bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Element Solution of Unsteady Mixed Convection Flow of Micropolar Fluid over a Porous Shrinking Sheet
Authors: Gupta Diksha , Kumar Lokendra , Singh Bani
Published: February 2014

The objective of this investigation is to analyze the effect of unsteadiness on the mixed convection boundary layer flow of micropolar fluid over a permeable shrinking sheet in the presence of viscous dissipation. At the sheet a variable distribution of suction is assumed. The unsteadiness in the flow and temperature fields is caused by the time dependence of the shrinking velocity and surface temperature. With the aid of similarity transformations, the governing partial differential equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations, which are solved numerically, using variational finite element method. The influence of important physical parameters, namely, suction parameter, unsteadiness parameter, buoyancy parameter and Eckert number on the velocity, microrotation, and temperature functions is investigated and analyzed with the help of their graphical representations. Additionally skin friction and the rate of heat transfer have also been computed. Under special conditions, an exact solution for the flow velocity is compared with the numerical results obtained by finite element method. An excellent agreement is observed for the two sets of solutions. Furthermore, to verify the convergence of numerical results, calculations are conducted with increasing number of elements.
Role of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in the Evaluation of Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic Contribution and Prognostic Significance
Authors: Francone Marco
Published: February 2014

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents the final common morphofunctional pathway of various pathological conditions in which a combination of myocyte injury and necrosis associated with tissue fibrosis results in impaired mechanical function. Recognition of the underlying aetiology of disease and accurate disease monitoring may be crucial to individually optimize therapeutic strategies and stratify patient’s prognosis. In this regard, CMR has emerged as a new reference gold standard providing important information for differential diagnosis and new insight about individual risk stratification. The present review article will focus on the role of CMR in the evaluation of present condition, analysing respective strengths and limitations in the light of current literature and technological developments.
[11C]-Methionine Positron Emission Tomography in the Postoperative Imaging and Followup of Patients with Primary and Recurrent Gliomas
Authors: Santoni Matteo , Nanni Cristina , Bittoni Alessandro , Polonara Gabriele , Paccapelo Alessandro , Trignani Roberto , De Lisa Mariagrazia , Rychlicki Franco , Burattini Luciano , Berardi Rossana , Fanti Stefano , Cascinu Stefano
Published: February 2014

We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of [11C]-methionine positron emission tomography ([11C]-MET PET) in the management of glioma patients. We retrospectively analysed data from 53 patients with primary gliomas (16 low grade astrocytomas, 15 anaplastic astrocytomas and 22 glioblastomas) and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) > 70. Patients underwent [11C]-MET PET scans (N=249) and parallel contrast-enhanced MRI (N=193) and/or CT (N=113) controls. In low grade glioma patients, MRI or CT findings associated with [11C]-MET PET additional data allowed discrimination residual disease from postsurgical changes in 96.22% of these cases. [11C]-MET PET early allowed detection of malignant progression from low grade to anaplastic astrocytoma with high sensitivity (91.56%) and specificity (95.18%). In anaplastic astrocytomas, we registered high sensitivity (93.97%) and specificity (95.18%) in the postoperative imaging and during the followup of these patients. In GBM patients, CT and/or MRI scans with additional [11C]-MET PET data registered a sensitivity of 96.92% in the postsurgical evaluation and in the tumour assessment during temozolomide therapy. A significant correlation was found between [11C]-MET mean uptake index and histologic grading (P<0.001). These findings support the notion that complementary information derived from [11C]-MET PET may be helpful in postoperative and successive tumor assessment of glioma patients.
Soluble IL-2 Receptor: A Biomarker for Assessing Myositis Activity
Authors: Tournadre Anne , Dubost Jean-Jacques , Soubrier Martin , Ruivard Marc , Souteyrand Pierre , Schmidt Jeannot , Clavelou Pierre , Tridon Arlette , Ristori Jean-Michel
Published: February 2014

Objective. To evaluate the clinical significance of serum soluble IL-2R (sIL-2R) in inflammatory myopathies.Methods.Serum sIL-2R and CK levels were determined in 27 patients with IM during periods of disease exacerbation and inactive disease and were compared to 20 healthy controls and 23 controls with noninflammatory elevated CK. The performance of sIL-2R and CK tests for assessing disease activity was compared.Results.sIL-2R levels were increased in patients with IM. Significantly higher sIL-2R levels were detected in patients with disease exacerbation than in patients with inactive disease. In patients with IM, the sIL-2R levels correlated with the CK levels. Based on ROC analysis, diagnostic accuracy of sIL-2R and CK tests for disease activity was similar. However, when the CK threshold was defined by the upper limit of the normal, the specificity for the CK test dropped to 58%.Conclusion.Serum sIL-2R level could be useful to distinguish disease exacerbation from damage in IM, especially in patients with persistent elevated CK levels when a clinical muscular worsening is noted. For discrimination of the disease activity, CK testing requires the use of a different threshold than the upper limit of the normal.
High Dose Thiotepa in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Osteosarcomas: Experience of the SFCE Group
Authors: Marec-Berard Perrine , Segura-Ferlay Céline , Tabone Marie-Dominique , Pacquement Helene , Lervat Cyril , Gentet Jean-Claude , Schmitt Claudine , Gaspar Nathalie , Brugières Laurence
Published: February 2014

