bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Late Quaternary vegetation dynamics and hydroseral development in a shrub swamp in southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Bunting M Jane , Warner Barry G
Published: May 2013

Using a multiple-core paleoecological approach, we studied the development of a small kettle-hole wetland (informal name Spiraea wetland) in southern Ontario. The sedimentary record begins at around 11 700 BP, when Picea and herbs characteristic of a disturbed environment were the principal components of the upland vegetation. These were replaced by ca. 9500 BP by Pinus dominance, which persisted until at least 6300 BP. Mixed deciduous forest communities then developed and were only disturbed by Euro-Canadian settlement in the last few hundred years. Initially, the basin contained an open lake, which was progressively colonized by a range of aquatic plants, becoming a shallow open water wetland community by 9500 BP. A marsh community spread rapidly from the edge of the basin, and a mat of aquatic mosses filled the central area of open water before marsh vegetation became established there. Between 6300 and 1500 BP, there is a marked decrease in sedimentation rates, and the paleoecological data imply that the vegetation communities at the coring points varied between marsh, shrub swamp, and conditions where no net sediment accumulation occurred. Sedimentation rates increased in the upper part of the core, as the modern tall-shrub swamp developed.
Foraminiferal response to Albian relative sea-level changes in northwestern and central Alberta, Canada
Authors: Stritch Rebecca A , Schröder-Adams Claudia J
Published: May 2013

Albian foraminiferal assemblages from three wells in northwestern (Imperial Spirit River No. 1, 12-20-78-6W6), central (AngloHome C&E Fort Augustus No. 1, 7-29-55-21W4), and southern Alberta (Amoco B1 Youngstown, 6-34-30-8W4) provide the basis to track a fluctuating sea-level history in western Canada. Two global second-order marine cycles (Kiowa - Skull Creek and Greenhorn) were punctuated by higher frequency relative sea-level cycles expressed during the time of the Moosebar-Clearwater, Hulcross, Joli Fou, and Mowry seas. A total of 34 genera and 93 subgeneric taxa are recognized in these Albian-age strata. Foraminiferal abundance and species diversity of the latest Albian Mowry Sea were higher than in the early to middle Albian Moosebar-Clearwater and Hulcross seas. The two earliest paleo-seas were shallow embayments of the Boreal Sea, and relative sea-level fluctuations caused variable marine to brackish conditions expressed in a variety of faunal assemblages. Towards the late Albian, relative sea level rose, deepening the basin and establishing increased marine conditions and more favourable habitats for foraminifera. In the deeper Joli Fou Seaway and Mowry Sea, however, reduced bottom water oxygen through stratification or stagnant circulation caused times of diminished benthic faunas. The Bluesky Formation in northwestern Alberta contains the initial transgression of the early Albian Moosebar-Clearwater Sea and is marked by a sudden faunal increase. In contrast, transgression by the late late Albian Mowry Sea was associated with a gradual increase of foraminiferal faunas. Numerous agglutinated species range throughout the entire Albian, absent only at times of basin shallowing. However, each major marine incursion throughout the Albian introduced new taxa.
FROM THE MICROSCOPIC TO THE VAN HOVE REGIME IN THE XY CHAIN OUT OF EQUILIBRIUM
Authors: ASCHBACHER WALTER H.
Published: May 2013

Using the framework of rigorous algebraic quantum statistical mechanics, we construct the unique nonequilibrium steady state in the isotropic XY chain in which a sample of arbitrary finite size is coupled by a bond coupling perturbation of arbitrary strength to two infinitely extended thermal reservoirs, and we prove that this state is thermodynamically nontrivial. Moreover, extracting the leading second-order contribution to its microscopic entropy production and deriving its entropy production in the van Hove weak coupling regime, we prove that, in the mathematically and physically important XY chain, the van Hove regime reproduces the leading order contribution to the microscopic regime.
FERMION–ANTIFERMION MIXING IN GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
Authors: PAPINI GIORGIO
Published: May 2013

Mixing of fermion and antifermion states occurs in gravitational interactions, leading to non-conservation of fermion number above temperatures determined by the particle masses. We study the evolution of a [Formula: see text]-system and calculate the cross-sections for the reactions [Formula: see text]. Their values are identical in both directions. However, if [Formula: see text] changes quickly into a lighter antiparticle, then the reaction symmetry is broken, resulting in an increased production of matter over antimatter.
EDGE MAGNETISM AND QUANTUM SPIN HALL EFFECT IN ZIGZAG GRAPHENE NANORIBBON
Authors: RHIM JUN-WON , MOON KYUNGSUN
Published: May 2013

We present here a brief review on the remarkable consequences of the flat bands formed at the edges of the Zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR). The inclusion of the on-site Coulomb interaction is shown to induce the edge spin ferromagnetism, whose spin stiffness demonstrates a nonmonotonic dependence on the lateral electric field. The critical electric field strength corresponds to that of the insulator to half-metal transition. The inclusion of the spin–orbit coupling (SOC) has been believed to generate the quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) guiding into the interesting new field of topological insulator. By carefully investigating the SOC near the edge, we have shown that the additional σ-edge band gives a marginal perturbation and hence the existence of the QSHE depends on the coupling strength between the π-edge bands and the σ-edge band. We demonstrate that for the charge neutral ZGNR, the QSHE does not occur in the pristine ZGNR, while the hydrogen passivation along the edge may recover the expected feature of the QSHE.
ELECTRICAL TRANSPORT AND LOW-FIELD MAGNETORESISTANCE IN La0.8Sr0.2MnO3/Zn COMPOSITES
Authors: YANG L. Q. , YANG X. S. , LV L. , ZHAO Y.
Published: May 2013

