bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulation and acclimation of leaf gas exchange in a piñon–juniper woodland exposed to three different precipitation regimes
Authors: LIMOUSIN JEAN‐MARC , BICKFORD CHRISTOPHER P. , DICKMAN LEE T. , PANGLE ROBERT E. , HUDSON PATRICK J. , BOUTZ AMANDA L. , GEHRES NATHAN , OSUNA JESSICA L. , POCKMAN WILLIAM T. , MCDOWELL NATE G.
Published: March 2013

Leaf gas‐exchange regulation plays a central role in the ability of trees to survive drought, but forecasting the future response of gas exchange to prolonged drought is hampered by our lack of knowledge regarding potential acclimation. To investigate whether leaf gas‐exchange rates and sensitivity to drought acclimate to precipitation regimes, we measured the seasonal variations of leaf gas exchange in a mature piñon–juniper Pinus edulis–Juniperus monosperma woodland after 3 years of precipitation manipulation. We compared trees receiving ambient precipitation with those in an irrigated treatment (+30% of ambient precipitation) and a partial rainfall exclusion (−45%). Treatments significantly affected leaf water potential, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis for both isohydric piñon and anisohydric juniper. Leaf gas exchange acclimated to the precipitation regimes in both species. Maximum gas‐exchange rates under well‐watered conditions, leaf‐specific hydraulic conductance and leaf water potential at zero photosynthetic assimilation all decreased with decreasing precipitation. Despite their distinct drought resistance and stomatal regulation strategies, both species experienced hydraulic limitation on leaf gas exchange when precipitation decreased, leading to an intraspecific trade‐off between maximum photosynthetic assimilation and resistance of photosynthesis to drought. This response will be most detrimental to the carbon balance of piñon under predicted increases in aridity in the southwestern USA.
Adipocytokines in childhood cancer survivors and correlation with metabolic syndrome components
Authors: Kojima Chiaki , Kubota Masaru , Nagai Ayako , Adachi Souichi , Watanabe Ken‐Ichiro , Nakahata Tatsutoshi
Published: March 2013

Background

Although there are several studies on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in childhood cancer survivors (CCS), the association between MetS components and serum adipocytokine level has not been elucidated.

Methods

The charts of 49 patients (27 male, 22 female) who had attended the CCS clinic of the Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University Hospital, between April 2009 and March 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Median age was 10.7 years, and the median interval since the completion of chemotherapy was 5.1 years. The diagnosis of MetS was made based on the Japanese criteria for either children or adults.

Results

Three (6.1%) of 49 patients fulfilled the criteria for MetS, and 28 (57.1%) had at least one component of MetS. High leptin level was seen in 18 patients (36.7%), and low total adiponectin level was seen in 20 (40.8%). The number of patients with high leptin was correlated with body mass index z‐score (>2.0), abdominal circumference/height (≥0.5), diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood sugar. The number of patients with low total adiponectin was correlated with systolic blood pressure and triglyceride. When the patients were divided into three groups based on the number of positive MetS components (0, 1 and 2–4), leptin and adiponectin tended to be higher and lower in the third group, respectively.

Conclusions

Adipocytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of MetS occurring in CCS. It is recommended that adipocytokines be evaluated together with MetS components at the CCS follow‐up clinics.
Physical Activity Questionnaire for children and adolescents: English norms and cut‐off points
Authors: Voss Christine , Ogunleye Ayodele A , Sandercock Gavin RH
Published: March 2013

Background

The Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents (PAQ‐C/‐A) provides general estimates of physical activity levels. Following recent expert recommendations for using the PAQ for population surveillance, the aim of this paper was twofold: first, to describe normative PAQ data for English youth; and second, to determine a criterion‐referenced PAQ‐score cut‐off point.

Methods

Participants (n = 7226, 53% boys, 10–15 years) completed an anglicized version of the PAQ. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) was predicted from PACER lap count according to latest FITNESSGRAM standards and categorized into “at‐risk” and “no‐risk” for metabolic syndrome. ROC curves were drawn for each age–sex group to identify PAQ scores, which categorized youth into “sufficiently active” versus “low‐active” groups, using cardiorespiratory fitness as the criterion‐referenced standard.

Results

PAQ scores were higher in boys than in girls and declined with age. Mean PAQ score was a significant, albeit relatively weak (area under the curve < 0.7) discriminator between “at‐risk” and “no‐risk.” PAQ scores of ≥2.9 for boys and ≥2.7 for girls were identified as cut‐off points, although it may be more appropriate to use lower, age‐specific PAQ scores for girls of 13, 14 and 15 years (2.6, 2.4, 2.3, respectively).

Conclusion

The normative and criterion‐referenced PAQ values may be used to standardize and categorize PAQ scores in future youth population studies.
ICU outcomes in cystic fibrosis following invasive ventilation
Authors: Reid David W. , Bell Scott C.
Published: March 2013

See article, page 630
Survey of methods used to detect bacterial contamination of platelet products in the United States in 2011
Authors: Brecher Mark E. , Jacobs Michael R. , Katz Louis M. , Jacobson Jessica , Riposo Jacqlyn , Carr‐Greer Allene , Kleinman Steve ,   AABB Bacterial Contamination Task Force
Published: March 2013

Background

Testing of platelets (PLTs) for bacterial contamination is required by the AABB Standards but is not fully standardized. On January 31, 2011, a new AABB Standard, 5.1.5.1.1, specified that bacterial detection methods for PLT components shall use assays either approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or validated to provide sensitivity equivalent to these FDA‐approved methods.

