bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer Science Education for Primary and Lower Secondary School Students
Authors: Isayama Daiki , Ishiyama Masaki , Relator Raissa , Yamazaki Koichi
Published: September 2016

We explore the feasibility of early introduction to automata theory through gamification. We designed a puzzle game that players can answer correctly if they understand the fundamental concepts of automata theory. In our investigation, 90 children played the game, and their actions were recorded in play logs. An analysis of the play logs shows that approximately 60% of the children achieved correct-answer rates of at least 70%, which suggests that primary and lower secondary school students can understand the fundamental concepts of automata theory. Meanwhile, our analysis shows that most of them do not
fully
understand automata theory, but some of them have a good understanding of the concept.
Acceleration of k-Means Algorithm Using Altera SDK for OpenCL
Authors: Tang Qing Y. , Khalid Mohammed A. S.
Published: September 2016

A K-means clustering algorithm involves partitioning of data iteratively into k clusters. It is one of the most popular data-mining algorithms [Wu et al. 2007], and is widely used in other applications, such as image processing and machine learning. However, k-means is highly time-consuming when data or cluster size is large. Traditionally, FPGAs have shown great promise for accelerating computationally intensive algorithms, but they are harder to use for acceleration if we rely on traditional HD-based design methods. The recent introduction of Altera SDK for the OpenCL high-level synthesis tool allows developers to utilize FPGA's potential without long development periods and extensive hardware knowledge. This article presents an optimized implementation of a k-means clustering algorithm on an FPGA using Altera SDK for OpenCL. Performance and power consumption is measured with various data, cluster, and dimension sizes. When compared to state-of-the-art solutions, this implementation supports larger cluster sizes, offers up to 21x speed over a CPU and is more power efficient than a GPU. Unlike previous implementations, it can deliver consistently high throughput across large or small feature dimensions given reasonable cluster sizes and large enough data size.
A Survey on Accessing Dataspaces
Authors: Wang Yihan , Song Shaoxu , Chen Lei
Published: September 2016

Dataspaces provide a co-existence approach for heterogeneous data. Relationships among these heterogeneous data are often incrementally identified, such as object associations or attribute synonyms. With the different degree of relationships recognized, various query answers may be obtained. In this paper, we review the major techniques for processing and optimizing queries in dataspaces, according to their different abilities of handling relationships, including 1) simple search query without considering relationships, 2) association query over object associations, 3) heterogeneity query with attribute correspondences, and 4) similarity query for similar objects. Techniques such as indexing, query rewriting, expansion, and semantic query optimization are discussed for these query types. Finally, we highlight possible directions in accessing dataspaces.
Mouse Slc4a11 expressed in Xenopus oocytes is an ideally selective H+/OH− conductance pathway that is stimulated by rises in intracellular and extracellular pH
Authors: Myers Evan J. , Marshall Aniko , Jennings Michael L. , Parker Mark D.
Published: September 2016

The SLC4A11 gene encodes the bicarbonate-transporter-related protein BTR1, which is mutated in syndromes characterized by vision and hearing loss. Signs of these diseases [congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and Harboyan syndrome] are evident in mouse models of Slc4a11 disruption. However, the intrinsic activity of Slc4a11 remains controversial, complicating assignment of its (patho)physiological role. Most studies concur that Slc4a11 transports H+ (or the thermodynamically equivalent species OH−) rather than HCO3−, but disparities have arisen as to whether the transport is coupled to another species such as Na+ or NH3/NH4+. Here for the first time, we examine the action of mouse Slc4a11 in Xenopus oocytes. We simultaneously monitor changes in intracellular pH, membrane potential, and conductance as we alter extracellular pH, revealing the electrical and chemical driving forces that underlie the observed ion fluxes. We find that mSlc4a11 is an ideally selective H+/OH− conductive pathway, the action of which is uncoupled from the cotransport of any other ion. We also find that the activity of mSlc4a11 is independently enhanced by both extracellular and intracellular alkalinization, suggesting OH− as the most likely substrate and providing a novel explanation for the apparent NH3-dependence of Slc4a11-mediated currents reported by others. We suggest that the unique properties of Slc4a11 action underlie its value as a pH regulator in corneal endothelial cells.
Mechanotransduction of the endothelial glycocalyx mediates nitric oxide production through activation of TRP channels
Authors: Dragovich Matthew A. , Chester Daniel , Fu Bingmei M. , Wu Chenyu , Xu Yan , Goligorsky Michael S. , Zhang X. Frank
Published: September 2016

