bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting healthy and unhealthy behaviors through physical education: A self‐determination theory‐based longitudinal approach
Authors: Ferriz R. , González‐Cutre D. , Sicilia Á. , Hagger M. S.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relations between three dimensions of the structured teaching environment (promotion of theoretical knowledge, physical learning, and health improvement) in physical education (PE) and the adoption of health‐related behaviors by students. The study adopted a two‐occasion longitudinal design based on self‐determination theory (SDT). PE students (N = 654, mean age = 16.13, SD = .77) completed measures of perceived structured teaching environment, satisfaction of basic psychological needs and motivation for PE, and healthy (physical activity, sport participation, and healthy eating) and unhealthy (consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs) behaviors at the beginning and end of the first year of post‐compulsory secondary education. Path analysis of the proposed relations among variables supported SDT tenets and showed positive relations between the three dimensions of the structured teaching environment, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs, and autonomous motivation in PE. Autonomous motivation contributed to an explanation of variance in two healthy behaviors, physical activity and sport participation. However, no relation was found among motivation in PE, healthy eating, and consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. These results show negligible trans‐contextual influence of SDT motivational factors in PE on other healthy behaviors beyond physical activity.
Unravelling landslide risk: soil susceptibility, agro‐forest systems and the socio‐economic profile of rural communities in Italy
Authors: Ferrara C. , Barone P. Matteo , Salvati L.
Published: April 2015

Landslides are considered a form of physical soil degradation and are concentrated, especially in southern European countries, on inland and marginal rural areas. Low‐density, economically disadvantaged and poorly accessible areas are assumed to share a high landslide occurrence probability. However, an empirical verification of this assumption is still lacking for Mediterranean countries. This study investigates the spatial relation between a composite index of landslide risk and more than 100 indicators at the municipal level in Italy – a country with high landslide risk – exploring multiple territorial dimensions (population dynamics and settlements, job market and human capital, economic specialization and competitiveness, quality of life, agriculture and rural development, territory and environment). We combine nonparametric correlation, principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering, to profile municipalities according to their levels of landslide risk. The high landslide risk in certain areas of Italy is related to specific socio‐economic attributes (depopulation, ageing, tourism specialization, low density of economic activities, modest participation to the job market and crime intensity) and agro‐environmental features (low‐intensity cropping systems, natural landscapes and water resource availability).
Heat Transfer in Health and Healing1
Authors: Diller Kenneth R.
Published: April 2015

Our bodies depend on an exquisitely sensitive and refined temperature control system to maintain a state of health and homeostasis. The exceptionally broad range of physical activities that humans engage in and the diverse array of environmental conditions we face require remarkable strategies and mechanisms for regulating internal and external heat transfer processes. On the occasions for which the body suffers trauma, therapeutic temperature modulation is often the approach of choice for reversing injury and inflammation and launching a cascade of healing. The focus of human thermoregulation is maintenance of the body core temperature within a tight range of values, even as internal rates of energy generation may vary over an order of magnitude, environmental convection, and radiation heat loads may undergo large changes in the absence of any significant personal control, surface insulation may be added or removed, all occurring while the body's internal thermostat follows a diurnal circadian cycle that may be altered by illness and anesthetic agents. An advanced level of understanding of the complex physiological function and control of the human body may be combined with skill in heat transfer analysis and design to develop life-saving and injury-healing medical devices. This paper will describe some of the challenges and conquests the author has experienced related to the practice of heat transfer for maintenance of health and enhancement of healing processes.
Design of an Actuation Device With the Capability of Automatically Distributing External Load Based on Stability Theorems
Authors: Wang Hao , Kong Lingyu , Chen Genliang , Zhao Yong
Published: April 2015

Actuation redundancy is widely used to enhance load-carrying capability of robot manipulators; however, it also causes the problems of uneven load distribution and internal forces. This paper presents a redundant actuation device which can automatically distribute the external load to the actuators equally. A structure, which has two additional rotational degree-of-freedom (DOF), is introduced to coordinate the inconsistent forces and motions of the redundant actuators. By an appropriate design of the coordinating structure, the proposed redundant actuation device can work stably at its equilibrium position, even when the system is imperfectly actuated. The automatic distribution property of the proposed actuation device is theoretically proved based on two stability theorems in classical mechanics, namely, the Lagrange's and the Chetaev's. Then, numerical simulations are performed to validate the effectiveness of the design by means of the observation of the phase planes and the load distribution. This study provides an alternative way to design redundant actuation devices with the capability of automatically distributing the external loads, such that the stability characteristics can be guaranteed in a mechanical way, rather than control strategies.
A Study on Outcome Framing and Risk Attitude in Engineering Decisions Under Uncertainty
Authors: Vermillion Sean D. , Malak Richard J. , Smallman Rachel , Linsey Julie
Published: April 2015

