bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HIGH-SPEED APPROACH FOR DELINEATING P AND T WAVES CHARACTERISTICS IN ELECTROCARDIOGRAM SIGNAL
Authors: SALIH SAMEER K. , ALJUNID S. A. , ALJUNID SYED M. , MASKON OTEH , YAHYA ABID
Published: February 2014

Identifying and delineating P and T wave characteristics are greatly important in interpreting and diagnosing electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. P and T waves with high accuracy are more difficult to delineate because of their various shapes, positions, directions and boundaries. This paper proposes a high-speed approach to delineate P and T waves in a single lead using two high-speed algorithms of high detection accuracy. This approach presents a simple, adaptive and intelligent P and T wave scan method that determines the onset, peak and end time locations within an adaptive period appointed by previous records of the QRS complex. By using a translating (rising to/from falling) interval inside the scan wave, the peak time location of P and T waves and the T wave sign (upward or downward) are determined. Continuously, this time location is considered a reference point for determining the onset and the end time locations based on a series of computed outcomes related to amplitude and slope difference. The new approach is validated by 105 annotated records from the QT database collected from seven different categories of ECG signals. Simulation results show that the average detection rates of sensitivity and positive predictivity are equal to 99.97% and 99.36% for P wave and 99.98% and 99.26% for T wave, respectively. The average time errors computed by the mean and standard deviation for the P wave onset, peak and end time locations are -3.00 ± 2.94, -0.69 ± 4.42 and 0.67 ± 4.56 ms, respectively. The values for T wave are -3.33 ± 4.96, 0.24 ± 5.36 and -0.36 ± 5.68 ms. Results demonstrate the reliability, accuracy and forcefulness of the proposed approach in delineating various categories of P and T waves.
CONSTITUTIVE MODELING AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF MYXOMATOUS MITRAL LEAFLET TISSUE
Authors: ZHONG QI , ZENG WENHUA , HUANG XIAOYANG , SU MAOLONG , LUO YUN
Published: February 2014

Although rarely discussed, material modeling of the myxomatous leaflet is considered as the cornerstone of mitral valve finite element analysis. The present study presents an incompressible, hyperelastic constitutive model to characterize myxoid mitral leaflet tissue mechanics. The model incorporates the transversely isotropic response and the layered structure of the tissue. First, an analytical constitutive model for the tissue is developed based on continuum mechanics and layered composites theory. Second, the material constants of the constitutive equation are determined by fitting the model to the experimental data. The analytical material model is then implemented using solid finite element methods by simulating a biaxial tensile test. A numerical simulation of the out-of-plane pressure loading is also conducted. Both the analytical outcomes and the simulated results agree well with experimental data and show good mutual agreement. The calculated strain distribution of the out-of-plane pressure loading simulation indicates myxoid leaflets exhibit enhanced extensibility and decreased stiffness compared to normal valves; the radial direction is more extensible than the circumferential direction. The presented material approximation is able to capture the myxomatous mitral leaflet mechanics. The results of the numerical simulation conform to those of the experimental tests.
THE INFLUENCE OF USING THE NEEDLE ADAPTER TO REDUCE THE BIOMECHANICAL RISK FACTORS WITHIN HEMODIALYSIS ARTERIOVENOUS GRAFTS
Authors: ARDAKANI MOHSEN TARAHOMI , OSCUII HANIEH NIROOMAND , GHALICHI FARZAN
Published: February 2014

Hemodialysis vascular access failure is related to increased morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis patients, representing a challenging clinical problem which results in a high percentage of hospital entrance and an important economic burden on government's disbursement. In this paper, the feasibility of using the needle adapter to reduce the biomechanical risk factors within arteriovenous grafts is considered. The three-dimensional (3D) tapered 6 to 8 mm loop graft in the presence of venous and arterial needles with and without adapter was numerically simulated. Navier–Stokes equations for incompressible Newtonian fluid are the governing equation of this problem. k – ω two equations turbulence modeling were applied to capture flow features of low Reynolds turbulent flow regions in this simulation. The physiological velocity waveform was used as an arterial inlet boundary condition. The venose outlet boundary condition was a time dependent physiological pressure waveform. The results for the dialysis without the adapter demonstrated that the graft wall experiences increased hemodynamic stresses as a result of the hitting needle jet flow. The dialysis with the adapter demonstrated that the venous anastomosis experiences lower biomechanical risk factors in comparison to the dialysis without the adapter and it reduced the vascular access failure. Using adapter caused less damage to endothelial cells during hemodialysis.
SPECTRAL NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF MAGNETO-PHYSIOLOGICAL LAMINAR DEAN FLOW
Authors: BEG O. ANWAR , HOQUE MD. MAINUL , WAHIDUZZAMAN M. , ALAM MD. MAHMUD , FERDOWS M.
Published: February 2014

