bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pressure effect on the energy structure and superexchange interaction in undoped orthorhombic La2CuO4
Authors: Gavrichkov Vladimir A. , Pchelkina Zlata V. , Nekrasov Igor A. , Ovchinnikov Sergey G.
Published: September 2016

We studied the pressure dependences of the electronic structure and superexchange interaction [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) contributions) in antiferromagnetic La214 under hydrostatic, uniaxial (along [Formula: see text]-axial) 3% compressions and 1% in-plane compressions by the local density approximation with generalized tight-binding method (LDA + GTB cell approach). The changes in [Formula: see text] correlated with the experimentally known [Formula: see text] dependence are in accordance with the relation [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text]. The in-plane pressure more effectively stabilizes the ground singlet two-hole state [Formula: see text] than the simple hydrostatic pressure, its effect on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is the largest. Within the same cell approach together with the superexchange interaction [Formula: see text], the valence band structure was calculated. Its changes with pressure clearly reproduce the k-distribution of the singlet and triplet quasi-particles over the Brillouin zone (BZ).
Backward propagation of congestion in TASEP ladder-network
Authors: Tannai Takahiro , Nishinari Katsuhiro
Published: September 2016

In the network of self-driven particles, aggregation points make velocities of particles smaller and branching points make larger. We consider a ladder-shaped network of totally asymmetric simple exclusion process in order to investigate correlations among multiple junctions by extending our previous results about “critical ellipse” which is the condition where the congestion of particles near the aggregation point propagates to the upstream of the branching point. We have theoretically derived the condition of interactions among the congestion from different aggregation points in the network.
On the confinement of massless Dirac fermions in topological Möbius strips
Authors: de Souza J. F. O. , Furtado Claudio
Published: September 2016

In this work, we investigate some aspects of the confinement problem in Möbius strips in the context of the low-energy approximation of graphene, aiming to provide an analytical prescription for studying graphene-based nanoribbons in response to the peculiar background proper to such objects. Based on a topological treatment, we model the confinement of massless Dirac fermions in such nanostructures by proposing boundary conditions capable of incorporating their typical topological character, and examine how such configuration affects the physical properties of graphene. Energy eigenvalues are found to be sensitive to the transverse confinement and the positions along the transverse direction, exhibiting an unexpected spatial constraint. In addition, a dual electronic behavior associated with this aspect is also suggested under certain limits within our solution, which includes the presence of a length-dependent gap that responds to the longitudinal boundary conditions. At the same time, we look at the problem from a more mathematical perspective and sketch out some insights into the role played by the notion of self-adjointness in such boundary problem. A peculiar position constraint acts on our solution and manifests itself as partial restriction on the proposed set, pointing to the definition of incomplete domain self-adjoint extensions as well as to the nonexistence of conventional Möbius periodicities compatible with infinite mass confinement.
Selection Lemmas for Various Geometric Objects
Authors: Ashok Pradeesha , Govindarajan Sathish , Rajgopal Ninad
Published: September 2016

Selection lemmas are classical results in discrete geometry that have been well studied and have applications in many geometric problems like weak epsilon nets and slimming Delaunay triangulations. Selection lemma type results typically show that there exists a point that is contained in many objects that are induced (spanned) by an underlying point set.

In the first selection lemma, we consider the set of all the objects induced by a point set [Formula: see text]. This question has been widely explored for simplices in [Formula: see text], with tight bounds in [Formula: see text]. In our paper, we prove first selection lemma for other classes of geometric objects like boxes and balls in [Formula: see text]. We also consider the strong variant of this problem where we add the constraint that the piercing point comes from [Formula: see text]. We prove an exact result on the strong and the weak variant of the first selection lemma for axis-parallel rectangles and disks (for centrally symmetric point sets). We also show non-trivial bounds on the first selection lemma for axis-parallel boxes and balls in [Formula: see text].

In the second selection lemma, we consider an arbitrary [Formula: see text] sized subset of the set of all objects induced by [Formula: see text]. We study this problem for axis-parallel rectangles and show that there exists a point in the plane that is contained in [Formula: see text] rectangles. This is an improvement over the previous bound by Smorodinsky and Sharir22 when [Formula: see text] is almost quadratic.
Lower Bounds on the Dilation of Plane Spanners
Authors: Dumitrescu Adrian , Ghosh Anirban
Published: September 2016

(I) We exhibit a set of 23 points in the plane that has dilation at least [Formula: see text], improving the previous best lower bound of [Formula: see text] for the worst-case dilation of plane spanners.

(II) For every [Formula: see text], there exists an [Formula: see text]-element point set [Formula: see text] such that the degree [Formula: see text] dilation of [Formula: see text] equals [Formula: see text] in the domain of plane geometric spanners. In the same domain, we show that for every [Formula: see text], there exists a an [Formula: see text]-element point set [Formula: see text] such that the degree [Formula: see text] dilation of [Formula: see text] equals [Formula: see text] The previous best lower bound of [Formula: see text] holds for any degree.