Introduction. Osteosarcoma relapse has a poor prognosis, with less than 25% survival at 5 years. We describe the experience of the French Society of Paediatric Oncology (SFCE) with high dose (HD) thiotepa and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in 45 children with relapsed osteosarcoma.Patients and Methods. Between 1992 and 2004, 53 patients received HD thiotepa (900 mg/m2) followed by ASCT in 6 centres. Eight patients were excluded from analysis, and we retrospectively reviewed the clinical radiological and anatomopathological patterns of the 45 remaining patients.Results. Sixteen girls and 29 boys (median age, 15.9 years) received HD thiotepa after initial progression of metastatic disease (2), first relapse (26), and second or third relapse (17). We report 12 radiological partial responses and 9 of 31 histological complete responses. Thirty-two patients experienced further relapses, and 13 continued in complete remission after surgical resection of the residual disease. Three-year overall survival was 40%, and 3-year progression-free survival was 24%. Delay of relapse (+/− 2 years from diagnosis) was a prognostic factor (P=0.011). No acute toxic serious adverse event occurred.Conclusion. The use of HD thiotepa and ASCT is feasible in patients with relapsed osteosarcoma. A randomized study for recurrent osteosarcoma between standard salvage chemotherapy and high dose thiotepa with stem cell rescue is ongoing.
Cochlear Implant Programming: A Global Survey on the State of the Art
Authors: Vaerenberg Bart , Smits Cas , De Ceulaer Geert , Zir Elie , Harman Sally , Jaspers N. , Tam Y. , Dillon Margaret , Wesarg Thomas , Martin-Bonniot D. , Gärtner L. , Cozma Sebastian , Kosaner Julie , Prentiss Sandra , Sasidharan P. , Briaire Jeroen J. , Bradley Jane , Debruyne J. , Hollow R. , Patadia Rajesh , Mens Lucas , Veekmans K. , Greisiger R. , Harboun-Cohen E. , Borel Stéphanie , Tavora-Vieira Dayse , Mancini Patrizia , Cullington Helen , Ng Amy Han-Chi , Walkowiak Adam , Shapiro William H. , Govaerts Paul J.
Published: February 2014

The programming of CIs is essential for good performance. However, no Good Clinical Practice guidelines exist. This paper reports on the results of an inventory of the current practice worldwide. A questionnaire was distributed to 47 CI centers. They follow 47600 recipients in 17 countries and 5 continents. The results were discussed during a debate. Sixty-two percent of the results were verified through individual interviews during the following months. Most centers (72%) participated in a cross-sectional study logging 5 consecutive fitting sessions in 5 different recipients. Data indicate that general practice starts with a single switch-on session, followed by three monthly sessions, three quarterly sessions, and then annual sessions, all containing one hour of programming and testing. The main focus lies on setting maximum and, to a lesser extent, minimum current levels per electrode. These levels are often determined on a few electrodes and then extrapolated. They are mainly based on subjective loudness perception by the CI user and, to a lesser extent, on pure tone and speech audiometry. Objective measures play a small role as indication of the global MAP profile. Other MAP parameters are rarely modified. Measurable targets are only defined for pure tone audiometry. Huge variation exists between centers on all aspects of the fitting practice.
Cephalic Index in the First Three Years of Life: Study of Children with Normal Brain Development Based on Computed Tomography
Authors: Likus Wirginia , Bajor Grzegorz , Gruszczyńska Katrzyna , Baron Jan , Markowski Jarosław , Machnikowska-Sokołowska Magdalena , Milka Daniela , Lepich Tomasz
Published: February 2014

Cephalic index is a highly useful method for planning surgical procedures, as well as assessing their effectiveness in correcting cranial deformations in children. There are relatively very few studies measuring cephalic index in healthy Caucasian young children. The aim of our study was to develop a classification of current cephalic index for healthy Caucasian children up to 3 years of age with normal brain development, using axial slice computer tomography performed with very thin slices (0.5 mm) resulting in more accurate measurements. 180 healthy infants (83 females and 97 males) were divided into 5 age categories: 0–3, 4–6, 7–12, 13–24, and 25–36 months. The average value of cephalic index in children up to 3 years of age amounted to 81.45 ± 7.06. The index value in case of children under 3 months was 80.19, 4 to 6 months was 81.45, 7 to 12 months was 83.15, in children under 2 years was 81.05, and in children under 3 years was 79.76. Mesocephaly is the dominating skull shape in children. In this study, we formulated a classification of current cephalic indices of children with normal brain development. Our date appears to be of utmost importance in anthropology, anatomy forensic medicine, and genetics.
Ameliorative Potential ofTamarindus indicaon High Fat Diet Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rats
Authors: Sasidharan Suja Rani , Joseph Joshua Allan , Anandakumar Senthilkumar , Venkatesan Vijayabalaji , Ariyattu Madhavan Chandrasekharan Nair , Agarwal Amit
Published: February 2014

