bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Efficient Algorithm for Maximizing Range Sum Queries in a Road Network
Authors: Phan Tien-Khoi , Jung HaRim , Kim Ung-Mo
Published: July 2014

Given a set of positive-weighted points and a query rectangler(specified by a client) of given extents, the goal of a maximizing range sum (MaxRS) query is to find the optimal location ofrsuch that the total weights of all the points covered byrare maximized. All existing methods for processing MaxRS queries assume the Euclidean distance metric. In many location-based applications, however, the motion of a client may be constrained by an underlying (spatial) road network; that is, the client cannot move freely in space. This paper addresses the problem of processing MaxRS queries in a road network. We propose the external-memory algorithm that is suited for a large road network database. In addition, in contrast to the existing methods, which retrieve only one optimal location, our proposed algorithm retrieves all the possible optimal locations. Through simulations, we evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
Innervation of a Prefabricated Flap: A New Experimental Model
Authors: Romeo Marco , Cuccia Giuseppe , Qiu Shan Shan , Raimondo Stefania , Geuna Stefano , Hontanilla Bernardo
Published: July 2014

Introduction. Flap innervation by neoaxonogenesis is a promising field of investigation. The authors evaluated the possibility of innervating an acellular collagen scaffold as component of a potential prefabricated flap.Materials and Methods. Collagen matrix sheets were implanted around the femoral bundle of a murine model to produce two flaps on proximal and distal nerve stumps based on a flow-through model. After thirty days, nerve regeneration and integration into the collagen matrix were evaluated. The specimens were microscopically analyzed to study Schwann cell colonization and axonal integration with the matrix. Axonal count and density were assessed and statistically evaluated.Results. Qualitative structural and ultrastructural evaluation indicated integration, with axonal fibers merged within the collagen matrix, along with a newly formed vascular network on the proximal flap. Wallerian degeneration occurred inside the distal chamber. Axonal count and density did not show statistically significant differences between the nerve inside the proximal flap and the control side.Conclusions. Innervation of an acellular matrix can be obtained by direct nerve stump implantation. The flow-through system was relatively easy to build and reliable to provide adequate blood supply. The collagen scaffold may be a promising support or further studies of preinnervated microsurgical flaps.
High-Strength Bolt Corrosion Fatigue Life Model and Application
Authors: Hui-li Wang , Si-feng Qin
Published: July 2014

The corrosion fatigue performance of high-strength bolt was studied. Based on the fracture mechanics theory and the Gerberich-Chen formula, the high-strength bolt corrosion fracture crack model and the fatigue life model were established. The high-strength bolt crack depth and the fatigue life under corrosion environment were quantitatively analyzed. The factors affecting high-strength bolt corrosion fatigue life were discussed. The result showed that the high-strength bolt corrosion fracture biggest crack depth reduces along with the material yield strength and the applied stress increases. The material yield strength was the major factor. And the high-strength bolt corrosion fatigue life reduced along with the increase of material strength, the applied stress or stress amplitude. The stress amplitude influenced the most, and the material yield strength influenced the least. Low bolt strength and a low stress amplitude level could extend high-strength bolt corrosion fatigue life.
Discrete Fractional COSHAD Transform and Its Application
Authors: Zhu Hongqing , Gui Zhiguo , Zhu Yu , Chen Zhihua
Published: July 2014

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in finding methods to construct orthogonal transforms. This interest is driven by the large number of applications of the orthogonal transforms in image analysis and compression, especially for colour images. Inspired by this motivation, this paper first introduces a new orthogonal transform known as a discrete fractional COSHAD (FrCOSHAD) using the Kronecker product of eigenvectors and the eigenvalues of the COSHAD kernel functions. Next, this study discusses the properties of the FrCOSHAD kernel function, such as angle additivity. Using the algebra of quaternions, the study presents quaternion COSHAD/FrCOSHAD transforms to represent colour images in a holistic manner. This paper also develops an inverse polynomial reconstruction method (IPRM) in the discrete COSHAD/FrCOSHAD domains. This method can effectively recover a piecewise smooth signal from the finite set of its COSHAD/FrCOSHAD coefficients, with high accuracy. The convergence theorem has proved that the partial sum of COSHAD provides a spectrally accurate approximation to the underlying piecewise smooth signal. The experimental results verify the numerical stability and accuracy of the proposed methods.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Strain-Specific Probiotic Formulation (Renadyl) in Dialysis Patients
Authors: Natarajan Ranganathan , Pechenyak Bohdan , Vyas Usha , Ranganathan Pari , Weinberg Alan , Liang Peter , Mallappallil Mary C. , Norin Allen J. , Friedman Eli A. , Saggi Subodh J.
Published: July 2014

