bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of cysteine protease-like genes in the striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis
Authors: Ge Zhao-Yu , Wan Pin-Jun , Li Guo-Qing , Xia Yong-gui , Han Zhao-Jun
Published: February 2014

The striped rice stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), is a major pest for rice production in China and the rest of Southeast Asia. Chemical control is the main means to alleviate losses due to this pest, which causes serious environmental pollution. An effective and environmentally friendly approach is needed for the management of the striped rice stem borer. Cysteine proteases in insects could be useful targets for pest management either through engineering plant protease inhibitors, targeting insect digestive cysteine proteases, or through RNA interference-based silencing of cysteine proteases, disrupting developmental regulation of insects. In this study, eight cysteine protease-like genes were identified and partially characterized. The genes CCO2 and CCL4 were exclusively expressed in the larval gut, and their expression was affected by the state of nutrition in the insect. The expression of CCL2, CCL3, and CCO1 was significantly affected by the type of host plant, suggesting a role in host plant – insect interactions. Our initial characterization of the striped rice stem borer cysteine protease-like genes provides a foundation for further research on this important group of genes in this major insect pest of rice.
CO2 EMISSIONS AND REGIONAL INCOME DISPARITY: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA
Authors: GUO LIN
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we propose the hypothesis: Given the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis, regional income inequality has a negative, indirect impact on the average level of CO 2 emissions through decreasing marginal emission propensities (MEP) of GDP. We have employed a vector error correction model and three inequality measures in our empirical analysis. The empirical results support the hypothesis in China. The main findings of this paper suggest that a trade-off exists between reducing CO 2 emissions and narrowing regional income disparity and that the MEP contributes to this negative effect.
Gauging of non-Abelian Chern–Simons model
Authors: Monemzadeh M. , Ebrahimi Aghileh S. , Sramadi S. , Dehghani M.
Published: February 2014

In this paper, the gauge structure of non-Abelian Chern–Simons model is investigated. Non-Abelian Chern–Simons model, unlike first class constraints systems is not a gauge theory, primarily due to the appearance of two second class constraints in its algebra. These two second class constraints were converted into first ones using gauge unfixing formalism. The model Lagrangian and Hamiltonian were obtained, aiming to satisfy first class algebra and hence making it into a fully gauge theory. Partition function of the model was finally evaluated and presented here.
TRIONS IN COUPLED QUANTUM WELLS AND WIGNER CRYSTALLIZATION
Authors: BERMAN OLEG L. , YA. KEZERASHVILI ROMAN , TSIKLAURI SHALVA M.
Published: February 2014

We consider a restricted three-body problem, where two interacted particles are located in a two-dimensional (2D) plane and interact with the third one located in the parallel spatially separated plane. The system of such type can be formed in the semiconductor coupled quantum wells, where the electrons (holes) and direct excitons spatially separated in different parallel neighboring quantum wells are sufficiently close to interact and form negative X- or positive X+ indirect trions. It is shown that at large interwell separations, when the interwell separation is much greater than the exciton Bohr radius, this problem can be solved analytically using the cluster approach. Analytical results for the energy spectrum and the wavefunctions of the spatially indirect trion are obtained, their dependencies on the interwell separations is analyzed and a conditional probability distribution is calculated. The formation of 2D Wigner crystal of trions at the low densities is predicted. It is shown that the critical density of the formation of the trion Wigner crystal is sufficiently greater than the critical density of the electron Wigner crystal in the same material.
Integrating attributes of nodes solves the community structure partition effectively
Authors: Li Hui-Jia , Xu Bingying , Zheng Liang , Yan Jia
Published: February 2014

Revealing ideal community structure efficiently is very important for scientists from many fields. However, it is difficult to infer an ideal community division structure by only analyzing the topology information due to the increment and complication of the social network. Recent research on community detection uncovers that its performance could be improved by incorporating the node attribute information. Along this direction, this paper improves the Blondel–Guillaume–Lambiotte (BGL) method, which is a fast algorithm based on modularity maximization, by integrating the community attribute entropy. To fulfill this goal, our algorithm minimizes the community attribute entropy by removing the boundary nodes which are generated in the modularity maximization at each iteration. By this way, the communities detected by our algorithm make a balance between modularity maximization and community attribute entropy minimization. In addition, another merit of our algorithm is that it is free of parameters. Comprehensive experiments have been conducted on both artificial and real networks to compare the proposed community detection algorithm with several state-of-the-art ones. As the experimental results indicate, our algorithm demonstrates superior performance.
TWO PROCESSES FOR TWO PRICES
Authors: MADAN DILIP B. , SCHOUTENS WIM
Published: February 2014