Decision making is a central activity in the design of an engineered system and has a significant impact on project outcomes. Although much research exists on engineering decision making, relatively little addresses behavioral aspects of how engineers make decisions. This is a potentially significant gap, as factors such as the way in which information is communicated and presented to engineers can matter greatly. For example, cognitive psychology has demonstrated that the choices people make can be strongly influenced by how the options are framed even when the different framings are mathematically equivalent. This paper explores the impact of framing on the types of decisions engineers face. Given engineers' intense mathematical training, it is possible that they are less susceptible to framing effects. Thus, there is motivation to determine whether relevant findings can be replicated in an engineering context. This paper presents a set of positively and negatively framed design scenarios. Consistent with prior experiments, engineers in the positive (gain) framed scenarios were more likely to choose the less risky option for three of the four scenarios. One of the scenarios did not show this bias but did include a longer time horizon which likely explains the difference. Engineers were risk neutral when the scenarios were presented negatively (loss) framed, which is in contrast to prior experiments on nonengineering populations. These results motivate the future research into the impact of framing on engineering decision making and effective guidelines on how to create engineering processes and tools that leverage or avoid inducing cognitive biases.
H-NS Silencing of the Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 6-Encoded Type VI Secretion System Limits Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Interbacterial Killing
Authors: Brunet Yannick R. , Khodr Ahmad , Logger Laureen , Aussel Laurent , Mignot Tâm , Rimsky Sylvie , Cascales Eric
Published: April 2015

The secretion of bacterial toxin proteins is achieved by dedicated machineries called secretion systems. The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a widespread versatile machine used for the delivery of protein toxins to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, the expression of the T6SS genes is activated during macrophage or mouse infection. Here, we show that the T6SS gene cluster is silenced by the histone-like nucleoid structuring H-NS protein using a combination of reporter fusions, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, DNase footprinting, and fluorescence microscopy. We further demonstrate that derepression of the
S
. Typhimurium T6SS genes induces T6SS-dependent intoxication of competing bacteria. Our results suggest that relieving T6SS H-NS silencing may be used as a sense-and-kill mechanism that will help
S
. Typhimurium to homogenize and synchronize the microbial population to gain efficiency during infection.
Early cavernous sinus thrombosis following unilateral pansinusitis in a child
Authors: Mallick Ajay , Pathak Som Dutt , Shankar Sandeep , Sati Alok
Published: April 2015

Cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST) is a life-threatening entity with a high rate of mortality and lifelong morbidity. A strong clinical suspicion of the complication, early radiological detection and institution of timely, aggressive treatment are required to prevent permanent neurological disability. We present a 12-year-old girl with bilateral CST following unilateral pansinusitis. Clinical symptoms of headache and retro-orbital pain out of proportion to clinical signs on presentation prompted a suspicion of something beyond sinusitis and raised the clinical suspicion of cavernous sinus involvement. In spite of institution of an early medical treatment, she progressed to develop bilateral cranial nerve paresis. However, with the persistence of antibiotics and anticoagulation therapy, she was successfully managed with no residual neurological sequelae. The aim of this presentation is to highlight the grave consequences of cavernous sinus involvement following infections of paranasal sinus and the rare complete recovery from disability in this case.
Periventricular white matter lesion and incomplete MRZ reaction in a male patient with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis presenting with dysphoric mania
Authors: Gahr Maximilian , Lauda Florian , Wigand Moritz E , Connemann Bernhard J , Rosenbohm Angela , Tumani Hayrettin , Reindl Markus , Uzelac Zeljko , Lewerenz Jan
Published: April 2015

Several findings suggest that there may be an overlap of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody encephalitis with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders or acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM)-like demyelination. We present a case of a patient with anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis, who on MRI featured a single prominent T2-hyperintensive white matter lesion in the periventricular region, adjacent to the anterior horn of the left lateral ventricle. In view of the lesion location and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) findings (incomplete MRZ (measles, rubella and varicella zoster) reaction, lymphocytic pleocytosis, intrathecal IgG and IgM synthesis; absence of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies), the presence of a multiple sclerosis-like immune response was discussed. This case appears to add evidence to the hypothesis of an overlap between anti-NMDAR antibody encephalitis and other inflammatory central nervous system diseases.
Late onset iatrogenic limb ischaemia after deployment of an Angio-Seal vascular closure device
Authors: Krishna Rama K , Kherada Nisharahmed , Beohar Nirat
Published: April 2015

It is common practice to deploy a vascular closure device for access site closure after percutaneous angiography or cardiovascular interventions for immediate haemostasis and to facilitate early discharge. We encountered two octogenarian women who underwent and had subsequent vascular access site closure with Angio-Seal (St Jude) and who later presented with limb ischaemia needing surgical revascularisation.