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the prevalence of which is rising globally with current upsurge in obesity, is one of the most frequent causes of chronic liver diseases. The present study evaluated the ameliorative effect of extract ofTamarindus indicaseed coat (ETS) on high fat diet (HFD) induced NAFLD, after daily administration at 45, 90, and 180 mg/kg body weight dose levels for a period of 6 weeks, in albino Wistar rats. Treatment with ETS at all tested dose levels significantly attenuated the pathological alterations associated with HFD induced NAFLDviz. hepatomegaly, elevated hepatic lipid and lipid peroxides, serum alanine aminotransferase, and free fatty acid levels as well as micro-/macrohepatic steatosis. Moreover, extract treatment markedly reduced body weight and adiposity along with an improvement in insulin resistance index. The study findings, therefore suggested the therapeutic potential of ETS against NAFLD, acting in part through antiobesity, insulin sensitizing, and antioxidant mechanisms.
Lifestyle Risk Factors of General and Abdominal Obesity in Students of the School of Medicine and Health Science
of the University of Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Authors: Mogre Victor , Nyaba Rauf , Aleyira Samuel
Published: February 2014

This study evaluated the prevalence of general and abdominal obesity among students of the University for Development Studies, School of Medicine and Health Sciences (UDS-SMHS), Tamale, Ghana. Also, lifestyle risk factors for the two obesity indices were investigated. This study was conducted among a sample of 646 students. Anthropometric measures of weight, height, and waist circumference were appropriately assessed. The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity was 1.9% and 4.2%, respectively. Risk factors of general obesity were being female (crude OR = 6.9, 95% CI = 1.85–25.80, P=0.0021), engaging in light PA (OR = 12.45, 95% CI = 2.96–52.41, P=0.0006), being aged 28–37 years (OR = 5.37, 95% CI = 1.39–20.68, P=0.0329), nonintake of coffee (OR = 4.1, 95% CI = 1.10–15.28, P=0.0357), being married (OR = 5.7, 95% CI = 1.48–22.02, P=0.0286), and being abdominally obese (OR = 02.7, 95% CI = 25.61–11.60, P<0.0001). Risk factors for abdominal obesity were being female, being married, having general obesity, and nonintake of coffee. Abdominal obesity was more prevalent than general obesity. Risk factors included being female, married, and generally obese and nonintake of coffee.
Isolation and Characterisation of 2-Tert-butyl-8-hydroxyquinoline as a Crystalline Solid and Its Blue Fluorescent Li Complex
Authors: Kathirgamanathan Poopathy , Surendrakumar Sivagnanasundram , Ravichandran Seenivasagam , Blake Alexander J.
Published: February 2014

2-Tert-butyl-8-hydroxyquinoline (2-TB-8-hq) has been isolated as a crystalline solid and its X-ray structure elucidated, resolving three decades of controversy, since it was previously wrongly reported as yellow oil by some other workers. An improved synthetic method has been developed which increases the yield from 20% to 60%. The lithium complex of 2-TB-8-hq is blue emitting and the HOMO and LUMO levels are lowered by 0.86 eV and 0.74 eV, respectively, compared with the parent lithium 8-hydroxyquinolinolate (Li 8-hq).
Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Effect of Intrathecal Clonidine and Fentanyl Added to Bupivacaine in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Section: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blind Study
Authors: Khezri Marzieh Beigom , Rezaei Meisam , Delkhosh Reihany Morteza , Haji Seid Javadi Ezzatalsadat
Published: February 2014

Objectives. To compare the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal clonidine and fentanyl added to bupivacaine after cesarean section. Methods. Ninety patients scheduled for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were randomly allocated to one of the three following groups to receive bupivacaine 10 mg combined with 75 µg clonidine (group C), bupivacaine 10 mg combined with 0.5 mL fentanyl (group F), and bupivacaine 10 mg combined with 0.5 mL distilled water (group P), intrathecally. The time to first analgesic request, analgesic requirement in the first 24 hours after surgery, sensory and motor blockade onset time, duration of sensory and motor blockade, the incidence of hypotension, ephedrine requirements, bradycardia, and hypoxemia were recorded. Results. The duration of anesthesia in clonidine group (275.10±96.09) was longer compared to the placebo (211.73±74.80) and fentanyl (192.33±30.36) groups. This difference between group C versus F (P=0.006) and P groups (P<0.001) was significant. Similarly, the mean time to first analgesic request was also longer in group C (519.44±86.25) than in groups F (277.88±94.25) and P (235.43±22.35 min). This difference between group C versus F (P<0.001) and P groups (P<0.001) was significant. Conclusion. Intrathecal clonidine 75 µg with bupivacaine prolonged the time to first analgesic request compared to fentanyl; however, the total analgesic consumption within the first 24 h postoperative was similar in fentanyl and clonidine groups following cesarean section. This trial is registered with ACTRN12611000909921 and ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01425658.
Technoeconomic and Policy Analysis for Corn Stover Biofuels
Authors: Petter Ryan , Tyner Wallace E.
Published: February 2014

