bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological Patterns of
nifH
Genes in Four Terrestrial Climatic Zones Explored with Targeted Metagenomics Using FrameBot, a New Informatics Tool
Authors: Wang Qiong , Quensen John F. , Fish Jordan A. , Kwon Lee Tae , Sun Yanni , Tiedje James M. , Cole James R.
Published: September 2013

Biological nitrogen fixation is an important component of sustainable soil fertility and a key component of the nitrogen cycle. We used targeted metagenomics to study the nitrogen fixation-capable terrestrial bacterial community by targeting the gene for nitrogenase reductase (
nifH
). We obtained 1.1 million
nifH
454 amplicon sequences from 222 soil samples collected from 4 National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) sites in Alaska, Hawaii, Utah, and Florida. To accurately detect and correct frameshifts caused by indel sequencing errors, we developed FrameBot, a tool for frameshift correction and nearest-neighbor classification, and compared its accuracy to that of two other rapid frameshift correction tools. We found FrameBot was, in general, more accurate as long as a reference protein sequence with 80% or greater identity to a query was available, as was the case for virtually all
nifH
reads for the 4 NEON sites. Frameshifts were present in 12.7% of the reads. Those
nifH
sequences related to the
Proteobacteria
phylum were most abundant, followed by those for
Cyanobacteria
in the Alaska and Utah sites. Predominant genera with
nifH
sequences similar to reads included
Azospirillum
,
Bradyrhizobium
, and
Rhizobium
, the latter two without obvious plant hosts at the sites. Surprisingly, 80% of the sequences had greater than 95% amino acid identity to known
nifH
gene sequences. These samples were grouped by site and correlated with soil environmental factors, especially drainage, light intensity, mean annual temperature, and mean annual precipitation. FrameBot was tested successfully on three ecofunctional genes but should be applicable to any.

IMPORTANCE
High-throughput phylogenetic analysis of microbial communities using rRNA-targeted sequencing is now commonplace; however, such data often allow little inference with respect to either the presence or the diversity of genes involved in most important ecological processes. To study the gene pool for these processes, it is more straightforward to assess the genes directly responsible for the ecological function (ecofunctional genes). However, analyzing these genes involves technical challenges beyond those seen for rRNA. In particular, frameshift errors cause garbled downstream protein translations. Our FrameBot tool described here both corrects frameshift errors in query reads and determines their closest matching protein sequences in a set of reference sequences. We validated this new tool with sequences from defined communities and demonstrated the tool’s utility on
nifH
gene fragments sequenced from soils in well-characterized and major terrestrial ecosystem types.
Acupuncture Referrals in Rural Primary Healthcare: A Survey of General Practitioners in Rural and Regional New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Wardle Jonathan Lee , Sibbritt David , Adams Jon
Published: September 2013

Background

Acupuncture services form a significant part of the Australian healthcare setting, with national registration of acupuncture practitioners, public subsidies for acupuncture services and high use of acupuncture by the Australian public. Despite these circumstances, there has been little exploration of the interface between acupuncture providers and conventional primary healthcare practitioners in rural and regional Australia.

Methods

A 27-item questionnaire was sent by post in the second half of 2010 to all 1486 general practitioners (GPs) currently practising in rural and regional Divisions of General Practice in New South Wales, Australia to explore their practices and attitudes to a variety of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices. Their responses on other therapies have been published previously; this report covers acupuncture.

Results

A total of 585 GPs completed the questionnaire; 49 were returned as ‘no longer at this address’, resulting in an adjusted response rate of 40.7%. Two-thirds of GPs (68.3%) referred patients to an acupuncturist at least a few times per year, while only 8.4% stated that they would not refer patients to an acupuncturist under any circumstances. GPs being older (OR=6.08), GPs being women (OR=2.94), GPs practising in a rural rather than remote area (OR=6.25), GPs having higher levels of self-reported knowledge of acupuncture (OR=5.54), the use of complementary medicine (CAM) by a GP for their personal health (OR=2.37), previous prescription of CAM to other patients (OR=2.99), lack of other treatment options (OR=4.31) and GPs using CAM practitioners as the major source of their CAM information (OR=3.05) were all predictive of increased referral to acupuncture among rural GPs.

Conclusions

There is a significant interface between acupuncture and Australian rural and regional general practice, with generally high levels of support for acupuncture.
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and congenital heart disease: this is not casual
Authors: Ferreira Ester , Camões Isabel
Published: September 2013

This case presents a patient with congenital cyanotic heart disease in whom secondary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy was diagnosed. The symptoms of severe bilateral leg pain started 2 months before hospital admission. The presence of clubbing, painful swelling of the lower limbs and his comorbid condition roused the suspicion of hypertrophic osteoarthropathy and a skeleton radiograph of the lower limbs was performed. The last showed changes consistent with periosteal new bone formation, so a non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug was started with complete resolution of the debilitating pain. Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is an uncommon disease that may be genetically acquired or secondary to other conditions affecting lungs, heart, liver or bowel. Considering it elusive pathogenesis, treatment options are scarce and symptomatic relief is still the main objective.
Thoracic outlet syndromes in sport: a practical review in the face of limited evidence — unusual pain presentation in an athlete
Authors: Twaij H , Rolls A , Sinisi M , Weiler R
Published: September 2013

