bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual pathology of the submandibular gland: plasmacytoma and pleomorphic adenoma
Authors: Menon Shalini , Pujary Kailesh , Valiathan Manna
Published: March 2014

Synchronous tumours of different histological types involving the salivary gland are very rare. There have been cases reported in the literature of such tumours occurring in the parotid gland. A 52-year-old man presented with a 4-year history of gradually increasing painless swelling in the right submandibular region. The ultrasound scan of the neck showed features suggestive of a submandibular sialadenitis. The right submandibular gland was then surgically excised and sent for histopathological examination. The features showed a unique dual pathology of the submandibular gland, that is, a plasmacytoma and a pleomorphic adenoma. Such a synchronous double pathology involving the submandibular gland has not been reported in the literature. A review of the literature suggests a good prognosis for the extramedullary plasmacytoma, provided multiple myeloma is ruled out. In 18 months of follow-up, the patient has been asymptomatic with a negative myeloma workup.
Takes two to tango
Authors: Munipalle Phanibhushana C , Luther Alison , Blake Sarah , Burt Caroline
Published: March 2014

A 17-year-old girl was admitted with acute abdominal pain, vomiting and a leucocytosis, and was initially thought to have appendicitis. She underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy, where the tip of the appendix was noted to be mildly inflamed and she was discharged home the day after surgery. Two days later, she re-presented with small bowel obstruction which was subsequently demonstrated to be due to ingestion of five magnetic beads. She required a laparotomy and small bowel resection to resolve the obstruction, but has since fully recovered. This case highlights the potential intestinal complications caused by the intake of magnetic objects, and based on a literature review a number of recommendations are made to guide clinicians when managing similar cases.
Opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome due to squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus
Authors: Rossor Alexander M , Perry Fiona , Botha Abrie , Norwood Fiona
Published: March 2014

We present the case of a 47-year-old woman with encephalopathy, ataxia and oscillopsia diagnosed with opsoclonus myoclonus syndrome (OMS). In adults, OMS in the context of encephalopathy is commonly paraneoplastic. A CT of the chest, abdomen and pelvis and a gastroscopy were performed and were normal. A fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography CT scan demonstrated increased uptake in the mid-oesophagus and an endoscopic ultrasound examination demonstrated intramural thickening of 5 mm with no epithelial lesion. The patient was treated with three courses of intravenous immunoglobulin (IvIg) with improvement in her symptoms. A year following the initial presentation a repeat endoscopic examination demonstrated an ulcerated oesophageal carcinoma with regional lymph node involvement. The patient was treated with neo adjuvant chemotherapy prior to oesophagectomy. The patient's symptoms resolved within 6 months of tumour resection without the need for further IvIg. Unfortunately, after a further 6 months the patient developed liver metastases and died.
THE PACHYTENE CHROMOSOMES OF A DIPLOID MEDICAGO SATIVA
Authors: Gillies C. B.
Published: March 2014

Pachytene chromosomes of a diploid Medicago sativa L. were used to construct an idiogram showing chromosome lengths, arm ratios and chromomere distribution. The eight chromosomes were readily distinguished on these bases, although all conformed to one pattern having a knob at one end and the majority of prominent chromomeres surrounding the centromere. The nucleolar organizing chromosome contained more heterochromatic segments than the chromosomes of the rest of the complement. The idiogram was compared with that of a dihaploid M. sativa.
CHROMOSOME TRANSLOCATIONS IN EPILOBIUM (ONAGRACEAE)
Authors: Mosquin Theodore
Published: March 2014

Hybridization experiments involving four Canadian populations of E. glandulosum, six Canadian populations of E. alpinum and one Japanese population of E. pyrricholophum produced F1 hybrids which were studied for meiotic pairing and fertility. The meiotic association of 15 bivalents plus one hexavalent was found in hybrids between E. alpinum and E. glandulosum. The single population of E. pyrricholophum has the same chromosome arm arrangement as E. glandulosum.
SYNAPTINEMAL COMPLEXES OF LILIUM TIGRINUM (TRIPLOID) SPOROCYTES
Authors: Moens Peter B.
Published: March 2014

It is reported that the synaptinemal complexes of the triploid lily, L. tigrinum, regularly have lateral elements with structural abnormalities over distances of a few microns. It is shown that no such abnormalities occur in the axial cores of unpaired homologues and it is concluded that the deformities originate during or after synapsis. It is shown that the univalent is well separated from the bivalent where the abnormalities occur, so that the single core is not directly implicated in the alterations in the lateral element. It is speculated that areas of non-homology in this segmental allotriploid may be involved.
MEIOTIC RESTITUTION AND THE ORIGIN OF POLYPLOIDY. II. PROLONGED DURATION OF METAPHASE I AS CAUSAL FACTOR OF RESTITUTION INDUCTION
Authors: Wagenaar E. B.
Published: March 2014