Background. Primary goal of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of Renadyl in end-stage renal disease patients was to assess the safety and efficacy of Renadyl measured through improvement in quality of life or reduction in levels of known uremic toxins. Secondary goal was to investigate the effects on several biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.Methods. Two 2-month treatment periods separated by 2-month washout and crossover, with physical examinations, venous blood testing, and quality of life questionnaires completed at each visit. Data were analyzed with SAS V9.2.Results. 22 subjects (79%) completed the study. Observed trends were as follows (none reaching statistical significance): decline in WBC count(-0.51×109/L,P=0.057)and reductions in levels of C-reactive protein(-8.61 mg/L,P=0.071)and total indoxyl glucuronide(-0.11 mg%,P=0.058). No statistically significant changes were observed in other uremic toxin levels or measures of QOL.Conclusions. Renadyl appeared to be safe to administer to ESRD patients on hemodialysis. Stability in QOL assessment is an encouraging result for a patient cohort in such advanced stage of kidney disease. Efficacy could not be confirmed definitively, primarily due to small sample size and low statistical power—further studies are warranted.
Bilateral Persistent Pupillary Membrane with Tetralogy of Fallot: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Altun A. , Kurna S. A. , Bozkurt E. , Erdogan G. , Altun G. , Olcaysu O. O. , Aki S. F.
Published: July 2014

Case Report. A 15-year-old boy presented to the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Education and Research Hospital with the complain of bilateral vision blurring associated with severe glare and photophobia. On ophthalmological examination, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/200 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye, and there was no improvement with pinhole testing. The slit-lamp examination showed persistent pupillary membranes (PPM) in both eyes. According to the history obtained from his parents, he had received cardiac surgery for tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) 8 years ago.Conclusion. This patient is unique because this is the first reported case of bilateral PPM with congenital heart anomaly in the literature. Bilaterality of the eye anomaly strengthens the possibility of an uncommon association between PPM and TOF, rather than local failure in embryonic development.
Design of Tunable Monopole Arm Planar Spiral Antenna for Cognitive Radio
Authors: Yadav Rahul
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a spiral antenna design operating in the frequency range of 1–15 GHz having both selective notch bands and wideband response. The main feed arm of spiral antenna is configured as rectangular monopole of width quarter wavelength to achieve impedance matching with standard 50 Ω excitation. Frequency tuning in the design is achieved by placing varactor diode at an appropriate position along the spiral arms and in the ground plane. The design offers a peak gain of 3.4 dB (simulated) and 3 dB (measured). The unique frequency response of antenna makes its suitable to be used for front-end system of cognitive radio for sensing the spectrum in various modes.
Harmonic Subtangent Structures
Authors: Blaga Adara M.
Published: July 2014

The concept of harmonic subtangent structures on almost subtangent metric manifolds is introduced and a Bochner-type formula is proved for this case. Conditions for a subtangent harmonic structure to be preserved by harmonic maps are also given.
Performance-Based Evaluation of Large Steel-Framed Structures in the Overall Fire Process
Authors: Zhu Guoqing , Zhang Guowei , Yuan Guanglin , Li Qingtao
Published: July 2014

This paper proposes a systematic analysis of fire hazards within an oversized steel-framed building that is taller and wider than usual, using a performance-based approach. We put forth both the method and the performance criteria for performance-based fire design of oversized steel-framed buildings and quantitatively evaluate the hazard factors (smoke temperature, smoke visibility, smoke toxicity, and structural collapse) in fire condition. FDS large eddy simulation and a modified temperature rise model of oversized steel structures were proposed for the quantitative analysis of hazard factors. Furthermore, we also studied evacuation process from oversized buildings and found that the Pathfinder model (developed based on water conservation model and behavior model) can accurately predict the evacuation process from oversized buildings based on our experimental study of an evacuation from a stadium. By comparing the time of occurrence of fire hazard factors (smoke temperature, smoke visibility, smoke toxicity, and structural collapse) and the time needed for safe evacuation, we could conduct a quantitative fire risk assessment on personal evacuation. And the time of occurrence of fire hazard factors can also provide a theoretical reference for emergency rescuers.
Resveratrol, a Natural Antioxidant, Has a Protective Effect on Liver Injury Induced by Inorganic Arsenic Exposure
Authors: Zhang Zhigang , Gao Li , Cheng Yanyan , Jiang Jing , Chen Yan , Jiang Huijie , Yu Hongxiang , Shan Anshan , Cheng Baojing
Published: July 2014

Resveratrol (Rev) can ameliorate cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is a known cytotoxic environmental toxicant and a potent chemotherapeutic agent. However, the mechanisms by which resveratrol protects the liver against the cytotoxic effects of As2O3are not known. Therefore, in the present study we investigated the mechanisms involved in the action of resveratrol using a cat model in which hepatotoxicity was induced by means of As2O3treatment. We found that pretreatment with resveratrol, administered using a clinically comparable dose regimen, reversed changes in As2O3-induced morphological and liver parameters and resulted in a significant improvement in hepatic function. Resveratrol treatment also improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes and attenuated As2O3-induced increases in reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde production. In addition, resveratrol attenuated the As2O3-induced reduction in the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione and the retention of arsenic in liver tissue. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms whereby resveratrol modulates As2O3-induced changes in liver function and tissue morphology. They also provide a stronger rationale for the clinical utilization of resveratrol for the reduction of As2O3-induced hepatotoxicity.
Massive Periocular Squamous Cell Carcinoma Engulfing the Globe: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Arora Rajender Singh , Bhattacharya Anirudh , Adwani Dwarkadas , Arora Sidak Singh
Published: July 2014