A computational simulation of magnetohydrodynamic laminar blood flow under pressure gradient through a curved bio-vessel, with circular cross-section is presented. Electrical conductivity and other properties of the biofluid (blood) are assumed to be invariant. A Newtonian viscous flow (Navier–Stokes magnetohydrodynamic) model is employed which is appropriate for large diameter blood vessels, as confirmed in a number of experimental studies. Rheological effects are therefore neglected as these are generally only significant in smaller diameter vessels. Employing a toroidal coordinate system, the steady-state, three-dimensional mass and momentum conservation equations are developed. With appropriate transformations, the transport model is non-dimensionalized and further simplified to a pair of axial and secondary flow momenta equations with the aid of a stream function. The resulting non-linear boundary value problem is solved with an efficient, spectral collocation algorithm, subject to physically appropriate boundary conditions. The influence of magnetic body force parameter, Dean number and vessel curvature on the flow characteristics is examined in detail. For high magnetic parameter and Dean number and low curvature, the axial flow is observed to be displaced toward the center of the vessel with corresponding low fluid particle vorticity strengths. Visualization is achieved with the MAPLE software. The simulations are relevant to cardiovascular biomagnetic flow control.
OPTIMUM THICKNESS RATIO OF TWO SPACED PLATE SYSTEM AGAINST HYPERVELOCITY IMPACT
Authors: LEE MINHYUNG
Published: February 2014

Analysis of two spaced aluminum plates against hypervelocity impact of a spherical aluminum projectile was performed to find an optimum thickness ratio of two plates. The smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) scheme used here is especially effective since the major features of debris clouds between two plates are successfully captured. For systematical analysis the extent of debris clouds is first correlated as a function of sphere diameter to front plate thickness ratio, with which a potential optimum front plate thickness range is identified. Then a critical sphere diameter causing failure of rear wall is examined while keeping the total thickness of two plates constant. In fact an optimum thickness ratio exists and is examined as a function of the size combination of the sphere diameter and plate thicknesses. The debris cloud expansion correlated optimum thickness ratio study provides a good insight on the hypervelocity impact onto spaced target system.
bi-BYTE CORRECTING PERFECT CODES
Authors: Tyagi Vinod , Sethi Amita
Published: February 2014

In this correspondence, we show how to generate bi-byte correcting perfect codes, i > 0 organized in m bytes of size β, n = mβ, and present necessary and sufficient conditions for their existence. By a bi-byte correcting perfect codes we mean a code that corrects burst of size b1 in the first byte, burst of length b2 in the second byte and so on, burst of length bm in the mth byte.
ON THE SEMILOCAL CONVERGENCE OF NEWTON'S METHOD FOR SECTIONS ON RIEMANNIAN MANIFOLDS
Authors: Argyros Ioannis K. , George Santhosh
Published: February 2014

We present a semilocal convergence analysis of Newton's method for sections on Riemannian manifolds. Using the notion of a 2-piece L-average Lipschitz condition introduced in [C. Li and J. H. Wang, Newton's method for sections on Riemannian manifolds: Generalized covariant α-theory, J. Complexity24 (2008) 423–451] in combination with the weaker center 2-piece L1-average Lipschitz condition given by us in this paper, we provide a tighter convergence analysis than the one given in [C. Li and J. H. Wang, Newton's method for sections on Riemannian manifolds: Generalized covariant α-theory, J. Complexity24 (2008) 423–451] which in turn has improved the works in earlier studies such as [R. L. Adler, J. P. Dedieu, J. Y. Margulies, M. Martens and M. Shub, Newton's method on Riemannian manifolds and a geometric model for the human spine, IMA J. Numer. Anal.22 (2002) 359–390; F. Alvarez, J. Bolte and J. Munier, A unifying local convergence result for Newton's method in Riemannian manifolds, Found. Comput. Math.8 (2008) 197–226; J. P. Dedieu, P. Priouret and G. Malajovich, Newton's method on Riemannian manifolds: Covariant α-theory, IMA J. Numer. Anal.23 (2003) 395–419].
A NOTE ON THE RELATIVE COMMUTATIVITY DEGREE OF FINITE GROUPS
Authors: Rezaei Rashid , Erfanian Ahmad
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this paper is to give a relation between the notion of the commutativity degree of a finite group G (denoted by d(G)) and that of isoclinism between G and an extra special p-group, where p is the smallest prime number dividing |G|. Moreover, some improvements of the results on the relative commutativity degree and relative n th nilpotency degree of a subgroup of finite groups given in [A. Erfanian, R. Rezaei and P. Lescot, On the relative commutativity degree of a subgroup of a finite group, Comm. Algebra35 (2007) 4183–4197] are also stated in this paper.
High Intensity Neutron Beamlines
Authors: Bentley Phillip M. , Cooper-Jensen Carsten P. , Andersen Ken H.
Published: February 2014

We describe the current technology available for producing and delivering high performance neutron beams at modern facilities for neutron scattering experiments. This overview includes optimal neutron production, optical techniques and devices, the use of the beams on the instruments, and also methods of simulation and modeling.
Thermal and mechanical evolution of an orogenic wedge during Variscan collision: an example in the Maures–Tanneron Massif (SE France)
Authors: Schneider Julie , Corsini Michel , Reverso-Peila Alexandre , Lardeaux Jean-Marc
Published: February 2014