(III) For every [Formula: see text], there exists an [Formula: see text]-element point set [Formula: see text] such that the stretch factor of the greedy triangulation of [Formula: see text] is at least [Formula: see text].
Socially Optimal Coexistence of Wireless Body Area Networks Enabled by a Non-Cooperative Game
Authors: Dong Jie , Smith David B. , Hanlen Leif W.
Published: September 2016

In this article, we enable the coexistence of multiple wireless body area networks (BANs) using a finite repeated non-cooperative game for transmit power control. With no coordination amongst these personal sensor networks, the proposed game maximizes each network’s packet delivery ratio (PDR) at low transmit power. In this context, we provide a novel utility function, which gives reduced benefit to players with higher transmission power, and a subsequent reduction in radio interference to other coexisting BANs. Considering the purpose of inter-BAN interference mitigation, PDR is expressed as a compressed exponential function of inverse signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio, so it is essentially a function of transmit powers of all coexisting BANs. It is shown that a unique Nash Equilibrium (NE) exists, and hence there is a subgame-perfect equilibrium, considering best response at each stage independent of history. In addition, the NE is conjectured to be the socially optimal solution according to all possible action profiles. Realistic and extensive on- and inter-body channel models are employed. Results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in better interference management, greater reliability, and reduced transmit power when compared with other schemes that can be applied in BANs.
Secure Positioning in Wireless Sensor Networks through Enlargement Miscontrol Detection
Authors: Perazzo Pericle , Taponecco Lorenzo , D'amico Antonio A. , Dini Gianluca
Published: September 2016

Wireless sensor networks enable a wealth of new applications in areas such as military, medical, environmental, transportation, smart city, and so on. In many of these scenarios, we need to measure in a secure way the positions of the sensors. Existing range-based techniques for secure positioning require a burdensome infrastructure, with many fixed anchors. Reducing the infrastructure would reduce deployment cost and foster the adoption of secure positioning solutions in wireless sensor networks. In this article, we propose SPEM, a secure positioning system based on multilateration and ultra-wideband (UWB) distance bounding protocols. The key idea behind SPEM is to leverage the low probability that an adversary has of controlling
enlargement attacks
against UWB. We estimate such a probability by a thorough study and signal-level simulations of the UWB physical layer. We test SPEM both in a simulated environment and in a real indoor environment using real UWB transceivers. We show that SPEM needs far less infrastructure than state-of-the-art solutions ( − 22% to − 93%, depending on the anchor deployment method), while achieving high levels of security against smart and determined adversaries.
Normal correspondence of tectal maps for saccadic eye movements in strabismus
Authors: Economides John R. , Adams Daniel L. , Horton Jonathan C.
Published: September 2016

The superior colliculus is a major brain stem structure for the production of saccadic eye movements. Electrical stimulation at any given point in the motor map generates saccades of defined amplitude and direction. It is unknown how this saccade map is affected by strabismus. Three macaques were raised with exotropia, an outwards ocular deviation, by detaching the medial rectus tendon in each eye at age 1 mo. The animals were able to make saccades to targets with either eye and appeared to alternate fixation freely. To probe the organization of the superior colliculus, microstimulation was applied at multiple sites, with the animals either free-viewing or fixating a target. On average, microstimulation drove nearly conjugate saccades, similar in both amplitude and direction but separated by the ocular deviation. Two monkeys showed a pattern deviation, characterized by a systematic change in the relative position of the two eyes with certain changes in gaze angle. These animals' saccades were slightly different for the right eye and left eye in their amplitude or direction. The differences were consistent with the animals' underlying pattern deviation, measured during static fixation and smooth pursuit. The tectal map for saccade generation appears to be normal in strabismus, but saccades may be affected by changes in the strabismic deviation that occur with different gaze angles.
Subdiaphragmatic Renal Ectopia: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zolotas Eleftherios , Krishnan Rajesh G.
Published: September 2016

Background. We report the case of a male infant whose right kidney migrated to an ectopic position after birth. The migration of a kidney in postnatal life without any symptoms has not been reported in literature so far.Case Presentation. In a series of antenatal and the first postnatal ultrasound scans, the right kidney was normally located within the right renal fossa. During the first 3 months of life, the kidney migrated to a subdiaphragmatic position. This was confirmed on MRI scan. The infant was asymptomatic with normal renal function and blood pressure.Conclusion. Postnatal migration of a kidney has been described in cases of diaphragmatic hernia or nephroptosis. In this report, we describe a case of kidney migration where there were no underlying anatomical defects to provide an explanation for the kidney migration. This is the first report in literature of a case of postnatal migration of a kidney.
Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Basalt Particle-Filled SMC Composites
Authors: Cavdar Kadir , Bingol Mahmut
Published: September 2016

Basalt particles have been investigated as a novel additive for the production of glass fibre reinforced composite using sheet moulding compound (SMC) method. Compared to the CaCO3that are widely used as filler in the SMC composite, the resulting composites exhibit improved mechanical properties. The tensile strength increased by approximately 15%, whereas the flexural strength was enhanced by 8% in SMC composites prepared by basalt particles. Examination of the surface morphology and interfacial debonding of the specimens is also performed via scanning electron microscopy. Superior strength properties are observed in the basalt particle-reinforced composites compared to those with the CaCO3fillers.
Intercondylar Route of Prosthetic Infragenicular Femoropopliteal Bypass Has Better Primary, Assisted, and Secondary Patency but Not Limb Salvage Rate Compared to the Medial Route
Authors: Grus Tomas , Lambert Lukas , Banerjee Rohan , Grusova Gabriela , Rohn Vilem , Vidim Tomas , Mitas Petr
Published: September 2016