The eyelid tumors are rare neoplasms in head and neck oncological practice. The maximum incidence is after sixty years and most of the tumors are situated in the lower eyelid and medial canthus. A wide range of clinical presentations contribute to a high risk of misdiagnosis. The factors such as very large lesions, incomplete excision, histopathologic features such as poor differentiation, multicentric origin, pagetoid spread, and delayed diagnosis are associated with poor prognosis. Because of different tissues at eyelid level, a variety of tumor types and subtypes can arise, but most of them are carcinomas. A rare case of eyelid carcinoma spreading and engulfing the whole of globe which was treated by orbital exenteration and postoperative radiotherapy is presented with a disease-free follow-up of 10 months which, considering its size, is extremely rare. The early diagnosis and proper treatment of such rare tumors still remain the mainstay to predict favourable prognosis.
New Mono- and Biaccelerator Iterative Methods with Memory for Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Lotfi T. , Soleymani F. , Shateyi S. , Assari P. , Haghani F. Khaksar
Published: July 2014

Acceleration of convergence is discussed for some families of iterative methods in order to solve scalar nonlinear equations. In fact, we construct mono- and biparametric methods with memory and study their orders. It is shown that the convergence orders 12 and 14 can be attained using only 4 functional evaluations, which provides high computational efficiency indices. Some illustrations will also be given to reverify the theoretical discussions.
Simplified Adaptive Robust Motion Control with Varying Boundary Discontinuous Projection of Hydraulic Actuator
Authors: Yu Cungui , Qi Xianwei
Published: July 2014

This paper deals with the high performance adaptive robust motion control of electrohydraulic servo system driven by dual vane hydraulic rotary actuator. The recently developed adaptive robust control theory is used to handle the nonlinearities and modelling uncertainties in hydraulic systems. Aside from the difficulty of handling parametric variations, the traditional adaptive robust controller (ARC) is also a little complicated in practice. To address these challenging issues, a simplified adaptive robust control with varying boundary discontinuous projection is developed to enhance the robustness of the closed-loop system, based on the features of hydraulic rotary actuator. Compared with previous ARC controller, the resulting controller has a simple algorithm for more suitable implementation and can handle parametric variations via nonlinear robust design. The controller theoretically achieves a guaranteed transient performance and final tracking accuracy in the presence of both parametric uncertainties and uncertain nonlinearities. Extensive simulation results are obtained for a hydraulic rotary actuator to verify the high performance nature of proposed control strategy.
An Improved Directional Broadcast Algorithm Based on Brownian Motion
Authors: Li Shibao , Lou Linlin , Wang Yu , Sun Lu , Hong Li
Published: July 2014

Several broadcast algorithms have been developed in recent years. However, the problem of reducing routing overhead in ad hoc networks is always to be concerned. This paper proposes an improved directional broadcast algorithm based on Brownian motion for AODV protocol (DBB-AODV). We bring Brownian motion into network model and gain the distribution of the nodes which encountered destination before. This algorithm uses encounter records to predict the direction to destination and forwards RREQ packets with reasonable probability according to the distribution just mentioned. Simulation results indicate that DBB-AODV saves up to 20% of average routing overhead compared to the probabilistic protocol and about 80% of the blind flooding.
Infrared‐Mediated Drug Elution Activity of Gold Nanorod‐Grafted TiO2 Nanotubes
Authors: Moon Kyung-Suk , Bae Ji-Myung , Jin Sungho , Oh Seunghan
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this research was to prepare gold nanorod‐ (GNR‐) grafted TiO2 nanotubes by thiolactic acid treatment and evaluate remote‐controlled drug elution and antibacterial activity by infrared (IR) light irradiation. Tetracycline used as an antibiotic was loaded into GNR‐grafted TiO2 nanotubes by using 2 w/v% polylactic acid solutions. A near‐IR laser (830 nm) was used for remote‐controlled IR light irradiation. Results of SEM, TEM, XRD, and EDX revealed that GNR chemically bonded to the whole surface of the TiO2 nanotubes. An antibiotic release test revealed that on‐off drug elution was triggered effectively by the photothermal effect of GNR grafted on TiO2 nanotubes. Furthermore, an antibacterial agar zone test indicated that the annihilated zone of Streptococcus mutans in the experimental group with IR light irradiation was significantly larger than that of the corresponding group without IR light irradiation (P < 0.05). Therefore, GNR‐grafted TiO2 nanotubes would be expected to extend the limited usage of TiO2, which show photocatalytic activity only within the ultraviolet (UV) to IR region, thereby allowing the development of novel fusion technologies in the field of implant materials.
A User Authentication Scheme Using Physiological and Behavioral Biometrics for Multitouch Devices
Authors: Koong Chorng-Shiuh , Yang Tzu-I , Tseng Chien-Chao
Published: July 2014