The endothelial surface glycocalyx (ESG) is a carbohydrate-rich layer found on the vascular endothelium, serving critical functions in the mechanotransduction of blood flow-induced forces. One of the most important protective functions of the ESG is to mediate the production of nitric oxide (NO) in response to blood flow. However, the detailed mechanism underlying ESG's mechanotransduction of the production of NO has not been completely identified. Herein, using the cultured rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd.3) as a model system, we have implemented a combined atomic force and fluorescence microscopy approach to show that the ESG senses and transduces vertical mechanical stretch to produce NO. This rapid NO production is dependent on the presence of both heparan sulfate (HS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) in ESG, as the removal of HS and/or HA leads to a significant decrease in NO production. Moreover, the production of NO is dependent on the intake of Ca2+ via endothelial transient receptor potential (TRP) channels. Together, our results demonstrate the molecular mechanism of rapid production of NO in response to vertical mechanical stretch.
Angiotensin-(1–7) protects from brain damage induced by shiga toxin 2-producing enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli
Authors: Goldstein Jorge , Carden Tomás R. , Perez María J. , Taira Carlos A. , Höcht Christian , Gironacci Mariela M.
Published: September 2016

Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2)-producing enterohemorrhagic induced brain damage. Since a cerebroprotective action was reported for angiotensin (Ang)-(1–7), our aim was to investigate whether Ang-(1–7) protects from brain damage induced by Stx2-producing enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. The anterior hypothalamic area of adult male Wistar rats was injected with saline solution or Stx2 or Stx2 plus Ang-(1–7) or Stx2 plus Ang-(1–7) plus A779. Rats received a single injection of Stx2 at the beginning of the experiment, and Ang-(1–7), A779, or saline was administered daily in a single injection for 8 days. Cellular ultrastructural changes were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Stx2 induced neurodegeneration, axonal demyelination, alterations in synapse, and oligodendrocyte and astrocyte damage, accompanied by edema. Ang-(1–7) prevented neuronal damage triggered by the toxin in 55.6 ± 9.5% of the neurons and the Stx2-induced synapse dysfunction was reversed. In addition, Ang-(1–7) blocked Stx2-induced demyelination in 92 ± 4% of the axons. Oligodendrocyte damage caused by Stx2 was prevented by Ang-(1–7) but astrocytes were only partially protected by the peptide (38 ± 5% of astrocytes were preserved). Ang-(1–7) treatment resulted in 50% reduction in the number of activated microglial cells induced by Stx2, suggesting an anti-inflammatory action. All these beneficial effects elicited by Ang-(1–7) were blocked by the Mas receptor antagonist and thus it was concluded that Ang-(1–7) protects mainly neurons and oligodendrocytes, and partially astrocytes, in the central nervous system through Mas receptor stimulation.
Characterization and phosphoproteomic analysis of a human immortalized podocyte model of Fabry disease generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology
Authors: Pereira Ester M. , Labilloy Anatália , Eshbach Megan L. , Roy Ankita , Subramanya Arohan R. , Monte Semiramis , Labilloy Guillaume , Weisz Ora A.
Published: September 2016

Fabry nephropathy is a major cause of morbidity and premature death in patients with Fabry disease (FD), a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. Gb3, the main substrate of α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A), progressively accumulates within cells in a variety of tissues. Establishment of cell models has been useful as a tool for testing hypotheses of disease pathogenesis. We applied CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology to the GLA gene to develop human kidney cell models of FD in human immortalized podocytes, which are the main affected renal cell type. Our podocytes lack detectable α-Gal A activity and have increased levels of Gb3. To explore different pathways that could have distinct patterns of activation under conditions of α-gal A deficiency, we used a high-throughput antibody array to perform phosphorylation profiling of CRISPR/Cas9-edited and control podocytes. Changes in both total protein levels and in phosphorylation status per site were observed. Analysis of our candidate proteins suggests that multiple signaling pathways are impaired in FD.
Electrosensory processing inApteronotus albifrons: implications for general and specific neural coding strategies across wave-type weakly electric fish species
Authors: Martinez Diana , Metzen Michael G. , Chacron Maurice J.
Published: September 2016

Understanding how the brain processes sensory input to generate behavior remains an important problem in neuroscience. Towards this end, it is useful to compare results obtained across multiple species to gain understanding as to the general principles of neural coding. Here we investigated hindbrain pyramidal cell activity in the weakly electric fish Apteronotus albifrons. We found strong heterogeneities when looking at baseline activity. Additionally, ON- and OFF-type cells responded to increases and decreases of sinusoidal and noise stimuli, respectively. While both cell types displayed band-pass tuning, OFF-type cells were more broadly tuned than their ON-type counterparts. The observed heterogeneities in baseline activity as well as the greater broadband tuning of OFF-type cells were both similar to those previously reported in other weakly electric fish species, suggesting that they constitute general features of sensory processing. However, we found that peak tuning occurred at frequencies ∼15 Hz in A. albifrons, which is much lower than values reported in the closely related species Apteronotus leptorhynchus and the more distantly related species Eigenmannia virescens. In response to stimuli with time-varying amplitude (i.e., envelope), ON- and OFF-type cells displayed similar high-pass tuning curves characteristic of fractional differentiation and possibly indicate optimized coding. These tuning curves were qualitatively similar to those of pyramidal cells in the closely related species A. leptorhynchus. In conclusion, comparison between our and previous results reveals general and species-specific neural coding strategies. We hypothesize that differences in coding strategies, when observed, result from different stimulus distributions in the natural/social environment.
Callosal dysfunction explains injury sequelae in a computational network model of axonal injury
Authors: Cui Jianxia , Ng Laurel J. , Volman Vladislav
Published: September 2016

