bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CONSTRAINING THE PREFERRED-FRAME α1, α2 PARAMETERS FROM SOLAR SYSTEM PLANETARY PRECESSIONS
Authors: IORIO L.
Published: November 2013

Analytical expressions for the orbital precessions affecting the relative motion of the components of a local binary system induced by Lorentz-violating Preferred Frame Effects (PFE) are explicitly computed in terms of the Parametrized Post-Newtonian (PPN) parameters α1, α2. Preliminary constraints on α1, α2 are inferred from the latest determinations of the observationally admitted ranges [Formula: see text] for any anomalous Solar System planetary perihelion precessions. Other bounds existing in the literature are critically reviewed, with particular emphasis on the constraint [Formula: see text] based on an interpretation of the current close alignment of the Sun's equator with the invariable plane of the Solar System in terms of the action of a α2-induced torque throughout the entire Solar System's existence. Taken individually, the supplementary precessions [Formula: see text] of Earth and Mercury, recently determined with the INPOP10a ephemerides without modeling PFE, yield α1 = (0.8±4) × 10-6 and α2 = (4±6) × 10-6, respectively. A linear combination of the supplementary perihelion precessions of all the inner planets of the Solar System, able to remove the a priori bias of unmodeled/mismodeled standard effects such as the general relativistic Lense–Thirring precessions and the classical rates due to the Sun's oblateness J2, allows to infer α1 = (-1 ± 6) × 10-6, α2 = (-0.9 ± 3.5) × 10-5. Such figures are obtained by assuming that the ranges of values for the anomalous perihelion precessions are entirely due to the unmodeled effects of α1 and α2. Our bounds should be improved in the near-mid future with the MESSENGER and, especially, BepiColombo spacecrafts. Nonetheless, it is worthwhile noticing that our constraints are close to those predicted for BepiColombo in two independent studies. In further dedicated planetary analyses, PFE may be explicitly modeled to estimate α1, α2 simultaneously with the other PPN parameters as well.
RECOGNIZING TRANSPORTATION MODE ON MOBILE PHONE USING PROBABILITY FUSION OF EXTREME LEARNING MACHINES
Authors: WANG SHUANGQUAN , CHEN YIQIANG , CHEN ZHENYU
Published: November 2013

As one important clue to understand people's behavior and life pattern, transportation mode (such as walking, bicycling, taking bus, driving, taking light-rail or subway, etc.) information has already widely used in mobile recommendation, route planning, social networking and health caring. This paper proposes a transportation mode recognition method using probability fusion of extreme learning machines (ELMs). Two ELM classification models are trained to recognize accelerometer data and Global Positioning System (GPS) data, respectively. Fuzzy output vectors of these two ELMs are transformed into probability vectors and fused to determine the final result. Experimental results verify that the proposed method is effective and can obtain higher recognition accuracy than traditional fusion methods.
FUSION OF EXTREME LEARNING MACHINE WITH FUZZY INTEGRAL
Authors: ZHAI JUNHAI , XU HONGYU , LI YAN
Published: November 2013

Extreme learning machine (ELM) is an efficient and practical learning algorithm used for training single hidden layer feed-forward neural networks (SLFNs). ELM can provide good generalization performance at extremely fast learning speed. However, ELM suffers from instability and over-fitting, especially on relatively large datasets. Based on probabilistic SLFNs, an approach of fusion of extreme learning machine (F-ELM) with fuzzy integral is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm consists of three stages. Firstly, the bootstrap technique is employed to generate several subsets of original dataset. Secondly, probabilistic SLFNs are trained with ELM algorithm on each subset. Finally, the trained probabilistic SLFNs are fused with fuzzy integral. The experimental results show that the proposed approach can alleviate to some extent the problems mentioned above, and can increase the prediction accuracy.
EXTREME LEARNING MACHINE FOR DETERMINING SIGNED EFFICIENCY MEASURE FROM DATA
Authors: LI YINGJIE , NG PETER H. F. , SHIU SIMON C. K.
Published: November 2013

The techniques of fuzzy measure and fuzzy integral have been successfully applied in various real-world applications. The determination of fuzzy measures is the most difficult part in problem solving. Signed efficiency measure, which is a special kind of fuzzy measure with the best representation ability but the highest complexity, is even harder to determine. Some methodologies have been developed for solving this problem such as artificial neural networks (ANNs) and genetic algorithms (GAs). However, none of the existing methods can outperform the others with unique advantages. Thus, there is a strong need to develop a new technique for learning distinct signed efficiency measures from data. Extreme learning machine (ELM) is a new learning paradigm for training single hidden layer feed-forward networks (SLFNs) with randomly chosen input weights and analytically determined output weights. In this paper, we propose an ELM based algorithm for signed efficiency measure determination. Experimental comparisons demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in both time and accuracy.
A NOVEL HIGHER ORDER SHEAR AND NORMAL DEFORMATION THEORY BASED ON NEUTRAL SURFACE POSITION FOR BENDING ANALYSIS OF ADVANCED COMPOSITE PLATES
Authors: BOUSAHLA ABDELMOUMEN ANIS , HOUARI MOHAMMED SID AHMED , TOUNSI ABDELOUAHED , ADDA BEDIA EL ABBAS
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a new trigonometric higher-order theory including the stretching effect is developed for the static analysis of advanced composite plates such as functionally graded plates. The number of unknown functions involved in the present theory is only five as against six or more in case of other shear and normal deformation theories. The governing equations are derived by employing the principle of virtual work and the physical neutral surface concept. There is no stretching–bending coupling effect in the neutral surface-based formulation, and consequently, the governing equations and boundary conditions of functionally graded plates based on neutral surface have the simple forms as those of isotropic plates. Navier-type analytical solution is obtained for functionally graded plate subjected to transverse load for simply supported boundary conditions. A comparison with the corresponding results is made to check the accuracy and efficiency of the present theory.
Synthesis and characterization of a new natural product analog, 132-173-bacteriochlorophyllone a
Authors: Roxin Áron , MacDonald Thomas D. , Zheng Gang
Published: November 2013

