bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extracellular ATP mediates the late phase of neutrophil recruitment to the lung in murine models of acute lung injury
Authors: Shah Dilip , Romero Freddy , Stafstrom William , Duong Michelle , Summer Ross
Published: November 2013

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a severe inflammatory condition whose pathogenesis is irrevocably linked to neutrophil emigration to the lung. Activation and recruitment of neutrophils to the lung is mostly attributable to local production of the chemokines. However, much of our understanding of neutrophil recruitment to the lung is based on studies focusing on early time points after initiation of injury. In this study, we sought to evaluate the extended temporal relationship between neutrophil chemotactic factor expression and influx of neutrophils into the lung after intratracheal administration of either LPS or bleomycin. In both models, results demonstrated two phases of neutrophil chemotactic factor expression; first, an early phase characterized by high levels of CXCL1/keratinocyte-derived chemokine, CXCL2/monocyte-inhibitory protein-2, and CXCL5/LPS-induced chemokine expression, and second, a late phase distinguished by increases in extracellular ATP. Furthermore, we show that strategies aimed at either enhancing ATP catabolism (ip ecto-5′-nucleotidase administration) or inhibiting glycolytic ATP production (ip 2-deoxy-d-glucose treatment) reduce extracellular ATP accumulation, limit vascular leakage, and effectively block the late, but not the early, stages of neutrophil recruitment to the lung after LPS instillation. In conclusion, this study illustrates that neutrophil recruitment to the lung is mediated by the time-dependent expression of chemotactic factors and suggests that novel strategies, which reduce extracellular ATP accumulation, may attenuate late neutrophil recruitment and limit lung injury during ALI.
Regulation and activity of secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) is altered in smokers
Authors: Meyer Megan , Bauer Rebecca N. , Letang Blanche D. , Brighton Luisa , Thompson Elizabeth , Simmen Rosalia C. M. , Bonner James , Jaspers Ilona
Published: November 2013

A hallmark of cigarette smoking is a shift in the protease/antiprotease balance, in favor of protease activity. However, it has recently been shown that smokers have increased expression of a key antiprotease, secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), yet the mechanisms involved in SLPI transcriptional regulation and functional activity of SLPI remain unclear. We examined SLPI mRNA and protein secretion in differentiated nasal epithelial cells (NECs) and nasal lavage fluid (NLF) from nonsmokers and smokers and demonstrated that SLPI expression is increased in NECs and NLF from smokers. Transcriptional regulation of SLPI expression was confirmed using SLPI promoter reporter assays followed by chromatin immunoprecipitation. The role of STAT1 in regulating SLPI expression was further elucidated using WT and stat1−/−mice. Our data demonstrate that STAT1 regulates SLPI transcription in epithelial cells and slpi protein in the lungs of mice. Additionally, we reveal that NECs from smokers have increased STAT1 mRNA/protein expression. Finally, we demonstrate that SLPI contained in the nasal mucosa of smokers is proteolytically cleaved but retains functional activity against neutrophil elastase. These results demonstrate that smoking enhances expression of SLPI in NECs in vitro and in vivo, and that this response is regulated by STAT1. In addition, despite posttranslational cleavage of SLPI, antiprotease activity against neutrophil elastase is enhanced in smokers. Together, our findings show that SLPI regulation and activity is altered in the nasal mucosa of smokers, which could have broad implications in the context of respiratory inflammation and infection.
Inflammasomes are important mediators of cyclophosphamide-induced bladder inflammation
Authors: Hughes Francis M. , Vivar Nivardo P. , Kennis James G. , Pratt-Thomas Jeffery D. , Lowe Danielle W. , Shaner Brooke E. , Nietert Paul J. , Spruill Laura S. , Purves J. Todd
Published: November 2013

Bladder inflammation (cystitis) underlies numerous bladder pathologies and is elicited by a plethora of agents such as urinary tract infections, bladder outlet obstruction, chemotherapies, and catheters. Pattern recognition receptors [Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and Nod-like receptors (NLRs)] that recognize pathogen- and/or damage-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs and/or DAMPs, respectively) are key components of the innate immune system that coordinates the production (TLRs) and maturation (NLRs) of proinflammatory IL-1β. Despite multiple studies of TLRs in the bladder, none have investigated NLRs beyond one small survey. We now demonstrate that NLRP3 and NLRC4, and their binding partners apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a COOH-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and NLR family apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP), are expressed in the bladder and localized predominantly to the urothelia. Activated NLRs form inflammasomes that activate caspase-1. Placement of a NLRP3- or NLRC4-activating PAMP or NLRP3-activating DAMPs into the lumen of the bladder stimulated caspase-1 activity. To investigate inflammasomes in vivo, we induced cystitis with cyclophosphamide (CP, 150 mg/kg ip) in the presence or absence of the inflammasome inhibitor glyburide. Glyburide completely blocked CP-induced activation of caspase-1 and the production of IL-1β at 4 h. At 24 h, glyburide reduced two markers of inflammation by 30–50% and reversed much of the inflammatory morphology. Furthermore, glyburide reversed changes in bladder physiology (cystometry) induced by CP. In conclusion, NLRs/inflammasomes are present in the bladder urothelia and respond to DAMPs and PAMPs, whereas NLRP3 inhibition blocks bladder dysfunction in the CP model. The coordinated response of NLRs and TLRs in the urothelia represents a first-line innate defense that may provide an important target for pharmacological intervention.
Noninvasive brain stimulation can elucidate and interact with the mechanisms underlying motor learning and retention: implications for rehabilitation
Authors: Hinder Mark R. , Reissig Paola , Fujiyama Hakuei
Published: November 2013