Our patients had undergone uneventful deployment of the Angio-Seal vascular closure device (VCD) at the right common femoral artery (CFA) access site with successful haemostasis. About 3 weeks later they presented with features of limb ischaemia needing further diagnostic work-up including repeat angiography, which revealed subtotal occlusion of right common femoral artery at the level of prior access and Angio-Seal deployment site. Both the patients underwent successful surgical repair with restoration of distal flow and resolution of symptoms. These cases illustrate the late presentation of VCD-related complications with limb ischaemia, needing surgical revascularisation.
Heat-induced mass mortality of invasive zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) at sublethal water temperatures
Authors: White Jeffrey D. , Hamilton Stephen K. , Sarnelle Orlando
Published: April 2015

We observed a massive die-off of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on the epilimnetic sediments of Gull Lake (Michigan, USA) during the relatively warm summer of 2010, even though water temperatures were below widely reported lethal temperatures of ≥30 °C. We followed up this observation with 4 years of in situ monitoring of caged mussels stocked across a depth–temperature gradient in Gull Lake. Mortality of caged D. polymorpha was largely explained by accumulated degree hours >25 °C, a temperature threshold that is considerably lower than laboratory-derived lethal temperatures for D. polymorpha. We also assessed both the acute and chronic thermal tolerance of Gull Lake D. polymorpha with laboratory experiments, which confirmed higher acute tolerance (up to 32 °C) under otherwise ideal conditions but high susceptibility to prolonged exposure to “sublethal” temperatures (exceeding 1700 degree hours >25 °C) as occurred in Gull Lake during the die-off. Our results indicate that the thermal tolerance of D. polymorpha under natural conditions may be lower than has been reported from laboratory studies. Lower temperature tolerance may have major implications for the dynamics, impacts, and management of this invasive species given future climate change scenarios.
Polymer measure: Varadhan's renormalization revisited
Authors: Bock Wolfgang , João Oliveira Maria , Luís da Silva José , Streit Ludwig
Published: April 2015

Through chaos decomposition, we improve the Varadhan estimate for the rate of convergence of the centered approximate self-intersection local time of planar Brownian motion.
A new series for π3and related congruences
Authors: Sun Zhi-Wei
Published: April 2015

Let [Formula: see text] denote the second-order harmonic number [Formula: see text] for n = 0, 1, 2, …. In this paper we obtain the following identity: [Formula: see text] We explain how we found the series and develop related congruences involving Bernoulli or Euler numbers; for example, it is shown that [Formula: see text] for any prime p > 3, where E0, E1, E2, … are Euler numbers. Motivated by the Amdeberhan–Zeilberger identity [Formula: see text], we also establish the congruence [Formula: see text] for each prime p > 3.
Cascade defense via routing in complex networks
Authors: Xu Xiao-Lan , Du Wen-Bo , Hong Chen
Published: April 2015

As the cascading failures in networked traffic systems are becoming more and more serious, research on cascade defense in complex networks has become a hotspot in recent years. In this paper, we propose a traffic-based cascading failure model, in which each packet in the network has its own source and destination. When cascade is triggered, packets will be redistributed according to a given routing strategy. Here, a global hybrid (GH) routing strategy, which uses the dynamic information of the queue length and the static information of nodes' degree, is proposed to defense the network cascade. Comparing GH strategy with the shortest path (SP) routing, efficient routing (ER) and global dynamic (GD) routing strategies, we found that GH strategy is more effective than other routing strategies in improving the network robustness against cascading failures. Our work provides insight into the robustness of networked traffic systems.
The impact of local processes and the prohibition of multiple links in the topological properties of directed complex networks
Authors: Esquivel-Gómez J. , Arjona-Villicaña P. D. , Acosta-Elías J.
Published: April 2015

Local processes exert influence on the growth and evolution of complex networks, which in turn shape the topological and dynamic properties of these networks. Some local processes have been researched, for example: Addition of nodes and links, rewiring of links between nodes, accelerated growth, link removal, aging, copying and multiple links prohibition. These processes impact directly into the topological and dynamical properties of complex networks. This paper introduces a new model for growth of directed complex networks which incorporates the prohibition of multiple links, addition of nodes and links, and rewiring of links. This paper also reports on the impact that these processes have in the topological properties of the networks generated with the proposed model. Numerical simulation shows that, when the frequency of rewiring increases in the proposed model, the γ exponent of the in-degree distribution approaches a value of 1.1. When the frequency of adding new links increases, the γ exponent approaches 1. That is the proposed model is able to generate all exponent values documented in real-world networks which range 1.05 < γ < 8.94.
The structural and decay properties of Francium isotopes
Authors: Bhuyan M. , Mahapatro S. , Singh S. K. , Patra S. K.
Published: April 2015

We study the bulk properties such as binding energy (BE), root-mean-square (RMS) charge radius, quadrupole deformation etc. for Francium (Fr) isotopes having mass number A = 180–240 within the framework of relativistic mean field (RMF) theory. Systematic comparisons are made between the calculated results from RMF theory, Finite Range Droplet Model (FRDM) and the experimental data. Most of the nuclei in the isotopic chain shows prolate configuration in their ground state. The α-decay properties like α-decay energy and the decay half-life are also estimated for three different chains of 198 Fr , 199 Fr and 200 Fr . The calculation for the decay half-life are carried out by taking two different empirical formulae and the results are compared with the experimental data.
Puzzle of the folding potential on the nuclear halo reactions
Authors: Ismail Atef , Lee Yen Cheong , Mahmoud Z. M. M.
Published: April 2015