Here we show the facile synthesis of 132-173-bacteriochlorophyllone a (12), with a distinct seven-membered exocyclic F-ring formed by 132-173-cyclization of bacteriopheophorbide a(16). This is the latest reported bacteriochlorin with such an exocyclic F-ring since 1975 (132-173 cyclobacteriopheophorbide a-enol, 11), and is an analog of previously described natural exocyclic F-ring-containing porphyrins (1–4) and chlorins (5–10). The structure of 12 was confirmed using a combination of 1D 1 H NMR, 2D COSY 1 H NMR, Jmod 13 C NMR and HRMS analysis. The biological activity of 12 was explored, and we found that this compound does not possess strong antioxidant activity like its natural product counterparts, but is a capable photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy.
Separation of cortical arteries and veins in optical neurovascular imaging
Authors: Zhao Linna , Li Yao , Lu Hongyang , Yuan Lu , Tong Shanbao
Published: November 2013

Separation of arteries and veins in the cerebral cortex is of significant importance in the studies of cortical hemodynamics, such as the changes of cerebral blood flow, perfusion or oxygen concentration in arteries and veins under different pathological and physiological conditions. Yet the cerebral vessel segmentation and vessel-type separation are challenging due to the complexity of cortical vessel characteristics and low spatial signal-to-noise ratio. In this work, we presented an effective full-field method to differentiate arteries and veins in cerebral cortex using dual-modal optical imaging technology including laser speckle imaging (LSI) and optical intrinsic signals (OIS) imaging. The raw contrast images were acquired by LSI and processed with enhanced laser speckle contrast analysis (eLASCA) algorithm. The vascular pattern was extracted and segmented using region growing algorithm from the eLASCA-based LSI. Meanwhile, OIS images were acquired alternatively with 630 and 870 nm to obtain an oxyhemoglobin concentration map over cerebral cortex. Then the separation of arteries and veins was accomplished by Otsu threshold segmentation algorithm based on the OIS information and segmentation of LSI. Finally, the segmentation and separation performances were assessed using area overlap measure (AOM). The segmentation and separation of cerebral vessels in cortical optical imaging have great potential applications in full-field cerebral hemodynamics monitoring and pathological study of cerebral vascular diseases, as well as in clinical intraoperative monitoring.
Rapid and nondestructive detection of watercore and sugar content in Asian pear by near infrared spectroscopy for commercial trade
Authors: Rittiron Ronnarit , Narongwongwattana Sureeporn , Boonprakob Unaruj , Seehalak Worapa
Published: November 2013

Watercore and sugar content are internal qualities which are impossible for exterior determination. Therefore the aims of this study were to develop models for nondestructive detection of watercore and predicting sugar content in pear using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) technique. A total of 93 samples of Asian pear variety "SH-078" were used. For sugar content, spectrum of each fruit was measured in the short wavelength region (700–1100 nm) in the reflection mode and the first derivative of spectra were then correlated with the sugar content in juice determined by digital refractometer. Prediction equation was performed by multiple linear regression. The result showed Standard Error of Prediction (SEP) = 0.58°Bx, and Bias=0.11. The result from t-test showed that sugar content predicted by NIR was not significantly different from the value analyzed by refractometer at 95% confidence. For watercore disorder, NIR measurement was performed over the short wavelength range (700–850 nm) in the transmission mode. The first derivative spectra were correlated with internal qualities. Then principle component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) were used to perform discrimination models. The accuracy of the PCA model was greater than the PLSDA one. The scores from PC1 were separated into two boundaries, one predicted rejected pears with 100% classification accuracy, and the other was accepted pears with 92% accuracy. The high accuracy of sugar content determining and watercore detecting by NIR reveal the high efficiency of NIR technique for detecting other internal qualities of fruit in the future.
Acute ethanol preexposure promotes liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice by activating ALDH2
Authors: Ding Xiang , Beier Juliane I. , Baldauf Keegan J. , Jokinen Jenny D. , Zhong Hai , Arteel Gavin E.
Published: November 2013