With the rapid growth of mobile network, tablets and smart phones have become sorts of keys to access personal secured services in our daily life. People use these devices to manage personal finances, shop on the Internet, and even pay at vending machines. Besides, it also helps us get connected with friends and business partners through social network applications, which were widely used as personal identifications in both real and virtual societies. However, these devices use inherently weak authentication mechanism, based upon passwords and PINs that is not changed all the time. Although forcing users to change password periodically can enhance the security level, it may also be considered annoyances for users. Biometric technologies are straightforward because of the simple authentication process. However, most of the traditional biometrics methodologies require diverse equipment to acquire biometric information, which may be expensive and not portable. This paper proposes a multibiometric user authentication scheme with both physiological and behavioral biometrics. Only simple rotations with fingers on multitouch devices are required to enhance the security level without annoyances for users. In addition, the user credential is replaceable to prevent from the privacy leakage.
Thou Shalt Not Think: Editors’ Voice in an English Textbook to Propagate Vested Agendas
Authors: Asghar Jabreel
Published: July 2014

Textbooks, particularly in developing countries, are used as a tool to propagate the agendas of state and other groups in power. This paper informs the reader on the issue of how a tertiary level English textbook used editors’ voice to form the opinion of its readers by shaping facts and perspectives depicted in the texts. The editors of the textbook not only censored the information to block autonomous learning, but also attempted to misrepresent the themes of various texts to meet the censorship guidelines set by the textbook-board and/or the state. The paper aims to raise the question of learner autonomy and learners’ right to access information in its original form to be interpreted independently in the schematic background of each individual. By pointing out the issue and initiating the discussion, the paper hopes to bring awareness in the less explored area of the use of language power in the Pakistani educational context.
Cytotoxic Effects of Newly Synthesized Palladium(II) Complexes of Diethyldithiocarbamate on Gastrointestinal Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Hadizadeh Shahram , Najafzadeh Nowruz , Mazani Mohammad , Amani Mojtaba , Mansouri-Torshizi Hassan , Niapour Ali
Published: July 2014

As a part of a drug development program to discover novel therapeutic and more effective palladium (Pd) based anticancer drugs, a series of water-soluble Pd complexes have been synthesized by interaction between [Pd (phen)(H2O)2(NO3)2] and alkylenebisdithiocarbamate(al-bis-dtc) disodium salts. This study was undertaken to examine the possible cytotoxic effect of three novel complexes (0.125–64 µg/mL) on human gastric carcinoma (AGS), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (Kyse-30), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines. The cytotoxicity was examined using cell proliferation and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) assay. In order to examine the effects of new Pd(II) complexes on cell cycle status, we performed cell cycle analysis. The complexes were found to have completely lethal effects on the cell lines, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values obtained for the cell lines were much lower in comparison with cisplatin. We demonstrated that the three new Pd(II) complexes are able to induce G2/M phase arrest in AGS and HepG2; in addition, the Pd(II) complexes caused an S phase arrest in Kyse-30 cell line. Our results indicate that newly synthesized Pd(II) complexes may provide a novel class of chemopreventive compounds for anticancer therapy.
Robust Exponential Stability of Impulsive Stochastic Neural Networks with Leakage Time-Varying Delay
Authors: Lu Chunge , Wang Linshan
Published: July 2014

This paper investigates mean-square robust exponential stability of the equilibrium point of stochastic neural networks with leakage time-varying delays and impulsive perturbations. By using Lyapunov functions and Razumikhin techniques, some easy-to-test criteria of the stability are derived. Two examples are provided to illustrate the efficiency of the results.
Repeated Batch Fermentation Biotechnology for the Biosynthesis of Lipid and Gamma-Linolenic Acid byCunninghamella bainieri2A1
Authors: Ganjali Dashti Marjan , Abdeshahian Peyman , Wan Yusoff Wan Mohtar , Kalil Mohd Sahaid , Abdul Hamid Aidil
Published: July 2014

The biosynthesis of biomedical products including lipid and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) byCunninghamella bainieri2A1 was studied in repeated batch fermentation. Three key process variables, namely, glucose concentration, ammonium tartrate concentration, and harvesting time, were optimized using response surface methodology. Repeated batch fermentation was carried out by the cultivation ofCunninghamella bainieri2A1 in nitrogen-limited medium with various nitrogen concentration (1–4 g/L) and glucose concentration (20–40 g/L) at three time intervals (12 h, 24 h, and 48 h). Experimental results showed that the highest lipid concentration of 6.2 g/L and the highest GLA concentration of 0.4 g/L were obtained in optimum conditions, where 20.2 g/L glucose, 2.12 g/L ammonium tartrate, and 48 h harvesting time were utilized. Statistical results showed that the interaction between glucose and ammonium tartrate concentration had highly significant effects on lipid and GLA biosynthesis (P<0.01). Moreover, harvesting time had a significant interaction effect with glucose and ammonium tartrate concentration on lipid production (P<0.05).
Morphometric Analysis of Connective Tissue Sheaths of Sural Nerve in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Kundalić Braca , Ugrenović Slađana , Jovanović Ivan , Stefanović Natalija , Petrović Vladimir , Kundalić Jasen , Stojanović Vesna , Živković Vladimir , Antić Vladimir
Published: July 2014