Methods

An Internet‐based survey of AABB member institutions was conducted from May to June 2012, to document current practices used in 2011 for bacterial detection in different PLT products and to assess the impact of the new standard.

Results

Of 1053 AABB member institutions surveyed, 40 of 99 blood centers (40.4%) and 184 of 954 hospital blood banks or transfusion services (19.3%) responded. Sixty‐four respondents manufactured PLTs. Apheresis PLTs (APs) were predominantly screened with the BacT/ALERT system (89.5%); the majority (95.2%) were cultured with at least 8 mL of product. There was substantial variation in the minimum incubation time of cultures before release of PLTs (range, 0 to >24 hr). Recalls of released AP for possible bacterial contamination were largely successful (67.3%); successful interdiction before transfusion was associated with incubation for more than 12 hours before release (p < 0.01). After Standard 5.1.5.1.1 took effect, there was a decrease in production of whole blood–derived PLT concentrates (WBPCs). Point‐of‐issue (“rapid”) immunoassays were used to screen a substantial proportion of WBPC PLTs, but were rarely used as secondary tests for previously cultured APs.

Conclusion

The survey identified variability in culture methods and release times with AP, while use of WBPC decreased after AABB Standard 5.1.5.1.1 became effective.
Glyphosate‐resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) on rice paddy levees in Japan
Authors: Niinomi Yuki , Ikeda Mutsuhiro , Yamashita Masayuki , Ishida Yoshiki , Asai Motoaki , Shimono Yoshiko , Tominaga Tohru , Sawada Hitoshi
Published: March 2013

The rapid range expansion of naturalized Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in farmland is a serious problem in Fukuroi city in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Glyphosate has been used to control Italian ryegrass in the levees of rice paddy fields and wheat fields for ∼20 years, but this weed in Fukuroi city is poorly controlled by glyphosate. In order to elucidate the level of resistance to glyphosate in Italian ryegrass populations, seed bioassays and a foliar application experiment, using seeds collected from 16 wild populations in and around Fukuroi city and from three susceptible cultivars, were conducted. For the susceptible cultivars and one population from a site where glyphosate had not been applied for >10 years, the shoot length in the seed bioassays was greatly suppressed at a glyphosate concentration of 10 mg ai L−1 and no seedling survived after the foliar application of glyphosate at a rate of 2.3 kg ai ha−1. Nine wild populations from levees in the southern part of Fukuroi city showed vigorous shoot growth at a glyphosate concentration of 10 mg ai L−1 and had at least a 78% survival rate after the application of glyphosate at 2.3 kg ai ha−1. Four wild populations from levees in the northern part of Fukuroi city showed a slight suppression of the shoot growth as a result of the glyphosate treatment and their survival rates ranged from 20 to 64%. The results suggested that resistance to glyphosate has evolved in the wild populations of Italian ryegrass that are growing on the levees. This is the first report of a glyphosate‐resistant weed in Japan.
Mannose reduces hyaluronan and leukocytes in wound granulation tissue and inhibits migration and hyaluronan‐dependent monocyte binding
Authors: Jokela Tiina A. , Kuokkanen Jukka , Kärnä Riikka , Pasonen‐Seppänen Sanna , Rilla Kirsi , Kössi Jyrki , Laato Matti , Tammi Raija H. , Tammi Markku I.
Published: March 2013

Wound healing is a highly regulated process starting from coagulation and ending in tissue remodeling. The end result varies from perfectly restored tissue, such as in early fetal skin, to scars in adults. The balanced repair process is frequently disturbed by local or systemic factors, like infections and diabetes. A rapid increase of hyaluronan is an inherent feature of wounds and is associated with tissue swelling, epithelial and mesenchymal cell migration and proliferation, and induction of cytokine signaling. Hyaluronan extending from cell surface into structures called cables can trap leukocytes and platelets and change their functions. All these features of hyaluronan modulate inflammation. The present data show that mannose, a recently described inhibitor of hyaluronan synthesis, inhibits dermal fibroblast invasion and prevents the enhanced leukocyte binding to hyaluronan that takes place in cells treated with an inflammatory mediator interleukin‐1β. Mannose also reduced hyaluronan in subcutaneous sponge granulation tissue, a model of skin wound, and suppressed its leukocyte recruitment and tissue growth. Mannose thus seems to suppress wounding‐induced inflammation in skin by attenuating hyaluronan synthesis.
Transcatheter Arterial Embolisation for Haemorrhage from the Inferior Epigastric Artery after Acupuncture: A Case Report
Authors: Moon Sang Won , Kim Ki Hoon
Published: March 2013

We report a rare case of haemorrhage from the inferior epigastric artery, which was injured after acupuncture. The haemorrhage was successfully controlled by transcatheter arterial embolisation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the use of transcatheter arterial embolisation for inferior epigastric artery haemorrhage following acupuncture.
An unusual case ofE colimeningitis in a patient with Marfan's syndrome
Authors: Kangath Raghesh Varot , Midturi John
Published: March 2013