The meiosis of nine F1 hybrids (2n = 35) between one Triticum crassum (2n = 42) genotype and nine T. turgidum genotypes showed a strong positive correlation between the degree of lagging of univalents at anaphase I and the degree of occurrence of restitution. Where lagging was extremely high (90–100%) almost all meiotic cells formed restitution nuclei early in anaphase I, producing seed and a viable, polyploid (2n = 70) offspring. Further analysis showed that restitution was probably induced by a prolonged metaphase I, induced by the high degree of meiotic irregularities and strong lagging during anaphase I. These and other factors that interact in these highly irregular meioses and lead to restitution and the production of polyploid seeds are discussed in detail.
A CYTOGENETIC STUDY OF SUPERNUMERARY CHROMOSOMES IN HAPLOPAPPUS GRACILIS
Authors: Pritchard Eileen
Published: March 2014

The supernumerary chromosomes of Haplopappus gracilis behaved as the chromosomes of the normal complement, but less efficiently, in pairing and separation at AI and AII. Lagging of supernumeraries and formation of micronuclei occurred. The behavior of the supernumeraries was unique in that they were eliminated in the roots, moved precociously to the pole, and exhibited doubling in the male germ line.As the number of supernumeraries increased the pollen fertility decreased. In natural populations the pollen fertility would be expected to reduce the chances of plants with high numbers of supernumeraries from pollinating other plants; thus such plants would be unable to compete effectively with plants with few or no supernumeraries (2n + 0, 2n + 1, 2n + 2 and possibly 2n + 3). In addition, the loss of supernumeraries during meiosis would lead to the elimination of supernumeraries in natural populations. It would be expected, however, that this loss of supernumeraries would be counteracted by precocious anaphase movement which would help maintain supernumeraries, and by doubling of supernumeraries in the male germ line which would continue to maintain or increase their numbers.
SEGREGATION AND RECOMBINATION IN TRISOMICS: A RECONSIDERATION
Authors: Reeves Alvin F. , Khush Gurdev S. , Rick Charles M.
Published: March 2014

Segregation amongst the diploid progeny of heterozygous trisomics of secondary, tertiary, compensating, and telo types can be modified if crossing over takes place between the extra and normal chromosomes and between the centromere and the locus of the gene in question. Although the deviations from normal Mendelian ratios are small and are minimized by such factors as propinquity of the locus to the centromere, certain types of disjunction, and failure of pairing of the extra chromosome, they can be large enough to be detected in populations of the size normally used for testing trisomic segregation. Examples are cited from the segregation of tomato tertiary and telotrisomics in which the majority of distally located markers show the expected deviations.
Chromosome C-banding of Zea mays and its closest relatives
Authors: Mastenbroek Ineke , Wet J. M. J. de.
Published: March 2014

An established C-banding technique was modified to consistently yield complete sets of distinct, sharply banded chromosomes in Zea. It was used to demonstrate similarities and differences among heterochromatin patterns of different Zea taxa. The C-banding patterns showed a general agreement with heterochromatic knob positions known from pachytene studies. Two groups of banding patterns could be distinguished. Those taxa with bands that were almost exclusively terminally positioned included Z. mays ssp. parviglumis var. huehuetenangensis, Z. diploperennis, Z. perennis, and Z. luxurians. In the last mentioned, previously unknown heterochromatic regions were found. Both terminal and subterminal band positions were found in Z. mays, Z. mays ssp. mexicana, and Z. mays ssp. parviglumis var. parviglumis. On the basis of these results, and those of other workers, the taxonomic treatments of Z. mays ssp. parviglumis var. huehuetenangensis, and of Z. diploperennis and its autotetraploid derivative Z. perennis are questioned.
Chromosome relationships and morphological comparisons in the hybrids Avena hybrida × A. sativa and A. hybrida × A. maroccana
Authors: Leggett J. M.
Published: March 2014

The morphology and chromosome pairing of the hexaploid hybrid Avena hybrida × A. sativa, and the pentaploid hybrid A. hybrida × A. maroccana are described in relation to their genomic affinities. The cytological data indicates a close relationship between the two hexaploid species, but does not provide sufficient information to place the relationship more specifically. Cytological data on the pentaploid hybrid indicates that A. hybrida is related to A. maroccana but more distantly than A. sterilis.
R-banding of human chromosomes by heat denaturation and Giemsa staining after amethopterin-synchronization
Authors: Richer C. L. , Murer-Orlando M. , Drouin R.
Published: March 2014

Human late prophase to late metaphase chromosomes were prepared after amethopterin cell synchronization. R-banding was produced by heat denaturation followed by Giemsa staining (RHG). Haploid sets of prophase chromosomes contain approximately 850 bands. Sequences of chromosomes of different degrees of condensation are presented; their analysis provides helpful information to identify the elongated chromosomes and to follow band subdivision. The heat denaturation technique is free from most of the disadvantages encountered with R-banding by 5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Giemsa stained R-bands produced by heat denaturation on prophase and prometaphase chromosomes are useful to analyse the numerous chromosome anomalies involving R-bands. In conjunction with G-banding, it is also important to compare adequately the positive and negative regions of each chromosome to define the anomalies with precision.
Nonreciprocal partial cross-incompatibility in maize
Authors: Sukhapinda Kitisri , Peterson Peter A.
Published: March 2014