One of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic neuropathy. It may be provoked by metabolic and/or vascular factors, and depending on duration of disease, various layers of nerve may be affected. Our aim was to investigate influence of diabetes on the epineurial, perineurial, and endoneurial connective tissue sheaths. The study included 15 samples of sural nerve divided into three groups: diabetic group, peripheral vascular disease group, and control group. After morphological analysis, morphometric parameters were determined for each case using ImageJ software. Compared to the control group, the diabetic cases had significantly higher perineurial index (P<0.05) and endoneurial connective tissue percentage (P<0.01). The diabetic group showed significantly higher epineurial area (P<0.01), as well as percentage of endoneurial connective tissue (P<0.01), in relation to the peripheral vascular disease group. It is obvious that hyperglycemia and ischemia present in diabetes lead to substantial changes in connective tissue sheaths of nerve, particularly in peri- and endoneurium. Perineurial thickening and significant endoneurial fibrosis may impair the balance of endoneurial homeostasis and regenerative ability of the nerve fibers. Future investigations should focus on studying the components of extracellular matrix of connective tissue sheaths in diabetic nerves.
Optimization Method for Girder of Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Zheng Yuqiao , Zhao Rongzhen , Liu Hong
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a recently developed numerical multidisciplinary optimization method for design of wind turbine blade. The objective was the highest possible blade weight under specified atmospheric conditions, determined by the design giving girder layer and location parameter. Wind turbine blade on box‐section beams girder is calculated by ply thickness, main girder and trailing edge. In this study, a realistic 30 m blade from a 1.2 MW wind turbine model of blade girder parameters is established. The optimization evolves a structure which transforms along the length of the blade, changing from a design with spar caps at the maximum thickness and a trailing edge mass to a design with spar caps toward the tip. In addition, the cross‐section structural properties and the modal characteristics of a 62 m rotor blade were predicted by the developed beam finite element. In summary, these findings indicate that the conventional structural layout of a wind turbine blade is suboptimal under the static load conditions, suggesting an opportunity to reduce blade weight and cost.
Predictors of Middle School Students’ Interest in Participating in an Incentive-Based Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program in Connecticut
Authors: Morean Meghan E. , Camenga Deepa R. , Kong Grace , Cavallo Dana A. , Schepis Ty S. , Krishnan-Sarin Suchitra
Published: July 2014

Behavioral incentives have been used to encourage smoking cessation in older adolescents, but the acceptability of incentives to promote a smoke-free lifestyle in younger adolescents is unknown. To inform the development of novel, effective, school-based interventions for youth, we assessed middle school students’ interest in participating in an incentive-based tobacco abstinence program. We surveyed 988 students (grades 6–8) attending three Connecticut middle schools to determine whether interest in program participation varied as a function of (1) intrapersonal factors (i.e., demographic characteristics (sex, age, race), smoking history, and trait impulsivity) and/or (2) aspects of program design (i.e., prize type, value, and reward frequency). Primary analyses were conducted using multiple regression. A majority of students (61.8%) reported interest in program participation. Interest did not vary by gender, smoking risk status, or offering cash prizes. However, younger students, non-Caucasian students, behaviorally impulsive students, and students with higher levels of self-regulation were more likely to report interest. Inexpensive awards (e.g., video games) offered monthly motivated program interest. In sum, middle school students reported high levels of interest in an incentive-based program to encourage a tobacco-free lifestyle. These formative data can inform the design of effective, incentive-based smoking cessation and prevention programs in middle schools.
Beamforming Transmission in IEEE 802.11ac under Time-Varying Channels
Authors: Yu Heejung , Kim Taejoon
Published: July 2014

The IEEE 802.11ac wireless local area network (WLAN) standard has adopted beamforming (BF) schemes to improve spectral efficiency and throughput with multiple antennas. To design the transmit beam, a channel sounding process to feedback channel state information (CSI) is required. Due to sounding overhead, throughput increases with the amount of transmit data under static channels. Under practical channel conditions with mobility, however, the mismatch between the transmit beam and the channel at transmission time causes performance loss when transmission duration after channel sounding is too long. When the fading rate, payload size, and operating signal-to-noise ratio are given, the optimal transmission duration (i.e., packet length) can be determined to maximize throughput. The relationship between packet length and throughput is also investigated for single-user and multiuser BF modes.
The Importance of the Prenyl Group in the Activities of Osthole in Enhancing Bone Formation and Inhibiting Bone ResorptionIn Vitro
Authors: Zhai Yuan-Kun , Pan Ya-Lei , Niu Yin-Bo , Li Chen-Rui , Wu Xiang-Long , Fan Wu-Tu , Lu Ting-Li , Mei Qi-Bing , Xian Cory J.
Published: July 2014

Osteoporosis treatment always aimed at keeping the balance of bone formation and bone resorption. Recently, prenyl group in natural products has been proposed as an active group to enhance the osteogenesis process. Osthole has both the prenyl group and bone-protective activities, but the relationship is still unknown. In this study we found that osthole exerted a potent ability to promote proliferation and osteogenic function of rat bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts, including improved cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, enhanced secretion of collagen-I, bone morphogenetic protein-2, osteocalcin and osteopontin, stimulated mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1, runt-related transcription factor-2, osterix, OPG (osteoprotegerin), RANKL (receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand), and the ratio of OPG/RANKL, as well as increasing the formation of mineralized nodules. However, 7-methoxycoumarin had no obvious effects. Osthole also inhibited osteoclastic bone resorption to a greater extent than 7-methoxycoumarin, as shown by a lower tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and lower number and smaller area of resorption pits. Our findings demonstrate that osthole could be a potential agent to stimulate bone formation and inhibit bone resorption, and the prenyl group plays an important role in these bone-protective effects.
Antiviral Action of Synthetic Stigmasterol Derivatives on Herpes Simplex Virus Replication in Nervous CellsIn Vitro
Authors: Petrera Erina , Níttolo Analía G. , Alché Laura E.
Published: July 2014

