bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Polychlorinated Biphenyls Contamination on Soil Protein Expression
Authors: Zhang Xi , Li Feng , Liu Tingting , Peng Cheng , Duan Dechao , Xu Chen , Zhu Shenhai , Shi Jiyan
Published: December 2013

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are typical representative of chlorinated organic pollutants. Given the toxicity of PCBs, there is an urgent need to select an appropriate indicator to monitor their biological effects on soil ecosystems. For this purpose, we investigated the impacts of PCBs on soil protein and the potential of using protein as a biological indicator to assess soil contamination due to PCBs. This study demonstrated that soil protein concentration and expression were negatively affected by PCBs. In addition, significantly (P<0.01) negative correlation was observed between protein concentration and PCBs. Subsequently, protein size distribution separated by SDS-PAGE revealed that with the increase in PCBs concentration there are less large molecular weight proteins and more low molecular weight proteins (<40 kD). Consequently, soil protein level has the potential to be an indicator of soil contamination, and these low molecular weight proteins have significant meaning for getting insight into the ecological effects of PCBs on the soil environment.
Deformation of Overlong Isolated Buildings Caused by Thermal and Concrete Shrinkage
Authors: Dang Yu , Liu Ying-ke
Published: December 2013

Temperature variations and concrete shrinkage influence structural behavior by reducing the strength of materials and changing their thermal strain contributions. This problem is particularly important for isolated buildings that are characterized by large horizontal dimensions and are sensitive to thermal action and shrinkage. In this study, the measurement of an overlong isolated building shows that the deformations of some isolators exceed the allowed deviation during the construction phase because the building is completely exposed. These deformations are induced by climatic thermal changes and shrinkage effects and cause the complex dynamic behavior and instability of the structure. To ensure the safety of overlong isolated buildings, the structural stress and deformation caused by temperature variations and shrinkage effects are studied. A three-story frame model is developed, and the rule of deformation within isolated frame buildings is analyzed by the deformation distribution method. The theoretical predictions are consistent with the experimental measurements. Therefore, the theoretical model is used to predict the deformation of isolated buildings caused by temperature variations and shrinkage effects. For reinforced concrete frame isolated buildings, expansion joint distances are proposed according to different thermal design regions and heating design conditions.
Data Deduplication in Wireless Multimedia Monitoring Network
Authors: Yang Yitao , Qin Xiaolin , Sun Guozi , Xu Yong , Yang Zhongxue , Zu Zhiyue
Published: December 2013

Wireless sensor network has been applied to many areas for a long time. A new kind of wireless sensors equipped with a camera and a microphone has been emerging recently. This kind of sensor is called wireless multimedia sensor (WMS) because it can capture and process multimedia data such as image, sound, and video. The visual monitoring network is a typical scenario of WMS application. Massive data would be produced in a short time because of the intensive WMS deployment. Many data aggregation and compression technologies have been proposed for addressing how to transfer data efficiently. However, data aggregation technologies need highly efficient router algorithm, and compression algorithms might consume more computation time and memory because of the high complexity. This paper applies data deduplication technology to this scenario. It can eliminate the redundant data from raw data to exploit the network bandwidth efficiently. Moreover, a chunking algorithm with low computation complexity is presented in this paper, and its efficiency has been proved through the experiments.
Global Output Control for a Class of Inherently Higher-Order Nonlinear Time-Delay Systems Based on Homogeneous Domination Approach
Authors: Chai Lin
Published: December 2013

This paper addresses the problem of global output feedback stabilization for a class of inherently higher-order uncertain nonlinear systems subject to time-delay. By using the homogeneous domination approach, we construct a homogeneous output feedback controller with an adjustable scaling gain. With the aid of a homogeneous Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional, the scaling gain is adjusted to dominate the time-delay nonlinearities bounded by homogeneous growth conditions and render the closed-loop system globally asymptotically stable. In addition, we also show that the proposed approach is applicable for time-delay systems under nontriangular growth conditions.
Porous Ti6Al4V Scaffold Directly Fabricated by Sintering: Preparation and In Vivo Experiment
Authors: Zhang Xuesong , Zheng Guoquan , Wang Jiaqi , Zhang Yonggang , Zhang Guoqiang , Li Zhongli , Wang Yan
Published: December 2013

The interface between the implant and host bone plays a key role in maintaining primary and long‐term stability of the implants. Surface modification of implant can enhance bone ingrowth and increase bone formation to create firm osseointegration between the implant and host bone and reduce the risk of implant losing. This paper mainly focuses on the fabricating of 3‐dimensiona interconnected porous titanium by sintering of Ti6Al4V powders, which could be processed to the surface of the implant shaft and was integrated with bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). The structure and mechanical property of porous Ti6Al4V was observed and tested. Implant shaft with surface of porous titanium was implanted into the femoral medullary cavity of dog after combining with BMPs. The results showed that the structure and elastic modulus of 3D interconnected porous titanium was similar to cancellous bone; porous titanium combined with BMP was found to have large amount of fibrous tissue with fibroblastic cells; bone formation was significantly greater in 6 weeks postoperatively than in 3 weeks after operation. Porous titanium fabricated by powders sintering and combined with BMPs could induce tissue formation and increase bone formation to create firm osseointegration between the implant and host bone.
Global Dynamics of Certain Homogeneous Second‐Order Quadratic Fractional Difference Equation
Authors: Garić-Demirović M. , Kulenović M. R. S. , Nurkanović M.
Published: December 2013