Folding potentials of the elastic scattering drip-line nuclei at various incident energies is one method to study nuclear matter density distributions and nuclear radii. The nuclei with density distributions consisting of a bulk (core) and an outer layer (halo), dilute and spatially extended are called the halo nuclei caused for the weak particle binding. Several halo nuclei are studied and many potential candidates are identified. All the cross-sections of the elastic scattering for the drip-line nuclei 11 Be and 6 He , are calculated to understand the exotic properties of these nuclei starting from its structure, extended radius, nuclear size till the large total reaction cross-sections for these nuclei when it interact with a stable target 12 C .
EFFECT OF pH ON THE ELECTRODEPOSITION OF Cu(In, Al)Se2 FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION IN PRESENCE OF CITRIC ACID AS COMPLEXING AGENT
Authors: GANJKHANLOU YADOLAH , EBADZADEH TOURADJ , KAZEMZAD MAHMOOD , MAGHSOUDIPOUR AMIR , KIANPOUR-RAD MANSOOR
Published: April 2015

Effect of pH on the one-step electrodeposition of Cu ( In , Al ) Se 2 chalcopyrite layer in the presence of citric acid has been investigated by applying different electrochemical and characterization techniques. It has been observed that at pH of 1.5, nanocrystalline phase of chalcopyrite and small amount of binary phase of Cu 2 Se with overall composition of Cu 0.91 In 0.32 Al 0.39 Se 2 have been deposited. On the other hand, at pH of 4, the film composition changed to Cu 1.9 In 0.05 Al 0.21 Se 2 and an additional binary phase of copper selenide ( CuSe ) has also been formed. Morphological investigation illustrated that smooth and compact layer with fine spherical particles having the size of ~20 nm has been obtained at pH of 1.5 whereas mixture of planar and spherical particles with size of 450–550 nm have been formed at pH of 4. In alkaline environment (pH~9), the deposition current has been noticeably decreased and no deposition occurred due to the formation of a stable complex of citric acid with metal ions. The mechanism of citric acid interaction with metal ions at different pH has also been studied by cyclic voltammetry measurement.
The structure of a partial Galois extension II
Authors: Kuo Jung-Miao , Szeto George
Published: April 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a partial Galois extension where [Formula: see text] is a partial action of a finite group on a ring [Formula: see text] such that the associated ideals are generated by central idempotents. We determine the set of all Galois extensions in [Formula: see text], and give an orthogonality criterion for nonzero elements in the Boolean semigroup generated by those central idempotents. These results lead to a structure theorem for [Formula: see text].
A new class of Cayley graphs
Authors: Afkhami Mojgan , Barani Hamid Reza , Khashyarmanesh Kazem , Rahbarnia Freydoon
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we introduce and study a new class of Cayley graphs.
Theoretical study ofFeB35+nN36-n(n = 0, 1) nanocages: Chemical reactivity descriptors
Authors: Farmanzadeh Davood , Rezainejad Hamid
Published: April 2015

In this study, by the density functional theory (DFT) method-based reactivity descriptors, the electronic properties and chemical reactivity of Fe substituted nanocage, FeB35+nN36-n(n = 0, 1), were investigated in gaseous and aqueous phases. The calculated binding energies of Fe atoms revealed that the substituting Fe atom in some locations of nanocage make the system more stable. The calculated global descriptors showed that the substituted Fe remarkably increases the chemical reactivity of B36N36. Also, local descriptors showed that the high reactivity of substituted nanocages is mainly related to Fe atom and these chemical species are more talented for nucleophilic attacks. The results of this work may be useful to investigate the effects of substituted metals in chemical reactivity of BN nanostructures.
The topology and geometry of self-adjoint and elliptic boundary conditions for Dirac and Laplace operators
Authors: Asorey M. , Ibort A. , Marmo G.
Published: April 2015

The theory of self-adjoint extensions of first- and second-order elliptic differential operators on manifolds with boundary is studied via its most representative instances: Dirac and Laplace operators. The theory is developed by exploiting the geometrical structures attached to them and, by using an adapted Cayley transform on each case, the space [Formula: see text] of such extensions is shown to have a canonical group composition law structure. The obtained results are compared with von Neumann's theorem characterizing the self-adjoint extensions of densely defined symmetric operators on Hilbert spaces. The 1D case is thoroughly investigated. The geometry of the submanifold of elliptic self-adjoint extensions [Formula: see text] is studied and it is shown that it is a Lagrangian submanifold of the universal Grassmannian Gr. The topology of [Formula: see text] is also explored and it is shown that there is a canonical cycle whose dual is the Maslov class of the manifold. Such cycle, called the Cayley surface, plays a relevant role in the study of the phenomena of topology change. Self-adjoint extensions of Laplace operators are discussed in the path integral formalism, identifying a class of them for which both treatments leads to the same results. A theory of dissipative quantum systems is proposed based on this theory and a unitarization theorem for such class of dissipative systems is proved. The theory of self-adjoint extensions with symmetry of Dirac operators is also discussed and a reduction theorem for the self-adjoint elliptic Grassmannian is obtained. Finally, an interpretation of spontaneous symmetry breaking is offered from the point of view of the theory of self-adjoint extensions.
On the asymptotic formulae for some multiplicative functions in short intervals
Authors: Sedunova Alisa
Published: April 2015

