bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measured soil–structure interaction for concrete piles subjected to lateral loading
Authors: Suleiman Muhannad T. , Ni Lusu , Raich Anne , Helm Jeffery , Ghazanfari Ehsan
Published: January 2015

Lateral loads often control the design of deep foundations. This paper focuses on improving the understanding of soil–structure interaction (SSI) of laterally loaded piles and developing p–y curves based on simultaneous direct measurements of the soil–pile interaction pressure (p) and lateral pile displacement (y) along the length of the pile. This paper summarizes the methodology, instrumentation, soil–pile interaction measurements, and procedure used to investigate the soil–pile interaction and to develop the directly measured p–y curves. A 102 mm diameter, 1.42 m long precast concrete pile was fully instrumented with advanced sensors and installed in well-graded sand. The digital image correlation (DIC) data indicated that the soil movement in front of the pile extended up to 6.3 pile diameters (6.3D) from the pile center. The normalized measured maximum soil–pile interaction pressures closely matched the normalized pressures provided in the literature for short, stiff laterally loaded piles installed in cohesionless soils. In addition, the direct measurement-based p–y curves at different depths showed nonlinear behavior, in which the initial stiffness and ultimate soil reaction increased as the depth increased. When compared to p–y curves calculated from measured strain along the pile length, the directly measured p–y curves showed differences of ultimate soil reaction ranging from 8% to 33%. When compared to p–y curves calculated using the procedures available in the literature, the measurement-based p–y curve ultimate soil reactions have differences ranging from 5% to 189%. The differences in ultimate soil reaction could be mainly attributed to the installation method.
Unsteady MHD flow and heat transfer of micropolar fluid in a porous medium between parallel plates
Authors: Ojjela Odelu , Naresh Kumar N.
Published: January 2015

This paper presents an incompressible two-dimensional MHD flow and heat transfer of an electrically conducting micropolar fluid between parallel porous plates. The flow is generated by periodic injection or suction at the plates. The non-uniform temperature of the plates is assumed to vary periodically with time. The governing equations are reduced to nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformations, then solved numerically using the quasilinearization technique. The profiles of velocity components, microrotatoion, and temperature distribution are studied for different fluid and geometric parameters.
Cluster modified projective synchronization between community networks
Authors: Vahedi Shahed , Md Noorani Mohd Salmi
Published: January 2015

Cluster modified projective synchronization of two community networks with nonidentical nodes is studied in this paper. Each network has a unique dynamics and its clusters have different parameter sets which could make their dynamics chaotic or periodic for instance. Therefore, we are dealing with varieties of dynamics in these clusters. By introducing an adaptive control gain in our controller design and using Lyapunov stability theory, we show that two community networks can reach to the synchronized state having arbitrary matrix scaling factor between corresponding nodes of the networks. Moreover, using this matrix we can observe different synchronization regimes simultaneously in each pair of corresponding nodes.
OPTIMAL CONTROL OF THE SPREAD OF MALARIA SUPERINFECTIVITY
Authors: AGUSTO FOLASHADE , LENHART SUZANNE
Published: January 2015

Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected mosquitoes. In this paper, a deterministic model for malaria transmission, that incorporates superinfection is presented. Qualitative analysis of the model reveals the presence of backward bifurcation in which a stable disease-free equilibrium co-exists with a stable endemic equilibrium when the associated reproduction threshold is less than unity. Optimal control theory is then applied to the model to study time-dependent treatment efforts to minimize the infected in individuals while keeping the implementation cost at a minimum.
MODELING SEASONALITY IN AVIAN INFLUENZA H5N1
Authors: TUNCER NECIBE , MARTCHEVA MAIA
Published: January 2015

The number of cases of H5N1 avian influenza in birds and humans exhibit seasonality which peaks during the winter months. What causes the seasonality in H5N1 cases is still being investigated. This article addresses the question of modeling the periodicity in cumulative number of human cases of H5N1. Three potential drivers of influenza seasonality are investigated: (1) seasonality in bird-to-bird transmission; (2) seasonality caused by wild bird migration or seasonal fluctuation of avian influenza in wild birds; (3) seasonality caused by environmental transmission. A framework of seven models is composed. The seven models involve these three mechanisms and combinations of the mechanisms. Each of the models in the framework is fitted to the cumulative number of humans cases of H5N1. The corrected akaike information criterion (AICc) is used to compare the models and it is found that the model with periodic bird-to-bird transmission rate best explains the data. The best fitted model with the best fitted parameters gives a reproduction number of highly pathogenic avian influenza [Formula: see text]. The best fitted model is a simple SI epidemic model with periodic transmission rate and disease-induced mortality, however, this model is capable of very complex dynamical behavior such as period doubling and chaos.
A TWO-STRAIN EPIDEMIC MODEL WITH DIFFERENTIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY AND MUTATION
Authors: LI XUE-ZHI , GAO SHA-SHA , BHATTACHARYA SOUVIK
Published: January 2015

