bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fixed Point Theorems and Error Bounds in Partial Metric Spaces
Authors: Mohsenalhosseini S. A. M.
Published: December 2013

This paper is introduced as a survey of result on some generalization of Banach’s fixed point and their approximations to the fixed point and error bounds, and it contains some new fixed point theorems and applications on dualistic partial metric spaces.
Microbial Assessment and Prevalence of Foodborne Pathogens in Natural Cheeses in Japan
Authors: Esho Firew Kassa , Enkhtuya Budbazar , Kusumoto Akiko , Kawamoto Keiko
Published: December 2013

The production and consumption of domestic natural cheese in Japan is increasing year by year. More than ninety percent of domestic natural cheese is produced in Hokkaido region of Japan, while information on its quality and safety related to foodborne pathogens is limited. To assess the microbiological safety of domestic natural cheese, a total of 126 natural cheese samples produced in Hokkaido were collected from December, 2012, to July, 2013. In addition to standard plate count (SPC) and coliform counts, the prevalence study of three pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, pathogenicEscherichia coli, andSalmonellaspp.) was performed on each sample. Real-time PCR and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer methods were employed for identification of presumptive pathogens. Coliform was detected in 25 samples (19.8%) with a minimum of 25 cfu/g and a maximum of more than 3.0 × 106 cfu/g.Salmonellaspp. andL. monocytogeneswere not isolated from any of the samples. Only one sample (0.80%) showed positive PCR amplification foripaHgene suggesting possible contamination of enteroinvasiveE. coliorShigellain this product. Overall results indicate that natural cheeses produced in Hokkaido region were satisfactory microbiological quality according to existing international standards.
Second Law Analysis of Laminar Flow in a Circular Pipe Immersed in an Isothermal Fluid
Authors: Anand Vishal , Nelanti Krishna
Published: December 2013

Entropy generation and pumping power to heat transfer ratio (PPR) of a laminar flow, for a circular tube immersed in an isothermal fluid, are studied analytically in this paper. Two different fluids, namely, water and ethylene glycol, are chosen to study the influence of fluid properties on entropy generation and PPR. The expressions for dimensionless entropy generation, Bejan number and PPR are derived in a detailed way and their variations with Reynolds number, external Biot number, and the dimensionless temperature difference are illustrated. The results of the analysis are compared with those for a laminar flow in a circular tube with uniform wall temperature boundary condition. Finally, a criterion is established to determine which type of thermal boundary conditions is more suitable for a particular fluid, with respect to its influence on entropy generation.
Anesthetic and Airways Management of a Dog with Severe Tracheal Collapse during Intraluminal Stent Placement
Authors: Argano M. , Gendron K. , Rytz U. , Adami C.
Published: December 2013

This case report describes the anesthetic and airways management of a dog affected by 4th degree tracheal collapse and undergoing endoscope-guided intraluminal stent placement. After premedication with acepromazine and butorphanol, general anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with intravenous propofol and butorphanol in constant rate infusion. During intraluminal stent placement, oxygen was supplemented by means of a simple and inexpensive handmade device, namely, a ureteral catheter inserted into the trachea and connected to an oxygen source, which allowed for the maintenance of airways’ patency and adequate patient’s oxygenation, without decreasing visibility in the surgical field or interfering with the procedure. The use of the technique described in the present paper was the main determinant of the successful anesthetic management and may be proposed for similar critical cases in which surgical manipulation of the tracheal lumen, which may potentially result in hypoxia by compromising airways patency, is required.
Cationic Gelatin Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to the Ocular Surface: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Tseng Ching-Li , Chen Ko-Hua , Su Wen-Yu , Lee Yen-Hsien , Wu Chi-Chang , Lin Fen-Huei
Published: December 2013

To develop an effective ocular drug delivery carrier, we prepared two different charged gelatin nanoparticles (GPs) and evaluated particle size, surface charge, and morphology. The in vitro biocompatibility of GPs was assessed using human corneal epithelium (HCE) cells and in vivo safety by administering them as eye drops to New Zealand rabbits. The GPs prepared using type A gelatin were positively charged (GP(+), +33 mV; size, 180.6 ± 45.7 nm). Water‐soluble tetrazolium salt (WST)‐1 assay showed that both GPs were nontoxic to HCE cells. The fluorescence intensity of HCE cells cultured with cationic GPs conjugated with a fluorescent dye was higher than that of the anionic GP‐treated HCE cells. In vivo examination showed no serious irritation to the rabbit eyes. Furthermore, corneal thickness and ocular pressure in the eyes of the treated rabbits were similar to those in the eyes of normal rabbits. Microscopic examination of corneal cryosections showed widely distributed fluorescent nanocarriers, from the anterior to the posterior part of the cornea of the GP(+) group, and higher fluorescence intensity in the GP(+) group was also observed. In conclusion, GPs as cationic colloidal carriers were efficiently adsorbed on the negatively charged cornea without irritating the eyes of the rabbits and can be retained in the cornea for a longer time. Thus, GPs(+) have a great potential as vehicles for ocular drug delivery.
Enhanced Handoff Scheme for Downlink‐Uplink Asymmetric Channels in Cellular Systems
Authors: Cho Sunghyun , Kim Ji-Su , Kim Jae-Hyun
Published: December 2013