Seminal work in animals indicates that learning a motor task results in long-term potentiation (LTP) in primary motor cortex (M1) and a subsequent occlusion of LTP induction (Rioult-Pedotti et al. J Neurophysiol 98: 3688–3695, 2007). Using various forms of noninvasive brain stimulation in conjunction with a motor learning paradigm, Cantarero et al. ( J Neurosci 33: 12862–12869, 2013) recently provided novel evidence to support the hypothesis that retention of motor skill is contingent upon this postlearning occlusion.
Persistent α1-adrenergic receptor function in the nucleus locus coeruleus causes hyperexcitability in AD/HD model rats
Authors: Igata Sachiyo , Hayashi Tokumasa , Itoh Masayuki , Akasu Takashi , Takano Makoto , Ishimatsu Masaru
Published: November 2013

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) are widely used as a model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as their ADHD-like behaviors are restored by methylphenidate. However, a postnatal neural development in SHR is unknown. We performed whole cell patch clamp recordings from locus coeruleus (LC) neurons in neonatal [postnatal day (P) 3–5], juvenile (P21–28), and adult (P 49–56) SHR and age-matched Wistar rats to evaluate α1- and α2-adrenergic receptor (ARs) activities at each developmental period. LC neurons in neonatal Wistar rats and SHR showed no difference in resting membrane potential and spontaneous firing rate, while juvenile and adult SHR LC neurons showed depolarized resting membrane potential and faster spontaneous firing rate than in Wistar rats. Blockade of α1-AR activity by prazosin hyperpolarized the membrane and abolished spontaneous firings in all developmental periods in SHR LC neurons, but not in juvenile and adult Wistar rats. α1-AR stimulation by phenylephrine evoked an inward current in juvenile LC neurons in SHR, but not in juvenile Wistar rats. This phenylephrine-induced inward current was abolished by nonselective cation channel blockers. By contrast, α2-AR stimulation-induced outward currents in the presence of an α1-AR antagonist were equivalent in SHR and Wistar LC neurons. These data suggest that Wistar LC neurons lose α1-AR function during development, whereas α1-ARs remain functional in SHR LC neurons. Thus persistent intrinsic activity of α1-ARs may be a neural mechanism contributing to developmental disorders in juvenile SHRs.
Hybrid and Relaxed Mann Iterations for General Systems of Variational Inequalities and Nonexpansive Mappings
Authors: Ceng L. C. , Al-Mazrooei A. E. , Abdou A. A. N. , Latif A.
Published: November 2013

We introduce hybrid and relaxed Mann iteration methods for a general system of variational inequalities with solutions being also common solutions of a countable family of variational inequalities and common fixed points of a countable family of nonexpansive mappings in real smooth and uniformly convex Banach spaces. Here, the hybrid and relaxed Mann iteration methods are based on Korpelevich’s extragradient method, viscosity approximation method, and Mann iteration method. Under suitable assumptions, we derive some strong convergence theorems for hybrid and relaxed Mann iteration algorithms not only in the setting of uniformly convex and 2-uniformly smooth Banach space but also in a uniformly convex Banach space having a uniformly Gateaux differentiable norm. The results presented in this paper improve, extend, supplement, and develop the corresponding results announced in the earlier and very recent literature.
Stability Problem of Wave Variable Based Bilateral Control: Influence of the Force Source Design
Authors: Tian Dapeng , Zhang Bao , Shen Honghai , Li Jiaquan
Published: November 2013

The wave variable has been proposed to achieve robust stability against the time delay in bilateral control system. However, the influence of the force source on the overall system is still not clear. This paper analyzes this problem and proposes a supplement to the stability analysis for wave variable based bilateral control. Based on the scattering theory, it is pointed out that the design of force source decides the passivity of the two-port network of slave robot. This passivity influences the stability of overall system. Based on the characteristic equation and small gain theorem, it is clear that inappropriate designed force source in encoding the wave variable destroys the stability in the presence of time delay. A wave domain filter makes up for the broken stability. The principle of this reparation is explained in this paper. A reference is also provided by the analysis to design the parameter of the wave domain filter. Experiments prove the correctness and validity.
NADPH Oxidase and the Degeneration of Dopaminergic Neurons in Parkinsonian Mice
Authors: Hernandes Marina S. , Café-Mendes Cecília C. , Britto Luiz R. G.
Published: November 2013