A two-strain epidemic model with differential susceptibility and mutation is formulated and analyzed in this paper. The susceptible population is divided into two subgroups according to the vaccine that provides complete protection against one of the strains (strain two) but only partial against the other (strain one). The explicit formulae for the basic reproduction number and invasion reproduction number corresponding to each strain with and without mutation are derived, respectively. It is shown that there exist exclusive equilibria and coexistence equilibria, even if the reproduction number is below one. The stability of the disease-free equilibrium, strain dominance with or without mutation are investigated. The persistence of the disease is also briefly discussed. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the results.
CROSS-CULTURAL ADAPTATION, VALIDATION, AND RELIABILITY OF THE MICHIGAN HAND OUTCOMES QUESTIONNAIRE AMONG PERSIAN POPULATION
Authors: Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad H. , Birjandinejad Ali , Kachooei Amir Reza
Published: January 2015

We aimed to validate a cross-culturally adapted version of the Persian Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHOQ). We followed the Beaton's guideline to translate the questionnaire to Persian. We administered the final version to 223 patients among which 79 patients returned 3 days later to respond to the Persian MHOQ for the second time. In the first visit, respondents also filled the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and rated the pain based on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Cronbach's alpha for the total MHOQ was 0.79 which showed good internal consistency. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the total MHOQ was 0.84 which demonstrated good reliability between test and retest. The absolute correlation coefficient between total MHOQ and the DASH was as high as 0.74. Persian version of the MHOQ proved to be a reliable and valid instrument to be implemented among Persian population with the hand and wrist disorders.
NEUROPATHIC PAIN IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY
Authors: Tantigate Direk , Wongtrakul Saichol , Vathana Torpon , Limthongthang Roongsak , Songcharoen Panupan
Published: January 2015

Background: In Thailand, brachial plexus injury is a common traumatic injury that affects the function of the upper extremity. The current treatments focus mainly on improving the motor and sensory function. Apart from the motor and sensory deficit, these patients usually suffer from pain. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors that relate to neuropathic pain in patients with brachial plexus injury. Methods: We collected data from March 2008 to July 2011. The DN4 Questionnaire was used to diagnose neuropathic pain in 95 patients. Results: The prevalence of neuropathic pain was as high as 76%. Majority of patients presented with hypoesthesia to pin prick, hypoesthesia to touch and numbness. Severity of neuropathic pain was significantly correlated with the type of brachial plexus injury. There was no difference between demographic characteristics of patients. Conclusion: Our study showed that the prevalence of neuropathic pain was high in brachial plexus injured patients. Therefore, surgeons should be aware of this common, yet underestimated, problem in brachial plexus injured patients.
CLINICAL RADIOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF THE WRIST WITHOUT OSTEOARTHRITIS AND ITS RELATIONS TO AGE AND SEX IN JAPANESE
Authors: Katayama Takeshi , Ono Hiroshi , Furuta Kazuhiko , Akahane Manabu , Omokawa Shohei
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to identify a clinical radiographic features containing the measurements of carpal alignment, configuration, and joint space width of the wrist without osteoarthritis (OA) in Japanese. We also aimed to analyse age-related correlations in these parameters with reference to the difference between men and women.

A total of 184 cases were analysed to establish the following relations: (1) Sex-related differences in the morphology and joint space width of the wrist without OA; (2) correlation coefficient between these parameters and age according to sex.

This study suggests that carpal height ratio (CHR) was higher in men than in women. Also the ulnar variance (UV) increased and the radial inclination (RI) decreased with age in both men and women, and the volar tilt (VT) decreased with age in women.
SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF FIFTH METACARPAL NECK FRACTURES — A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DORSAL PLATING VERSUS TENSION BAND WIRING
Authors: Wong Khai Phang , Hay Robyn Aik Siew , Tay Shian Chao
Published: January 2015

The purpose of our study is to retrospectively compare the use of tension band (TB) wiring and dorsal plating (DP) for the fixation of fifth metacarpal (MC) neck fractures. A retrospective study of patients who had surgical treatment of 5th MC fractures from 2009 to 2013 was performed. Data including patient demographics, mechanism of injury, pre and postoperative pain score, range of motion (ROM), duration of follow-up and whether implants were removed were documented. Three radiological parameters: angulation (in degrees), radial-ulnar displacement (in millimetres) and MC height ratio were measured. There were a total of 84 patients with isolated closed 5th MC neck fractures, of which 41 underwent DP and 43 underwent TB. Patients who underwent DP demonstrated better improvement in fracture angulation, radial-ulnar displacement, MC height ratio and final ROM compared to those who underwent TB. This study has shown that DP is a viable surgical treatment option for 5th MC neck fractures.
HEMI-HAMATE ARTHROPLASTY VERSUS TRANSARTICULAR KIRSCHNER WIRE FIXATION FOR UNSTABLE DORSAL FRACTURE-DISLOCATION OF THE PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT IN THE HAND
Authors: Barksfield R. C. , Bowden B. , Chojnowski A. J.
Published: January 2015