In the latest cellular networks, data services like SNS and UCC can create asymmetric packet generation rates over the downlink and uplink channels. This asymmetry can lead to a downlink‐uplink asymmetric channel condition being experienced by cell edge users. This paper proposes a handoff scheme to cope effectively with downlink‐uplink asymmetric channels. The proposed handoff scheme exploits the uplink channel quality as well as the downlink channel quality to determine the appropriate timing and direction of handoff. We first introduce downlink and uplink channel models that consider the intercell interference, to verify the downlink‐uplink channel asymmetry. Based on these results, we propose an enhanced handoff scheme that exploits both the uplink and downlink channel qualities to reduce the handoff‐call dropping probability and the service interruption time. The simulation results show that the proposed handoff scheme reduces the handoff‐call dropping probability about 30% and increases the satisfaction of the service interruption time requirement about 7% under high‐offered load, compared to conventional mobile‐assisted handoff. Especially, the proposed handoff scheme is more efficient when the uplink QoS requirement is much stricter than the downlink QoS requirement or uplink channel quality is worse than downlink channel quality.
Crowdsourcing New Product Design on the Web: An Analysis of Online Designer Platform Service
Authors: Dai Xin , Chow Pui-Sze , Zheng Jin-Hui , Chiu Chun-Hung
Published: December 2013

A designer is a core resource in the fashion industry. Successful designers need to be creative and quick to understand the business and wider environment in which they are operating. TheDesigner Platform Service(DPS), which combines the mechanism of crowdsourcing and group buying on the web, provides a platform for entrant designers to try their abilities in the real market practice. Freelance designers post design samples or sketches of products on the website of DPS, and consumers may preorder the products (each at a fixed price) online based on the design information. Once the number of ordering reaches or passes a certain threshold, that is, the minimum production quantity (MPQ), DPS will arrange for production and delivery according to the orders received. This novel service boosts the growth of entrant designers and links designing works with real markets directly. We are interested in how the price and MPQ decisions are made in DPS, with consideration of the entrant designer's objective, decision sequences, and customer demand structures. We develop Stackelberg games to model and derive the equilibrium solutions under individual scenarios. Our findings suggest feasibility of the DPS business model.
A New Real-Time Path Planning Method Based on the Belief Space
Authors: Zhao Yu-xin , Wu Xin-an , Ma Yan
Published: December 2013

A new approach of real-time path planning based on belief space is proposed, which solves the problems of modeling the real-time detecting environment and optimizing in local path planning with the fusing factors. Initially, a double-safe-edges free space is defined for describing the sensor detecting characters, so as to transform the complex environment into some free areas, which can help the robots to reach any positions effectively and safely. Then, based on the uncertainty functions and the transferable belief model (TBM), the basic belief assignment (BBA) spaces of each factor are presented and fused in the path optimizing process. So an innovative approach for getting the optimized path has been realized with the fusing the BBA and the decision making by the probability distributing. Simulation results indicate that the new method is beneficial in terms of real-time local path planning.
Upper and Lower Bounds for Ranks of the Matrix ExpressionX-XAX
Authors: Xiong Zhiping
Published: December 2013

We consider the question of how to takeXsuch that the nonlinear matrix expressionX-XAXattains its maximal and minimal possible ranks.
Ergodicity of Stochastic Burgers’ System with Dissipative Term
Authors: Zhou Guoli , Guo Boling , Huang Daiwen , Han Yongqian
Published: December 2013

A 2-dimensional stochastic Burgers equation with dissipative term perturbed by Wiener noise is considered. The aim is to prove the well-posedness, existence, and uniqueness of invariant measure as well as strong law of large numbers and convergence to equilibrium.
Venous Outflow Reconstruction in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant: Outcome of a Policy for Right Lobe Grafts without the Middle Hepatic Vein
Authors: Ghazaly Mohamed , Badawy Mohamad T. , Soliman Hosam El-Din , El-Gendy Magdy , Ibrahim Tarek , Davidson Brian R.
Published: December 2013

Introduction. The difficulty and challenge of recovering a right lobe graft without MHV drainage is reconstructing the outflow tract of the hepatic veins. With the inclusion or the reconstruction of the MHV, early graft function is satisfactory. The inclusion of the MHV or not in the donor’s right lobectomy should be based on sound criteria to provide adequate functional liver mass for recipient, while keeping risk to donor to the minimum. Objective. Reviewing the results of a policy for right lobe grafts transplant without MHV and analyzing methods of venous reconstruction related to outcome. Materials and Methods. We have two groups Group A (with more than one HV anast.) (n=16) and Group B (single HV anast.) (n=24). Both groups were compared regarding indications for reconstruction, complications, and operative details and outcomes, besides describing different modalities used for venous reconstruction. Results. Significant increase in operative details time in Group A. When comparison came to complications and outcomes in terms of laboratory findings and overall hospital stay, there were no significant differences. Three-month and one-year survival were better in Group A. Conclusion. Adult LDLT is safely achieved with better outcome to recipients and donors by recovering the right lobe without MHV, provided that significant MHV tributaries (segments V, VIII more than 5 mm) are reconstructed, and any accessory considerable inferior right hepatic veins (IRHVs) or superficial RHVs are anastomosed.
Effects of a Behavioral Program on Exercise Adherence and Exercise Self-Efficacy in Community-Dwelling Older Persons
Authors: Azizan Azliyana , Justine Maria , Kuan Chua Siew
Published: December 2013