We are going to study the mean values of some multiplicative functions connected with the divisor function in short interval of summation. The asymptotics for such mean values will be proved. Considering instead of well-known multiplicative functions, their inverses lead to very weak results of application of standard methods of complex integration. In order to get better estimations, we propose another method which uses as its main tools the density estimates and zero-free region for Riemann ζ-function and Dirichlet L-functions.
Extensions of Beurling's prime number theorem
Authors: Zhang Wen-Bin
Published: April 2015

Kahane provided a proof of a conjecture of Bateman and Diamond on Beurling generalized primes. The conjecture says that the L2-condition [Formula: see text] implies the PNT, i.e. π(x) ~ x/ log x. Recently, Schlage-Puchta and Vindas showed that Beurling's condition in the form of a Cesàro mean [Formula: see text] with γ > 3/2 implies the PNT as well. Both are extensions of the Beurling PNT. We now show that the condition [Formula: see text] implies the PNT and that [Formula: see text] with k ≥ 0 implies the PNT also, where [Formula: see text]

These results cover the preceding forms and extend further the Beurling PNT. As part of our argument, we extend first the theorems on Chebyshev bounds with correspondingly weaker conditions. These bounds play an important role in later proofs.
On the equation φ(Xm- 1) = Xn- 1
Authors: Faye Bernadette , Luca Florian
Published: April 2015

Here, we show that the title equation has only finitely many positive integer solutions (X, m, n), where φ is the Euler function.
Fabrication and Characteristics of TiO2 Nanotubes on Hemispherical Diamond Films Using ZnO Nanorods as Template
Authors: Wang Qiliang , Yu Qi , Liu Junsong , Ai Taotao , Li Hongdong
Published: April 2015

Zinc oxide ( ZnO ) nanorods (NRs) have been synthesized as a template to fabricate TiO 2 nanotubes ( TiNTs ) on hemispherical diamond film by liquid-phase deposition (LPD) method. The process concerning the formation of TiNTs was analyzed. Based on the results of XRD and Raman spectroscopy, it is demonstrated that TiNTs was successfully obtained after removing ZnO NRs by chemical etching at room temperature. The TiNTs on hemispherical diamond film show higher performance photocatalysis, examined by the degradation of the reactive yellow 15 (RY15) solution. The corresponding mechanism is discussed.
Ultrasonic Synthesis of Au/AgCl Hybrid Cubes and Their Evolution Under Electron Beam Irradiation
Authors: Cao Hongliang , Miao Xiaoli , Zhu Mengqin , Li Chang , Wei Feifei , Chen Xin
Published: April 2015

The utilization of ultrasound offers a facile tool for the synthesis of Au / AgCl hybrid particles. We have obtained the architectures of Au nanoparticles on AgCl sub-micrometer cubes by simply ultrasonic irradiating their precursors in ethylene glycol (EG). The formation process of Au / AgCl hybrid particles in the reaction solution has been studied based on the optical absorption spectra and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the particles obtained at different ultrasonic irradiation stages. The dynamic changes of Au / AgCl hybrid particles under electron beam irradiation have been investigated in both SEM and in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscope (TEM). Hollow Au / AgCl hybrid particle structures have been obtained under the electron beam irradiation in liquid, with the cuboid contour shape preserved.
Genetic diversity of oil-tea camellia germplasms revealed by ISSR analysis
Authors: Zhou Lan-Ying , Wang Xiang-Nan , Wang Li-Ping , Chen Yong-Zhong , Jiang Xiao-Cheng
Published: April 2015

Genetic diversity of 51 oil-tea camellia germplasms was analyzed using the optimized inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR)–PCR reaction system with 22 primers screened from a set of 100 ISSR primers. The results showed that 493 discernible loci with distinct electrophoretic bands were obtained, of which, 478 loci (96.78%) were polymorphic. This indicated that oil-tea germplasms possess abundant genetic diversities. By clustering analysis performed using softwares of NTSYS 2.10 and Winboot, 51 oil-tea germplasms were divided into two groups: Group I had 48 lines of Camellia oleifera Abel, while Group II had three C. oleifera Abel related species and their similarity coefficient was 0.62. Group I was further divided into Group I-1 and Group I-2, and their similarity coefficient (Gs) was 0.634. All members of Group I-1 originated from Hunan Province, while Group I-2 included the rest of Hunan lines and those originated from other regions of China. Analyzed by software POPGENE 1.32, the Shannon's information index (I*) of genetic polymorphism was 0.3852, the genetic diversity among different region populations (Ht) was 0.2537, the genetic diversity within populations (Hs) was 0.15545, the differentiation coefficient of genetic diversity among populations (Gst) was 0.3967, and the gene flow among populations (Nm*) was 0.8262. The Nei's genetic distances between the Hunan population and the populations originated from other regions of China implied that geographic isolation strongly influenced genetic differentiation among populations. Meanwhile, seedling rootstock grafting and high grafting for tree crown produced genetic variations among clonal offsprings.
Comparative Study on the Thermal Performance of Evacuated Solar Collectors with U-Tubes and Heat Pipes
Authors: Tong Yijie , Cho Honghyun
Published: April 2015