A case of cross-incompatibility among crosses in our genetics nursery was first observed in 1975. These crosses though involving controlling elements in maize (Zea mays L.) do not necessarily implicate these elements. When the derivative genotypes from the genetic stocks were crossed by specific male parents, ears with reduced seed set (RSS) were produced. In the reciprocal cross where these same genetic stocks were used as the male parent, ears with normal seed set (NSS) were obtained. The RSS effect is a heritable character caused by an incompatibility interaction between the female tissue and a specific pollen type. The genetic control of the incompatibility interaction has been hypothesized to be influenced by a cytoplasmic–chromosomal interaction in the female and a chromosomal factor in the pollen. The site of the incompatibility interaction is not on the silk surface because the incompatible pollen germinated and developed normally on the silk surface. Thus, the incompatibility interaction can occur either inside the silk or the ovule.
Comparison of chromosome associations in human lymphocytes arrested by colcemid, nocodazole, or cycloheximide
Authors: Kirsch-Volders M. , Hens L. , Ashley T. , Verschaeve L. , Susanne C.
Published: March 2014

The method of "generalized distances" was applied to compare the effects on homologous interchromosomal distances of colcemid, the routinely used tubulin inhibitor with the effects of two other metaphase arrestants: nocodazole, also a tubulin inhibitor and cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis which preserves somatic association. More homologous pairs were associated in the cycloheximide treatment than in the other two procedures; however, while several chromosomes which tend to lie toward the center of the metaphase plate showed somatic association in the various treatments, we found no evidence for somatic association of the larger, more peripherally located chromosomes in human cells in any of our treatments (chromosome pair 7 excepted in the colcemid sample).
Correlation and path coefficient analysis of seed yield and oil content in mustard (Brassica juncea)
Authors: Singh B. P. , Chowdhury R. K.
Published: March 2014

The present study was undertaken to determine the correlations and path coefficients between seed yield and its component traits and to assess the influence of different environments on 37 varieties of Brassica juncea L. Czern &Coss, grown under four different environments. Positive correlation of seed yield appeared with secondary branches, plant height, and seed weight, and only in environment 4 with seeds per pod. However, with oil content, seed yield was negatively correlated in two environments. Based on path analysis, secondary branches showed the maximum direct positive effects on seed yield followed by plant height. Considering these parameters and also the differences between lines having low and high levels of expression of seed yield and its components, it was concluded that for breeding model plant characters to maximise yield in B. juncea we should consider secondary branches, plant height, seed weight, and to some extent seeds per pod.
A Two-Dimensional Study of Finite Amplitude Sound Waves in a Trumpet Using the Discontinuous Galerkin Method
Authors: Resch Janelle , Krivodonova Lilia , Vanderkooy John
Published: March 2014

A model for nonlinear sound wave propagation for the trumpet is proposed. Experiments have been carried out to measure the sound pressure waveforms of the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] notes played forte. We use these pressure measurements at the mouthpiece as an input for the proposed model. The compressible Euler equations are used to incorporate nonlinear wave propagation and compressibility effects. The equations of motion are solved using the discontinuous Galerkin method (DGM) and the suitability of this method is assessed. The third spatial dimension is neglected and the consequences for such an assumption are examined. The numerical experiments demonstrate the validity of this approach. We obtain a good match between experimental and numerical data after the dimensionality of the problem is taken into account.
Eikonal slant helices and Eikonal Darboux helices in 3-dimensional Riemannian manifold
Authors: Önder Mehmet , Zıplar Evren , Kaya Onur
Published: March 2014

In this study, we give the definitions and characterizations of Eikonal slant helices, Eikonal Darboux helices and non-modified Eikonal Darboux helices in 3-dimensional Riemannian manifold M3. We show that every Eikonal slant helix is also an Eikonal Darboux helix. Furthermore, we obtain that if the curve α is a non-modified Eikonal Darboux helix, then α is an Eikonal slant helix if and only if κ2 + τ2 = constant, where κ and τ are curvature and torsion of α, respectively.
A geometric theory of micropolar mixtures with internal variables
Authors: Francaviglia Mauro , Palumbo Annunziata , Rogolino Patrizia
Published: March 2014

A geometrical description of micropolar mixtures theory for N components including matter diffusion is analyzed from a thermodynamical viewpoint with internal variables. This theory introduces one independent rotation for each material element so that the resulting stress and strain tensors are generally non-symmetric. In order to consider dissipative effects due to rotation and to thermodiffusion we introduce a set of N independent scalar internal variables, which we denote by γA; the set of N independent vectorial internal variables defined by their gradients is indicated as ΛA. The behavior of the mixture is therefore described by a state space W including the classical variables (i.e. mass density, mass concentration, temperature and so on) together with internal variables and with their first gradients satisfying an evolution equation. General thermodynamical restrictions and residual dissipation inequalities are obtained by Clausius–Duhem inequality. Finally, by using geometric technique due to Maugin, the heat equation is derived in the first and second form.
On thermodynamics of 2D black holes in brane inflationary potentials
Authors: Belhaj A. , Chabab M. , El Moumni H. , Sedra M. B. , Segui A.
Published: March 2014

Inspired from the inflation brane world cosmology, we study the thermodynamics of a black hole solution in two-dimensional dilaton gravity with an arctangent potential background. We first derive the two-dimensional black hole geometry, then we examine its asymptotic behaviors. More precisely, we find that such behaviors exhibit properties appearing in some known cases including the anti-de Sitter and the Schwarzschild black holes. Using the complex path method, we compute the Hawking radiation. The entropy function can be related to the value of the potential at the horizon.
Conference in Honour of the 90th Birthday of Freeman Dyson
Authors: APPN Editorial Team
Published: March 2014