La 0.8 Sr 0.2 MnO 3 (LSMO)/ Zn composites were prepared by bonded method. The phase structure, electrical transport and low-field magnetoresistance (LFMR) characteristics have been investigated. The binder segregated mostly at the grain boundaries. The bonded composites exhibited enhanced LFMR, which was attributed to the enhanced intergrain spin-polarized tunneling behavior.
AB-INITIO CALCULATIONS OF ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF InP AND GaP
Authors: MALOZOVSKY Y. , FRANKLIN L. , EKUMA E. C. , ZHAO G. L. , BAGAYOKO D.
Published: May 2013

We present results from ab-initio, self-consistent local density approximation (LDA) calculations of electronic and related properties of zinc blende indium phosphide (InP) and gallium phosphide (GaP) . We employed a LDA potential and implemented the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) formalism. This implementation followed the Bagayoko, Zhao and Williams (BZW) method, as enhanced by Ekuma and Franklin (BZW–EF). This method searches for the optimal basis set that yields the minima of the occupied energies. This search entails increases of the size of the basis set and the related modifications of angular symmetry and of radial orbitals. Our calculated, direct band gap of 1.398 eV (1.40 eV), at the Γ point, is in excellent agreement with experimental values, for InP , and our preliminary result for the indirect gap of GaP is 2.135 eV, from the Γ to X high symmetry points. We have also calculated electron and hole effective masses for both InP and GaP . These calculated properties also agree with experimental findings. We conclude that the BZW–EF method could be employed in calculations of electronic properties of high-Tc superconducting materials to explain their complex properties.
SPATIAL VARIATION OF TUNNELING SPECTRA IN (111)-ORIENTED FILMS OF BORON-DOPED DIAMOND PROBED BY STM/STS
Authors: NISHIZAKI TERUKAZU , SASAKI TAKAHIKO , KOBAYASHI NORIO , TAKANO YOSHIHIKO , NAGAO MASANORI , KAWARADA HIROSHI
Published: May 2013

We report on scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) experiments on boron-doped diamond films. The tunneling conductance dI/dV spectra measured on the (111)-oriented surface show spatial variations which distribute irrespective of the surface morphology. The spatial variations are discussed in terms of characteristic features of the superconductivity under the condition of the considerable disorder by the boron doping.
FABRICATION OF SmBiO3/NiO DOUBLE BUFFER LAYER FOR COATED CONDUCTORS
Authors: LEI MING , YANG XINSHENG , ZHAO YONG
Published: May 2013

NiO layers were prepared in Ar flow at temperatures between 750°C to 850°C by using surface oxidation epitaxial method on Ni –5%W alloy substrates. NiO (200) buffer layer with well textured, smooth, dense and crack-free surface was prepared in Ar ambience with a flow rate of 500 ml/min at 800°C for 10.0 min. Then SmBiO 3 buffer layer was coated on the well epitaxial NiO (200) layer by chemical solution deposition (CSD) method.
TRANSPORT PROPERTIES OF A SUPERCONDUCTING FILM WITH MAGNETIC NANOSTRIPES
Authors: KIM K. , RATHNAYAKA K. D. D. , LYUKSYUTOV I. F. , NAUGLE D. G.
Published: May 2013

Studies of the transport properties of a Sn superconducting film with several (1–7) parallel nickel magnetic nanostripes deposited on the top of a thin Ge insulating layer covering the surface of the superconducting film are reported. Measurements of the dependence of the resistance on the in-plane magnetic field with two magnetic field orientations (parallel to the stripes direction and perpendicular to the stripes) and the temperature have been made. We have studied resistance versus in-plane magnetic field direction. Different types of strong hysteresis in the resistance dependence on the magnetic field for different magnetic field orientations were observed.
THE SIMULATION ANALYSIS OF NANO-ZnO PIEZOELECTRIC FILM BASED ON SPM MICRO-CANTILEVER
Authors: LIU AN-PING , SUN XIAO-NAN , YAO XING-XING
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we designed the SPM micro-cantilever device with the nano- ZnO piezoelectric film, modeled and analyzed the micro-cantilever structure with ANSYS tools and comparatively analyzed the ZnO film performance in the static and dynamic mode. The results showed that: when the design size and force amplitude are same, the output voltage is 0.893 mV, deformation displacement is 32 nm, sensitivity is 0.893 mV/nN and natural frequency is 45.48 KHz in the static mode. In the dynamic mode, when the excitation frequencies close to the device first order natural frequency, the output voltage is an order of magnitude more than the voltage under the static induction and has higher sensitivity. The simulation results provide a valuable basis on producing the micro-cantilever with nano- ZnO piezoelectric film which meets the SPM system requirements.
MAGNETORESISTANCE IN TOPOLOGICAL INSULATOR MnxBi2-xSe3 CRYSTALS
Authors: LV LI , ZHANG MIN , WEI ZHANTAO , YANG LINQIN , YANG XISHENG , ZHAO YONG
Published: May 2013

The transport properties of magnetic-atoms doped Mn x Bi 2-x Se 3 single crystals are studied. The samples exhibit approximately similar temperature dependence of resistivity behavior under various applied magnetic fields from zero to 9 T. Magnetoresistance (MR) is modified significantly by high concentration of Mn dopants. The scatterings mechanism between the magnetic impurities and electrons plays an important role in both transport properties and MR effect.
MODELING OF TRANSITION TEMPERATURE FOR PULSED LASER DEPOSITION NdBa2Cu3O7-δ THIN FILMS VIA SUPPORT VECTOR REGRESSION
Authors: XIAO T. T. , CAI C. Z. , TANG J. L. , HUANG S. J.
Published: May 2013

NdBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (NBCO) is a potential superconducting material for application as thin films because of its transition temperatures as high as 94 K as well as the smooth surface and excellent epitaxial quality. This study illustrates the application of the support vector regression (SVR) approach in modeling and predicting the transition temperature (T c ) of NBCO thin films fabricated via pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The model was trained and tested based on an experimental data set comprised of three depositing parameters, the pressure (p), temperature (T) and laser energy (E). The results reveal that the mean absolute error (0.22 K) achieved by leave-one-out cross validation test of SVR is smaller than that (0.68 K) achieved by multivariable nonlinear regression (MNR). An available maximum T c (92.0 K) deposited at an optimal condition for NBCO films is predicted by using the established SVR model. This investigation suggests that SVR may be a promising and practical methodology to accurately estimate the transition temperature for NBCO thin films deposited via PLD under various depositing conditions.
INTEGRATION OF MODAL AND FUZZY METHODS OF KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION IN ARTIFICIAL AGENTS
Authors: KATARZYNIAK RADOSLAW P. , POPEK GRZEGORZ
Published: May 2013

To enable artificial systems to meaningfully use a semantic language of communication is one of the long-term and key targets not only in the field of artificial cognitive agents, but also of AI research in general. Given existing solutions for grounding of modal statements of a language of communication and an idea to model internal concepts of the agent as zadehian fuzzy-linguistic concepts, this paper shows how to meaningfully combine the two within a single framework. An accomplished goal is a model for grounding of modal and non-modal statements of a language of communication based on concepts modelled internally as fuzzy sets spanned over the domain of observation. This paper describes a way in which fuzzy-linguistic concepts are activated by perceptual inputs and how an agents grounds respective non-modal statements. Further, an agent supposed to describe an unobserved part of the environment can use autoepistemic operators of possibility, belief, and knowledge to describe its cognitive attitude toward it. It is discussed how the modal extensions of statements with fuzzy-linguistic concepts should be grounded in order to preserve the common-sense. The resulting constraints put on the model of grounding are formally represented in a form of analytical restrictions put on the so-called relation of epistemic satisfaction.
Goldfish spexin: solution structure and novel function as a satiety factor in feeding control
Authors: Wong Matthew K. H. , Sze Kong Hung , Chen Ting , Cho Chi Kong , Law Henry C. H. , Chu Ivan K. , Wong Anderson O. L.
Published: May 2013

Spexin (SPX) is a neuropeptide identified recently by bioinformatic approach. At present not much is known about its biological actions, and comparative studies of SPX in nonmammalian species are still lacking. To examine the structure and function of SPX in fish model, SPX was cloned in goldfish and found to be highly comparable with its mammalian counterparts. As revealed by NMR spectroscopies, goldfish SPX is composed of an α-helix from Gln5 to Gln14 with a flexible NH2 terminus from Asn1 to Pro4, and its molecular surface is largely hydrophobic except for Lys11 as the only charged residue in the helical region. In goldfish, SPX transcripts were found to be widely expressed in various tissues, and protein expression of SPX was also detected in the brain. In vivo feeding studies revealed that SPX mRNA levels in the telencephalon, optic tectum, and hypothalamus of goldfish brain could be elevated by food intake. However, brain injection of goldfish SPX inhibited both basal and NPY- or orexin-induced feeding behavior and food consumption. Similar treatment also reduced transcript expression of NPY, AgRP, and apelin, with concurrent rises in CCK, CART, POMC, MCH, and CRH mRNA levels in different brain areas examined. The differential effects of SPX treatment on NPY, CCK, and MCH transcript expression could also be noted in vitro in goldfish brain cell culture. Our studies for the first time unveil the solution structure of SPX and its novel function as a satiety factor through differential modulation of central orexigenic and anorexigenic signals.
Genetic ablation of myelin protein zero-like 3 in mice increases energy expenditure, improves glycemic control, and reduces hepatic lipid synthesis
Authors: Czyzyk Traci A. , Andrews Jessica L. , Coskun Tamer , Wade Mark R. , Hawkins Eric D. , Lockwood John F. , Varga Gabor , Sahr Allison E. , Chen Yanyun , Brozinick Joseph T. , Kikly Kristine , Statnick Michael A.
Published: May 2013