Evacuated solar collectors with U-tubes (ESCU) and heat pipes (ESCHP) were designed and constructed to allow heat from solar radiation to be collected at a relatively high efficiency. A theoretical investigation of the overall performance of solar collectors under local weather conditions in Korea was carried out for two kinds of solar collectors: those with U-tubes and those with heat pipes. The results of the two models were then compared to those of the collector model to investigate their performance differences, which were affected by radiation, ambient temperature absorber areas, and structures. The comparisons showed high accordance between the simulation and experimental results for both types of solar collectors. The results obtained from the simplified model show that each type of collector had advantages. They had great efficiency disparities when the heat pipe-type had an 8% higher efficiency than the U-tube-type during the sunny day, while the U-tube-type showed steadier and better thermal performance when it was cloudy.
Early-Onset Diabetic E1-DN Mice Develop Albuminuria and Glomerular Injury Typical of Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Hyvönen Mervi E. , Dumont Vincent , Tienari Jukka , Lehtonen Eero , Ustinov Jarkko , Havana Marika , Jalanko Hannu , Otonkoski Timo , Miettinen Päivi J. , Lehtonen Sanna
Published: April 2015

The transgenic E1-DN mice express a kinase-negative epidermal growth factor receptor in their pancreatic islets and are diabetic from two weeks of age due to impaired postnatal growth ofβ-cell mass. Here, we characterize the development of hyperglycaemia-induced renal injury in the E1-DN mice. Homozygous mice showed increased albumin excretion rate (AER) at the age of 10 weeks; the albuminuria increased over time and correlated with blood glucose. Morphometric analysis of PAS-stained histological sections and electron microscopy images revealed mesangial expansion in homozygous E1-DN mice, and glomerular sclerosis was observed in the most hyperglycaemic mice. The albuminuric homozygous mice developed also other structural changes in the glomeruli, including thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and widening of podocyte foot processes that are typical for diabetic nephropathy. Increased apoptosis of podocytes was identified as one mechanism contributing to glomerular injury. In addition, nephrin expression was reduced in the podocytes of albuminuric homozygous E1-DN mice. Tubular changes included altered epithelial cell morphology and increased proliferation. In conclusion, hyperglycaemic E1-DN mice develop albuminuria and glomerular and tubular injury typical of human diabetic nephropathy and can serve as a new model to study the mechanisms leading to the development of diabetic nephropathy.
Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia Diagnosed following Knee Arthroscopy
Authors: Zvijac John E. , Ammus Sharhabil S. , Aran Fernando , Kiebzak Gary M.
Published: April 2015

A 41-year-old man with an unremarkable medical history presented with a painful knee after a sports injury. He was diagnosed with a medial meniscal tear. Symptoms did not abate after 6 months of physical therapy, and he underwent arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy. A week after beginning physical therapy he experienced a knee effusion, decreased ROM, and inability to flex his quadriceps. His knee was aspirated. Blood tests were ordered and his complete blood count, liver functions tests, and INR/PTT were normal. The patient had recurrent effusions requiring three additional joint aspirations. Ten weeks after the initial surgery, the patient underwent a second arthroscopy, during which a hematoma was removed and a synovectomy performed. The patient continued bleeding from the incisions after portals were sutured, and he was admitted to the hospital. A hematologist was consulted and comprehensive platelet aggregation testing revealed previously undiagnosed Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia. The patient began treatment with platelet infusions and desmopressin and progressed to a full recovery. Clinical suspicion for surgical patients with unusual repetitive postoperative bleeding should include previously undetected rare bleeding disorders even in adults.
Muramyl Dipeptide Enhances Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Osteoclast Formation and Bone Resorption through Increased RANKL Expression in Stromal Cells
Authors: Ishida Masahiko , Kitaura Hideki , Kimura Keisuke , Sugisawa Haruki , Aonuma Tomo , Takada Haruhiko , Takano-Yamamoto Teruko
Published: April 2015

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is bacterial cell wall component capable of inducing osteoclast formation and pathological bone resorption. Muramyl dipeptide (MDP), the minimal essential structural unit responsible for the immunological activity of peptidoglycans, is ubiquitously expressed by bacterium. In this study, we investigated the effect of MDP in LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption. LPS was administered with or without MDP into the supracalvariae of mice. The number of osteoclasts, the level of mRNA for cathepsin K and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), the ratio of the bone destruction area, the level of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase form 5b (TRACP 5b), and C-terminal telopeptides fragments of type I collagen as a marker of bone resorption in mice administrated both LPS and MDP were higher than those in mice administrated LPS or MDP alone. On the other hand, MDP had no effect on osteoclastogenesis in parathyroid hormone administrated mice. MDP enhanced LPS-induced receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expressionin vivoand in stromal cellsin vitro. MDP also enhanced LPS-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, including ERK, p38, and JNK, in stromal cells. These results suggest that MDP might play an important role in pathological bone resorption in bacterial infection diseases.
Unusual Presentation of Testicular Cancer with Tumor Thrombus Extending to the Inferior Vena Cava
Authors: Dusaud Marie , Bayoud Younes , Desfemmes François-Régis , Molimard Benoît , Durand Xavier
Published: April 2015

