. One hundred and ten (28.9%) women presented with symptoms of vaginitis. The presenting symptoms were vaginal discharge 106 (96.4%), vulval itching/irritation 19 (17.3%), malodor 5 (4.5%), pain in abdomen 3 (2.7%), and dysuria 1 (0.9%). The commonest etiology detected wasCandidain 33 (30%) cases, of which 18 (54.5%) wereC. albicansand 15 (45.5%) non-albicans Candida(NAC) infections. The NAC isolates wereC. glabrata(n=10),C. tropicalis(n=3), andC. krusei(n=2). BV and TV were observed in 19 (17.3%) and 2 (1.8%) cases, respectively. A statistically significant association betweenCandidainfection and presence of curdy-white discharge (p=0.001) and vulval itching/irritation (p=0.007) was noted. To conclude, we observed the etiological predominance ofCandidainfection, with considerable prevalence of NAC, indicating the need for microbiological investigation up to species level in cases ofCandidainfections, to ensure appropriate management.
Stochastic Synchronization of Neutral-Type Neural Networks with Multidelays Based onM-Matrix
Authors: Zhou Wuneng , Yang Xueqing , Yang Jun , Zhou Jun
Published: August 2015

The problem of stochastic synchronization of neutral-type neural networks with multidelays based onM-matrix is researched. Firstly, we designed a control law of stochastic synchronization of the neural-type and multiple time-delays neural network. Secondly, by making use of Lyapunov functional andM-matrix method, we obtained a criterion under which the drive and response neutral-type multiple time-delays neural networks with stochastic disturbance and Markovian switching are stochastic synchronization. The synchronization condition is expressed as linear matrix inequality which can be easily solved by MATLAB. Finally, we introduced a numerical example to illustrate the effectiveness of the method and result obtained in this paper.
Effects Comparison between Endoscopic Papillary Large Balloon Dilatation and Endoscopic Sphincterotomy for Common Bile Duct Stone Removal
Authors: Guo Yandong , Li Chen , Lei Shan , Zhi Fachao
Published: August 2015

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is a treatment of choice for stone extraction and is now most frequently used. The study was to compare the efficacy of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation (EPLBD) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for common bile duct stone removal. Trials comparing the effects between EPLBD and EST treatment were searched according to the study protocol. Overall stone removal rate, complete removal rate in 1st session, treatment duration, mechanical lithotripsy using rate, and overall complication rate were compared using risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) via RevMan 5.2 software. For overall stone removal rate, two therapies showed similar effect, but EPLBD showed better overall stone removal rate for stone >10 mm in diameter. For complete stone removal rate in 1st session, no difference was found, even for those with stone >10 mm in diameter; EPLBD showed longer treatment duration, higher mechanical lithotripsy using rate obvious overall complications rate, and more serious bleeding, whereas there were no significant differences for perforation, hyperamylasemia, pancreatitis, and cholecystitis/cholangitis. EPLBD showed better efficacy in certain conditions compared to EST, however with shortcomings, such as more duration, higher mechanical lithotripsy using rate, more serious overall complications rate, and bleeding.
Immediate Sequential Bilateral Cataract Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kessel Line , Andresen Jens , Erngaard Ditte , Flesner Per , Tendal Britta , Hjortdal Jesper
Published: August 2015

The aim of the present systematic review was to examine the benefits and harms associated with immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS) with specific emphasis on the rate of complications, postoperative anisometropia, and subjective visual function in order to formulate evidence-based national Danish guidelines for cataract surgery. A systematic literature review in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane central databases identified three randomized controlled trials that compared outcome in patients randomized to ISBCS or bilateral cataract surgery on two different dates. Meta-analyses were performed using the Cochrane Review Manager software. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the GRADE method (Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation). We did not find any difference in the risk of complications or visual outcome in patients randomized to ISBCS or surgery on two different dates. The quality of evidence was rated as low to very low. None of the studies reported the prevalence of postoperative anisometropia. In conclusion, we cannot provide evidence-based recommendations on the use of ISBCS due to the lack of high quality evidence. Therefore, the decision to perform ISBCS should be taken after careful discussion between the surgeon and the patient.
Systemic Comorbidity in Children with Cataracts in Nigeria: Advocacy for Rubella Immunization
Authors: Duke Roseline , Oparah Sidney , Adio Adedayo , Eyo Okon , Odey Friday
Published: August 2015