Following the introduction of the hemi-hamate arthroplasty (HHA) technique to our unit, we sought to evaluate the early clinical outcomes achieved with this method of fixation and compare these with simple trans-articular Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation for dorsal fracture dislocations (DFD) of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ). Ninteen patients underwent fixation of these injuries with either K-wire fixation (12/19) or hemi-hamate bone grafting (7/19) between 2005 and 2011. At a mean follow-up of 14 weeks median arc of movement at the PIPJ was 65° (range 31° to 108°) following HHA and 56° (range 9° to 85°) (p = 0.82) following temporary transarticular K-wire fixation. Median fixed flexion deformity (FFD) was 20° and 15° for hemi-hamate bone grafting and K-wire fixation respectively. Based upon our findings, transarticular K-wire fixation produced equivalent outcomes to HHA for unstable DFD of the PIPJ in the hand.
THE USE OF BMP-2 AND SCREW EXCHANGE IN THE TREATMENT OF SCAPHOID FRACTURE NON-UNION
Authors: Ablove Robert H. , Abrams Samuel S.
Published: January 2015

Scaphoid non-union, particularly following internal fixation, is a vexing problem. A retrospective review was conducted analysing the outcome of 4 patients who failed initial open reduction and internal fixation of scaphoid fractures. Three fractures were located in the waist and the fourth in the proximal pole. All patients underwent screw exchange and Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP)-2 sponge placement with no additional bone grafting. Patients were immobilised for 4 weeks and followed with serial radiographs in all cases and CT scans in 3 cases. All patients demonstrated evidence of bony union at an average of 53 days from surgery and ultimately returned to pain-free full activity. There were no complications. BMP-2 and screw exchange yielded a 100% union rate in patients with established scaphoid non-union. While this retrospective study represents a small number of patients and clearly requires further investigation, it presents a promising technique for managing a difficult clinical problem.
Straight-line monotone grid drawings of series–parallel graphs
Authors: Iqbal Hossain Md. , Saidur Rahman Md.
Published: January 2015

A monotone drawing of a planar graph G is a planar straight-line drawing of G where a monotone path exists between every pair of vertices of G in some direction. Recently monotone drawings of graphs have been discovered as a new standard for visualizing graphs. In this paper we study monotone drawings of series–parallel graphs in a variable embedding setting. We show that a series–parallel graph of n vertices has a straight-line planar monotone drawing on a grid of size O(n) × O(n2) and such a drawing can be found in linear time.
Temporal integration at consecutive processing stages in the auditory pathway of the grasshopper
Authors: Wirtssohn Sarah , Ronacher Bernhard
Published: January 2015

Temporal integration in the auditory system of locusts was quantified by presenting single clicks and click pairs while performing intracellular recordings. Auditory neurons were studied at three processing stages, which form a feed-forward network in the metathoracic ganglion. Receptor neurons and most first-order interneurons (“local neurons”) encode the signal envelope, while second-order interneurons (“ascending neurons”) tend to extract more complex, behaviorally relevant sound features. In different neuron types of the auditory pathway we found three response types: no significant temporal integration (some ascending neurons), leaky energy integration (receptor neurons and some local neurons), and facilitatory processes (some local and ascending neurons). The receptor neurons integrated input over very short time windows (<2 ms). Temporal integration on longer time scales was found at subsequent processing stages, indicative of within-neuron computations and network activity. These different strategies, realized at separate processing stages and in parallel neuronal pathways within one processing stage, could enable the grasshopper's auditory system to evaluate longer time windows and thus to implement temporal filters, while at the same time maintaining a high temporal resolution.
Asymmetric generalization in adaptation to target displacement errors in humans and in a neural network model
Authors: Westendorff Stephanie , Kuang Shenbing , Taghizadeh Bahareh , Donchin Opher , Gail Alexander
Published: January 2015

Different error signals can induce sensorimotor adaptation during visually guided reaching, possibly evoking different neural adaptation mechanisms. Here we investigate reach adaptation induced by visual target errors without perturbing the actual or sensed hand position. We analyzed the spatial generalization of adaptation to target error to compare it with other known generalization patterns and simulated our results with a neural network model trained to minimize target error independent of prediction errors. Subjects reached to different peripheral visual targets and had to adapt to a sudden fixed-amplitude displacement (“jump”) consistently occurring for only one of the reach targets. Subjects simultaneously had to perform contralateral unperturbed saccades, which rendered the reach target jump unnoticeable. As a result, subjects adapted by gradually decreasing reach errors and showed negative aftereffects for the perturbed reach target. Reach errors generalized to unperturbed targets according to a translational rather than rotational generalization pattern, but locally, not globally. More importantly, reach errors generalized asymmetrically with a skewed generalization function in the direction of the target jump. Our neural network model reproduced the skewed generalization after adaptation to target jump without having been explicitly trained to produce a specific generalization pattern. Our combined psychophysical and simulation results suggest that target jump adaptation in reaching can be explained by gradual updating of spatial motor goal representations in sensorimotor association networks, independent of learning induced by a prediction-error about the hand position. The simulations make testable predictions about the underlying changes in the tuning of sensorimotor neurons during target jump adaptation.
Bone Cement Solidifiliation Influence the Limb Alignment and Gap Balance during TKA
Authors: Shi Dongquan , Xu Xingquan , Guo Anyun , Dai Jin , Xu Zhihong , Chen Dongyang , Jiang Qing
Published: January 2015