Background.This study determines the effects of a behavioral program on exercise adherence (step counts) and level of exercise self-efficacy (ESE) in community-dwelling older persons.Methods.Sixty-three participants (age =63.8±4.5years) were enrolled in this controlled quasi-experimental study. They were divided into 3 groups: (1) EBG performed a 6-week exercise intervention followed by a 5-week behavioral program, (2) EG performed exercise intervention similar to EBG, and (3) control group (CG) did not receive any interventions. Step counts were measured based on the scores recorded by a pedometer while ESE was measured by a self-reported ESE scale.Results.Data analysis showed significant differences due to time effect (F(1,2)=39.884,P<0.01, andη=.399); time and group interactions (F(2,60)=112.683,P<0.01, andη=.790); and between-group effect (F(2,60)=12.524,P<0.01, andη=.295) for step counts. As for ESE, significant differences were also found for time effect (F(2,4)=66.628,P<0.05, andη=.526); time and group interactions (F(2,60)=4.562,P=0.014, andη=.132); and between-group effect (F(2,60)=13.632,P<0.05, andη=.312). EBG presented with significantly higher mean changes for both step counts and ESE compared to other groups (allP<0.05).Conclusion.This study suggests that the addition of a behavioral program is superior as compared to exercising alone on increasing exercise adherence and level of self-efficacy in older persons.
Flaxseed Prevents Leukocyte and Platelet Adhesion to Endothelial Cells in Experimental Atherosclerosis by Reducing sVCAM‐1 and vWF
Authors: Haliga Raluca Ecaterina , Iancu Roxana Irina , Butcovan Doina , Mocanu Veronica
Published: December 2013

We studied the possible effect of flaxseed to prevent leukocytes and platelets adhesion to endothelial cells and to reduce soluble adhesion molecules (sVCAM‐1) and endothelial integrity markers (vWF) in ovariectomized rats fed a high‐fat diet. Forty‐two female Wistar rats were either sham‐operated or ovariectomized and randomly assigned for 36 weeks to three different diets: (1) low‐fat diet (8% energy as fat); (2) high‐fat diet (40% energy as fat, lard based, lard group); (3) high‐fat diet enriched with ground flaxseed 15 g/100 g of food (40% energy as fat, lard + flaxseed group). The ovariectomized rats fed with lard + flaxseeds had significantly lower serum concentrations of sVCAM and vWF, reduced platelet adhesiveness, and lower extent of platelet and leukocyte adherence to endothelium in the histological evaluation of the aorta as compared to Ovx + lard group. In our study, high dose of ground flaxseed incorporated to lard‐based diet prevented the progression of atherosclerotic lesions in estrogen deficiency rats by decreasing platelet and endothelium reactivity. Assessment of platelet adhesion, serum soluble adhesion molecule sVCAM, and endothelium integrity molecule vWF could be useful to detect the risk for atherosclerotic lesions in estrogen deficiency states and to estimate the effect of flaxseed supplementation.
Decision Tree Approach for Soil Liquefaction Assessment
Authors: Gandomi Amir H. , Fridline Mark M. , Roke David A.
Published: December 2013

In the current study, the performances of some decision tree (DT) techniques are evaluated for postearthquake soil liquefaction assessment. A database containing 620 records of seismic parameters and soil properties is used in this study. Three decision tree techniques are used here in two different ways, considering statistical and engineering points of view, to develop decision rules. The DT results are compared to the logistic regression (LR) model. The results of this study indicate that the DTs not only successfully predict liquefaction but they can also outperform the LR model. The best DT models are interpreted and evaluated based on an engineering point of view.
Antioxidant and Toxicity Studies of 50% Methanolic Extract ofOrthosiphon stamineusBenth
Authors: Yam Mun Fei , Lim Chung Pin , Fung Ang Lee , Por Lip Yee , Wong Siew Tung , Asmawi Mohd. Zaini , Basir Rusliza , Ahmad Mariam
Published: December 2013

The present study evaluated the antioxidant activity and potential toxicity of 50% methanolic extract ofOrthosiphon stamineus(Lamiaceae) leaves (MEOS) after acute and subchronic administration in rats. Superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and ferrous ion chelating methods were used to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the extract. In acute toxicity study, single dose of MEOS, 5000 mg/kg, was administered to rats by oral gavage, and the treated rats were monitored for 14 days. While in the subchronic toxicity study, MEOS was administered orally, at doses of 1250, 2500, and 5000 mg/kg/day for 28 days. From the results, MEOS showed good superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, ferrous ion chelating, and antilipid peroxidation activities. There was no mortality detected or any signs of toxicity in acute and subchronic toxicity studies. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in bodyweight, relative organ weight, and haematological and biochemical parameters between both male and female treated rats in any doses tested. No abnormality of internal organs was observed between treatment and control groups. The oral lethal dose determined was more than 5000 mg/kg and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of MEOS for both male and female rats is considered to be 5000 mg/kg per day.
Tanshinol Attenuates the Deleterious Effects of Oxidative Stress on Osteoblastic Differentiation via Wnt/FoxO3a Signaling
Authors: Yang Yajun , Su Yanjie , Wang Dongtao , Chen Yahui , Wu Tie , Li Gang , Sun Xuegang , Cui Liao
Published: December 2013