Background. Congenital and developmental cataracts are leading causes of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment. They may be associated with systemic diseases including congenital heart diseases which are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood. The pattern of systemic comorbidities seen in children diagnosed with cataract in Calabar, Nigeria, was studied.Methods. A retrospective review was conducted on the children who had cataract surgery between 2011 and 2012. Diagnosis of the systemic condition was documented.Results. A total of 66 children were recruited for the study. Cardiac disease was seen in 26 children (39.9%), followed by delayed milestone in 16 (24.2%), intellectual disability in 14 (21.2%), deafness in 11 (16.7%), epilepsy in 4 (6.1%), and physical handicap in 3 (4.5%) of them. Clinically confirmed Congenital Rubella Syndrome was seen in 30 (45%) of the children. The pattern of CHD seen was as follows: patent ductus arteriosus in 16 (24.2%) followed by ventricular-septal defect in 5 (7.6%), atrial-septal defect in 3 (4.5%), and pulmonary stenosis in 2 (3%).Conclusion. Systemic comorbidities, especially cardiac anomalies, are common among children with cataract in Nigeria. Congenital Rubella Syndrome may be a prominent cause of childhood cataract in our environment. Routine immunization of school girls against rubella is advocated as a measure to mitigate this trend.
Prediction of Domain Behavior through Dynamic Well‐Being Domain Model Analysis
Authors: Bosems Steven , van Sinderen Marten
Published: August 2015

As the concept of context‐awareness is becoming more popular
the demand for improved quality of context‐aware systems increases too. Due to
the inherent challenges posed by context‐awareness, it is harder to predict what
the behavior of the systems and their context will be once provided to the
end‐user than is the case for non‐context‐aware systems. A domain where such
upfront knowledge is highly important is that of well‐being. In this paper, we
introduce a method to model the well‐being domain and to predict the effects the
system will have on its context when implemented. This analysis can be performed
at design time. Using these predictions, the design can be fine‐tuned to increase
the chance that systems will have the desired effect. The method has been
tested using three existing well‐being applications. For these applications,
domain models were created in the Dynamic Well‐being Domain Model language. This
language allows for causal reasoning over the application domain. The models
created were used to perform the analysis and behavior prediction. The analysis
results were compared to existing application end‐user evaluation studies.
Results showed that our analysis could accurately predict success and possible
problems in the focus of the systems, although certain limitation regarding the
predictions should be kept into consideration.
Reversible Integer Wavelet Transform for the Joint of Image Encryption and Watermarking
Authors: Wang Bin
Published: August 2015

In recent years, signal processing in the encrypted domain has attracted considerable research interest, especially embedding watermarking in encrypted image. In this work, a novel joint of image encryption and watermarking based on reversible integer wavelet transform is proposed. Firstly, the plain-image is encrypted by chaotic maps and reversible integer wavelet transform. Then the lossless watermarking is embedded in the encrypted image by reversible integer wavelet transform and histogram modification. Finally an encrypted image containing watermarking is obtained by the inverse integer wavelet transform. What is more, the original image and watermarking can be completely recovered by inverse process. Numerical experimental results and comparing with previous works show that the proposed scheme possesses higher security and embedding capacity than previous works. It is suitable for protecting the image information.
A Collaborative Data Gathering Mechanism Based on Fuzzy Decision for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Si Wen , Shi Hui-yuan , Liu Pan
Published: August 2015

In spite of the increasing demand for all kinds of sensing services and applications, there still lacks a clear understanding of collaborative techniques to design collaborative protocols for wireless sensor networks. This paper proposes collaborative data gathering mechanism based on fuzzy decision for wireless sensor networks. The proposed algorithm integrates some key parameters, for example, nodes’ residual energy level, the number of neighbors, centrality degree, and distance to the sink, into fuzzy decision. Numerical and simulation results validate the proposed algorithm for the networks in finding the optimum cluster heads and realizing better performances in clusters distribution and energy efficiency improvement.
Weighted Nuclear Norm Minimization Based Tongue Specular Reflection Removal
Authors: Cui Zhenchao , Zhang Dongyu , Wang Kuanquan , Zhang Hongzhi , Li Naimin , Zuo Wangmeng
Published: August 2015