Synthesis of structural, petrological and geochronological data for the Maures–Tanneron Massif and its integration in the framework of adjacent massifs (i.e. Sardinia and Corsica) has allowed us to propose a new model of evolution for the southern Variscan belt. After Siluro-Devonian subduction associated with high-pressure–low-temperature (HP/LT) metamorphism M
0
(
c.
10–15 °C km
−1
) and subsequent Carboniferous nappes stacking, the belt underwent strong reworking related to back-thrusting. Nappes stacking and back-thrusting were associated with typical Barrovian metamorphism M
1
(
c.
20–30 °C km
−1
) starting at 360 Ma that progressively evolved to higher temperature metamorphisms M
2
(
c.
40–60 °C km
−1
) and M
3
(
c.
60–80 °C km
−1
) during 330–300 Ma in the internal part of the belt. Progressive increase of the thermal gradient is interpreted as a consequence of gravitational instabilities triggered in the partially molten orogenic root. Continuous compressive forces applied to the belt allowed vertical extrusion of the orogenic root in fold-dome structures. The mass transfer is accommodated by orogen-parallel transpressive shearing synchronous with M
3
during Late Carboniferous time. The orogenic wedge is characterized by two main tectono-metamorphic units decoupled by a major shear belt: an Internal Zone with migmatites and syntectonic granitoids, where HP relicts have been exhumed, and an External Zone that escaped the late HT event and preserved precious structures.
A Fully Pipelined FPGA Architecture of a Factored Restricted Boltzmann Machine Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Kim Lok-Won , Asaad Sameh , Linsker Ralph
Published: February 2014

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are a natural target for hardware acceleration by FPGAs and GPGPUs because commercial-scale applications can require days to weeks to train using CPUs, and the algorithms are highly parallelizable. Previous work on FPGAs has shown how hardware parallelism can be used to accelerate a “Restricted Boltzmann Machine” (RBM) ANN algorithm, and how to distribute computation across multiple FPGAs.

Here we describe a fully pipelined parallel architecture that exploits “mini-batch” training (combining many input cases to compute each set of weight updates) to further accelerate ANN training. We implement on an FPGA, for the first time to our knowledge, a more powerful variant of the basic RBM, the “Factored RBM” (fRBM). The fRBM has proved valuable in learning transformations and in discovering features that are present across multiple types of input. We obtain (in simulation) a 100-fold acceleration (vs. CPU software) for an fRBM having N = 256 units in each of its four groups (two input, one output, one intermediate group of units) running on a Virtex-6 LX760 FPGA. Many of the architectural features we implement are applicable not only to fRBMs, but to basic RBMs and other ANN algorithms more broadly.
Trends in steganography
Authors: Zielińska Elżbieta , Mazurczyk Wojciech , Szczypiorski Krzysztof
Published: February 2014

Methods for embedding secret data are more sophisticated than their ancient predecessors, but the basic principles remain unchanged.
Mass digitization as fair use
Authors: Samuelson Pamela
Published: February 2014

Considering the implications of the late-2013 ruling in favor of Google in the Authors Guild case.
Q&A: RISC and reward
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: February 2014

Having helped develop Reduced Instruction Set Computing and Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks, David Patterson has set his sights on interdisciplinary research.
Eventually consistent
Authors: Golab Wojciech , Rahman Muntasir R. , AuYoung Alvin , Keeton Kimberly , Li Xiaozhou (Steve)
Published: February 2014

Methods of quantifying consistency (or lack thereof) in eventually consistent storage systems.
Challenges and methodology for testing young healthy women in physiological studies
Authors: Stachenfeld Nina S. , Taylor Hugh S.
Published: February 2014

Physiological responses and control of body systems differ between women and men. Moreover, within women, female gonadal hormones have important influences on organs and systems outside of reproduction. Until the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, laboratories focused physiological research primarily on men, and this focus placed limitations on women's health care. Thus, the NIH directive to include women required scientists and physicians studying humans to consider female reproductive physiology. Even though this directive was enacted over 20 years ago, there is still a great deal of misunderstanding as to the best methods to control hormones or account for changes in internal hormone exposure in women. This discussion describes common methods investigators use to include women in physiological studies and to examine the impact of female reproductive hormone exposure for research purposes. In some cases, the goal is to control for phase of the cycle, so women are studied when the endogenous hormones should be similar to each other. When the goal of the research is to examine the effects of hormones on a physiological response, it is important to use methods that will change hormone exposure in a controlled fashion. We recommend a method that employs gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or antagonist to suppress estrogens, gonadotropins, progesterone, and androgens followed by administration of these hormones. While this method is more invasive, it is safe and is the strongest research design to examine both hormone effects within women and between women and men.
Regulation of hepatocyte growth factor expression by NF-κB and PPARγ in adipose tissue
Authors: Yin Jun , Lee Jong Han , Zhang Jin , Gao Zhanguo , Polotsky Vsevolod Y. , Ye Jianping
Published: February 2014

