bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endometriosis of extra-pelvic round ligament, a diagnostic dilemma for physicians
Authors: Prabhu Raghunath , Krishna Sunil , Shenoy Rajgopal , Thangavelu Siddharth
Published: August 2013

A 49-year-old multiparous woman presented with a swelling in the left groin of 6 months duration. The swelling was associated with a dull aching pain. The patient reported increase in size of the swelling during lifting of heavy weights. Menstrual history was normal and there was no increase in pain over the swelling during menstruation. She underwent a caesarean section 20 years ago and the scar had healed by primary intention. She was provisionally diagnosed to have a left-sided inguinal hernia. Ultrasonography showed a multiloculated cyst measuring 5.3×1.5×5.2 cm within the inguinal canal. The patient had excision of the cyst under spinal anaesthesia. Intraoperatively the cyst was found to arise from the left round ligament. It measured 7×6 cm extending to the left lateral vaginal wall. Histopathology revealed endometriosis of the round ligament. Her gynaecological assessment was normal and they recommended no further treatment. On follow-up the patient was asymptomatic and wound had healed well.
Theoretical study on electronic structures and phosphorescence properties of four tris-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes
Authors: Han Deming , Li Hongguang , Shang Xiaohong , Zhang Gang , Zhao Lihui
Published: August 2013

The geometry structures, electronic structures, absorption, and phosphorescence properties of four tris-cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes IrL3, that is, 1 (L = 2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato,N,C2′), 2 (L = 2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato,N,C2′-5-phenyl), 3 (L = 2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato,N,C2′-5-(p-tolyl)), and 4 (L = 2-(4,6-difluorophenyl) benzo[h]isoquinoline), have been investigated under the framework of the time-dependent density functional theory approach. For assumed 2 and 3, the emission energies are nearly the same, consistent with their similar HOMO−LUMO energy gaps. The calculated lowest energy emissions are localized at 523, 605, 616, and 642 nm for 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Calculations of ionization potential and electron affinity were used to evaluate the injection abilities of holes and electrons into these complexes. For 2, the calculated results evidenced a larger 3MLCT contribution (27.0%), a large S0 → S1 transition dipole moment ([Formula: see text]) of 1.43 D, and a small S1−T1 splitting energy ([Formula: see text]) of 0.33 eV, which could result in a large radiative decay rate (kr). We hope that this theoretical work can provide a suitable guide to the future design and synthesis of novel phosphorescent materials for use in the organic light-emitting diodes.
A review of the mechanical and leaching performance of stabilized/solidified contaminated soils
Authors: Kogbara Reginald B.
Published: August 2013

Stabilization/solidification (S/S) technology, which basically involves chemical fixation and immobilization of contaminants (primarily metals) in the matrix of cementitious binders, is widely used for treatment of contaminated soils. This paper presents a critical review of the performance of commonly used blended binder systems in S/S technology. The binders considered are Portland cement and blends of cement–fly ash, cement–slag, lime–slag, and lime–fly ash. This work compares and evaluates the performance of contaminated soils treated by the binders in terms of commonly used mechanical and leaching properties, including unconfined compressive strength (UCS), bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, and leachability. The long-term performance of S/S-treated soils is also reviewed. It was observed that the inclusion of slag in a binder blend gave superior performance compared to fly ash. Generally, the leachability of common contaminants in soil can be reduced to acceptable levels with approximately 20%–35% dosage of the different binders. The UCS was observed to be optimum around the optimum water content for compaction. The hydraulic conductivity was approximately 10−9m/s over time. Long-term performance of treated soils showed consistent effectiveness over a period of 5–14 years with fluctuations in mechanical and leaching behaviour caused by the complex nature and variability of S/S-treated soils.
SECOND COHOMOLOGY OF COMPACT HOMOGENEOUS SPACES
Authors: BISWAS INDRANIL , CHATTERJEE PRALAY
Published: August 2013

In Theorem 3.3 of [I. Biswas and P. Chatterjee, On the exactness of Kostant–Kirillov form and the second cohomology of nilpotent orbits, Int. J. Math.23(8) (2012)], the second cohomology of a quotient of a compact semisimple real Lie group was computed. In this addendum to the above paper, we give a simple topological proof of this theorem.
POROUS SUBSTRATE EFFECTS ON THERMAL FLOWS THROUGH A REV-SCALE FINITE VOLUME LATTICE BOLTZMANN MODEL
Authors: ZARGHAMI AHAD , FRANCESCO SILVIA DI , BISCARINI CHIARA
Published: August 2013

In this paper, fluid flows with enhanced heat transfer in porous channels are investigated through a stable finite volume (FV) formulation of the thermal lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). Temperature field is tracked through a double distribution function (DDF) model, while the porous media is modeled using Brinkman–Forchheimer assumptions. The method is tested against flows in channels partially filled with porous media and parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the effects of various parameters, highlighting their influence on the thermo-hydrodynamic behavior.
MONTE CARLO STUDY OF THE XY-MODEL ON SIERPIŃSKI CARPET
Authors: MITROVIĆ BOŽIDAR , PRZEDBORSKI MICHELLE A.
Published: August 2013