In computational tongue diagnosis, specular reflection is generally inevitable in tongue image acquisition, which has adverse impact on the feature extraction and tends to degrade the diagnosis performance. In this paper, we proposed a two-stage (i.e., the detection and inpainting pipeline) approach to address this issue: (i) by considering both highlight reflection and subreflection areas, a superpixel-based segmentation method was adopted for the detection of the specular reflection areas; (ii) by extending the weighted nuclear norm minimization (WNNM) model, a nonlocal inpainting method is proposed for specular reflection removal. Experimental results on synthetic and real images show that the proposed method is accurate in detecting the specular reflection areas and is effective in restoring tongue image with more natural texture information of tongue body.
Characterisation of PMMA/ATH Layers Realised by Means of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Powder Deposition
Authors: Wallenhorst Lena M. , Dahle Sebastian , Vovk Matej , Wurlitzer Lisa , Loewenthal Leander , Mainusch Nils , Gerhard Christoph , Viöl Wolfgang
Published: August 2015

We report on the characteristics of aluminium trihydrate filled poly(methyl methacrylate) composite (PMMA/ATH) coatings realised by plasma deposition at atmospheric pressure. For this purpose, PMMA/ATH powder was fed to a plasma jet where the process and carrier gas was compressed air. The deposited coatings were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements. Further, the raw material was characterised before deposition. It was found that, with respect to the raw material, aluminium was uncovered in the course of the plasma deposition process which can be explained by plasma-induced etching of the PMMA matrix. As a result, the wettability of plasma-deposited PMMA/ATH was significantly increased. Even though a uniform coating film could not be realised as ascertained by confocal laser scanning microscopy, the deposited coatings feature notably enhanced characteristics which could be advantageous for further processing.
Exponential Decay for a System of Equations with Distributed Delays
Authors: Tatar Nasser-Eddine
Published: August 2015

We prove convergence of solutions to zero in an exponential manner for a system of ordinary differential equations. The feature of this work is that it deals with nonlinear non-Lipschitz and unbounded distributed delay terms involving non-Lipschitz and unbounded activation functions.
Exercise Training Protects Against Acute Myocardial Infarction via Improving Myocardial Energy Metabolism and Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Authors: Tao Lichan , Bei Yihua , Lin Shenghui , Zhang Haifeng , Zhou Yanli , Jiang Jingfa , Chen Ping , Shen Shutong , Xiao Junjie , Li Xinli
Published: August 2015

Background/Aims: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Exercise has been proved to reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury However it remains unclear whether, and (if so) how, exercise could protect against AMI. Methods: Mice were trained using a 3-week swimming protocol, and then subjected to left coronary artery (LCA) ligation, and finally sacrificed 24 h after AMI. Myocardial infarct size was examined with triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Cardiac apoptosis was determined by TUNEL staining. Mitochondria density was checked by Mito-Tracker immunofluorescent staining. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions and Western blotting were used to determine genes related to apoptosis, autophagy and myocardial energy metabolism. Results: Exercise training reduces myocardial infarct size and abolishes AMI-induced autophagy and apoptosis. AMI leads to a shift from fatty acid to glucose metabolism in the myocardium with a downregulation of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ. Also, AMI induces an adaptive increase of mitochondrial DNA replication and transcription in the acute phase of MI, accompanied by an activation of PGC-1α signaling. Exercise abolishes the derangement of myocardial glucose and lipid metabolism and further enhances the adaptive increase of mitochondrial biogenesis. Conclusion: Exercise training protects against AMI-induced acute cardiac injury through improving myocardial energy metabolism and enhancing the early adaptive change of mitochondrial biogenesis.
Association Study of GWAS-Derived Loci with Height in Brazilian Children: Importance of MAP3K3, MMP24 and IGF1R Polymorphisms for Height Variation
Authors: Gadelha Pereira Fontenele Eveline , Amaral de Moraes Maria Elisabete , Brasil d'Alva Catarina , Pinheiro Daniel Pascoalino , Aguiar Sales Pinheiro Landim Sara , de Sousa Barros Fernando Antonio , Barbosa Trarbach Ericka , Bilharinho de Mendonca Berenice , Lima Jorge Alexander Augusto
Published: August 2015