It is known that chronic ethanol significantly impairs liver regeneration. However, the effect of acute ethanol exposure on liver regeneration remains largely unknown. To address this question, C57Bl6/J mice were exposed to acute ethanol (6 g/kg intragastrically) for 3 days, and partial hepatectomy (PHx) was performed 24 h after the last dose. Surprisingly, acute ethanol preexposure promoted liver regeneration. This effect of ethanol did not correlate with changes in expression of cell cycle regulatory genes (e.g., cyclin D1, p21, and p27) but did correlate with protection against the effect of PHx on indices of impaired lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Ethanol preexposure protected against inhibition of the oxidant-sensitive mitochondrial enzyme, aconitase. The activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) was significantly increased by ethanol preexposure. The effect of ethanol was blocked by inhibiting (Daidzin) and was mimicked by activating (Alda-1) ALDH2. Lipid peroxides are also substrates for ALDH2; indeed, alcohol preexposure blunted the increase in lipid peroxidation (4OH-nonenal adducts) caused by PHx. Taken together, these data suggest that acute preoperative ethanol exposure “preconditions” the liver to respond more rapidly to regenerate after PHx by activating mitochondrial ALDH2, which prevents oxidative stress in this compartment.
Translational repression of SLC26A3 by miR-494 in intestinal epithelial cells
Authors: Anbazhagan Arivarasu N. , Priyamvada Shubha , Kumar Anoop , Maher Daniel B. , Borthakur Alip , Alrefai Waddah A. , Malakooti Jaleh , Kwon John H. , Dudeja Pradeep K.
Published: November 2013

SLC26A3 [downregulated in adenoma (DRA)] is a Cl−/HCO3− exchanger involved in electroneutral NaCl absorption in the mammalian intestine. Altered DRA expression levels are associated with infectious and inflammatory diarrheal diseases. Therefore, it is critical to understand the regulation of DRA expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small RNAs that regulate protein expression via blocking the translation and/or promoting mRNA degradation. To investigate potential modulation of DRA expression by miRNA, five different in silico algorithms were used to predict the miRNAs that target DRA. Of these miRNAs, miR-494 was shown to have a highly conserved putative binding site in the DRA 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) compared with other DRA-targeting miRNAs in vertebrates. Transfection with pmirGLO dual luciferase vector containing DRA 3′-UTR (pmirGLO-3′-UTR DRA) resulted in a significant decrease in relative luciferase activity compared with empty vector. Cotransfection of the DRA 3′-UTR luciferase vector with a miR-494 mimic further decreased luciferase activity compared with cells transfected with negative control. The transfection of a miR-494 mimic into Caco-2 and T-84 cells significantly increased the expression of miR-494 and concomitantly decreased the DRA protein expression. Mutation of the seed sequences for miR-494 in 3′-UTR of DRA abrogated the effect of miR-494 on 3′-UTR. These data demonstrate a novel regulatory mechanism of DRA expression via miR-494 and indicate that targeting this microRNA may serve to be a potential therapeutic strategy for diarrheal diseases.
FXR silencing in human colon cancer by DNA methylation and KRAS signaling
Authors: Bailey Ann M. , Zhan Le , Maru Dipen , Shureiqi Imad , Pickering Curtis R. , Kiriakova Galina , Izzo Julie , He Nan , Wei Caimiao , Baladandayuthapani Veerabhadran , Liang Han , Kopetz Scott , Powis Garth , Guo Grace L.
Published: November 2013

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a bile acid nuclear receptor described through mouse knockout studies as a tumor suppressor for the development of colon adenocarcinomas. This study investigates the regulation of FXR in the development of human colon cancer. We used immunohistochemistry of FXR in normal tissue ( n = 238), polyps ( n = 32), and adenocarcinomas, staged I–IV ( n = 43, 39, 68, and 9), of the colon; RT-quantitative PCR, reverse-phase protein array, and Western blot analysis in 15 colon cancer cell lines; NR1H4 promoter methylation and mRNA expression in colon cancer samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas; DNA methyltransferase inhibition; methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP); bisulfite sequencing; and V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) knockdown assessment to investigate FXR regulation in colon cancer development. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative RT-PCR revealed that expression and function of FXR was reduced in precancerous lesions and silenced in a majority of stage I-IV tumors. FXR expression negatively correlated with phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3 kinase signaling and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. The NR1H4 promoter is methylated in ∼12% colon cancer The Cancer Genome Atlas samples, and methylation patterns segregate with tumor subtypes. Inhibition of DNA methylation and KRAS silencing both increased FXR expression. FXR expression is decreased early in human colon cancer progression, and both DNA methylation and KRAS signaling may be contributing factors to FXR silencing. FXR potentially suppresses epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and other oncogenic signaling cascades, and restoration of FXR activity, by blocking silencing mechanisms or increasing residual FXR activity, represents promising therapeutic options for the treatment of colon cancer.
Acute interactions between intestinal sugar and calcium transport in vitro
Authors: Tharabenjasin Phuntila , Douard Veronique , Patel Chirag , Krishnamra Nateetip , Johnson Richard J. , Zuo Jian , Ferraris Ronaldo P.
Published: November 2013