Conventional fossil fuels dominate the marketplace, and their prices are a direct competitor for drop-in biofuels. This paper examines the impact of fuel selling price uncertainty on investment risk in a fast pyrolysis derived biofuel production facility. Production cost specifications are gathered from previous research. Monte Carlo analysis is employed with uncertainty in fuel selling price, biomass cost, bio-oil yield, and hydrogen price parameters. Experiments reveal that fuel price has a large impact on investment risk. A reverse auction would shift risk from the private sector to the public sector and is shown to be more effective at encouraging private investment than capital subsidies for the same expected public cost.
Effect of Strength Enhancement of Soil Treated with Environment-Friendly Calcium Carbonate Powder
Authors: Park Kyungho , Jun Sangju , Kim Daehyeon
Published: February 2014

This study aims to investigate the effects of the strength improvement of soft ground (sand) by producing calcium carbonate powder through microbial reactions. To analyze the cementation effect of calcium carbonate produced through microbial reaction for different weight ratios, four different types of specimens (untreated, calcium carbonate, cement, and calcium carbonate + cement) with different weight ratios (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) were produced and cured for a period of 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days to test them. The uniaxial compression strength of specimens was measured, and the components in the specimen depending on the curing period were analyzed by means of XRD analysis. The result revealed that higher weight ratios and longer curing period contributed to increased strength of calcium carbonate, cement, and calcium carbonate + cement specimens. The calcium carbonate and the calcium carbonate + cement specimens in the same condition showed the tendency of decreased strength approximately 3 times and two times in comparison with the 8% cement specimens cured for 28 days, but the tendency of increased strength was approximately 4 times and 6 times in comparison with the untreated specimen.
Effect of Filler Loading on Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Wood Apple Shell Reinforced Epoxy Composite
Authors: Shakuntala Ojha , Raghavendra Gujjala , Samir Kumar Acharya
Published: February 2014

During the last century, natural fibers and particulates are used as reinforcement in polymer composite that has been continuously growing in the composite industry. This polymer matrix composite has wide range of applications in hostile environment where they are exposed to external attacks such as solid particle erosion. Also, the mechanical properties of different polymer composites show the best alternate to replace the metal material. In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to improve the mechanical and tribological behaviour of polymer matrix composite using wood apple shell particles as a filler material in polymer matrix. Also the temperature variation of the dynamic-mechanical parameters of epoxy matrix composites incorporated with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% of wood apple shell particles was investigated by DMA test. It is clearly observed that the incorporation of wood apple shell particles tends to increase the tensile strength, flexural strength, erosive wear resistance, and viscoelastic stiffness of the polymer composite. To validate the results, SEM of the polymer matrix composite has been studied.
Optimal ILP-Based Approach for Gate Location Assignment and Scheduling in Quantum Circuits
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Naser , Bahreini Tayebeh , Badri Hossein
Published: February 2014

Physical design and synthesis are two key processes of quantum circuit design methodology. The physical design process itself decomposes into scheduling, mapping, routing, and placement. In this paper, a mathematical model is proposed for mapping, routing, and scheduling in ion-trap technology in order to minimize latency of the circuit. The proposed model which is a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model gives the optimal locations for gates and the best sequence of operations in terms of latency. Experimental results show that our scheme outperforms the other schemes for the attempted benchmarks.
A Review on Recycling of Sunflower Residue for Sustaining Soil Health
Authors: Babu Subhash , Rana D. S. , Yadav G. S. , Singh Raghavendra , Yadav S. K.
Published: February 2014

Modern agriculture is now at the crossroads ecologically, economically, technologically, and socially due to soil degradation. Critical analysis of available information shows that problems of degradation of soil health are caused due to imbalanced, inadequate and promacronutrient fertilizer use, inadequate use or no use of organic manures and crop residues, and less use of good quality biofertilizers. Although sizeable amount of crop residues and manure is produced in farms, it is becoming increasingly complex to recycle nutrients, even within agricultural systems. Therefore, there is a need to use all available sources of nutrients to maintain the productivity and fertility at a required level. Among the available organic sources of plant nutrients, crop residue is one of the most important sources for supplying nutrients to the crop and for improving soil health. Sunflower is a nontraditional oil seed crop produced in huge amount of crop residue. This much amount of crop residues is neither used as feed for livestock nor suitable for fuel due to low energy value per unit mass. However, its residue contains major plant nutrients in the range from 0.45 to 0.60% N, 0.15 to 0.22% P, and 1.80 to 1.94% K along with secondary and micronutrients, so recycling of its residue in the soil may be one of the best alternative practices for replenishing the depleted soil fertility and improving the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil in the present era of production. However, some researchers have reported allelopathic effects of sunflower residue on different crops. So, selection of suitable crops and management practices may play an important role to manage the sunflower residue at field level.
A Study of Parameters Related to the Etch Rate for a Dry Etch Process Using NF3/O2and SF6/O2
Authors: Oh Seon-Geun , Park Kwang-Su , Lee Young-Jun , Jeon Jae-Hong , Choe Hee-Hwan , Seo Jong-Hyun
Published: February 2014