Postulating additivity of bid and ask prices for claims comonotone with a long or short stock position, two pricing processes are identified from data on bid and ask prices for options. It is observed that there are two separate put call parity relations in place, with the ask price for call less bid prices for put delivering an ask price for the forward-stock. Likewise the ask for puts less the bid for calls identifies the bid for the forward-stock. Two processes are introduced to determine bid and ask prices for claims comonotone with a long or short position in the stock. For a claim comonotone with a long position one uses the so-called increasing process for the ask price and the so-called decreasing process for the bid price and vice versa for a claim comonotone with a short position. As candidates for the two processes one may employ any of the traditional one-dimensional Markov processes. We illustrate the theory by using a Sato process, a model known to produce a smile conforming fit over strike and maturity. The two processes are observed to have marginals related by first order stochastic dominance. The increasing process dominates the decreasing process in this sense. These two processes are also used to construct upper and lower bounds for bid and ask prices for claims not comonotone with a long or short stock position. The two processes and their properties are illustrated with data on bid and ask prices for options on the exchange traded fund, SPY, that is the Standard and Poors' Depository Receipt tracking the S&P 500 index.
On the Determinants of Basis Spread for Taiwan Index Futures and the Role of Speculators
Authors: Chang Charles , Lin Emily
Published: February 2014

This paper investigates basis spreads on index futures listed on the Taiwan Futures Exchange. We analyze the role of speculators and of informed trading in Taiwan's futures market using intraday data during the five-day pre-expiration period. We demonstrate that liquidity, volatility, and informed trading are each significantly positively related to spread magnitude, indicating that speculators may dominate arbitrageurs. While spreads have narrowed as the market has matured, liquidity and informed trading continue to widen spreads despite the fact that a naïve arbitrage strategy outperforms the market.
ON THE DECYCLING PROBLEM IN HIERARCHICAL HYPERCUBES
Authors: BOSSARD ANTOINE
Published: February 2014

Due to the huge number of CPU nodes involved in modern supercomputers, efficient CPU connection is challenging, and legacy simple network topologies such as hypercubes are no more suitable for physical reasons. The hierarchical hypercube (HHC) has been designed as a topology for interconnection network of massively parallel systems. An HHC is effectively able to link many nodes while retaining a low degree and a small diameter compared to a hypercube of the same size. In this paper, we address a fundamental problem inside an HHC, the decycling problem, which consists of finding a set of nodes as small as possible such that excluding these nodes from the network ensures a cycle-free topology. This problem has many important applications such as lock-free resource allocation and concurrent access. So, we propose in this paper an efficient algorithm finding in an HHC a decycling set of competitively small size.
A QUALITY AND COST APPROACH FOR THE COMPARISON OF SMALL-WORLD INTERCONNECTION NETWORKS
Authors: DEMICHEV ANDREY , ILYIN VIATCHESLAV , KRYUKOV ALEXANDER , POLYAKOV STANISLAV
Published: February 2014

We propose an approach based on the analysis of cost-quality tradeoffs for efficiency comparisons of various algorithms for small-world interconnection network construction. A number of both known in the literature and original algorithms for complex small-world networks construction are shortly reviewed and compared. Networks constructed on the basis of these algorithms have a basic structure of 1D regular lattice with additional shortcuts providing the small-world properties. It is shown that networks proposed in this work have the best cost-quality ratio in the considered class.
Extending JPF to verify distributed systems
Authors: Shafiei Nastaran , Mehlitz Peter
Published: February 2014

This paper presents our work on model checking distributed applications. We refer to distributed applications as a collection of communicating processes, regardless of their physical locations and the communication means. Our work targets applications written in Java. It relies on the multiprocess support included in Java Pathfinder (JPF) version 7 which allow for verifying the bytecode of distributed applications. The basic support for distributed applications in JPF does not account for communication between processes. In this work, we address this limitation. The work is implemented as a JPF extension which models inter- process communication (IPC) mechanisms. It uses a form of partial order reduction (POR) to explore all possible executions of a distributed Java application. Moreover, our approach provides a functionality to check the given distributed application against possible network failures which can occur at the operating system or the hardware layer.
The Formation Site of Noninterfacial Misfit Dislocations in InAs/GaAs Quantum Dots
Authors: Zhou Shuai , Liu Yumin , Lu Pengfei , Han Lihong , Yu Zhongyuan
Published: February 2014

Taking elastic anisotropy into consideration, we use a dislocation position dependent model to calculate the preferential formation site of noninterfacial 60° mixed dislocation segment in ellipsoid shaped InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) which is observed in the experiment. From the result, it is clear that the positions near the right edge of the quantum dot are the energy favorable areas for the noninterfacial 60° mixed dislocations.
Expanded DEMATEL for Determining Cause and Effect Group in Bidirectional Relations
Authors: Falatoonitoosi Elham , Ahmed Shamsuddin , Sorooshian Shahryar
Published: February 2014

Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) methodology has been proposed to solve complex and intertwined problem groups in many situations such as developing the capabilities, complex group decision making, security problems, marketing approaches, global managers, and control systems. DEMATEL is able to realize casual relationships by dividing important issues into cause and effect group as well as making it possible to visualize the casual relationships of subcriteria and systems in the course of casual diagram that it may demonstrate communication network or a little control relationships between individuals. Despite of its ability to visualize cause and effect inside a network, the original DEMATEL has not been able to find the cause and effect group between different networks. Therefore, the aim of this study is proposing the expanded DEMATEL to cover this deficiency by new formulations to determine cause and effect factors between separate networks that have bidirectional direct impact on each other. At the end, the feasibility of new extra formulations is validated by case study in three numerical examples of green supply chain networks for an automotive company.
Spatial Analysis of Global Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis Suggests Need for an Updated Prevalence Scale
Authors: Wade Brett J.
Published: February 2014