We investigate the basins of attraction of equilibrium points and minimal period‐two solutions of the difference equation of the form where the parameters   a,  b, and  c   are positive numbers and the initial conditions x−1 and x0 are arbitrary nonnegative numbers. The unique feature of this equation is the coexistence of an equilibrium solution and the minimal period‐two solution both of which are locally asymptotically stable.
The Effects of Wenxin Keli on P-Wave Dispersion and Maintenance of Sinus Rhythm in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Chen Yu , Nie Shaoping , Gao Hai , Sun Tao , Liu Xiaoqiu , Teng Fei , Xing Yanhui , Chen Wen , Zhang Zhenpeng , Gao Yonghong , Wang Jie , Xing Yanwei , Shang Hongcai
Published: December 2013

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial and adverse effects of Wenxin Keli (WXKL), alone or combined with Western medicine, on P-wave dispersion (Pd) and maintenance of sinus rhythm for the treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF).Methods. Seven major electronic databases were searched to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, for PAF, with Pd or maintenance rate of sinus rhythm as the main outcome measure. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using criteria from the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions, version 5.1.0, and analysed using RevMan 5.1.0 software.Results. Fourteen RCTs of WXKL were included. The methodological quality of the trials was generally evaluated as low. The results of meta-analysis showed that WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, was more effective in Pd and the maintenance of sinus rhythm, compared with no medicine or Western medicine alone, in patients with PAF or PAF complicated by other diseases. Seven of the trials reported adverse events, indicating that the safety of WXKL is still uncertain.Conclusions. WXKL, alone or combined with Western medicine, appears to be more effective in improving Pd as well as maintenance of sinus rhythm in patients with PAF and its complications.
A Comparison Study on the Orientation Capability and Parasitic Motions of Two Novel Articulated Tool Heads with Parallel Kinematics
Authors: Xie Fugui , Liu Xin-Jun , Li Tiemin
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes two novel articulated tool heads based on three degree-of-freedom (DoF) parallel kinematic mechanisms (PKMs). They can realize one translation and the A/B-axis (rotations about the x- and y-axes) linkage movements. Both of the proposed tool heads can be used as modular machining units in five-axis machine centers. Based on the proposed configurations, the performance comparison on orientation capability and parasitic motions is carried out to provide theoretical foundation for the design of a five-axis hybrid machine. In this process, the motion/force transmissibility is taken into consideration and the orientation capability is investigated by using local transmission index (LTI) as the evaluation criterion. To get better orientation performance of the selected configuration, kinematic optimization is carried out and a geometric deviation parameter is brought into the already established configuration. Consequently, the orientation capability of more than fifty degrees is achieved. The proposition of the tool heads and the corresponding comparison and optimization are very helpful for the development of the new hybrid machine tool.
Skin Delivery of Kojic Acid-Loaded Nanotechnology-Based Drug Delivery Systems for the Treatment of Skin Aging
Authors: Gonçalez M. L. , Corrêa M. A. , Chorilli M.
Published: December 2013

The aging process causes a number of changes in the skin, including oxidative stress and dyschromia. The kojic acid (KA) is iron chelator employed in treatment of skin aging, and inhibits tyrosinase, promotes depigmentation. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems, such as liquid crystalline systems (LCSs), can modulate drug permeation through the skin and improve the drug activity. This study is aimed at structurally developing and characterizing a kojic acid-loaded LCS, consists of water (W), cetostearyl isononanoate (oil—O) and PPG-5-CETETH-20 (surfactant-S) and evaluating itsin vitroskin permeation and retention. Three regions of the diagram were selected for characterization: A (35% O, 50% S, 15% W), B (30% O, 50% S, 20% W) and C (20% O, 50% S, 30% W), to which 2% KA was added. The formulations were subjected to polarized light microscopy, which indicated the presence of a hexagonal mesophase. Texture and bioadhesion assay showed that formulation B is suitable for topical application. According to the results from thein vitropermeation and retention of KA, the formulations developed can modulate the permeation of KA in the skin. Thein vitrocytotoxic assays showed that KA-unloaded LCS and KA-loaded LCS didn't present cytotoxicity. PPG-5-CETETH-20-based systems may be a promising platform for KA skin delivery.
Infected Hydrocele of the Canal of Nuck
Authors: Mandhan Parkash , Raouf Zaid , Bhatti Khalid
Published: December 2013

Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck in children is rare. It may present as incarcerated inguinal hernia and necessitates emergency exploration. Risk of infection in hydrocele of the canal of nuck is very rare. We present a case report of a 5-year-old girl who presented with a left tender inguinolabial region swelling with fever, tachycardia, and mild dehydration. The clinical features were suggestive of strangulated left inguinal hernia and further imaging and surgical exploration revealed it to be an infected hydrocele of the canal of Nuck. High ligation and hydrocelectomy were performed. Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck in a female child presenting with an inguinal swelling should be considered in differential diagnosis.
Fairness Time-Slot Allocation and Scheduling with QoS Guarantees in Multihop WiMAX Mesh Networks
Authors: Wu Chien-Yu , Ho Hann-Jang , Lee Sing-Ling , Chen Liang Lung
Published: December 2013

The WiMAX technology has been defined to provide high throughput over long distance communications and support the quality of service (QoS) control applied on different applications. This paper studies the fairness time-slot allocation and scheduling problem for enhancing throughput and guaranteeing QoS in multihop WiMAX mesh networks. For allocating time slots to multiple subscribe stations (SSs), fairness is a key concern. The notion of max-min fairness is applied as our metric to define the QoS-based max-min fair scheduling problem for maximizing the minimum satisfaction ratio of each SS. We formulate an integer linear programming (ILP) model to provide an optimal solution on small-scale networks. For large-scale networks, several heuristic algorithms are proposed for better running time and scalability. The performance of heuristic algorithms is compared with previous methods in the literatures. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms are better in terms of QoS satisfaction ratio and throughput.
Nano Polymeric Carrier Fabrication Technologies for Advanced Antitumor Therapy
Authors: Li Wei , Zhao Mengxin , Ke Changhong , Zhang Ge , Zhang Li , Li Huafei , Zhang Fulei , Sun Yun , Dai Jianxin , Wang Hao , Guo Yajun
Published: December 2013

Comparing with the traditional therapeutic methods, newly developed cancer therapy based on the nanoparticulates attracted extensively interest due to its unique advantages. However, there are still some drawbacks such as the unfavorablein vivoperformance for nanomedicine and undesirable tumor escape from the immunotherapy. While as we know that thein vivoperformance strongly depended on the nanocarrier structural properties, thus, the big gap betweenin vitroandin vivocan be overcome by nanocarrier’s structural tailoring by fine chemical design and microstructural tuning. In addition, this fine nanocarrier’s engineering can also provide practical solution to solve the problems in traditional cancer immunotherapy. In this paper, we review the latest development in nanomedicine, cancer therapy, and nanoimmunotherapy. We then give an explanation why fine nanocanrrie’s engineering with special focus on the unique pathology of tumor microenvironments and properties of immunocells can obviously promote thein vivoperformance and improve the therapeutic index of nanoimmunotherapy.
Improved Early Postresuscitation EEG Activity for Animals Treated with Hypothermia Predicted 96 hr Neurological Outcome and Survival in a Rat Model of Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Chen Bihua , Song Feng-Qing , Sun Lei-Lei , Lei Ling-Yan , Gan Wei-Ni , Chen Meng-Hua , Li Yongqin
Published: December 2013

Purpose.To investigate the effect of hypothermia on 96 hr neurological outcome and survival by quantitatively characterizing early postresuscitation EEG in a rat model of cardiac arrest.Materials and Methods.In twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats, cardiac arrest was induced through high frequency transesophageal cardiac pacing. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated after 5 mins untreated arrest. Immediately after resuscitation, animals were randomized to either 2 hrs of hypothermia (N=10) or normothermia (N=10). EEG, ECG, aortic pressure, and core temperature were continuously recorded for 6 hrs. Neurological outcome was evaluated daily during the 96 hrs postresuscitation period.Results.No differences in the baseline measurements and resuscitation outcome were observed between groups. However, 96 hr neurological deficit score (204 ± 255 versus 500 ± 0,P=0.005) and survival (6/10 versus 0/10,P=0.011) were significantly better in the hypothermic group. Quantitative analysis of early postresuscitation EEG revealed that burst frequency and spectrum entropy were greatly improved in the hypothermic group and correlated with 96 hr neurological outcome and survival.Conclusion.The improved burst frequency during burst suppression period and preserved spectrum entropy after restoration of continuous background EEG activity for animals treated with hypothermia predicted favorable neurological outcome and survival in this rat model of cardiac arrest.
Motor Vehicle Emission Modeling and Software Simulation Computing for Roundabout in Urban City
Authors: Wang Haiwei , Wen Huiying , You Feng , Xu Jianmin , Kui Hailin
Published: December 2013

In urban road traffic systems, roundabout is considered as one of the core traffic bottlenecks, which are also a core impact of vehicle emission and city environment. In this paper, we proposed a transport control and management method for solving traffic jam and reducing emission in roundabout. The platform of motor vehicle testing system and VSP-based emission model was established firstly. By using the topology chart of the roundabout and microsimulation software, we calculated the instantaneous emission rates of different vehicle and total vehicle emissions. We argued that Integration-Model, combing traffic simulation and vehicle emission, can be performed to calculate the instantaneous emission rates of different vehicle and total vehicle emissions at the roundabout. By contrasting the exhaust emissions result between no signal control and signal control in this area at the rush hour, it draws a conclusion that setting the optimizing signal control can effectively reduce the regional vehicle emission. The proposed approach has been submitted to a simulation and experiment that involved an environmental assessment in Satellite Square, a roundabout in medium city located in China. It has been verified that setting signal control with knowledge engineering and Integration-Model is a practical way for solving the traffic jams and environmental pollution.
HPV 16 Is Related to the Progression of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia Grade 2: A Case Series
Authors: Loffredo D’Ottaviano Maria Gabriela , Discacciati Michelle Garcia , Andreoli Maria Antonieta , Costa Maria Cecília , Termini Lara , Rabelo-Santos Silvia H. , Villa Luisa Lina , Zeferino Luiz Carlos
Published: December 2013