Aim. To compare the differences between medial and intercondylar infragenicular femoropopliteal prosthetic bypasses in terms of their midterm patency and limb salvage rates.Methods. Ninety-three consecutive patients with peripheral arterial disease who underwent a simple distal femoropopliteal bypass using a reinforced polytetrafluorethylene graft were included in this retrospective study. The bypass was constructed in the intercondylar route in 52 of the patients (group A) and in 41 in the medial route (group B).Results. Median observation time of the patients was 12.7 (IQR 4.6–18.5) months. There were 22 and 24 interventional or surgical procedures (angioplasty, stenting, thrombolysis, thrombectomy, or correction of the anastomosis) performed to restore patency of the reconstruction in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.14). The 20-month primary, assisted, and secondary patency rates and limb salvage rates were 57%, 57%, 81%, and 80% in group A compared to 21%, 23%, 55%, and 82% in group B (p=0.0012, 0.0052, 0.022, and 0.44, resp.).Conclusion. Despite better primary, assisted, and secondary patency rates in patients with a prosthetic infragenicular femoropopliteal bypass embedded in the intercondylar fossa compared to patients with the medial approach, there is no benefit in terms of the limb salvage rate and the number of interventions required to maintain patency of the reconstruction.
Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis Based on ELCD Permutation Entropy and RVM
Authors: Xingmeng Jiang , Li Wu , Liwu Pan , Mingtao Ge , Daidi Hu
Published: September 2016

Aiming at the nonstationary characteristic of a gear fault vibration signal, a recognition method based on permutation entropy of ensemble local characteristic-scale decomposition (ELCD) and relevance vector machine (RVM) is proposed. First, the vibration signal was decomposed by ELCD; then a series of intrinsic scale components (ISCs) were obtained. Second, according to the kurtosis of ISCs, principal ISCs were selected and then the permutation entropy of principal ISCs was calculated and they were combined into a feature vector. Finally, the feature vectors were input in RVM classifier to train and test and identify the type of rolling bearing faults. Experimental results show that this method can effectively diagnose four kinds of working condition, and the effect is better than local characteristic-scale decomposition (LCD) method.
Cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐17F, and IL‐4 Differentially Affect Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Adipose Stem Cells
Authors: Bastidas-Coral Angela P. , Bakker Astrid D. , Zandieh-Doulabi Behrouz , Kleverlaan Cornelis J. , Bravenboer Nathalie , Forouzanfar Tim , Klein-Nulend Jenneke
Published: September 2016

During the initial stages of bone repair, proinflammatory cytokines are released within the injury site, quickly followed by a shift to anti‐inflammatory cytokines. The effect of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells is controversial. Here, we investigated the effect of the proinflammatory cytokines TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐17F and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐4 on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells (hASCs). hASCs were treated with TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐17F, or IL‐4 (10 ng/mL) for 72 h mimicking bone repair. TNF‐α reduced collagen type I gene expression but increased hASC proliferation and ALP activity. IL‐6 also strongly enhanced ALP activity (18‐fold), as well as bone nodule formation by hASCs. IL‐8 did not affect proliferation or osteogenic gene expression but reduced bone nodule formation. IL‐17F decreased hASC proliferation but enhanced ALP activity. IL‐4 enhanced osteocalcin gene expression and ALP activity but reduced RUNX2 gene expression and bone nodule formation. In conclusion, all cytokines studied have both enhancing and reducing effects on osteogenic differentiation of hASCs, even when applied for 72 h only. Some cytokines, specifically IL‐6, may be suitable to induce osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells as a strategy for enhancing bone repair.
Apocrine Adenocarcinoma of the Vulva: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Aoyama Kohei , Matsushima Hiroshi , Sawada Morio , Mori Taisuke , Yasukawa Satoru , Kitawaki Jo
Published: September 2016

Primary vulvar adenocarcinomas are very rare. We describe the rare case of primary vulvar apocrine adenocarcinoma, a histologically rare subtype of vulvar adenocarcinoma. A 57-year-old Japanese woman presented with an enlarging vulvar mass. A dark-red, hemorrhagic, ulcerated tumor was on the right side of the anterior labial commissure measuring approximately3.5×3.5 cm. Preoperative biopsy showed poorly differentiated carcinoma with partial differentiation to adenocarcinoma. Systemic examination revealed lymph node metastases in both inguinal regions and no other primary source. We performed radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal and pelvic lymphadenectomy. Histopathologic diagnosis was apocrine adenocarcinoma of the vulva with inguinal lymph node metastases, pT1bN2bM0. Surgical margins were negative. The patient received no adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. Inguinal lymph node recurrence occurred after six months. Reresection and adjuvant tomotherapy were performed. After a further 12 months of observation, no rerecurrence was observed. The patient is now on follow-up.
A Compact High-Pass Filter Using Hybrid Microstrip/Nonuniform CPW with Dual-Mode Resonant Response
Authors: Chen Hui , Jiang Di , Chen Ke-Song , Zhao Hong-Fei
Published: September 2016