Introduction. Mechanical alignment deviation after total knee arthroplasty is a major reason for early loosening of the prosthesis. Achieving optimum cement penetration during fixation of the femoral and tibial component is an essential step in performing a successful total knee arthroplasty. Bone cement is used to solidify the bone and prosthesis. Thickness imbalance of bone cement leads to the deviation of mechanical alignment. To estimate the influence of bone cement, a retrospective study was conducted.Materials and Methods. A total of 36 subjects were studied. All the TKA were performed following the standard surgical protocol for navigated surgery by medial approach with general anaesthesia. Prostheses were fixed by bone cement.Results. We compared the mechanical axis, flexion/extension, and gap balance before and after cementation. All the factors were different compared with those before and after cementation. Internal rotation was reached with statistical significance (P=0.03).Conclusion. Bone cement can influence the mechanical axis, flexion/extension, and gap balance. It also can prompt us to make a change when poor knee kinematics were detected before cementation.
Optimum Power Distance Clustering for the EPC Class-1 Gen2 Standard in RFID Systems
Authors: Sanchez Leonardo , Ramos Victor
Published: January 2015

Tag collision is one of the main issues impacting the performance of radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems. Several research efforts have been done in order to solve such problem. Current RFID standards, such as EPCGen2 and ISO-18000-7, adopt ALOHA-based protocols as the basis to solve collisions. In recent years, there has been a trend on designing schemes that split the interrogation zone into smaller regions with the aim of improving the system's performance. In this paper, we evaluate and optimize the performance of ALOHA-based protocols for this new type of partitioning schemes. We establish the guidelines for adapting ALOHA protocols to this new approach in order to exploit the advantages it offers. Thus, we propose a new version of the EPCGen2 standard adapted to the new partitioning schemes, which overcomes its counterpart for the traditional approach, significantly reducing the identification delay, which is the main parameter to optimize in RFID.
A Problem-Reduction Evolutionary Algorithm for Solving the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem
Authors: Liu Wanfeng , Li Xia
Published: January 2015

Assessment of the components of a solution helps provide useful information for an optimization problem. This paper presents a new population-based problem-reduction evolutionary algorithm (PREA) based on the solution components assessment. An individual solution is regarded as being constructed by basic elements, and the concept of acceptability is introduced to evaluate them. The PREA consists of a searching phase and an evaluation phase. The acceptability of basic elements is calculated in the evaluation phase and passed to the searching phase. In the searching phase, for each individual solution, the original optimization problem is reduced to a new smaller-size problem. With the evolution of the algorithm, the number of common basic elements in the population increases until all individual solutions are exactly the same which is supposed to be the near-optimal solution of the optimization problem. The new algorithm is applied to a large variety of capacitated vehicle routing problems (CVRP) with customers up to nearly 500. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has the advantages of fast convergence and robustness in solution quality over the comparative algorithms.
Improving Efficiency of Evaporated Cu2ZnSnS4Thin Film Solar Cells by a Thin Ag Intermediate Layer between Absorber and Back Contact
Authors: Cui Hongtao , Lee Chang-Yeh , Li Wei , Liu Xiaolei , Wen Xiaoming , Hao Xiaojing
Published: January 2015

A 20 nm Ag coating on Mo back contact was adopted to improve the back contact of evaporated Cu2ZnSnS4(CZTS) solar cells. The Ag layer helped reduce the thickness of MoS2which improves fill factor (FF) significantly; additionally, it reduced secondary phases ZnS and SnS2−x, which may help carrier transport; it was also involved in the doping of the absorber layer, which compensated the intrinsic p-type doping and therefore drags down the doping level. The doping involvement may enlarge the depletion region and improve lifetime of the absorber, which led to enhancing open circuit voltage (VOC), short circuit current density (JSC), and efficiency significantly. However, it degrades the crystallinity of the material slightly.
Delayed Interval Delivery following Early Loss of the Leading Twin
Authors: Udealor P. C. , Ezeome I. V. , Emegoakor F. C. , Okeke D. O. , Okere P. C. N.
Published: January 2015

This was a case of a nulliparous woman with reduced chance of conception following unilateral salpingectomy and years of infertility. She eventually conceived following ovulation induction resulting in twin pregnancy. She had miscarriage that led to loss of one of the twins at 17 weeks of gestational age. The pregnancy was however continued for 116 days following meticulous management with eventual delivery of a live female baby with good outcome.
Fusion Estimation Algorithm with Uncertain Noises and Its Application in Navigation System
Authors: Ren Zhiping , Wang Huili
Published: January 2015