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with an unknown aetiology. MS has a geographic pattern of prevalence with high prevalence rates between 45 degrees and 65 degrees north. In much of the northern hemisphere, there exists a prevalence gradient, with increasing prevalence from south to north. While genetics may partially explain the latitudinal gradient, it is not strong enough to exclude exogenous variables. Kurtzke initially came up with a three-zone scale for low, medium, and high prevalence zones. He defined high as 30 or more per 100,000, medium as 5–29 per 100,000, and low as less than 5 per 100,000. In this study, 131 geographic datasets (geocases) were spatially analyzed to determine whether the existing global prevalence scale needed to be updated. The mean prevalence rate was 67.83/100,000 with rates ranging from 350/100,000 to 0/100,000. The results of this study suggest that the commonly referenced scale for global MS prevalence needs to be updated with added zones to reflect significantly higher prevalence rates in some areas of the world. We suggest a five-zone scale: very high (170–350), high (70–170), medium (38–70), low (13–38), and very low (0–13).
Characterization and Beneficiation of an Egyptian Nepheline Syenite Ore
Authors: Abouzeid Abdel-Zaher M. , Negm Abdel-Tawab A.
Published: February 2014

Nepheline syenite ore is an essential constituent in ceramics and glass raw material meals, as a flux and as a source of alumina. The natural nepheline syenite rocks contain some undesired minerals, which are usually eliminated or reduced to the allowable limits by beneficiation. The present paper is concerned with characterization and beneficiation of an Egyptian nepheline syenite rock, at Abu Khruq locality, Eastern Desert, Egypt. The ore is exceptionally hard, with high crushing strength of 875 kg/cm2, and iron oxide content of about 6.5%. The grain size of the constituents is relatively large. In some samples, the iron oxides are disseminated within the feldspars and nepheline syenite crystals, or in cracks and fissures within the feldspars crystals. The rock contains some environmental hazardous elements such as uranium, thorium, and radon. Magnetic separation and flotation techniques were applied, separately or in combination. Under optimum operating conditions, magnetic separation followed by reverse anionic flotation gave a concentrate assaying 0.2% Fe2O3 and about 24% Al2O3 at alumina recovery of about 80%. The radioactive elements were reduced in the concentrate to lower levels than their levels in the original rock.
Punishment and Feedback Mechanism for the Evolution Game on Small‐World Network Based on Varying Topology
Authors: Shi Yuntao , Liu Bo , Kou Xiaoliang , Han Xiao
Published: February 2014

We address the problem of the punishment and
feedback mechanism for the evolution game on small‐world network with varying topology.
Based on the strategy updating rule, we propose a new punishment and feedback
mechanism; that is, all the individuals of the network will play an
n‐round Prisoner’s Dilemma Game firstly and then, for the most defectors, their neighbors
will punish them and break the connecting link with them and set up the new
connecting link for themselves. The mechanism can make the degree of the
whole network decrease. We find that the mechanism can help keep
the cooperators surviving and make them avoid being wiped out by the defectors.
With the mechanism being adopted, the number of n‐round Prisoner’s Dilemma Game (PDG) almost has no effect
on the evolution game. Furthermore, the probability of the average connecting 〈k〉 and the
scale of the network is related to the result of the evolution game.
Scenario Simulation of the Influence of Land Use Change on the Regional Temperature in a Rapidly Urbanizing Region: A Case Study in Southern-Jiangsu, China
Authors: Ke Xinli , Ma Enjun , Yuan Yongwei
Published: February 2014

It has been shown that land use change in urbanized region, especially urban land expansion, will influence regional climate. However, there has been very little research on the climate effects of the future land use change in a rapidly urbanizing region. Taking the southern part of Jiangsu province in China as the study area and through a scenario analysis, the influence of land use change on the regional temperature was analyzed from the perspective of land surface radiation budget and energy balance. The results indicated that (1) the monthly average temperature is significantly higher under the Rapid Economic Growth (REG) scenario than under the Cooperate Environmental Sustainability (CES) scenario in 2050, especially in the hottest month (July). (2) The range of high-temperature regions is much wider under the REG scenario than it is under the CES scenario in 2050. (3) The land surface net radiation and latent heat flux are two key factors through which land use change influences the regional temperature in the study area, and the latent heat flux plays a dominant role. (4) Land use change mainly influences the land surface net radiation by altering the land surface albedo and emissivity. These results are helpful to mitigate regional climate change effects caused by land use change.
Immunomodulatory Effects of Hemagglutinin- (HA-) Modified A20 B-Cell Lymphoma Expanded as a Brain Tumor on Adoptively Transferred HA-Specific CD4+T Cells
Authors: Shichkin Valentin P. , Moriev Roman M.
Published: February 2014