There is now increasing evidence which suggests a pivotal role for oxidative stress in the development and progression of osteoporosis. We confirm herein the protective effects of natural antioxidant Tanshinol against oxidative stress in osteoblastic differentiation and the underlying mechanism. Our results show that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease in cell viability, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a caspase-3-dependent manner, and inhibition of osteoblastic differentiation. Tanshinol reverses these deleterious consequence triggered by oxidative stress. Moreover, under the condition of oxidative stress, Tanshinol suppresses the activation of FoxO3a transcription factor and expressions of its target genesGadd45aandcatalase (CAT)and simultaneously counteracts the inhibition of Wnt signalling and expressions of target genesAxin2,alkaline phosphatase (ALP), andOsteoprotegerin (OPG). The findings are further consolidated using FoxO3a siRNA interference and overexpression of Tcf4. The results illustrate that Tanshinol attenuates oxidative stress via down-regulation of FoxO3a signaling, and rescues the decrease of osteoblastic differentiation through upregulation of Wnt signal under oxidative stress. The present findings suggest that the beneficial effects of Tanshinol may be adopted as a novel therapeutic approach in recently recognized conditions of niche targeting osteoporosis.
Ioana's Superrigidity Theorem and Orbit Equivalence Relations
Authors: Coskey Samuel
Published: December 2013

We give a survey of Adrian Ioana's cocycle superrigidity theorem for profinite actions of Property (T) groups and its applications to ergodic theory and set theory in this expository paper. In addition to a statement and proof of Ioana's theorem, this paper features the following: (i) an introduction to rigidity, including a crash course in Borel cocycles and a summary
of some of the best-known superrigidity theorems; (ii) some easy applications of superrigidity, both to ergodic theory (orbit equivalence)
and set theory (Borel reducibility); and (iii) a streamlined proof of Simon Thomas's theorem that the classification of torsion-free abelian groups of finite rank is intractable.
Evaluation of Salt Influence on Sugar Consumption by Suspension Cells Based on Spectroscopic Analysis
Authors: Suehara Ken-ichiro , Kameoka Takaharu , Hashimoto Atsushi
Published: December 2013

The influence of metal salt on sugar consumption by suspension cells in food models constructed by a sugar and salt aqueous solution was investigated based on mid-infrared spectroscopic analysis. The contaminated suspension cells in the food model could be detected using the spectral feature change that measured the present spectrum subtracted in the initial spectrum. The cells were prepared for growth and although the cell did not grow under the induction period, the cell activation (start of sugar metabolism) was detected on the subtracted spectral behavior before the cell growth. The rough grasp of the spectral change behavior is useful for the high-throughput spectroscopic method to detect the contaminated cell activation. Furthermore, the detailed sugar consumption kinetics of the cells was also investigated based on the spectroscopic method. The kind of added salt in the food model influenced the cell activation and the potassium ions play an important role in the plant cells. The living cells activity in fresh food may act to prevent microbial contamination and to suppress the growth of the contaminated microorganism. Both the simple and detailed analyses based on the spectroscopic method presented in this study might be useful for risk management of food.
Diversity and Seasonal Impact ofAcanthamoebaSpecies in a Subtropical Rivershed
Authors: Kao Po-Min , Chou Ming-Yuan , Tao Chi-Wei , Huang Wen-Chien , Hsu Bing-Mu , Shen Shu-Min , Fan Cheng-Wei , Chiu Yi-Chou
Published: December 2013

This study evaluated the presence ofAcanthamoebaspecies in the Puzih River watershed, which features typical subtropical monsoon climate and is located just above the Tropic of Cancer in Taiwan. The relationship between the seasonal and geographical distributions ofAcanthamoebaspecies in this rivershed was also investigated.Acanthamoebaspecies were detected in water samples using the amoebal enrichment culture method and confirmed by PCR. A total of 136 water samples were included in this study, 16 (11.7%) of which containedAcanthamoebaspecies. Samples with the highest percentage ofAcanthamoeba(32.4%) were obtained during the summer season, mainly from upstream areas. The identified species in the four seasons includedAcanthamoeba palestinensis(T2),Acanthamoebasp. IS2/T4 (T4),Acanthamoeba lenticulata(T5),Acanthamoeba hatchetti(T11),Acanthamoeba healyi(T12), andAcanthamoeba jacobsi(T15). The most frequently identifiedAcanthamoebagenotype was T4 (68.7%).Acanthamoebagenotype T4 is responsible forAcanthamoeba keratitisand should be considered for associated human health risk potential in the rivershed.
The Effect of Submaximal Exercise Preceded by Single Whole-Body Cryotherapy on the Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Blood of Volleyball Players
Authors: Mila-Kierzenkowska Celestyna , Jurecka Alicja , Woźniak Alina , Szpinda Michał , Augustyńska Beata , Woźniak Bartosz
Published: December 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of single whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) session applied prior to submaximal exercise on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the concentration of lipid peroxidation products, total oxidative status, and the level of cytokines in blood of volleyball players. The study group consisted of 18 male professional volleyball players, who were subjected to extremely cold air (−130∘C) prior to exercise performed on cycloergometer. Blood samples were taken five times: before WBC, after WBC procedure, after exercise preceded by cryotherapy (WBC exercise), and before and after exercise without WBC (control exercise). The activity of catalase statistically significantly increased after control exercise. Moreover, the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase was lower after WBC exercise than after control exercise (P<0.001). After WBC exercise, the level of IL-6 and IL-1βwas also lower (P<0.001) than after control exercise. The obtained results may suggest that cryotherapy prior to exercise may have some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The relations between the level of studied oxidative stress and inflammatory markers may testify to the contribution of reactive oxygen species in cytokines release into the blood system in response to exercise and WBC.
Synthesis and Spectral Characterization of Novel Spiroindan-1,3-Dione: A Diels Alder Adduct
Authors: Zargar N. D. , Khan K. Z.
Published: December 2013