Background/Aim: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2282978 (CDK6), rs2425019 (MMP24), rs8081612 (MAP3K3), rs2871865 (IGF1R) and rs3782415 (SOCS2) were among the SNPs most strongly associated with height in a meta-analysis of 47 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) involving 114,223 adults from six ethnic groups. The present study aimed to examine associations between these SNPs and height in Brazilian children. Methods: Cross-sectional heights of 1,008 healthy unrelated 4.4- to 9.7-year-old children were evaluated. All genotypes were determined by allele-specific polymerase chain reactions. Height standard deviation scores (SDS) were generated for this population and regressed on allele counts. Linear regressions were performed to estimate the effect of individual SNPs or a polygenic allelic score on height. Results: The T allele of rs8081612 (MAP3K3), the C allele of rs2871865 (IGF1R) and the G allele of rs2425019 (MMP24) were significantly associated with a 0.091-SDS greater height (95% CI 0.089-0.093, p = 0.001) by polygenic analysis. The mean height SDS difference between children with 2 ‘tall' alleles and children with 4 ‘tall' alleles was 0.24 SDS (95% CI 0.05-0.43, p = 0.01). The observed allelic effect is consistent with that found in previous GWAS. Conclusions: Polymorphisms in MAP3K3, MMP24 and IGF1R act additively on height in children of an admixed population. These results demonstrate the importance of these loci for children's height.
The Life of the Mimetic Starfish, 2000–2012
Authors: Brown Richard
Published: August 2015

This article is written from the perspective of the artist, programmer, and exhibitor of the Mimetic Starfish, a gestural responsive ALife artwork first created for the Millennium Dome in 2000 and recently exhibited at the Emoção Art.ficial in Brazil in 2012. The author concludes with the suggestion that despite the advances in technology and the ubiquitous presence of touch and gestural interfaces, it is the underlying aesthetic and socially engaging qualities of the Mimetic Starfish that ensure its currency, presence, relevance, and continuing exhibition.
You Pretty Little Flocker: Exploring the Aesthetic State Space of Creative Ecosystems
Authors: Eldridge Alice
Published: August 2015

Artificial life models constitute a rich compendium of tools for the generative arts; complex, self-organizing, emergent behaviors have great interactive and generative potential. But how can we go beyond simply visualizing scientific simulations and manipulate these models for use in design and creative art contexts? You Pretty Little Flocker is a proof-of-concept study in expanding and exploring the aesthetic state space of a model for generative design. A modified version of Reynolds' flocking algorithm (1987) is described in which the space of possible images is extended and navigable in a way that at once provides user control and maintains generative autonomy.
Accretor: Generative Materiality in the Work of Driessens and Verstappen
Authors: Whitelaw Mitchell
Published: August 2015

Accretor, by the Dutch artists Erwin Driessens and Maria Verstappen, is a generative artwork that adopts and adapts artificial life techniques to produce intricate three-dimensional forms. This article introduces and analyzes Accretor, considering the enigmatic quality of the generated objects and in particular the role of materiality in this highly computational work. Accretor demonstrates a tangled continuity between digital and physical domains, where the constraints and affordances of matter inform both formal processes and aesthetic interpretations. Drawing on Arp's notion of the concrete artwork and McCormack and Dorin's notion of the computational sublime, the article finally argues that Accretor demonstrates what might be called a processual sublime, evoking expansive processes that span both computational and non-computational systems.
Theater and ALife Art: Modeling Open and Closed Systems
Authors: Norman Sally Jane
Published: August 2015

The live art of theater remains curiously missing from ALife art history, despite the fact that its very existence is poised on the cusp of the living and the artificial, and on the modeling of life as artefact—what can be called the containment-versus-continuity dilemma. How far one seeks to affirm autonomy of the creative artwork or, in contrast, how far one seeks to affirm its continuity with its supposed real-life contexts is a question that has forever haunted theater, and that has naturally come to haunt ALife and ALife arts. Investigation of the boundary separating observers from modeled systems is as core to research into the live art of theater as to ALife research. This brief article seeks to open up discussion on links between ALife, ALife art, and the live art of theater, through key thematic threads that traverse these domains: their modeling of universes, the open or closed nature of the resultant modeled systems, and their implications with respect to observers, definitions, and instantiations of life regarding non-life or death as well as attributions of liveness to emergent synthetic biology and metamaterials.
The Story of Dharmadinnā
Authors: Yao Fumi
Published: August 2015