The characteristics of the dry etching ofSiNx:H thin films for display devices using SF6/O2and NF3/O2were investigated using a dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (CCP-RIE) system. The investigation was carried out by varying the RF power ratio (13.56 MHz/2 MHz), pressure, and gas flow ratio. For theSiNx:H film, the etch rates obtained using NF3/O2were higher than those obtained using SF6/O2under various process conditions. The relationships between the etch rates and the usual monitoring parameters—the optical emission spectroscopy (OES) intensity of atomic fluorine (685.1 nm and 702.89 nm) and the voltagesVHandVL—were investigated. The OES intensity data indicated a correlation between the bulk plasma density and the atomic fluorine density. The etch rate was proportional to the product of the OES intensity of atomic fluorine(I(F))and the square root of the voltages(Vh+Vl)on the assumption that the velocity of the reactive fluorine was proportional to the square root of the voltages.
A Comprehensive Robust Adaptive Controller for Gust Load Alleviation
Authors: Capello Elisa , Guglieri Giorgio , Quagliotti Fulvia
Published: February 2014

The objective of this paper is the implementation and validation of an adaptive controller for aircraft gust load alleviation. The contribution of this paper is the design of a robust controller that guarantees the reduction of the gust loads, even when the nominal conditions change. Some preliminary results are presented, considering the symmetric aileron deflection as control device. The proposed approach is validated on subsonic transport aircraft for different mass and flight conditions. Moreover, if the controller parameters are tuned for a specific gust model, even if the gust frequency changes, no parameter retuning is required.
The Instability Improvement of the Symmetric Angle-Ply and Cross-Ply Composite Plates with Shape Memory Alloy Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Rasid Zainudin A. , Zahari Rizal , Ayob Amran
Published: February 2014

Shape memory alloy (SMA) wires were embedded within laminated composite plates to take advantage of the shape memory effect property of the SMA in improving post-buckling behavior of composite plates. A nonlinear finite element formulation was developed for this study. The plate-bending formulation used in this study was developed based on the first order shear deformation theory, where the von Karman's nonlinear moderate strain terms were added to the strain equations. The effect of the SMA was captured by adding recovery stress term in the constitutive equation of the SMA composite plates. Values of the recovery stress of the SMA were determined using Brinson's model. Using the principle of virtual work and the total Lagrangian approach, the final finite element nonlinear governing equation for the post-buckling of SMA composite plates was derived. Buckling and post-buckling analyses were then conducted on the symmetric angle-ply and cross-ply SMA composite plates. The effect of several parameters such as the activation temperature, volume fraction, and the initial strain of the SMA on the post-buckling behavior of the SMA composite plates were studied. It was found that significant improvements in the post-buckling behavior for composite plates can be attained.
Serum Soluble Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells-1 and Procalcitonin Can Reflect Sepsis Severity and Predict Prognosis: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Li Zhenyu , Wang Hongxia , Liu Jian , Chen Bing , Li Guangping
Published: February 2014

Objective. To investigate the prognostic significance of serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1), procalcitonin (PCT), N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines, and clinical severity scores in patients with sepsis.Methods. A total of 102 patients with sepsis were divided into survival group (n=60) and nonsurvival group (n=42) based on 28-day mortality. Serum levels of biomarkers and cytokines were measured on days 1, 3, and 5 after admission to an ICU, meanwhile the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores were calculated.Results. Serum sTREM-1, PCT, and IL-6 levels of patients in the nonsurvival group were significantly higher than those in the survival group on day 1 (P<0.01). The area under a ROC curve for the prediction of 28 day mortality was 0.792 for PCT, 0.856 for sTREM-1, 0.953 for SOFA score, and 0.923 for APACHE II score. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that serum baseline sTREM-1 PCT levels and SOFA score were the independent predictors of 28-day mortality. Serum PCT, sTREM-1, and IL-6 levels showed a decrease trend over time in the survival group (P<0.05). Serum NT-pro-BNP levels showed the predictive utility from days 3 and 5 (P<0.05).Conclusion. In summary, elevated serum sTREM-1 and PCT levels provide superior prognostic accuracy to other biomarkers. Combination of serum sTREM-1 and PCT levels and SOFA score can offer the best powerful prognostic utility for sepsis mortality.
Body Size Mediated Coexistence in Swans
Authors: Engelhardt Katharina A. M. , Ritchie Mark E. , Powell James A.
Published: February 2014

Differences in body sizes may create a trade-off between foraging efficiency (foraging gains/costs) and access to resources. Such a trade-off provides a potential mechanism for ecologically similar species to coexist on one resource. We explored this hypothesis for tundra (Cygnus columbianus) and trumpeter swans (Cygnus buccinator), a federally protected species, feeding solely on sago pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) tubers during fall staging and wintering in northern Utah. Foraging efficiency was higher for tundra swans because this species experienced lower foraging and metabolic costs relative to foraging gains; however, trumpeter swans (a) had longer necks and therefore had access to exclusive resources buried deep in wetland sediments and (b) were more aggressive and could therefore displace tundra swans from lucrative foraging locations. We conclude that body size differentiation is an important feature of coexistence among ecologically similar species feeding on one resource. In situations where resources are limiting and competition for resources is strong, conservation managers will need to consider the trade-off between foraging efficiency and access to resources to ensure ecologically similar species can coexist on a shared resource.
Copolymerization of 4-Acetylphenyl Methacrylate with Ethyl Methacrylate: Synthesis, Characterization, Monomer Reactivity Ratios, and Thermal Properties
Authors: Barim Gamze , Yayla Mustafa Gokhun
Published: February 2014