Fructose consumption by Americans has increased markedly, whereas Ca2+intake has decreased below recommended levels. Because fructose metabolism decreases enterocyte ATP concentrations, we tested the hypothesis that luminal fructose acutely reduces active, diet-inducible Ca2+transport in the small intestine. We confirmed that the decrease in ATP concentrations was indeed greater in fructose- compared with glucose-incubated mucosal homogenates from wild-type and was prevented in fructose-incubated homogenates from ketohexokinase (KHK)−/−mice. We then induced active Ca2+transport by chronically feeding wild-type, fructose transporter glucose transporter 5 (GLUT5)−/−, as well as KHK−/−mice a low Ca2+diet and measured transepithelial Ca2+transport in everted duodenal sacs incubated in solutions containing glucose, fructose, or their nonmetabolizable analogs. The diet-induced increase in active Ca2+transport was proportional to dramatic increases in expression of the Ca2+-selective channel transient receptor potential vanilloid family calcium channel 6 as well as of the Ca2+-binding protein 9k (CaBP9k) but not that of the voltage-dependent L-type channel Ca(v)1.3. Crypt-villus distribution of CaBP9k seems heterogeneous, but low Ca2+diets induce expression in more cells. In contrast, KHK distribution is homogeneous, suggesting that fructose metabolism can occur in all enterocytes. Diet-induced Ca2+transport was not enhanced by addition of the enterocyte fuel glutamine and was always greater in sacs of wild-type, GLUT5−/−, and KHK−/−mice incubated with fructose or nonmetabolizable sugars than those incubated with glucose. Thus duodenal Ca2+transport is not affected by fructose and enterocyte ATP concentrations but instead may decrease with glucose metabolism, as Ca2+transport remains high with 3- O-methylglucose that is also transported by sodium-glucose cotransporter 1 but cannot be metabolized.
Mouse strain differences in metabolic fluxes and function of ex vivo working hearts
Authors: Vaillant Fanny , Lauzier Benjamin , Poirier Isabelle , Gélinas Roselle , Rivard Marie-Eve , Robillard Frayne Isabelle , Thorin Eric , Des Rosiers Christine
Published: November 2013

In mice, genetic background is known to influence various parameters, including cardiac function. Its impact on cardiac energy substrate metabolism-a factor known to be closely related to function and contributes to disease development-is, however, unclear. This was examined in this study. In commonly used control mouse substrains SJL/JCrNTac, 129S6/SvEvTac, C57Bl/6J, and C57Bl/6NCrl, we assessed the functional and metabolic phenotypes of 3-mo-old working mouse hearts perfused ex vivo with physiological concentrations of 13C-labeled carbohydrates (CHO) and a fatty acid (FA). Marked variations in various functional and metabolic flux parameters were observed among all mouse substrains, although the pattern observed differed for these parameters. For example, among all strains, C57Bl/6NCrl hearts had a greater cardiac output (+1.7-fold vs. SJL/JCrNTac and C57Bl/6J; P < 0.05), whereas at the metabolic level, 129S6/SvEvTac hearts stood out by displaying (vs. all 3 strains) a striking shift from exogenous FA (∼−3.5-fold) to CHO oxidation as well as increased glycolysis (+1.7-fold) and FA incorporation into triglycerides (+2-fold). Correlation analyses revealed, however, specific linkages between 1) glycolysis, FA oxidation, and pyruvate metabolism and 2) cardiac work, oxygen consumption with heart rate, respectively. This implies that any genetically determined factors affecting a given metabolic flux parameter may impact on the associated functional parameters. Our results emphasize the importance of selecting the appropriate control strain for cardiac metabolic studies using transgenic mice, a factor that has often been neglected. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the diversity of strain-specific cardiac metabolic and functional profiles, particularly the 129S6/SvEvTac, may ultimately disclose new specific metabolic targets for interventions in heart disease.
Microtrauma stimulates rat Achilles tendon healing via an early gene expression pattern similar to mechanical loading
Authors: Hammerman Malin , Aspenberg Per , Eliasson Pernilla
Published: November 2013

Mechanical loading increases the strength of healing tendons, but also induces small localized bleedings. Therefore, it is unclear if increased strength after loading is a response to mechanotransduction or microtrauma. We have previously found only five genes to be up-regulated 15 min after a single loading episode, of them four were transcription factors. These genes are followed by hundreds of genes after 3 h, many of them involved in inflammation. We now compared healing in mechanically unloaded tendons with or without added microtrauma induced by needling of the healing tissue. Nineteen rats received Botox into the calf muscle to reduce loading, and the Achilles tendon was transected. Ten rats were randomized to needling days 2–5. Mechanical testing on day 8 showed increased strength by 45% in the needling group. Next, another 24 rats were similarly unloaded, and 16 randomized to needling on day 5 after transection. Nineteen characteristic genes, known to be regulated by loading in this model, were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Four of these genes were regulated 15 min after needling. Three of them (Egr1, c-Fos, Rgs1) were among the five regulated genes after loading in a previous study. Sixteen of the 19 genes were regulated after 3 h, in the same way as after loading. In conclusion, needling increased strength, and there was a striking similarity between the gene expression response to needling and mechanical loading. This suggests that the response to loading in early tendon healing can, at least in part, be a response to microtrauma.
Photoconductive Properties of Brush Plated Copper Indium Gallium Selenide Films
Authors: Subiramaniyam N. P. , Thirunavukkarasu P. , Murali K. R.
Published: November 2013

Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) films were deposited for the first time by the brush electrodeposition technique. X-ray diffraction studies indicated the formation of single phase chalcopyrite CIGS. Lattice parameters, dislocation density, and strain were calculated. Band gap of the films increased from 1.12 eV to 1.63 eV as the gallium concentration increased. Room temperature transport parameters of the films, namely, resistivity increased from 0.10 ohm cm to 12 ohm cm, mobility decreased from 125 cm2V−1s−1 to 20.9 cm2V−1s−1, and carrier concentration decreased from 4.99 × 1017 cm−3 to 2.49 × 1016 cm−3 as the gallium concentration increased. Photosensitivity of the films increased linearly with intensity of illumination and with increase of applied voltage.
The Natural Stilbenoid Piceatannol Decreases Activity and Accelerates Apoptosis of Human Neutrophils: Involvement of Protein Kinase C
Authors: Jancinova Viera , Perecko Tomas , Nosal Radomir , Svitekova Klara , Drabikova Katarina
Published: November 2013