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often results in neurobehavioral aberrations such as impaired attention and increased reaction time. Diffusion imaging and postmortem analysis studies suggest that mTBI primarily affects myelinated axons in white matter tracts. In particular, corpus callosum, mediating interhemispheric information exchange, has been shown to be affected in mTBI. Yet little is known about the mechanisms linking the injury of myelinated callosal axons to the neurobehavioral sequelae of mTBI. To address this issue, we devised and studied a large, biologically plausible neuronal network model of cortical tissue. Importantly, the model architecture incorporated intra- and interhemispheric organization, including myelinated callosal axons and distance-dependent axonal conduction delays. In the resting state, the intact model network exhibited several salient features, including alpha-band (8–12 Hz) collective activity with low-frequency irregular spiking of individual neurons. The network model of callosal injury captured several clinical observations, including 1) “slowing down” of the network rhythms, manifested as an increased resting-state theta-to-alpha power ratio, 2) reduced response to attention-like network stimulation, manifested as a reduced spectral power of collective activity, and 3) increased population response time in response to stimulation. Importantly, these changes were positively correlated with injury severity, supporting proposals to use neurobehavioral indices as biomarkers for determining the severity of injury. Our modeling effort helps to understand the role played by the injury of callosal myelinated axons in defining the neurobehavioral sequelae of mTBI.
Spirulina Supplements Improved the Nutritional Status of Undernourished Children Quickly and Significantly: Experience from Kisantu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Matondo Féfé Khuabi , Takaisi Kikuni , Nkuadiolandu Adolphine Bedi , Kazadi Lukusa Aimé , Aloni Michel Ntetani
Published: September 2016

Aim. Despite high levels of malnutrition, there is still very little information on the nutritional benefits ofSpirulina, a natural alga that provides essential amino acids, rare essential lipids, and numerous minerals and vitamins, to undernourished children in the world.Methods. We carried out a prospective study of 50 children aged between six and 60 months. The intervention group consisted of 16 children who received 10 g ofSpirulinadaily, as well as the local diet administered by the nutritional centre, and the control group of 34 children who just received the local diet. Both groups of children were assessed on day zero, day 15, and day 30.Results. After treatment, the weight-for-ageZscores and weight-for-heightZscores increased significantly in the intervention group. At day 15, there was a statistically significant difference between the mean corpuscular volume, total proteins, and albumin (p<0.05) in both groups, in favour of the intervention group, and at day 30, this difference extended to all of the studied parameters (p<0.05).Conclusion. This study found that the nutritional status of undernourished children who receivedSpirulinasupplements as well as the local diet administered by the nutritional centre improved quickly and significantly.
The Overexpression of NALP3 Inflammasome in Knee Osteoarthritis Is Associated with Synovial Membrane Prolidase and NADPH Oxidase 2
Authors: Clavijo-Cornejo Denise , Martínez-Flores Karina , Silva-Luna Karina , Martínez-Nava Gabriela Angélica , Fernández-Torres Javier , Zamudio-Cuevas Yessica , Guadalupe Santamaría-Olmedo Mónica , Granados-Montiel Julio , Pineda Carlos , López-Reyes Alberto
Published: September 2016

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the presence of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species. We aimed to clarify the role of prooxidant enzyme content at the synovial membrane level and how it correlates with the inflammatory process in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). In synovial membranes from KOA patients and control group, we analyzed the protein content of prooxidant enzymes such as Nox2, xanthine oxidase (XO), and prolidase as well as the proinflammatory NALP3. Results show that protein content of prolidase and Nox2 increased 4.8‐ and 8.4‐fold, respectively, and XO showed an increasing trend, while the NALP3 inflammasome increased 5.4‐fold with respect to control group. Levels of prolidase and XO had a positive correlation between the levels of NALP3 and Nox2. By principal component analysis the protein expression pattern by study groups was evaluated. Three clusters were identified; protein expression patterns were higher for clusters two (prolidase) and three (XO and Nox2) between KOA patients and controls. Data suggest that prooxidant enzymes increase in synovial membrane of KOA patients and may contribute to the inflammatory state and degradation of the articular cartilage.
Low Density of Top Predators (Seabirds and Marine Mammals) in the High Arctic Pack Ice
Authors: Joiris Claude R. , Boos Karin , D’Hert Diederik , Nachtsheim Dominik A.
Published: September 2016