Purpose. To describe the acquisition, persistence, and clearance of HPV infection in women with CIN 2 followed up for 12 months.Methods. Thirty-seven women with CIN 2 biopsy, who have proven referral to cervical smear showing low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and tested for HPV, were followed up for one year with cervical smear, colposcopy, and HPV test every three months. HPV DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction and genotyping by reverse line blot hybridization assay.Results. CIN 2 regression rate was 49% (18/37), persistence as CIN 1 or CIN 2 was 22% (8/37), and progression to CIN 3 was 29% (11/37). Multiple HPV types were observed at admission in 41% (15/37) of cases. HPV 16 was detected at admission in 58% (11/19) of the cases that persisted/progressed and in 39% (7/18) of the cases that regressed. HPV 16 was considered possibly causal in 67% (10/15) of the cases that persisted or progressed and in 10% (1/10) of the cases that regressed (P=0.01).Conclusion. Multiple HPV infections were frequently detected among women with CIN 2 at admission and during the followup. The CIN 2 associated with HPV 16 was more likely to persist or to progress to CIN 3.
Composite Indices Using 3 or 4 Components of the Core Data Set Have Similar Predictive Ability to Measure Disease Activity in RA: Evidence from the DANCER and REFLEX Studies
Authors: Bergman Martin J. , Reiss William , Chung Carol , Wong Pamela , Turpcu Adam
Published: December 2013

Background. Understanding how disease-assessment indices perform in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials can inform their use in routine practice. The study objective was to assess the capacity of combinations of RA Core Data Set measures to distinguish rituximab from control treatment.Methods. Post hoc analysis of two randomised clinical trials was used. Composite Efficacy Indices were derived by combining three or four RA Core Data Set measures from three possible sources: physician, patient, and laboratory.Results. All 105 Composite Efficacy Indices evaluated significantly distinguished rituximab from control treatment (P<10−7). Generally, indices containing measures from three different sources had a greater capacity to distinguish rituximab from control treatment than indices containing three measures from one source. Composite Efficacy Indices performed as well as validated indices such as DAS28, RAPID3, and CDAI.Conclusions. All indices composed of three or four RA Core Data Set measures have a similar capacity to detect treatment differences. These results suggest that the precise measurement used is less important than whether any measurement is performed, although selection should be consistent for each patient. Therefore, the choice of assessment tool should not be limited to a prescribed list and should instead be left to the clinician’s discretion.
Active Learning of Nondeterministic Finite State Machines
Authors: Pacharoen Warawoot , Aoki Toshiaki , Bhattarakosol Pattarasinee , Surarerks Athasit
Published: December 2013

We consider the problem of learning nondeterministic finite state machines (NFSMs) from systems where their internal structures are implicit and nondeterministic. Recently, an algorithm for inferring observable NFSMs (ONFSMs), which are the potentially learnable subclass of NFSMs, has been proposed based on the hypothesis that the complete testing assumption is satisfied. According to this assumption, with an input sequence (query), the complete set of all possible output sequences is given by the so-called Teacher, so the number of times for asking the same query is not taken into account in the algorithm. In this paper, we proposeLNM*, a refined ONFSM learning algorithm that considers the amount for repeating the same query as one parameter. Unlike the previous work, our approach does not require all possible output sequences in one answer. Instead, it tries to observe the possible output sequences by asking the same query many times to the Teacher. We have proved thatLNM*can infer the corresponding ONFSMs of the unknown systems when the number of tries for the same query is adequate to guarantee the complete testing assumption. Moreover, the proof shows that our algorithm will eventually terminate no matter whether the assumption is fulfilled or not. We also present the theoretical time complexity analysis ofLNM*. In addition, experimental results demonstrate the practical efficiency of our approach.
The Mechanism of Sevoflurane Preconditioning-Induced Protections against Small Intestinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Is Independent of Mast Cell in Rats
Authors: Gan Xiaoliang , Su Guangjie , Zhao Weicheng , Huang Pinjie , Luo Gangjian , Hei Ziqing
Published: December 2013