Several lines of investigation have implicated oxidative stress in Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are still unclear. In this study, we characterized the involvement of NADPH oxidase (Nox), a multisubunit enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen, in the 6-hydroxydopamine- (6-OHDA-) induced PD mice model and compared for the first time the effects of this neurotoxin in mice lackinggp91phox-/-, the catalytic subunit of Nox2, and pharmacological inhibition of Nox with apocynin. Six-OHDA induced increased protein expression ofp47phox, a Nox subunit, in striatum.gp91phox-/-mice appear to be completely protected from dopaminergic cell loss, whereas the apocynin treatment conferred only a limited neuroprotection. Wt mice treated with apocynin andgp91phox-/-mice both exhibited ameliorated apomorphine-induced rotational behavior. The microglial activation observed within the striatum and the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) of 6-OHDA-injected Wt mice was prevented by apocynin treatment and was not detected ingp91phox-/-mice. Apocynin was not able to attenuate astrocyte activation in SN. The results support a role for Nox2 in the 6-OHDA-induced degeneration of dopaminergic neurons and glial cell activation in the nigrostriatal pathway and reveal that no comparable 6-OHDA effects were observed between apocynin-treated andgp91phox-/-mice groups.
Investigation of the Hydrodynamics of Sweep Blade in Hi-Speed Axial Fuel Pump Impeller
Authors: Tao Ran , Xiao Ruofu , Yang Wei , Wang Fujun , Wu Yulin
Published: November 2013

Fuel pump is a crucial component in aircraft engine ignition system. For the hi-speed axial fuel pumps, rotating stall triggers vortex and affects the operation stability and security. Sweep blade is widely used to solve the stability problems in aerodynamics field. Investigation on the hydrodynamics was conducted in this study. Based on the typical straight blade pump, positive and negative sweep blade pumps were modeled. With the large eddy simulation method, CFD simulations were conducted to calculate and analyze the flow characteristics in the pump models. To verify the simulation, experiments were also launched on the hydraulic test rig. Results show that the vortex occurs at the suction surface of blade and gathers near the blade tip region. Positive sweep blade is effective to reduce the hydraulic losses by driving the stalled fluid into the mid-part of blade. By applying the positive sweep blade on the axial fuel pump, the instability operating region will be diminished. Adopting sweep blade provides an effective means for stability and security of axial fuel pumps.
The Geo/Geo/1+1 Queueing System with Negative Customers
Authors: Ma Zhanyou , Guo Yalin , Wang Pengcheng , Hou Yumei
Published: November 2013

We study a Geo/Geo/1+1 queueing system with geometrical arrivals of both positive and negative customers in which killing strategies considered are removal of customers at the head (RCH) and removal of customers at the end (RCE). Using quasi-birth-death (QBD) process and matrix-geometric solution method, we obtain the stationary distribution of the queue length, the average waiting time of a new arrival customer, and the probabilities of servers in busy or idle period, respectively. Finally, we analyze the effect of some related parameters on the system performance measures.
Adaptive Correction Forecasting Approach for Urban Traffic Flow Based on Fuzzyc-Mean Clustering and Advanced Neural Network
Authors: Huang He , Tang Qifeng , Liu Zhen
Published: November 2013

Forecasting of urban traffic flow is important to intelligent transportation system (ITS) developments and implementations. The precise forecasting of traffic flow will be pretty helpful to relax road traffic congestion. The accuracy of traditional single model without correction mechanism is poor. Summarizing the existing prediction models and considering the characteristics of the traffic itself, a traffic flow prediction model based on fuzzyc-mean clustering method (FCM) and advanced neural network (NN) was proposed. FCM can improve the prediction accuracy and robustness of the model, while advanced NN can optimize the generalization ability of the model. Besides these, the output value of the model is calibrated by the correction mechanism. The experimental results show that the proposed method has better prediction accuracy and robustness than the other models.
An Efficient Higher-Order Quasilinearization Method for Solving Nonlinear BVPs
Authors: Alaidarous Eman S. , Ullah Malik Zaka , Ahmad Fayyaz , Al-Fhaid A.S.
Published: November 2013

In this research paper, we present higher-order quasilinearization methods for the boundary value problems as well as coupled boundary value problems. The construction of higher-order convergent methods depends on a decomposition method which is different from Adomain decomposition method (Motsa and Sibanda, 2013). The reported method is very general and can be extended to desired order of convergence for highly nonlinear differential equations and also computationally superior to proposed iterative method based on Adomain decomposition because our proposed iterative scheme avoids the calculations of Adomain polynomials and achieves the same computational order of convergence as authors have claimed in Motsa and Sibanda, 2013. In order to check the validity and computational performance, the constructed iterative schemes are also successfully applied to bifurcation problems to calculate the values of critical parameters. The numerical performance is also tested for one-dimension Bratu and Frank-Kamenetzkii equations.
The Effects of Process Parameters on Evolutions of Thermodynamics and Microstructures for Composite Extrusion of Magnesium Alloy
Authors: Hu H.-J.
Published: November 2013