In order to solve the problem of uncertain noise during the measurement of actual system, an extended Kalman filter fusion estimation method based on multisensor fusion algorithm with uncertain effects is proposed. Then the equivalent measurement and the corresponding error matrix are estimated by the proposed uncertain fusing algorithm. Submit the results into the system model for filter processing and the optimal estimation can be obtained by the filtering method. Finally, the algorithm is verified in the GPS/INS navigation system which shows that the fusion result with uncertainty effect is much better than then fusion result with independent noise due to the consideration of correlated noise and uncertain effects for the actual system. This is also validates the effectiveness and practicality of the proposed algorithm.
Thyroid Cytopathology Reporting by the Bethesda System: A Two-Year Prospective Study in an Academic Institution
Authors: Mehra Payal , Verma Anand Kumar
Published: January 2015

Background. The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) has attempted to standardize reporting and cytological criteria in aspiration smears. Aims. The objective of this study was to analyze the thyroid cytology smears by TBSRTC, to determine the distribution of diagnostic categories and subcategories, to analyze cytological features, and to correlate the cytopathology with histopathology, wherever surgery was done. Materials and Methods. This was a prospective study of 225 fine needle aspirations (FNA) of thyroid nodules. All fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) diagnoses were classified according to the features given in the monograph of TBSRTC into nondiagnostic/unsatisfactory (ND/UNS), benign, atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS), follicular neoplasm/suspicious of a follicular neoplasm (FN/SFN), suspicious for malignancy (SFM), and malignant. Cytohistological correlation was done, when surgical material was available. Results. The distribution of various categories from 225 evaluated thyroid nodules was as follows: 7.2% ND/UNS, 80.0% benign, 4.9% AUS/FLUS, 2.2% FN, 3.5% SFM, and 2.2% malignant. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated. Conclusions. TBSRTC is an excellent reporting system for thyroid FNA. It also provides clear management guidelines to clinicians to go for follow-up FNA or surgery and also the extent of surgery.
Dynamical Analysis of a Viral Infection Model with Delays in Computer Networks
Authors: Zhang Zizhen , Yang Huizhong
Published: January 2015

This paper is devoted to the study of an SIRS computer virus propagation model with two delays and multistate antivirus measures. We demonstrate that the system loses its stability and a Hopf bifurcation occurs when the delay passes through the corresponding critical value by choosing the possible combination of the two delays as the bifurcation parameter. Moreover, the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solutions are determined by means of the center manifold theorem and the normal form theory. Finally, some numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the obtained results.
Natural Compounds Regulate Glycolysis in Hypoxic Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Gao Jian-Li , Chen Ying-Ge
Published: January 2015

In the early twentieth century, Otto Heinrich Warburg described an elevated rate of glycolysis occurring in cancer cells, even in the presence of atmospheric oxygen (the Warburg effect). Recently it became a therapeutically interesting strategy and is considered as an emerging hallmark of cancer. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is one of the key transcription factors that play major roles in tumor glycolysis and could directly trigger Warburg effect. Thus, how to inhibit HIF-1-depended Warburg effect to assist the cancer therapy is becoming a hot issue in cancer research. In fact, HIF-1 upregulates the glucose transporters (GLUT) and induces the expression of glycolytic enzymes, such as hexokinase, pyruvate kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase. So small molecules of natural origin used as GLUT, hexokinase, or pyruvate kinase isoform M2 inhibitors could represent a major challenge in the field of cancer treatment. These compounds aim to suppress tumor hypoxia induced glycolysis process to suppress the cell energy metabolism or enhance the susceptibility of tumor cells to radio- and chemotherapy. In this review, we highlight the role of natural compounds in regulating tumor glycolysis, with a main focus on the glycolysis under hypoxic tumor microenvironment.
Dynamic Energy Storage Control for Reducing Electricity Cost in Data Centers
Authors: Zhang Shuben , Yang Jian , Shi Youkang , Wu Xiaomin , Ran Yongyi
Published: January 2015

As the scale of the data centers increases, electricity cost is becoming the fastest-growing element in their operation costs. In this paper, we investigate the electricity cost reduction opportunities utilizing energy storage facilities in data centers used as uninterrupted power supply units (UPS). Its basic idea is to combine the temporal diversity of electricity price and the energy storage to conceive a strategy for reducing the electricity cost. The electricity cost minimization is formulated in the framework of finite state-action discounted cost Markov decision process (MDP). We applyQ-Learning algorithm to solve the MDP optimization problem and derive a dynamic energy storage control strategy, which does not require any priori information on the Markov process. In order to address the slow-convergence problem of theQ-Learning based algorithm, we introduce a SpeedyQ-Learning algorithm. We further discuss the offline optimization problem and obtain the optimal offline solution as the lower bound on the performance of the online and learning theoretic problem. Finally, we evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme by using real workload traces and electricity price data sets. The experimental results show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Optimal Ordering and Disposing Policies in the Presence of an Overconfident Retailer: A Stackelberg Game
Authors: Wang Zhigang , Zhang Zhenchao , Li Chunfa , Xu Lei , You Chang
Published: January 2015