Polyfunctionalized stigmasterol derivatives, (22S,23S)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one (compound1) and (22S,23S)-3β-bromo-5α,22,23-trihydroxystigmastan-6-one (compound2), inhibit herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) replication and spreading in human epithelial cells derived from ocular tissues. Both compounds reduce the incidence and severity of lesions in a murine model of herpetic stromal keratitis when administered in different treatment modalities. Since encephalitis caused by HSV-1 is another immunopathology of viral origin, we evaluate here the antiviral effect of both compounds on HSV-1 infected nervous cell lines as well as their anti-inflammatory action. We found that both stigmasterol derivatives presented low cytotoxicity in the three nervous cell lines assayed. Regarding the antiviral activity, in all cases both compounds prevented HSV-1 multiplication when added after infection, as well as virus propagation. Additionally, both compounds were able to hinder interleukin-6 and Interferon-gamma secretion induced by HSV-1 infection in Neuro-2a cells. We conclude that compounds1and2have exerted a dual antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect in HSV-1 infected nervous cell lines, which makes them interesting molecules to be further studied.
Self‐Assembly of Rice Bran Globulin Fibrils in Electrostatic Screening: Nanostructure and Gels
Authors: Huang Lihua , Zhang Yehui , Li Haibin
Published: July 2014

The effects of various ionic strengths and protein concentrations on the fibrils structure and gel properties of rice bran globulin (RBG) at pH 2.0 were investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM), rheometer, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). AFM images showed the morphology of assembling RBG fibrils from strand beads to becoming branch clustered, when electrostatic repulsive forces attenuated gradually with increasing ionic strength. NaCl seems to accelerate the kinetics of fibrils formation, resulting in a significant increase in Th T fluorescence intensity. The increased ionic strengths promote particle size increasing and zeta potential decreasing synchronously. The percolation model be used to calculate theoretical RBG gels concentration at various ionic strengths (0–500 mM), which decreased from 15.17 ± 0.63 to 2.26 ± 0.27 wt%. SEM images exhibited a granular mesh‐like gel structure. A more homogenous structure occurred in low ionic strength. This study elucidates properties of RBG fibrils and gels as a bioactive material.
Recovery of Ga(III) by Raw and Alkali Treated Citrus limetta Peels
Authors: Gondhalekar Sachin C. , Shukla Sanjeev R.
Published: July 2014

Alkali treated Citrus limetta peels were used for recovery of Ga(III) from its aqueous solution. The raw and alkali treated peels were characterized for functional groups. The efficiency of adsorption increased from 47.62 mg/g for raw peels to 83.33 mg/g for alkali treated peels. Between pH 1 and 3, the adsorption increased and thereafter decreased drastically. The adsorption followed pseudosecond order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm gave the best fit for the experimental data. Desorption studies showed 95.28% desorption after 3 cycles for raw peels while it was 89.51% for alkali treated peels. Simulated Bayer liquor showed 39.57% adsorption for gallium ions on raw peels which was enhanced to 41.13% for alkali treated peels.
Capacity ofκ-μShadowed Fading Channels
Authors: García-Corrales Celia , Cañete Francisco J. , Paris José F.
Published: July 2014

The ergodic capacity of fading channels modeled with aκ-μshadowed distribution is investigated to derive closed-form expressions. Theκ-μshadowed distribution is of particular interest because it contains, as special cases, other classical ones like one-side Gaussian, Rayleigh, Rician, Nakagami-m,κ-μ, and Rician shadowed distributions. The paper discusses the physical meaning of the distribution parameter variations and also their impact on the channel capacity. These results can be used to study the behavior of different channels like the ones in underwater acoustic communications, land mobile satellite systems, body centric communications, and other wireless communication applications. The analytical closed-form expression results are validated with numerical simulations.
Evidence for Molecular Differences in Prostate Cancer between African American and Caucasian Men
Authors: Khani Francesca , Mosquera Juan Miguel , Park Kyung , Blattner Mirjam , O'Reilly Catherine , MacDonald Theresa Y. , Chen Zhengming , Srivastava Abhishek , Tewari Ashutosh K. , Barbieri Christopher E. , Rubin Mark A. , Robinson Brian D.
Published: July 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of ERG rearrangement, PTEN deletion, SPINK1 overexpression, and SPOP mutation in prostate cancer in African American and Caucasian men.

Experimental design: Dominant tumor nodules from radical prostatectomy specimens of 105 African American men (AAM) were compared with 113 dominant nodules from Caucasian men (CaM). Clinical and pathologic characteristics of the two groups were similar. SPINK1 overexpression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, ERG rearrangement and PTEN deletion by FISH, and SPOP mutation by Sanger sequencing.