DMSO/Ac2O reagent converts 1,3-indandione (1) to an unusual dimer 1H,1′H-2,2′-biindene-1,1′,3,3′(2H,2′H) tetrone and a dimeric condensation product along with an ylide (1a) at room temperature. This reagent also brings about oxidation of secondary alcohols to corresponding ketones, methyl thiomethylation, and N-hydroxymethylation in phthalimide and converts 4-hydroxycoumarins and dicoumarol to different oxidative and degradation products under varying conditions. However, when 1,3-indandione was refluxed with DMSO/Ac2O reagent at 150°C, it afforded a novel compound, 2-spiroindan 1,3-dione (2), a Diels Alder Adduct, analogous to (3) obtained upon treatment of 1,3-indandione with formaldehyde in presence of primary amines.
Temporal Variations in Concentrations of Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Carbon Monoxide at Osijek, Croatia
Authors: Kovač-Andrić Elvira , Radanović Tatjana , Topalović Iva , Marković Berislav , Sakač Nikola
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide variations and their correlation with meteorological parameters in Osijek (Eastern Croatia) during the summer seasons of 2002, 2007, and 2012. The measured data are discussed in relation to the EU guidelines (Directive 2002/3/EC, Directive 2008/50/EC). In order to characterize ambient air with respect to ozone photochemical pollution we calculated three photochemical pollution indicators. These indicators may also be a valid measure for harmful effects on living organisms. The influence of local meteorological parameters on the measured concentrations of ozone, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide was also investigated. We have attempted to establish correlations between measured pollutant concentrations and meteorological parameters using the technique of multivariate principal component analysis (PCA).
Verhulst Model of Interval Grey Number Based on Information Decomposing and Model Combination
Authors: Zeng Bo , Li Chuan , Chen Guo , Zhang Wang
Published: December 2013

Grey Verhulst models are often employed to simulate the development tendency with the characteristic of saturated process of S curve. However, the uncertainty of interval grey numbers will be increased since the boundaries of interval grey number are extended by the Axiom of nondecreasing grey degree in the existing Verhulst modeling method. In this paper, the interval grey number is divided into two real number parts, that is, “white” and “grey” parts. Then the “white” and “grey” parts are simulated and forecasted by building the grey Verhulst model and DGM (1, 1) model, respectively. To some degree, this method resolves the issue of amplifying the range of interval grey number. Finally, an example is used to compare the simulation performance between the new model and the traditional model, and the results show that the new model is superior to the other model.
Generalized Predictive Control in a Wireless Networked Control System
Authors: Lee Min-Fan Ricky , Chiu Fu-Hsin Steven , Huang Hsuan-Chiao , Ivancsits Christian
Published: December 2013

The NCS (networked control system) is different from the conventional control systems which is the integration of the automation and control over communication network. When an NCS operates over the communication network, one of the major challenges is the network-induced delay in data transfer among the controllers, actuators, and sensors. This delay degrades system performance and causes system unstablility. This paper proposes a GPC (generalized predictive control) with the Kalman state estimator to compensate for the network-induced delay and packet loss. The GPC is implemented in WiNCS (Wireless NCS) based on IEEE 802.11 standard. An analytical NCS model and NS2 (network simulator version 2) are developed to simulate and evaluate the performance under the effect of various delays and packet loss rates. The result shows that the proposed GPC is adaptive and robust to the uncertainties in a time-delay system. The WiNCS is evaluated with latency and throughput measurements in various environments. The experiment setup conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard achieves an average latency of 1.3 ms and a data throughput of 3.000 kB/s up to a distance of 70 m. The results demonstrate the feasibility of real-time closed-loop control with the proposed concept.
Global Analysis of a Discrete Nonlocal and Nonautonomous Fragmentation Dynamics Occurring in a Moving Process
Authors: Doungmo Goufo E. F. , Oukouomi Noutchie S. C.
Published: December 2013

We use a double approximation technique to show existence result for a nonlocal and nonautonomous fragmentation dynamics occurring in a moving process. We consider the case where sizes of clusters are discrete and fragmentation rate is time, position, and size dependent. Our system involving transport and nonautonomous fragmentation processes, where in addition, new particles are spatially randomly distributed according to some probabilistic law, is investigated by means of forward propagators associated with evolution semigroup theory and perturbation theory. The full generator is considered as a perturbation of the pure nonautonomous fragmentation operator. We can therefore make use of the truncation technique (McLaughlin et al., 1997), the resolvent approximation (Yosida, 1980), Duhamel formula (John, 1982), and Dyson-Phillips series (Phillips, 1953) to establish the existence of a solution for a discrete nonlocal and nonautonomous fragmentation process in a moving medium, hereby, bringing a contribution that may lead to the proof of uniqueness of strong solutions to this type of transport and nonautonomous fragmentation problem which remains unsolved.
The Beta Generalized Half-Normal Distribution: New Properties
Authors: Cordeiro Gauss M. , Pescim Rodrigo R. , Ortega Edwin M. M. , Demétrio Clarice G. B.
Published: December 2013