Obesity continues to be a global health problem, and thus it is imperative that new pathways regulating energy balance be identified. Recently, it was reported: (Hayashi K, Cao T, Passmore H, Jourdan-Le Saux C, Fogelgren B, Khan S, Hornstra I, Kim Y, Hayashi M, Csiszar K. J Invest Dermatol 123: 864–871, 2004) that mice carrying a missense mutation in myelin protein zero-like 3 ( Mpzl3rc) have reduced body weight. To determine how Mpzl3 controls energy balance in vivo, we generated mice deficient in myelin protein zero-like 3 ( Mpzl3-KO). Interestingly, KO mice were hyperphagic yet had reduced body weight and fat mass. Moreover, KO mice were highly resistant to body weight and fat mass gain after exposure to a high-fat, energy-dense diet. These effects on body weight and adiposity were driven, in part, by a pronounced increase in whole body energy expenditure levels in KO mice. KO mice also had reduced blood glucose levels during an intraperitoneal glucose challenge and significant reductions in circulating insulin levels suggesting an increase in insulin sensitivity. In addition, there was an overall increase in oxidative capacity and contractile force in skeletal muscle isolated from KO mice. Hepatic triglyceride levels were reduced by 92% in livers of KO mice, in part due to a reduction in de novo lipid synthesis. Interestingly, Mpzl3 mRNA expression in liver was increased in diet-induced obese mice. Moreover, KO mice exhibited an increase in insulin-stimulated Akt signaling in the liver, further demonstrating that Mpzl3 can regulate insulin sensitivity in this tissue. We have determined that Mpzl3 has a novel physiological role in controlling body weight regulation, energy expenditure, glycemic control, and hepatic triglyceride synthesis in mice.
Intraportal GLP-1 stimulates insulin secretion predominantly through the hepatoportal-pancreatic vagal reflex pathways
Authors: Nishizawa Makoto , Nakabayashi Hajime , Uehara Keigo , Nakagawa Atsushi , Uchida Kenzo , Koya Daisuke
Published: May 2013

We previously reported that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) appearance in the portal vein facilitates hepatic vagal afferent activity, and this further augments reflexively the pancreatic vagal efferents in anesthetized rats, suggesting a neuroincretin effect of GLP-1. To determine whether the GLP-1-induced vagal pathways lead to a neuronal-mediated component (NMC) of insulin secretion, we infused GLP-1 at a physiological or pharmacological dose (1 or 3 pmol·kg−1·min−1, respectively) into the portal vein in conscious rats with selective hepatic vagotomy (Vagox) or sham operation (Sham). The experiments consisted of two sequential 10-min intraportal infusions (P1 and P2): glucose at a physiological rate (56 μmol·kg−1·min−1) in P1 and the glucose plus GLP-1 or vehicle in P2. Under arterial isoglycemia across the groups, the physiological GLP-1 infusion in Sham augmented promptly and markedly arterial insulin levels, approximately twofold the levels in glucose alone infusion ( P < 0.005), and insulin levels in Vagox diminished apparently ( P < 0.05). Almost 60% of the GLP-1-induced insulin secretion (AUC) in Sham met the NMC, i.e., difference between insulin secretion in Sham and Vagox, (AUC 976 ± 65 vs. 393 ± 94 pmol·min/l, respectively, P < 0.005). Intraportal pharmacological GLP-1 infusion further augmented insulin secretion in both groups, but the NMC remained in 46% (NS; Sham vs. Vagox). In contrast, “isoglycemic” intravenous GLP-1 infusion (3 pmol·kg−1·min−1) evoked an equal insulin secretion in both groups. Thus, the present results indicate that GLP-1 appearing in the portal vein evokes a powerful neuronal-mediated insulinotropic effect, suggesting the neuroincretin effect.
Dextromethorphan Inhibits Activations and Functions in Dendritic Cells
Authors: Chen Der-Yuan , Song Pei-Shan , Hong Jau-Shyong , Chu Ching-Liang , Pan I-Horng , Chen Yi-Ming , Lin Ching-Hsiung , Lin Sheng-Hao , Lin Chi-Chen
Published: May 2013

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in connecting innate and adaptive immunity. Thus, DCs have been regarded as a major target for the development of immunomodulators. In this study, we examined the effect of dextromethorphan (DXM), a common cough suppressant with a high safety profile, on the activation and function of DCs. In the presence of DXM, the LPS-induced expression of the costimulatory molecules in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) was significantly suppressed. In addition, DXM treatment reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines in maturing BMDCs that were activated by LPS. Therefore, DXM abrogated the ability of LPS-stimulated DCs to induce Ag-specific T-cell activation, as determined by their decreased proliferation and IFN-γsecretion in mixed leukocyte cultures. Moreover, the inhibition of LPS-induced MAPK activation and NF-κB translocation may contribute to the suppressive effect of DXM on BMDCs. Remarkably, DXM decreased the LPS-induced surface expression of CD80, CD83, and HLA-DR and the secretion of IL-6 and IL-12 in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). These findings provide a new insight into the impact of DXM treatment on DCs and suggest that DXM has the potential to be used in treating DC-related acute and chronic diseases.
Oncothermia Application for Various Malignant Diseases
Authors: Lee Youngsuk
Published: May 2013

Oncothermia was introduced to our hospital in 2010. Our objective is to report results of 277 patients treated by oncothermia during 20 months. We present some characteristic cases and statistical study of the overall results. We concluded by stating the feasibility of oncothermia to treat high variety of malignant diseases also in their very advanced (T4N3M1) stages.
Estimating Friction Parameters in Reaction Wheels for Attitude Control
Authors: Carrara Valdemir , Kuga Hélio Koiti
Published: May 2013

The ever-increasing use of artificial satellites in both the study of terrestrial and space phenomena demands a search for increasingly accurate and reliable pointing systems. It is common nowadays to employ reaction wheels for attitude control that provide wide range of torque magnitude, high reliability, and little power consumption. However, the bearing friction causes the response of wheel to be nonlinear, which may compromise the stability and precision of the control system as a whole. This work presents a characterization of a typical reaction wheel of 0.65 Nms maximum angular momentum storage, in order to estimate their friction parameters. It used a friction model that takes into account the Coulomb friction, viscous friction, and static friction, according to the Stribeck formulation. The parameters were estimated by means of a nonlinear batch least squares procedure, from data raised experimentally. The results have shown wide agreement with the experimental data and were also close to a deterministic model, previously obtained for this wheel. This model was then employed in a Dynamic Model Compensator (DMC) control, which successfully reduced the attitude steady state error of an instrumented one-axis air-bearing table.
Dexamethasone Preconditioning Improves the Response of Collagen-Induced Arthritis to Treatment with Short-Term Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Collagen-Loaded Dendritic Cells
Authors: Peña Corina , Gárate David , Contreras-Levicoy Juan , Aravena Octavio , Catalán Diego , Aguillón Juan C.
Published: May 2013