The at-sea distribution of top predators, seabirds and marine mammals, was determined in the high Arctic pack ice on board the icebreaker RVPolarsternin July to September 2014. In total, 1,620 transect counts were realised, lasting 30 min each. The five most numerous seabird species represented 74% of the total of 15,150 individuals registered: kittiwakeRissa tridactyla, fulmarFulmarus glacialis, puffinFratercula arctica, Ross’s gullRhodostethia rosea, and little aukAlle alle. Eight cetacean species were tallied for a total of 330 individuals, mainly white-beaked dolphinLagenorhynchus albirostrisand fin whaleBalaenoptera physalus. Five pinniped species were represented by a total of 55 individuals and the polar bearUrsus maritimuswas represented by 12 individuals. Four main geographical zones were identified: from Tromsø to the outer marginal ice zone (OMIZ), the Arctic pack ice (close pack ice, CPI), the end of Lomonosov Ridge off Siberia, and the route off Siberia and northern Norway. Important differences were detected between zones, both in species composition and in individual abundance. Low numbers of species and high proportion of individuals for some of them can be considered to reflect very low biodiversity. Numbers encountered in zones 2 to 4 were very low in comparison with other European Arctic seas. The observed differences showed strong patterns.
Multicrack Localization in Rotors Based on Proper Orthogonal Decomposition Using Fractal Dimension and Gapped Smoothing Method
Authors: Lu Zhiwen , Dong Dawei , Cao Shancheng , Ouyang Huajiang , Hua Chunrong
Published: September 2016

Multicrack localization in operating rotor systems is still a challenge today. Focusing on this challenge, a new approach based on proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is proposed for multicrack localization in rotors. A two-disc rotor-bearing system with breathing cracks is established by the finite element method and simulated sensors are distributed along the rotor to obtain the steady-state transverse responses required by POD. Based on the discontinuities introduced in the proper orthogonal modes (POMs) at the locations of cracks, the characteristic POM (CPOM), which is sensitive to crack locations and robust to noise, is selected for cracks localization. Instead of using the CPOM directly, due to its difficulty to localize incipient cracks, damage indexes using fractal dimension (FD) and gapped smoothing method (GSM) are adopted, in order to extract the locations more efficiently. The method proposed in this work is validated to be effective for multicrack localization in rotors by numerical experiments on rotors in different crack configuration cases considering the effects of noise. In addition, the feasibility of using fewer sensors is also investigated.
Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacogenetic, and Other Factors Influencing CNS Penetration of Antiretrovirals
Authors: Nwogu Jacinta Nwamaka , Ma Qing , Babalola Chinedum Peace , Adedeji Waheed Adeola , Morse Gene D. , Taiwo Babafemi
Published: September 2016

Neurological complications associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are a matter of great concern. While antiretroviral (ARV) drugs are the cornerstone of HIV treatment and typically produce neurological benefit, some ARV drugs have limited CNS penetration while others have been associated with neurotoxicity. CNS penetration is a function of several factors including sieving role of blood-brain and blood-CSF barriers and activity of innate drug transporters. Other factors are related to pharmacokinetics and pharmacogenetics of the specific ARV agent or mediated by drug interactions, local inflammation, and blood flow. In this review, we provide an overview of the various factors influencing CNS penetration of ARV drugs with an emphasis on those commonly used in sub-Saharan Africa. We also summarize some key associations between ARV drug penetration, CNS efficacy, and neurotoxicity.
Objectively Quantified Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Predicting Visceral Adiposity and Liver Fat
Authors: Keating Shelley E. , Parker Helen M. , Pavey Toby G. , Baker Michael K. , Caterson Ian D. , George Jacob , Johnson Nathan A.
Published: September 2016

Objective. Epidemiologic studies suggest an inverse relationship between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and self-reported physical activity levels. However, subjective measurements can be inaccurate and prone to reporter bias. We investigated whether objectively quantified physical activity levels predicted liver fat and VAT in overweight/obese adults.Methods. Habitual physical activity was measured by triaxial accelerometry for four days (n=82). Time spent in sedentary behavior (MET < 1.6) and light (MET 1.6 < 3), moderate (MET 3 < 6), and vigorous (MET 6 < 9) physical activity was quantified. Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy were used to quantify visceral and liver fat. Bivariate correlations and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed.Results. There were no associations between physical activity or sedentary behavior and liver lipid. Sedentary behavior and moderate and vigorous physical activity accounted for just 3% of variance for VAT (p=0.14) and 0.003% for liver fat (p=0.96). Higher levels of VAT were associated with time spent in moderate activity (r=0.294,p=0.007), but there was no association with sedentary behavior. Known risk factors for obesity-related NAFLD accounted for 62% and 40% of variance in VAT and liver fat, respectively (p<0.01).Conclusion. Objectively measured levels of habitual physical activity and sedentary behavior did not influence VAT or liver fat.
Constructing Functional Ionic Membrane Surface by Electrochemically Mediated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Ran Fen , Li Dan , Wu Jiayu
Published: September 2016