We have performed a Monte Carlo (MC) study of the classical XY-model on a Sierpiński carpet, which is a planar fractal structure with infinite order of ramification and fractal dimension 1.8928. We employed the Wolff cluster algorithm in our simulations and our results, in particular those for the susceptibility and the helicity modulus, indicate the absence of finite-temperature Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless (BKT) transition in this system.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT LIBERALIZATION AND ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA
Authors: LAW SIONG HOOK , AZMAN-SAINI W. N. W.
Published: August 2013

This study examines the impact of capital account liberalization on economic growth in Malaysia from 1970 to 2004. It uses two measures of capital account openness, namely de jure (an index of liberalization) and de facto (the volume of capital flows). The empirical results based on the modified growth model demonstrate that the de jure measure of capital account liberalization shows an adverse effect on growth in Malaysia. However, the de facto measure shows a robust positive effect on economic growth. The results also highlight that the effect of capital account liberalization on growth is contingent on a country's level of financial development and the quality of its institutions.
UNIVERSALITY OF NUCLEON–NUCLEON SHORT-RANGE CORRELATIONS AND NUCLEON MOMENTUM DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: ALVIOLI MASSIMILIANO , CIOFI DEGLI ATTI CLAUDIO , KAPTARI LEONID P. , MEZZETTI CHIARA BENEDETTA , MORITA HIKO
Published: August 2013

By analyzing recent microscopic many-body calculations of few-nucleon systems and complex nuclei performed by different groups in terms of realistic nucleon–nucleon (NN) interactions, it is shown that NN short-range correlations (SRCs) have a universal character, in that the correlation hole that they produce in nuclei appears to be almost A-independent and similar to the correlation hole in the deuteron. The correlation hole creates high-momentum components, missing in a mean-field (MF) description and exhibiting several scaling properties and a peculiar spin–isospin structure. In particular, the momentum distribution of a pair of nucleons in spin–isospin state (ST) = (10), depending upon the pair relative (k rel ) and center-of-mass (c.m.) (K c.m. ) momenta, as well as upon the angle Θ between them, exhibits a remarkable property: in the region k rel ≳2 fm -1 and K c.m. ≲1 fm -1, the relative and c.m. motions are decoupled and the two-nucleon momentum distribution factorizes into the deuteron momentum distribution and an A-dependent momentum distribution describing the c.m. motion of the pair in the medium. The impact of these and other properties of one- and two-nucleon momentum distributions on various nuclear phenomena, on ab initio calculations in terms of low-momentum interactions, as well as on ongoing experimental investigations of SRCs, are briefly commented.
On the resonant Lane–Emden problem for the p-Laplacian
Authors: Ercole Grey
Published: August 2013

We study the positive solutions of the Lane–Emden problem -Δpu = λp|u|q-2u in Ω, u = 0 on ∂Ω, where Ω ⊂ ℝN is a bounded and smooth domain, N ≥ 2, λp is the first eigenvalue of the p-Laplacian operator Δp, p > 1, and q is close to p. We prove that any family of positive solutions of this problem converges in [Formula: see text] to the function θpep when q → p, where ep is the positive and L∞-normalized first eigenfunction of the p-Laplacian and [Formula: see text]. A consequence of this result is that the best constant of the immersion [Formula: see text] is differentiable at q = p. Previous results on the asymptotic behavior (as q → p) of the positive solutions of the nonresonant Lane–Emden problem (i.e. with λp replaced by a positive λ ≠ λp) are also generalized to the space [Formula: see text] and to arbitrary families of these solutions. Moreover, if uλ,q denotes a solution of the nonresonant problem for an arbitrarily fixed λ > 0, we show how to obtain the first eigenpair of the p-Laplacian as the limit in [Formula: see text], when q → p, of a suitable scaling of the pair (λ, uλ,q). For computational purposes the advantage of this approach is that λ does not need to be close to λp. Finally, an explicit estimate involving L∞- and L1-norms of uλ,q is also derived using set level techniques. It is applied to any ground state family {vq} in order to produce an explicit upper bound for ‖vq‖∞ which is valid for q ∈ [1, p + ϵ] where [Formula: see text].
Delay evolution equations with mixed nonlocal plus local initial conditions
Authors: Vrabie Ioan I.
Published: August 2013

We consider the delay differential equation u′(t) ∈ Au(t) + f(t, ut), t ∈ ℝ+, where A is the infinitesimal generator of a nonlinear semigroup of contractions in a Banach space X and f is continuous, subjected to a general mixed nonlocal + local initial condition of the form u(t) = g(u)(t) + ψ(t), t ∈ [-τ, 0]. We prove that under natural conditions on A, f, g and ψ the problem above has at least one C0-solution. Applications to T-periodic and to T-anti-periodic problems, as well as an illustrative example referring to the nonlinear diffusion equation are also included.
Characterization of the lack of compactness of $H^2_{\rm rad}({\mathbb R}^4)$ into the Orlicz space
Authors: Ben Ayed Ines , Zghal Mohamed Khalil
Published: August 2013