Background. Pharmacologically modulated dendritic cells (DCs) have been shown to restore tolerance in type II collagen-(CII-) induced arthritis (CIA). We examined the effect of dexamethasone (DXM) administration as a preconditioning agent, followed by an injection of lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) stimulated and CII-loaded DCs on the CIA course.Methods. After CIA induction, mice pretreated with DXM were injected with 4-hour LPS-stimulated DCs loaded with CII (DXM/4hLPS/CII/DCs).Results. Mice injected with DXM/4hLPS/CII/DCs displayed significantly less severe clinical disease compared to animals receiving 4hLPS/CII/DCs alone or those in which only DXM was administered. Cytokine profile evaluation showed that CD4+ T cells from DXM/4hLPS/CII/DCs and 4hLPS/CII/DCs groups release higher IL-10 levels than those from mice receiving DXM alone or CIA mice. CD4+ T cells from all DC-treated groups showed less IL-17 release when compared to the CIA group. On the contrary, CD4+ T cells from DXM/4hLPS/CII/DCs and 4hLPS/CII/DCs groups released higher IFN-γlevels than those from CIA group.Conclusion. A combined treatment, including DXM preconditioning followed by an inoculation of short-term LPS-stimulated CII-loaded DCs, provides an improved strategy for attenuating CIA severity. Our results suggest that this benefit is driven by a modulation in the cytokine profile secreted by CD4+ T cells.
Foreign Body Induced Neuralgia: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Padmashree S. , Ramprakash Chaitra H. , Jayalekshmy Rema
Published: May 2013

Neuropathic pain is caused by neural injury or painful states associated with either peripheral or central nerve injury. One of the aetiologies of this type of pain is iatrogenic trauma. This case highlights the features of peripheral neuropathic pain caused by foreign body left in the mental foramen following a previous surgical procedure. The foreign body was detected on routine radiographic evaluation. Once the foreign body was removed by surgical intervention, the pain resolved. This stresses the importance of routine radiographic evaluation in proper diagnosis and treatment planning in the management of neuropathic pain. This paper also sheds light on the role of iatrogenic mechanical cause of peripheral neuropathic pain and warrants a tough degree of caution on the part of oral clinicians.
Laser-Assisted Periodontal Management of Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth under General Anesthesia: A Viable Option
Authors: Muralikrishna Tupili , Kalakonda Butchibabu , Gunupati Sumanth , Koppolu Pradeep
Published: May 2013

Gingival overgrowth/hyperplasia can be attributed to several causes, but drug-induced gingival overgrowth/hyperplasia arises secondarily to prolonged use of antihypertensive drugs, anticonvulsants and immunosuppressants. The management is complex in nature considering the multitude of factors involved such as substitution of drug strict plaque control along with excision of the tissue to be performed under local anesthesia as outpatient. In the recent times, the patient’s psychological fear of the treatment with the use of surgical blade and multiple visits has developed the concept of single visit treatment under general anesthesia incorporating a laser as viable option. The present case highlights the new method of management of gingival overgrowth.
Investigation on Mutual Contention Bandwidth Request Mechanisms in Two-Hop Relay Network with ITU-R Path Loss Models
Authors: Anbazhagan Rajesh , Rangaswamy Nakkeeran
Published: May 2013

The performance of two-hop contention based bandwidth request (BR) mechanism for WiMAX relay networks is investigated under ITU-R path loss models. In conventional WiMAX systems, the mobile stations (MS) update their contention window irrespective of their transmission failures. Those systems update their contention window on collision and due to channel error or unavailability of bandwidth. Further, these failure models have been suggested for single hop networks. The failure model in two-hop systems becomes complex since it may include additional failure events such as improper detection of codes and channel error due to varying path loss. Interestingly, these failure events (collision, channel error, unavailability of bandwidth, and improper detection of codes) do not occur evenly for both hops of a link. Hence, to set the contention window effectively, unique failure models are developed by considering the characteristics of BR mechanism and hop at which the BR is performed. In the proposed system, the two-hop BR is carried out with all combinations of message and code bandwidth request schemes. Among them, the message-code BR mechanism performs better under suburban fixed and outdoor to indoor or pedestrian environment, and code-code BR scheme performs better for vehicular environment.
Controllability of Nonlinear Neutral Stochastic Differential Inclusions with Infinite Delay
Authors: Li Yong , Zou Qiang
Published: May 2013

The paper is concerned with the controllability of nonlinear neutral stochastic differential inclusions with infinite delay in a Hilbert space. Sufficient conditions for the controllability are obtained by using a fixed-point theorem for condensing maps due to O'Regan.
Novel Catalytic Systems for Hydrogen Production via the Water-Gas Shift Reaction
Authors: Petallidou Klito C. , Polychronopoulou Kyriaki , Efstathiou Angelos M.
Published: May 2013