Previously, the mouse A20 B-cell lymphoma engineered to express hemagglutinin (HA) antigen (A20HA) was used as a systemic tumor model. In this work, we used the A20HA cells as a brain tumor. HA-specific CD4+T cells were transferred intravenously in a tail vein 5 days after A20HA intracranial inoculation and analyzed on days 2, 9, and 16 after the adoptive transfer by different methods. The transferred cells demonstrated state of activation as early as day 2 after the adoptive transfer and most the of viable HA-specific cells became anergic on day 16. Additionally, symptoms of systemic immunosuppression were observed in mice with massive brain tumors at a late stage of the brain tumor progression (days 20–24 after the A20HA inoculation). Despite that, a deal of HA-specific CD4+T cells kept the functional activity even at the late stage of A20HA tumor growth. The activated HA-specific CD4+T cells were found also in the brain of brain-tumor-bearing mice. These cells were still responding to reactivation with HA-peptidein vitro. Our data support an idea about sufficient role of both the tumor-specific and -nonspecific mechanisms inducing immunosuppression in cancer patients.
Home Appliance Management System for Monitoring Digitized Devices Using Cloud Computing Technology in Ubiquitous Sensor Network Environment
Authors: Cui Yun , Kim Myoungjin , Gu Yi , Jung Jong-jin , Lee Hanku
Published: February 2014

The number of service techniques available for digitized home appliances is rapidly increasing as a result of various advances in digital technology. Users can now easily control and monitor home appliances via sensor networks formed among home appliances in ubiquitous environments. However, home appliances generate such large amounts of metadata about their status every month that in order to provide home appliance monitoring services to users, an approach that is able to store, analyze, and process these large amounts of metadata is needed. We propose a system that uses UPnP to collect metadata from home appliances and cloud computing technology to store and process the metadata collected from ubiquitous sensor network environments. Our proposed system utilizes a home gateway and is designed and implemented using UPnP technology to search for and collect device features and service information. It also provides a function for transmitting the metadata from the home appliances to a cloud-based data server that uses Hadoop-based technology to store and process the metadata collected by a home appliance monitoring service.
4kUHD H264 Wireless Live Video Streaming Using CUDA
Authors: Adeyemi-Ejeye A. O. , Walker S.
Published: February 2014

Ultrahigh definition video streaming has been explored in recent years. Most recently the possibility of 4kUHD video streaming over wireless 802.11n was presented, using preencoded video. Live encoding for streaming using x264 has proven to be very slow. The use of parallel encoding has been explored to speed up the process using CUDA. However there hasnot been a parallel implementation for video streaming. We therefore present for the first time a novel implementation of 4kUHD live encoding for streaming over a wireless network at low bitrate indoors, using CUDA for parallel H264 encoding. Our experimental results are used to verify our claim.
MagnoliaExtract (BL153) Protection of Heart from Lipid Accumulation Caused Cardiac Oxidative Damage, Inflammation, and Cell Death in High-Fat Diet Fed Mice
Authors: Sun Weixia , Zhang Zhiguo , Chen Qiang , Yin Xia , Fu Yaowen , Zheng Yang , Cai Lu , Kim Ki-Soo , Kim Ki Ho , Tan Yi , Kim Young Heui
Published: February 2014

Magnoliaas an herbal material obtained fromMagnolia officinalishas been found to play an important role in anti-inflammation, antioxidative stress, and antiapoptosis. This study was designed to investigate the effect ofMagnoliaextract (BL153) on obesity-associated lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the heart. C57BL/6 mice were fed a low- (10 kcal% fat) or high-fat (60 kcal% fat) diet for 24 weeks to induce obesity. These mice fed with high-fat diet (HFD) were given a gavage of vehicle, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg body weight BL153 daily. The three doses of BL153 treatment slightly ameliorated insulin resistance without decrease of body weight gain induced by HFD feeding. BL153 at 10 mg/kg slightly attenuated a mild cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction induced by HFD feeding. Both 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of BL153 treatment significantly inhibited cardiac lipid accumulation measured by Oil Red O staining and improved cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress by downregulating ICAM-1, TNF-α, PAI-1, 3-NT, and 4-HNE. TUNEL staining showed that BL153 treatment also ameliorated apoptosis induced by mitochondrial caspase-3 independent cell death pathway. This study demonstrates that BL153 attenuates HFD-associated cardiac damage through prevention of HFD-induced cardiac lipid accumulation, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.
Electric Drive Control with Rotor Resistance and Rotor Speed Observers Based on Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Ben Regaya C. , Zaafouri A. , Chaari A.
Published: February 2014

Many scientific researchers have proposed the control of the induction motor without speed sensor. These methods have the disadvantage that the variation of the rotor resistance causes an error of estimating the motor speed. Thus, simultaneous estimation of the rotor resistance and the motor speed is required. In this paper, a scheme for estimating simultaneously the rotor resistance and the rotor speed of an induction motor using fuzzy logic has been developed. We present a method which is based on two adaptive observers using fuzzy logic without affecting each other and a simple algorithm in order to facilitate the determination of the optimal values of the controller gains. The control algorithm is proved by the simulation tests. The results analysis shows the characteristic robustness of the two observers of the proposed method even in the case of variation of the rotor resistance.
Redesigning and Manufacturing of a Land Levelling Shovel by Assembly Structural Stress Analysis
Authors: Altinbalik Tahir , İrsel Gürkan
Published: February 2014