Despite thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) being first described early in the 19th century, the subsequent literature seems limited, focusing on case reports and investigations providing little assistance in the management of equivocal presentations. Best practice clinical management, with little evidence base, poses great challenges for clinicians in deciding how to manage TOS, when to operate and which procedure should be undertaken. Furthermore, the implications of TOS and its surgical effects are poorly documented, with little evidence in the literature as to the impact of surgical intervention on athletes and their physiology or function. This paper describes a clinical example of TOS highlighting salient issues and examining the evidence to guide clinical management at each stage, in the case of a 26-year-old professional football player who suffered an acute onset of unilateral right shoulder to bicep pain associated with tingling in the hand. Clinicians managing similar cases in the future will have a reference point to assist their diagnosis, management and promote much needed research to further our understanding of this difficult syndrome.
The global burden of unsafe medical care: analytic modelling of observational studies
Authors: Jha Ashish K , Larizgoitia Itziar , Audera-Lopez Carmen , Prasopa-Plaizier Nittita , Waters Hugh , Bates David W
Published: September 2013

Objective

To contextualise the degree of harm that comes from unsafe medical care compared with individual health conditions using the global burden of disease (GBD), a metric to determine how much suffering is caused by individual diseases.

Design

Analytic modelling of observational studies investigating unsafe medical care in countries’ inpatient care settings, stratified by national income, to identify incidence of seven adverse events for GBD modelling. Observational studies were generated through a comprehensive search of over 16 000 articles written in English after 1976, of which over 4000 were appropriate for full text review.

Results

The incidence, clinical outcomes, demographics and costs for each of the seven adverse events were collected from each publication when available. We used disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost as a standardised metric to measure morbidity and mortality due to specific adverse events. We estimate that there are 421 million hospitalisations in the world annually, and approximately 42.7 million adverse events. These adverse events result in 23 million DALYs lost per year. Approximately two-thirds of all adverse events, and the DALYs lost from them, occurred in low-income and middle-income countries.

Conclusions

This study provides early evidence that adverse events due to medical care represent a major source of morbidity and mortality globally. Though suffering related to the lack of access to care in many countries remains, these findings suggest the importance of critically evaluating the quality and safety of the care provided once a person accesses health services. While further refinements of the estimates are needed, these data should be a call to global health policymakers to make patient safety an international priority.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE BHATNAGAR–GROSS–KROOK MODEL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF RAREFIED GAS DYNAMICS IN THE EARLY YEARS OF THE SPACE AGE
Authors: NARASIMHA RODDAM
Published: September 2013

The advent of the space age in 1957 was accompanied by a sudden surge of interest in rarefied gas dynamics (RGD). The well-known difficulties associated with solving the Boltzmann equation that governs RGD made progress slow but the Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook (BGK) model, proposed three years before Sputnik, turned out to have been an uncannily timely, attractive and fruitful option, both for gaining insights into the Boltzmann equation and for estimating various technologically useful flow parameters. This paper gives a view of how BGK contributed to the growth of RGD during the first decade of the space age. Early efforts intended to probe the limits of the BGK model showed that, in and near both the continuum Euler limit and the collisionless Knudsen limit, BGK could provide useful answers. Attempts were therefore made to tackle more ambitious nonlinear nonequilibrium problems. The most challenging of these was the structure of a plane shock wave. The first exact numerical solutions of the BGK equation for the shock appeared during 1962 to 1964, and yielded deep insights into the character of transitional nonequilibrium flows that had resisted all attempts at solution through the Boltzmann equation. In particular, a BGK weak shock was found to be amenable to an asymptotic analysis. The results highlighted the importance of accounting separately for fast-molecule dynamics, most strikingly manifested as tails in the distribution function, both in velocity and in physical space — tails are strange versions or combinations of collisionless and collision-generated flows. However, by the mid-1960s Monte-Carlo methods of solving the full Boltzmann equation were getting to be mature and reliable and interest in the BGK waned in the following years. Interestingly, it has seen a minor revival in recent years as a tool for developing more effective algorithms in continuum computational fluid dynamics, but the insights derived from the BGK for strongly nonequilibrium flows should be of lasting value.
Classifying elementary cellular automata using compressibility, diversity and sensitivity measures
Authors: Ninagawa Shigeru , Adamatzky Andrew
Published: September 2013

An elementary cellular automaton (ECA) is a one-dimensional, synchronous, binary automaton, where each cell update depends on its own state and states of its two closest neighbors. We attempt to uncover correlations between the following measures of ECA behavior: compressibility, sensitivity and diversity. The compressibility of ECA configurations is calculated using the Lempel–Ziv (LZ) compression algorithm LZ78. The sensitivity of ECA rules to initial conditions and perturbations is evaluated using Derrida coefficients. The generative morphological diversity shows how many different neighborhood states are produced from a single nonquiescent cell. We found no significant correlation between sensitivity and compressibility. There is a substantial correlation between generative diversity and compressibility. Using sensitivity, compressibility and diversity, we uncover and characterize novel groupings of rules.
OPTOMECHANICS OF LEVITATED DIELECTRIC PARTICLES
Authors: YIN ZHANG-QI , GERACI ANDREW A. , LI TONGCANG
Published: September 2013