The present work reports on the development of new catalysts for the production of hydrogen via the water-gas shift (WGS) reaction. In particular, the effect of Ce/La atom ratio on the catalytic performance of 0.5 wt% Pt supported on Ce1−xLaxO2−δ (x=0.0,0.2,0.5,0.8,1.0) mixed metal oxides for the WGS reaction was investigated. It was found that the addition of 20 at.% La3+ in CeO2 lattice increased significantly the catalytic activity and stability of 0.5 wt% Pt/Ce0.8La0.2O2−δ solid. More precisely, a lower amount of “carbon” was accumulated on the catalyst surface, whereas surface acidity and basicity studies showed that Ce0.8La0.2O2−δ had the highest concentration of labile oxygen and acid sites, and the lowest concentration of basic sites compared to the other Ce1−xLaxO2−δ mixed metal oxide supports (x=0.2,0.5,0.8).
On the Domain of the Triangle on the Spaces of Null, Convergent, and Bounded Sequences
Authors: Braha Naim L. , Başar Feyzi
Published: May 2013

We introduce the spaces of -null, -convergent, and -bounded sequences. We examine some topological properties of the spaces and give some inclusion relations concerning these sequence spaces. Furthermore, we compute -, -, and -duals of these spaces. Finally, we characterize some classes of matrix transformations from the spaces of -bounded and -convergent sequences to the spaces of bounded, almost convergent, almost null, and convergent sequences and present a Steinhaus type theorem.
Hypoxia Immunity, Metabolism, and Hyperthermia
Authors: Baronzio Gianfranco , Kiselevsky Mikhail , Ballerini Marco , Cassuti Valter , Schwartz Laurent , Freitas Isabel , Fiorentini Giammaria , Parmar Gurdev
Published: May 2013

Hypoxia is common in solid tumors and in many other disease states such as myocardial infarction, stroke, bone fracture, and pneumonitis. Once hypoxia has developed, the undernourished and hypoxic cells trigger signals in order to obtain new blood vessels to satisfy their increasing demands and to resolve hypoxia. The principal signal activated is an ancestral oxygen sensor, the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). After its nuclear translocation, HIF triggers a series of mediators that recruit, into the hypoxic milieu, several immature myeloid, mesenchymal, and endothelial progenitors cells. Resident and recruited cells participate in the processes of neoangiogenesis, for resolving the hypoxia, while at the same time trigger an inflammatory reaction. The inflammatory reaction has as primary end point, the repair of the damaged area, but if an insufficient production of resolvins is produced, the inflammatory reaction becomes chronic and is unable to repair the damaged tissue. In this brief overview, we will show the differences and the similar events present in cancer, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Furthermore, the metabolic alterations produced in the tumor by hypoxia/HIF axis and the consequences on hyperthermic treatment are also discussed.
VTOS Cross-Linked PDMS Membranes for Recovery of Ethanol from Aqueous Solution by Pervaporation
Authors: Gu Jin , Bai Yunxiang , Zhang Lin , Deng Lirong , Zhang Chunfang , Sun Yuping , Chen Huanlin
Published: May 2013

PDMS membranes were prepared by cross-linking with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTOS) on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) substrate to increase hydrophobicity and improve pervaporation (PV) performance. It was shown that the membranes had high ethanol permselectivity and flux. The effects of cross-linking temperature, the content of cross-linking agent, and feed temperature on PV performance of VTOS cross-linked PDMS membranes were investigated. For 6 wt% ethanol aqueous solution, the PDMS membrane had the high separation factor of 15.5 and total flux 573.3 g·m−2·h−1, respectively, when the feed temperature was 40°C, H-PDMS : VTOS : DBTDL = 1 : 0.2 : 0.02 and cross-linking temperature was 80°C.
Hybrid Impulsive Control for Closed Quantum Systems
Authors: Zhao Shouwei , Sun Jitao , Lin Hai
Published: May 2013

The state transfer problem of a class of nonideal quantum systems is investigated. It is known that traditional Lyapunov methods may fail to guarantee convergence for the nonideal case. Hence, a hybrid impulsive control is proposed to accomplish a more accurate convergence. In particular, the largest invariant sets are explicitly characterized, and the convergence of quantum impulsive control systems is analyzed accordingly. Numerical simulation is also presented to demonstrate the improvement of the control performance.
An Application of Artificial Intelligence for the Joint Estimation of Amplitude and Two-Dimensional Direction of Arrival of Far Field Sources Using 2-L-Shape Array
Authors: Zaman Fawad , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Khan Junaid Ali , Khan Zafar Ullah
Published: May 2013

An easy and efficient approach, based on artificial intelligence technique, is proposed to jointly estimate the amplitude, elevation, and azimuth angles of far field sources impinging on 2-L-shape array. In these proposed artificial intelligence techniques, the metaheuristics based on genetic algorithm and simulated annealing are used as global optimizers assisted with rapid local version of pattern search for optimization of the adaptive parameters. The performance metric is employed on a fitness evaluation function depending on mean square error which is optimum and requires single snapshot to converge. The proposed approaches are easy to understand, and simple to implement; the genetic algorithm specifically hybridized with pattern search generates fairly good results. The comparison of the given schemes is carried out with 1-L-shape array, as well as, with parallel-shape array and is found to be in good agreement in terms of accuracy, convergence rate, computational complexity, and mean square error. The effectiveness and efficiency of the given schemes are examined through Monte Carlo simulations and their inclusive statistical analysis.
Reconstructive Effects of Percutaneous Electrical Stimulation Combined with GGT Composite on Large Bone Defect in Rats
Authors: Yang Bo-Yin , Huang Tzung-Chi , Chen Yueh-Sheng , Yao Chun-Hsu
Published: May 2013