This paper investigates the impact of the retailer’s overconfident behavior on supply chain performance. We start with a basic model on the rational newsvendor model and investigate the retailer’s optimal ordering decision and expected profit. Next, we extend the basic model and introduce an overconfident retailer. We find that the retailer’s overconfident behavior does not necessarily damage the supply chain compared with the basic model when the overconfident level does not exceed a threshold. We also design the cooperation and buyback mechanism and conduct numerical analysis to compare the manufacturer’s and retailer’s expected profits and real profits with those in the basic newsvendor model. It can achieve Pareto improvement in the supply chain when the overconfident level is low. When the retailer’s overconfident level exceeds a threshold, the retailer’s ordering decision cannot make the whole supply chain sustainable development.
Liver Transplant in a Patient under Methylphenidate Therapy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Tong Hoi Y. , Díaz Carmen , Collantes Elena , Medrano Nicolás , Borobia Alberto M. , Jara Paloma , Ramírez Elena
Published: January 2015

Background. Methylphenidate (MPH) is widely used in treating children with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Hepatotoxicity is a rare phenomenon; only few cases are described with no liver failure.Case. We report on the case of a 12-year-old boy who received MPH for attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Two months later the patient presented with signs and symptoms of hepatitis and MPH was discontinued, showing progressive worsening and developing liver failure and a liver transplantation was required. Other causes of liver failure were ruled out and the liver biopsy was suggestive of drug toxicity.Discussion. One rare adverse reaction of MPH is hepatotoxicity. The review of the literature shows few cases of liver injury attributed to MPH; all of them recovered after withdrawing the treatment. The probable mechanism of liver injury was MPH direct toxicity to hepatocytes. In order to establish the diagnosis of MPH-induced liver injury, we used CIOMS/RUCAM scale that led to an assessment of “possible” relationship. This report provides the first published case of acute MPH-induced liver failure with successful hepatic transplantation.Conclusions. It is important to know that hepatotoxicity can occur in patients with MPH treatment and monitoring the liver’s function is highly recommended.
Robust and Accurate Anomaly Detection in ECG Artifacts Using Time Series Motif Discovery
Authors: Sivaraks Haemwaan , Ratanamahatana Chotirat Ann
Published: January 2015

Electrocardiogram (ECG) anomaly detection is an important technique for detecting dissimilar heartbeats which helps identify abnormal ECGs before the diagnosis process. Currently available ECG anomaly detection methods, ranging from academic research to commercial ECG machines, still suffer from a high false alarm rate because these methods are not able to differentiate ECG artifacts from real ECG signal, especially, in ECG artifacts that are similar to ECG signals in terms of shape and/or frequency. The problem leads to high vigilance for physicians and misinterpretation risk for nonspecialists. Therefore, this work proposes a novel anomaly detection technique that is highly robust and accurate in the presence of ECG artifacts which can effectively reduce the false alarm rate. Expert knowledge from cardiologists and motif discovery technique is utilized in our design. In addition, every step of the algorithm conforms to the interpretation of cardiologists. Our method can be utilized to both single-lead ECGs and multilead ECGs. Our experiment results on real ECG datasets are interpreted and evaluated by cardiologists. Our proposed algorithm can mostly achieve 100% of accuracy on detection (AoD), sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value with 0% false alarm rate. The results demonstrate that our proposed method is highly accurate and robust to artifacts, compared with competitive anomaly detection methods.
Comparison of Selected Metals Content in Cambodian Striped Snakehead Fish (Channa striata) Using Solar Drying System and Open Sun Drying
Authors: Basri Dayang Fredalina , Abu Bakar Nur Faizah , Fudholi Ahmad , Ruslan Mohd Hafidz , Saroeun Im
Published: January 2015

The content of 12 elements in Cambodian dried striped snakehead fish was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The present study compares the level of the trace toxic metals and nutritional trace elements in the fish processed using solar drying system (SDS) and open sun drying (OSD). The skin of SDS fish has lower level of As, Pb, and Cd compared to the OSD sample. As such, the flesh of the fish accumulated higher amount of toxic metals during OSD compared to SDS. However, arsenic was detected in both samples within the safe limit. The nutritional elements (Fe, Mn, Mg, Se, Mo, Cu, Ni, and Cr) were higher in the skin sample SDS fish compared to OSD fish. These beneficial metals were not accumulated in the flesh sample SDS fish demonstrating lower level compared to drying under conventional system. The reddish coloration of the SDS fish was due to the presence of high Cu content in both the skin and flesh samples which possibly account for no mold formation 5 days after packaging. As conclusion, drying of CambodianC. striatausing solar-assisted system has proven higher content of the nutritious elements compared to using the conventional system despite only slight difference in the toxic metals level between the two systems.
Ultraviolet Radiation Emissions and Illuminance in Different Brands of Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Authors: Safari Shahram , Eshraghi Dehkordy Sina , Kazemi Meghdad , Dehghan Habibollah , Mahaki Behzad
Published: January 2015