To research the effects of process parameters on evolutions of extrusion force and temperature rise and microstructures for composite extrusion of magnesium alloy which includes initial extrusion and shearing process subsequently and is shortened for “ES” in this paper, the ES extrusion process has been researched by using finite element modeling (FEM) technology. The rules of temperature rise and the extrusion force varying with process parameters have been developed. The thermal-mechanical coupling finite element models including the geometric and FEM models and solution conditions were applied to calculate the effective strain and temperature and extrusion force during ES extrusion. The maximum temperature rises in the billets do not increase with billet temperature rising. The temperature of rod surface increased continuously with development of ES extrusion. The evolutions of extrusion load curve and effective stress and temperature can be divided into three stages obviously. Extrusion experiments have been constructed to validate the FEM models with different process conditions. The simulation results and microstructure observation showed that ES process can introduce compressive and accumulated shear strain into the magnesium alloy. The ES extrusion would cause severe plastic deformation and improve the dynamic recrystallization during ES extrusion. The microstructures show that ES is an efficient and inexpensive grain refinement method for magnesium alloys.
Comparison of Pediatric and Adult Tonsillectomies Performed by Thermal Welding System
Authors: Ersözlü Tolga , Yıldırım Yavuz Selim , Sarica Selman
Published: November 2013

Objective.To compare pediatric and adult age groups in terms of postoperative bleeding and pain following tonsillectomy performed by thermal welding system (TWS).Method.The study consisted of 213 patients, of whom 178 were children and 35 were adults. The mean age of the pediatric patients (81 girls and 97 females) was6.7±2.4years (range 3–13 years) and the mean age of the adults (20 males and 15 females) was21.8±7.07years (range 15–41 years). All of the patients were evaluated in terms of postoperative bleeding and pain following tonsillectomy performed by TWS.Results.Bleeding was detected in the late postoperative period in 11 pediatric and 7 adult patients and of them 2 pediatric and 3 adult patients controlled under general. Postoperative bleeding was significantly less prevalent in the pediatric age group compared to the adult age group (P=0.04). Likewise, postoperative pain was significantly less prevalent in the pediatric age group as compared to the adult age group (P<0.001).Conclusion.Both postoperative bleeding and pain following tonsillectomy performed by TWS were more prevalent in the adult age group compared to the pediatric age group.
Inhibitive Effects of Mulberry Leaf-Related Extracts on Cell Adhesion and Inflammatory Response in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells
Authors: Chao P.-Y. , Lin K.-H. , Chiu C.-C. , Yang Y.-Y. , Huang M.-Y. , Yang C.-M.
Published: November 2013

Effects of mulberry leaf-related extracts (MLREs) on hydrogen peroxide-induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes and on inflammatory signaling pathways in human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were studied. The tested MLREs were rich in flavonols, especially bombyx faces tea (BT) in quercetin and kaempferol. Polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanidin also abounded in BT. The best trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) was generated from the acidic methanolic extracts of BT. Acidic methanolic and water extracts of mulberry leaf tea (MT), mulberry leaf (M), and BT significantly inhibited DNA oxidative damage to lymphocytes based on the comet assay as compared to the H2O2-treated group. TNF-α-induced monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion was significantly suppressed by MLREs. Additionally, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) expression was significantly reduced by BT and MT. Significant reductions were also observed in both NF-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 DNA binding by MLREs. Significant increases in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)αandγDNA binding by MLREs were also detected in M and MT extracts, but no evidence for PPARαDNA binding in 50 μg/mL MT extract was found. Apparently, MLREs can provide distinct cytoprotective mechanisms that may contribute to its putative beneficial effects on suppressing endothelial responses to cytokines during inflammation.
Dual Credit Enrollment: A Multiyear Study of Gender and Ethnic Differences
Authors: Young Robert D. , Slate John R. , Moore George W. , Barnes Wally
Published: November 2013

In this investigation, we ascertained the extent to which differences were present in dual credit enrollment by gender and by ethnicity for students (n>150,000) enrolled in a Texas community college from the 2005-2006 through the 2011-2012 academic years. Statistical analyses revealed an increase in the numbers (i.e., from 3,069 to 3,664) and percentages (i.e., from 12.2% to 19.5%) of students who were enrolled in dual credit courses over the time period analyzed. Moreover, higher percentages of women (i.e., 20.8% in the most recent academic year) had enrolled in dual credit courses while in high school than men (i.e., 17.9% in the most recent academic year). Differences were also present as a function of ethnicity, with 33.1% Asian, 25.3% White, 17.4% Hispanic, and 7.5% Black students having been enrolled in dual credit in the most recent academic year. Differences were also revealed by gender for Hispanic and White students, but not for Asian and Black students. Implications of our findings are discussed.
Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance in Umbilical Cord Blood of Infants with Meconium Stained of Amniotic Fluid
Authors: Arjmand Mohammad Hassan , Ahmad Shah Farhat , Saleh Moghadam Masoud , Tara Fatemeh , Jalili Amin , Mosavi Bazaz Mojtaba , Hamidi Alamdari Daryoush
Published: November 2013