Methacrylates have high glass transition temperature (Tg) values and high thermal stability. A new methacrylate copolymer, poly(4-acetylphenyl methacrylate-co-ethyl methacrylate) (APMA-co-EMA), was synthesized. The thermal behaviors of copolymers were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. They behaved as new single polymers with singleTg’s and the thermal stability of the copolymers increased with increasing 4-acetylphenyl methacrylate (APMA) fraction, leading to the manufacture of copolymers with desiredTgvalues. Structure and composition of copolymers for a wide range of monomer feed ratios were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic techniques. Copolymerization reactions were continued up to 40% conversions. The monomer reactivity ratios for copolymer system were determined by the Kelen-Tüdös (ra(APMA)=0.81;rb(EMA)=0.61) and extended Kelen-Tüdös (ra=0.77;rb=0.54) methods and a nonlinear least squares (ra=0.74;rb=0.49) method.
Soil Quality Assessment Strategies for Evaluating Soil Degradation in Northern Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfahunegn Gebreyesus Brhane
Published: February 2014

Soil quality (SQ) degradation continues to challenge sustainable development throughout the world. One reason is that degradation indicators such as soil quality index (SQI) are neither well documented nor used to evaluate current land use and soil management systems (LUSMS). The objective was to assess and identify an effective SQ indicator dataset from among 25 soil measurements, appropriate scoring functions for each indicator and an efficient SQ indexing method to evaluate soil degradation across the LUSMS in the Mai-Negus catchment of northern Ethiopia. Eight LUSMS selected for soil sampling and analysis included (i) natural forest (LS1), (ii) plantation of protected area, (iii) grazed land, (iv) teff (Eragrostis tef)-faba bean (Vicia faba) rotation, (v) teff-wheat (Triticum vulgare)/barley (Hordeum vulgare) rotation, (vi) teff monocropping, (vii) maize (Zea mays) monocropping, and (viii) uncultivated marginal land (LS8). Four principal components explained almost 88% of the variability among the LUSMS. LS1 had the highest mean SQI (0.931) using the scoring functions and principal component analysis (PCA) dataset selection, while the lowest SQI (0.458) was measured for LS8. Mean SQI values for LS1 and LS8 using expert opinion dataset selection method were 0.874 and 0.406, respectively. Finally, a sensitivity analysis (S) used to compare PCA and expert opinion dataset selection procedures for various scoring functions ranged from 1.70 for unscreened-SQI to 2.63 for PCA-SQI. Therefore, this study concludes that a PCA-based SQI would be the best way to distinguish among LUSMS since it appears more sensitive to disturbances and management practices and could thus help prevent further SQ degradation.
High Efficiency Direct Shoot Organogenesis from Leaf Segments ofAerva lanata(L.) Juss. Ex Schult by Using Thidiazuron
Authors: Varutharaju K. , Soundar Raju C. , Thilip C. , Aslam A. , Shajahan A.
Published: February 2014

An efficient protocol for direct shoot organogenesis has been developed for the medicinal plantAerva lanata(L.) Juss. ex Schult. Regeneration was achieved from leaf segments of 20 days oldin vitroplantlets raised on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.25–2.0 mg L−1thiadiazuron (TDZ), 3% sucrose, and 0.8% agar. After 21 days of culture incubation, maximum number of shoot organogenesis (23.6 ± 0.16) was obtained on medium containing 1.0 mg L−1TDZ. The shoots were able to producein vitroflowers on medium containing 1.0 mg L−1TDZ in combination with 0.25–0.5 mg L−1  α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). Histological observation showed that the epidermal cells of the leaf explants exhibited continuous cell division led to formation of numerous dome shaped meristematic protrusions and subsequently developed into adventitious shoots. Upon transfer of shootlets to half strength MS medium containing 1.0 mg L−1indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), around 86% of the regenerated shoots formed roots and plantlets. Rooted plants were hardened and successfully established in the soil at the survival rate of 92%. The regeneration protocol developed in this study provides an important method of micropropagation of this plant. Furthermore, this protocol may be used for a large scale production of its medicinally active compounds and genetic transformations for further improvement.
Assesment of New Analytical Method for Solving the Foam Drainage Equation
Authors: Nikkar Ali
Published: February 2014

The drainage of liquid foams involves the interplay of gravity, surface tension, and viscous forces. Foaming occurs in many distillation and absorption processes. In this study, a new reliable technique is used to handle the foam drainage equation. This new method resulted from VIM by a simple modification, that is, variational iteration method-II (VIM-II). It has been shown that the VIM-II is a powerful technique in obtaining accurate solutions that cannot be given otherwise by perturbation and other methods. The accuracy and convergence of the method are also investigated and compared with other methods. The results showed that there are good agreements between the results.
Periodic Boundary Value Problems for a Class of Impulsive Functional Differential Equations of Hybrid Type
Authors: Chen Guoping
Published: February 2014