Introduction.Replacing incandescent lamps with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), which are three to six times more efficient, is one of the easiest methods to achieve energy efficiency. The present study aimed to evaluate relationships between UV emissions radiated and illuminance CFLs.Material and Methods. This pilot study was conducted on 16 single envelope CFLs. The illuminance and UV irradiance of various types of CFLs are measured on a three-meter long optical bench, using a calibrated lux meter and UV meter, and measurement was done in 10, 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 cm, in three angles, including 0°, 45°, and 90°, at the ages of 0, 100, and 2000 hours. Result. UVC irradiance was not observed at the distance of 10 cm in all of lamps. The lowest value of UVB irradiance was recorded in Pars Khazar lamp, while the highest value was recorded in Etehad lamps. UVR values measured at different times showed negligible differences; the highest asset value was detected in zero times. One way ANOVA indicated that relationships between UVA irradiance and illuminance were significant (P<0.05).Conclusion. UVB irradiance in most of the lamp in 10 and 25 cm was more than occupational exposure and UVA except for the fact that Pars Khazar 60 watts and Nama Noor 60 watts were less than occupational exposure.
Higher Performance of DSSC with Dyes from Cladophora sp. as Mixed Cosensitizer through Synergistic Effect
Authors: Lim Andery , Haji Manaf Noramaliyana , Tennakoon Kushan , Chandrakanthi R. L. N. , Lim Linda Biaw Leng , Bandara J. M. R. Sarath , Ekanayake Piyasiri
Published: January 2015

Chlorophyll and xanthophyll dyes extracted from a single source of filamentous freshwater green algae (Cladophora sp.) were used to sensitize dye sensitized solar cells and their performances were investigated. A more positive interaction is expected as the derived dyes come from a single natural source because they work mutually in nature. Cell sensitized with mixed chlorophyll and xanthophyll showed synergistic activity with improved cell performance of 1.5- to 2-fold higher than that sensitized with any individual dye. The effect of temperature and the stability of these dyes were also investigated. Xanthophyll dye was found to be more stable compared to chlorophyll that is attributed in the ability of xanthophyll to dissipate extra energy via reversible structural changes. Mixing the dyes resulted to an increase in effective electron life time and reduced the process of electron recombination during solar cell operation, hence exhibiting a synergistic effect.
Finite-Time Spacecraft’s Soft Landing on Asteroids Using PD and Nonsingular Terminal Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Liu Keping , Liu Fengxia , Wang Shenquan , Li Yuanchun
Published: January 2015

This paper presents a continuous control law of probe, which consists of PD (proportional-derivative) controller and nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller for probe descending and landing phases, respectively, in the case of the asteroid irregular shape and low gravity. The probe dynamic model is deduced in the landing site coordinate system firstly. Then the reference trajectory based on optimal polynomial in open-loop state is designed, with the suboptimal fuel consumption. Taking into account different characteristics of phases, PD controller and nonsingular terminal sliding mode controller can be employed in the descending phase and the landing phase, respectively, to track the designed reference trajectory. The controller which used the corresponding control methods can meet the motion characteristics and requirements of each stage. Finally simulation experiments are carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, which can ensure the safe landing of probe and achieve continuous control.
Analysis of Nonlinear Duopoly Game: A Cooperative Case
Authors: Askar S. S. , Alshamrani Ahmad M. , Alnowibet K.
Published: January 2015

We make further attempts to investigate equilibrium stability of a nonlinear Cournot duopoly game. Our studies in this paper focus on the cooperation that may be obtained among duopolistic firms. Discrete time scales under the assumption of unknown inverse demand function and linear cost are used to build our models in the proposed games. We introduce and study here an adjustment dynamic strategy beside the so-called tit-for-tat strategy. For each model, the stability analysis of the fixed point is analyzed. Numerical simulations are carried out to show the complex behavior of the proposed models and to point out the impact of the models’ parameters on the cooperation.
The Correlation between miRNA and Lymph Node Metastasis in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Huang Kuo-Hung , Lan Yuan-Tzu , Fang Wen-Liang , Chen Jen-Hao , Lo Su-Shun , Li Anna Fen-Yau , Chiou Shih-Hwa , Wu Chew-Wun , Shyr Yi-Ming
Published: January 2015

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) in gastric cancer is associated with higher rate of cancer recurrence and poor prognosis. As a result, a reliable biomarker for the prediction of LNM is important and would be valuable in the clinical practice. MiRNA microarray revealed that ten miRNAs were expressed significantly different among patients with or without LNM. A total of 46 gastric cancer patients were enrolled and divided into two groups (23 in each group) according to the presence or absence of LNM. RT-PCR of these 10 miRNAs was investigated and compared between the two groups. MiR-1207-5p was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer patients without LNM compared with those with LNM. Patients with upregulated miR-1207-5p had less scirrhous stromal reaction, less lymphovascular invasion, and earlier pathological T category, N category, and TNM stage, compared with those with downregulated or unchanged miR-1207-5p. Multivariate analysis showed that stromal reaction type, lymphovascular invasion, pathological T category and TNM stage, and expression of miR-1207-5p were independent risk factors of LNM. MiR-1207-5p could serve as a useful biomarker in the prediction of LNM in gastric cancer.
Preparation and Characterization of Nanofibrous Polymer Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering
Authors: Markowski Jarosław , Magiera Anna , Lesiak Marta , Sieron Aleksander L. , Pilch Jan , Blazewicz Stanislaw
Published: January 2015