We review recent works on optomechanics of optically trapped microspheres and nanoparticles in vacuum, which provide an ideal system for studying macroscopic quantum mechanics and ultrasensitive force detection. An optically trapped particle in vacuum has an ultrahigh mechanical quality factor as it is well-isolated from the thermal environment. Its oscillation frequency can be tuned in real time by changing the power of the trapping laser. Furthermore, an optically trapped particle in vacuum may rotate freely, a unique property that does not exist in clamped mechanical oscillators. In this review, we will introduce the current status of optical trapping of dielectric particles in air and vacuum, Brownian motion of an optically trapped particle at room temperature, Feedback cooling and cavity cooling of the Brownian motion. We will also discuss about using optically trapped dielectric particles for studying macroscopic quantum mechanics and ultrasensitive force detection. Applications range from creating macroscopic Schrödinger's cat state, testing objective collapse models of quantum wavefunctions, measuring Casimir force, searching short-range non-Newtonian gravity, to detect gravitational waves.
EFFECT OF HEAT TREATMENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MAGNETOSTRICTIVE PROPERTY OF MELT-SPUN Fe85Ga15 RIBBONS
Authors: LIU HAO , WANG HAIOU , CAO MENGXIONG , TAN WEISHI , SHI YANGGUANG , CHEN YU , HUANG YUYING
Published: September 2013

In order to study the microstructure of Fe – Ga alloy, Fe 85 Ga 15 ribbons prepared with different wheel velocity were studied by high resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and extend X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). HRXRD patterns showed that only disordered A 2 phase was observed in as-cast Fe 85 Ga 15 alloy. A modified- DO 3 phase was detected in all of the melt spun samples. The HRXRD associated with EXAFS results indicated that Ga atoms were located as second-nearest neighbor along [100] orientation. A little DO 3 phase was found in ribbons annealed at 1000°C under 0.06 MPa Ar atmosphere. The result of magnetostriction measurement revealed that in the ribbon prepared with higher wheel velocity, more modified- DO 3 phase will enhance the magnetostriction. DO 3 phase in the annealed sample will deteriorate the magnetostrictive properties of Fe – Ga ribbons.
SYNCHRONIZATION AND BASINS OF SYNCHRONIZED STATES IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL PIECEWISE MAPS VIA COUPLING THREE PIECES OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL MAPS
Authors: FOURNIER-PRUNARET DANIELE , ROCHA J. LEONEL , CANECO ACILINA , FERNANDES SARA , GRACIO CLARA
Published: September 2013

This paper is devoted to the synchronization of a dynamical system defined by two different coupling versions of two identical piecewise linear bimodal maps. We consider both local and global studies, using different tools as natural transversal Lyapunov exponent, Lyapunov functions, eigenvalues and eigenvectors and numerical simulations. We obtain theoretical results for the existence of synchronization on coupling parameter range. We characterize the synchronization manifold as an attractor and measure the synchronization speed. In one coupling version, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for the synchronization. We study the basins of synchronization and show that, depending upon the type of coupling, they can have very different shapes and are not necessarily constituted by the whole phase space; in some cases, they can be riddled.
DYNAMICS OF THE MUTHUSWAMY–CHUA SYSTEM
Authors: ZHANG YUANFAN , ZHANG XIANG
Published: September 2013

The Muthuswamy–Chua system [Formula: see text] describes the simplest electronic circuit which can have chaotic phenomena. In this paper, we first prove the existence of three families of consecutive periodic orbits of the system when α = 0, two of which are located on consecutive invariant surfaces and form two invariant topological cylinders. Then we prove that for α > 0 if the system has a periodic orbit or a chaotic attractor, it must intersect both of the planes z = 0 and z = -1 infinitely many times as t tends to infinity. As a byproduct, we get an example of unstable invariant topological cylinders which are not normally hyperbolic and which are also destroyed under small perturbations.
STABILITY OF REGULATORY PROTEIN GRADIENTS INDUCED BY MORPHOGEN DPP IN DROSOPHILA WING DISC
Authors: YIN HONGWEI , XIAO XIAOYONG , WEN XIAOQING , ZHOU TIANSHOU
Published: September 2013

In the development of Drosophila wing disc, morphogen Dpp, which is a signaling molecule from a local region and disperses into anterior and posterior compartments, builds up a gradient with precise pattern information. Experiments have demonstrated that the key genes (brk, dad, omb and sal) and phosphorylated protein (pMad), which are activated by Dpp signaling molecules and form the gradients of the corresponding proteins of these genes, direct and control the spatial pattern of the wing disc. However, the regulatory network of these genes are in complex and nonlinear interaction with upstream regulators and downstream targets. In this paper, the mathematical model is built according to the regulatory relationships of these key genes. The stabilities of the gradients of these corresponding proteins are investigated. Furthermore, numerical simulations show that these gradients are robust with respect to some major reaction rates in this regulatory network.
ON THE EINSTEIN–MAXWELL–THOMAS–FERMI EQUATIONS OF EQUILIBRIUM FOR WHITE DWARFS AND NEUTRON STARS
Authors: RUEDA JORGE A. , RUFFINI REMO
Published: September 2013