In an episode of the popular science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation, the crew of the USS Enterprise-D happened upon a full Dyson sphere when its gravitational fluctuations brought them to a stop. After some analysis of the sphere, Lieutenant Commander Data informed that the inside surface area of the sphere was equal to "250 million class-M worlds".
Longitudinal Imaging of Cancer Cell Metastases in Two Preclinical Models: A Correlation of Noninvasive Imaging to Histopathology
Authors: Adiseshaiah Pavan P. , Patel Nimit L. , Ileva Lilia V. , Kalen Joseph D. , Haines Diana C. , McNeil Scott E.
Published: March 2014

Metastatic spread is the leading cause of death from cancer. Early detection of cancer at primary and metastatic sites by noninvasive imaging modalities would be beneficial for both therapeutic intervention and disease management. Noninvasive imaging modalities such as bioluminescence (optical), positron emission tomography (PET)/X-ray computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide complementary information and accurately measure tumor growth as confirmed by histopathology. Methods. We validated two metastatic tumor models, MDA-MD-231-Luc and B16-F10-Luc intravenously injected, and 4T1-Luc cells orthotopically implanted into the mammary fat pad. Longitudinal whole body bioluminescence imaging (BLI) evaluated metastasis, and tumor burden of the melanoma cell line (B16-F10-Luc) was correlated with (PET)/CT and MRI. In addition, ex vivo imaging evaluated metastasis in relevant organs and histopathological analysis was used to confirm imaging. Results. BLI revealed successful colonization of cancer cells in both metastatic tumor models over a 4-week period. Furthermore, lung metastasis of B16-F10-Luc cells imaged by PET/CT at week four showed a strong correlation (R2=0.9) with histopathology. The presence and degree of metastasis as determined by imaging correlated (R2=0.7) well with histopathology findings. Conclusions. We validated two metastatic tumor models by longitudinal noninvasive imaging with good histopathology correlation.
Preparation of Cylinder-Shaped Porous Sponges of Poly(L-lactic acid), Poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid), and Poly(ε-caprolactone)
Authors: He Xiaoming , Kawazoe Naoki , Chen Guoping
Published: March 2014

Design of mechanical skeletons of biodegradable synthetic polymers such as poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) is important in the construction of the hybrid scaffolds of biodegradable synthetic polymers and naturally derived polymers such as collagen. In this study, cylinder-shaped PLLA, PLGA, and PCL sponges were prepared by the porogen leaching method using a cylinder model. The effects of polymer type, polymer fraction, cylinder height, pore size, and porosity on the mechanical properties of the cylinder-shape sponges were investigated. SEM observation showed that these cylinder-shaped sponges had evenly distributed bulk pore structures and the wall surfaces were less porous with a smaller pore size than the wall bulk pore structures. The porosity and pore size of the sponges could be controlled by the ratio and size of the porogen materials. The PLGA sponges showed superior mechanical properties than those of the PLLA and PCL sponges. Higher porosity resulted in an inferior mechanical strength. The pore size and sponge height also affected the mechanical properties. The results indicate that cylinder-shaped sponges can be tethered by choosing the appropriate polymers, size and ratio of porogen materials and dimension of sponges based on the purpose of the application.
Mixture of Sodium Hypochlorite and Hydrogen Peroxide on Adhered Aeromonas hydrophila to Solid Substrate in Water: Impact of Concentration and Assessment of the Synergistic Effect
Authors: Lontsi Djimeli Chrétien , Tamsa Arfao Antoine , Noah Ewoti Olive V. , Nougang Mireille Ebiane , Moungang Marlyse L. , Bricheux Geneviève , Nola Moïse , Sime-Ngando Télesphore
Published: March 2014

The synergistic effects of the combined treatments of NaOCl and H2O2 on the elimination of A. hydrophila adhered to polythene under static and dynamic conditions were evaluated. The concentrations 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3‰ NaOCl and 0.5, 1, and 1.5‰ H2O2 were used. The contact periods were 180, 360, 540, and 720 minutes. The abundance of cells adhered reached 2.47 and 2.27 units (log (CFU/cm²)), respectively, under static and dynamic conditions after action of the mixture of disinfectants, whereas it reached 2.41 and 3.39 units (log (CFU/cm²)) after action of NaOCl and H2O2 alone, respectively. Increase in the incubation period resulted in a significant decrease in the abundance of cells adhered when the mixture of 0.3‰ NaOCl and 1.5‰ H2O2 was used (P<0.01). For each cell growth phase, there was a significant difference amongst the mean densities of cells adhered after action of the mixture of disinfectants (P<0.05). Although the Freundlich isotherm parameters relatively varied from one experimental condition to another, the Kf value registered in the exponential growth phase was relatively higher in static state than in dynamic regime; cells adhered under dynamic condition seem more sensitive to the synergistic action than those adhered under static condition.
Acoustic and Volumetric Properties of Mixture of (N,N-Dimethylacetamide + Ethyl Acrylate) with 1-Butanol or iso-Butanol or t-Butanol at 308.15 K
Authors: Kondaiah M. , Sreekanth K. , Sravana Kumar D. , Krishna Rao D.
Published: March 2014