In the Kṣudrakavastu of the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya, the nun Dharmadinnā is ordained not in the usual way, but rather by a messenger, a valid type of ordination listed in the various lists of types of ordination in Indian Buddhist texts. While both the story of Dharmadinnā and these lists have received some scholarly attention, what has not been noted is the peculiarity of the Mūlasarvāstivādin tradition in relation to other existing vinayas on the issue of ordination by messenger. In this paper, I examine the story of Dharmadinnā’s ordination in the Kṣudrakavastu with special reference to its highly narrative characteristics and its surprising lack of legal elements. Then I discuss how the above characteristics are related to the list of different types of ordination which appears in other parts of this vinaya. As Appendices, I present a comparative table of the story and its counterparts in the other vinayas and a comparative table of the lists of types of ordination found in different texts.
Phonemic and Tonal Analysis of the Pianding Dialect of Naxi (Dadong County, Lijiang Municipality)
Authors: Michaud Alexis , Likun 和丽昆 He
Published: August 2015

This article sets out a phonemic and tonal analysis of the second author’s native language: the (heretofore undescribed) Naxi dialect spoken in the village of Pianding (Dadong County, Lijiang Municipality, Yunnan). A distributional inventory brings out two pairs of phonemes that are of special interest to Naxi dialectology: (i) two apicalized vowels, /ɿ̟/and /ɿ̠/, and (ii) two rhotic vowels, /ɚ/ and /ɯ˞/, instead of only one apicalized vowel and one rhotic vowel in Old Town Naxi, the best-described dialect to date. These observations confirm and complement reports from other dialects; information on the lexical distribution of these conservative oppositions enriches the empirical basis for comparative–historical studies within the Naish subgroup of Sino–Tibetan. In the course of the discussion, observations about the Pianding dialect are placed in cross-dialect perspective; this article can thus serve as an introduction to key aspects of Naxi phonemics.  

Cet article présente une analyse des phonèmes et des tons de la langue maternelle du second auteur: le dialecte naxi (non décrit jusqu’ici) du village de Pianding (comté de Dadong, municipalité de Lijiang, Yunnan). Un inventaire distributionnel fait ressortir deux paires de phonèmes qui présentent un intérêt particulier pour la dialectologie naxi: deux voyelles apicales, /ɿ̟/ et /ɿ̠/, et deux voyelles rhotiques, /ɚ/ et /ɯ˞/, là où le dialecte de la vieille ville de Lijiang (Dayanzhen) – le dialecte le mieux décrit à ce jour – ne présente qu’une voyelle apicalisée et une voyelle rhotique. La distribution lexicale de ces oppositions conservatrices, qui avaient déjà été signalées dans d’autres dialectes, est ici exposée en détail, ce qui consolide la base empirique nécessaire à l’étude de la phonologie historique du groupe des langues naish. Au fil de l’exposé, les caractéristiques du parler de Pianding sont comparées à celles d’autres dialectes, de sorte que le présent article peut servir d’introduction aux problématiques centrales de la phonologie du naxi.
Bidimensional expressions of fractions in Chinese
Authors: Anicotte Rémi
Published: August 2015

A generic pattern of expression for fractions accounts for numerators and denominators, thus generally producing bidimensional numerical expressions. In Qin–Han mathematical texts, fractions were constructed as predicative phrases: the monodimensional expression ‘denominator’s name + fēn’ of a unit fraction 1/n acted as subject, and the numerator’s name acted as predicate. The morpheme zhī could be used as an optional marker of this predicative relation. Later evolutions were not linear, and reveal the effects of language planning and of free linguistic invention, finally giving rise to the inseparable fraction names of Contemporary Chinese. 

Un schéma générique pour dire les fractions rend compte des numérateurs et dénominateurs produisant des expressions numériques bidimensionnelles. Dans les textes mathématiques Qin–Han, elles étaient construites comme des énoncés prédicatifs où la désignation monodimensionnelle « nom du dénominateur + fēn » d’une fraction unitaire 1/n servait de sujet et le numérateur de prédicat. Le morphème zhī était utilisé facultativement comme marqueur de cette relation prédicative. Les évolutions de ces expressions n’ont pas été linéaires et révèlent l’action d’inventions et de normalisations linguistiques pour aboutir aux appellations insécables des fractions en chinois contemporain.
Distribución de la brioflora en el gradiente vertical (suelo-dosel) y la selectividad de habitats en Tarapacá (Amazonas, Colombia)