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed as an angiogenic factor in adipose tissue. However, the molecular mechanism of Hgf expression remains largely unknown in the tissue. We addressed the issue by studying Hgf expression in adipocytes and macrophages. Hgf was expressed more in the stromal-vascular fraction than the adipocyte fraction. The expression was fivefold more in macrophages than the stromal-vascular faction and was reduced by 50% after macrophage deletion in adipose tissue. The expression was reduced by differentiation in adipocytes and by tumor necrosis factor-α or lipopolysaccharide treatment in macrophages. The expression was suppressed by nuclear factor (NF)-κB in C57BL/6 mice with NF-κB p65 overexpression under the aP2 gene promoter (aP2-p65 mice) but enhanced by inactivation of NF-κB p65 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts. The Hgf gene promoter was suppressed by p65 overexpression, which blocked peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) interaction with RNA polymerase II. The p65 activity was abolished by knockdown of histone deacetylase 3. Hgf expression was upregulated by hypoxia in vitro and in vivo. Compared with vascular endothelial growth factor ( Vegf), which was predominately expressed in mature adipocytes, Hgf was mainly expressed in nonadipocytes, suggesting that Hgf and Vegf may have different cell sources in adipose tissue. In mechanism, Hgf expression is inhibited by NF-κB through suppression of PPARγ function in the Hgf gene promoter. Both Hgf and Vegf are induced by hypoxia. The study provides a molecular mechanism for the difference of inflammation and hypoxia in the regulation of angiogenic factors.
Prepartal dietary energy alters transcriptional adaptations of the liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue of dairy cows during the transition period
Authors: Selim S. , Salin S. , Taponen J. , Vanhatalo A. , Kokkonen T. , Elo K. T.
Published: February 2014

Overfeeding during the dry period may predispose cows to increased insulin resistance (IR) with enhanced postpartum lipolysis. We studied gene expression in the liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of 16 Finnish Ayrshire dairy cows fed either a controlled energy diet [Con, 99 MJ/day metabolizable energy (ME)] during the last 6 wk of the dry period or high-energy diet (High, 141 MJ/day ME) for the first 3 wk and then gradually decreasing energy allowance during 3 wk to 99 MJ/day ME before the expected parturition. Tissue biopsies were collected at −10, 1, and 9 days, and blood samples at −10, 1, and 7 days relative to parturition. Overfed cows had greater dry matter, crude protein, and ME intakes and ME balance before parturition. Daily milk yield, live weight, and body condition score were not different between treatments. The High cows tended to have greater plasma insulin and lower glucagon/insulin ratio compared with Con cows. No differences in circulating glucose, glucagon, nonesterified fatty acids and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, and hepatic triglyceride contents were observed between treatments. Overfeeding compared with Con resulted in lower CPT1A and PCK1 and a tendency for lower G6PC and PC expression in the liver. The High group tended to have lower RETN expression in SAT than Con. No other effects of overfeeding on the expression of genes related to IR in SAT were observed. In conclusion, overfeeding energy prepartum may have compromised hepatic gluconeogenic capacity and slightly affected IR in SAT based on gene expression.
Catalyzed Ester Synthesis UsingCandida rugosaLipase Entrapped by Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-itaconic Acid) Hydrogel
Authors: Milašinović Nikola , Jakovetić Sonja , Knežević-Jugović Zorica , Milosavljević Nedeljko , Lučić Marija , Filipović Jovanka , Kalagasidis Krušić Melina
Published: February 2014

This study reports the synthesis of polymeric matrices based onN-isopropylacrylamide and itaconic acid and its application for immobilization of lipase fromCandida rugosa. The lipase was immobilized by entrapment method. Free and immobilized lipase activities, pH and temperature optima, and storage stability were investigated. The optimum temperature for free and entrapped lipase was found to be 40 and 45°C, while the optimum pH was observed at pH 7 and 8, respectively. Both hydrolytic activity in an aqueous medium and esterolytic activity in an organic medium have been evaluated. Maximum reaction rate (Vmax) and Michaelis-Menten constants (Km) were also determined for immobilized lipase. Storage stability of lipase was increased as a result of immobilization process. Furthermore, the operational stability and reusability of the immobilized lipase in esterification reaction have been studied, and it was observed that after 10 cycles, the residual activity for entrapped lipase was as high as 50%, implying that the developed hydrogel and immobilized system could provide a promising solution for the flavor ester synthesis at the industrial scale.
Neighborhood Preserving Convex Nonnegative Matrix Factorization
Authors: Wei Jiang , Min Li , Yongqing Zhang
Published: February 2014

The convex nonnegative matrix factorization (CNMF) is a variation of nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF) in which each cluster is expressed by a linear combination of the data points and each data point is represented by a linear combination of the cluster centers. When there exists nonlinearity in the manifold structure, both NMF and CNMF are incapable of characterizing the geometric structure of the data. This paper introduces a neighborhood preserving convex nonnegative matrix factorization (NPCNMF), which imposes an additional constraint on CNMF that each data point can be represented as a linear combination of its neighbors. Thus our method is able to reap the benefits of both nonnegative data factorization and the purpose of manifold structure. An efficient multiplicative updating procedure is produced, and its convergence is guaranteed theoretically. The feasibility and effectiveness of NPCNMF are verified on several standard data sets with promising results.
Synthesis and Reactions of Five-Membered Heterocycles Using Phase Transfer Catalyst (PTC) Techniques
Authors: El-Sayed Ahmed M. , Abd Allah Omyma A. , El-Saghier Ahmed M. M. , Mohamed Shaaban K.
Published: February 2014