We summarize recent progress in the formulation of a theory for white dwarfs and neutron stars taking into account the strong, weak, electromagnetic and gravitational interactions based on the general relativistic Thomas–Fermi equations of equilibrium and the Einstein–Maxwell equations.
ACCEPTANCE SAMPLING PLANS FOR PERCENTILES OF HALF LOGISTIC DISTRIBUTION
Authors: SRINIVASA RAO B. , KANTAM R. R. L.
Published: September 2013

In this article, acceptance sampling plans are developed for the half logistic distribution percentiles when the life test is truncated at a pre-specified time. The minimum sample size necessary to ensure the specified life percentile is obtained under a given consumerś risk. The operating characteristic values of the sampling plans as well as the producerś risk are presented.
BUCKLING DEFORMATION OF ANNULAR PLATES DESCRIBING NATURAL FORMS
Authors: ZHANG YANG , CHEN LU , SWADDIWUDHIPONG SOMSAK , LIU ZISHUN
Published: September 2013

It has been observed that undulating periodic patterns formed on an initial flat annular plate that model the leaves of plants are a physical response to the expansion of the surface under a lateral restraint. They are not visible at the beginning but become apparent only when the plants continue to grow. The behavior can be explained via the inhomogeneous deformation of gel materials that behave in a similar manner to hyperelastic materials in solid mechanics.This paper compares the stability of thin annular plates clamped along the inner edge and free along the outer periphery using numerical simulations of the swelling of thin gel annular plate held along the inner edge as well as analysis of a similar class of structures by solid mechanics concept via energy principle. The trends of results from both approaches compare favorably. The buckling patterns of annular plates with various values of inner radius to outer radius ratio illustrate the relationship between the geometry of the annular plate and the inhomogeneous deformation of gels or buckling patterns of solid mechanics materials. The undulating patterns on leaves such as those of flowering cabbage can thus be explained via the buckling behavior of annular plates, which can be regarded as thin soft materials adhered to a stiffer core. The study can also be extended to cover other stimuli under different environmental conditions and the outcome may bring further insights into the evolution of plants.
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS ON NONLINEAR FREE VIBRATION OF CARBON NANOTUBE REINFORCED COMPOSITE BEAMS
Authors: LIN F. , XIANG Y.
Published: September 2013

This paper investigates the free vibration of nanocomposite beams reinforced by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The distribution of the SWCNTs may vary through the thickness of a beam and are aligned along the beam axial direction. The virtual strain and kinetic energies of the carbon nanotube (CNT) composite beam are obtained using the classical variational method of Hamilton's principle, and the geometric nonlinearity of von Kármán sense is also included. The eigenvalue equation for free vibration of the beam is derived by the p-Ritz method. Vibration frequency parameters for the uniformly distributed (UD) and functionally graded (FG) CNT beams based on the first-order and third-order beam theories are presented and the effects of CNT filler volume fraction, distribution, beam length to depth ratio and end support conditions on the nonlinear free vibration characteristics of the beams are discussed. Comparison studies for UD-CNT and FG-CNT beams based on the first-order and the third-order beam theories are also performed and the differences in vibration frequencies and the nonlinear to linear frequency ratios between these two theories are highlighted.
GKW representation theorem under restricted information: An application to risk-minimization
Authors: Ceci Claudia , Cretarola Alessandra , Russo Francesco
Published: September 2013

We provide Galtchouk–Kunita–Watanabe representation results in the case where there are restrictions on the available information. This allows one to prove the existence and uniqueness of solution for special equations driven by a general square integrable càdlàg martingale under partial information. Furthermore, we discuss an application to risk-minimization where we extend the results of Föllmer and Sondermann, Hedging of non-redundant contingent claims, to the partial information framework and we show how our result fits in the approach of Schweizer, Risk-minimizing hedging strategies under restricted information.
Thermodynamic formalism for a modified shift map
Authors: Muir Stephen , Urbański Mariusz
Published: September 2013

We introduce a transfer operator and use it to prove some theorems of a classical flavor from thermodynamic formalism (including existence and uniqueness of appropriately defined Gibbs states and equilibrium states for potential functions satisfying Dini's condition and stochastic laws for Hölder continuous potential and observable functions) in a novel setting: the "alphabet" E is a compact metric space equipped with an a priori probability measure ν and an endomorphism T. The "modified shift map" S is defined on the product space Eℕ by the rule (x1x2x3…) ↦ (T(x2)x3…). The greatest novelty is found in the variational principle, where a term must be added to the entropy to reflect the transformation of the first coordinate by T after shifting. Our motivation is that this system, in its full generality, cannot be treated by the existing methods of either rigorous statistical mechanics of lattice gases (where only the true shift action is used) or dynamical systems theory (where the a priori measure is always implicitly taken to be the counting measure).
Porphyrins functionalized by quaternary pyridinium units
Authors: Girek Beata , Sliwa Wanda
Published: September 2013