Densities, ρ, and ultrasonic speeds, u of mixtures of 1-butanol or iso-butanol or t-butanol with equimolar mixture of (N,N-dimethylacetamide + Ethyl acrylate) over the entire composition range have been measured at T=308.15 K. Using the experimental results, deviation in ultrasonic speed, Δu, deviation in isentropic compressibility, Δks, excess molar volume, VmE, excess intermolecular free length, LfE, and excess acoustic impedance, ZE, have been calculated. The variation of these properties with composition of the mixtures has been discussed in terms of molecular interactions in these mixtures. The deviation/excess properties have been fitted to Redlich-Kister type polynomial and the corresponding standard deviations have been calculated. Negative values of VmE, Δks, and LfE and positive values of Δu, and ZE are observed over the entire composition range. The observed negative and positive values of deviation/excess properties are attributed to the strong interactions between the unlike molecules of the mixtures. Further theoretical values of sound velocity in the mixtures have been evaluated using various theories and compared with experimental sound velocities to verify the applicability of such theories to the systems studied. Theoretical ultrasonic velocity data has been used to study molecular interactions in the systems investigated.
Electrostatics in the Surroundings of a Topologically Charged Black Hole in the Brane
Authors: Larrañaga Alexis , Herrera Natalia , Ramirez Sara
Published: March 2014

We determine the expression for the electrostatic potential generated by a point charge held stationary in the topologically charged black hole spacetime arising from the Randall-Sundrum II braneworld model. We treat the static electric point charge as a linear perturbation on the black hole background and an expression for the electrostatic multipole solution is given: PACS: 04.70.-s, 04.50.Gh, 11.25.-w, 41.20.-q, 41.90.+e.
Analyzing Electromagnetic Systems on Electrically Large Platform Using a GTM-PO Hybrid Method with Synthetic Basis Functions
Authors: Xiang Shang , Xiao Gaobiao , Mao Junfa
Published: March 2014

A hybrid method of generalized transition matrix (GTM) and physical optics (PO) with synthetic basis functions (SBF) is proposed to analyze electromagnetic systems on electrically large platforms. Based on domain decomposition method (DDM), the proposed approach is to divide the whole problem into a GTM region and a PO region. The GTM algorithm can simulate antennas and scatterers accurately, and the PO algorithm is applied to obtain current distribution on the electrically large platform. With the characteristics extraction technique using SBFs on the GTM models, the number of unknowns can be greatly reduced and the computational efficiency can be further improved. PO region is regarded as an environment background and the unknowns in the PO region need not to be directly solved. Numerical examples will be shown to demonstrate the feasibility of the hybrid method.
Experimental Verifications of Vibration Suppression for a Smart Cantilever Beam with a Modified Velocity Feedback Controller
Authors: Zhang Ting , Li Hong Guang , Cai Guo Ping , Li Fu Cai
Published: March 2014

This paper presents various experimental verifications for the theoretical analysis results of vibration suppression to a smart flexible beam bonded with a piezoelectric actuator by a velocity feedback controller and an extended state observer (ESO). During the state feedback control (SFC) design process for the smart flexible beam with the pole placement theory, in the state feedback gain matrix, the velocity feedback gain is much more than the displacement feedback gain. For the difference between the velocity feedback gain and the displacement feedback gain, a modified velocity feedback controller is applied based on a dynamical model with the Hamilton principle to the smart beam. In addition, the feedback velocity is attained with the extended state observer and the displacement is acquired by the foil gauge on the root of the smart flexible beam. The control voltage is calculated by the designed velocity feedback gain multiplied by the feedback velocity. Through some experiment verifications for simulation results, it is indicated that the suppressed amplitude of free vibration is up to 62.13% while the attenuated magnitude of its velocity is up to 61.31%. Therefore, it is demonstrated that the modified velocity feedback control with the extended state observer is feasible to reduce free vibration.
Multiparameter Fractional Difference Linear Control Systems
Authors: Mozyrska Dorota
Published: March 2014

The Riemann-Liouville-, Caputo-, and Grünwald-Letnikov-type fractional order difference operators are discussed and used to state and solve the controllability and observability problems of linear fractional order discrete-time control systems with multiorder and multistep. It is shown that the obtained results do not depend on the type of fractional operators and steps. The comparison of systems is made under the number of steps needed, firstly to achieve a final point, and secondly to distinguish initial conditions for particular operator.
Hybrid TiO2 Solar Cells Produced from Aerosolized Nanoparticles of Water-Soluble Polythiophene Electron Donor Layer
Authors: Sweet Marshall L. , Clarke Joshua G. , Pestov Dmitry , Tepper Gary C. , McLeskey James T.
Published: March 2014