Phase transfer catalysts (PTCs) have been widely used for the synthesis of organic compounds particularly in both liquid-liquid and solid-liquid heterogeneous reaction mixtures. They are known to accelerate reaction rates by facilitating formation of interphase transfer of species and making reactions between reagents in two immiscible phases possible. Application of PTC instead of traditional technologies for industrial processes of organic synthesis provides substantial benefits for the environment. On the basis of numerous reports it is evident that phase-transfer catalysis is the most efficient way for generation and reactions of many active intermediates. In this review we report various uses of PTC in syntheses and reactions of five-membered heterocycles compounds and their multifused rings.
Trichostatin A Suppresses EGFR Expression through Induction of MicroRNA-7 in an HDAC-Independent Manner in Lapatinib-Treated Cells
Authors: Tu Chih-Yen , Chen Chia-Hung , Hsia Te-Chun , Hsu Min-Hsiang , Wei Ya-Ling , Yu Meng-Chieh , Chen Wen-Shu , Hsu Ke-Wei , Yeh Ming-Hsin , Liu Liang-Chih , Chen Yun-Ju , Huang Wei-Chien
Published: February 2014

Lapatinib, a dual EGFR/HER2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to improve the survival rate of patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancers. However, the off-target activity of lapatinib in inducing EGFR expression without tyrosine kinase activity was demonstrated to render HER2-negative breast cancer cells more metastatic, suggesting a limitation to the therapeutic effectiveness of this dual inhibitor in HER2-heterogeneous tumors. Therefore, targeting EGFR expression may be a feasible approach to improve the anticancer efficiency of lapatinib-based therapy. Inhibition of HDAC has been previously reported to epigenetically suppress EGFR protein expression. In this study, however, our data indicated that treatment with HDAC inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA), but not suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) or HDAC siRNA, can attenuate both protein and mRNA expressions of EGFR in lapatinib-treated triple-negative breast cancer cells, suggesting that TSA may suppress EGFR expression independently of HDAC inhibition. Nevertheless, TSA reduced EGFR 3′UTR activity and induced the gene expression of microRNA-7, a known EGFR-targeting microRNA. Furthermore, treatment with microRNA-7 inhibitor attenuated TSA-mediated EGFR suppression. These results suggest that TSA induced microRNA-7 expression to downregulate EGFR expression in an HDAC-independent manner.
Multiple Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System with Automatic Features Extraction Algorithm for Cervical Cancer Recognition
Authors: Subhi Al-batah Mohammad , Mat Isa Nor Ashidi , Klaib Mohammad Fadel , Al-Betar Mohammed Azmi
Published: February 2014

To date, cancer of uterine cervix is still a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women worldwide. The current methods (i.e., Pap smear and liquid-based cytology (LBC)) to screen for cervical cancer are time-consuming and dependent on the skill of the cytopathologist and thus are rather subjective. Therefore, this paper presents an intelligent computer vision system to assist pathologists in overcoming these problems and, consequently, produce more accurate results. The developed system consists of two stages. In the first stage, the automatic features extraction (AFE) algorithm is performed. In the second stage, a neuro-fuzzy model called multiple adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (MANFIS) is proposed for recognition process. The MANFIS contains a set of ANFIS models which are arranged in parallel combination to produce a model with multi-input-multioutput structure. The system is capable of classifying cervical cell image into three groups, namely, normal, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). The experimental results prove the capability of the AFE algorithm to be as effective as the manual extraction by human experts, while the proposed MANFIS produces a good classification performance with 94.2% accuracy.
AIM2 Mediates Inflammation-Associated Renal Damage in Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Glomerulonephritis by Regulating Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18
Authors: Zhen Junhui , Zhang Le , Pan Jiachao , Ma Shumin , Yu Xiaojian , Li Xiaobo , Chen Shijun , Du Wenjun
Published: February 2014

Background & Aims. AIM2 plays an important role in innate immunity, but its role in regulating the immune response to hepatitis B virus (HBV) is unknown. We hypothesized that AIM2 expression is positively correlated with HBV-mediated inflammation in patients with HBV-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN), potentiating inflammation and leading to renal damage. We therefore analyzed the expression of AIM2 and inflammatory factors in HBV-GN tissues and cell lines relative to the inflammatory response to HBV infection and HBV status.Methods. Seventy-nine patients with chronic nephritis (CN) were included: 54 with HBV-GN and 24 with chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). Expression of AIM2, caspase-1, and IL-1βwas detected by immunohistochemistry in renal biopsies from each patient. Following siRNA-mediated knockdown of AIM2 in HBV-infected and HBV-uninfected human glomerular mesangial (HGM) cells, expression of caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 was detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results. AIM2 expression in HBV-GN biopsies (81.4%) was significantly higher than in CGN (4.0%) and positively correlated with caspase-1 and IL-1βexpression in HBV-GN. In vitro, AIM2 knockdown reduced caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 expression in HBV-infected and HBV-uninfected HGM cells.Conclusion. AIM2 elevation during HBV infection or replication may contribute to inflammatory damage, thus providing a putative therapeutic target for HBV-GN.
Renal Biopsy: Use of Biomarkers as a Tool for the Diagnosis of Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Authors: Aparecida da Silva Crislaine , Molinar Mauad Cintra Mariana , de Castro Côbo Eliângela , Vinícius da Silva Marcos , Bichuette Custódio Fabiano , Rosa Miranda Corrêa Rosana , Roberto Castellano Lúcio , Antônia dos Reis Marlene , Reis Machado Juliana
Published: February 2014