This paper is devoted to the description of the lack of compactness of the Sobolev space [Formula: see text] in the Orlicz space [Formula: see text]. The approach that we adopt to establish this characterization is in the spirit of the one adopted in the case of [Formula: see text] into the Orlicz space [Formula: see text] in [H. Bahouri, M. Majdoub and N. Masmoudi, On the lack of compactness in the 2D critical Sobolev embedding, J. Funct. Anal. 260 (2011) 208–252].
Stability results for some fully nonlinear eigenvalue estimates
Authors: Della Pietra Francesco , Gavitone Nunzia
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we give some stability estimates for the Faber–Krahn inequality relative to the eigenvalue λk(Ω) of the Hessian operator Sk, 1 ≤ k ≤ n, in a reasonable bounded domain Ω. Roughly speaking, we prove that if λk(Ω) is near to λk(B), where B is a ball which preserves an appropriate measure of Ω, then, in a suitable sense, Ω is close to B.
Blow up of solutions of semilinear heat equations in general domains
Authors: Marino Valeria , Pacella Filomena , Sciunzi Berardino
Published: August 2013

Consider the nonlinear heat equation vt - Δv = |v|p-1v in a bounded smooth domain Ω ⊂ ℝn with n > 2 and Dirichlet boundary condition. Given up a sign-changing stationary classical solution fulfilling suitable assumptions, we prove that the solution with initial value ϑup blows up in finite time if |ϑ - 1| > 0 is sufficiently small and if p is sufficiently close to the critical exponent [Formula: see text]. Since for ϑ = 1 the solution is global, this shows that, in general, the set of the initial data for which the solution is global is not star-shaped with respect to the origin. This phenomenon had been previously observed in the case when the domain is a ball and the stationary solution is radially symmetric.
Sex Laws and Sexuality Rights in Comparative and Global Perspectives
Authors: Frank David John , Phillips Nolan Edward
Published: August 2013

This article seeks to explain the emergence of a new field of study oriented toward sex laws and sexuality rights in comparative and global perspectives. We argue that this field comes into focus because of three changes in the social context: the introductions of sexuality into sex, of human rights into national laws, and of global into comparative perspectives. Each turn of the social kaleidoscope generates new objects of and rationales for scholarly analysis, along with new ways and reasons to think about existing objects of analysis. Together, these contextual changes inaugurate the global study of sexuality rights and invigorate the comparative study of sex laws. Theoretical shifts accompany the empirical developments. Phenomenological approaches arise alongside their realist counterparts. The consolidation of this new field of study is important not only on academic grounds: It suggests the dynamics of a wider field of policy and practice.
Legal Regulation of Health-Related Behavior: A Half Century of Public Health Law Research
Authors: Burris Scott , Anderson Evan
Published: August 2013

Legal intervention to influence individual health behavior has increased dramatically since the 1960s. This article describes the rise of law as a tool of public health and the scientific research that has assessed and often guided it, with a focus on five major domains: traffic safety, gun violence, tobacco use, reproductive health, and obesity. These topical stories illustrate both law's effectiveness and its limitations as a public health tool. They also establish its popularity by the most apt of metrics—the willingness of legislators to enact it. The five examples demonstrate that public health law research can and does influence the development and refinement of legal interventions over time. Measuring the impact of laws can be difficult, but the field has the tools of theory and methods necessary to produce robust results. It is past time for public health research to receive institutional, professional, and funding support commensurate with its social importance.
Niklas Luhmann's Theory of Autopoietic Legal Systems
Authors: Baxter Hugh
Published: August 2013

Between 1984 and his death in 1998, German sociologist Niklas Luhmann developed a comprehensive theory of what he called autopoietic or self-referential systems. He worked out this approach both at the level of a social system as a whole and at the level of various social subsystems, such as state, economy, science, religion, education, art, family, and—the concern of the present article—law. My particular topics in this critical introduction to Luhmann's theory are (a) its relation to more standard legal theory, (b) foundational or self-referential problems in law, and (c) the problem of law's relation to other social spheres, especially politics and the economy.
Localization of IP in rabbit kidney and functional role of the PGI2/IP system in cortical collecting duct
Authors: Nasrallah Rania , Nusing Rolf M. , Hébert Richard L.
Published: August 2013

To clarify the role of the PGI2/PGI2receptor (IP) system in rabbit cortical collecting duct (RCCD), we characterized the expression of IP receptors in the rabbit kidney. We show by Northern and Western blotting that IP mRNA and protein was detectable in all three regions of the kidney. To determine how PGI2signals, we compared the effects of different PGI2analogs [iloprost (ILP), carba-prostacyclin (c-PGI2), and cicaprost (CCP)] in the isolated perfused RCCD. PGI2analogs did not increase water flow ( Lp). Although PGI2analogs did not reduce an established Lpresponse to 8-chlorophenylthio-cAMP, they equipotently inhibited AVP-stimulated Lpby 45%. The inhibitory effect of ILP and c-PGI2on AVP-stimulated Lpis partially reversed by the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine and abolished by pertussis toxin; no effect was obtained with CCP. In fura 2-loaded RCCD, CCP did not alter cytosolic Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i), but, in the presence of CCP, individual infusion of ILP and PGE2increased [Ca2+]i, suggesting that CCP did not cause desensitization to either ILP or PGE2. We concluded that ILP and c-PGI2activate PKC and the liberation of [Ca2+]ibut not CCP. This suggested an important role for phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in mediating ILP and c-PGI2effects but not CCP in RCCD.
Hyperosmotic urea activates basolateral NHE in proximal tubule from P-gp null and wild-type mice
Authors: Miyata Yukio , Asano Yasushi , Muto Shigeaki
Published: August 2013