The sodium polyacrylate (PAANa) contained polyethersulfone membrane that was fabricated by preparation of PES-NH2via nonsolvent phase separation method, the introduction of bromine groups as active sites by graftingα-Bromoisobutyryl bromide, and surface-initiated electrochemically atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-eATRP) of sodium acrylate (AANa) on the surface of PES membrane. The polymerization could be controlled by reaction condition, such as monomer concentration, electric potential, polymerization time, and modifier concentration. The membrane surface was uniform when the monomer concentration was 0.9 mol/L, the electric potential was −0.12 V, the polymerization time was 8 h, and the modifier concentration was 2 wt.%. The membrane showed excellent hydrophilicity and blood compatibility. The water contact angle decreased from 84° to 68° and activated partial thromboplastin increased from 51 s to 84 s after modification of the membranes.
Acmella oleracea and Achyrocline satureioides as Sources of Natural Products in Topical Wound Care
Authors: Yamane Lais Thiemi , de Paula Eneida , Jorge Michelle Pedroza , de Freitas-Blanco Verônica Santana , Junior Ílio Montanari , Figueira Glyn Mara , Anholeto Luís Adriano , de Oliveira Patricia Rosa , Rodrigues Rodney Alexandre Ferreira
Published: September 2016

The Brazilian forests have one of the world’s biggest biodiversities. Achyrocline satureioides (macela) and Acmella oleracea (jambu) are native species from Brazil with a huge therapeutic potential, with proved anti‐inflammatory and anesthetic action, respectively. The jambu’s crude extract after depigmentation with activated charcoal and macela’s essential oil were incorporated in a film made with hydroxyethyl cellulose. Those films were evaluated by mechanical test using a texturometer and anti‐inflammatory and anesthetic activities by in vivo tests: wound healing and antinociceptive. The film containing the highest concentration of depigmented jambu’s extract and macela’s essential oil obtained an anesthesia time of 83.6 (±28.5) min longer when compared with the positive control EMLA®; the same occurred with the wound healing test; the film containing the highest concentration had a higher wound contraction (62.0% ± 12.1) compared to the positive control allantoin and the histopathological analysis demonstrated that it increases collagen synthesis and epidermal thickening. The results demonstrate that the films have a potential use in skin wounds, pressure sore, and infected surgical wounds treatment.
Noninferiority and Equivalence Evaluation of Clinical Performance among Computed Radiography, Film, and Digitized Film for Telemammography Services
Authors: Salazar Antonio J. , Romero Javier A. , Bernal Oscar A. , Moreno Angela P. , Velasco Sofía C. , Díaz Xavier A.
Published: September 2016

Objective.The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical performance of different alternatives to implement low-cost screening telemammography. We compared computed radiography, film printed images, and digitized films produced with a specialized film digitizer and a digital camera.Material and Methods.The ethics committee of our institution approved this study. We assessed the equivalence of the clinical performance of observers for cancer detection. The factorial design included 70 screening patients, four technological alternatives, and cases interpreted by seven radiologists, for a total of 1,960 observations. The variables evaluated were the positive predictive value (PPV), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC).Result. The mean values for the observed variables were as follows: accuracy ranged from 0.77 to 0.82, the PPV ranged from 0.67 to 0.68, sensitivity ranged from 0.64 to 0.74, specificity ranged from 0.87 to 0.90, and the AUC ranged from 0.87 to 0.90. At a difference of 0.1 to claim equivalence, all alternatives were equivalent for all variables.Conclusion.Our findings suggest that telemammography screening programs may be provided to underserved populations at a low cost, using a film digitizer or a digital camera.
Effects of Glutamate and Aspartate on Serum Antioxidative Enzyme, Sex Hormones, and Genital Inflammation in Boars Challenged with Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Ni Hengjia , Lu Lu , Deng Jinpin , Fan Wenjun , Li Tiejun , Yao Jiming
Published: September 2016

Background. Oxidative stress is associated with infertility. This study was conducted to determine the effects of glutamate and aspartate on serum antioxidative enzymes, sex hormones, and genital inflammation in boars suffering from oxidative stress.Methods. Boars were randomly divided into 4 groups: the nonchallenged control (CON) and H2O2-challenged control (BD) groups were fed a basal diet supplemented with 2% alanine; the other two groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2% glutamate (GLU) or 2% aspartate (ASP). The BD, GLU, and ASP groups were injected with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on day 15. The CON group was injected with 0.9% sodium chloride solution on the same day.Results. Dietary aspartate decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) level in serum (P<0.05) compared with the BD group. Additionally, aspartate maintained serum luteinizing hormone (LH) at a relatively stable level. Moreover, glutamate and aspartate increased transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in the epididymis and testis (P<0.05) compared with the BD group.Conclusion. Both glutamate and aspartate promoted genital mRNA expressions of anti-inflammatory factors after oxidative stress. Aspartate more effectively decreased serum MDA and prevented fluctuations in serum sex hormones after H2O2challenge than did glutamate.
Ochrobactrum anthropiKeratitis with Focal Descemet’s Membrane Detachment and Intracorneal Hypopyon
Authors: Venkateswaran Nandini , Wozniak Rachel A. F. , Hindman Holly B.
Published: September 2016