We study some mathematical properties of the beta generalized half-normal distribution recently proposed by Pescim et al. (2010). This model is quite flexible for analyzing positive real data since it contains as special models the half-normal, exponentiated half-normal, and generalized half-normal distributions. We provide a useful power series for the quantile function. Some new explicit expressions are derived for the mean deviations, Bonferroni and Lorenz curves, reliability, and entropy. We demonstrate that the density function of the beta generalized half-normal order statistics can be expressed as a mixture of generalized half-normal densities. We obtain two closed-form expressions for their moments and other statistical measures. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the model parameters censored data. The beta generalized half-normal model is modified to cope with long-term survivors may be present in the data. The usefulness of this distribution is illustrated in the analysis of four real data sets.
Analysis of Maternal and Child Health Indicators in an Area at Paraná State, Brazil
Authors: Melo Emiliana Cristina , Ribeiro Ana Beatriz Guedes , de Oliveira Rosana Rosseto , Zurita Robsmeire Calvo Melo , de Freitas Mathias Thais Aidar
Published: December 2013

The aim of this study was to analyze maternal and child health indicators and infant mortality rate (IMR) at the cities located at the 18th Health Division (HD) in Parana State, Brazil. In this ecological study we analyzed all live births and infant deaths which occurred from 2000 to 2009 at the 18th HD, collecting data from the Mortality Information Database and the Live Births Information Database. The variables assessed were grouped into maternal, pregnancy and delivery, and neonatal variables. The analysis was conducted using the mean percentage of each variable and the IMR calculated for both periods: from 2000 to 2004 and from 2005 to 2009. The IMR was reduced considerably, following Brazil's and Paraná State's trend. Maternal indicators went down regarding the mean percentage of teenage mothers and low education, whereas they went up regarding mother with 35 years old or older and mothers without a partner. Pregnancy indicators showed increased prematurity and cesarean birth. Neonatal indicators raised in black/brown skin color and low birth weights percentages. This study provides a better understanding of maternal and child health in the cities located at the 18th HD, supplying grounds to plan actions regarding the real needs of each specific city.
Role of Relative Humidity in Processing and Storage of Seeds and Assessment of Variability in Storage Behaviour in Brassica spp. and Eruca sativa
Authors: Suma A. , Sreenivasan Kalyani , Singh A. K. , Radhamani J.
Published: December 2013

The role of relative humidity (RH) while processing and storing seeds of Brassica spp. and Eruca sativa was investigated by creating different levels of relative humidity, namely, 75%, 50%, 32%, and 11% using different saturated salt solutions and 1% RH using concentrated sulphuric acid. The variability in seed storage behaviour of different species of Brassica was also evaluated. The samples were stored at 40 ± 2°C in sealed containers and various physiological parameters were assessed at different intervals up to three months. The seed viability and seedling vigour parameters were considerably reduced in all accessions at high relative humidity irrespective of the species. Storage at intermediate relative humidities caused minimal decline in viability. All the accessions performed better at relative humidity level of 32% maintaining seed moisture content of 3%. On analyzing the variability in storage behaviour, B. rapa and B. juncea were better performers than B. napus and Eruca sativa.
Development and Validation of UV Spectrophotometric Method for Simultaneous Estimation of Hesperidin and Diosmin in the Pharmaceutical Dosage Form
Authors: Srilatha Doddi , Nasare Mahesh , Nagasandhya Borra , Prasad Valluri , Diwan Prakash
Published: December 2013

A simple, rapid, precise and highly selective spectrophotometric method was developed for simultaneous estimation of Hesperidin and Diosmin in tablet dosage form. This method, involves the measurement of absorbances of Hesperidin and Diosmin at the wavelengths of 285 nm (λmax of Hesperidin) and 268 nm (λmax, of Diosmin). The UV spectra’s of Hesperidin and Diosmin prepared in different solvents water, methanol, and acetonitrile and 0.2 N sodium hydroxide were recorded. These two drugs showed good absorbances when dissolved in 0.2 N NaOH. Hence 0.2 N NaOH was selected as the solvent for the method. Two wavelengths 285 and 268 nm were selected which are λmax of two drugs Hesperidin and Diosmin, respectively. Different concentrations of Hesperidin (5–50 μg/mL) and Diosmin (2–24 μg/mL) and a mixture of Hesperidin and Diosmin were prepared, scanned and absorbances were noted at the two wavelengths were fixed for the study. The method showed good reproducibility and recovery with % RSD less than 2. The LOD of Hesperidin and Diosmin was found to be 0.139 μg/mL and 0.048 μg/ml and LOQ of Hesperidin and Diosmin was found to be 0.42 μg/mL and 0.147 μg/mL, respectively. Thus the proposed method was found to be rapid, specific, precise, accurate and cost effective quality control tool for the routine analysis of Hesperidin and Diosmin in bulk and combined dosage form.
Research on Double Price Regulations and Peak Shaving Reserve Mechanism in Coal-Electricity Supply Chain
Authors: Peng Hongjun , Zhou Meihua , Wang Fudong
Published: December 2013