A 45-year-old man with a left testis tumor with a 25 mm para-aortic lymph node swelling, multiple bilateral pulmonary metastases, bilateral pulmonary embolism, and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus underwent a radical orchidectomy in our institution. The thrombus extended from the left gonadal vein to the left renal vein to the IVC. The fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (f-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) computerized tomography (CT) demonstrated a hypermetabolic focus in the retroperitoneum and in the IVC thrombus. Before orchidectomy only lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was high but all the serum tumor markers increased postoperatively. The tumor was staged pT1N2M1aS1, which was an intermediate prognosis, based on the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group consensus (IGCCCG). After 4 courses of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy the patient’s tumor markers normalized and the thrombus disappeared. There was only one residual retroperitoneal lymph node M1. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological examination revealed only necrotic tissues. The patient has been disease-free since surgery.
ArtemisiaAllergy Research in China
Authors: Tang Rui , Sun Jin-Lu , Yin Jia , Li Zhi
Published: April 2015

Artemisiais the most important outdoor allergen throughout China. It can cause allergic rhinitis, asthma, or both of them. Since it was verified as an allergenic pollen in 1960, it was identified two times in the Chinese National Pollen Survey (1984, 2009). The first oral immunotherapy double-blinded trial forArtemisiapollen asthma research was conducted in China in 1989 and published in 1990. 40 years since that study, there have been many published research reports on ChineseArtemisiaallergy. This review summarizes the information regarding the discovery ofArtemisiaas an allergenic pollen, pollen account, epidemiology, allergen components, immunological changes in hay fever patients, natural course from rhinitis to asthma, diagnosis, and immunotherapies in China.
Atomic Structure and Energy Distribution of Collapsed Carbon Nanotubes of Different Chiralities
Authors: Baimova Julia A. , Fan Qin , Zeng Liangcai , Wang Zhigang , Dmitriev Sergey V. , Feng Xiqiao , Zhou Kun
Published: April 2015

For carbon nanotubes of sufficiently large diameter at sufficiently low temperature, due to the action of the van der Waals forces, the ground state is a bilayer graphene with closed edges, the so‐called collapsed configuration. Molecular dynamics simulation of collapsed carbon nanotubes is performed. The effect of length, diameter, and chirality of the nanotubes on their properties is investigated. It is shown that collapsed nanotubes after relaxation have rippled structure which is strongly dependent on the nanotube chirality. The structural properties are studied by calculating the radial distribution function and energy distribution along various regions in the collapsed carbon nanotubes.
Modeling of Energy Demand of a High-Tech Greenhouse in Warm Climate Based on Bayesian Networks
Authors: Hernández César , del Sagrado José , Rodríguez Francisco , Moreno José Carlos , Sánchez Jorge Antonio
Published: April 2015

This work analyzes energy demand in a High-Tech greenhouse and its characterization, with the objective of building and evaluating classification models based on Bayesian networks. The utility of these models resides in their capacity of perceiving relations among variables in the greenhouse by identifying probabilistic dependences between them and their ability to make predictions without the need of observing all the variables present in the model. In this way they provide a useful tool for an energetic control system design. In this paper the acquisition data system used in order to collect the dataset studied is described. The energy demand distribution is analyzed and different discretization techniques are applied to reduce its dimensionality, paying particular attention to their impact on the classification model’s performance. A comparison between the different classification models applied is performed.
Analysis of Power Loss for Crystalline Silicon Solar Module during the Course of Encapsulation
Authors: Yang Hong , Wang He , Cao Dingyue , Sun Dangmin , Ju Xiaobao
Published: April 2015

During the course of solar module encapsulation, the output power of crystalline silicon solar module is less than the sum of the maximum output power of the constituents because of power loss. So it is very important to investigate the power loss caused by encapsulation materials and module production process. In this paper, the power loss of crystalline silicon solar module is investigated by experiments systematically for the first time. It is found that the power loss is mainly caused by the resistance of ribbon and mismatch of solar cells; the total power loss is as high as 3.93% for solar module composed of 72 cells (125 mm × 125 mm) connected in series. Analyzing and reducing the power losses are beneficial to optimizing encapsulation process for the solar module. The results presented in this study give out a direction to decreasing power loss and optimizing encapsulation process of crystalline silicon solar module.
Comparative Effectiveness of Tocilizumab and TNF Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: Data from the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register, Reuma.pt
Authors: C. Romão Vasco , Santos Maria José , Polido-Pereira Joaquim , Duarte Cátia , Nero Patrícia , Miguel Cláudia , Costa José António , Bernardes Miguel , Pimentel-Santos Fernando M. , Barcelos Filipe , Costa Lúcia , Melo Gomes José António , Pereira da Silva José Alberto , Branco Jaime Cunha , Canas da Silva José , Pereira da Silva José António , Fonseca João Eurico , Canhão Helena
Published: April 2015

Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of TNF inhibitors (TNFi) and tocilizumab in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, according to different response criteria.Methods. We included RA patients registered in the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register treated with TNFi or tocilizumab for at least 6 months, between January 2008 and July 2013. We assessed remission/low disease activity (LDA) at 6 months according to DAS28, CDAI, and SDAI, as well as Boolean ACR/EULAR remission and EULAR response rate, adjusting for measured confounders.Results. Tocilizumab-treated patients (n=95) presented higher baseline disease activity and were less frequently naïve to biologics compared to TNFi users (n=429). Multivariate logistic regression analysis including the propensity score for receiving tocilizumab showed that patients treated with tocilizumab were more likely to achieve remission or LDA according to DAS28 (OR = 11.0/6.2, 95% CI 5.6–21.6/3.2–12.0), CDAI (OR = 2.8/2.6, 95% CI 1.2–6.5/1.3–5.5), or SDAI (OR = 3.6/2.5, 95% CI 1.5–8.7/1.1–5.5), as well as a good EULAR response (OR = 6.4, 95% CI 3.4–12.0). However, both groups did not differ in Boolean remission (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 0.8–4.8) or good/moderate EULAR response (OR = 1.8, 95% CI 0.8–4.5).Conclusions. Compared with TNFi, tocilizumab was associated with greater likelihood of achieving DAS28, CDAI, and SDAI remission/LDA and EULAR good response. Boolean remission and EULAR good/moderate response did not differ significantly between groups.
Monte Carlo Few-Group Constant Generation for CANDU 6 Core Analysis
Authors: Yoo Seung Yeol , Shim Hyung Jin , Kim Chang Hyo
Published: April 2015

The current neutronics design methodology of CANDU-PHWRs based on the two-step calculations requires determining not only homogenized two-group constants for ordinary fuel bundle lattice cells by the WIMS-AECL lattice cell code but also incremental two-group constants arising from the penetration of control devices into the fuel bundle cells by a supercell analysis code like MULTICELL or DRAGON. As an alternative way to generate the two-group constants necessary for the CANDU-PHWR core analysis, this paper proposes utilizing a B1theory augmented Monte Carlo (MC) few-group constant generation method (B1MC method) which has been devised for the PWR fuel assembly analysis method. To examine the applicability of the B1MC method for the CANDU 6 core analysis, the fuel bundle cell and supercell calculations are performed using it to obtain the two-group constants. By showing that the two-group constants from the B1MC method agree well with those from WIMS-AECL and that core neutronics calculations for hypothetical CANDU 6 cores by a deterministic diffusion theory code SCAN with B1MC method generated two-group constants also agree well with whole core MC analyses, it is concluded that the B1MC method is well qualified for both fuel bundle cell and supercell analyses.
Inhibitory Effects of Eucalyptus and Banaba Leaf Extracts on Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Induced by a High-Fructose/High-Glucose Diet in Rats
Authors: Takahashi Yoshihisa , Sugimoto Keiichiro , Soejima Yurie , Kumagai Arisa , Koeda Tatsuki , Shojo Aiko , Nakagawa Kazuya , Harada Naoki , Yamaji Ryoichi , Inui Hiroshi , Yamanouchi Toshikazu , Fukusato Toshio
Published: April 2015

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a liver disease associated with metabolic syndrome. The aim of this work was to examine whether eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) leaf extract (ELE) and banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosaL.) leaf extract (BLE) inhibited NASH induced by excessive ingestion of fructose in rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups according to four distinct diets: starch diet (ST), high-fructose/high-glucose diet (FG), FG diet supplemented with ELE, or FG diet supplemented with BLE. All rats were killed after 5 weeks of treatment. Serum alanine aminotransferase and total cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the BLE group than in the FG group. Liver histopathology, including steatosis, lipogranulomas, and perisinusoidal fibrosis, was significantly attenuated in the ELE and BLE groups compared with the FG group. Levels of 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), which reflect oxidative injury to the liver, were significantly suppressed by ELE and BLE. Western blotting analysis indicated that interleukin-6 expression levels were significantly lower in the ELE and BLE groups than in the FG group. These results suggest that ELE and BLE reduced lipogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokine expression and thus inhibited NASH induced by excessive ingestion of fructose in rats.
Forecasting Nonlinear Chaotic Time Series with Function Expression Method Based on an Improved Genetic-Simulated Annealing Algorithm
Authors: Wang Jun , Zhou Bi-hua , Zhou Shu-dao , Sheng Zheng
Published: April 2015

The paper proposes a novel function expression method to forecast chaotic time series, using an improved genetic-simulated annealing (IGSA) algorithm to establish the optimum function expression that describes the behavior of time series. In order to deal with the weakness associated with the genetic algorithm, the proposed algorithm incorporates the simulated annealing operation which has the strong local search ability into the genetic algorithm to enhance the performance of optimization; besides, the fitness function and genetic operators are also improved. Finally, the method is applied to the chaotic time series of Quadratic and Rossler maps for validation. The effect of noise in the chaotic time series is also studied numerically. The numerical results verify that the method can forecast chaotic time series with high precision and effectiveness, and the forecasting precision with certain noise is also satisfactory. It can be concluded that the IGSA algorithm is energy-efficient and superior.