Neutrophils are able to release cytotoxic substances and inflammatory mediators, which, along with their delayed apoptosis, have a potential to maintain permanent inflammation. Therefore, treatment of diseases associated with chronic inflammation should be focused on neutrophils; formation of reactive oxygen species and apoptosis of these cells represent two promising targets for pharmacological intervention. Piceatannol, a naturally occurring stilbenoid, has the ability to reduce the toxic action of neutrophils. This substance decreased the amount of oxidants produced by neutrophils both extra- and intracellularly. Radicals formed within neutrophils (fulfilling a regulatory role) were reduced to a lesser extent than extracellular oxidants, potentially dangerous for host tissues. Moreover, piceatannol did not affect the phosphorylation of p40phox—a component of NADPH oxidase, responsible for the assembly of functional oxidase in intracellular (granular) membranes. The stilbenoid tested elevated the percentage of early apoptotic neutrophils, inhibited the activity of protein kinase C (PKC)—the main regulatory enzyme in neutrophils, and reduced phosphorylation of PKC isoformsα,βII, andδon their catalytic region. The results indicated that piceatannol may be useful as a complementary medicine in states associated with persisting neutrophil activation and with oxidative damage of tissues.
Phytochemicals Content, Antioxidant Activity and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Properties of IndigenousGarcinia parvifoliaFruit
Authors: Ali Hassan Siti Hawa , Fry Jeffrey R. , Abu Bakar Mohd Fadzelly
Published: November 2013

Garcinia parvifoliabelongs to the same family as mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana), which is known locally in Sabah as “asam kandis” or cherry mangosteen. The present study was conducted to determine the phytochemicals content (total phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and carotenoid content) and antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity of the flesh and peel ofG. parvifolia. All samples were freeze-dried and extracted using 80% methanol and distilled water. For the 80% methanol extract, the flesh ofG. parvifoliadisplayed higher phenolic and flavonoid contents than the peel, with values of7.2±0.3 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g and5.9±0.1 mg rutin equivalent (RU)/g, respectively. Anthocyanins were detected in the peel part ofG. parvifoliabut absent in the flesh. The peel ofG. parvifoliadisplayed higher total carotenoid content as compared to the flesh part with the values of17.0±0.3and3.0±0.0 mgβ-carotene equivalents (BC)/100 g, respectively. The free-radical scavenging, ferric reducing, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition effect of the flesh were higher as compared to the peel in both extracts. These findings suggested that the edible part ofG. parvifoliafruit has a potential as a natural source of antioxidant and anti-Alzheimer’s agents.
H∞Control Theory Using in the Air Pollution Control System
Authors: Yang Tingya , Lu Zhenyu , Hu Junhao
Published: November 2013

In recent years, air pollution control has caused great concern. This paper focuses on the primary pollutant SO2in the atmosphere for analysis and control. Two indicators are introduced, which are the concentration of SO2in the emissions (PSO2) and the concentration of SO2in the atmosphere (ASO2). If the ASO2is higher than the certain threshold, then this shows that the air is polluted. According to the uncertainty of the air pollution control systems model,H∞control theory for the air pollution control systems is used in this paper, which can change the PSO2with the method of improving the level of pollution processing or decreasing the emissions, so that air pollution system can maintain robust stability and the indicators ASO2are always operated within the desired target.
A Posteriori Comparison of Natural and Surgical Destabilization Models of Canine Osteoarthritis
Authors: Moreau Maxim , Pelletier Jean-Pierre , Lussier Bertrand , d’Anjou Marc-André , Blond Laurent , Pelletier Johanne-Martel , del Castillo Jérôme R. E. , Troncy Eric
Published: November 2013

For many yearsCanis familiaris, the domestic dog, has drawn particular interest as a model of osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we optimized the dog model of experimental OA induced by cranial cruciate ligament sectioning. The usefulness of noninvasive complementary outcome measures, such as gait analysis for the limb function and magnetic resonance imaging for structural changes, was demonstrated in this model. Relationships were established between the functional impairment and the severity of structural changes including the measurement of cartilage thinning. In the dog model of naturally occurring OA, excellent test-retest reliability was denoted for the measurement of the limb function. A criterion to identify clinically meaningful responders to therapy was determined for privately owned dogs undergoing clinical trials. In addition, the recording of accelerometer-based duration of locomotor activity showed strong and complementary agreement with the biomechanical limb function. The translation potential of these models to the human OA condition is underlined. A preclinical testing protocol which combines the dog model of experimental OA induced by cranial cruciate ligament transection and the Dog model of naturally occurring OA offers the opportunity to further investigate the structural and functional benefits of disease-modifying strategies. Ultimately, a better prediction of outcomes for human clinical trials would be brought.
Transplantation of Autologous Minced Bladder Mucosa for a One-Step Reconstruction of a Tissue Engineered Bladder Conduit
Authors: Reinfeldt Engberg Gisela , Lundberg Johan , Chamorro Clara Ibel , Nordenskjöld Agneta , Fossum Magdalena
Published: November 2013