Spontaneous non-traumaticEscherichia colimeningitis is very rare in adults. We report a case of a 48-year-old woman with Marfan's syndrome withE colimeningitis. Apparently, the relation between an increased risk of meningitis and Marfan's syndrome is not well known. This patient was discharged on intravenous  antibiotic therapy after a diagnosis ofE colimeningitis without looking for the cause by imaging studies previously. Her blood cultures were negative ruling out haematogenous spread. Our work-up revealed extensive dural ectasia with intrasacral meningoceles extending into the pelvis possibly acting as a portal of entry for the bacteria into the brain from the gastrointestinal tract.
IS RACE A PROGNOSTIC FACTOR IN DETERMINING OVARIAN CANCER SURVIVAL OUTCOMES? THE ANSWER IS NOT JUSTBLACK AND WHITE
Authors: Proulx Isabelle , Reilly Kristen
Published: March 2013

Objective

To determine if there are disparities in survival outcomes in African–American (AA) and white American (WA) women who seek treatment for ovarian cancer in the USA.

Background

Among gynaecologic malignancies in the USA, epithelial ovarian cancer continues to be the leading cause of death, surpassing uterine and cervical cancer combined. An estimated 21 990 women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011 in the USA. Despite advances in surgical techniques and chemotherapy that have provided an increasing number of treatment options for women with this disease, mortality remains high, with 15 460 women dying from ovarian cancer in 2011. These outcomes reflect the fact that there is no effective screening tool for ovarian cancer. Thus, the majority of cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, and prognosis is usually poor. In addition, race has been postulated to be a prognostic factor of survival in women with ovarian cancer in a number of studies. Large epidemiological studies have demonstrated a lower incidence and death rate with epithelial ovarian cancer for AA compared with Caucasians. However, relative survival for AA appears to be significantly poorer. This research hypothesizes that this difference is not biologically determined, rather, it is the result of social inequalities. A literature review is required to assess the relationship between race and survival outcomes of ovarian cancer in AA and WA women in the USA.

Methods

Literature review of English peer-reviewed studies regarding differences in survival outcomes for black and white ovarian cancer patients in the USA. Studies assessed by HRs, forest plots, Kaplan–Meier survival plots, 5-year survival rates and statistical significance.

Results

Statistically significant results were demonstrated in two studies: Chanet al, 2008 (HR: 1.179, 1.095 to 1.270, 95% CI) Albainet al, 2009 (HR: 1.48, 1.03 to 2.11, 95% CI). 5-year survival rate (AA vs WA): Chanet al, 2008 (40.7% vs 44.1%), Albainet al, 2009 (17.8% vs 29.9%).

Conclusions

Despite statistically significant evidence demonstrating that AA women experience worse survival outcomes in ovarian cancer than WA women, it would be premature to conclude that race is the only prognostic factor. Race is a social determinant that influences other variables that affect treatment and survival of ovarian cancer, such as education, occupation, socioeconomic status and access to healthcare. Therefore, future studies are required to further assess the complicated relationship between survival outcomes and race.
ASSESSING THE JOINT EFFECT OF SMOKING AND SEX, AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH THE PREVALENCE OF ARTHRITIS IN OBESE CANADIANS
Authors: Sabarre Kelley-Anne
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Arthritis is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease; it is known as the leading cause of chronic pain in North America. Researchers identified cigarette smoking as a major preventable risk factor for arthritis, and sex as a non-modifiable risk factor for arthritis.

Objective

To determine the association between a smoking–sex interaction, and the prevalence of arthritis among obese Canadians.

Methods

Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), cycle 4.0, interaction variables were created to demonstrate the effect of smoking, the effect of sex, and the joint effect of smoking and sex in relation to the prevalence of arthritis. The association between exposures of interest, smoking and sex, and health outcome of interest, prevalence of arthritis, was examined using multiple logistic regression and log binomial regression modelling. Measures of additive interaction (relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), synergy index (S)) using both additive and multiplicative models were calculated and assessed.

Results

The prevalence of the health outcome of interest was common; 29.7% of the study population reported having arthritis. The OR of arthritis was: 1.285 (1.148, 1.439) for male smokers; 1.606 (1.431, 1.802) for female non-smokers; and 2.240 (1.997, 2.513) female smokers compared with male non-smokers. All ORs were statistically significant, with the exception of individuals with some postsecondary education compared with individuals with less than secondary school education (OR=0.866 (0.747, 1.005)). Using logistic regression, measures of assumed additive interaction implied statistical significance of a biological interaction (RERI: 0.349 (0.142, 0.556), AP: 0.156 (0.065, 0.247), S 1.391 (1.102, 1.756)). The relative risk of arthritis was: 1.19263 (1.10369, 1.29105) for male smokers; 1.38933 (1.28697, 1.50282) female non-smokers; 1.61469 (1.49868, 1.74350) for female smokers compared with male non-smokers. Using log binomial regression, measures of additive interaction implied no statistical significance of a biological interaction (RERI: 0.033 (−0.072, 0.137), AP: 0.020 (−0.045, 0.085), S: 1.056 (0.879, 1.269)).