A novel and miniature high-pass filter (HPF) based on a hybrid-coupled microstrip/nonuniform coplanar waveguide (CPW) resonator is proposed in this article, in which the designed CPW has exhibited a wideband dual-mode characteristic within the desired high-pass frequency range. The implemented filter consists of the top microstrip coupled patches and the bottom modified nonuniformly short-circuited CPW resonator. Simulated results from the electromagnetic (EM) analysis software and measured results from a vector network analyzer (VNA) show a good agreement. A designed and fabricated prototype filter having a 3 dB cutoff frequency (fc) of 5.78 GHz has shown an ultrawide high-pass behavior, which exhibits the highest passband frequency exceeding 4.0fcunder the minimum insertion loss (IL) 0.75 dB. The printed circuit board (PCB) area of the filter is approximately0.062λg×0.093λg, whereλgis the guided wavelength atfc.
The Time Lags Effects of Innovation Input on Output in National Innovation Systems: The Case of China
Authors: Wang Dan , Zhao Xinli , Zhang Zhenshan
Published: September 2016

This paper investigates the time lags effects of innovation input on output in the national innovation systems (NIS). Firstly, we analyze the intrinsic properties of China’s NIS based on the conceptual framework and the causal loop diagram. Secondly, we construct a time lags distribution calculation model and employ the main innovation input indicators to measure the specific characteristics of time lags effects of innovation input on output for China in the period 2000–2012. The results indicate that there are considerable time lags in the four major feedback loops, and the distribution of time lags is various according to the characteristics of innovation input and influencing factors in the internal transformation. The trends of time lags from R&D personnel and industry-academia-research collaboration show steady growth, and the trends of time lags from R&D expenditure and government’s macro-control take inverted U-shaped pattern. Finally, we combine the estimation results of lags distribution calculation model with the analysis results of the causal loop diagram (including positive loops and negative loops) to provide some innovation policy suggestions. This study provides important implications for our understanding of the long-term complex lags effects of innovation input on output as well as for policy-makers designing and implementing the innovation strategies.
Representation Learning from Time Labelled Heterogeneous Data for Mobile Crowdsensing
Authors: Ma Chunmei , Zhu Qing , Wu Shuang , Liu Bin
Published: September 2016

Mobile crowdsensing is a new paradigm that can utilize pervasive smartphones to collect and analyze data to benefit users. However, sensory data gathered by smartphone usually involves different data types because of different granularity and multiple sensor sources. Besides, the data are also time labelled. The heterogeneous and time sequential data raise new challenges for data analyzing. Some existing solutions try to learn each type of data one by one and analyze them separately without considering time information. In addition, the traditional methods also have to determine phone orientation because some sensors equipped in smartphone are orientation related. In this paper, we think that a combination of multiple sensors can represent an invariant feature for a crowdsensing context. Therefore, we propose a new representation learning method of heterogeneous data with time labels to extract typical features using deep learning. We evaluate that our proposed method can adapt data generated by different orientations effectively. Furthermore, we test the performance of the proposed method by recognizing two group mobile activities, walking/cycling and driving/bus with smartphone sensors. It achieves precisions of98.6%and93.7%in distinguishing cycling from walking and bus from driving, respectively.
The Effects of Nutritional Juice Supplementation on the Extent of Climacteric Symptoms: An Observational Study
Authors: Siebler Stefanie I. , Gresser Ursula , Richartz Barbara M.
Published: September 2016

Objective. This study aims to evaluate the effect of daily dietary nutritional supplement on somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal women. Material and Methods. In this study 28 healthy, symptomatic, peri‐ and postmenopausal women of 47–67 years of age were allocated to use the nutritional supplement JuicePLUS+®. Primary research parameters: Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) was used to assess menopausal symptoms at baseline and after 8 and 16 weeks of treatment. Secondary parameters: proliferation behaviour of vaginal smear was scored at baseline and after treatment. Results. Treatment with the supplement resulted in a reduction of somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms. The overall MRS score showed an average improvement of 44.01%. Most benefits were observed for the psychological symptoms irritability (60.55%) and physical and mental exhaustion (49.08%); modest effects were observed for hot flashes (44.86%) and sleeping problems (35.56%). There was a minor improvement in sexual problems; 6 women reported an increased libido. No statistically significant effect was found in vaginal dryness and proliferation behaviour of vaginal mucosa. No adverse effects were observed. Conclusion. Dietary nutritional supplement may constitute an effective alternative therapy to conventional alternative medicine for somatic, psychological, and sexual symptoms.
Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis and Cervicolumbar Radiculopathy as the Presenting Paraneoplastic Manifestations of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Yeung Jeffrey C. , Pringle C. Elizabeth , Sekhon Harmanjatinder S. , Kilty Shaun J. , Macdonald Kristian
Published: September 2016