In this review, free-base and metalloporphyrins, functionalized on meso-positions by quaternary pyridinium units, also referred to as cationic porphyrins, are presented. The article consists of five parts. In the first part free-base porphyrins are described, especially taking account on generation of singlet oxygen; next parts concern metalloporphyrins. The second and third parts deal with zinc and manganese porphyrins, respectively; in the fourth part copper, palladium, and platinum porphyrins are presented. In the fifth part, describing porphyrins with various metal ions an attention is paid to porphyrin metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and metal-organic materials (MOMs) in which metalloporphyrins are immobilized; syntheses and characterization of obtained products are shown.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRESSURE-DEPENDENT ELASTOPLASTIC COSSERAT CONTINUUM MODEL AND FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION OF STRAIN LOCALIZATION
Authors: TANG HONGXIANG , HU ZHAOLONG , LI XIKUI
Published: September 2013

A pressure-dependent elastoplastic Cosserat continuum model for three-dimensional problems is presented in this paper. The nonassociated Drucker–Prager yield criterion is particularly considered. Splitting the scalar product of the stress rate and the strain rate into the deviatoric and the spherical parts, the consistent algorithm of the pressure-dependent elastoplastic model is derived in the three-dimensional framework of Cosserat continuum theory, i.e., the return mapping algorithm for the integration of the rate constitutive equation and the closed form of the consistent elastoplastic tangent modulus matrix. The matrix inverse operation usually required in the calculation of elastoplastic tangent constitutive modulus matrix is avoided, that ensures the second order convergence rate and the computational efficiency of the model in numerical solution procedure. A comparison is performed between the classical and Cosserat continuum model through the numerical results of three-dimensional shear structure, tensile specimen, footing on a soil foundation, and soil slope stability. It illustrates that mesh dependency and numerical difficulties exist in classical model, while Cosserat model possesses the capability and performance in keeping the well-posedness of the boundary value problems with strain softening behavior incorporated. The relationship between the internal length scale and the width of shear band and the load-carrying capability of the structure has also been demonstrated.
The Information Content of Option-Based Forecasts of Volatility: Evidence from the Italian Stock Market
Authors: Muzzioli Silvia
Published: September 2013

The aim of this paper is to comprehensively compare option-based measures of volatility, with the ultimate plan of devising a new volatility index for the Italian stock market. The performance of the different implied volatility measures in forecasting future volatility is evaluated both in a statistical and in an economic setting. The properties of the implied volatility measures are also explored, by looking at both the contemporaneous relationship between implied volatility changes and market returns and the usefulness of the proposed index in forecasting future market returns.

The results of the paper are of practical importance for both policy-makers and investors. The volatility index, based on corridor measures, could be used to forecast market volatility, for value at risk purposes, in order to determine trading strategies on the underlying index and as an early warning for future market conditions.
The 14th Asian Physics Olympiad was held in Bogor Indonesia
Authors: Kwee Hendra
Published: September 2013

The 14th Asian Physics Olympiad (APhO), held in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia from May 5 – 13, 2013, was organized by Surya Institute, a non-profit foundation founded by Prof. Yohanes Surya, Ph.D that actively promotes science and mathematics in Indonesia. The event was sponsored by P.T. Telekomunikasi Indonesia Tbk. (Telkom), the largest telecommunication service provider company in Indonesia [1].
Australian Astronomical Observatory
Authors: Hopkins A. M.
Published: September 2013

The Australian Astronomical Observatory (AAO) is a Division of the Australian Federal Government's Department of Innovation, Industry, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). The AAO operates the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and the United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope (UKST) at Siding Spring Observatory, near Coonabarabran in north-western New South Wales. The AAO also hosts the Australian Gemini Office (AusGO) , which manages the allocation of time to Australian astronomers on the Gemini telescopes, as well as on Keck, Subaru and Magellan, through time-sharing or purchase agreements. The AAO's primary telescope facility, the AAT, is described here, with emphasis on its availability for international observers through our regular calls for proposals.
Tubercular Ascites Simulating Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome following In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Pregnancy
Authors: Ramachandran Amar , Kumar Pratap , Manohar Naveen , Acharya Raviraj , Eipe Anita , Bhat Rajeshwari G. , Dias Lorraine Simone , Raghavan Padmaja
Published: September 2013

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a known complication of using ovulation induction drugs in assisted reproductive techniques. Its incidence and severity vary. Tuberculosis is a very common disease in the developing world, and ascites is one of its sequelae. The newer aids in diagnosing tuberculosis include measuring levels of Adenosine DeAminase (ADA) in the third-space fluids or serum. This case report is from a tertiary care center, reflecting how tubercular ascites simulated OHSS, and the right diagnosis was made and managed. This is being presented due to its rarity.
Solitary Wave Solutions and Periodic Wave Solutions of theK(m,n)Equation witht-Dependent Coefficients
Authors: Li Wei
Published: September 2013

The Exp-function method combined withF-expansion method is employed to investigate theK(m,n)equation witht-dependent coefficients. The solitary wave solutions and periodic wave solutions to the equation are constructed analytically under certain circumstances. The results presented in this paper improve the previous results.
A Cluster Truncated Pareto Distribution and Its Applications
Authors: Huang Mei Ling , Coia Vincenzo , Brill Percy
Published: September 2013