Conclusions

Although it appears that a synergistic smoking–sex interaction was present when using a multiplicative model, the additive model did not confirm this synergistic effect. Given that the additive model reports more accurate risk for a common outcome such as arthritis, this leads us to believe that smoking and sex do not have a synergistic effect on the prevalence of arthritis among obese Canadians.
A FUBINI THEOREM FOR INTEGRAL TRANSFORMS AND CONVOLUTION PRODUCTS
Authors: CHUNG HYUN SOO , SKOUG DAVID , CHANG SEUNG JUN
Published: March 2013

In this paper we establish Fubini theorems for integral transforms and convolution products for functionals on function space.
MIMO PREDICTIVE PID CONTROL: A PRACTICAL APPROACH FOR QUADRUPLE TANK
Authors: SAEED QAMAR , UDDIN VALI , KATEBI REZA
Published: March 2013

In this paper, predictive control has been implemented by several methods in a most simplified manner for quadruple tank system, i.e., a multi-input multi-output control problem. Quadruple tank system is a nonlinear system which can be adjusted to obtain two different class of system i.e., minimum and nonminimum phase, therefore tuning for each phase of system has to be tackled separately. Control system design has been obtained by manual proportional-integral controller, traditional generalized predictive control, predictive proportional-integral-derivative on the basis of generalized predictive control, predictive iterative learning control and finally adaptive predictive proportional-integral-derivative control has been developed successfully. Stability and performance of the each control system design has also been discussed.
CELLULAR NONLINEAR NETWORKS MEET KdV EQUATION: A NEW PARADIGM
Authors: BILOTTA ELEONORA , PANTANO PIETRO
Published: March 2013

The Korteweg–de Vries equation, used to describe long and solitary wave propagation on shallow water, later called soliton, besides describing phenomena ranging from the dynamics of plasmas to tsunami can be implemented into Cellular Neural Networks (CNNs), analog circuit which processes signals in real time with the aim to create a completely innovative generation of transmission lines and a new method for studying wave-like propagation of information in multi-dimensional nonlinear and dispersive media. In this paper, after a short presentation of both systems, we empirically verify that the behavior of the KdV can be emulated by CNNs. As the PDEs dynamics and its associated CNN equation have identical solutions, the integrated system can be considered a physical model, able to generate soliton-like behavior, giving rise to computing machines based on nonlinear dynamics. Interestingly, their way of encoding and conveying information is very similar to that of biological systems.
A TWO-PARAMETER METHOD FOR CHAOS CONTROL AND TARGETING IN ONE-DIMENSIONAL MAPS
Authors: FRANCO DANIEL , LIZ EDUARDO
Published: March 2013

We investigate a method of chaos control in which intervention is proportional to the difference between the current state and a fixed value. We prove that this method allows to stabilize the most usual one-dimensional maps used in discrete-time models of population dynamics about a globally stable positive equilibrium. From the point of view of targeting, this technique is very flexible, and we show how to choose the control parameter values to lead the system towards the desired target. Another important feature of this control scheme in the ecological context is that it can be designed to prevent the risk of extinction in models with the so-called Allee effect. We provide a useful geometrical interpretation, and give some examples to illustrate our theoretical results.
EIGHT LIMIT CYCLES AROUND A CENTER IN QUADRATIC HAMILTONIAN SYSTEM WITH THIRD-ORDER PERTURBATION
Authors: YU PEI , HAN MAOAN
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we show that generic planar quadratic Hamiltonian systems with third degree polynomial perturbation can have eight small-amplitude limit cycles around a center. We use higher-order focus value computation to prove this result, which is equivalent to the computation of higher-order Melnikov functions. Previous results have shown, based on first-order and higher-order Melnikov functions, that planar quadratic Hamiltonian systems with third degree polynomial perturbation can have five or seven small-amplitude limit cycles around a center. The result given in this paper is a further improvement.
CHAOS IN A CLASS OF NONCONSTANT WEIGHTED SHIFT OPERATORS
Authors: WU XINXING , ZHU PEIYONG
Published: March 2013

In this paper, chaos generated by a class of nonconstant weighted shift operators is studied. First, we prove that for the weighted shift operator Bμ : Σ(X) → Σ(X) defined by Bμ(x0, x1, …) = (μ(0)x1, μ(1)x2, …), where X is a normed linear space (not necessarily complete), weak mix, transitivity (hypercyclity) and Devaney chaos are all equivalent to separability of X and this property is preserved under iterations. Then we get that [Formula: see text] is distributionally chaotic and Li–Yorke sensitive for each positive integer N. Meanwhile, a sufficient condition ensuring that a point is k-scrambled for all integers k > 0 is obtained. By using these results, a simple example is given to show that Corollary 3.3 in [Fu & You, 2009] does not hold. Besides, it is proved that the constructive proof of Theorem 4.3 in [Fu & You, 2009] is not correct.
A METHODOLOGY FOR MODELING MULTI-AGENT SYSTEMS USING NESTED PETRI NETS
Authors: CHANG LILY , HE XUDONG , SHATZ SOL M.
Published: March 2013