The game models were used to study the mechanism of coal-electricity price conflict under conditions of double price regulations of coal and electricity. Based on this, the peak shaving reserve mechanism was designed to probe into the countermeasures against the coal-electricity price conflicts. The study revealed that in the boom seasons of coal demand, the initiatives of the coal enterprises to supply thermal coal and the electricity enterprises to order thermal coal are reduced under conditions of double price regulations. However, under the circumstances of coal price marketization, in the boom seasons of coal demand the thermal coal price may go up obviously, the initiatives of the coal enterprises to supply thermal coal are increased, and meanwhile the initiatives of the power enterprises to order thermal coal are decreased dramatically. The transportation capacity constraint of coal supply leads to the evident decrease of the initiatives of coal enterprises for the thermal coal supply. The mechanism of peak shaving reserve of thermal coal may not only reduce the price of coal market but also increase the enthusiasm of the power enterprises to order more thermal coal and the initiatives of the coal enterprises to supply more thermal coal.
Amelioration of Behavioural, Biochemical, and Neurophysiological Deficits by Combination of Monosodium Glutamate with Resveratrol/Alpha‐Lipoic Acid/Coenzyme Q10 in Rat Model of Cisplatin‐Induced Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Bhadri Naini , Sanji Tejaswi , Madakasira Guggilla Hariprasad , Razdan Rema
Published: December 2013

Cisplatin or cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) is a cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent with dose‐dependent peripheral neuropathy as a foremost side effect characterised by ataxia, pain, and sensory impairment. Cumulative drug therapy of CDDP is known to produce severe oxidative damage. It mainly targets and accumulates in dorsal root ganglia that in turn cause damage resulting in secondary nerve fibre axonopathy. In the present study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of the combination of monosodium glutamate (MSG) with three individual antioxidants, that is, resveratrol, alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA), and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), in cisplatin (2 mg/kg i.p. twice weekly) induced peripheral neuropathy in rats. After 8 weeks of treatment the degree of neuroprotection was determined by measuring behavioral and electrophysiological properties and sciatic nerve lipid peroxidation, as well as glutathione and catalase levels. The results suggested that pretreatment with the combination of MSG (500 mg/kg/day po) with resveratrol (10 mg/kg/day i.p.) or ALA (20 mg/kg/day i.p.) or CoQ10 (10 mg/kg weekly thrice i.p.) exhibited neuroprotective effect. The maximum neuroprotection of MSG was observed in the combination with resveratrol.
Catalytic Properties of Pd Modified Cu/SAPO‐34 for NOx Removal from Diesel Engine
Authors: Wang J. C. , Qiao H. , Han L. N. , Zuo Y. Q. , Chang L. P. , Bao W. R. , Feng G.
Published: December 2013

The Cu/SAPO‐34 catalysts with different Cu contents were prepared by in situ hydrothermal synthesis. The selected Cu/SAPO‐34 was modified by impregnating 1 wt% Pd(NO3)3. The morphology and structure of the samples were characterized via XRD and SEM techniques. The effects of Cu contents and the Pd modification on the de‐NOx activity of the samples were investigated through the selective catalytic reduction by C3H6 and NH3. The Cu contents do not change the skeleton structure of the SAPO‐34 crystalline and the Cu/SAPO‐34 catalysts with Cu/Si ratios of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 have better de‐NOx activity than other catalysts. The addition of Pd can improve the de‐NOx activity of the Cu/SAPO‐34 catalysts. The maximum of NO conversion of samples with Pd could reach 90%. Besides, the effect of aging treatment for Cu/SAPO‐34 catalysts with and without Pd on the de‐NOx activity was also investigated. The results indicated that the Cu/SAPO‐34 catalysts modified by Pd have better antiaging performance than raw samples.
Impacts of Two Types of El Niño and La Niña Events on Typhoon Activity
Authors: Hsu Po-Chun , Ho Chung-Ru , Liang Shin-Jye , Kuo Nan-Jung
Published: December 2013

The HadISST (Hadley Centre Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature) dataset is used to define the years of El Niño, El Niño Modoki, and La Niña events and to find out the impacts of these events on typhoon activity. The results show that the formation positions of typhoon are farther eastward moving in El Niño years than in La Niña years and much further eastward in El Niño Modoki years. The lifetime and the distance of movement are longer, and the intensity of typhoons is stronger in El Niño and in El Niño Modoki years than in La Niña years. The Accumulated Cyclone Energy of typhoon is highly correlated with the Oceanic Niño Index with a correlation coefficient of 0.79. We also find that the typhoons anomalously decrease during El Niño years but increase during El Niño Modoki years. Besides, there are two types of El Niño Modoki, I and II. The intensity of typhoon in El Niño Modoki I years is stronger than in El Niño Modoki II years. Furthermore, the centroid position of the Western Pacific Warm Pool is strongly related to the area of typhoon formation with a correlation coefficient of 0.95.
Appropriate Coupling Solvers for the Numerical Simulation of Rolled Homogeneous Armor Plate Response Subjected to Blast Loading
Authors: Zaidi Ahmad Mujahid Ahmad , Koslan Fuad Shah , Othman Zaid , Manar Gunasilan
Published: December 2013