The Pareto distribution is a heavy-tailed distribution with many applications in the real
world. The tail of the distribution is important, but the threshold of the distribution is difficult
to determine in some situations. In this paper we consider two real-world examples with heavy-tailed observations, which leads us to propose a mixture truncated Pareto distribution (MTPD)
and study its properties. We construct a cluster truncated Pareto distribution (CTPD) by using
a two-point slope technique to estimate the MTPD from a random sample. We apply the MTPD
and CTPD to the two examples and compare the proposed method with existing estimation
methods. The results of log-log plots and goodness-of-fit tests show that the MTPD and the
cluster estimation method produce very good fitting distributions with real-world data.
Serum Testosterone Level, Testosterone Replacement Treatment, and Prostate Cancer
Authors: Atan Ali , Tuncel Altug , Yesil Suleyman , Balbay Derya
Published: September 2013

There has been an increase in the number of individuals seeking testosterone (T) replacement treatment (TRT) due to a decrease in their blood T levels. Prostate cancer (PCa) is also an important issue in the same age group. However, we, urologists, are anxious about PCa development after T treatment. This is because it has been assumed that T may cause PCa or exacerbate insidious PCa which is already present. In this paper, recent developments regarding the relationship between serum levels of sex hormone and prostate tissue, the causal relationship between T and development of PCa, the effect of TRT on the group of patients who are at high risk of developing PCa, the suitability of TRT for patients who have already been diagnosed with PCa, and the effect of TRT on serum prostate-specific antigen level are analyzed.
W-LEACH Based Dynamic Adaptive Data Aggregation Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Abdulsalam Hanady M. , Ali Bader A.
Published: September 2013

We consider the problem of data aggregation for nonuniform and evolving wireless sensor networks. We introduce a new data aggregation algorithm that is able to run on uniform, non-uniform, and evolving networks while maintaining the data accuracy. In addition, the algorithm is able to handle sudden bursts in the underlying data by recording the data in the area of interest for the whole event duration. Experimental results on real and synthetic data show that the algorithm performs well in terms of extending the lifetime of the network, maintaining the original distribution of the sensors as long as possible, maintaining the accuracy of the sensed data, and being able to detect and handle sudden bursts of data.
Competitive Interaction of Axonopus compressus and Asystasia gangetica under Contrasting Sunlight Intensity
Authors: Samedani B. , Juraimi A. S. , Anwar M. P. , Rafii M. Y. , Sheikh Awadz S. H. , Anuar A. R.
Published: September 2013

Axonopus compressus is one of the native soft grass species in oil palm in Malaysia which can be used as a cover crop. The competitive ability of A. compressus to overcome A. gangetica was studied using multiple‐density, multiple‐proportion replacements series under a glasshouse and full sunlight conditions in a poly bag for 10 weeks. A. compressus produced more dry weight and leaf area when competing against A. gangetica than in monoculture at both densities in the full sunlight and at high density in the shade. Moreover, the relative yield and relative crowding coefficients also indicated A. compressus is a stronger competitor than A. gangetica at both densities in the full sunlight and high density in the shade. It seemed that A. gangetica plants in the shade did not compete with each other and were more competitive against A. compressus as could influence A. compressus height in the shade. It is concluded that although suppression of A. gangetica by A. compressus occurred under full sunlight, irrespective of plant density, this ability reduced under shade as A. compressus density decreased. The result suggests that A. compressus in high density could be considered as a candidate for cover crops under oil palm canopy.
Electric Control Substituting Pitch Control for Large Wind Turbines
Authors: Kjellin Jon , Eriksson Sandra , Bernhoff Hans
Published: September 2013

A completely electrical control of a variable speed wind turbine is experimentally verified. A vertical axis wind turbine with a direct driven generator and an electrical system with diode rectification and full inverter connected to the electric grid is presented. This is the first paper that presents this novel 200 kW wind power plant erected at the west coast of Sweden. The
turbine has fixed pitch and is only controlled electrically accommodated by passive stall of the blades. By electrically controlling the generator rotational speed with the inverter, passive stall regulation is enabled. The first results on experimental verification of stall regulation in gusty wind speeds are presented. The experiments show that the control system can keep the turbine rotational speed constant even at very gusty winds. It is concluded that electrical control accommodated by passive stall is sufficient as control of the wind turbine even at high wind speeds and can substitute mechanical control such as blade pitch.
Recent Advances in the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Hair Loss Disease Alopecia Areata
Authors: Ito Taisuke
Published: September 2013

Alopecia areata is considered to be a cell-mediated autoimmune disease, in which autoreactive cytotoxic T cells recognize melanocyte-associated proteins such as tyrosinase. This review discusses recent advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of alopecia areata, focusing on immunobiology and hormonal aspects of hair follicles (HFs). The HF is a unique “miniorgan” with its own immune and hormonal microenvironment. The immunosuppressive milieu of the anagen hair bulb modulated by immunosuppressive factors is known as “hair follicle immune privilege.” The collapse of the hair follicle immune privilege leads to autoimmune reactions against hair follicle autoantigens. Alopecia areata is sometimes triggered by viral infections such as influenza that causes excess production of interferons (IFN). IFN-γis one of the key factors that lead to the collapse of immune privilege. This paper reviews the interactions between the endocrine and immune systems and hair follicles in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata.
Parallel PWMs Based Fully Digital Transmitter with Wide Carrier Frequency Range
Authors: Zhou Bo , Zhang Kun , Zhou Wenbiao , Zhang Yanjun , Liu Dake
Published: September 2013