The study aimed to investigate whether sevoflurane preconditioning can protect against small intestinal ischemia reperfusion (IIR) injury and to explore whether mast cell (MC) is involved in the protections provided by sevoflurane preconditioning. Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to sevoflurane or treated with MC stabilizer cromolyn sodium (CS) were subjected to 75-minute superior mesenteric artery occlusion followed by 2-hour reperfusion in the presence or absence of MC degranulator compound 48/80 (CP). Small intestinal ischemia reperfusion resulted in severe intestinal injury as demonstrated by significant elevations in intestinal injury scores and p47phoxand gp91phox, ICAM-1 protein expressions and malondialdehyde and IL-6 contents, and MPO activities as well as significant reductions in SOD activities, accompanied with concomitant increases in mast cell degranulation evidenced by significant increases in MC counts, tryptase expression, andβ-hexosaminidase concentrations, and those alterations were further upregulated in the presence of CP. Sevoflurane preconditioning dramatically attenuated the previous IIR-induced alterations except MC counts, tryptase, andβ-hexosaminidase which were significantly reduced by CS treatment. Furthermore, CP exacerbated IIR injury was abrogated by CS but not by sevoflurane preconditioning. The data collectively indicate that sevoflurane preconditioning confers protections against IIR injury, and MC is not involved in the protective process.
Oscillation Theorems for Even Order Damped Equations with Distributed Deviating Arguments
Authors: Gao Chunxia , Wang Peiguang
Published: December 2013

A class of even order damped differential equations with distributed deviating arguments are investigated. Several new criteria that ensure the oscillation of solutions are obtained. To demonstrate the validity of the results obtained, two examples are given.
Evidence of Stage- and Age-Related Heterogeneity of Non-HLA SNPs and Risk of Islet Autoimmunity and Type 1 Diabetes: The Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young
Authors: Frederiksen Brittni N. , Steck Andrea K. , Kroehl Miranda , Lamb Molly M. , Wong Randall , Rewers Marian , Norris Jill M.
Published: December 2013

Previously, we examined 20 non-HLA SNPs for association with islet autoimmunity (IA) and/or progression to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Our objective was to investigate fourteen additional non-HLA T1D candidate SNPs for stage- and age-related heterogeneity in the etiology of T1D. Of 1634 non-Hispanic white DAISY children genotyped, 132 developed IA (positive for GAD, insulin, or IA-2 autoantibodies at two or more consecutive visits); 50 IA positive children progressed to T1D. Cox regression was used to analyze risk of IA and progression to T1D in IA positive children. Restricted cubic splines were used to model SNPs when there was evidence that risk was not constant with age.C1QTNF6(rs229541) predicted increased IA risk (HR: 1.57, CI: 1.20–2.05) but not progression to T1D (HR: 1.13, CI: 0.75–1.71). SNP (rs10517086) appears to exhibit an age-related effect on risk of IA, with increased risk before age 2 years (age 2 HR: 1.67, CI: 1.08–2.56) but not older ages (age 4 HR: 0.84, CI: 0.43–1.62).C1QTNF6(rs229541), SNP (rs10517086), andUBASH3A(rs3788013) were associated with development of T1D. This prospective investigation of non-HLA T1D candidate loci shows that some SNPs may exhibit stage- and age-related heterogeneity in the etiology of T1D.
A Novel Multiinstance Learning Approach for Liver Cancer Recognition on Abdominal CT Images Based on CPSO-SVM and IO
Authors: Jiang Huiyan , Zheng Ruiping , Yi Dehui , Zhao Di
Published: December 2013

A novel multi-instance learning (MIL) method is proposed to recognize liver cancer with abdominal CT images based on instance optimization (IO) and support vector machine with parameters optimized by a combination algorithm of particle swarm optimization and local optimization (CPSO-SVM). Introducing MIL into liver cancer recognition can solve the problem of multiple regions of interest classification. The images we use in the experiments are liver CT images extracted from abdominal CT images. The proposed method consists of two main steps: (1) obtaining the key instances through IO by texture features and a classification threshold in classification of instances with CPSO-SVM and (2) predicting unknown samples with the key instances and the classification threshold. By extracting the instances equally based on the entire image, the proposed method can ignore the procedure of tumor region segmentation and lower the demand of segmentation accuracy of liver region. The normal SVM method and two MIL algorithms, Citation-kNN algorithm and WEMISVM algorithm, have been chosen as comparing algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively recognize liver cancer images from two kinds of cancer CT images and greatly improve the recognition accuracy.
Carbon Nanotube Planted on Ni‐Based Alloy in Microbial Fuel Cell
Authors: Wang Chin-Tsan , Chen Yan-Ming , Qi Zhao-Qin , Yang Yung-Chin
Published: December 2013

The improvement of electrode materials used in microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology for enhancing the power performance of MFCs has attracted more and more attention lately. In this study, an new electrode material with a carbon nanotube planted on an Ni‐based alloy substrate is applied to the MFC. Results show that a well‐synthesized, straight CNT electrode performs the best, with a high open circuit voltage of 0.82 V and a maximum power density of 2.31 W/m2. It is believed that this new kind of electrode will have a promising future in the technology of power generation from MFCs.
An Efficient and Accurate Method for Real-Time Processing of Light Stripe Images
Authors: Chen Xu , Zhang Guangjun , Sun Junhua
Published: December 2013