The aim was to redesign and manufacture of a shovel for a pull-type land levelling machine, which, in its present condition, is used to get easily damaged even under low loads. Firstly, the maximum pulling load affecting the levelling shovel was experimentally determined. Then, stable-shovel system with the bolt connection was replaced with a bearing-shaft connection system. In this way, the new shovel has gained a capability of making oscillation motion so that it can operate on sloped grounds. CATIA program was used in the design studies. The shovel system was investigated by assembly structural stress analyses. This new construction enabled the system to operate 3 times more securely at maximum stress conditions without changing the levelling shovel material. Thus, it is managed to prevent any possible damages that might occur due to maximum loading conditions of the system. Besides, displacements that occur on the shovel decreased at the rate of 90%.
Vanishing Theorems on Compact Hyper-kähler Manifolds
Authors: Yang Qilin
Published: February 2014

We prove that if B is a k-positive holomorphic line bundle on a compact hyper-kähler manifold M, then HpM,Ωq⊗B=0 for P>n+[k/2] with q a nonnegative integer. In a special case, k=0 and q=0, we recover a vanishing theorem of Verbitsky’s with a little stronger assumption.
A Rapid Reversed-Phase HPLC Method for Analysis of Trans-Resveratrol in PLGA Nanoparticulate Formulation
Authors: Singh Gurinder , Pai Roopa S.
Published: February 2014

A rapid reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method was developed for the determination of trans-resveratrol (t-RVT) in PLGA nanoparticle formulation. A new formulation of t-RVT loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) with potential stealth properties was prepared by nanoprecipitation method in our laboratory. The desired chromatographic separation was achieved on a Phenomenex C18 column under isocratic conditions using UV detection at 306 nm. The optimized mobile phase consisted of a mixture of methanol: 10 mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer (pH 6.8): acetonitrile (63 : 30 : 7, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The linear regression analysis for the calibration curves showed a good linear correlation over the concentration range of 0.025–2.0 μg/ml, with determination coefficients, R2, exceeding 0.9997. The method was shown to be specific, precise at the intraday and interday levels, as reflected by the relative standard deviation (RSD) values, lower than 5.0%, and accurate with bias not exceeding 15% and percentage recovery was found to be in the range between 94.5 and 101.2. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.002 and 0.007 μg/ml, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of t-RVT encapsulation efficiency.
Right Upper Lobe Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection
Authors: Tourmousoglou Christos , Kalogeropoulou Christina , Koletsis Efstratios , Charoulis Nikolaos , Prokakis Christos , Alexopoulos Panagiotis , Margaritis Emmanoil , Dougenis Dimitrios
Published: February 2014

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) is a left-to-right shunt where one or more, but not all, pulmonary veins drain into a systemic vein or the right atrium. We report a case of a 45-year-old male with PAPVR to superior vena cava which was incidentally discovered during a right lower bilobectomy for lung cancer.
Rollover Car Crashes with Ejection: A Deadly Combination—An Analysis of 719 Patients
Authors: Latifi Rifat , El-Menyar Ayman , El-Hennawy Hany , Al-Thani Hassan
Published: February 2014

Rollover car crashes (ROCs) are serious public safety concerns worldwide.Objective. To determine the incidence and outcomes of ROCs with or without ejection of occupants in the State of Qatar.Methods. A retrospective study of all patients involved in ROCs admitted to Level I trauma center in Qatar (2011-2012). Patients were divided into Group I (ROC with ejection) and Group II (ROC without ejection).Results. A total of 719 patients were evaluated (237 in Group I and 482 in Group II). The mean age in Group I was lower than in Group II (24.3±10.3versus29±12.2;P=0.001). Group I had higher injury severity score and sustained significantly more head, chest, and abdominal injuries in comparison to Group II. The mortality rate was higher in Group I (25% versus 7%;P=0.001). Group I patients required higher ICU admission rate (P=0.001). Patients in Group I had a 5-fold increased risk for age-adjusted mortality (OR 5.43; 95% CI 3.11–9.49),P=0.001).Conclusion. ROCs with ejection are associated with higher rate of morbidity and mortality compared to ROCs without ejection. As an increased number of young Qatari males sustain ROCs with ejection, these findings highlight the need for research-based injury prevention initiatives in the country.
Characterization of an Ovine Bilateral Critical Sized Bone Defect Iliac Wing Model to Examine Treatment Modalities Based on Bone Tissue Engineering
Authors: Lansdowne Jennifer L. , Devine Declan , Eberli Ursula , Emans Pieter , Welting Tim J. M. , Odekerken Jim C. E. , Schiuma Damiano , Thalhauser Martin , Bouré Ludovic , Zeiter Stephan
Published: February 2014

Critical sized bone defect (CSBD) animal models are used to evaluate and confirm efficacy and potency of new treatment modalities based on bone tissue engineering before the latter can be applied in clinical practice. In this study, a bilateral CSBD model in the iliac wings of sheep is described in detail. To demonstrate that this is a large animal CSBD model in sheep, bone healing within the defect left empty (negative control) or filled with autologous corticocancellous bone graft (clinical gold standard, positive control) was assessed using micro-CT, histology, histomorphometric, and fluorochrome analysis. After three months, new bone into the defect site was formed across the whole defect in the positive controls but limited to the edge of the defects in the negative controls. Bone volume in the positive controls was statistically higher than in the negative controls, with the latter having less than 10% new bone growth. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. The model described here represents a reliable and reproducible bilateral CSBD in sheep with low morbidity that can be used forin vivoevaluation of new treatment modalities based on bone tissue engineering.
Transient Heat and Mass Transfer of Liquid Droplet Ignition at the Spreading over the Heated Substrate
Authors: Glushkov Dmitrii O. , Strizhak Pavel A.
Published: February 2014