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a glomerulopathy associated with nephrotic syndrome and podocyte injury. FSGS occurs both in children and adults and it is considered the main idiopathic nephrotic syndrome nowadays. It is extremely difficult to establish a morphological diagnosis, since some biopsies lack a considerable quantifiable number of sclerotic glomeruli, given their focal aspect and the fact that FSGS occurs in less than half of the glomeruli. Therefore, many biological molecules have been evaluated as potential markers that would enhance the diagnosis of FSGS. Some of these molecules and receptors are associated with the pathogenesis of FSGS and have potential use in diagnosis.
Effect of Cement Asphalt Mortar Debonding on Dynamic Properties of CRTS II Slab Ballastless Track
Authors: Wang Ping , Xu Hao , Chen Rong
Published: February 2014

The debonding of cement emulsified asphalt mortar (CA mortar) is one of the main damage types in China railway track system II slab ballastless track. In order to analyze the influence of mortar debonding on the dynamic properties of CRTS II slab ballastless track, a vertical coupling vibration model for a vehicle-track-subgrade system was established on the base of wheel/rail coupling dynamics theory. The effects of different debonding lengths on dynamic response of vehicle and track system were analyzed by using the finite element software. The results show that the debonding of CA mortar layer will increase the dynamic response of track. If the length of debonding exceeds 1.95 m, the inflection point will appear on the vertical displacement curve of track. The vertical vibration acceleration of slab increases 4.95 times and the vertical dynamic compressive stress of CA mortar near the debonding region increases 15 times when the debonding length reaches 3.9 m. Considering the durability of ballastless track, once the length of debonding reaches 1.95 m, the mortar debonding should be repaired.
Performance Driven Six-Port Receiver and Its Advantages over Low-IF Receiver Architecture
Authors: Hasan Abul , Helaoui Mohamed
Published: February 2014

This paper provides an extensive analysis of the performance of a six-port based direct conversion receiver (SPR) in terms of signal quality, dynamic range, noise figure, ports matching, isolation, bandwidth, and cost. Calibration technique using multimemory polynomials has been adopted in order to improve the signal quality of the six-port receiver. The performances of the calibrated receiver are then compared with the performances of a commercially availableI-Qdemodulator used as a low-IF receiver. The main advantages and disadvantages of the SPR compared to the low-IF receiver are highlighted. The major advantages of the SPR come in terms of its available input frequency bandwidth and the low power requirement. The SPR system requires no external bias supply but suffers in terms of the available conversion gain. A better port matching of the SPR can be guaranteed over a wide frequency bandwidth, which mixer based receiver systems lack. The main component limiting the performance of a SPR is the diode detector. A faster and a better diode detector will alleviate some of the problems highlighted in this paper. The SPR system is calibratable and its error-vector-magnitude performance can be made better than theI-Qdemodulator used as a low-IF receiver.
Radiation Shielding Properties Comparison of Pb-Based Silicate, Borate, and Phosphate Glass Matrices
Authors: Ruengsri Suwimon
Published: February 2014

Theoretical calculations of mass attenuation coefficients, partial interactions, atomic cross-section, and effective atomic numbers of PbO-based silicate, borate, and phosphate glass systems have been investigated at 662 keV. PbO-based silicate glass has been found with the highest total mass attenuation coefficient and then phosphate and borate glasses, respectively. Compton scattering has been the dominate interaction contributed to the different total attenuation coefficients in each of the glass matrices. The silicate and phosphate glass systems are more appropriate choices as lead-based radiation shielding glass than the borate glass system. Moreover, comparison of results has shown that the glasses possess better shielding properties than standard shielding concretes, suggesting a smaller size requirement in addition to transparency in the visible region.
Pricing of American Put Option under a Jump Diffusion Process with Stochastic Volatility in an Incomplete Market
Authors: Li Shuang , Zhou Yanli , Ruan Xinfeng , Wiwatanapataphee B.
Published: February 2014

We study the pricing of American options in an incomplete market in which the dynamics of the underlying risky asset is driven by a jump diffusion process with stochastic volatility. By employing a risk-minimization criterion, we obtain the Radon-Nikodym derivative for the minimal martingale measure and consequently a linear complementarity problem (LCP) for American option price. An iterative method is then established to solve the LCP problem for American put option price. Our numerical results show that the model and numerical scheme are robust in capturing the feature of incomplete finance market, particularly the influence of market volatility on the price of American options.
Pharmacological Strategies to Prevent Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Pattharanitima Pattharawin , Tasanarong Adis
Published: February 2014

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is the most common iatrogenic cause of acute kidney injury after intravenous contrast media administration. In general, the incidence of CI-AKI is low in patients with normal renal function. However, the rate is remarkably elevated in patients with preexisting chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, old age, high volume of contrast agent, congestive heart failure, hypotension, anemia, use of nephrotoxic drug, and volume depletion. Consequently, CI-AKI particularly in high risk patients contributes to extended hospitalizations and increases long-term morbidity and mortality. The pathogenesis of CI-AKI involves at least three mechanisms; contrast agents induce renal vasoconstriction, increase of oxygen free radicals through oxidative stress, and direct tubular toxicity. Several strategies to prevent CI-AKI have been evaluated in experimental studies and clinical trials. At present, intravascular volume expansion with either isotonic saline or sodium bicarbonate solutions has provided more consistent positive results and was recommended in the prevention of CI-AKI. However, the proportion of patients with risk still develops CI-AKI. This review critically evaluated the current evidence for pharmacological strategies to prevent CI-AKI in patients with a risk of developing CI-AKI.
The Arens Algebras of Vector-Valued Functions
Authors: Ganiev I. G. , Egamberdiev O. I.
Published: February 2014