This paper describes a direction-guided method for real-time processing of light stripe images in practical active vision applications. The presented approach consists of three main steps. Firstly, we select two thresholds to divide the image into three classes, that is, the foreground, the background, and the undecided area. Then, we locate a feature point of the light stripe in the image foreground and calculate the local line direction at that point. Finally, we detect succeeding points along that direction in the foreground and the undecided area and directly exclude pixels which are in the normal direction of the line. We use synthetic and real images to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm gains a 1-fold speedup compared to the prevalent method without any loss of accuracy.
Combination Therapy of Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Corticosteroids for Primary Biliary Cirrhosis with Features of Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lu Jie , Dai Weiqi , Wang Fan , Shen Miao , Yang Jing , Zhu Rong , Zhang Huawei , Chen Kan , Cheng Ping , He Lei , Wang Chengfen , Xu Ling , Zhou Yingqun , Guo Chuanyong
Published: December 2013

A meta-analysis was performed of RCTs comparing therapies that combine UDCA and corticosteroids with UDCA monotherapy. In this paper, we found that the combination therapy of UDCA and corticosteroids was more effective for PBC-AIH.
Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Adults with Celiac Disease
Authors: Passananti V. , Siniscalchi M. , Zingone F. , Bucci C. , Tortora R. , Iovino P. , Ciacci C.
Published: December 2013

Background. Symptoms of celiac disease negatively impact social activities and emotional state. Aim was to investigate the prevalence of altered eating behaviour in celiac patients.Methods. Celiac patients and controls completed a dietary interview and the Binge Eating Staircases, Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI-2), Eating Attitudes Test, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, State Trait Anxiety Inventory Forma Y (STAI-Y1 and STAI-Y2), and Symptom Check List (SCL-90).Results. One hundred celiac adults and 100 controls were not statistically different for gender, age, and physical activity. STAI-Y1 and STAI-Y2, Somatization, Interpersonal, Sensitivity, and Anxiety scores of the SLC-90 were higher in CD patients than controls. EDI-2 was different in pulse thinness, social insecurity, perfectionism, inadequacy, ascetisms, and interpersonal diffidence between CD and HC women, whilst only in interceptive awareness between CD and HC men. A higher EAT-26 score was associated with the CD group dependently with gastrointestinal symptoms. The EAT26 demonstrated association between indices of diet-related disorders in both CD and the feminine gender after controlling for anxiety and depression.Conclusion. CD itself and not gastrointestinal related symptoms or psychological factors may contribute pathological eating behavior in celiac adults. Eating disorders appear to be more frequent in young celiac women than in CD men and in HC.
Early Physical Activity and Discharge Destination after Stroke: A Comparison of Acute and Comprehensive Stroke Unit Care
Authors: West Tanya , Churilov Leonid , Bernhardt Julie
Published: December 2013

Background. Common models of acute stroke care include the acute stroke unit, focusing on acute management, and the comprehensive stroke unit, incorporating acute care and rehabilitation. We hypothesise that the rehabilitation focus in the comprehensive stroke unit promotes early physical activity and discharge directly home.Methods. We conducted a two-centre prospective observational study of patients admitted to a comprehensive or acute stroke unit within 14 days poststroke. We recruited 73 patients from each site, matched on age, stroke severity, premorbid function, and walking ability. Patient activity was measured using behavioural mapping. Therapy activity was recorded by therapist report. Time to first mobilisation, discharge destination, and length of stay were extracted from the medical record.Results. The comprehensive stroke unit group included more males, fewer partial anterior circulation infarcts, more lacunar infarcts, and more patients ambulant without aids prior to their stroke. Patients in the comprehensive stroke unit spent 14.4% more (95% CI: 8.9%–19.8%;P<0.001) of the day in moderate or high activity, 18.5% less time physically inactive (95% CI: 5.0%–32.0%;P=0.008), and were more likely to be discharged directly home (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.4–9.5;P=0.007).Conclusions. Comprehensive stroke unit care may foster early physical activity, with likely discharge directly home.
Decomposition and Oriented Growth ofYBa2Cu3O7-xFilms Prepared with Low Fluorine TFA-MOD Approach
Authors: Zhao Xiaohui , Zhang Pan , Wang Yabing , Xiong Jie , Tao Bowan
Published: December 2013

TFA-MOD approach ofYBa2Cu3O7-x(YBCO) films has been approved to be the most promising method for mass production of low cost high temperature coated conductors. In order to reduce the decomposition time and improve the properties of YBCO films, copper propionate was used as the precursor and certain Lewis-bases were introduced into the precursor solution. The fluorine content of the solution was significantly reduced. High quality oriented YBCO films were prepared on LAO substrates with this low fluorine TFA-MOD approach. The effects of the sintering temperature on the oriented growth and properties of YBCO films were investigated. The preliminary results yielded the critical current density (Jc) of 2 MA/cm2and critical current (Ic) of 120 A/cm width at 77 K and self-field.
Markov Regime Switching of Stochastic Volatility Lévy Model on Approximation Mode
Authors: Intarasit Arthit
Published: December 2013