This paper is concerned with the existence of extreme solutions of periodic boundary value problems for a class of first-order impulsive functional differential equations of hybrid type. We obtain the sufficient conditions for existence of extreme solutions by using upper and lower solutions method coupled with monotone iterative technique.
A Case of 17q21.31 Microduplication and 7q31.33 Microdeletion, Associated with Developmental Delay, Microcephaly, and Mild Dysmorphic Features
Authors: Mc Cormack Adrian , Taylor Juliet , Te Weehi Leah , Love Donald R. , George Alice M.
Published: February 2014

Concurrent cryptic microdeletion and microduplication syndromes have recently started to reveal themselves with the advent of microarray technology. Analysis has shown that low-copy repeats (LCRs) have allowed chromosome regions throughout the genome to become hotspots for nonallelic homologous recombination to take place. Here, we report a case of a 7.5-year-old girl who manifests microcephaly, developmental delay, and mild dysmorphic features. Microarray analysis identified a microduplication in chromosome 17q21.31, which encompasses theCRHR1, MAPT,andKANSL1genes, as well as a microdeletion in chromosome 7q31.33 that is localised within theGRM8gene. To our knowledge this is one of only a few cases of 17q21.31 microduplication. The clinical phenotype of patients with this microduplication is milder than of those carrying the reciprocal microdeletions, and suggests that the lower incidence of the former compared to the latter may be due to underascertainment.
Fenestration Labioreduction of the Labium Minus: A New Surgical Intervention Concept
Authors: Ostrzenski Adam
Published: February 2014

Objectives. To test applicability of the new surgical concept for labioreduction of the labia minora. Study Design. The observational, prospective, case series study was designed. Subjects. Three consecutive subjects were included. Methods. The application of new surgical intervention was tested. Main Outcome Measures. A primary outcome measured applicability of the fenestration labioplasty and secondary measures was used to evaluate surgical resolution of medical, emotional, and social symptoms; aesthetic outcomes; and potential complications. Results. Symptomatic, asymmetrical, and enlarged labia minora were associated with aesthetic dissatisfaction from deformations of the labia minora. The new operation was applied easily and without complications. The procedure reduced height and length, accomplished symmetries, preserved natural color and contour, and accomplished the labium minus expected appearance. Postoperatively, physical, emotional, social symptoms and signs resolved, pleasing surgical outcomes exceeded subjects’ aesthetic expectations. Meaningfully, self-image and self-confidence improved in all subjects. No feelings of regrets were reported. Emotional tensions were reduced, social openness improved, intimate interaction increased, and their body image perception improved following the operation. Conclusion. In this study group, fenestration labioreduction with inferior flap transposition was easy to execute without complications and the method was reproducible; the new operation achieves pleasing aesthetic results and the procedure improves physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
Ginseng Is Useful to Enhance Cardiac Contractility in Animals
Authors: Lin Jia-Wei , Cherng Yih-Giun , Chen Li-Jen , Niu Ho-Shan , Chang Chen Kuei , Niu Chiang-Shan
Published: February 2014

Ginseng has been shown to be effective on cardiac dysfunction. Recent evidence has highlighted the mediation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in cardiac function. Thus, we are interested to investigate the role of PPARδin ginseng-induced modification of cardiac contractility. The isolated hearts in Langendorff apparatus and hemodynamic analysis in catheterized rats were applied to measure the actions of ginsengex vivoandin vivo. In normal rats, ginseng enhanced cardiac contractility and hemodynamicdP/dtmaxsignificantly. Both actions were diminished by GSK0660 at a dose enough to block PPARδ. However, ginseng failed to modify heart rate at the same dose, although it did produce a mild increase in blood pressure. Data of intracellular calcium level and Western blotting analysis showed that both the PPARδexpression and troponin I phosphorylation were raised by ginseng in neonatal rat cardiomyocyte. Thus, we suggest that ginseng could enhance cardiac contractility through increased PPARδexpression in cardiac cells.
A Priori Estimation of the Solution for Mixed Problems with Integral Condition for Singular Parabolic Equations
Authors: Almomani Raid
Published: February 2014

We prove a theorem in which we get a priori estimation of the solution for mixed problems with integral condition for singular parabolic equations. Mixed problems with nonlocal boundary conditions or with nonlocal initial conditions were studied in many works lately. Our result plays an important role in the theory of heat transmission, thermoelasticity, chemical engineering, underground water flow, and plasma physics.
Performance Evaluation of Monolith Based Immobilized Acetylcholinesterase Flow-Through Reactor for Copper(II) Determination with Spectrophotometric Detection
Authors: Rattanakit Parawee , Liawruangrath Saisunee
Published: February 2014

A monolith based immobilized acetylcholinesterase (AChE) flow-through reactor has been developed for the determination of copper(II) using flow injection spectrophotometric system. The bioreactor was prepared inside a microcapillary column byin situpolymerization of butyl methacrylate, ethylene dimethacrylate, and 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphynyletane-1-one in the presence of 1-decanol, followed by vinyl azlactone functionalization and AChE immobilization. The behavior of AChE before and after being immobilized on the monolith was evaluated by kinetic parameters from Lineweaver and Burk equation. The detection was based on measuring inhibition effect on the enzymatic activity of AChE by copper(II) using Ellman’s reaction with spectrophotometric detection at 410 nm. The linear range of the calibration graph was obtained over the range of 0.02–3.00 mg L−1. The detection limit, defined as 10% inhibition (I10), was found to be 0.04 mg L−1. The repeatability was 3.35 % (n=5) for 1.00 mg L−1of copper(II). The proposed method was applied to the determination of copper(II) in natural water samples with sampling rate of 4 h−1.
Analysis of Change in the Wind Speed Ratio according to Apartment Layout and Solutions
Authors: Hyung Won-gil , Kim Young-Moon , You Ki-Pyo
Published: February 2014