In the past two decades, multi-agent systems have emerged as a new paradigm for conceptualizing large and complex distributed software systems. Even though there are many conceptual frameworks for using multi-agent systems, there is no well established and widely accepted method for the representation of multi-agent systems. We adapt a well-known formal model, predicate transition nets, to include the notions of dynamic structure, agent communication and coordination to address the representation problems. This paper presents a comprehensive methodology for modeling multi-agents based on the extensions. We demonstrate our modeling approach with an example. Several case studies on different application domains from our previous works are also discussed.
BIRACK DYNAMICAL COCYCLES AND HOMOMORPHISM INVARIANTS
Authors: NELSON SAM , WATTERBERG EMILY
Published: March 2013

Biracks are algebraic structures related to knots and links. We define a new enhancement of the birack counting invariant for oriented knots and links via algebraic structures called birack dynamical cocycles. The new invariants can also be understood in terms of partitions of the set of birack labelings of a link diagram determined by a homomorphism p : X → Y between finite labeling biracks. We provide examples to show that the new invariant is stronger than the unenhanced birack counting invariant and examine connections with other knot and link invariants.
ON THE EXPONENT OF THE SCHUR MULTIPLIER OF A PAIR OF FINITE p-GROUPS
Authors: MOHAMMADZADEH FAHIMEH , HOKMABADI AZAM , MASHAYEKHY BEHROOZ
Published: March 2013

In this paper, we find an upper bound for the exponent of the Schur multiplier of a pair (G, N) of finite p-groups, when N admits a complement in G. As a consequence, we show that the exponent of the Schur multiplier of a pair (G, N) divides exp (N) if (G, N) is a pair of finite p-groups of class at most p – 1. We also prove that if N is powerfully embedded in G, then the exponent of the Schur multiplier of a pair (G, N) divides exp (N).
XRPIM versus XFEM
Authors: LIU S.
Published: March 2013

We present an extended radial point interpolation method (XRPIM) for modeling cracks and material interfaces in two-dimensional elasto-static problems. Therefore, partition of unity enrichment is incorporated into RPIM. We employ both step enrichment and crack tip enrichment for cracks. The studies are restricted to stationary cracks though the method can be extended easily to moving boundaries. We compare the results to the extended finite element method to show the superiority of our method. We show for two selected problems that the error is of magnitudes lower compared to XFEM simulations.
Chemistry and Biology of Essential Oils of GenusBoswellia
Authors: Hussain Hidayat , Al-Harrasi Ahmed , Al-Rawahi Ahmed , Hussain Javid
Published: March 2013

The properties ofBoswelliaplants have been exploited for millennia in the traditional medicines of Africa, China, and especially in the Indian Ayurveda. In Western countries, the advent of synthetic drugs has obscured the pharmaceutical use ofBoswellia, until it was reported that an ethanolic extract exerts anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects. Frankincense was commonly used for medicinal purposes. This paper aims to provide an overview of current knowledge of the volatile constituents of frankincense, with explicit consideration concerning the diverseBoswelliaspecies. Altogether, more than 340 volatiles inBoswelliahave been reported in the literature. In particular, a broad diversity has been found in the qualitative and quantitative composition of the volatiles with respect to different varieties ofBoswellia. A detailed discussion of the various biological activities ofBoswelliafrankincense is also presented.
Current Status and Advances in Quantitative Proteomic Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Wasinger Valerie C. , Zeng Ming , Yau Yunki
Published: March 2013

The accurate quantitation of proteins and peptides in complex biological systems is one of the most challenging areas of proteomics. Mass spectrometry-based approaches have forged significant in-roads allowing accurate and sensitive quantitation and the ability to multiplex vastly complex samples through the application of robust bioinformatic tools. These relative and absolute quantitative measures using label-free, tags, or stable isotope labelling have their own strengths and limitations. The continuous development of these methods is vital for increasing reproducibility in the rapidly expanding application of quantitative proteomics in biomarker discovery and validation. This paper provides a critical overview of the primary mass spectrometry-based quantitative approaches and the current status of quantitative proteomics in biomedical research.
Stabilization for Networked Control Systems with Random Sampling Periods
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Qingling , Zhang Shuanghong , Cai Min
Published: March 2013

This paper investigates the stabilization of networked control systems (NCSs) with random delays and random sampling periods. Sampling periods can randomly switch between three cases according to the high, low, and medium types of network load. The sensor-to-controller (S-C) random delays and random sampling periods are modeled as Markov chains. The transition probabilities of Markov chains do not need to be completely known. A state feedback controller is designed via the iterative linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. It is shown that the designed controller is two-mode dependent and depends on not only the currentS-Cdelay but also the most recent available sampling period at the controller node. The resulting closed-loop systems are special discrete-time jump linear systems with two modes. The sufficient conditions for the stochastic stability are established. An example of the cart and inverted pendulum is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical result.
Spectral and Thermal Degradation of Melamine Cyanurate
Authors: Sangeetha V. , Kanagathara N. , Sumathi R. , Sivakumar N. , Anbalagan G.
Published: March 2013