The processes of heat and mass transfer accompanied by phase changes and chemical reactions are numerically modeled for the ignition of a liquid droplet formed from a condensed substance hitting the surface of a high-temperature metallic plate (substrate). The time delay of a droplet ignition is determined as well as the influence scope of a substrate, droplet, and oxidizer temperature, together with sizes and speed of droplet spreading on the ignition response. Conditions are revealed when spreading and deformation of a liquid droplet dominate during the ignition process.
Characterization of Oxide Growth on Surface of Al-Mg-Si Welded Joint
Authors: Jalar Azman , Che Lah Nur Azida , Othman Norinsan Kamil , Shamsudin Roslinda , Daud Abdul Razak , Sayd Bakar Syed Roslee
Published: February 2014

Al-Mg-Si (AA6061) Al alloy plates were joined by the method of gas metal arc welding using Al-5Mg (ER5356) filler metal and were subjected to the oxidation test in flowing air environment at600∘Cfrom 8 to 40 hours and the weight gain was measured. The characteristic of oxide grown on welded zone surface was examined by SEM/EDS, XRD, and XPS. Oxide was observed to grow on the fused metal surface suggesting the possibility of modifying the oxide chemistry under high temperature environment. It was found that the oxidation behavior of fused metal affected by the nature of their oxide growth and morphology, was influenced by their welding process and the difference in the chemical composition.
Fabrication of Electrospun Polyamide-6/Chitosan Nanofibrous Membrane toward Anionic Dyes Removal
Authors: Ghani Mozhdeh , Gharehaghaji Ali Akbar , Arami Mokhtar , Takhtkuse Negar , Rezaei Babak
Published: February 2014

Nanofibrous filter media of polyamide-6/chitosan were fabricated by electrospinning onto a satin fabric substrate and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and water contact angle (WCA). Anionic dye removal capability of the filter was investigated for Solophenyl Red 3BL and Polar Yellow GN, respectively, as acidic and direct dyes were investigated with respect to solution parameters (pH and initial dye concentration) and membrane parameters (electrospinning time and chitosan ratio) through filtration system. Experiments were designed using response surface methodology (RSM) based on five-level central composite design (CCD) with four parameters to maximize removal efficiency of the filter media. Moreover, the effect of parameters and their likely interactions on dye removal were investigated by mathematically developed models. The optimum values for solution pH, initial dye concentration, electrospinning time, and chitosan ratio were predicted to be 5, 50 mg/L, 4 hr, 30% and 5, 100 mg/L, 4 hr, 10%, respectively, for achieving 96% and 95% removal of Solophenyl Red 3BL and Polar Yellow GN. Evaluation of the estimation capability of applied models revealed that the models have a good agreement with experimental values. This study demonstrated that polyamide-6/chitosan nanofibrous membrane has an enormous applicable potential in dye removal from aqueous solutions.
Interleukin-10 Inhibits Bone Resorption: A Potential Therapeutic Strategy in Periodontitis and Other Bone Loss Diseases
Authors: Zhang Qian , Chen Bin , Yan Fuhua , Guo Jianbin , Zhu Xiaofeng , Ma Shouzhi , Yang Wenrong
Published: February 2014

Periodontitis and other bone loss diseases, decreasing bone volume and strength, have a significant impact on millions of people with the risk of tooth loss and bone fracture. The integrity and strength of bone are maintained through the balance between bone resorption and bone formation by osteoclasts and osteoblasts, respectively, so the loss of bone results from the disruption of such balance due to increased resorption or/and decreased formation of bone. The goal of therapies for diseases of bone loss is to reduce bone loss, improve bone formation, and then keep healthy bone density. Current therapies have mostly relied on long-term medication, exercise, anti-inflammatory therapies, and changing of the life style. However there are some limitations for some patients in the effective treatments for bone loss diseases because of the complexity of bone loss. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine, and recent studies have indicated that IL-10 can contribute to the maintenance of bone mass through inhibition of osteoclastic bone resorption and regulation of osteoblastic bone formation. This paper will provide a brief overview of the role of IL-10 in bone loss diseases and discuss the possibility of IL-10 adoption in therapy of bone loss diseases therapy.
Second-Order Nonlinearity in Triangular Lattice Perforated Gold Film due to Surface Plasmas Resonance
Authors: Zhou Renlong , Chen Xiaoshuang , Xiao Yingyi , Zhou Bingju , Wu Lingxi , Liu Xiaojuan , Gao Yongyi , Zhan Jie
Published: February 2014