A class of Arens algebras of vector Banach algebra valued functions is considered. It is shown that Arens algebra of vector-valued functions is complete locally convex metrizable algebra.
Synchronization of Different Fractional Order Time‐Delay Chaotic Systems Using Active Control
Authors: Tang Jianeng
Published: February 2014

Chaos synchronization of different fractional order time‐delay chaotic systems is considered. Based on the Laplace transform theory, the conditions for achieving synchronization of different fractional order time‐delay chaotic systems are analyzed by use of active control technique. Then numerical simulations are provided to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the developed method. At last, effects of the fraction order and the time delay on synchronization are further researched.
Anolunula in Fingernails among Patients Infected with HIV
Authors: Gahalaut Pratik , Mishra Nitin , Chauhan Sandhya , Ali Mir Mubashir , Rastogi Madhur Kant , Thakur Richa
Published: February 2014

Lunula is the white, half-moon shaped area seen in proximal ends of some nails. Though a few studies have described the nail changes that can occur in association with HIV infection, none of these paid much attention to lunula. Aims and Objectives. To study the lunula in fingernails among HIV infected patients. Materials and Methods. An observational, cross-sectional study to record presence of lunula in 168 HIV-positive patients and compare it with age and sex matched 168 healthy HIV-negative control. Anolunula (absence of lunula) in HIV-positive patients was correlated with CD4 counts, stages of HIV infection, time since patient was diagnosed as HIV-positive, and status of antiretroviral therapy. Results. Anolunula was present in significantly more fingernails in HIV-positive patients compared to HIV-negative controls. There was a highly significant difference for total anolunula (anolunula in all fingernails) in study and control group. Incidence of total anolunula was directly proportional to the stage of HIV infection, increasing progressively as the HIV infection advances from stage 1 to stage 4. Conclusion. Absence of lunula is related to not only HIV infection per se but also the stages of HIV infection.
Novel Zinc(II) Complexes of Heterocyclic Ligands as Antimicrobial Agents: Synthesis, Characterisation, and Antimicrobial Studies
Authors: Yamgar Ramesh S. , Nivid Y. , Nalawade Satish , Mandewale Mustapha , Atram R. G. , Sawant Sudhir S.
Published: February 2014

The synthesis and antimicrobial activity of novel Zn(II) metal complexes derived from three novel heterocyclic Schiff base ligands 8-[(Z)-{[3-(N-methylamino)propyl]imino}methyl]-7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2H-chromen-2-one, 2-[(E)-{[4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)phenyl]imino}methyl]phenol, and (4S)-4-{4-[(E)-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]benzyl}-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one have been described. These Schiff base ligands and metal complexes are characterised by spectroscopic techniques. According to these data, we propose an octahedral geometry to all the metal complexes. Antimicrobial activity of the Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes was studied against Gram negative bacteria:E. coliandPseudomonas fluorescens, Gram positive bacteria:Staphylococcus aureus,and also against fungi, that is,C. albicansandA. niger. Some of the metal complexes show significant antifungal activity (MIC < 0.2 μg/mL). The “in vitro” data has identified [Zn(NMAPIMHMC)2]·2H2O, [Zn(TMPIMP)2]·2H2O, and [Zn(HBABO)2]·2H2O as potential therapeutic antifungal agents againstC. albicansandA. niger.
Contribution of Ca2+-Dependent Cl−Channels to Norepinephrine-Induced Contraction of Femoral Artery Is Replaced by Increasing EDCF Contribution during Ageing
Authors: Liskova Silvia , Petrova Miriam , Karen Petr , Behuliak Michal , Zicha Josef
Published: February 2014

The activation of Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels during norepinephrine-induced contraction of vascular smooth muscle was suggested to depolarize cell membrane and to increase Ca2+entry. Hypertension and ageing are associated with altered Ca2+handling including possible activation of Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels. Our study was aimed to determine Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels contribution to norepinephrine-induced contraction during hypertension and ageing. Norepinephrine-induced concentration-response curves of femoral arteries from 6- and 12-month-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were recorded using wire myograph. Pretreatment with Ca2+-dependent Cl- channel inhibitor indanyloxyacetic acid 94 [R(+)-IAA-94](IAA) attenuated norepinephrine-induced contraction in all groups, but relatively more in WKY than SHR arteries. The attenuation of norepinephrine-induced contraction after Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels blockade was partially reduced in 12-month-old WKY rats, but substantially diminished in 12-month-old SHR. IAA effect was enhanced after NO synthase inhibition but decreased by ageing. In 20-month-old WKY rats norepinephrine-induced contraction was not affected by IAA but was almost abolished after cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin or niflumic acid. In conclusion, contribution of Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels to norepinephrine-induced contraction diminished with age, hypertension development, and/or NO synthesis inhibition. Ca2+-dependent Cl−channels are important for maintenance of normal vascular tone while their inactivation/closing might be a pathological mechanism.
Assessment of Premutation in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Affected Family Members by TP-PCR and Genetic Counseling
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Agarwal Sarita , Pradhan Sunil
Published: February 2014