Rolled homogeneous armor (RHA) plate subjected to blast loading is a complex problem involving the nonlinear fluid-structure interaction. The numerical techniques using the spatial discretization scheme that has been provided as a solver in the AUTODYN computer code will be used in this study in order to predict the RHA response subjected to explosive (TNT) blast loading. The final deflection will be used as a reference in order to identify the suitable solver for both materials RHA and TNT; then the plastic deformation will be chosen in the simulation process. Instead of using the same solver for RHA and TNT domains, the optimization of solver can be achieved if it is only used in an appropriate domain, or in other words, a different domain will be using different solver. The solvers, which were available in AUTODYN, were used in the analysis of impact and explosion or fluid-structure interaction. Therefore, in this paper, we will determine the suitable solver for both materials (TNT and RHA plate), and the appropriate interaction coupling solver will be obtained. Defining TNT and RHA plates using the Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian solver has found the best coupling solver for this case study when compared with existing experimental data. This coupling solver will be used for future analysis in simulating blast-loading phenomena.
Genetics of Proteasome Diseases
Authors: Gomes Aldrin V.
Published: December 2013

The proteasome is a large, multiple subunit complex that is capable of degrading most intracellular proteins. Polymorphisms in proteasome subunits are associated with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurological diseases, and cancer. One polymorphism in the proteasome genePSMA6(−8C/G) is associated with three different diseases: type 2 diabetes, myocardial infarction, and coronary artery disease. One type of proteasome, the immunoproteasome, which contains inducible catalytic subunits, is adapted to generate peptides for antigen presentation. It has recently been shown that mutations and polymorphisms in the immunoproteasome catalytic subunitPSMB8are associated with several inflammatory and autoinflammatory diseases including Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome, CANDLE syndrome, and intestinalM. tuberculosisinfection. This comprehensive review describes the disease-related polymorphisms in proteasome genes associated with human diseases and the physiological modulation of proteasome function by these polymorphisms. Given the large number of subunits and the central importance of the proteasome in human physiology as well as the fast pace of detection of proteasome polymorphisms associated with human diseases, it is likely that other polymorphisms in proteasome genes associated with diseases will be detected in the near future. While disease-associated polymorphisms are now readily discovered, the challenge will be to use this genetic information for clinical benefit.
Evaluation of a Seven-Week Web-Based Happiness Training to Improve Psychological Well-Being, Reduce Stress, and Enhance Mindfulness and Flourishing: A Randomized Controlled Occupational Health Study
Authors: Feicht T. , Wittmann M. , Jose G. , Mock A. , von Hirschhausen E. , Esch T.
Published: December 2013

Background. As distress in society increases, including work environments, individual capacities to compete with stress have to be strengthened.Objective. We examined the impact of a web-based happiness training on psychological and physiological parameters, by self-report and objective means, in an occupational health setting.Methods. Randomized controlled trial with 147 employees. Participants were divided into intervention (happiness training) and control groups (waiting list). The intervention consisted of a seven-week online training. Questionnaires were administered before, after, and four weeks after training. The following scales were included: VAS (happiness and satisfaction), WHO-5 Well-being Index, Stress Warning Signals, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Recovery Experience Questionnaire, and Flourishing Scale. Subgroup samples for saliva cortisol and alpha-amylase determinations were taken, indicating stress, and Attention Network Testing for effects on attention regulation.Results. Happiness (P=0.000;d=0.93), satisfaction (P=0.000;d=1.17), and quality of life (P=0.000;d=1.06) improved; perceived stress was reduced (P=0.003;d=0.64); mindfulness (P=0.006;d=0.62), flourishing (P=0.002;d=0.63), and recovery experience (P=0.030;d=0.42) also increased significantly. No significant differences in the Attention Network Tests and saliva results occurred (intergroup), except for one saliva value.Conclusions. The web-based training can be a useful tool for stabilizing health/psychological well-being and work/life balance.
Symbiotic Service Composition in Distributed Sensor Networks
Authors: De Pauw Tim , Volckaert Bruno , Hristoskova Anna , Ongenae Veerle , De Turck Filip
Published: December 2013

To cope with the evergrowing number of colocated networks and the density they exhibit, we introduce symbiotic networks—networks that intelligently share resources and autonomously adapt to the dynamicity thereof. By allowing the software services provided in such networks to operate in an equally symbiotic manner, new opportunities for the so-called service compositions arise, which take advantage of the multitude of services and combine them to achieve goals set out by the individual networks. To accommodate services in large-scale symbiotic networks, including wireless sensor networks, we propose a software platform which autonomously constructs and orchestrates such compositions. Furthermore, upon changes in the infrastructure, the platform responds by adapting compositions to reflect the changed context. To enable the interaction between services offered by arbitrary partners, the platform deploys ontologies to achieve a common vocabulary and semantic rules to express the policies imposed by the networks involved. By applying the platform to typical scenarios from the field of sensor-augmented cargo transportation and logistics, we illustrate its applicability and, through performance evaluation, show a significant increase in process efficiency. Additionally, by means of a generic problem generator, we quantify the scalability of our platform and show the importance of an appropriate priority function, one of the core constituents of our service composition approach.