Surgical intervention is sometimes needed to create a conduit from the abdominal wall to the bladder for self-catheterization. We developed a method for tissue engineering a conduit for bladder emptying withoutin vitrocell culturing as a one-step procedure. In a porcine animal model bladder, wall tissue was excised and the mucosa was minced to small particles. The particles were attached to a tube in a 1 : 3 expansion rate with fibrin glue and transplanted back by attaching the tube to the bladder and through the abdominal wall. Sham served as controls. After 4-5 weeks, conduits were assessed in respect to macroscopic and microscopic appearance in 6 pigs. Two pigs underwent radiology before termination. Gross examination revealed a patent conduit with an opening to the bladder. Histology and immunostaining showed a multilayered transitional uroepithelium in all cases. Up to 89% of the luminal surface area was neoepithelialized but with a loose attachment to the submucosa. No epithelium was found in control animals. CT imaging revealed a patent channel that could be used for filling and emptying the bladder. Animals that experienced surgical complications did not form conduits. Minced autologous bladder mucosa can be transplanted around a tubular mold to create a conduit to the urinary bladder withoutin vitroculturing.
On Some Efficient Techniques for Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Sharma Janak Raj , Gupta Puneet
Published: November 2013

We present iterative methods of convergence order three, five, and six for solving systems of nonlinear equations. Third-order method is composed of two steps, namely, Newton iteration as the first step and weighted-Newton iteration as the second step. Fifth and sixth-order methods are composed of three steps of which the first two steps are same as that of the third-order method whereas the third is again a weighted-Newton step. Computational efficiency in its general form is discussed and a comparison between the efficiencies of proposed techniques with existing ones is made. The performance is tested through numerical examples. Moreover, theoretical results concerning order of convergence and computational efficiency are verified in the examples. It is shown that the present methods have an edge over similar existing methods, particularly when applied to large systems of equations.
Dynamic Modeling and Analysis of Hub-Tapered Beam System
Authors: Chen Si-jia , Zhang Ding-guo
Published: November 2013

The dynamic modeling of a hub-tapered flexible beam system which is rotating in a plane is investigated. In the modeling, the high-order terms related with the nonlinear coupling term are retained, which are ignored in the first-order approximation coupling modeling. So, this model can also be called a high-order approximation coupling model, which cannot only be used in the case of small deformation but also in the case of large deformation. Solving for this mathematical model, we can obtain the dynamics of the system. Examples are given to indicate the differences between the high-order approximation coupling model and the first-order approximation coupling model. Also, the natural frequencies are studied through the transversal bending vibration analysis. The width ratio and the height ratio of the tapered beam are shown to have great influences on the transversal bending natural frequencies.
Synthesis Characterization and Antibacterial, Antifungal Activity of N-(Benzyl Carbamoyl or Carbamothioyl)-2-hydroxy Substituted Benzamide and 2-Benzyl Amino-Substituted Benzoxazines
Authors: Belz Tyson , Ihmaid Saleh , Al-Rawi Jasim , Petrovski Steve
Published: November 2013

New N-(benzyl carbamothioyl)-2-hydroxy substituted benzamides13,20, and21were synthesized using sodium bicarbonate and benzyl amine with 2-thioxo-substituted-1,3-benzoxazines6, 10a, b, 11c, and12a–n. The 2-thioxo-substituted-1,3-oxazines6, 10a-b, 11d 12a–n, and26were converted to the corresponding 2-methylthio-substituted-1,3-oxazines14a–land24which were then converted to 2-benzyl amino-substituted-benzoxazines15a–iby refluxing with benzylamine. Products15a, b, e, f, andgwere also synthesized by boiling the corresponding N-(benzyl carbamothioyl)-2-hydroxy substituted benzamides13a, b, f, l, andmin acetic acid. 2-Oxo-substituted-1,3-benzoxazines22and25were prepared by treating the corresponding 2-methylthio-substituted-1,3-oxazines14and24with dilute HCl. The N-(benzyl carbamoyl)-2-hydroxy substituted benzamide23was synthesized from the reaction of 2-oxo-substituted-1,3-benzoxazine22with benzylamine. The new products were characterized using IR,1H, and13C NMR in addition to microanalysis. Selected compounds were tested in vitro for antibacterial and antifungi activity and the most active compounds were found to be the 4-(substituted-benzylamino)-2-hydroxy benzoic acids9aandd(M. chlorophenolicum, MIC 50 and 25 µgm L−1, resp.),N1,N3-bis (benzyl carbamothioyl)-4,6-dihydroxy-substituted phthalamides20aand20c(B. subtilisMIC 12.5, 50 µgm L−1, resp.) and21(M. chlorophenolicum, MIC 50 µgm L−1).
EMD Method for Minimizing the Effect of Seasonal Trends in Detrended Cross-Correlation Analysis
Authors: Dong Keqiang , Gao You , Wang Nianpeng
Published: November 2013

Detrended cross-correlation analysis (DCCA) is a scaling method commonly used to estimate long-range power-law cross-correlation in nonstationary signals. Recent studies have reported signals superimposed with trends, which often lead to the complexity of the signals and the susceptibility of DCCA. This paper artificially generates long-range cross-correlated signals and systematically investigates the effect of seasonal trends. Specifically, for the crossovers raised by trends, we propose a smoothing algorithm based on empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method which decomposes underlying signals into several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) and a residual trend. After the removal of slowly oscillating components and residual term, seasonal trends are eliminated.
Activated Ras as a Therapeutic Target: Constraints on Directly Targeting Ras Isoforms and Wild-Type versus Mutated Proteins
Authors: Mattingly Raymond R.
Published: November 2013