We have studied the excitation second-order nonlinearity through a triangular lattice perforated gold film instead of square lattice in many papers. Under the excitation of surface plasmas resonance effect, the second order nonlinearity exists in the noncentrosymmetric split-ring resonators arrays. Reflection of fundamental frequency wave through a triangular lattice perforated gold film is obtained. We also described the second harmonic conversion efficiencies in the second order nonlinear optical process with the spectra. Moreover, the electric field distributions of fundamental frequency above the gold film region are calculated. The light propagation through the holes results in the enhancement of the second order nonlinearity including second harmonic generation as well as the sum (difference) frequency generation.
Genetic Algorithm Application in Optimization of Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Norouzi Ali , Zaim A. Halim
Published: February 2014

There are several applications known for wireless sensor networks (WSN), and such variety demands improvement of the currently available protocols and the specific parameters. Some notable parameters are lifetime of network and energy consumption for routing which play key role in every application. Genetic algorithm is one of the nonlinear optimization methods and relatively better option thanks to its efficiency for large scale applications and that the final formula can be modified by operators. The present survey tries to exert a comprehensive improvement in all operational stages of a WSN including node placement, network coverage, clustering, and data aggregation and achieve an ideal set of parameters of routing and application based WSN. Using genetic algorithm and based on the results of simulations in NS, a specific fitness function was achieved, optimized, and customized for all the operational stages of WSNs.
Effect of Fluorosis on Liver Cells of VC Deficient and Wild Type Mice
Authors: Wei Wei , Jiao Yan , Ma Yonghui , Stuart John M. , Li Xiudian , Zhao Fusheng , Wang Lishi , Sun DianJun , Gu Weikuan
Published: February 2014

For decades, mouse and other rodents have been used for the study of oxidative or related studies such as the effect of fluoride. It is known that rodents normally synthesize their own vitamin C (VC) due to the presence of a key enzyme in ascorbic acid synthesis, l-gulono-lactone-γ-oxidase (Gulo), while humans do not have the capacity of VC synthesis due to the deletion of most parts of the GULO gene. The spontaneous fracture (sfx) mouse recently emerged as a model for study of VC deficiency. We investigated the effect of fluoride on liver cells from wild type Balb/c andsfxmice. We found that activities of SOD, GPx, and CAT were reduced in both wild type andsfxmice; however, the amount of reduction in thesfxcells is more than that in Balb/c cells. In addition, while both cells increased MDA, the increase in thesfxcells is greater than that in Balb/c cells. Gene networks ofSod,Gpx, andCatin the liver of humans and mice are also different. Our study suggests that reaction to fluoride in vitamin C deficient mice might be different from that of wild type mice.
The Acute Effects of Low-Dose TNF-αon Glucose Metabolism andβ-Cell Function in Humans
Authors: Ibfelt Tobias , Fischer Christian P. , Plomgaard Peter , van Hall Gerrit , Pedersen Bente Klarlund
Published: February 2014

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by increased insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with low-grade inflammation and increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α. TNF-αhas been shown to impair peripheral insulin signalingin vitroandin vivo. However, it is unclear whether TNF-αmay also affect endogenous glucose production (EGP) during fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS)in vivo. We hypothesized that low-dose TNF-αwould increase EGP and attenuate GSIS. Recombinant human TNF-αor placebo was infused in healthy, nondiabetic young men (n=10) during a 4-hour basal period followed by an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). TNF-αlowered insulin levels by 12% during the basal period (P<0.05). In response to the IVGTT, insulin levels increased markedly in both trials, but there was no difference between trials. Compared to placebo, TNF-αdid not affect EGP during the basal period. Our results indicate that TNF-αacutely lowers basal plasma insulin levels but does not impair GSIS. The mechanisms behind this are unknown but we suggest that it may be due to TNF-αincreasing clearance of insulin from plasma without impairing beta-cell function or hepatic insulin sensitivity.
Research and Application for Grey Relational Analysis in Multigranularity Based on Normality Grey Number
Authors: Dai Jin , Liu Xin , Hu Feng
Published: February 2014

Grey theory is an essential uncertain knowledge acquisition method for small sample, poor information. The classic grey theory does not adequately take into account the distribution of data set and lacks the effective methods to analyze and mine big sample in multigranularity. In view of the universality of the normal distribution, the normality grey number is proposed. Then, the corresponding definition and calculation method of the relational degree between the normality grey numbers are constructed. On this basis, the grey relational analytical method in multigranularity is put forward to realize the automatic clustering in the specified granularity without any experience knowledge. Finally, experiments fully prove that it is an effective knowledge acquisition method for big data or multigranularity sample.
Does Maturity Affect Cephalic Perfusion and T/QRS Ratio during Prolonged Umbilical Cord Occlusion in Fetal Sheep?
Authors: Wassink Guido , Galinsky Robert , Drury Paul P. , Gunn Eleanor R. , Bennet Laura , Gunn Alistair J.
Published: February 2014