Hybrid solar cells (HSCs) with water soluble polythiophene sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)-ethyloxy-4-butylsulfonate] (PTEBS) thin films produced using electrospray deposition (ESD) were fabricated, tested, and modeled and compared to devices produced using conventional spin coating. A single device structure of FTO/TiO2/PTEBS/Au was used to study the effects of ESD of the PTEBS layer on device performance. ESD was found to increase the short circuit current density (Jsc) by a factor of 2 while decreasing the open circuit voltage (Voc) by half compared to spin coated PTEBS films. Comparable efficiencies of 0.009% were achieved from both device construction types. Current-voltage curves were modeled using the characteristic solar cell equation and showed a similar increase in generated photocurrent with an increase by two orders of magnitude in the saturation current in devices from ESD films. Increases in Jsc are attributed to an increase in the interfacial contact area between the TiO2 and PTEBS layers, while decreases in Voc are attributed to incomplete film formation from ESD.
Fabrication and In Vitro Evaluation of Nanosized Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan‐Based Tissue Engineering Scaffolds
Authors: Sun Tao , Khan Tareef Hayat , Sultana Naznin
Published: March 2014

Composite scaffolds based on biodegradable natural polymer and osteoconductive hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles can be promising for a variety of tissue engineering (TE) applications. This study addressed the fabrication of three‐dimensional (3D) porous composite scaffolds composed of HA and chitosan fabricated via thermally induced phase separation and freeze‐drying technique. The scaffolds produced were subsequently characterized in terms of microstructure, porosity, and mechanical property. In vitro degradation and in vitro biological evaluation were also investigated. The scaffolds were highly porous and had interconnected pore structures. The pore sizes ranged from several microns to a few hundred microns. The incorporated HA nanoparticles were well mixed and physically coexisted with chitosan in composite scaffold structures. The addition of 10% (w/w) HA nanoparticles to chitosan enhanced the compressive mechanical properties of composite scaffold compared to pure chitosan scaffold. In vitro degradation results in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) showed slower uptake properties of composite scaffolds. Moreover, the scaffolds showed positive response to mouse fibroblast L929 cells attachment. Overall, the findings suggest that HA/chitosan composite scaffolds could be suitable for TE applications.
Evaluation of Bone Healing on Sandblasted and Acid Etched Implants Coated with Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite: AnIn VivoStudy in Rabbit Femur
Authors: Melin Svanborg Lory , Meirelles Luiz , Franke Stenport Victoria , Kjellin Per , Currie Fredrik , Andersson Martin , Wennerberg Ann
Published: March 2014

This study aimed at investigating if a coating of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals would enhance bone healing over time in trabecular bone. Sandblasted and acid etched titanium implants with and without a submicron thick coat of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals (nano-HA) were implanted in rabbit femur with healing times of 2, 4, and 9 weeks. Removal torque analyses and histological evaluations were performed. The torque analysis did not show any significant differences between the implants at any healing time. The control implant showed a tendency of more newly formed bone after 4 weeks of healing and significantly higher bone area values after 9 weeks of healing. According to the results from this present study, both control and nano-HA surfaces were biocompatible and osteoconductive. A submicron thick coating of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals deposited onto blasted and acid etched screw shaped titanium implants did not enhance bone healing, as compared to blasted and etched control implants when placed in trabecular bone.
Common Fixed Points for Pairs of Mappings with Variable Contractive Parameters
Authors: Morales J. R. , Rojas E. M. , Bisht Ravindra K.
Published: March 2014

We establish some common fixed point results for a new class of pair of contraction mappings having functions as contractive parameters, and satisfying minimal noncommutative operators property.
Rich Spatiotemporal Dynamics of a Vegetation Model with Noise and Periodic Forcing
Authors: Zhao Xia-Xia , Wang Jian-Zhong
Published: March 2014

The growth of vegetation is undeniably subject to random fluctuations arising from environmental variability and internal effects due to periodic forcing. To address these issues, we investigated a spatial version of a vegetation model including seasonal rainfall, noise, and diffusion. By numerical simulations, we found that noise can induce the pattern transition from stationary pattern to other patterns. More specifically, when noise intensity is small, patch invasion is induced. As noise intensity further increases, chaotic patterns emerge. For the system with noise and seasonal rainfall, it exhibits frequency-locking phenomena. Patterns transition may be a warning signal for the onset of desertification and thus the obtained results may provide some measures to protect vegetation, such as reducing random factors or changing irrigation on vegetation.
Active Contour Model Coupling with Higher Order Diffusion for Medical Image Segmentation
Authors: Wang Guodong , Xu Jie , Dong Qian , Pan Zhenkuan
Published: March 2014

Active contour models are very popular in image segmentation. Different features such as mean gray and variance are selected for different purpose. But for image with intensity inhomogeneities, there are no features for segmentation using the active contour model. The images with intensity inhomogeneities often occurred in real world especially in medical images. To deal with the difficulties raised in image segmentation with intensity inhomogeneities, a new active contour model with higher-order diffusion method is proposed. With the addition of gradient and Laplace information, the active contour model can converge to the edge of the image even with the intensity inhomogeneities. Because of the introduction of Laplace information, the difference scheme becomes more difficult. To enhance the efficiency of the segmentation, the fast Split Bregman algorithm is designed for the segmentation implementation. The performance of our method is demonstrated through numerical experiments of some medical image segmentations with intensity inhomogeneities.
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of a Timoshenko Beam Resting on a Viscoelastic Foundation and Traveled by a Moving Mass
Authors: Mamandi Ahmad , Kargarnovin Mohammad H.
Published: March 2014