Results: ERG rearrangement was identified in 48 of 113 tumors (42.5%) in CaM and 29 of 105 tumors (27.6%) in AAM (P = 0.024). PTEN deletion was seen in 19 of 96 tumors (19.8%) in CaM and 7 of 101 tumors (6.9%) in AAM (P = 0.011). SPINK1 overexpression was present in 9 of 110 tumors (8.2%) in CaM and 25 of 105 tumors (23.4%) in AAM (P = 0.002). SPOP mutation was identified in 8 of 78 (10.3%) tumors in CaM and 4 of 88 (4.5%) tumors in AAM (P = 0.230). When adjusted for age, body mass index, Gleason score, and pathologic stage, ERG rearrangement and SPINK1 overexpression remain significantly different (P = 0.018 and P = 0.008, respectively), and differences in PTEN deletion and SPOP mutation approach significance (P = 0.061 and P = 0.087, respectively).

Conclusions: Significant molecular differences exist between prostate cancers in AAM and CaM. SPINK1 overexpression, an alteration associated with more aggressive prostate cancers, was more frequent in AAM, whereas ERG rearrangement and PTEN deletion were less frequent in this cohort. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether these molecular differences explain some of the disparity in incidence and mortality between these two ethnic groups. Clin Cancer Res; 20(18); 4925–34. ©2014 AACR.
Treatment with Chemotherapy and Dendritic Cells Pulsed with Multiple Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1)–Specific MHC Class I/II–Restricted Epitopes for Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Koido Shigeo , Homma Sadamu , Okamoto Masato , Takakura Kazuki , Mori Masako , Yoshizaki Shinji , Tsukinaga Shintaro , Odahara Shunichi , Koyama Seita , Imazu Hiroo , Uchiyama Kan , Kajihara Mikio , Arakawa Hiroshi , Misawa Takeyuki , Toyama Yoichi , Yanagisawa Satoru , Ikegami Masahiro , Kan Shin , Hayashi Kazumi , Komita Hideo , Kamata Yuko , Ito Masaki , Ishidao Takefumi , Yusa Sei-ichi , Shimodaira Shigetaka , Gong Jianlin , Sugiyama Haruo , Ohkusa Toshifumi , Tajiri Hisao
Published: July 2014

Purpose: We performed a phase I trial to investigate the safety, clinical responses, and Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1)-specific immune responses following treatment with dendritic cells (DC) pulsed with a mixture of three types of WT1 peptides, including both MHC class I and II–restricted epitopes, in combination with chemotherapy.

Experimental Design: Ten stage IV patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and 1 patient with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) who were HLA-positive for A*02:01, A*02:06, A*24:02, DRB1*04:05, DRB1*08:03, DRB1*15:01, DRB1*15:02, DPB1*05:01, or DPB1*09:01 were enrolled. The patients received one course of gemcitabine followed by biweekly intradermal vaccinations with mature DCs pulsed with MHC class I (DC/WT1-I; 2 PDA and 1 ICC), II (DC/WT1-II; 1 PDA), or I/II–restricted WT1 peptides (DC/WT1-I/II; 7 PDA), and gemcitabine.

Results: The combination therapy was well tolerated. WT1-specific IFNγ-producing CD4+ T cells were significantly increased following treatment with DC/WT1-I/II. WT1 peptide-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) was detected in 4 of the 7 patients with PDA vaccinated with DC/WT1-I/II and in 0 of the 3 patients with PDA vaccinated with DC/WT1-I or DC/WT1-II. The WT1-specific DTH-positive patients showed significantly improved overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared with the negative control patients. In particular, all 3 patients with PDA with strong DTH reactions had a median OS of 717 days.

Conclusions: The activation of WT1-specific immune responses by DC/WT1-I/II combined with chemotherapy may be associated with disease stability in advanced pancreatic cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(16); 4228–39. ©2014 AACR.
Isolation of a circulating CD45-, CD34dim cell population and validation of their endothelial phenotype
Authors: Tropea Margaret , Harper Bonnie , Graninger Grace , Phillips Terry , Ferreyra Gabriela , Mostowski Howard , Danner Robert , Suffredini Anthony , Solomon Michael
Published: July 2014

Accurately detecting circulating endothelial cells (CECs) is important since their enumeration has been proposed as a biomarker to measure injury to the vascular endothelium. However, there is no single methodology for determining CECs in blood, making comparison across studies difficult. Many methods for detecting CECs rely on characteristic cell surface markers and cell viability indicators, but lack secondary validation. Here, a CEC population in healthy adult human subjects was identified by flow cytometry as CD45-, CD34dim that is comparable to a previously described CD45-, CD31bright population. In addition, nuclear staining with 7-aminoactinomycin D (7-AAD) was employed as a standard technique to exclude dead cells. Unexpectedly, the CD45-, CD34dim, 7-AAD- CECs lacked surface detectable CD146, a commonly used marker of CECs. Furthermore, light microscopy revealed this cell population to be composed primarily of large cells without a clearly defined nucleus. Nevertheless, immunostains still demonstrated the presence of the lectin Ulex europaeus and von Willebrand factor. Ultramicro analytical immunochemistry assays for the endothelial cell proteins CD31, CD34, CD62E, CD105, CD141, CD144 and vWF indicated these cells possess an endothelial phenotype. However, only a small amount of RNA, which was mostly degraded, could be isolated from these cells. Thus the majority of CECs in healthy individuals as defined by CD45-, CD34dim, and 7-AAD- have shed their CD146 surface marker and are senescent cells without an identifiable nucleus and lacking RNA of sufficient quantity and quality for transcriptomal analysis. This study highlights the importance of secondary validation of CEC identification.
A proibição das manufaturas no Brasil e a política econômica Portuguesa do fim do século XVIII
Authors: Novais Fernando Antônio
Published: July 2014