Purpose. To describe a unique case ofO. anthropikeratitis associated with a rare manifestation of Descemet’s membrane detachment and intracorneal hypopyon and to discuss challenges in diagnosis and management.Methods. Best-corrected visual acuity was measured with Snellen letters. Corneal scrapings were performed and aerobic, viral, herpetic, acid-fast bacilli,Acanthamoeba,and fungal stains and cultures were obtained. Following evisceration, tissue was evaluated for histologic features and again stained for bacteria, mycobacteria,Acanthamoeba, fungi, and viral particles.Results. Initial presentation to our institute was notable for a corneal ulcer, focal Descemet’s membrane detachment, and intracorneal hypopyon. Speciation of initial corneal scrapes revealedOchrobactrum anthropiand initial management included fortified tobramycin. Despite medical therapy, the patient developed a corneal perforation and required subsequent evisceration.Conclusion.O. anthropiis an emerging ocular pathogen that has not been previously reported in cases of keratitis. As this pathogen becomes increasingly recognized as a source of ocular infections, it is important to identify and treat aggressively to avoid vision-threatening disease.
TAFRO Syndrome Associated with EBV and Successful Triple Therapy Treatment: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Simons Malorie , Apor Emmanuel , Butera James N. , Treaba Diana O.
Published: September 2016

TAFRO syndrome is a rare constellation of symptoms: thrombocytopenia, anasarca, reticulin fibrosis of the bone marrow, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly. Its pathogenesis involves an excessive and inappropriate cytokine storm, most notably from IL-6, causing multiorgan failure; however, its etiology is undetermined. Starting in 2012, TAFRO syndrome was first identified in Japan as an atypical variant of Castleman’s disease. Previous reports include various different treatment protocols with inconsistent survival outcomes. Here we report the first known American, EBV positive but HIV and HHV-8 negative, male with TAFRO syndrome. He was successfully treated with an unusual three-drug regimen including tocilizumab, etoposide, and rituximab. We review the literature of TAFRO syndrome, discuss its possible viral etiology, and propose an original treatment regimen.
Bilevel Fuzzy Chance Constrained Hospital Outpatient Appointment Scheduling Model
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyang , Luo Rui , Zhao Canhui , Xia Xiaohua , Lev Benjamin , Chai Jian , Li Richard
Published: September 2016

Hospital outpatient departments operate by selling fixed period appointments for different treatments. The challenge being faced is to improve profit by determining the mix of full time and part time doctors and allocating appointments (which involves scheduling a combination of doctors, patients, and treatments to a time period in a department) optimally. In this paper, a bilevel fuzzy chance constrained model is developed to solve the hospital outpatient appointment scheduling problem based on revenue management. In the model, the hospital, the leader in the hierarchy, decides the mix of the hired full time and part time doctors to maximize the total profit; each department, the follower in the hierarchy, makes the decision of the appointment scheduling to maximize its own profit while simultaneously minimizing surplus capacity. Doctor wage and demand are considered as fuzzy variables to better describe the real-life situation. Then we use chance operator to handle the model with fuzzy parameters and equivalently transform the appointment scheduling model into a crisp model. Moreover, interactive algorithm based on satisfaction is employed to convert the bilevel programming into a single level programming, in order to make it solvable. Finally, the numerical experiments were executed to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Assessment of Global Voltage Stability Margin through Radial Basis Function Neural Network
Authors: Saxena Akash , Sharma Ankit Kumar
Published: September 2016

Dynamic operating conditions along with contingencies often present formidable challenges to the power engineers. Decisions pertaining to the control strategies taken by the system operators at energy management centre are based on the information about the system’s behavior. The application of ANN as a tool for voltage stability assessment is empirical because of its ability to do parallel data processing with high accuracy, fast response, and capability to model dynamic, nonlinear, and noisy data. This paper presents an effective methodology based on Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFN) to predict Global Voltage Stability Margin (GVSM), for any unseen loading condition of the system. GVSM is used to assess the overall voltage stability status of the power system. A comparative analysis of different topologies of ANN, namely, Feedforward Backprop (FFBP), Cascade Forward Backprop (CFB), Generalized Regression (GR), Layer Recurrent (LR), Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX), ELMAN Backprop, and Feedforward Distributed Time Delay Network (FFDTDN), is carried out on the basis of capability of the prediction of GVSM. The efficacy of RBFN is better than other networks, which is validated by taking the predictions of GVSM at different levels of Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) in input features. The results obtained from ANNs are validated through the offline Newton Raphson (N-R) method. The proposed methodology is tested over IEEE 14-bus, IEEE 30-bus, and IEEE 118-bus test systems.
Modal and Dynamic Analysis of a Vehicle with Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System
Authors: Zhang Bangji , Zhang Jie , Yi Jinhua , Zhang Nong , Jin Qiutan
Published: September 2016