The ability to selectively and directly target activated Ras would provide immense utility for treatment of the numerous cancers that are driven by oncogenic Ras mutations. Patients with disorders driven by overactivated wild-type Ras proteins, such as type 1 neurofibromatosis, might also benefit from progress made in that context. Activated Ras is an extremely challenging direct drug target due to the inherent difficulties in disrupting the protein:protein interactions that underlie its activation and function. Major investments have been made to target Ras through indirect routes. Inhibition of farnesyl transferase to block Ras maturation has failed in large clinical trials. Likely reasons for this disappointing outcome include the significant and underappreciated differences in the isoforms of Ras. It is still plausible that inhibition of farnesyl transferase will prove effective for disease that is driven by activated H-Ras. The principal current focus of drugs entering clinic trial is inhibition of pathways downstream of activated Ras, for example, trametinib, a first-in-class MEK inhibitor. The complexity of signaling that is driven by activated Ras indicates that effective inhibition of oncogenic transduction through this approach will be difficult, with resistance being likely to emerge through switch to parallel pathways. Durable disease responses will probably require combinatorial block of several downstream targets.
Noncompact Perturbation of Sweeping Process with Delay in Banach Spaces
Authors: Aladsani F. , Ibrahim A. G.
Published: November 2013

We have proven an existence theorem concerning the existence of solutions for a functional evolution inclusion governed by sweeping process with closed convex sets depending on time and state and with a noncompact nonconvex perturbation in Banach spaces. This work extends some recent existence theorems concerning sweeping processes from Hilbert spaces setting to Banach spaces setting. Moreover, it improves some recent existence results for sweeping processes in Banach spaces.
5-Lipoxygenase Deficiency Reduces Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Lethality
Authors: Hohmann Miriam S. N. , Cardoso Renato D. R. , Pinho-Ribeiro Felipe A. , Crespigio Jefferson , Cunha Thiago M. , Alves-Filho José C. , da Silva Rosiane V. , Pinge-Filho Phileno , Ferreira Sergio H. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Casagrande Rubia , Verri Waldiceu A.
Published: November 2013

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LO) converts arachidonic acid into leukotrienes (LTs) and is involved in inflammation. At present, the participation of 5-LO in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity and liver damage has not been addressed. 5-LO deficient (5-LO-/-) mice and background wild type mice were challenged with APAP (0.3–6 g/kg) or saline. The lethality, liver damage, neutrophil and macrophage recruitment, LTB4, cytokine production, and oxidative stress were assessed. APAP induced a dose-dependent mortality, and the dose of 3 g/kg was selected for next experiments. APAP induced LTB4production in the liver, the primary target organ in APAP toxicity. Histopathological analysis revealed that 5-LO-/-mice presented reduced APAP-induced liver necrosis and inflammation compared with WT mice. APAP-induced lethality, increase of plasma levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, liver cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10), superoxide anion, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances production, myeloperoxidase and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase activity, Nrf2 andgp91phoxmRNA expression, and decrease of reduced glutathione and antioxidant capacity measured by 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonate) assay were prevented in 5-LO-/-mice compared to WT mice. Therefore, 5-LO deficiency resulted in reduced mortality due to reduced liver inflammatory and oxidative damage, suggesting 5-LO is a promising target to reduce APAP-induced lethality and liver inflammatory/oxidative damage.
Coordinator Discovery and Association in Beacon-Enabled IEEE 802.15.4 Network
Authors: Hussain Faisal Bashir , Pyun Jae-Young
Published: November 2013

End devices in beacon-enabled IEEE 802.15.4 network rely on passive scan to find the coordinator for association. The latency of coordinator discovery depends on coordinator's beacon interval length. If beacon interval is long then more time is required for successful discovery and vice versa. The latency of association message exchange in IEEE 802.15.4 is considerably high due to response wait time. It is the time during which the coordinator registers the device and assigns a network address. The overall time required for successful discovery and association is inadequate to support connectivity of mobile devices in short range IEEE 802.15.4 networks. To decrease this time, we propose a coordinator assisted passive discovery and association scheme for mobile end devices in IEEE 802.15.4 networks. The proposed scheme decreases the beacon interval of the coordinators that are close to mobile devices for prompt neighboring coordinator(s) discovery. Also, it eliminates the need for response wait time during association based on early registration mechanism. Simulation analysis shows that the proposed scheme ensures fast passive discovery and association with the coordinator, irrespective of beacon interval length.
Effect of Climate Variables on Monthly Growth in Modeling Biological Yield ofAraucaria angustifoliaandPinus taedain the Juvenile Phase
Authors: Teodoro Zamin Naiara , do Amaral Machado Sebastião , Figueiredo Filho Afonso , Soares Koehler Henrique
Published: November 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of climate variables on monthly growth in diameter and height ofAraucaria angustifolia(Bert.) O. Kuntze and ofPinus taedaL., over a six-year period, as well as verifing the contribution of these variables in the composition of the Chapman-Richards model. To this end, we selected 30 trees of each species and measured monthly the diameter and height, between June 2006 and August 2012. The climate variables were obtained from two SIMEPAR meteorological stations near the plantings. A correlation matrix was constructed to determine the effect of climate variables on the monthly growth. Next a principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted to determine the climate variables to be included in the fit of the Chapman-Richards model. The results indicated that the climate variables with the highest correlation (about 0.6) with monthly growth in diameter and height of the species were temperature, photoperiod and atmospheric pressure, and precipitation for some years of the study. The fitted model that included climate variables showed reduced Syx% of about 0.8% compared to the traditional biological model. However, ANOVA showed no statistical difference between the production estimates obtained by both models.
Temporal Lobe Resective Surgery for Medically Intractable Epilepsy: A Review of Complications and Side Effects
Authors: Georgiadis Iordanis , Kapsalaki Effie Z. , Fountas Kostas N.
Published: November 2013