Polymer substrates obtained from poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanofibres modified with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and gelatin (GEL) for cartilage tissue engineering are studied. The work presents the results of physical, mechanical, and biological assessment. The hybrid structure of PLA and gelatine nanofibres, carbon nanotubes‐ (CNTs‐) modified PLA nanofibres, and pure PLA‐based nanofibres was manufactured in the form of fibrous membranes. The fibrous samples with different microstructures were obtained by electrospinning method. Microstructure, physical and mechanical properties of samples made from pure PLA nanofibres, CNTs‐, and gelatin‐modified PLA‐nanofibres were studied. The scaffolds were also tested in vitro in cell culture of human chondrocytes collected from patients. To assess the influence of the nanofibrous scaffolds upon chondrocytes, tests for cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were performed. The work reveals that the nanofibrous structures studied were neither genotoxic nor cytotoxic, and their microstructure, physical and mechanical properties create promising scaffolds for potential use in cartilage repairing.
Analysis of a Fractal Boundary: The Graph of the Knopp Function
Authors: Ben Slimane Mourad , Mélot Clothilde
Published: January 2015

A usual classification tool to study a fractal interface is the computation of its fractal dimension. But a recent method developed by Y. Heurteaux and S. Jaffard proposes to compute either weak and strong accessibility exponents or localLpregularity exponents (the so-calledp-exponent). These exponents describe locally the behavior of the interface. We apply this method to the graph of the Knopp function which is defined forx∈0, 1asFx=∑j=0∞2-αjϕ2jx, where0<α<1andϕx=distx, z. The Knopp function itself has everywhere the samep-exponentα. Nevertheless, using the characterization of the maxima and minima done by B. Dubuc and S. Dubuc, we will compute thep-exponent of the characteristic function of the domain under the graph ofFat each point(x, F(x))and show thatp-exponents, weak and strong accessibility exponents, change from point to point. Furthermore we will derive a characterization of the local extrema of the function according to the values of these exponents.
Multiple Myeloma Patients at Various Cytogenetic Risks Benefit Differently from Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation as a Consolidation Therapy
Authors: Zeng Tianmei , Zhou Lili , Xi Hao , Fu Weijun , Du Juan , Zhang Chunyang , Jiang Hua , Hou Jian
Published: January 2015

Aim.To evaluate whether patients with multiple myeloma at various risks can still benefit the same from autologous stem cell transplantation consolidation in the era of novel agents. We retrospectively analyzed 67 consecutive myeloma patients receiving autologous stem cell transplantation after bortezomib and/or thalidomide based inductions. Totally 17 high-risk, 24 intermediate-risk, and 26 low-risk patients were enrolled, based on fluorescence in situ hybridization and ISS stage. Meanwhile, another 67 risk-, response depth-, and age-matched patients not proceeding to autologous stem cell transplantation were chosen as controls. Our preliminary data indicated that, in the high-risk subgroup, progression-free survival and overall survival were both significantly prolonged after autologous stem cell transplantation (P<0.001andP=0.015) while, in the intermediate-risk subgroup, neither progression-free survival nor overall survival was prolonged significantly after autologous stem cell transplantation (P>0.05), and in the low-risk subgroup, only progression-free survival was extended significantly (P=0.012) after autologous stem cell transplantation. Multiple variables analysis further indicated that autologous stem cell transplantation and risk stratification were two independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Our results indicated that myeloma patients at different risks all benefit from autologous stem cell transplantation consolidation even in the era of novel agents.
Salivary Desmoglein Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for Diagnosis of Pemphigus Vulgaris: A Noninvasive Alternative Test to Serum Assessment
Authors: Mortazavi Hossein , Khatami Alireza , Seyedin Zahra , Vasheghani Farahani Iman , Daneshpazhooh Maryam
Published: January 2015

Background. Serum desmoglein enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is used for the diagnosis and monitoring of pemphigus diseases.Objectives. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of salivary antidesmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 3 ELISA in the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) patients with that of serum desmogleins ELISA.Methods. Eighty-six untreated PV patients and 180 age- and sex-matched PV-free controls were recruited in this case-control study. PV was diagnosed based on clinical, histopathological, and direct immunofluorescence findings. After processing, serum and salivary anti-Dsg 1 and 3 were measured by the ELISA method using Euroimmun kit (Lübeck, Germany).Results. Using the cut-off point of 20 relative units (RU)/mL, the serum anti-Dsg 1 and 3 ELISA were positive in 62 (72.1%) and 83 (96.5%) patients, respectively, and the salivary anti-Dsg 1 and 3 ELISA were positive in 31 (36.1%) and 63 (73.3%) patients, respectively. The specificity of salivary anti-Dsg 1 and anti-Dsg 3 were both 98.9%. Optimal cut-off values of 7.7 and 13.4 RU/mL were determined for the salivary anti-Dsg 1 and anti-Dsg 3 ELISA, respectively.Conclusion. Salivary anti-Dsg 1 and 3 ELISA with high specificities (98.9%) could be suggested as safe and noninvasive methods for the diagnosis of PV when obtaining a blood sample is difficult.