Introduction. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis (BVCP) is a potential medical emergency. The Otolaryngologist plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of BVCP and must consider a broad differential diagnosis. We present a rare case of BVCP secondary to anti-Hu paraneoplastic syndrome.Case Presentation. A 58-year-old female presented to an Otolaryngology clinic with a history of progressive hoarseness and dysphagia. Flexible nasolaryngoscopy demonstrated BVCP. Cross-sectional imaging of the brain and vagus nerves was negative. An antiparaneoplastic antibody panel was positive for anti-Hu antibodies. This led to an endobronchial biopsy of a paratracheal lymph node, which confirmed the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer.Conclusion. Paraneoplastic neuropathy is a rare cause of BVCP and should be considered when more common pathologies are ruled out. This is the second reported case of BVCP as a presenting symptom of paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to small cell lung cancer.
Analysis ofLRRK2,SNCA,andITGA8Gene Variants with Sporadic Parkinson’s Disease Susceptibility in Chinese Han Population
Authors: Fang Jie , Yi Kehui , Guo Mingwei , An Xingkai , Qu Hongli , Lin Qing , Bi Min , Ma Qilin
Published: September 2016

Background. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease affected by multiple genetic and environmental factors. We performed a case-control study on candidate gene to scrutinize whether genetic variants inLRRK2,SNCA, andITGA8genes could be associated with sporadic PD in Chinese Han population.Methods. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ofLRRK2(rs1491942),SNCA(rs2301134, rs2301135, and rs356221), andITGA8(rs7077361) were selected and genotyped among 583 unrelated PD patients and 558 healthy controls.Results. Rs1491942 ofLRRK2gene had a significantly higher genotype frequency (P=3.543E-09) and allelic G/C frequencies (P=2.601E-10) in PD patients than controls. Rs2301135 ofSNCAgene also showed an obvious difference in genotype frequency (P=4.394E-07) and allelic G/C frequencies (P=9.116E-13) between PD patients and controls. SNPs rs2301134 and rs356221 ofSNCAgene and rs7077361 ofITGA8gene lacked the significant association with the susceptibility of PD in Chinese Han population.Conclusions. Our study firstly expresses that rs1491942 ofLRRK2and rs2301135 ofSNCAgene are substantially associated with sporadic Parkinson’s disease in Chinese Han population.
Coupling Systems for a New Type of Phase Synchronization
Authors: Grosu Florin D. , Bîrzu Adrian , Lazar Anca , Grosu Ioan
Published: September 2016

Using the usual phase in plane, we propose a general method to design coupling between systems that will exhibit phase synchronization. Numerical results are shown for Lorenz systems. Phase synchronization and antiphase synchronization are equally probable depending on initial conditions. A new network with Lorenz phase synchronized system is obtained.
Relationship of QTAIM and NOCV Descriptors with Tolman’s Electronic Parameter
Authors: Kégl Tímea R. , Kollár László , Kégl Tamás
Published: September 2016

The σ-donor properties of various P-donor ligands have been studied at the PBEPBE level of theory, which has proved to be accurate in computing the symmetric carbonyl stretching frequencies in nickel(0)-tricarbonyl complexes containing P-donor ligands. The delocalization index from the QTAIM methodology and the energy component associated with the NOCV deformation density representing the donor interaction give the best correlation with Tolman’s electronic parameters, whereas the electron density at the bond critical point and the Wiberg bond index are connected with the donor strength of the ligands to a lesser extent.
Naoxintong/PPARα Signaling Inhibits H9c2 Cell Apoptosis and Autophagy in Response to Oxidative Stress
Authors: Xu Huimin , Jin Jianhua , Chen Lu , Li Chunxiao , Xu Qinggang , Shi Juanjuan , Zhao Buchang , Hou Yongzhong , Wang Hong
Published: September 2016

Naoxintong (NXT) is an empirical formula based on the principle of traditional Chinese medicine, which has been approved by China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) and is widely used for treatment of patients with cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases in China. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective mechanism of NXT on H9c2 cells (cardiogenic cell line) in response to H2O2. MTT, Western blot, and flow cytometry (FCM) methods were used to identify the protective effect of NXT extract on H2O2‐induced H9c2 cells. Here we found that NXT extract significantly increased H9c2 cell viability and reduced H2O2‐induced cell apoptosis and autophagy. More importantly, NXT inhibited H2O2‐induced H9c2 cell apoptosis and autophagy by increasing PPARα protein levels. In contrast, silenced PPARα terminated NXT protective effect on H2O2‐induced H9c2 cells. These findings suggest that NXT/PPARα signaling suppressed H2O2‐induced H9c2 cell apoptosis and autophagy.
Free Vibration Analysis for Shells of Revolution Using an Exact Dynamic Stiffness Method
Authors: Chen Xudong , Ye Kangsheng
Published: September 2016

An exact generalised formulation for the free vibration of shells of revolution with general shaped meridians and arbitrary boundary conditions is introduced. Starting from the basic shell theories, the vibration governing equations are obtained in the Hamilton form, from which dynamic stiffness is computed using the ordinary differential equations solver COLSYS. Natural frequencies and modes are determined by employing the Wittrick-Williams (W-W) algorithm in conjunction with the recursive Newton’s method, thus expanding the applications of the abovementioned techniques from one-dimensional skeletal structures to two-dimensional shells of revolution. A solution for solving the number of clamped-end frequenciesJ0in the W-W algorithm is presented for both uniform and nonuniform shell segment members. Based on these theories, a FORTRAN program is written. Numerical examples on circular cylindrical shells, hyperboloidal cooling tower shells, and spherical shells are given, and error analysis is performed. The convergence of the proposed method onJ0is verified, and comparisons with frequencies from existing literature show that the dynamic stiffness method is robust, reliable, and accurate.
Atypical Features in a Large Turkish Family Affected with Friedreich Ataxia
Authors: Kurt Semiha , Cevik Betul , Aksoy Durdane , Sahbaz E. Irmak , Gundogdu Eken Aslı , Basak A. Nazli
Published: September 2016