Objective. Using a novel assay termed prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) assay to determine prooxidant-antioxidant balance in umbilical cord blood of infants with meconium stained of amniotic fluid (MSAF). Passage of meconium in amniotic fluid is associated with increase of neonatal mortality and morbidity. This complication occurs in about 15% of infants and is more widespread in postterm neonates. About 1.5 percent of neonates with MSAF develop meconium aspiration syndrome.Method. Sera of 29 umbilical cord blood of infants with MSAF and 32 healthy infants (HI) were collected. Both groups had nonsmoker and non-alcoholic mothers with no diseases. The PAB was measured.Result. There was a significant increase of PAB value (32.8±15.9 HK) in umbilical cord blood of infants with MSAF in comparison to HI (24.5±12.6 HK) (P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between PAB value and age of mothers.Conclusion. The increased PAB value in infants with MSAF showed that these infants are exposed to oxidative stress. Further research with larger population is needed to demonstrate the oxidative stress in infants with MSAF.
Differences in Trunk Kinematic between Frail and Nonfrail Elderly Persons during Turn Transition Based on a Smartphone Inertial Sensor
Authors: Galán-Mercant Alejandro , Cuesta-Vargas Antonio I.
Published: November 2013

Objective. Firstly, to, through instrumentation with theiPhone4smartphone, measure and describe variability of tridimensional acceleration, angular velocity, and displacement of the trunk in the turn transition during the ten-meter Extended Timed-Get-up-and-Go test in two groups of frail and physically active elderly persons. Secondly, to analyse the differences and performance of the variance between the study groups during turn transition (frail and healthy).Design. This is a cross-sectional study of 30 subjects over 65 years, 14 frail subjects, and 16 healthy subjects.Results. Significant differences were found between the groups of elderly persons in the accelerometry (P<0.01) and angular displacement variables (P<0.05), obtained in the kinematic readings of the trunk during the turning transitions. The results obtained in this study show a series of deficits in the frail elderly population group.Conclusions. The inertial sensor found in theiPhone4is able to study and analyse the kinematics of the turning transitions in frail and physically active elderly persons. The accelerometry values for the frail elderly are lower than the physically active elderly, whilst variability in the readings for the frail elderly is also lower than the control group.
Adjusting Frequency of Pump Blade Angles and Optimal Operation for Large Pumping Station System
Authors: Feng Xiaoli , Qiu Baoyun
Published: November 2013

For pumping stations installed blade full-adjustable pumps with frequently varying head in a wide range, adjusting pump blade angles is an effective way to realize optimum operation. Optimal mathematical models were established aiming at the least daily operation cost for pumping station system, which includes main pump units, inlet and outlet passages and their accessories, forebay and outlet pond, auxiliary equipment, power transmission and transformation equipment, other electromechanical equipments and lightings. Also, head varying, time-varying electrical price, and blade adjusting frequency are all taken into account. Meanwhile, the influences of the blade adjusting frequency on operation cost are researched. The results indicate that the operation cost is reduced by 5.64%∼12.13% by the optimal schemes considering time-varying electrical price and adjusting pump blade angles than that of conventional schemes, taking Jiangdu Forth Pumping Station in China as a case. The more the blade adjusting frequency, the less the operation cost. Also, if the blade adjusting frequency exceeds eight times, the optimum operation cost is close to be a const. Therefore, it is advisable to adjust blade angles four to six times a day to save operation cost and guarantee the reliability of pump units.
Smooth Diagonal Weighted Newton Support Vector Machine
Authors: Liang Jinjin , Wu De
Published: November 2013

Based on diagonal weighted support vector machine, a smooth model with Newton algorithm is proposed and is called SDWNSVM for short. SDWNSVM introduces the entropy function to approximate the plus function of the slack in the diagonal weighted SVM and is thus different from traditional SSVM that treats a reformulation problem. SDWNSVM utilizes the dual technique to rewrite the objection function by the connotative relation between the primal and dual program, which induces an exact smooth program and differs from traditional SSVM that uses Lagrangian multipliers to roughly substitute for the hyperplane weight. SDWNSVM proves the equivalence between the obtained model and the original one and proposes Newton algorithm to figure out the optimal solution. Numerical experiments on UCI data demonstrate that SDWNSVM has higher accuracies and less iteration than existing methods.
Premenstrual Dysphoria and Luteal Stress in Dominant-Social-Status Female Macaques
Authors: Qiao Mingqi , Zhao Qitao , Wei Sheng , Zhang Huiyun , Wang Haijun
Published: November 2013

The current study aims to extend our previous work to develop nonhuman primate model for prospectively studying the mechanism underlying premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Thirty young dominant-status female monkeys were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, andJQPgroup. For two consecutive menstrual cycles, from day 18 to 22, monkeys in the model andJQPgroups were housed and immobilized singly in specially designed isolation cages for 5-6 hours per day. At the same time, the pharmaceutical interference effect ofjingqianping(JQP) granule, a traditional Chinese medicine specifically used to cure PMDD patients, was tested using monkeys in theJQPgroup. The behavior and facial expressions of monkeys were photographed with an automatic vidicon and were quantitatively analyzed by “the emotion evaluation scale of female experimental macaque.” Changes in serum level of progesterone and estradiol were measured with RIA, and serum level of 5-HT, noradrenaline, and dopamine were measured with HPLC. After experiencing mentioned above stress, 70% of monkeys of model group showed PMDD symptoms during three consecutive menstrual cycles. Estradiol and progesterone serum level decreased (P<0.01). Moreover, the peak value of secreted hormones in their follicular phase did not occur. Serum level of 5-HT and dopamine were significantly lower (P<0.01), but the serum noradrenaline level was higher (P<0.01). Moreover, in monkeys administered byJQPgranule, both PMDD symptoms and the anormal serum level of neurotransmitters could be obviously reversed. This special luteal-phase treatment on dominant-social-status monkeys might be a feasible way to create models mimicking PMDD.
Unsupervised Optimal Discriminant Vector Based Feature Selection Method
Authors: Cao Su-Qun , Manton Jonathan H.
Published: November 2013