This paper deals with financial modeling to describe the behavior of asset returns, through consideration of economic cycles together with the stylized empirical features of asset returns such as fat tails. We propose that asset returns are modeled by a stochastic volatility Lévy process incorporating a regime switching model. Based on the risk-neutral approach, there exists a large set of candidates of martingale measures due to the driving of a stochastic volatility Lévy process in the proposed model which renders the market incomplete in general. We first establish an equivalent martingale measure for the proposed model introduced in risk-neutral version. Regime switching of stochastic volatility Lévy process is employed in an approximation mode for model calibration and the calibration of parameters model done based on EM algorithm. Finally, some empirical results are illustrated via applications to the Bangkok Stock Exchange of Thailand index.
A Comparison of Two Land Use Simulation Models under the RCP4.5 Scenario in China
Authors: Wu Feng , Zhan Jinyan , Xu Qian , Xiong Yihui , Sun Zhongxiao
Published: December 2013

The land use simulation model is an important tool to analyze the land use/land cover change (LUCC), which plays a key role in influencing the global warming. However, there have been very few global LUCC simulation models, especially the models that can be used to analyze the interaction among the socioeconomic development, climate change, and LUCC. The Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM) and the GTAP-AEZ model are two models that take account of the influence of social economy and climate change at the global scale, but they may have some parameter errors due to the rough parameter setting. This study aims to compare the simulation results obtained with the GCAM model and GTAP-AEZ model and optimize their parameters according to the specific conditions of China. First, we simulated the land use structure in China in 2010 with the two models and compared the simulation results with the real one. Second, we calibrated these parameters of models according to the China’s national conditions and implemented the simulation again. The result indicates that the calibrated GCAM can provide more accurate simulation result of land use, which can provide significant reference information for the land use planning and policy formulation to mitigate the climate change in China.
Study on the Interaction between Cadmium Sulphide Nanoparticles and Proteins by Resonance Rayleigh Scattering Spectra
Authors: Zhu Weiwei , Wang Qi , Su Dan
Published: December 2013

The interaction of cadmium sulphide nanoparticles [(CdS)n] with proteins has been studied by resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra (RRS). Below the isoelectric point, proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), lysozyme (Lys), hemoglobin (HGB), and ovalbumin (OVA) can bind with (CdS)n to form macromolecules by virtue of electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic force. It can result in the enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra (RRS) intensity. Their maximum scattering peaks were 280 nm, and there was a smaller peak at 370 nm. The scattering enhancement (ΔIRRS) is directly proportional to the concentration of proteins. A new RRS method for the determination of trace proteins using uncapped (CdS)n nanoparticles probe has been developed. The detection limits are 19.6 ng/mL for HSA, 16.7 ng/mL for BSA, 18.5 ng/mL for OVA, 80.2 ng/mL for HGB, and 67.4 ng/mL for Lys, separately. In this work, the optimum condition of reaction, the effect of foreign, and the analytical application had been investigated.
Preparation and Characterization of Lanthanum Carbonate Octahydrate for the Treatment of Hyperphosphatemia
Authors: He Anqi , Zhou Fengshan , Ye Fang , Zhang Ying , He Xiren , Zhang Xin , Guo Ran , Zhao Xing , Sun Yan , Huang Ming , Li Qin , Yang Zhanlan , Xu Yizhuang , Wu Jinguang
Published: December 2013

We proposed a new approach to prepare lanthanum carbonate via reactions between lanthanum chloride and NaHCO3. In the reaction, small amount of NaHCO3solution was firstly added to the acidic lanthanum chloride solution to generate lanthanum carbonate nuclei and then NaHCO3is added to the lanthanum chloride at a constant speed. This approach makes both precipitation reaction and neutralization reaction take place simultaneously. Consequently, lanthanum carbonate is produced at low pH environment (pH below 4.0) so that the risk of generating lanthanum carbonate hydroxide is reduced. The product of the above reaction is validated by EDTA titration, elemental analysis, and XRD characterization. In addition, we established a FTIR spectroscopic method to identify La(OH)CO3from La2(CO3)2·8H2O. Lanthanum carbonate exhibits considerable ability to bind phosphate.
An Improved DR Algorithm Based on Target Extrapolating in ROIA Cloud Platform
Authors: Liu Dong
Published: December 2013

Real-time Online Interactive Application (ROIA) is an emerging distributed application recently. ROIA needs a highly robust and efficient architecture to cope with the huge concurrent users. Previous works are almost based on the C/S or P2P mode, and their scalability and resource utilization are relatively low. So we try to take advantage of the cloud computing technologies to achieve higher scalability and resource utilization. However, as ROIA servers focused on several data centers in cloud computing rather than being scattered in many areas, it will increase in part users' network delays and affect their user experiences in ROIA. To cope with this problem, we propose an improved Dead Reckoning (DR) algorithm. Traditional DR algorithm is mostly based on the classic formula of physics to predict, without taking the influence of the user's target under the different situations into account, so there are some limitations. This paper proposes an improved DR algorithm based on target-extrapolating in a cloud platform for ROIA, elaborates the basic idea of the improved algorithm and the computational model formula, and then carries out a simulation experiment. The analyses of the simulation results show that the improved algorithm is superior to traditional one.
Deacidification of Soybean Oil Combining Solvent Extraction and Membrane Technology
Authors: Fornasero M. L. , Marenchino R. N. , Pagliero C. L.
Published: December 2013