A novel kinetic dynamic suspension (KDS) system is presented for the cooperative control of the roll and warp motion modes of off-road vehicles. The proposed KDS system consists of two hydraulic cylinders acting on the antiroll bars. Hence, the antiroll bars are not completely replaced by the hydraulic system, but both systems are installed. In this paper, the vibration analysis in terms of natural frequencies of different motion modes in frequency domain for an off-road vehicle equipped with different configurable suspension systems is studied by using the modal analysis method. The dynamic responses of the vehicle with different configurable suspension systems are investigated under different road excitations and maneuvers. The results of the modal and dynamic analysis prove that the KDS system can reduce the roll and articulation motions of the off-road vehicle without adding extra bounce stiffness and deteriorating the ride comfort. Furthermore, the roll stiffness is increased and the warp stiffness is decreased by the KDS system, which could significantly enhance handing performance and off-road capability.
Chronic Intussusception Associated with Malrotation in a Child: A Variation of Waugh’s Syndrome?
Authors: Zavras Nick , Tsilikas Konstantinos , Vaos George
Published: September 2016

Chronic intussusception is a relatively uncommon disease most commonly observed in older children. Waugh’s syndrome represents a rare entity characterized by intestinal malrotation and acute intussusception. We report a very unusual case of intestinal malrotation associated with chronic intussusception. Clinical presentation, radiological findings, and managing of this association are discussed in the light of the available literature.
A Transcriptomic Signature of Mouse Liver Progenitor Cells
Authors: Passman Adam M. , Low Jasmine , London Roslyn , Tirnitz-Parker Janina E. E. , Miyajima Atsushi , Tanaka Minoru , Strick-Marchand Helene , Darlington Gretchen J. , Finch-Edmondson Megan , Ochsner Scott , Zhu Cornelia , Whelan James , Callus Bernard A. , Yeoh George C. T.
Published: September 2016

Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) can proliferate extensively, are able to differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, and contribute to liver regeneration. The presence of LPCs, however, often accompanies liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), indicating that they may be a cancer stem cell. Understanding LPC biology and establishing a sensitive, rapid, and reliable method to detect their presence in the liver will assist diagnosis and facilitate monitoring of treatment outcomes in patients with liver pathologies. A transcriptomic meta‐analysis of over 400 microarrays was undertaken to compare LPC lines against datasets of muscle and embryonic stem cell lines, embryonic and developed liver (DL), and HCC. Three gene clusters distinguishing LPCs from other liver cell types were identified. Pathways overrepresented in these clusters denote the proliferative nature of LPCs and their association with HCC. Our analysis also revealed 26 novel markers, LPC markers, including Mcm2 and Ltbp3, and eight known LPC markers, including M2pk and Ncam. These markers specified the presence of LPCs in pathological liver tissue by qPCR and correlated with LPC abundance determined using immunohistochemistry. These results showcase the value of global transcript profiling to identify pathways and markers that may be used to detect LPCs in injured or diseased liver.
Eulerian-Eulerian Simulation of Particle-Liquid Slurry Flow in Horizontal Pipe
Authors: Ofei Titus Ntow , Ismail Aidil Yunus
Published: September 2016

In this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation which adopts the inhomogeneous Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid model in ANSYS CFX-15 was used to examine the influence of particle size (90 μm to 270 μm) and in situ particle volume fraction (10% to 40%) on the radial distribution of particle concentration and velocity and frictional pressure loss. The robustness of various turbulence models such as thek-epsilon(k-ε),k-omega(k-ω), SSG Reynolds stress, shear stress transport, and eddy viscosity transport was tested in predicting experimental data of particle concentration profiles. Thek-epsilon model closely matched the experimental data better than the other turbulence models. Results showed a decrease in frictional pressure loss as particle size increased at constant particle volume fraction. Furthermore, for a constant particle volume fraction, the radial distribution of particle concentration increased with increasing particle size, where high concentration of particles occurred at the bottom of the pipe. Particles of size 90 μm were nearly buoyant especially for high particle volume fraction of 40%. The CFD study shows that knowledge of the variation of these parameters with pipe position is very crucial if the understanding of pipeline wear, particle attrition, or agglomeration is to be advanced.
A Study to Analyze Different Patterns of Quid Usage among Subjects with Oral Submucous Fibrosis in Mangalore Population
Authors: Holla Vidya A. , Chatra L. K. , Shenai Prashanth , Shetty Devika , Baliga Ashwini
Published: September 2016