Here, we describe the clinical features of several members of the same family diagnosed with Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) and cerebral lesions, demyelinating neuropathy, and late-age onset without a significant cardiac involvement and presenting with similar symptoms, although genetic testing was negative for the GAA repeat expansion in one patient of the family. The GAA repeat expansion in the frataxin gene was shown in all of the family members except in a young female patient. MRI revealed arachnoid cysts in two patients; MRI was consistent with both cavum septum pellucidum-cavum vergae and nodular signal intensity increase in one patient. EMG showed demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy in another patient. The GAA expansion-negative 11-year-old female patient had mental-motor retardation, epilepsy, and ataxia. None of the patients had significant cardiac symptoms. Description of FRDA families with different ethnic backgrounds may assist in identifying possible phenotypic and genetic features of the disease. Furthermore, the genetic heterogeneity observed in this family draws attention to the difficulty of genetic counseling in an inbred population and to the need for genotyping all affected members before delivering comprehensive genetic counseling.
Effect of Carbon Supported Pt Catalysts on Selective Hydrogenation of Cinnamaldehyde
Authors: Han Qing , Liu Yunfei , Wang Dong , Yuan Fulong , Niu Xiaoyu , Zhu Yujun
Published: September 2016

Selective hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde (CAL) to cinnamyl alcohol (COL) is of both fundamental and industrial interest. It is of great significance to evaluate the possible differences between different supports arising from metal dispersion and electronic effects, in terms of activity and selectivity. Herein, Pt catalysts on different carbon supports including carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxides (RGO) were developed by a simple wet impregnation method. The resultant catalysts were well characterized by XRD, Raman, N2physisorption, TEM, and XPS analysis. Applied in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde, 3.5 wt% Pt/CNT shows much higher selectivity towards cinnamyl alcohol (62%) than 3.5 wt% Pt/RGO@SiO2(48%). The enhanced activity can be ascribed to the high graphitization degree of CNTs and high density of dispersed Pt electron cloud.
Recurrent Midgut Bleeding due to Jejunal Angioleiomyoma
Authors: Gachabayov Mahir , Mityushin Petr
Published: September 2016

Angioleiomyoma being a type of true smooth muscle gastrointestinal tumors can lead to serious life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding. We report a case of 21-year-old male patient with recurrent midgut bleeding. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed highly vascular small bowel neoplasm. The patient underwent laparotomy with bowel resection and recovered uneventfully. Histopathology revealed jejunal angioleiomyoma.
Intelligence in Ecology: How Internet of Things Expands Insights into the Missing CO2Sink
Authors: Wang Wenfeng , Chen Xi , Zheng Hongwei , Lv Zhihan , Liu Zhengjia , Qian Jing , Hu Ping
Published: September 2016

Arid region characterizes more than 30% of the Earth’s total land surface area and the area is still increasing due to the trends of desertification, yet the extent to which it modulates the global C balance has been inadequately studied. As an emerging technology, IoT monitoring can combine researchers, instruments, and field sites and generate archival data for a better understanding of soil abiotic CO2uptake in arid region. Images’ similarity analyses based on IoT monitoring can help ecologists to find sites where the abiotic uptake can temporally dominate and how the negative soil respiration fluxes were produced, while IoT monitoring with a set of intelligent video recognition algorithms enables ecologists to revisit these sites and the experiments details through the videos. Therefore, IoT monitoring of geospatial images, videos, and associated optimization and control algorithms should be a research priority towards expanding insights for soil abiotic CO2uptake and a better understanding of how the uptake happens in arid region. Nevertheless, there are still considerable uncertainties and difficulties in determining the overall perspective of IoT monitoring for insights into the missing CO2sink.
Variational-Like Inequalities for Weakly Relaxed η-α Pseudomonotone Set-Valued Mappings in Banach Space
Authors: Irfan Syed Shakaib , Khan Mohammad Firdosh
Published: September 2016

We introduce and study variational-like inequalities for generalized pseudomonotone set-valued mappings in Banach spaces. By using KKM technique, we obtain the existence of solutions for variational-like inequalities for generalized pseudomonotone set-valued mappings in reflexive Banach spaces. The results presented in this paper are generalizations and improvements of the several well-known results in the literature.
Fractal Dimension versus Process Complexity
Authors: Joosten Joost J. , Soler-Toscano Fernando , Zenil Hector
Published: September 2016