An efficient unsupervised feature selection method based on unsupervised optimal discriminant vector is developed to find the important features without using class labels. Features are ranked according to the feature importance measurement based on unsupervised optimal discriminant vector in the following steps. First, fuzzy Fisher criterion is adopted as objective function to derive the optimal discriminant vector in unsupervised pattern. Second, the feature importance measurement based on elements of unsupervised optimal discriminant vector is defined to determine the importance of each feature. The features with little importance measurement are removed from the feature subset. Experiments on UCI dataset and fault diagnosis are carried out to show that the proposed method is very efficient and able to deliver reliable results.
A Class of Three-Receiver Broadcast Channels with Degraded Message Sets and Side Information
Authors: Li Fangbiao , Xue Zhi
Published: November 2013

We study a class of three-receiver discrete memoryless broadcast channel (DM-BC) with three degraded message sets and side information. We derive achievable rate region for this three-receive DM-BC with side information noncausally available at the transmitter. When the receivers follow a degradedness order, we determine the perfect secrecy capacity region of this class of three-receiver DM-BC with three degraded message sets and side information noncausally available at both the transmitter and the receiver. The achievable secrecy region of this paper subsumes Steinberg’s rate region for two-receiver degraded BC with the side information and the secrecy capacity region for one-receiver two-eavesdropper DM-BC with no side information as its special cases.
Diffraction of Elastic Waves in Fluid-Layered Solid Interfaces by an Integral Formulation
Authors: Basaldúa-Sánchez J. E. , Samayoa-Ochoa D. , Rodríguez-Sánchez J. E. , Rodríguez-Castellanos A. , Carbajal-Romero M.
Published: November 2013

In the present communication, scattering of elastic waves in fluid-layered solid interfaces is studied. The indirect boundary element method is used to deal with this wave propagation phenomenon in 2D fluid-layered solid models. The source is represented by Hankel’s function of second kind and this is always applied in the fluid. Our method is an approximate boundary integral technique which is based upon an integral representation for scattered elastic waves using single-layer boundary sources. This approach is typically called indirect because the sources’ strengths are calculated as an intermediate step. In addition, this formulation is regarded as a realization of Huygens’ principle. The results are presented in frequency and time domains. Various aspects related to the different wave types that emerge from this kind of problems are emphasized. A near interface pulse generates changes in the pressure field and can be registered by receivers located in the fluid. In order to show the accuracy of our method, we validated the results with those obtained by the discrete wave number applied to a fluid-solid interface joining two half-spaces, one fluid and the other an elastic solid.
Liposomes-in-Hydrogel Delivery System with Mupirocin:In VitroAntibiofilm Studies andIn VivoEvaluation in Mice Burn Model
Authors: Hurler Julia , Sørensen Karen K. , Fallarero Adyary , Vuorela Pia , Škalko-Basnet Nataša
Published: November 2013

Previously, we have proposed mupirocin-in-liposomes-in-hydrogel delivery system as advanced delivery system with the potential in treatment of burns. In the current studies, we evaluated the system for its cytotoxicity, ability to prevent biofilm formation, act on the mature biofilms, and finally determined its potential as wound treatment inin vivomice burn model. The system was found to be nontoxic against HaCaT cells, that is, keratinocytes. It was safe for use and exhibited antibiofilm activity againstS. aureusbiofilms, although the activity was more significant against planktonic bacteria and prior to biofilm formation than against mature biofilms as shown in the resazurin and the crystal violet assays. Anin vivomice burn model was used to evaluate the biological potential of the system and the healing of burns observed over 28 days. Thein vivodata suggest that the delivery system enhances wound healing and is equally potent as the marketed product of mupirocin. Histological examination showed no difference in the quality of the healed scar tissue, whereas the healing time for the new delivery system was shorter as compared to the marketed product. Further animal studies and development of more sophisticatedin vivomodel are needed for complete evaluation.
Safety Assessment of High-Risk Operations in Hydroelectric-Project Based on Accidents Analysis, SEM, and ANP
Authors: Zhou Jian-Lan , Zhe-Hua Bai , Sun Zhi-Yu
Published: November 2013

Safety risk analysis and assessment of high-risk work system in hydroelectric project has an important role in safety management. The interactive relationships between human factors and the importance of factors are analyzed and proposed. We analyze the correlation relationship among the factors by using statistical method, which is more objective than subjective judgment. The HFACS is provided to establish a rational and an applicable index system for investigating human error in accidents; the structural equation modeling (SEM) and accident data are used to construct system model and acquire the path coefficient among the risk factor variables; the ANP model is built to assess the importance of accident factors. 289 pieces of valid questionnaires data are analyzed to obtain the path coefficient between risk factor variables and to build the ANP model’s judgment matrix. Finally, the human factors’ weights are calculated by ANP model. Combining SEM’s results and factor's frequency analysis and building the ANP model, the results show that the four greatest weight values of the factors are, respectively, “personal readiness,” “perception and decision errors,” “skill-based errors,” and “violation operations.” The results of ANP model provide a reference for the engineering and construction management.
Evaluation of the City Emergency Capacity Based on the Evidence Theory
Authors: Zhang Jiang-hua , Huang Wen-hui , Xu Jin
Published: November 2013