The carrier‐frequency (CF) and intermediate‐frequency (IF) pulse‐width modulators (PWMs) based on delay lines are proposed, where baseband signals are conveyed by both positions and pulse widths or densities of the carrier clock. By combining IF‐PWM and precorrected CF‐PWM, a fully digital transmitter with unit‐delay autocalibration is implemented in 180 nm CMOS for high reconfiguration. The proposed architecture achieves wide CF range of 2 M–1 GHz, high power efficiency of 70%, and low error vector magnitude (EVM) of 3%, with spectrum purity of 20 dB optimized in comparison to the existing designs.
An Analytical Framework of a Deployment Strategy for Cloud Computing Services: A Case Study of Academic Websites
Authors: Chen Chi-Hua , Lin Hui-Fei , Chang Hsu-Chia , Ho Ping-Hsien , Lo Chi-Chun
Published: September 2013

Cloud computing has become a popular topic for exploration in both academic and industrial research in recent years. In this paper, network behavior is analyzed to assess and compare the costs and risks associated with traditional local servers versus those associated with cloud computing to determine the appropriate deployment strategy. An analytic framework of a deployment strategy that involves two mathematical models and the analytical hierarchy process is proposed to analyze the costs and service level agreements of services involving using traditional local servers and platform as service platforms in the cloud. Two websites are used as test sites to analyze the costs and risks of deploying services inGoogle App Engine(GAE) (1) the website ofInformation and Finance of Management(IFM) at theNational Chiao Tung University(NCTU) and (2) the NCTU website. If the examined websites were deployed in GAE, NCTU would save over 83.34% of the costs associated with using a traditional local server with low risk. Therefore, both the IFM and NCTU websites can be served appropriately in the cloud. Based on this strategy, a suggestion is proposed for managers and professionals.
A Second-Order Sliding Mode Controller Design for Spacecraft Tracking Control
Authors: Zhao Yu-Xin , Wu Tian , Li Gang
Published: September 2013

For spacecraft attitude tracking system, there exists the chattering phenomenon. In this paper, the spacecraft motion is decomposed into three-channel subsystems, and a second-order sliding mode control is proposed. This method has been proved to have good convergence and robustness. Combined with the proposed sliding surface, the three-channel controllers are designed. The control performance is confirmed by the simulation results, the approaching process is improved effectively, and a smooth transition is achieved without overshoot and buffeting.
Early Rupture of an Ultralow Duodenal Stump after Extended Surgery for Gastric Cancer with Duodenal Invasion Managed by Tube Duodenostomy and Cholangiostomy
Authors: Blouhos Konstantinos , Boulas Konstantinos A. , Konstantinidou Anna , Salpigktidis Ilias I. , Katsaouni Stavroula P. , Ioannidis Konstantinos , Hatzigeorgiadis Anestis
Published: September 2013

When dealing with gastric cancer with duodenal invasion, gastrectomy with distal resection of the duodenum is necessary to achieve negative distal margin. However, rupture of an ultralow duodenal stump necessitates advanced surgical skills and close postoperative observation. The present study reports a case of an early duodenal stump rupture after subtotal gastrectomy with resection of the whole first part of the duodenum, complete omentectomy, bursectomy, and D2+ lymphadenectomy performed for a pT3pN2pM1 (+ number 13 lymph nodes) adenocarcinoma of the antrum. Duodenal stump rupture was managed successfully by end tube duodenostomy, without omental patching, and tube cholangiostomy. Close assessment of clinical, physical, and radiological signs, output volume, and enzyme concentration of the tube duodenostomy, T-tube, and closed suction drain, which was placed near the tube duodenostomy site to drain the leak around the catheter, dictated postoperative management of the external duodenal fistula.
The Use of Injectable Chitosan/Nanohydroxyapatite/Collagen Composites with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Promote Ectopic Bone Formation In Vivo
Authors: Yu Bo , Zhang Yichen , Li Xiaoming , Wang Qiongren , Ouyang Yi , Xia Yuanyou , Yu Bo , Lin Bomiao , Li Songjian , Fan Yubo , Chen Yan
Published: September 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate ectopic in vivo bone formation with or without rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) of an injectable Chitosan/Nanohydroxyapatite/Collagen (CS/nHAC) composite. The CS/nHAC composites were injected subcutaneously into the backs of Wistar rats with freshly loaded rBMSCs at a density of 10 × 106 cells/mL, and the CS/nHAC composites without cells were used as negative controls. New bone formation, degradation of composites, and degree of calcification were evaluated by Computed Tomography (CT) and three‐dimensional (3D) CT reconstruction. Histological evaluations were performed to further assess bone structure and extracellular matrix by HE and Masson staining. The inflammatory reactions related to osteogenesis were also investigated in the present study. In comparison with the CS/nHAC composites, this study revealed that CS/nHAC/rBMSCs composites showed relatively higher percentage of calcification, better establishment of ECM, and less degradation rate. Meanwhile, different extents of inflammatory reactions were also observed in the CS/nHAC and CS/nHAC/rBMSCs explants at 2 and 4 weeks after implantation. Altogether, CS/nHAC/rBMSCs composites are superior to CS/nHAC composites in ectopic bone formation. In conclusion, the rBMSCs‐seeded CS/nHAC composites may be beneficial to enhancing ectopic bone formation in vivo.
Anticonvulsant Effect ofAntiaris toxicaria(Pers.) Lesch. (Moraceae) Aqueous Extract in Rodents
Authors: Mante Priscilla Kolibea , Adongo Donatus Wewura , Woode Eric , Kukuia Kennedy Kwami Edem , Ameyaw Elvis Ofori
Published: September 2013