Melamine cyanurate, an organic crystalline complex was, synthesized by evaporation of an aqueous solution containing equimolar quantities of melamine and cyanuric acid. The synthesized compound has been subjected to various characterizations like Powder XRD, FT-IR, TG-DTG, SEM, and SHG. The presence of sharp diffraction peaks in the XRD confirms that the products are highly crystalline. The average particle size was calculated using the Debye-Scherrer formula, and it was found to be 3.067 μm. Thermal behavior of the grown crystal has been studied by TG-DTG analysis. From TG-DTG, it is found that the title crystal possesses good thermal stability. The activation energy was calculated using the Broido, Coats-Redfern, and Horowitz-Metzger methods. A sharp peak exothermic peak at 405.40°C was assigned as the melting point of the title material. SEM reveals the morphology of the synthesized salt. No detectable signal was observed during the Kurtz-Perry technique.
Morphological and Cell Growth Assessment in Near Dense Hydroxyapatite Scaffold
Authors: Wiria Florencia Edith , Tay Bee Yen , Ghassemieh Elaheh
Published: March 2013

This paper reports the preliminary results on the morphology of low porosity hydroxyapatite scaffold and its compatibility as a substrate for osteoblast cells. Although having low porosity, the hydroxyapatite scaffold was found to be capable of sustaining cell growth and thus assisting bone ingrowth. Due to the low porosity nature, the scaffold provides higher strength and therefore more suitable for applications with load-bearing requirements such as spinal spacer. The hydroxyapatite scaffolds are prepared via powder processing techniques, using a combination of wet mixing, powder compaction, and sintering processes. The scaffold porosity is estimated via image analysis and micro-CT, which detect porosity level of approximately 16% and pore size of 13 μm. Cell culture investigation demonstrates that the hydroxyapatite substrate is able to provide favourable cell attachment and collagen matrix production, as compared to the commonly used cell culture control substrates. These results indicate that despite the low porosity in the hydroxyapatite scaffolds, they do not hinder being a preferred substrate to provide conducive environment osteoblast cell growth.
An Evaluation of Bera Lake (Malaysia) Sediment Contamination Using Sediment Quality Guidelines
Authors: Gharibreza Mohammadreza , Ashraf Muhammad Aqeel , Yusoff Ismail , Raj John Kuna
Published: March 2013

Bera Lake is known as the first RAMSAR site and is the largest natural lake in Malaysia. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and Geoaccumulation index were used to evaluate Bera Lake sediment contamination. Five undisturbed cores were collected from Bera Lake sediment. Major and trace levels of elements were determined for 132 subsamples using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The results marked two major groups of metallic elements bonded to the terrestrial and organic‐rich sediments. Terrestrial sediments were strongly associated with accumulation of Li, Al, Pb, Cu, Cr, Na, Mg, Sr, and K during main fluxes of metals. However, a strong positive correlation was obtained between Fe, Mn, As, Zn, Cu, Ni, Ca, and Cd elements and TOC and TN. The Mn/Fe ratio revealed a long‐term redox and acidic condition at Bera Lake. Geoaccumulation index for all individual metals has classified Bera Lake sediment as low to moderately polluted. However, elemental values when compared with thresholds limits of SQG indicated that Bera Lake sediments were contaminated by arsenic and iron. Results prove that deforestation during the five phases of land developments since 1972 has significantly contributed to the existence of metals fluxes into the area.
Metabolic Risk Susceptibility in Men Is Partially Related to Adiponectin/Leptin Ratio
Authors: Vega Gloria Lena , Grundy Scott M.
Published: March 2013

Background. High adiponectin/leptin ratio may be protective from metabolic risks imparted by high triglyceride, low HDL, and insulin resistance.Methods. This cross-sectional study examines plasma adipokine levels in 428 adult men who were subgrouped according to low (<6.5 μg/mL)and high (≥6.5 μg/mL)adiponectin levels or a low or high ratio of adiponectin/leptin.Results. Men with high adiponectin/leptin ratio had lower plasma triglyceride and higher HDL cholesterol than those with low ratio. Similarly, those with high adiponectin/leptin ratio had lower TG/HDL cholesterol ratio and HOMA2-IR than those with low ratio. In contrast, levels of adiponectin or the ratio of adiponectin/leptin did not associate with systolic blood pressure. But the ratio of adiponectin/leptin decreased progressively with the increase in the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome.Conclusion. Adipokine levels may reflect adipose tissue triglyceride storage capacity and insulin sensitivity. Leptin is an index of fat mass, and adiponectin is a biomarker of triglyceride metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Men with high adiponectin/leptin ratios have better triglyceride profile and insulin sensitivity than men with a low ratio regardless of waist girth.
A Kinetic Study of Marginal Soil Energy PlantHelianthus annuusStalk Pyrolysis
Authors: Yan Huaxiao , Zhao Hui , Zhang Yan , Tian Yuanyu , Xie Kechang
Published: March 2013

The pyrolytic characteristics and kinetics of new marginal soil energy plantHelianthus annuusstalk were investigated using thermogravimetric (TG) method from 50 to 800°C in an inert argon atmosphere at different heating rates of 5, 10, 20, and 30°C min−1. The kinetic parameters of activation energy and pre-exponential factor were deduced by Popescu, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods, respectively. The results showed that three stages appeared in the thermal degradation process. The primary devolatilization stage ofH. annuusstalk can be described by the Avrami-Erofeev function(n=4). The average activation energy ofH. annuusstalk was only 142.9 kJ mol−1. There were minor kinetic compensation effects between the pre-exponential factor and the activation energy. The results suggest thatH. annuusstalk is suitable for pyrolysis, and more importantly, the experimental results and kinetic parameters provided useful information for the design of pyrolytic processing system usingH. annuusstalk as feedstock.
Medicinal FungusAntrodia cinnamomeaInhibits Growth and Cancer Stem Cell Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Liu Yu-Ming , Liu Yu-Kuo , Lan Keng-Li , Lee Yu-Wei , Tsai Tung-Hu , Chen Yu-Jen
Published: March 2013