Using the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF, we compared the effects of hyperosmotic urea on basolateral Na+/H+exchange (NHE) with those of hyperosmotic mannitol in isolated nonperfused proximal tubule S2 segments from mice lacking both the mdr1a and mdr1b genes (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. All the experiments were performed in CO2/HCO[Formula: see text]-free HEPES solutions. Osmolality of the peritubular solution was raised from 300 to 500 mosmol/kgH2O by adding mannitol or urea. NHE activity was assessed by the Na+-dependent acid extrusion rate ( JH) after an acid load with NH4Cl prepulse. In WT mice, hyperosmotic mannitol had no effect on JHat over the entire range of intracellular pH (pHi) studied (6.20–6.90), whereas in KO mice it increased JHat a pHirange of 6.20–6.45. In contrast, in both WT and KO mice, hyperosmotic urea increased JHat a pHirange of 6.20–6.90. In KO mice, JHin a hyperosmotic urea solution were similar to those in a hyperosmotic mannitol solution at a pHirange of 6.20–6.40 but were greater than in a hyperosmotic mannitol solution at a pHirange of 6.45–6.90. In WT mice, hyperosmotic urea caused an increase in Vmaxwithout changing Kmfor peritubular Na+. Staurosporine (the PKC inhibitor) inhibited hyperosmotic mannitol-induced NHE activation in KO mice, whereas it had no effect on hyperosmotic urea-induced NHE activation in WT or KO mice. Genistein (the tyrosine kinase inhibitor) inhibited hyperosmotic urea-induced NHE activation in WT and KO mice, whereas it caused no effect on hyperosmotic mannitol-induced NHE activation in KO mice. We conclude that hyperosmotic urea activates basolateral NHE via tyrosine kinase in tubules from both WT and KO mice, whereas hyperosmotic mannitol activates it via PKC only in tubules from KO mice.
p38 MAPK mediates acid-induced transcription of PEPCK in LLC-PK1-FBPase+cells
Authors: Feifel Elisabeth , Obexer Petra , Andratsch Manfred , Euler Stephan , Taylor Lynn , Tang Aimin , Wei Yu , Schramek Herbert , Curthoys Norman P. , Gstraunthaler Gerhard
Published: August 2013

LLC-PK1-FBPase+cells are a gluconeogenic and pH-responsive renal proximal tubule-like cell line. On incubation with acidic medium (pH 6.9), LLC-PK1-FBPase+cells exhibit an increased rate of ammonia production as well as increases in glutaminase and phospho enolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA levels and enzyme activities. The increase in PEPCK mRNA is due to an enhanced rate of transcription that is initiated in response to intracellular acidosis. The involvement of known MAPK activities (ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, p38) in the associated signal transduction pathway was examined by determining the effects of specific MAPK activators and inhibitors on basal and acid-induced PEPCK mRNA levels. Transfer of LLC-PK1-FBPase+cultures to acidic medium resulted in specific phosphorylation, and thus activation, of p38 and of activating transcription factor-2 (ATF-2), respectively. Anisomycin (AI), a strong p38 activator, increased PEPCK mRNA to levels comparable to those observed with acid stimulation. AI also induced a time-dependent phosphorylation of p38 and ATF-2. SB-203580, a specific p38 inhibitor, blocked both acid- and AI-induced PEPCK mRNA levels. Western blot analyses revealed that the SB-203580-sensitive p38α isoform is strongly expressed. The octanucleotide sequence of the cAMP-response element-1 site of the PEPCK promotor is a perfect match to the consensus element for binding ATF-2. The specificity of ATF-2 binding was proven by ELISA. We conclude that the SB-203580-sensitive p38α-ATF-2 signaling pathway is a likely mediator of the pH-responsive induction of PEPCK mRNA levels in renal LLC-PK1-FBPase+cells.
Regulation of kidney-specific Ksp-cadherin gene promoter by hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β
Authors: Bai Yun , Pontoglio Marco , Hiesberger Thomas , Sinclair Angus M. , Igarashi Peter
Published: August 2013

Kidney-specific cadherin (Ksp-cadherin) is a tissue-specific member of the cadherin family that is expressed exclusively in the kidney and developing genitourinary tract. Recent studies have shown that the proximal 250 bp of the Ksp-cadherin gene promoter are sufficient to direct tissue-specific gene expression in vivo and in vitro. The proximal 120 bp of the promoter are evolutionarily conserved between mouse and human and contain a DNase I hypersensitive site that is kidney cell specific. At position −55, the promoter contains a consensus recognition site for hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 (HNF-1). Mutations of the consensus HNF-1 site and downstream GC-boxes inhibit promoter activity in transfected cells. HNF-1α and HNF-1β bind specifically to the −55 site, and both proteins transactivate the promoter directly. Expression of Ksp-cadherin is not altered in the kidneys of HNF-1α-deficient mice. However, expression of a gain-of-function HNF-1β mutant stimulates Ksp-cadherin promoter activity in transfected cells, whereas expression of a dominant-negative mutant inhibits activity. These studies identify Ksp-cadherin as the first kidney-specific promoter that has been shown to be regulated by HNF-1β. Mutations of HNF-1β, as occur in humans with inherited renal cysts and diabetes, may cause dysregulated Ksp-cadherin promoter activity.
Evidence for endocytosis of ROMK potassium channel via clathrin-coated vesicles
Authors: Zeng Wei-Zhong , Babich Victor , Ortega Bernardo , Quigley Raymond , White Stanley J. , Welling Paul A. , Huang Chou-Long
Published: August 2013