The evidence theory is a decision-making method used to solve incomplete information and uncertain problems. This paper proposes to use evidence theory to evaluate city emergency capacity on the basis of the existing evaluation system. And when scoring each index, experts give the trust degrees of different evaluation ranks, including the trust degrees that cannot be given. It can be seen from this study that the application of evidence theory in city emergency capability evaluation has its feasibility and superiority.
Stability Analysis of Bipedal Robots Using the Concept of Lyapunov Exponents
Authors: Yunping Liu , Lipeng Wang , Ping Mei , Kai Hu
Published: November 2013

The dynamics and stability of passive bipedal robot have an important impact on the mass distribution, leg length, and the angle of inclination. Lyapunov’s second method is difficult to be used in highly nonlinear multibody systems, due to the lack of constructive methods for deriving Lyapunov fuction. The dynamics equation is established by Kane method, the relationship between the mass, length of leg, angle of inclination, and stability of passive bipedal robot by the largest Lyapunov exponent. And the Lyapunov exponents of continuous dynamical systems are estimated by numerical methods, which are simple and easy to be applied to the system stability simulation analysis, provide the design basis for passive bipedal robot prototype, and improve design efficiency.
Selecting Optimal Feature Set in High-Dimensional Data by Swarm Search
Authors: Fong Simon , Zhuang Yan , Tang Rui , Yang Xin-She , Deb Suash
Published: November 2013

Selecting the right set of features from data of high dimensionality for inducing an accurate classification model is a tough computational challenge. It is almost a NP-hard problem as the combinations of features escalate exponentially as the number of features increases. Unfortunately in data mining, as well as other engineering applications and bioinformatics, some data are described by a long array of features. Many feature subset selection algorithms have been proposed in the past, but not all of them are effective. Since it takes seemingly forever to use brute force in exhaustively trying every possible combination of features, stochastic optimization may be a solution. In this paper, we propose a new feature selection scheme called Swarm Search to find an optimal feature set by using metaheuristics. The advantage of Swarm Search is its flexibility in integrating any classifier into its fitness function and plugging in any metaheuristic algorithm to facilitate heuristic search. Simulation experiments are carried out by testing the Swarm Search over some high-dimensional datasets, with different classification algorithms and various metaheuristic algorithms. The comparative experiment results show that Swarm Search is able to attain relatively low error rates in classification without shrinking the size of the feature subset to its minimum.
Microcirculation Perfusion Monitor on the Back of the Health Volunteers
Authors: Li Yanqi , Li Xiaomei , Zhou Dan , Wang Kang , Liu Yangyang , Guo Yi , Qiu Shuang , Zhai Tianchen , Liu Shuang , Liu Jingjing , Ming Dong
Published: November 2013

Objective. To observe the dermal microcirculation blood perfusion characterization of meridians channels (acupoints).Methods. 20 healthy human subjects were monitored using Pericam Perfusion Speckle Imager (PSI) for the changes in dermal microcirculation blood perfusion on governor meridian and other respective dermal regions as a control.Result. The microcirculation blood perfusion on Governor Meridian is higher than its control area.Conclusion. The dermal microcirculation blood perfusion on certain parts of Governor Meridian of healthy human subjects showed specifics.
Efficient Lattice-Based Signcryption in Standard Model
Authors: Yan Jianhua , Wang Licheng , Wang Lihua , Yang Yixian , Yao Wenbin
Published: November 2013

Signcryption is a cryptographic primitive that can perform digital signature and public encryption simultaneously at a significantly reduced cost. This advantage makes it highly useful in many applications. However, most existing signcryption schemes are seriously challenged by the booming of quantum computations. As an interesting stepping stone in the post-quantum cryptographic community, two lattice-based signcryption schemes were proposed recently. But both of them were merely proved to be secure in the random oracle models. Therefore, the main contribution of this paper is to propose a new lattice-based signcryption scheme that can be proved to be secure in the standard model.
Acute and Subchronic Toxic Effects of the Fruits ofPhysalis peruvianaL.
Authors: Perk Basak Ozlem , Ilgin Sinem , Atli Ozlem , Duymus Hale Gamze , Sirmagul Basar
Published: November 2013