Aim and Objectives. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a potentially malignant disorder associated with the usage of areca nut. Usage of processed forms of areca nut is popular among the youth and its carcinogenic effects are not well known. Due to large immigrant population, various patterns of areca nut usage are seen. The aim of this study is to assess the various quid chewing patterns and their association with severity of OSF.Materials and Methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 250 cases clinically and histologically diagnosed as having OSF lesion that were selected and subjected to a detailed habit history which was recorded through preformed questionnaire. The data obtained was statistically analyzed.Results. Among the 250 subjects, males were seen to be affected more than females within the age group of 26–35 years and were having clinical stage I OSF. A combination of processed areca nut and processed tobacco was used by the majority of the subjects with duration of 1 to 5 years, at a frequency of 3 to 5 quids per day.Conclusion. The present study confirms the association between oral submucous fibrosis and the quid containing processed areca nut and processed tobacco and also highlights the increasing youth population using the processed forms of areca nut.
Myoinositol Improves Embryo Development in PCOS Patients Undergoing ICSI
Authors: Wdowiak Artur
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of myoinositol, in a court of 217 PCOS women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), on pregnancy rate, embryo development, estradiol, and progesterone concentration in blood serum, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in follicular fluid. Concerning the court of patient, 112 (groups I and II) out of 217 were PCOS women, whereas group III consisted of healthy subjects (not PCOS). Group I patients were treated with 400 μg of folic acid per day for 3 months before ICSI, whereas group II patients received 4000 mg of myoinositol and 400 μg of folic acid per day for 3 months before ICSI. Group II revealed a shorter embryo/blastocyst development period between microinjection and 5-cell stage compared to group I. The difference in SOD concentration between groups I and II and between groups II and III was statistically significant. In group II, 34.62% of pregnancies were obtained, whereas in group I this number reached 20% (NS). Myoinositol increased embryo development dynamics and accelerated blastocyst stage reaching time; however, no effect was shown on clinical pregnancy. Furthermore, it restored SOD concentration, lowered in PCOS women, but did not exert any effect on CAT concentration.
Predictors of Survival in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Pathologic Major Response after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy and Surgery: The Impact of Chemotherapy Protocols
Authors: Li Chia-Ying , Huang Pei-Ming , Chu Pei-Yi , Chen Po-Ming , Lin Mong-Wei , Kuo Shuenn-Wen , Lee Jang-Ming
Published: September 2016

Tumor recurrence is an important problem threatening esophageal cancer patients after surgery, even when they achieve a pathologic major response (pMR) after neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT). The predictors related to overall survival and disease progression for these patients remain elusive. We aimed to identify factors that predict disease progression and overall survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients who achieve a pMR after neoadjuvant CCRT followed by surgery. We conducted a retrospective study to analyze the factors influencing survival and disease progression after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer patients who had a major response to CCRT, which is defined by complete pathological response or microscopic residual disease without lymph node metastasis. From our study cohort, 285 patients underwent CCRT and subsequent esophagectomy; 171 (60%) of these patients achieved pMR. After excluding patients with lymph node metastases, incomplete clinical data, and adenocarcinomas, we enrolled 117 patients in this study. We found that the CCRT regimen was the only factor that influenced overall survival. The overall survival of the patients receiving taxane-incorporated CCRT was superior to that of patients receiving traditional cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (PF) (P=0.011). The CCRT regimen can significantly influence the clinical outcome of esophageal SCC patients who achieve pMR after neoadjuvant CCRT and esophagectomy. Incorporation of taxanes into cisplatin-based CCRT may be associated with prolonged survival.
Epidemiology of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis andTrypanosoma cruziInfection in the Northwestern Argentina
Authors: Hoyos Carlos L. , Cajal Silvana P. , Juarez Marisa , Marco Jorge D. , Alberti D’Amato Anahí M. , Cayo Melina , Torrejón Irma , Cimino Rubén O. , Diosque Patricio , Krolewiecki Alejandro J. , Nasser Julio R. , Gil José F.
Published: September 2016

Background. Endemic areas of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) in Salta, Argentina, present some overlap zones with the geographical distribution of Chagas disease, with mixed infection cases being often detected.Objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude ofLeishmaniasp. infection and potential associated risk factors, the serologic prevalence ofT. cruzi,and the presence ofT. cruzi-Leishmaniasp.mixed infection in a region of the northwest of Argentina.Methods. Cross-sectional studies were conducted to detect TL prevalence andT. cruziseroprevalence. A case-control study was conducted to examine leishmaniasis risk factors.Results. Prevalence of TL was 0.17%, seroprevalence ofT. cruziinfection was 9.73%, and mixed infection proportion—within the leishmaniasic patients group—was 16.67%. The risk factors associated with TL transmission were sex, age, exposure to bites at work, staying outdoors more than 10 hours/day, bathing in the river, and living with people who had lesions or were infected during the study.Discussion. The endemic pattern of TL seems to involve exposure of patients to vectors in wild as well as peridomestic environment. Cases ofT. cruziinfection are apparently due to migration. Therefore, a careful epidemiological surveillance is necessary due to the contraindication of antimonial administration to chagasic patients.
A Review on Recent Developments for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Amin Javeria , Sharif Muhammad , Yasmin Mussarat
Published: September 2016

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by the retinal micro vasculature which may be formed as a result of diabetes mellitus. Blindness may appear as a result of unchecked and severe cases of diabetic retinopathy. Manual inspection of fundus images to check morphological changes in microaneurysms, exudates, blood vessels, hemorrhages, and macula is a very time-consuming and tedious work. It can be made easily with the help of computer-aided system and intervariability for the observer. In this paper, several techniques for detecting microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and exudates are discussed for ultimate detection of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. Blood vessels detection techniques are also discussed for the diagnosis of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Furthermore, the paper elaborates a discussion on the experiments accessed by authors for the detection of diabetic retinopathy. This work will be helpful for the researchers and technical persons who want to utilize the ongoing research in this area.