Background.Antrodia cinnamomeais an edible fungus commonly used in Asia as a well-known medicinal herb capable of treating drug intoxication and liver cancer.Methods. This study evaluated the anticancer activity of its biotechnological product, mycelial fermentation broth (AC-MFB) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by tetrazolium-based colorimetric assayin vitroand syngeneic Balb/c 1MEA.7R.1 tumor implantation modelin vivo. Given that cancer stem cell characteristics, such as angiogenesis, invasiveness, and migration, are known to cause recurrence, we further evaluated the effect ofAC-MFB on cellular viability inhibition of HCC cells, angiogenic activity and migration of endothelial cells, and the release of proangiogenic factors from HCC cells.Results. We found thatAC-MFB markedly inhibited the growth of HCC without hepatic enzyme abnormality. This anti-HCC activity was validated by growth-inhibitory effects on both cultured murine 1MEA.7R.1 and human HA22T/VGH HCC cells. For cancer stem cell characteristics,AC-MFB inhibited the cellular viability, migration, and tube formation activity of EA. hy926 and SVEC4-10 endothelial cells. Production of extracellular vascular endothelial growth factor and intracellular hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha from HCC cells was suppressed byAC-MFB.Conclusion.Antrodia cinnamomeacould inhibit the growth and cancer stem cell characteristics of HCC cells.
Twenty Years of Experience with the Preoperative Diagnosis of Medullary Cancer in a Moderately Iodine-Deficient Region
Authors: Solymosi Tamas , Lukacs Toth Gyula , Nagy Dezso , Gal Istvan
Published: March 2013

Background. There is a current debate in the medical literature about plasma calcitonin screening in patients with nodular goiter (NG). We decided on analyzing our 20-year experience with patients in an iodine-deficient region (ID).Patients and Methods. 22,857 consecutive patients with NG underwent ultrasonography and aspiration cytology (FNAC). If FNAC raised suspicion of medullary cancer (MTC), the serum calcitonin was measured.Results. 4,601 patients underwent surgery; there were 23 patients among them who had MTC (0.1% prevalence). Significantly more MTC cases were diagnosed cytologically in the second decade than in the first: 11/12 and 6/11, respectively. The frozen section was of help in 2 cases out of 3. Two patients suffered from a 3-year delay in proper therapy, and reoperation was necessary in 1 case. FNAC raised the suspicion of MTC in 20 cases that were later histologically verified and did not present MTC. The diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in diagnosing MTC was 99.2%. Two false-positive serum calcitonin tests (one of them in a hemodialyzed patient) and one false-negative serum calcitonin test occurred in 40 cases.Conclusion. Regarding the low prevalence of MTC in ID regions, calcitonin screening of all NG patients does not only appear superfluously but may have more disadvantages than advantages.
Monotonicity of Eventually Positive Solutions for a Second Order Nonlinear Difference Equation
Authors: Chen Huiqin , Jin Zhen , Kang Shugui
Published: March 2013

We derive several sufficient conditions for monotonicity of eventually positive solutions on a class of second order perturbed nonlinear difference equation. Furthermore, we obtain a few nonexistence criteria for eventually positive monotone solutions of this equation. Examples are provided to illustrate our main results.
Functional Contractive Maps in Triangular Symmetric Spaces
Authors: Turinici Mihai
Published: March 2013

Some fixed point results are given for a class of functional contractions acting on (reflexive) triangular symmetric spaces. Technical connections with the corresponding theories over (standard) metric and partial metric spaces are also being established.
Social Psychiatry in the Waiting Room: What a Physician Can Learn about Occupational Stress from Workers Waiting to Be Examined
Authors: Magnavita Nicola , Garbarino Sergio
Published: March 2013

Background. Work-related stress is a major problem for mental health. The occupational physician has the opportunity to gather information on the perception of stress from workers in the course of regular medical examinations.Method. 1,231 subjects, engaged in 6 different occupations, were invited to compile the Demand/Control/Support and the Effort/Reward/Imbalance questionnaires.Results. A specific profile of work-related stress emerged for each group of workers. Radiology physicians reported high control over work, but also exceedingly high demand and effort, high overcommitment, low social support, and low rewards from work. Health care workers were often overcommitted but had high levels of reward and social support. Low levels of social support and reward were recorded for mature workers, while special force policemen engaged in law enforcement during the G8 meeting had high levels of social support and regards, so that their resulting stress levels were closer to the reference group of employees in an insurance company with no front-office.Conclusion. The practice of administering questionnaires to groups of workers who are subject to medical surveillance is useful for monitoring mental health and well-being.
Stiffness Identification of Spindle-Toolholder Joint Based on Finite Difference Technique and Residual Compensation Theory
Authors: Liu Zhifeng , Song Xiaolei , Zhao Yongsheng , Cai Ligang , Guo Hongsheng , Ma Jianchuan
Published: March 2013