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is caused by the expansion of an unstable CTG repeat located in the 3′-UTR of (DMPK) theDM protein kinasegene. Patients with DM1 have expansions of greater than 50 repeats and up to many thousands. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the utility of TP-PCR in diagnostics as well as the assessment of premutation carriers in proband families. Twenty-seven DM1 cases were enrolled (from twenty-six families) and the 13 families of these cases came forward for family screening. The patient group constitute 22 males and 5 females and the average age of onset was 32.8 years (range 17 to 52). All clinically diagnosed DM1 cases and their family members DNA samples were analyzed by TP-PCR. All the cases were found to be positive for the CTG repeat expansion. Among those five families, four had at least an asymptomatic carrier. In the remaining one family other than the proband none was found to be neither affected nor asymptomatic. We reconfirmed the utility of PCR based screening for DM1 as being reliable and rapid molecular test and it should be used as an initial screening test for all patients with DM and their family members for initial screening purpose.
Self-Adaptive MOEA Feature Selection for Classification of Bankruptcy Prediction Data
Authors: Gaspar-Cunha A. , Recio G. , Costa L. , Estébanez C.
Published: February 2014

Bankruptcy prediction is a vast area of finance and accounting whose importance lies in the relevance for creditors and investors in evaluating the likelihood of getting into bankrupt. As companies become complex, they develop sophisticated schemes to hide their real situation. In turn, making an estimation of the credit risks associated with counterparts or predicting bankruptcy becomes harder. Evolutionary algorithms have shown to be an excellent tool to deal with complex problems in finances and economics where a large number of irrelevant features are involved. This paper provides a methodology for feature selection in classification of bankruptcy data sets using an evolutionary multiobjective approach that simultaneously minimise the number of features and maximise the classifier quality measure (e.g., accuracy). The proposed methodology makes use of self-adaptation by applying the feature selection algorithm while simultaneously optimising the parameters of the classifier used. The methodology was applied to four different sets of data. The obtained results showed the utility of using the self-adaptation of the classifier.
Comparative Metagenomic Analysis of Human Gut Microbiome Composition Using Two Different Bioinformatic Pipelines
Authors: D’Argenio Valeria , Casaburi Giorgio , Precone Vincenza , Salvatore Francesco
Published: February 2014

Technological advances in next-generation sequencing-based approaches have greatly impacted the analysis of microbial community composition. In particular, 16S rRNA-based methods have been widely used to analyze the whole set of bacteria present in a target environment. As a consequence, several specific bioinformatic pipelines have been developed to manage these data. MetaGenome Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (MG-RAST) and Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology (QIIME) are two freely available tools for metagenomic analyses that have been used in a wide range of studies. Here, we report the comparative analysis of the same dataset with both QIIME and MG-RAST in order to evaluate their accuracy in taxonomic assignment and in diversity analysis. We found that taxonomic assignment was more accurate with QIIME which, at family level, assigned a significantly higher number of reads. Thus, QIIME generated a more accurate BIOM file, which in turn improved the diversity analysis output. Finally, although informatics skills are needed to install QIIME, it offers a wide range of metrics that are useful for downstream applications and, not less important, it is not dependent on server times.
Removal of a Penile Constriction Device with a Large Orthopedic Pin Cutter
Authors: Chennamsetty Avinash , Wenzler David , Fischer Melissa
Published: February 2014

Penile strangulation is an infrequent clinical condition that has widely been reported. It usually results following placement of a constriction device to enhance sexual stimulation. Early treatment is essential to avoid potential complications, including ischemic necrosis and autoamputation. We describe the use of a Large Orthopedic Pin Cutter to remove a metal penile constriction device in the Emergency Department (ED). This case report describes the relatively safe technique of using an instrument available in many hospitals that can be added to the physician’s arsenal in the removal of metal constriction devices.
Spinal Anesthesia for Knee Arthroscopy Using Isobaric Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine: Anesthetic and Neuroophthalmological Assessment
Authors: del-Rio-Vellosillo Monica , Garcia-Medina Jose Javier , Abengochea-Cotaina Antonio , Pinazo-Duran Maria Dolores , Barbera-Alacreu Manuel
Published: February 2014

Introduction.The aim of the study was to compare the sensory, motor, and neuroophthalmological effects of isobaric levobupivacaine and bupivacaine when intrathecally administered.Materials and Methods.A prospective, double-blind, randomized study with 60 ASA grade I-II patients aged 18–65 years awaiting knee arthroscopy under spinal anesthesia. Patients received 12.5 mg of isobaric bupivacaine or levobupivacaine. Several features were recorded.Results.No significant intergroup differences were observed for ASA classification, time to micturate, demographic data, surgery duration, and patient/surgeon satisfaction. Similar hemodynamic parameters and sensory/motor blockade duration were found for both groups. There were no neuroophthalmological effects in either group. Sensory (P=0.018) and motor blockade onset (P=0.003) was faster in the bupivacaine group. T6 (T2–T12) and T3 (T2–T12) were the highest sensory block levels for the levobupivacaine and bupivacaine groups, respectively (P=0.008). It took less time to regain maximum motor blockade in the bupivacaine group (P=0.014), and the levobupivacaine group required use of analgesia earlier (P=0.025).Conclusions.Isobaric bupivacaine and levobupivacaine are analogous and well-tolerated anesthetics for knee arthroscopy. However, for bupivacaine, sensory and motor blockade onset was faster, and greater sensory blockade with a longer postoperative painless period was achieved.