We look at small Turing machines (TMs) that work with just two colors (alphabet symbols) and either two or three states. For any particular such machineτand any particular inputx, we consider what we call thespace-timediagram which is basically the collection of consecutive tape configurations of the computationτ(x). In our setting, it makes sense to define a fractal dimension for a Turing machine as the limiting fractal dimension for the corresponding space-time diagrams. It turns out that there is a very strong relation between the fractal dimension of a Turing machine of the above-specified type and its runtime complexity. In particular, a TM with three states and two colors runs in at most linear time, if and only if its dimension is 2, and its dimension is 1, if and only if it runs in superpolynomial time and it uses polynomial space. If a TM runs in timeO(xn), we have empirically verified that the corresponding dimension is(n+1)/n, a result that we can only partially prove. We find the results presented here remarkable because they relate two completely different complexity measures: the geometrical fractal dimension on one side versus the time complexity of a computation on the other side.
Cellular Composition Changes and Nitrogen Uptake under Extra-Limited Nitrogen Conditions byThermosynechococcussp. CL-1 Carbon Biofixation
Authors: Chi-Ming Tseng , Tzu-Hsing Ko , Hsin-Ta Hsueh , Hsing-Hui Chen , Dah-Tong Ray , Yun-Hwei Shen , Hsin Chu
Published: September 2016

Two types of culture systems were used (continuous and batch) which were fed using a simulated absorbent from a scrubber with carbonate/bicarbonate as the carbon source and nitrate as the nitrogen source by a thermophile strain,Thermosynechococcussp. CL-1 (TCL-1) at 50°C. The lipid, carbohydrate, and protein cellular components which can be used as bioenergy precursors along with their content as a function of various C/N ratios are quantified. Maximum lipid productivity of about 150 mg L−1 d−1is obtained while the CO2uptake rate is 917 mg L−1 d−1at a dilution rate of 0.06 h−1when both carbon and nitrogen sources are not limited. With high range of nitrogen concentrations batch culture test, TCL-1 reveals extra-high affinity on nitrogen source under limited carbon source conditions since the affinity constant is 0.12 mM. In addition, the flow of carbon fixed during photosynthesis seems to switch from the protein synthesis pathway to forming carbohydrate rather than lipid under N-limitation and a high C/N ratio for TCL-1, resulting in a maximal carbohydrate content of 61%. Consequently, TCL-1 is an appropriate candidate to treat the wastewater of environment and produce the bioenergy precursors under extreme limited nitrogen conditions.
The Multiple Facets of Lutein: A Call for Further Investigation in the Perinatal Period
Authors: Perrone Serafina , Tei Monica , Longini Mariangela , Buonocore Giuseppe
Published: September 2016

Lutein may have important antioxidant actions in free‐radical‐mediated diseases, in addition to its well‐known antioxidant and cytoprotective effects on macula and photoreceptors. The peculiar perinatal susceptibility to oxidative stress indicates that prophylactic use of antioxidants as lutein could help to prevent or at least to reduce oxidative stress related diseases in newborns. Since lutein is not synthesized by humans, the intake primarily depends on diet or supplementation. Newborns receive lutein exclusively from breast milk. Lutein supplementation in term newborns has been reported to reduce oxidative stress and increase antioxidant capacities in the first days of life. Innovative frontiers concerning lutein supplementation are orientated toward cardiometabolic health improvement and cognitive benefits. The safety of lutein as an antioxidant agent has been confirmed in experimental and clinical studies, but its routine use is not recommended in perinatal period. This review summarizes what is known about the role of lutein as an antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agent in animal model and humans.
Prediction and In Silico Identification of Novel B-Cells and T-Cells Epitopes in the S1-Spike Glycoprotein of M41 and CR88 (793/B) Infectious Bronchitis Virus Serotypes for Application in Peptide Vaccines
Authors: Bande Faruku , Arshad Siti Suri , Hair Bejo Mohd , Kadkhodaei Saeid , Omar Abdul Rahman
Published: September 2016

Bioinformatic analysis was used to predict antigenic B-cell and T-cell epitopes within the S1 glycoprotein of M41 and CR88 IBV strains. A conserved linear B-cell epitope peptide, YTSNETTDVTS175–185, was identified in M41 IBV strains while three such epitopes types namely, VSNASPNSGGVD279–290, HPKCNFRPENI328–338, and NETNNAGSVSDCTAGT54–69, were predicted in CR88 IBV strains. Analysis of MHCI binding peptides in M41 IBV strains revealed the presence of 15 antigenic peptides out of which 12 were highly conserved in 96–100% of the total M41 strains analysed. Interestingly three of these peptides, GGPITYKVM208, WFNSLSVSI356, and YLADAGLAI472, relatively had high antigenicity index (>1.0). On the other hand, 11 MHCI binding epitope peptides were identified in CR88 IBV strains. Of these, five peptides were found to be highly conserved with a range between 90% and 97%. However, WFNSLSVSL358, SYNISAASV88, and YNISAASVA89 peptides comparably showed high antigenicity scores (>1.0). Combination of antigenic B-cells and T-cells peptides that are conserved across many strains as approach to evoke humoral and CTL immune response will potentially lead to a broad-based vaccine that could reduce the challenges in using live attenuated vaccine technology in the control of IBV infection in poultry.
Ripening-Dependent Changes in Antioxidants, Color Attributes, and Antioxidant Activity of Seven Tomato (Solanum lycopersicumL.) Cultivars
Authors: Bhandari Shiva Ram , Lee Jun Gu
Published: September 2016