The dynamic response of a Timoshenko beam with immovable ends resting on a nonlinear viscoelastic foundation and subjected to motion of a traveling mass moving with a constant velocity is studied. Primarily, the beam’s nonlinear governing coupled PDEs of motion for the lateral and longitudinal displacements as well as the beam’s cross-sectional rotation are derived using Hamilton’s principle. On deriving these nonlinear coupled PDEs the stretching effect of the beam’s neutral axis due to the beam’s fixed end conditions in conjunction with the von-Karman strain-displacement relations is considered. To obtain the dynamic responses of the beam under the act of a moving mass, derived nonlinear coupled PDEs of motion are solved by applying Galerkin’s method. Then the beam’s dynamic responses are obtained using mode summation technique. Furthermore, after verification of our results with other sources in the literature a parametric study on the dynamic response of the beam is conducted by changing the velocity of the moving mass, damping coefficient, and stiffnesses of the foundation including linear and cubic nonlinear parts, respectively. It is observed that the inclusion of geometrical and foundation stiffness nonlinearities into the system in presence of the foundation damping will produce significant effect in the beam’s dynamic response.
Medium-Term Visual Outcomes of Apodized Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lens with +3.00 D Addition Power
Authors: Guo Xiaohong , Sun Yi , Zhang Bowen , Zheng Danying
Published: March 2014

Purpose. To evaluate 2-year visual acuities and questionnaire after bilateral implantation of SN6AD1 multifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) or SN60WF IOL.Methods. Patients randomly scheduled for bilateral implantation of SN6AD1 MIOL and SN60WF IOL with 2-year follow-up were enrolled. Uncorrected/corrected distance and near visual acuity, uncorrected intermediate visual acuity at 63 cm under high and low contrast, reading activity, the defocus curve, and a quality-of-life questionnaire were evaluated.Results. Each group comprised 20 patients. Uncorrected intermediate visual acuities and uncorrected near visual acuity were better in SN6AD1 group than in SN60WF group (P=0.005,P=0.011, andP<0.001). In SN6AD1 group, the uncorrected intermediate and near visual acuities 1 year and 2 years postoperatively were reduced than postoperative 3-month outcomes, respectively. SN6AD1 group reported superior overall spectacle independence and inferior satisfaction. SN6AD1 group had a longer reading newspaper duration than SN60WF group (P=0.036). When using mobile phone, SN6AD1 group had a more comfortable distance than SN60WF group (P<0.001) and higher speed of reading fixed text message (P<0.001).Conclusion. SN6AD1 MIOL provided a satisfactory full range of visual acuities and questionnaire performance 2 years postoperatively. One-year and 2-year uncorrected near and intermediate visual acuities of SN6AD1 MIOL were lower than those 3 months postoperatively.
Impact of Chinese Herbal Medicine on American Society and Health Care System: Perspective and Concern
Authors: Lu Winston I. , Lu Dominic P.
Published: March 2014

Many Americans, not completely satisfied with traditional western medicine, have turned to alternative and complementary medicine which explains the increasing popularity of the herbal products and the Chinese herbal medicine. The lack of government regulations and the increasing advertisements by the manufactures have created an impression to the common public that the natural herbal remedies are inherently safer and cheaper than conventional medicine. The skyrocketing rise of healthcare cost and the adverse reaction and side effects incurred from the prescribed drugs have both reinforced such an impression. Herbs in the USA and in many European countries have been prepared as capsules, tablets, teas, lozenges, juice extracts, tincture, and ointments. Most of the herbs are administered as a single herb in the USA and Europe. However, the traditional Chinese herbal medicine contains multiple active ingredients from various herbs and is prepared as concoctions by simmering them for hours to produce pharma‐therapeutic properties useful for the treatment of a particular disease. Those prepared concoctions are taken gingerly with specific treatment purposes. In the USA and some European counties, herbs are distributed and labeled as dietary supplements and are taken by many individuals for a long period of time creating some medical and dental complex problems among them, especially in terms of anesthesia‐surgery complications. This paper provides insight into basic differences in how herbs are prepared before administration to the patients in China versus a single unprepared herb sold in the USA and Europe. Also addressed are the interdisciplinary issues with health professionals, the proper regulations for better quality control of imported herbs, and the proper warning on the labels of the herbs.
Polarization Division Multiplexing of OFDM Radio-over-Fiber Signals in Passive Optical Networks
Authors: Morant Maria , Pérez Joaquin , Llorente Roberto
Published: March 2014

This paper describes the state-of-the-art of polarization multiplexing for optical networks transmission. The use of polarization division multiplexing (PDM) permits to multiply the user capacity and increase the spectral efficiency. Combining PDM and orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) modulation allows maximizing the optical transmission capacity. The experimental demonstration of transmitting OFDM signals following ECMA-368 ultrawide band (UWB) standard in radio-over-fiber using PDM in passive optical networks is herein reported. The impact of cross-polarization and cochannel crosstalk is evaluated experimentally in a three-user OFDM-UWB subcarrier multiplexed (SCM) configuration per polarization. Each SCM uses up to three OFDM-UWB channels of 200 Mbit/s each, achieving an aggregated bitrate of 1.2 Gbit/s with 0.76 bit/s/Hz spectral efficiency when using PDM transmission. The experimental results for the polarization-multiplexed SCM indicate that a 4 dB additional polarization crosstalk interference can be expected compared to a nonpolarization-multiplexed transmission system which translates to 2.4 dB EVM penalty in the UWB signals. The successful PDM transmission of SCM multiuser OFDM-UWB over a passive optical network of 25 km standard-single mode fiber (SSMF) reach is demonstrated.
Exhaled Nitric Oxide as a Biomarker in COPD and Related Comorbidities
Authors: Malerba Mario , Radaeli Alessandro , Olivini Alessia , Damiani Giovanni , Ragnoli Beatrice , Montuschi Paolo , Ricciardolo Fabio L. M.
Published: March 2014