T/QRS ratio monitoring is used to help identify fetal asphyxia. However, immature animals have greater capacity to maintain blood pressure during severe asphyxia, raising the possibility that they may show an attenuated T/QRS increase during asphyxia. Chronically instrumented fetal sheep at 0.6 of gestation (0.6 GA;n= 12), 0.7 GA (n= 12), and 0.8 GA (n= 8) underwent complete umbilical cord occlusion for 30 min, 25 min, or 15 min, respectively. Cord occlusion was associated with progressive metabolic acidosis and initial hypertension followed by severe hypotension, with a more rapid fall in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and carotid blood flow (CaBF) with advancing gestation. T/QRS ratio rose after occlusion more rapidly at 0.8 GA than in immature fetuses, to a similar final peak at all ages, followed by a progressive fall that was slower at 0.8 GA than in the immature fetuses. The increase in T/QRS ratio correlated with initial hypertension at 0.8 GA (P<0.05,R2= 0.38), and conversely, its fall correlated closely with falling MAP in all gestational groups (P<0.01,R2= 0.67). In conclusion, elevation of the T/QRS ratio is an index of onset of severe asphyxia in the last third of gestation, but not of fetal compromise.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Clinical Findings following Treatment with Antiangiogenic Drugs
Authors: Casaroli-Marano Ricardo , Gallego-Pinazo Roberto , Fernández-Blanco Clemencia Torrón , Figueroa Marta S. , Pina Marín Begoña , Fernández-Baca Vaca Gustavo , Piñero-Bustamante Antonio , Donate López Juan , García-Arumí José , Farrés Martí Jordi
Published: February 2014

Purpose. To survey the management of patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) in Spain.Methods. An observational retrospective multicenter study was conducted. The variables analyzed were sociodemographic characteristics, foveal and macular thickness, visual acuity (VA), type of treatment, number of injections, and the initial administration of a loading dose of an antiangiogenic drug.Results. 208 patients were followed up during 23.4 months in average. During the first and second years, patients received a mean of4.5±1.8and1.6±2.1injections of antiangiogenic drugs, and5.4±2.8and3.6±2.2follow-up visits were performed, respectively. The highest improvement in VA was observed at 3 months of follow-up, followed by a decrease in the response that stabilized above baseline values until the end of the study. Patients who received an initial loading dose presented greater VA gains than those without.Conclusions. Our results suggest the need for a more standardized approach in the management and diagnosis of nvAMD receiving VEGF inhibitors. To achieve the visual outcomes reported in pivotal trials, an early diagnosis, proactive approach (more treating than follow-up visits), and a close monitoring might be the key to successfully manage nvAMD.
Pancytopenia in a 70-Year-Old African-American Male: An Unusual Presentation of a Rare Disease
Authors: Mirrakhimov Aibek E. , Ali Alaa M. , Barbaryan Aram , Anusim Nwabundo , Saba Raya , Kwatra Shawn G. , Hussain Nasir , Zdunek Teresita , Gilman Alan D.
Published: February 2014

Hairy cell leukemia is a rare lymphoid neoplasm arising from mature B-lymphocytes. Clinically, the disease presents with splenomegaly and abdominal discomfort, frequent infections, fatigue and bleeding because of related cytopenias. Bone marrow biopsy is essential for diagnosis. Below we describe a case of a 70-year-old African-American male who presented to our hematology clinic complaining of fatigue. Clinical exam and computed tomography imaging did not reveal splenic enlargement. Blood work-up revealed pancytopenia and bone marrow was diagnostic for hairy cell leukemia.The patient was started on cladribine, with gradual improvement of his symptoms and blood count abnormalities. Therefore, it is essential to keep hairy cell leukemia in the differential of pancytopenia even in the absence of a splenomegaly.
Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic Comparison of Chinese Herbal Ointment Liu‐He‐Dan and Micron Liu‐He‐Dan Ointment in Rats with Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Zhu Shi-Feng , Chen Wei-Wei , Xiang Jin , Zhao Xian-Lin , Wan Mei-Hua , Yu Qin , Liang Mao-Zhi , Tang Wen-Fu
Published: February 2014

Aim. To compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of herbal ointment Liu‐He‐Dan (LHD) and micron LHD (MLHD) in rats with acute pancreatitis (AP). Methods. Twenty rats were allocated into normal, AP, LHD, and MLHD groups. LHD or MLHD was applied on rats’ abdomens. Plasma levels of emodin, rhein, aloe emodin, physcion, and chrysophanol were determined by high performance liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry—mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS‐MS) at different time points, and the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Serum amylase, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐10 levels, and the pancreatic pathological scores were determined at 48 h after LHD or MLHD treatment. Results. T1/2α and area under the curve (AUC) of emodin in the MLHD group were lower than those in the LHD group, while T1/2α and AUC of aloe emodin in the MLHD group were higher than those in the LHD group (P < 0.05). T1/2α and Tmax of physcion in the MLHD group were significantly shorter than those in the LHD group (P < 0.05). Compared with the AP group, the amylase, malondialdehyde (MDA), TNF‐α, and IL‐6 levels decreased significantly after three days of treatment in LHD and MLHD groups, while the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), TNF‐α, and the pancreatic pathological score, were similar. The pharmacodynamic parameters between the LHD and MLHD groups were similar. Conclusion. MLHD had better pharmacokinetics than, and similar pharmacodynamics to, LHD in the management of rats with AP, which indicated that MLHD might be substituted for LHD in the treatment of AP and thus reduce the amount of medicinal herbs used.