Object. It is widely accepted that temporal resective surgery represents an efficacious treatment option for patients with epilepsy of temporal origin. The meticulous knowledge of the potential complications, associated with temporal resective procedures, is of paramount importance. In our current study, we attempt to review the pertinent literature for summating the complications of temporal resective procedures for epilepsy. Method. A PubMed search was performed with the following terms: “behavioral,” “cognitive,” “complication,” “deficit,” “disorder,” “epilepsy,” “hemianopia,” “hemianopsia,” “hemorrhage,” “lobectomy,” “medial,” “memory,” “mesial,” “neurobehavioral,” “neurocognitive,” “neuropsychological,” “psychological,” “psychiatric,” “quadranopia,” “quadranopsia,” “resective,” “side effect,” “surgery,” “temporal,” “temporal lobe,” and “visual field.” Results. There were six pediatric, three mixed-population, and eleven adult surgical series examining the incidence rates of procedure-related complications. The reported mortality rates varied between 0% and 3.5%, although the vast majority of the published series reported no mortality. The cumulative morbidity rates ranged between 3.2% and 88%. Conclusions. Temporal resective surgery for epilepsy is a safe treatment modality. The reported morbidity rates demonstrate a wide variation. Accurate detection and frank reporting of any surgical, neurological, cognitive, and/or psychological complications are of paramount importance for maximizing the safety and improving the patients’ overall outcome.
A Review of the Inflammatory Chorioretinopathies: The White Dot Syndromes
Authors: Crawford Courtney M. , Igboeli Okezie
Published: November 2013

The white dot syndromes are a group of inflammatory chorioretinopathies of unknown etiology which have in common a unique and characteristic appearance of multiple yellow-white lesions affecting multiple layers of the retina, retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), choriocapillaris, and the choroid. They also have overlapping clinical features. We discuss acute retinal pigment epitheliopathy, multiple evanescent white dot syndrome, acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, multifocal choroiditis and panuveitis, acute zonal occult outer retinopathy, birdshot chorioretinopathy, and serpiginous choroidopathy. Some of these diseases are associated with a viral prodrome suggesting a possible viral/infectious etiology, while others are associated with a number of systemic processes suggesting an autoimmune etiology. We also review the presentation, evaluation/diagnosis, and treatment of these entities as well as the prognosis. Where applicable we discuss recent advancements in diagnosing and treating the white dot syndromes.
Modeling and Optimization of the Multiobjective Stochastic Joint Replenishment and Delivery Problem under Supply Chain Environment
Authors: Wang Lin , Qu Hui , Liu Shan , Dun Cai-xia
Published: November 2013

As a practical inventory and transportation problem, it is important to synthesize several objectives for the joint replenishment and delivery (JRD) decision. In this paper, a new multiobjective stochastic JRD (MSJRD) of the one‐warehouse and n‐retailer systems considering the balance of service level and total cost simultaneously is proposed. The goal of this problem is to decide the reasonable replenishment interval, safety stock factor, and traveling routing. Secondly, two approaches are designed to handle this complex multi‐objective optimization problem. Linear programming (LP) approach converts the multi‐objective to single objective, while a multi‐objective evolution algorithm (MOEA) solves a multi‐objective problem directly. Thirdly, three intelligent optimization algorithms, differential evolution algorithm (DE), hybrid DE (HDE), and genetic algorithm (GA), are utilized in LP‐based and MOEA‐based approaches. Results of the MSJRD with LP‐based and MOEA‐based approaches are compared by a contrastive numerical example. To analyses the nondominated solution of MOEA, a metric is also used to measure the distribution of the last generation solution. Results show that HDE outperforms DE and GA whenever LP or MOEA is adopted.
Lateral Inhibition in Accumulative Computation and Fuzzy Sets for Human Fall Pattern Recognition in Colour and Infrared Imagery
Authors: Fernández-Caballero Antonio , Sokolova Marina V. , Serrano-Cuerda Juan
Published: November 2013

Fall detection is an emergent problem in pattern recognition. In this paper, a novel approach which enables to identify a type of a fall and reconstruct its characteristics is presented. The features detected include the position previous to a fall, the direction and velocity of a fall, and the postfall inactivity. Video sequences containing a possible fall are analysed image by image using the lateral inhibition in accumulative computation method. With this aim, the region of interest of human figures is examined in each image, and geometrical and kinematic characteristics for the sequence are calculated. The approach is valid in colour and in infrared video.