Previous studies have shown the electromagnetic stimulation improves bone remodeling and bone healing. However, the effect of percutaneous electrical stimulation (ES) was not directly explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of ES on improvement of bone repair. Twenty-four adult maleSprague-Dawley ratswere used for cranial implantation. We used a composite comprising genipin cross-linked gelatin mixed with tricalcium phosphate (GGT). Bone defects of all rats were filled with the GGT composites, and the rats were assigned into six groups after operation. The first three groups underwent 4, 8, and 12 weeks of ES, and the anode was connected to the backward of the defect on the neck; the cathode was connected to the front of the defect on the head. Rats were under inhalation anesthesia during the stimulation. The other three groups only received inhalation anesthesia without ES, as control groups. All the rats were examined afterward at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Radiographic examinations including X-ray and micro-CT showed the progressive bone regeneration in the both ES and non-ES groups. The amount of the newly formed bone increased with the time between implantation and examination in the ES and non-ES groups and was higher in the ES groups. Besides, the new bone growth trended on bilateral sides in ES groups and accumulated in U-shape in non-ES groups. The results indicated that ES could improve bone repair, and the effect is higher around the cathode.
Stability Analysis of Complex-Valued Nonlinear Differential System
Authors: Fang Tao , Sun Jitao
Published: May 2013

This paper studies the stability of complex-valued nonlinear differential system. The stability criteria of complex-valued nonlinear autonomous system are established. For the general complex-valued nonlinear non-autonomous system, the comparison principle in the context of complex fields is given. Those derived stability criteria not only provide a new method to analyze complex-valued differential system, but also greatly reduce the complexity of analysis and computation.
Acylation Modification of Antheraea pernyi Silk Fibroin Using Succinic Anhydride and Its Effects on Enzymatic Degradation Behavior
Authors: Li Xiufang , Zhang Ceng , Wang Lingshuang , Ma Caili , Yang Weichao , Li Mingzhong
Published: May 2013

The degradation rate of tissue engineering scaffolds should match the regeneration rate of new tissues. Controlling the degradation behavior of silk fibroin is an important subject for silk‐based tissue engineering scaffolds. In this study, Antheraea pernyi silk fibroin was successfully modified with succinic anhydride and then characterized by zeta potential, ninhydrin method, and FTIR. In vitro, three‐dimensional scaffolds prepared with modified silk fibroin were incubated in collagenase IA solution for 18 days to evaluate the impact of acylation on the degradation behavior. The results demonstrated that the degradation rate of modified silk fibroin scaffolds was more rapid than unmodified ones. The content of the β‐sheet structure in silk fibroin obviously decreased after acylation, resulting in a high degradation rate. Above all, the degradation behavior of silk fibroin scaffolds could be regulated by acylation to match the requirements of various tissues regeneration.
Design of Attitude Control Systems for CubeSat-Class Nanosatellite
Authors: Li Junquan , Post Mark , Wright Thomas , Lee Regina
Published: May 2013

We present a satellite attitude control system design using low-cost hardware and software for a 1U CubeSat. The attitude control system architecture is a crucial subsystem for any satellite mission since precise pointing is often required to meet mission objectives. The accuracy and precision requirements are even more challenging for small satellites where limited volume, mass, and power are available for the attitude control system hardware. In this proposed embedded attitude control system design for a 1U CubeSat, pointing is obtained through a two-stage approach involving coarse and fine control modes. Fine control is achieved through the use of three reaction wheels or three magnetorquers and one reaction wheel along the pitch axis. Significant design work has been conducted to realize the proposed architecture. In this paper, we present an overview of the embedded attitude control system design; the verification results from numerical simulation studies to demonstrate the performance of a CubeSat-class nanosatellite; and a series of air-bearing verification tests on nanosatellite attitude control system hardware that compares the performance of the proposed nonlinear controller with a proportional-integral-derivative controller.
Inhibiting Effects of Rabeprazole Sulfide on the Corrosion of Mild Steel in Acidic Chloride Solution
Authors: Pavithra M. K. , Venkatesha T. V. , Punith Kumar M. K.
Published: May 2013

The corrosion inhibition effect of Rabeprazole sulfide (RS) on mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) was investigated using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometric measurements. Protection efficiency of RS increases with the concentration and decreases with the rise in temperature. Adsorption of RS on mild steel surface in 1 M HCl follows Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters governing the adsorption process were calculated and discussed. The polarization results suggest that RS performed as an excellent mixed-type inhibitor for mild steel corrosion in 1 M HCl.
Goiter and Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy
Authors: Hamdan Abdul Latif , Jabour Jad , Azar Sami T.
Published: May 2013

Objective. Examining the prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy (LSN) in goiter patients versus a control group.Study Design. Cross-sectional study.Methods. 33 Goiter patients were enrolled versus 25 age-matched controls. TSH levels, size of thyroid gland, and presence or absence of thyroid nodules were reported. Subjects were asked about the presence or absence of any of the following symptoms: cough, globus pharyngeus, and/or throat clearing that persistented for more than 6 weeks. The presence of one or more of these symptoms for at least six weeks in the absence of LPRD, allergy, asthma, ACE inhibitor intake, and psychogenic disorder was defined as LSN.Results. For goitrous patients mean age (years) was () versus () for controls. 82% goitrous patients had known nodules and 27% carried a simultaneous diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Among those with documented size (61%), mean total thyroid volume was  cm3, with a range from 9.430 to 67.022 cm3. The overall prevalence of LSN among goitrous patients was 42% versus 12% among controls (). There was no correlation between LSN, size of thyroid gland, and TSH level.Conclusion. The prevalence of LSN in goitrous patients is significantly higher than that in a nongoitrous population.
Preparation and Characterization of Malaysian Dolomites as a Tar Cracking Catalyst in Biomass Gasification Process
Authors: Mohammed M. A. A. , Salmiaton A. , Wan Azlina W. A. K. G. , Mohamad Amran M. S. , Taufiq-Yap Y. H.
Published: May 2013