The fruit ofPhysalis peruvianaL. (PPL) has been traditionally used as antispasmodic, diuretic, antiseptic, sedative, and analgesic all over the world. We aimed to perform qualitative content analysis of the fruits of PPL and to clarify thein vitrogenotoxicity andin vivoacute and subchronic toxicity of the fruit. Lyophilized fruit juice does not induce genetic damage. In the acute toxicity studies, LD50 value of the fruit was found to be more than 5000 mg kg−1for both sexes. According to the subchronic toxicity studies, hepatic, renal, and hematological toxic effects were not induced in both sexes. Plasma troponin I (only in the group treated with 5000 mg kg−1of lyophilized fruit juice) and troponin T levels were significantly increased in male groups treated with lyophilized fruit juice compared to the control group. Furthermore, potassium level was significantly increased in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg−1of lyophilized fruit juice. These findings were considered to indicate the myocardial damage particularly in the male group treated with 5000 mg kg−1of lyophilized fruit juice. In conclusion, lyophilized fruit juice of PPL is shown to induce cardiac toxicity only at high doses and in male gender.
An Improved Particle Swarm Optimization for the Automobile Spare Part Warehouse Location Problem
Authors: Yaobao Zhen , Ping Hu , Shu Yang
Published: November 2013

This paper deals with a real-life warehouse location problem, which is an automobile spare part warehouse location problem. Since the automobile spare part warehouse location problem is a very complex problem, particle swarm optimization is used and some improved strategies are proposed to improve the performance of this algorithm. At last, the computational results of the benchmark problems about warehouse location problems are used to examine the effectiveness of particle swarm optimization. Then the results of the real-life automobile spare part warehouse location problem also indicate that the improved particle swarm optimization is a feasible method to solve the warehouse location problem.
Interferon-Regulatory Factors Determine Macrophage Phenotype Polarization
Authors: Günthner Roman , Anders Hans-Joachim
Published: November 2013

The mononuclear phagocyte system regulates tissue homeostasis as well as all phases of tissue injury and repair. To do so changing tissue environments alter the phenotype of tissue macrophages to assure their support for sustaining and amplifying their respective surrounding environment. Interferon-regulatory factors are intracellular signaling elements that determine the maturation and gene transcription of leukocytes. Here we discuss how several among the 9 interferon-regulatory factors contribute to macrophage polarization.
Qualitative Analysis of a Retarded Mathematical Framework with Applications to Living Systems
Authors: Bianca Carlo , Ferrara Massimiliano , Guerrini Luca
Published: November 2013

This paper deals with the derivation and the mathematical analysis of an autonomous and nonlinear ordinary differential-based framework. Specifically, the mathematical framework consists of a system of two ordinary differential equations: a logistic equation with a time lag and an equation for the carrying capacity that is assumed here to be time dependent. The qualitative analysis refers to the stability analysis of the coexistence equilibrium and to the derivation of sufficient conditions for the existence of Hopf bifurcations. The results are of great interest in living systems, including biological and economic systems.
An Objective Approach to Identify Spectral Distinctiveness for Hearing Impairment
Authors: Chen Yeou-Jiunn , Wu Jiunn-Liang
Published: November 2013

To facilitate the process of developing speech perception, speech-language pathologists have to teach a subject with hearing loss the differences between two syllables by manually enhancing acoustic cues of speech. However, this process is time consuming and difficult. Thus, this study proposes an objective approach to automatically identify the regions of spectral distinctiveness between two syllables, which is used for speech-perception training. To accurately represent the characteristics of speech, mel-frequency cepstrum coefficients are selected as analytical parameters. The mismatch between two syllables in time domain is handled by dynamic time warping. Further, a filter bank is adopted to estimate the components in different frequency bands, which are also represented as mel-frequency cepstrum coefficients. The spectral distinctiveness in different frequency bands is then easily estimated by using Euclidean metrics. Finally, a morphological gradient operator is applied to automatically identify the regions of spectral distinctiveness. To evaluate the proposed approach, the identified regions are manipulated and then the manipulated syllables are measured by a close-set based speech-perception test. The experimental results demonstrated that the identified regions of spectral distinctiveness are very useful in speech perception, which indeed can help speech-language pathologists in speech-perception training.
Three‐Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients Unfit for Resection, Ablation, or Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kouloulias Vassilis , Mosa Eftychia , Georgakopoulos John , Platoni Kalliopi , Brountzos Ilias , Zygogianni Anna , Antypas Christos , Kosmidis Paraskevas , Mystakidou Kyriaki , Tolia Maria , Beli Ivelina , Gouliamos Athanasios , Kouvaris John , Kelekis Nikoalos
Published: November 2013

Purpose. The purpose is to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and the toxicity of three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with advanced hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) and inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis (IVCTT). Methods. Between 2007 and 2012, in a retrospective way, 9 patients (median age 69 years) with advanced HCC and IVCTT unfit for surgery, radiofrequency ablation, embolization, or chemotherapy were treated with three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). The radiotherapy volume included both primary tumor and IVTT. The radiotherapy schedule was 50–52 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. Overall survival (OS), response to radiotherapy, visual analogue scale (VAS), and toxicity were assessed. Results. All patients demonstrated a response rate up to 60%. During radiotherapy, 3 patients experienced grade 1 nausea/vomit toxicity. All patients demonstrated an elevation of the liver enzymes (3 patients with grade 1 and 6 patients with grade 2). The mean VAS‐score was decreased from 6.11 to 3.11, while the median overall survival was 24 months. Conclusion. 3DCRT achieves a very high local control rate and is suitable for patients with HCC and IVTT, while the documented radiation induced toxicity is moderate. It can be recommended for palliation in patients unable to undergo curative therapies.