The chatter vibration in high-speed machining mostly originates from the flexible connection of spindle and toolholder. Accurate identification of spindle-toolholder joint is crucial to predict machining stability of spindle system. This paper presents an enhanced stiffness identification method for the spindle-toolholder joint, in which the rotational degree of freedom (RDOF) is included. RDOF frequency response functions (FRFs) are formulated based on finite difference technique to construct a completed spatial FRF for the joint, where the measured data can be obtained from the piezoelectric acceleration sensors. In order to depress the influence of “modal truncation” and measurement noises, residual compensation theory is introduced to regenerate the RDOF FRF. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed model in stiffness identification of spindle-toolholder joint, and the accuracy is significantly improved compared to the traditional model.
Amalgam Tattoo Mimicking Mucosal Melanoma: A Diagnostic Dilemma Revisited
Authors: Lundin K. , Schmidt G. , Bonde C.
Published: March 2013

Mucosal melanoma of the oral cavity is a rare but highly aggressive neoplasm. However, the clinicians need to be aware of the other and more frequent etiologies of intraoral pigmentation, such as amalgam tattoos. As amalgam has been extensively used for dental restorations and can cause pigmentations in the oral mucosa, this is a differential diagnosis not to be forgotten. We describe the characteristics of these two phenomena and present a case vignette illustrating the differential diagnostic issues. Other causes of intraoral pigmentation are summarized.
Deterministic and Stochastic Bifurcations of the Catalytic CO Oxidation on Ir(111) Surfaces with Multiple Delays
Authors: Huang Zaitang , Lei Weihua
Published: March 2013

The main purpose is to investigate both deterministic and stochastic bifurcations of the catalytic CO oxidation. Firstly, super- and subcritical bifurcations are determined by the signs of the Poincaré-Lyapunov coefficients of the center manifold scalar bifurcation equations. Secondly, we explore the stochastic bifurcation of the catalytic CO oxidation on Ir(111) surfaces with multiple delays according to the qualitative changes in the invariant measure, the Lyapunov exponent, and the stationary probability density of system response. Some new criteria ensuring stability and stochastic bifurcation are obtained.
A Statewide Case Management, Surveillance, and Outcome Evaluation System for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Authors: Monsen Karen A. , Elsbernd Scott A. , Barnhart Linda , Stock Jacquie , Prock Carla E. , Looman Wendy S. , Nardella Maria
Published: March 2013

Objectives. To evaluate the feasibility of implementing a statewide children with special health care needs (CSHCN) program evaluation, case management, and surveillance system using a standardized instrument and protocol that operationalized the United States Health and Human Services CSHCN National Performance Measures. Methods. Public health nurses in local public health agencies in Washington State jointly developed and implemented the standardized system. The instrument was the Omaha System. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of standardized data. Results. From the sample of CSHCN visit reports (n=127), 314 problems and 853 interventions were documented. The most common problem identified was growth and development followed by health care supervision, communication with community resources, caretaking/parenting, income, neglect, and abuse. The most common intervention category was surveillance (60%), followed by case management (24%) and teaching, guidance, and counseling (16%). On average, there were 2.7 interventions per problem and 6.7 interventions per visit. Conclusions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of an approach for statewide CSHCN program evaluation, case management, and surveillance system. Knowledge, behavior, and status ratings suggest that there are critical unmet needs in the Washington State CSHCN population for six major problems.
Vaginal Atrophy following Long-Term Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Use: A Case Report
Authors: Walker Christie , Badawy Shawky Z. A.
Published: March 2013

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a commonly used form of contraception, with noncontraceptive benefits for the user. The mode of action is through the suppression of ovulation. It leads to hypoestrogenism which causes dryness of the vagina and dyspareunia. We present in this paper a patient that was very symptomatic with regard to vaginal atrophic changes determined by vaginal cytology. This side effect may become increasingly more common as we see more long-term use of DMPA.
Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Lung and the Maxillary Region: A Benign Lesion with Aggressive Behavior
Authors: Gallego Lorena , Santamarta Tania R. , Blanco Verónica , García-Consuegra Luis , Cutilli Tommaso , Junquera Luis
Published: March 2013

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare mass-forming lesion characterized by fibroblastic or myofibroblastic spindle cell proliferation with varying degrees of inflammatory cell infiltration. Although it has been reported in virtually every organ in the body, the lung is the most common site of involvement. Extrapulmonary IMTs, although rare, have been reported and are characterized by different, more aggressive behavior. We report an extremely rare case of maxillary metastases of pulmonary IMT. Lung IMT was initially misdiagnosed, and oral lesion mimicked clinically and radiologically a radicular cyst. On histologic examination, cells exhibited diffuse and intense immunoreactivity forα-smooth muscle actin and vimentin whereas both pulmonary and oral IMTs presented absence of cellular atypia and lack of expressivity of oncogenic determinants. Distant metastases of lung IMT are extremely unusual, and this is the first report to our knowledge with this particular clinical course. Despite the possibility that the present case could also represent a metachronous multifocal IMT, with pulmonary and extrapulmonary lesions, similar histopathological and immunohistochemical patterns in lung and maxillary region suggest a metastatic course.