Apartment complexes in various forms are built in downtown areas. The arrangement of an apartment complex has great influence on the wind flow inside it. There are issues of residents’ walking due to gust occurrence within apartment complexes, problems with pollutant emission due to airflow congestion, and heat island and cool island phenomena in apartment complexes. Currently, the forms of internal arrangements of apartment complexes are divided into the flat type and the tower type. In the present study, a wind tunnel experiment and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation were performed with respect to internal wind flows in different apartment arrangement forms. Findings of the wind tunnel experiment showed that the internal form and arrangement of an apartment complex had significant influence on its internal airflow. The wind velocity of the buildings increased by 80% at maximum due to the proximity effects between the buildings. The CFD simulation for relaxing such wind flows indicated that the wind velocity reduced by 40% or more at maximum when the paths between the lateral sides of the buildings were extended.
The Mitochondrial Aminoacyl tRNA Synthetases: Genes and Syndromes
Authors: Diodato Daria , Ghezzi Daniele , Tiranti Valeria
Published: February 2014

Mitochondrial respiratory chain (RC) disorders are a group of genetically and clinically heterogeneous diseases. This is because protein components of the RC are encoded by both mitochondrial and nuclear genomes and are essential in all cells. In addition, the biogenesis and maintenance of mitochondria, including mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication, transcription, and translation, require nuclear-encoded genes. In the past decade, a growing number of syndromes associated with dysfunction of mtDNA translation have been reported. This paper reviews the current knowledge of mutations affecting mitochondrial aminoacyl tRNAs synthetases and their role in the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the different clinical presentations.
Data Delivery Method Based on Neighbor Nodes’ Information in a Mobile Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Kashihara Shigeru , Hayashi Takuma , Taenaka Yuzo , Okuda Takeshi , Yamaguchi Suguru
Published: February 2014

This paper proposes a data delivery method based on neighbor nodes’ information to achieve reliable communication in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET). In a MANET, it is difficult to deliver data reliably due to instabilities in network topology and wireless network condition which result from node movement. To overcome such unstable communication, opportunistic routing and network coding schemes have lately attracted considerable attention. Although an existing method that employs such schemes, MAC-independent opportunistic routing and encoding (MORE), Chachulski et al. (2007), improves the efficiency of data delivery in an unstable wireless mesh network, it does not address node movement. To efficiently deliver data in a MANET, the method proposed in this paper thus first employs the same opportunistic routing and network coding used in MORE and also uses the location information and transmission probabilities of neighbor nodes to adapt to changeable network topology and wireless network condition. The simulation experiments showed that the proposed method can achieve efficient data delivery with low network load when the movement speed is relatively slow.
A Robust H.264/AVC Video Watermarking Scheme with Drift Compensation
Authors: Jiang Xinghao , Sun Tanfeng , Zhou Yue , Wang Wan , Shi Yun-Qing
Published: February 2014

A robust H.264/AVC video watermarking scheme for copyright protection with self-adaptive drift compensation is proposed. In our scheme, motion vector residuals of macroblocks with the smallest partition size are selected to hide copyright information in order to hold visual impact and distortion drift to a minimum. Drift compensation is also implemented to reduce the influence of watermark to the most extent. Besides, discrete cosine transform (DCT) with energy compact property is applied to the motion vector residual group, which can ensure robustness against intentional attacks. According to the experimental results, this scheme gains excellent imperceptibility and low bit-rate increase. Malicious attacks with different quantization parameters (QPs) or motion estimation algorithms can be resisted efficiently, with 80% accuracy on average after lossy compression.
Modeling of Task Planning for Multirobot System Using Reputation Mechanism
Authors: Shi Zhiguo , Tu Jun , Li Yuankai , Wei Junming
Published: February 2014

Modeling of task planning for multirobot system is developed from two parts: task decomposition and task allocation. In the part of task decomposition, the conditions and processes of decomposition are elaborated. In the part of task allocation, the collaboration strategy, the framework of reputation mechanism, and three types of reputations are defined in detail, which include robot individual reputation, robot group reputation, and robot direct reputation. A time calibration function and a group calibration function are designed to improve the effectiveness of the proposed method and proved that they have the characteristics of time attenuation, historical experience related, and newly joined robot reward. Tasks attempt to be assigned to the robot with higher overall reputation, which can help to increase the success rate of the mandate implementation, thereby reducing the time of task recovery and redistribution. Player/Stage is used as the simulation platform, and three biped-robots are established as the experimental apparatus. The experimental results of task planning are compared with the other allocation methods. Simulation and experiment results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method for multi-robot collaboration system.