ROMK channels are present in the cortical collecting ducts of kidney and are responsible for K+secretion in this nephron segment. Recent studies suggest that endocytosis of ROMK channels is important for regulation of K+secretion in cortical collecting ducts. We investigated the molecular mechanisms for endocytosis of ROMK channels expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes and cultured Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. When plasma membrane insertion of newly synthesized channel proteins was blocked by incubation with brefeldin A, ROMK currents decreased with a half-time of ∼6 h. Coexpression with the Lys44→Ala dominant-negative mutant dynamin, but not wild-type dynamin, reduced the rate of reduction of ROMK in the presence of brefeldin A. Mutation of Asn371 to Ile in the putative NPXY internalization motif of ROMK1 abolished the effect of the Lys44→Ala dynamin mutant on endocytosis of the channel. Coimmunoprecipitation study and confocal fluorescent imaging revealed that ROMK channels associated with clathrin coat proteins in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. These results provide compelling evidence for endocytosis of ROMK channels via clathrin-coated vesicles.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Is Associated with Low Spinal Bone Density: A Comparative Study between Spinal Stenosis and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Authors: Andersen Thomas , Christensen Finn B. , Langdahl Bente L. , Ernst Carsten , Fruensgaard Søren , Østergaard Jørgen , Andersen Jens Langer , Rasmussen Sten , Niedermann Bent , Høy Kristian , Helmig Peter , Holm Randi , Egund Niels , Bünger Cody
Published: August 2013

Spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis share many symptoms and the same treatment, but their causes remain unclear. Bone mineral density has been suggested to play a role. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in spinal bone density between spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis patients. 81 patients older than 60 years, who underwent DXA-scanning of their lumbar spine one year after a lumbar spinal fusion procedure, were included. Radiographs were assessed for disc height, vertebral wedging, and osteophytosis. Pain was assessed using the Low Back Pain Rating Scale pain index.T-score of the lumbar spine was significantly lower among degenerative spondylolisthesis patients compared with spinal stenosis patients (−1.52 versus −0.52,P=0.04). Thirty-nine percent of degenerative spondylolisthesis patients were classified as osteoporotic and further 30% osteopenic compared to only 9% of spinal stenosis patients being osteoporotic and 30% osteopenic (P=0.01). Pain levels tended to increase with poorer bone status (P=0.06). Patients treated surgically for symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis have much lower bone mass than patients of similar age treated surgically for spinal stenosis. Low BMD might play a role in the development of the degenerative spondylolisthesis, further studies are needed to clarify this.
An Improved Genetic-Simulated Annealing Algorithm Based on a Hormone Modulation Mechanism for a Flexible Flow-Shop Scheduling Problem
Authors: Dai Min , Tang Dunbing , Zheng Kun , Cai Qixiang
Published: August 2013

A flexible flow-shop scheduling (FFS) with nonidentical parallel machines for minimizing the maximum completion time or makespan is a well-known combinational problem. Since the problem is known to be strongly NP-hard, optimization can either be the subject of optimization approaches or be implemented for some approximated cases. In this paper, an improved genetic-simulated annealing algorithm (IGAA), which combines genetic algorithm (GA) based on an encoding matrix with simulated annealing algorithm (SAA) based on a hormone modulation mechanism, is proposed to achieve the optimal or near-optimal solution. The novel hybrid algorithm tries to overcome the local optimum and further to explore the solution space. To evaluate the performance of IGAA, computational experiments are conducted and compared with results generated by different algorithms. Experimental results clearly demonstrate that the improved metaheuristic algorithm performs considerably well in terms of solution quality, and it outperforms several other algorithms.
Transient Simulation of Wind Turbine Towers under Lightning Stroke
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing
Published: August 2013

A simulation algorithm is proposed in this paper for lightning transient analysis of the wind turbine (WT) towers. In the proposed algorithm, the tower body is first subdivided into a discrete multiconductor system. A set of formulas are given to calculate the electrical parameters of the branches in the multiconductor system. By means of the electrical parameters, each branch unit in the multiconductor system is replaced as a coupledπ-type circuit and the multiconductor system is converted into a circuit model. Then, the lightning transient responses can be obtained in different parts on the tower body by solving the circuit equations of the equivalent discretization network. The laboratory measurement is also made by a reduced-scale tower for checking the validity of the proposed algorithm.
Clinicopathological Impact of ABCC1/MRP1 and ABCC4/MRP4 in Epithelial Ovarian Carcinoma
Authors: Bagnoli Marina , Beretta Giovanni L. , Gatti Laura , Pilotti Silvana , Alberti Paola , Tarantino Eva , Barbareschi Mattia , Canevari Silvana , Mezzanzanica Delia , Perego Paola
Published: August 2013