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is defined as a disease characterized by persistent, progressive airflow limitation. Recent studies have underlined that COPD is correlated to many systemic manifestations, probably due to an underlying pattern of systemic inflammation. In COPD fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) levels are related to smoking habits and disease severity, showing a positive relationship with respiratory functional parameters. Moreover FeNO is increased in patients with COPD exacerbation, compared with stable ones. In alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a possible cause of COPD, FeNO levels may be monitored to early detect a disease progression. FeNO measurements may be useful in clinical setting to identify the level of airway inflammation,per seand in relation to comorbidities, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, either in basal conditions or during treatment. Finally, some systemic inflammatory diseases, such as psoriasis, have been associated with higher FeNO levels and potentially with an increased risk of developing COPD. In these systemic inflammatory diseases, FeNO monitoring may be a useful biomarker for early diagnosis of COPD development.
Optimal Control Problem of Treatment for Obesity in a Closed Population
Authors: Aldila D. , Rarasati N. , Nuraini N. , Soewono E.
Published: March 2014

Variety of intervention programs for controlling the obesity epidemic has been done worldwide. However, it is still not yet available a scientific tool to measure the effectiveness of those programs. This is due to the difficulty in parameterizing the human interaction and transition process of obesity. A dynamical model for simulating the interaction between healthy people, overweight people, and obese people in a randomly mixed population is discussed in here. Two scenarios of intervention programs were implemented in the model, dietary program for overweight people with healthy life campaign and treatment program for obese people. Assuming all control rates are constant, disease free equilibrium point, endemic equilibrium point, and basic reproductive ratio (ℛ0) as the epidemic indicator were shown analytically. We find that the disease free equilibrium point is locally asymptotical stable if and only ifℛ0<1. From sensitivity analysis ofℛ0, we obtain that larger rate of dietary program and treatment program will reduceℛ0significantly. With control rates are continuous in time, an optimal control approach was applied into the model to find the best way to minimize the number of overweight and obese people. Some numerical analysis and simulations for optimal control of the intervention were shown to support the analytical results.
Activation of Natural Killer Cells in Patients with Chronic Bone and Joint Infection due to Staphylococci Expressing or Not the Small Colony Variant Phenotype
Authors: Viel Sébastien , Rouzaire Paul , Laurent Frédéric , Walzer Thierry , Bienvenu Jacques , Valour Florent , Chidiac Christian , Ferry Tristan , Group The Lyon BJI Study
Published: March 2014

Chronic bone and joint infections (BJI) are devastating diseases. Relapses are frequently observed, as some pathogens, especially staphylococci, can persist intracellularly by expressing a particular phenotype called small colony variant (SCV). As natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes specialized in the killing of host cells infected by intracellular pathogens, we studied NK cells of patients with chronic BJI due to staphylococci expressing or not SCVs (10 patients in both groups). Controls were patients infected with other bacteria without detectable expression of SCVs, and healthy volunteers. NK cell phenotype was evaluated from PBMCs by flow cytometry. Degranulation capacity was evaluated after stimulation with K562 cellsin vitro. We found that NK cells were activated in terms of CD69 expression, loss of CD16 and perforin, in all infected patients in comparison with healthy volunteers, independently of the SCV phenotype. Peripheral NK cells in patients with chronic BJI display signs of recent activation and degranulationin vivoin response to CD16-mediated signals, regardless of the type of bacteria involved. This could involve a universal capacity of isolates responsible for chronic BJI to produce undetectable SCVsin vivo, which might be a target of future intervention.
Preparation and Characterization of Talc Filled Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Polypropylene Blends
Authors: Govorčin Bajsić Emi , Rek Vesna , Ćosić Ivana
Published: March 2014

The effect of the addition of talc on the morphology and thermal properties of blends of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polypropylene (PP) was investigated. The blends of TPU and PP are incompatible because of large differences in polarities between the nonpolar crystalline PP and polar TPU and high interfacial tensions. The interaction between TPU and PP can be improved by using talc as reinforcing filler. The morphology was observed by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermal properties of the neat polymers and unfilled and talc filled TPU/PP blends were studied by using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The addition of talc in TPU/PP blends improved miscibility in all investigated TPU/T/PP blends. The DSC results for talc filled TPU/PP blends show that the degree of crystallinity increased, which is due to the nucleating effect induced by talc particles. The reason for the increased storage modulus of blends with the incorporation of talc is due to the improved interface between polymers and filler. According to TGA results, the addition of talc enhanced thermal stability. The homogeneity of the talc filled TPU/PP blends is better than unfilled TPU/PP blends.