To evaluate the ripening-dependent changes in phytonutrients, seven commercial cultivars (two general and five cherry) of tomatoes were cultivated under greenhouse conditions. Fruits were harvested at breaker, turning, pink, light red, and red stages of each cultivar, and antioxidant contents, color attributes, and antioxidant activities were measured. During ripening process, lycopene content increased from the breaker to red stage, while lutein displayed the reverse accumulation pattern, with higher values during the breaker stage. In contrast,β-carotene showed the highest levels of synthesis in pink and light red stages. Furthermore, flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, naringenin, and luteolin) also showed similar ripening-dependent changes, with higher quantities in pink and light red stages. Ascorbic acid showed continuously increasing patterns throughout ripening until the red stage, while the accumulation of total phenolics was cultivar-dependent. These results indicate that each antioxidant compound has a unique pattern of accumulation and degradation during the ripening process. “Unicon” exhibited highest total carotenoid (110.27 mg/100 g), total phenol (297.88 mg GAE/100 g) and total flavonoid content (273.33 mg/100 g), and consequently highest antioxidant activity (2552.4 μmol TE/100 g) compared to other cultivars. Throughout the ripening processes, total phenolics showed the highest correlation with antioxidant activity, followed byβ-carotene and total flavonoids. In conclusion, ripening in tomatoes is accompanied by incremental increases in various antioxidant compounds to some extent, as well as by concomitant increases in antioxidant activity.
Identification of Multiple Outliers in a Generalized Linear Model with Continuous Variables
Authors: Yee Peng Loo , Midi Habshah , Rana Sohel , Fitrianto Anwar
Published: September 2016

In the statistical analysis of data, a model might be awfully fitted with the presence of outliers. Besides, it has been well established to use residuals for identification of outliers. The asymptotic properties of residuals can be utilized to contribute diagnostic tools. However, it is now evident that most of the existing diagnostic methods have failed in identifying multiple outliers. Therefore, this paper proposed a diagnostic method for the identification of multiple outliers in GLM, where traditionally used outlier detection methods are effortless as they undergo masking or swamping dilemma. Hence, an investigation was carried out to determine the capability of the proposed GSCPR method. The findings obtained from the numerical examples indicated that the performance of the proposed method was satisfactory for the identification of multiple outliers. Meanwhile, in the simulation study, two scenarios were considered to assess the validity of the proposed method. The proposed method consistently displayed higher percentage of correct detection, as well as lower rates of swamping and masking, regardless of the sample size and the contamination levels.
Marchiafava-Bignami and Alcohol Related Acute Polyneuropathy: The Cooccurrence of Two Rare Entities
Authors: Boloursaz Samine , Nekooei Sirous , Seilanian Toosi Farrokh , Rezaei-Dalouei Hossein , Davachi Behrooz , Kazemi Sahar , Abbasi Bita
Published: September 2016

Objectives. The aim of this article is to represent the first reported case with cooccurrence of two rare alcohol related complications.Case Report. We report a 38-year-old man with chronic alcoholism who presented with both cranial and peripheral nerve palsy. On MRI examination characteristic findings of Marchiafava-Bignami disease were recognized.Discussion. Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare complication of long-term, heavy alcohol abuse that has characteristic MRI findings. Acute alcohol related polyneuropathy (AARP) is another rare and not-well-understood complication of chronic alcohol abuse. We could not find any previous report of the cooccurrence of these two complications in the literature.
Evaluation of Influenza Vaccination Efficacy: A Universal Epidemic Model
Authors: Nizolenko Lily Ph. , Bachinsky Alexander G. , Bazhan Sergei I.
Published: September 2016

By means of a designed epidemic model, we evaluated the influence of seasonal vaccination coverage as well as a potential universal vaccine with differing efficacy on the aftermath of seasonal and pandemic influenza. The results of the modeling enabled us to conclude that, to control a seasonal influenza epidemic with a reproduction coefficientR0≤1.5, a 35% vaccination coverage with the current seasonal influenza vaccine formulation is sufficient, provided that other epidemiology measures are regularly implemented. IncreasingR0level of pandemic strains will obviously require stronger intervention. In addition, seasonal influenza vaccines fail to confer protection against antigenically distinct pandemic influenza strains. Therefore, the necessity of a universal influenza vaccine is clear. The model predicts that a potential universal vaccine will be able to provide sufficient reliable (90%) protection against pandemic influenza only if its efficacy is comparable with the effectiveness of modern vaccines against seasonal influenza strains (70%–80%); given that at least 40% of the population has been vaccinated in advance, ill individuals have been isolated (observed), and a quarantine has been introduced. If other antiepidemic measures are absent, a vaccination coverage of at least 80% is required.
Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of Jaws: A Low-Level Laser Therapy and Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Case Approach
Authors: Minamisako Mariana Comparotto , Ribeiro Guilherme Henrique , Lisboa Mariáh Luz , Mariela Rodríguez Cordeiro Mabel , Grando Liliane Janete
Published: September 2016

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) can be considered an inability of the alveolar bone to respond to an injury, which frequently leads to severe local and systemic complications. Once the problem is installed, dentist must use all therapeutic approaches recommended. This manuscript reports a successful management of MRONJ handled with antibiotics, conservative debridement, low-level laser therapy (LLLT), and photodynamic therapy (PDT) up to 12 months. As healing of MRONJ may be very slow, combined therapeutic approaches are required. Besides the recommended conventional treatment protocol, LLLT and PDT are important tools to contribute to healing and improvement of patient’s quality of life.