Ovarian cancer is the main cause of death from gynaecological malignancies. In spite of the efficacy of platinum-paclitaxel treatment in patients with primary epithelial ovarian carcinoma, platinum-based chemotherapy is not curative and resistance remains one of the most important causes of treatment failure. Although ABC transporters have been implicated in cellular resistance to multiple drugs, the clinical relevance of these efflux pumps is still poorly understood. Thus, we examined the prognostic role of transporters of the MRP family (i.e., ABCC1/MRP1, ABCC4/MRP4) to gain insights into their clinical impacts. A case material of 127 patients with ovarian carcinoma at different stages and histotypes was used. The expression of MRP1 and MRP4 was examined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays in tumor specimens collected at the time of initial surgery expression. We found an association between MRP1 expression and grading, and we observed that MRP4 displayed an unfavourable impact on disease relapse in multivariate analysis (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.01–4.11;P=0.045). These results suggest that in epithelial ovarian cancer, MRP1 may be a marker for aggressiveness because its expression was associated with tumor grade and support that MRP4 may play an unfavourable role in disease outcome.
Indoor Pedestrian Positioning Tracking Algorithm with Sparse Anchor Nodes
Authors: Yong Zhou , Zehui Cai , Pengpeng Chen
Published: August 2013

In order to solve the indoor pedestrian positioning and tracking problems under the condition of sparse anchor nodes, this paper presents a new tracking scheme which predicts the staff position under the condition of indoor location fingerprints based on particle filter. In the proposed algorithm, the indoor topology is adopted to constrain and correct the results. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can significantly improve the accuracy of indoor pedestrian positioning and tracking more than the Kalman filter and k-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithms. The simulation results also show that under the condition of sparse nodes deployment good tracking results can still be achieved through the adoption of indoor topology and the average positioning error is about 1.9 m.
Triphenylphosphine Mediated Synthesis of Functionalized Benzo‐Fused Coumarins from Some OH Acids and Dialkyl Acetylene Dicarboxylate
Authors: Mohtat Bita , Nahavandian Semiramis , Razaghi Maryam , Farsijani Saeedeh , Djahaniani Hoorieh
Published: August 2013

Benzo‐fused coumarins are prepared from 4‐quinolinol by treatment with PPh3 and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate. Angular coumarins are prepared from 3‐isoquinolinol and 7‐hydroxyl coumarine with PPh3 and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate.
Reduced-Order Computational Model for Low-Frequency Dynamics of Automobiles
Authors: Arnoux A. , Soize C. , Batou A. , Gagliardini L.
Published: August 2013

A reduced-order model is constructed to predict, for the low-frequency range, the dynamical responses in the stiff parts of an automobile constituted of stiff and flexible parts. The vehicle has then many elastic modes in this range due to the presence of many flexible parts and equipment. A nonusual reduced-order model is introduced. The family of the elastic modes is not used and is replaced by an adapted vector basis of the admissible space of global displacements. Such a construction requires a decomposition of the domain of the structure in subdomains in order to control the spatial wave length of the global displacements. The fast marching method is used to carry out the subdomain decomposition. A probabilistic model of uncertainties is introduced. The parameters controlling the level of uncertainties are estimated solving a statistical inverse problem. The methodology is validated with a large computational model of an automobile.
Development of Pineapple Microsatellite Markers and Germplasm Genetic Diversity Analysis
Authors: Feng Suping , Tong Helin , Chen You , Wang Jingyi , Chen Yeyuan , Sun Guangming , He Junhu , Wu Yaoting
Published: August 2013

Two methods were used to develop pineapple microsatellite markers. Genomic library-based SSR development: using selectively amplified microsatellite assay, 86 sequences were generated from pineapple genomic library. 91 (96.8%) of the 94 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci were dinucleotide repeats (39 AC/GT repeats and 52 GA/TC repeats, accounting for 42.9% and 57.1%, resp.), and the other three were mononucleotide repeats. Thirty-six pairs of SSR primers were designed; 24 of them generated clear bands of expected sizes, and 13 of them showed polymorphism. EST-based SSR development: 5659 pineapple EST sequences obtained from NCBI were analyzed; among 1397 nonredundant EST sequences, 843 were found containing 1110 SSR loci (217 of them contained more than one SSR locus). Frequency of SSRs in pineapple EST sequences is 1SSR/3.73 kb, and 44 types were found. Mononucleotide, dinucleotide, and trinucleotide repeats dominate, accounting for 95.6% in total. AG/CT and AGC/GCT were the dominant type of dinucleotide and trinucleotide repeats, accounting for 83.5% and 24.1%, respectively. Thirty pairs of primers were designed for each of randomly selected 30 sequences; 26 of them generated clear and reproducible bands, and 22 of them showed polymorphism. Eighteen pairs of primers obtained by the one or the other of the two methods above that showed polymorphism were selected to carry out germplasm genetic diversity analysis for 48 breeds of pineapple; similarity coefficients of these breeds were between 0.59 and 1.00, and they can be divided into four groups accordingly. Amplification products of five SSR markers were extracted and sequenced, corresponding repeat loci were found and locus mutations are mainly in copy number of repeats and base mutations in the flanking region.
Surface Rendering of External Genitalia of a Fetus at the 32nd Week of Gestation Affected by Partial Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Authors: Mazza Vincenzo , Bertucci Emma , Latella Silvia , Cani Carlotta , Ceccarelli Pierluca , Iughetti Lorenzo , Baldinotti Fulvia , Percesepe Antonio
Published: August 2013