Antiaris toxicaria(Moraceae) was evaluated for anticonvulsant activity in rodents. Animal models used include maximal electroshock test (MEST); pentylenetetrazole-induced (PTZ) convulsions; picrotoxin-induced (PCT) convulsions; strychnine- (STR-) and 4-aminopyridine-induced convulsions. Increase in latency to seizures as well as reduction in duration and frequency of seizures indicated anticonvulsant activity. The extract was more effective in all models used except the maximal electroshock test and strychnine-induced convulsions.Antiaris toxicariaaqueous extract (200, 400, and 800 mg kg−1) significantly () shortened the duration of convulsions in PTZ- and PCT-induced seizures. Delay in the onset of convulsions in the two tests was significant (). Reduction in the frequency of seizures was also significant () in both tests.Antiarisfurther delayed the onset of seizures in 4-aminopyridine model while producing 75% protection against death in mice. Diazepam (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg kg−1), carbamazepine (3, 10, and 30 mg kg−1), and sodium valproate (100–400 mg kg−1) were used as reference anticonvulsant drugs for various models. Flumazenil blocked the effect of the extract in the PTZ test significantly suggesting thatAntiaris toxicariamay be acting by enhancing the effects of the GABAergic system.Antiaris toxicariaaqueous extract therefore possesses anticonvulsant activity.
Physical Activity in Adolescents following Treatment for Cancer: Influencing Factors
Authors: Wright Marilyn , Bryans Angie , Gray Kaylin , Skinner Leah , Verhoeve Amanda
Published: September 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine physical activity levels and influencing individual and environmental factors in a group of adolescent survivors of cancer and a comparison group. Methods. The study was conducted using a “mixed methods” design. Quantitative data was collected from 48 adolescent survivors of cancer and 48 comparison adolescents using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire, the Fatigue Scale—Adolescents, and the Amherst Health and Activity Study—Student Survey. Qualitative data was collected in individual semistructured interviews. Results. Reported leisure-time physical activity total scores were not significantly different between groups. Physical activity levels were positively correlated with adult social support factors in the group of adolescent survivors of cancer, but not in the comparison group. Time was the primary barrier to physical activity in both groups. Fatigue scores were higher for the comparison but were not associated with physical activity levels in either group. The qualitative data further supported these findings. Conclusions. Barriers to physical activity were common between adolescent survivors of cancer and a comparative group. Increased knowledge of the motivators and barriers to physical activity may help health care providers and families provide more effective health promotion strategies to adolescent survivors of pediatric cancer.
Cerebral Activation during Von Frey Filament Stimulation in Subjects with Endothelin-1-Induced Mechanical Hyperalgesia: A Functional MRI Study
Authors: Hans Guy H. , Vandervliet Everhard , Deseure Kristof , Parizel Paul M.
Published: September 2013

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an endogenously expressed potent peptide vasoconstrictor. There is growing evidence that ET-1 plays a role in the pain signaling system and triggers overt nociception in humans. The underlying neuronal pathways are still a matter of great debate. In the present study, we applied an intradermal ET-1 sensitization model to induce mechanical hyperalgesia in healthy subjects. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to tease out the cortical regions associated with the processing of ET-1-induced punctate hyperalgesia, as compared to a nonnoxious mechanical stimulation of the contralateral arm. Von Frey hair testing revealed the presence of increased responsiveness to punctate stimulation in all subjects. Activational patterns between nonpainful control stimulation and hyperalgesic stimulation were compared. Two major observations were made: (1) all cortical areas that showed activation during the control stimulation were also present during hyperalgesic stimulation, but in addition, some areas showed bilateral activation only during hyperalgesic stimulation, and (2) some brain areas showed significantly higher signal changes during hyperalgesic stimulation. Our findings suggest that injection of ET-1 leads to a state of punctate hyperalgesia, which in turn causes the activation of multiple brain regions. This indicates that ET-1 activates an extended neuronal pathway.
Semicommutators and Zero Product of Block Toeplitz Operators with Harmonic Symbols
Authors: Cui Puyu , Lu Yufeng , Shi Yanyue
Published: September 2013

We completely characterize the finite rank semicommutators, commutators, and zero product of block Toeplitz operatorsTFandTGwithF,G∈h∞⊗Mn×non the vector valued Bergman spaceLa2(𝔻,ℂn).