Three types of local Malaysian dolomites were characterized to investigate their suitability for use as tar-cracking catalysts in the biomass gasification process. The dolomites were calcined to examine the effect of the calcination process on dolomite’s catalytic activity and properties. The modifications undergone by dolomites consequent to thermal treatment were investigated using various analytical methods. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses indicated that the dolomites underwent two stages of decomposition during the calcination process. The X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectra analyses showed that thermal treatment of dolomite played a significant role in the disappearance of the CaMg(CO3)2phase, producing the MgO-CaO form of dolomite. The scanning electron microscopy microphotographs of dolomite indicated that the morphological properties were profoundly affected by the calcination process, which led to the formation of a highly porous surface with small spherical particles. In addition, the calcination of dolomite led to the elimination of carbon dioxide and increases in the values of the specific surface area and average pore diameter, as indicated by surface area analysis. The results showed that calcined Malaysian dolomites have great potential to be applied as tar-cracking catalysts in the biomass gasification process based on their favorable physical properties.
Socioeconomic Assessment and Impact of Social Security on Outcome in Patients Admitted with Suspected Coronary Chest Pain in the City of Salta, Argentina
Authors: León de la Fuente Ricardo A. , Naesgaard Patrycja A. , Nilsen Stein Tore , Woie Leik , Aarsland Torbjoern , Staines Harry , Nilsen Dennis W. T.
Published: May 2013

Low socioeconomic status is associated with increased mortality from coronary heart disease. We assessed total mortality, cardiac death, and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in relation to socioeconomic class and social security in 982 patients consecutively admitted with suspected coronary chest pain, living in the city of Salta, northern Argentina. Patients were divided into three socioeconomic classes based on monthly income, residential area, and insurance coverage. Five-year follow-up data were analyzed accordingly, applying univariate and multivariate analyses. At follow-up, 173 patients (17.6%) had died. In 92 patients (9.4%) death was defined as cardiac, of whom 59 patients (6.0%) were characterized as SCD. In the multivariate analysis, the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause and cardiac mortality in the highest as compared to the lowest socioeconomic class were 0.42 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.22–0.80),P=0.008, and 0.39 (95% CI, 0.15–0.99),P=0.047, respectively. Comparing patients in the upper socioeconomic class to patients without healthcare coverage, HRs were 0.46 (95% CI, 0.23–0.94),P=0.032, and 0.37 (95% CI, 0.14–1.01),P=0.054, respectively. In conclusion, survival was mainly tied to socioeconomic inequalities in this population, and the impact of a social security program needs further attention.
Risk Factors Associated with Injury and Mortality from Paediatric Low Speed Vehicle Incidents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Paul Anthikkat Anne , Page Andrew , Barker Ruth
Published: May 2013

Objective. This study reviews modifiable risk factors associated with fatal and nonfatal injury from low-speed vehicle runover (LSVRO) incidents involving children aged 0–15 years.Data Sources. Electronic searches for child pedestrian and driveway injuries from the peer-reviewed literature and transport-related websites from 1955 to 2012.Study Selection. 41 studies met the study inclusion criteria.Data Extraction. A systematic narrative summary was conducted that included study design, methodology, risk factors, and other study variables.Results. The most commonly reported risk factors for LSVRO incidents included age under 5 years, male gender, and reversing vehicles. The majority of reported incidents involved residential driveways, but several studies identified other traffic and nontraffic locations. Low socioeconomic status and rental accommodation were also associated with LSVRO injury. Vehicles were most commonly driven by a family member, predominantly a parent.Conclusion. There are a number of modifiable vehicular, environmental, and behavioural factors associated with LSVRO injuries in young children that have been identified in the literature to date. Strategies relating to vehicle design (devices for increased rearward visibility and crash avoidance systems), housing design (physical separation of driveway and play areas), and behaviour (driver behaviour, supervision of young children) are discussed.
J-Self-Adjoint Extensions for a Class of Discrete Linear Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Ren Guojing , Sun Huaqing
Published: May 2013

This paper is concerned with formallyJ-self-adjoint discrete linear Hamiltonian systems on finite or infinite intervals. The minimal and maximal subspaces are characterized, and the defect indices of the minimal subspaces are discussed. All theJ-self-adjoint subspace extensions of the minimal subspace are completely characterized in terms of the square summable solutions and boundary conditions. As a consequence, characterizations of all theJ-self-adjoint subspace extensions are given in the limit point and limit circle cases.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome with Osteohypertrophy of Maxilla
Authors: Babaji Prashant , Bansal Anju , Choudhury Gopal Krishna , Nayak Rashmita , Kodangala Prabhakar Ashok , Suratkal Nagarathna , Raju Veena , Kamble Suresh S.
Published: May 2013

Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare nonhereditary developmental condition with neurological and skin disorder, characterized by presence of port wine stain on the face along with ocular disorders, oral manifestations and leptomeningeal angiomas. Here we present an unusual case of Sturge-Weber syndrome with osseous hypertrophy of maxilla.