Objectives. To demonstrate the feasibility of the prenatal diagnosis of partial androgen insensitivity syndrome by 3D-4D ultrasound.Methods. To report prenatal diagnosis of partial androgen insensitivity syndrome at 32nd week of gestation by 3D-4D ultrasound in a fetus with a 46XY karyotype, testing negative to the mutation analysis of SRY gene and the 5α-reductase 2 gene (SRD5A2).Results. 3D-4D surface rendering allows the detection of external and internal genital malformations and can address the prenatal diagnosis of PAIS and can exclude associated complications.Conclusions. Prenatal diagnosis of PAIS allows an adequate parental counseling and an early optimal management of the condition, not only for the psychological and social reflections but also for the avoidance of complications and postnatal morbidity due to misdiagnosis or delays in the treatment of the genital ambiguity.
ITIH4: A New Potential Biomarker of “Toxin Syndrome” in Coronary Heart Disease Patient Identified with Proteomic Method
Authors: Xu Hao , Shang Qinghua , Chen Hao , Du Jianpeng , Wen Jianyan , Li Geng , Shi Dazhuo , Chen Keji
Published: August 2013

Objective. This trial aims to look for the protein biomarker of “toxin syndrome” of CHD patients.Methods. We have performed two trials in this paper. The first trial was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the plasma proteome in unstable angina (UA) patients by Maldi-Tof Mass. The second trial was a nested case-control study in 1503 stable CHD patients with one-year followup for acute cardiovascular events (ACEs).Results. In the RCT study, 12 protein spots were found to be the differential protein for the significant differences between the difference of before and after treatment in group A and group B; 2 of them (3207.37 Da and 4279.95 Da) was considered to be unique to “toxin syndrome” for being differential proteins of group B but not group A. These 2 spots were identified as Isoform 1 of Fibrinogen alpha chain precursor (FGA, 3207.37 Da) and Isoform 2 of inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain H4 (ITIH4, 4279.95 Da), respectively. In the nested case-control study, the result of Western blot demonstrated that protein expression of ITIH4 in the group with followup ACEs was significantly lower than the matched group without followup ACEs (P=0.027).Conclusion. ITIH4 might be a new potential biomarker of CHD “toxin syndrome” in TCM, indicating the potential role in early identifying high-risk CHD patients in stable period.
Variations in the Levels of Mulberroside A, Oxyresveratrol, and Resveratrol in Mulberries in Different Seasons and during Growth
Authors: Zhou Jin , Li Shun-xiang , Wang Wei , Guo Xiao-yi , Lu Xiang-yang , Yan Xin-pei , Huang Dan , Wei Bao-yang , Cao Liang
Published: August 2013

This study aimed to investigate the composition of three major stilbenes (mulberroside A, oxyresveratrol, and resveratrol) in different portions of mulberries collected in different seasons and their change molds during growth by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Mulberroside A levels were the highest in the bark and roots of Morus atropurpurea Roxb, Morus alba Linn, and Morus latifolia Poir. Oxyresveratrol levels were the highest in roots and stem. Both of these high levels were in September. The amount of resveratrol was very low in all samples. In the stem, Morus latifolia Poir contained more mulberroside A than the other two mulberries. Mulberroside A was not detected in the leaves of the three mulberries. In Morus atropurpurea Roxb seedlings, the root tended to contain more of the three stilbenes than leaves. The temporal peaks of resveratrol were always ahead of those for oxyresveratrol. The levels of the stilbenes varied in different portions of the varieties of mulberries collected in different season and in the seedlings of Morus atropurpurea Roxb.
A 3D Direct Vehicle-Pavement Coupling Dynamic Model and Its Application on Analysis of Asphalt Pavement Dynamic Response
Authors: Cao Peng , Zhou Changjun , Feng Decheng , Zhao Youxuan , Huang Baoshan
Published: August 2013

Currently dynamic response of the pavement structure is widely studied in pavement engineering. A 3D direct vehicle-pavement coupling dynamic model was developed to describe the pavement dynamic responses in this paper. The moving vehicle was simplified as spring-dashpot components, and the pavement structure was simulated using three-dimension finite element model. Based on Newton iteration and central difference integration algorithm, the static and dynamic coupling reactions between the pavement structure and vehicle were considered using finite element platform ABAQUS. The numerical results fit analytic results very well in static analysis and fit experiment results in dynamic analysis well too. The simulated results indicate that the dynamic pavement surface deflection is much higher than the situation in static analysis, due to the overlapping effect. This phenomenon enhances when vehicle speed increases. A discontinuous zone of shear stress was observed on the base surface between the location under moving load and the location the moving load just passed. It was also found that the vertical fluctuation exists on the vehicle even if there is no roughness on the pavement surface. In general, the developed 3-D direct vehicle-pavement coupling dynamic model was validated to be effective on evaluating pavement dynamic responses.
Comparison of Heat Insulations for Cryogenic Tankers Using Analytical and Numerical Analysis
Authors: Buil Ramón Miralbés , Hernando David Valladares
Published: August 2013

This paper presented a methodology for the design of heat insulations used in cryogenic tankers. This insulation usually comprises a combination of vacuum and perlite or vacuum and superinsulation. Concretely, it is a methodology to obtain the temperatures, heat fluxes, and so forth. Using analytical tools has been established, which is based on the equivalence with an electric circuit, and on numerical tools using finite elements. Results obtained with both methods are then compared. In addition, the influence of the outer finish of the external part, due to the effect of the solar radiation, is analyzed too, and the equations to determine the maximum time available to transport the cryogenic liquid have been established. All these aspects are applied to a specific cryogenic commercial vehicle.
Saccharomyces cerevisiaeLinker Histone—Hho1p Maintains Chromatin Loop Organization during Ageing
Authors: Uzunova Katya , Georgieva Milena , Miloshev George
Published: August 2013