Authors: Ruiz-A Cesar Augusto , Ceballos Jaime Aguirre
Published: August 2015

In the different types of landscape of Tarapacá (Amazonas-Colombia) the vertical distribution of the bryophytes was studied, being found that around 41% of the species are exclusive of the canopy and 35% exclusive of the understory. Furthermore, there is analyzed the selectivity of the bryophytes species for different types of habitats (trunk, low bark, high bark, low branches, high branches, foliicolous, rocks, soil and rotten trunks fallen down) and their growth forms. In all the landscape types, the selectivity of the bryophytes was greater for the low bark and the habitats of the canopy (leaves and canopy branches more than 18m high), with the more common growth forms (smooth mats, rough mats and threads) and the larger number of species („Specialist“ o „Generalist“).
Two new Lejeuneaceae records for the Colombian liverwort flora
Authors: Benavides Juan C.
Published: August 2015

Two epiphyllous Lejeuneaceae, Cololejeunea surinamensis and Drepanolejeunea polyrhiza, previously known from Amazonian Brazil, are recorded for the first time in Colombia. They were found as epiphylls on understory shrubs in the middle Caquetá area in Colombian Amazonia. Cololejeunea surinamensis was found in the Tierra Firme forests and D. polyrhiza was found in the floodplains of the Caquetá River.
New records of mosses from Dominican amber
Authors: Frahm Jan-Peter
Published: August 2015

The widespread neotropical moss Calyptothecium duplicatum (Schwägr.) Broth. is reported for a fourth time from Dominican amber. Acroporiites longirostris J.-P. Frahm spec. nov. is described as new.
Estudios en ejemplares tipo del género Frullania. III. Sobre F. meridana Steph. y F. setigera Steph. (Jubulaceae-Hepaticae)

Authors: Uribe-M. Jaime
Published: August 2015

The taxonomic position of Frullania meridana Steph and F. setigera Steph. is discussed. It is concluded that both species belongs to subgenus Thyopsiella and not to subgenus Meteoriopsis as has been suggested in the past.
On the males of the orb-weaving spiders Alpaida nigrofrenata (Simon, 1895), A. machala Levi, 1988, and A. cisneros Levi, 1988 (Araneae, Araneidae) and a new synonymy
Authors: POETA MARIA RITA MUNIZ , LISE ARNO ANTONIO
Published: August 2015

The araneid spider genus Alpaida O.P.-Cambridge, 1889 has, until now, 148 described species (WSC 2015). The males of A. nigrofrenata (Simon, 1895), A. machala Levi, 1988, and A. cisneros Levi, 1988 are described here for the first time. A. moka Levi, 1988, based on female specimens, is synonymized with A. xavantina Levi, 1988, based on the study of specimens of both sexes. I.L.F. de Magalhães (MACN) is thanked for reviewing an early revision of this manuscript. We also thank to M. Machado (PUCRS) for the pictures of A. moka, and M. Kolmann (University of Toronto) and A. Londoño Burbano (PUCRS) for review the English. We are grateful to G. Hormiga for helping to improve this manuscript. M.R.M. Poeta was financially supported by CAPES at PPG-Zoo, PUCRS.
Gross Moist Stability Assessment during TOGA COARE: Various Interpretations of Gross Moist Stability
Authors: Inoue Kuniaki , Back Larissa E.
Published: August 2015

Daily averaged TOGA COARE data are analyzed to investigate the convective amplification/decay mechanisms. The gross moist stability (GMS), which represents moist static energy (MSE) export efficiency by large-scale circulations associated with the convection, is studied together with two quantities, called the critical GMS (a ratio of diabatic forcing to the convective intensity) and the drying efficiency [a version of the effective GMS (GMS minus critical GMS)]. The analyses reveal that convection intensifies (decays) via negative (positive) drying efficiency.

The authors illustrate that variability of the drying efficiency during the convective amplifying phase is predominantly explained by the vertical MSE advection (or vertical GMS), which imports MSE via bottom-heavy vertical velocity profiles (associated with negative vertical GMS) and eventually starts exporting MSE via top-heavy profiles (associated with positive vertical GMS). The variability of the drying efficiency during the decaying phase is, in contrast, explained by the horizontal MSE advection. The critical GMS, which is moistening efficiency due to the diabatic forcing, is broadly constant throughout the convective life cycle, indicating that the diabatic forcing always tends to destabilize the convective system in a constant manner.

The authors propose various ways of computing quasi-time-independent “characteristic GMS” and demonstrate that all of them are equivalent and can be interpreted as (i) the critical GMS, (ii) the GMS at the maximum precipitation, and (iii) a combination of feedback constants between the radiation, evaporation, and convection. Those interpretations indicate that each convective life cycle is a fluctuation of rapidly changing GMS around slowly changing characteristic GMS.