O artigo interpreta o Alvará de 1785, que proibia as manufaturas têxteis na colônia brasileira, explorando ao mesmo tempo sua lógica interna (suas incoerências e contradições teóricas) e seu contexto. Analisado de várias perspectivas e em todos os seus aspectos (econômicos, políticos e ideológicos) ilumina-se o significado histórico do documento e os motivos que lhe deram origem.
Mentalidade e sociedade: revisitando a historiografia sobre São Paulo Colonial
Authors: Blaj Ilana
Published: July 2014

O texto discute, confrontando as várias concepções de nossa historiografia, a questão da especificidade de São Paulo no período colonial, e defende a existência de uma unicidade estrutural da formação social brasileira, que englobava também o planalto paulista, fundada na grande propriedade, na escravidão e nos símbolos de honra e prestígio
A política cultural da França no Brasil entre 1920 e 1940: o direito e o avesso das missões universitárias
Authors: Suppo Hugo
Published: July 2014

Análise da ação do professor Georges Dumas, verdadeiro mentor da política cultural francesa no Brasil. Os professores franceses enviados ao Brasil constituem o pivô de uma estratégia baseada na utilização da influencia cultural francesa sobre as elites brasileiras, como instrumento de propaganda política, gerador de dependência cultural, com repercussões no plano econômico.
Clinical Risk Stratification Optimizes Value of Biomarkers to Predict New-Onset Heart Failure in a Community-Based Cohort
Authors: Brouwers Frank P. , van Gilst Wiek H. , Damman Kevin , van den Berg Maarten P. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Hillege Hans L. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , van der Harst Pim , de Boer Rudolf A.
Published: July 2014

Background—

We aim to identify and quantify the value of biomarkers for incident new-onset heart failure (HF) in a community-based cohort and subgroups based on cardiovascular risk and evaluate the prognostic value of 13 biomarkers for HF with reduced and preserved ejection fraction.

Methods and Results—

Thirteen biomarkers reflecting diverse pathophysiologic domains were examined in 8569 HF-free participants in Prevention of Vascular and Renal Endstage Disease (mean age, 49 years; 50% men). Subjects were categorized in 2 risk groups based on cardiovascular history. Incremental value per biomarker was assessed using Harrell C-indices. One hundred sixty-eight subjects (2.4%) were diagnosed with new-onset HF in the low-risk group (n=6915; Framingham Risk Score, 5.9%) and 206 (12.2%) subjects in the high-risk group (n=1654; Framingham Risk Score, 18.6%). The association of natriuretic peptides, adrenomedullin, endothelin, and galectin-3 with new-onset HF was stronger in the high-risk group (all
P
<0.05). Troponin-T, high-sensitive C-reactive protein, urinary albumin excretion, and cystatin-C had similar risk for new-onset HF between both risk groups. The best model for new-onset HF included the combination of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, troponin-T, and urinary albumin excretion, increasing model accuracy to 0.81 (9.5%,
P
<0.001) in the high-risk group. Except for a modest effect of cystatin-C, no biomarker was associated with increased risk for HF with preserved ejection fraction.

Conclusions—

Risk stratification increases the incremental value per biomarker to predict new-onset HF, especially HF with reduced ejection fraction. We suggest that routine biomarker testing should be limited to the use of natriuretic peptides and troponin-T in patients with increased cardiovascular risk.
Efficient Sensory Encoding and Bayesian Inference with Heterogeneous Neural Populations
Authors: Ganguli Deep , Simoncelli Eero P.
Published: July 2014

The efficient coding hypothesis posits that sensory systems maximize information transmitted to the brain about the environment. We develop a precise and testable form of this hypothesis in the context of encoding a sensory variable with a population of noisy neurons, each characterized by a tuning curve. We parameterize the population with two continuous functions that control the density and amplitude of the tuning curves, assuming that the tuning widths vary inversely with the cell density. This parameterization allows us to solve, in closed form, for the information-maximizing allocation of tuning curves as a function of the prior probability distribution of sensory variables. For the optimal population, the cell density is proportional to the prior, such that more cells with narrower tuning are allocated to encode higher-probability stimuli and that each cell transmits an equal portion of the stimulus probability mass. We also compute the stimulus discrimination capabilities of a perceptual system that relies on this neural representation and find that the best achievable discrimination thresholds are inversely proportional to the sensory prior. We examine how the prior information that is implicitly encoded in the tuning curves of the optimal population may be used for perceptual inference and derive a novel decoder, the Bayesian population vector, that closely approximates a Bayesian least-squares estimator that has explicit access to the prior. Finally, we generalize these results to sigmoidal tuning curves, correlated neural variability, and a broader class of objective functions. These results provide a principled embedding of sensory prior information in neural populations and yield predictions that are readily testable with environmental, physiological, and perceptual data.