Intricate, dynamic, and absolutely unavoidable ageing affects cells and organisms through their entire lifetime. Driven by diverse mechanisms all leading to compromised cellular functions and finally to death, this process is a challenge for researchers. The molecular mechanisms, the general rules that it follows, and the complex interplay at a molecular and cellular level are yet little understood. Here, we present our results showing a connection between the linker histones, the higher-order chromatin structures, and the process of chronological lifespan of yeast cells. By deleting the gene for the linker histone inSaccharomyces cerevisiaewe have created a model for studying the role of chromatin structures mainly at its most elusive and so far barely understood higher-order levels of compaction in the processes of yeast chronological lifespan. The mutant cells demonstrated controversial features showing slower growth than the wild type combined with better survival during the whole process. The analysis of the global chromatin organization during different time points demonstrated certain loss of the upper levels of chromatin compaction in the cells without linker histone. The results underlay the importance of this histone for the maintenance of the chromatin loop structures during ageing.
Integrative Western and Chinese Medicine on Coronary Heart Disease: Where Is the Orientation?
Authors: Li Siming , Xu Hao
Published: August 2013

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death. As the main treatment of CHD, modern medicine has improved dramatically in recent years. Although researches of TCM and integrative medicine on CHD are witnessed encouraging progress in many respects, the role TCM playing in the prevention and treatment of CHD has been unprecedentedly challenged under such circumstance of the very fast development of modern medicine. In order to share mutual complementary advantages of TCM and western medicine, this review summarizes the relatively prominent researches of TCM and integrative medicine on CHD in recent years, and illuminates the issue of the orientation of the further research of integrative medicine on CHD, including (1) original innovation of TCM etiology and pathogenesis, (2) combination of disease and TCM syndrome, (3) biological basis of TCM syndrome of CHD, (4) clinical design and quality control of integrative medicine research, (5) herb-drug interaction, (6) difficulties and hot issues of modern medicine.
Butterfly Assemblages Associated with Invasive Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.) Sites: Comparisons with Tamarisk Control and Native Vegetation Reference Sites
Authors: Nelson S. Mark , Wydoski Rick
Published: August 2013

We studied butterfly assemblages at six types of riparian landscapes in five different watersheds in the southwestern United States (n=34 sites). Sites included exotic-invasive Tamarix ramosissima (tamarisk) dominated sites; sites where tamarisk was controlled, but not actively revegetated; sites revegetated with upland plants; sites where control was followed with riparian plant revegetation; native riparian vegetation sites; and sites that were a mixture of native and tamarisk vegetations. Local butterfly species were linked regionally by identifying species consisting of more sensitive butterflies that are less resilient to vegetation changes and environmental perturbations and then identifying a subgroup that was reported from all watersheds. This allowed for a regional assessment relevant to all watersheds. Significant differences were found between the abundance of these in-common disturbance sensitive species at different landscapes. Sites where tamarisk was removed without restoration had butterfly metrics similar to the low values at tamarisk sites. The assumption that tamarisk removal is sufficient to recover sensitive species was not true in cases we examined. Soil moisture and riparian condition were identified as important variables associated with abundance of more sensitive butterfly species. Results support the importance of reinstating stream-flow regimes and suggest active restoration of sites if sensitive riparian wildlife species are desired.
A Case of Monozygotic Twins: The Value of Discordant Monozygotic Twins in Goldenhar Syndrome—OMIM%164210
Authors: Prasad K. N. Venkateshwara , Rajha Arvind , Vegi Pradeep Kumar
Published: August 2013

Goldenhar syndrome is a rare developmental disorder characterised by hemifacial microsomia, epibulbar tumours, ear malformation, and vertebral anomalies. As monozygotic (MZ) twins are believed to be genetically identical, discordance for disease phenotype between MZ twins varies with craniofacial anomalies, cardiac, vertebral, and central nervous system defects sporadically. We report a case of monozygotic female twins discordant for Goldenhar syndrome with hemifacial microsomia and the dysplasia of auricular pinna.
Synthesis of Petroleum-Based Fuel from Waste Plastics and Performance Analysis in a CI Engine
Authors: Cleetus Christine , Thomas Shijo , Varghese Soney
Published: August 2013

The present work involves the synthesis of a petroleum-based fuel by the catalytic pyrolysis of waste plastics. Catalytic pyrolysis involves the degradation of the polymeric materials by heating them in the absence of oxygen and in the presence of a catalyst. In the present study different oil samples are produced using different catalysts under different reaction conditions from waste plastics. The synthesized oil samples are subjected to a parametric study based on the oil yield, selectivity of the oil, fuel properties, and reaction temperature. Depending on the results from the above study, an optimization of the catalyst and reaction conditions was done. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the selected optimized sample was done to find out its chemical composition. Finally, performance analysis of the selected oil sample was carried out on a compression ignition (CI) engine. Polythene bags are selected as the source of waste plastics. The catalysts used for the study include silica, alumina, Y zeolite, barium carbonate, zeolite, and their combinations. The pyrolysis reaction was carried at polymer to catalyst ratio of 10 : 1. The reaction temperature ranges between 400°C and 550°C. The inert atmosphere for the pyrolysis was provided by using nitrogen as a carrier gas.