The aim of this work was to study the removal of free fatty acids (FFAs) from soybean oil, combining solvent extraction (liquid-liquid) for the separation of FFAs from the oil and membrane technology to recover the solvent through nanofiltration (NF). Degummed soybean oil containing 1.05 ± 0.10% w/w FFAs was deacidified by extraction with ethanol. Results obtained in the experiences of FFAs extraction from oil show that the optimal operating conditions are the following: 1.8 : 1 w : w ethanol/oil ratio, 30 minutes extraction time and high speed of agitation and 30 minutes repose time after extraction at ambient temperature. As a result of these operations two phases are obtained: deacidified oil phase and ethanol phase (containing the FFAs). The oil from the first extraction is subjected to a second extraction under the same conditions, reducing the FFA concentration in oil to 0.09%. Solvent recovery from the ethanol phase is performed using nanofiltration technology with a commercially available polymeric NF membrane (NF-99-HF, Alfa Laval). From the analysis of the results we can conclude that the optimal operating conditions are pressure of 20 bar and temperature of 35°C, allowing better separation performance: permeate flux of 28.3 L/m2·h and FFA retention of 70%.
The Influence of Surface Morphology of Buffer Layer on the Critical Current Density in YBCO Coated Conductors
Authors: Xiong Jie , Xia Yudong , Zhang Fei , Xue Yan , Hu Kai , Zhao Xiaohui , Tao Bowan
Published: December 2013

1 μm-thickYBa2Cu3O7-δ(YBCO) films were grown on the Y2O3/yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ)/CeO2buffer layers with different surface morphologies using direct-current sputtering. The critical current density (Jc) value of YBCO was 1.1 MA/cm2when the root mean square surface roughness (Rrms) of the buffer layer was 2.5 nm. As theRrmsof the buffer layer increased to 15 nm, theJcdecreased to 0.3 MA/cm2. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy showed the strong relevance of the evolution of the structure and surface morphologies of YBCO films with the buffer layer of differentRrms. A model was proposed to explain the influence of surface morphology on the superconducting properties of YBCO films.
A Note on the Unsteady Incompressible MHD Fluid Flow with Slip Conditions and Porous Walls
Authors: Zaman H. , Ahmad Z. , Ayub M.
Published: December 2013

This work is concerned with the influence of uniform suction or injection on flow and heat transfer analysis of unsteady incompressible magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid with slip conditions. The resulting unsteady problem for velocity and heat transfer is solved by means of Laplace transform. The characteristics of the transient velocity, overall transient velocity, steady state velocity and heat transfer at the walls are analyzed and discussed. Graphical results reveal that the magnetic field, slip parameter, and suction (injection) have significant influences on the velocity, and temperature distributions, which also changes the heat transfer behaviors at the two plates. The results of Fang (2004) are also recovered by keeping magnetic field and slip parameter absent.
Explicit Nonlinear Model Predictive Control for a Saucer-Shaped Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Xing Zhihui , Wu Sentang , Wu Xiaolong
Published: December 2013

A lifting body unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) generates lift by its body and shows many significant advantages due to the particular shape, such as huge loading space, small wetted area, high-strength fuselage structure, and large lifting area. However, designing the control law for a lifting body UAV is quite challenging because it has strong nonlinearity and coupling, and usually lacks it rudders. In this paper, an explicit nonlinear model predictive control (ENMPC) strategy is employed to design a control law for a saucer-shaped UAV which can be adequately modeled with a rigid 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) representation. In the ENMPC, control signal is calculated by approximation of the tracking error in the receding horizon by its Taylor-series expansion to any specified order. It enhances the advantages of the nonlinear model predictive control and eliminates the time-consuming online optimization. The simulation results show that ENMPC is a propriety strategy for controlling lifting body UAVs and can compensate the insufficient control surface area.
Topology Optimization Using Parabolic Aggregation Function with Independent-Continuous-Mapping Method
Authors: Jun Tie , Yun-kang Sui
Published: December 2013

This paper concentrates on finding the optimal distribution for continuum structure such that the structural weight with stress constraints is minimized where the physical design domain is discretized by finite elements. A novel Independent-Continuous-Mapping (ICM) method is proposed to convert equivalently the binary design variables which is used to indicate material or void in the various elements to independent continuous design variables. Moreover, three smooth mappings about weight, stiffness, and stress of the structural elements are introduced to formulate the objective function based on the so-called concepts of polish function and weighting filter function. A new general continuous approach for topology optimization is given which can eliminate the stress singularity phenomena more efficiently than the traditionalε-relaxation method, and an alternative strain energy method for the stress constraints is proposed to overcome the difficulty in stress sensitivity analyses. Mathematically, by means of a generalized aggregation KS-like function defined as the parabolic aggregation function, a topology optimization model is formulated with the weight objective and single parabolic global strain energy constraints. The numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed methods effectively remove the stress concentrations and generate black-and-white designs for practically sized problems.