bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular and Phenotypic Descriptions of Cystodermella cinnabarina from Western Himalaya: A New Genus for Pakistan
Authors: Razaq Abdul , Ilyas Sobia , Khalid Abdul Nasir
Published: December 2013

Cystodermella cinnabarina is reported here for the first time from the moist temperate forests of western Himalaya and is the first collection of a Cystodermella from Pakistan. This species is redescribed here using morphological and molecular data. The phylogenetic analysis which is based on internal transcribed spacers (ITS) showed that the Pakistani collection clustered distinctly with similar European sequences in the Cystodermella clade. The Italian and north European sequences of this species clustered in two separate subclades and the Pakistani sequences closely matched the Italian sequences. It is evident that the Pakistani population has a very close evolutionary affinity with the Italian individuals rather than those from northern Europe. The species is distributed in Europe, in North America, and now in the western Himalaya of Asia.
Efficient Interaction Recognition through Positive Action Representation
Authors: Hu Tao , Zhu Xinyan , Guo Wei , Su Kehua
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes a novel approach to decompose two-person interaction into a Positive Action and a Negative Action for more efficient behavior recognition. A Positive Action plays the decisive role in a two-person exchange. Thus, interaction recognition can be simplified to Positive Action-based recognition, focusing on an action representation of just one person. Recently, a new depth sensor has become widely available, the Microsoft Kinect camera, which provides RGB-D data with 3D spatial information for quantitative analysis. However, there are few publicly accessible test datasets using this camera, to assess two-person interaction recognition approaches. Therefore, we created a new dataset with six types of complex human interactions (i.e., named K3HI), including kicking, pointing, punching, pushing, exchanging an object, and shaking hands. Three types of features were extracted for each Positive Action: joint, plane, and velocity features. We used continuous Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) to evaluate the Positive Action-based interaction recognition method and the traditional two-person interaction recognition approach with our test dataset. Experimental results showed that the proposed recognition technique is more accurate than the traditional method, shortens the sample training time, and therefore achieves comprehensive superiority.
Synthesis and Visible Photocatalytic Activities of Poly(aminobenzoic acid)/TiO2 Nanocomposites
Authors: Wen Puhong , Wang Xiaomei
Published: December 2013

Three kinds of polymers, poly(p‐aminobenzoic acid) (PPA), poly(m‐aminobenzoic acid) (PMA), and poly(o‐aminobenzoic acid) (POA), were prepared by oxidizing p‐, m‐, and o‐aminobenzoic acid with (NH4)2S2O8 in acidic solution, respectively. Poly(aminobenzoic acid)/TiO2 nanocomposites PPA/TiO2, PMA/TiO2, and POA/TiO2 were prepared by adsorption of PPA, PMA, and POA polymers on surface of TiO2 nanocrystals ST01 and P25, respectively. The polymers and the poly(aminobenzoic acid)/TiO2 nanocomposites were studied by FT‐IR and UV‐visible spectra, TG‐DTA analysis, SEM observation, and measurements of isotherms and adsorption model of the polymers on TiO2 nanocrystals. Furthermore, the visible photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic activities of these nanocomposites were investigated by the photocatalytic decomposition of water and methylene blue under visible irradiation. These nanocomposites have exhibited higher and different the abovementioned activities. This difference can be attributed to the influence of site of amino group in aminobenzoic acid.
Combined Orthodontic and Surgical Approach in the Correction of a Class III Skeletal Malocclusion with Mandibular Prognathism and Vertical Maxillary Excess Using Bimaxillary Osteotomy
Authors: Jose Cherackal George , Thomas Eapen , Prathap Akhilesh
Published: December 2013

For patients whose orthodontic problems are so severe that neither growth modification nor camouflage offers a solution, surgery to realign the jaws or reposition dentoalveolar segments is the only possible treatment. Surgery is not a substitute for orthodontics in these patients. Instead, it must be properly coordinated with orthodontics and other dental treatments to achieve good overall results. Dramatic progress in recent years has made it possible for combined surgical orthodontic treatment to be carried out successfully for patients with a severe dentofacial problem of any type. This case report provides an overview of the current treatment methodology in managing a combination of asymmetrical mandibular prognathism and vertical maxillary excess.
Curcumin Pretreatment Induces Nrf2 and an Antioxidant Response and Prevents Hemin-Induced Toxicity in Primary Cultures of Cerebellar Granule Neurons of Rats
Authors: González-Reyes Susana , Guzmán-Beltrán Silvia , Medina-Campos Omar Noel , Pedraza-Chaverri José
Published: December 2013

Curcumin is a bifunctional antioxidant derived fromCurcuma longa. This study identifies curcumin as a neuroprotectant against hemin-induced damage in primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) of rats. Hemin, the oxidized form of heme, is a highly reactive compound that induces cellular injury. Pretreatment of CGNs with 5–30 μM curcumin effectively increased by 2.3–4.9 fold heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and by 5.6–14.3-fold glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, 15 μM curcumin attenuated by 55% the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, by 94% the reduction of GSH/glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio, and by 49% the cell death induced by hemin. The inhibition of heme oxygenase system or GSH synthesis with tin mesoporphyrin and buthionine sulfoximine, respectively, suppressed the protective effect of curcumin against hemin-induced toxicity. These data strongly suggest that HO-1 and GSH play a major role in the protective effect of curcumin. Furthermore, it was found that 24 h of incubation with curcumin increases by 1.4-, 2.3-, and 5.2-fold the activity of glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase and superoxide dismutase, respectively. Additionally, it was found that curcumin was capable of inducing nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) translocation into the nucleus. These data suggest that the pretreatment with curcumin induces Nrf2 and an antioxidant response that may play an important role in the protective effect of this antioxidant against hemin-induced neuronal death.
Resistance Training for Diabetes Prevention and Therapy: Experimental Findings and Molecular Mechanisms
Authors: Strasser Barbara , Pesta Dominik
Published: December 2013

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance, impaired glycogen synthesis, lipid accumulation, and impaired mitochondrial function. Exercise training has received increasing recognition as a cornerstone in the prevention and treatment of T2D. Emerging research suggests that resistance training (RT) has the power to combat metabolic dysfunction in patients with T2D and seems to be an effective measure to improve overall metabolic health and reduce metabolic risk factors in diabetic patients. However, there is limited mechanistic insight into how these adaptations occur. This review provides an overview of the intervention data on the impact of RT on glucose metabolism. In addition, the molecular mechanisms that lead to adaptation in skeletal muscle in response to RT and that are associated with possible beneficial metabolic responses are discussed. Some of the beneficial adaptations exerted by RT include increased GLUT4 translocation in skeletal muscle, increased insulin sensitivity and hence restored metabolic flexibility. Increased energy expenditure and excess postexercise oxygen consumption in response to RT may be other beneficial effects. RT is increasingly establishing itself as an effective measure to improve overall metabolic health and reduce metabolic risk factors in diabetic patients.
Feedback for Programming Assignments Using Software-Metrics and Reference Code
Authors: Koyya Pardha , Lee Young , Yang Jeong
Published: December 2013

Feedback for student programming assignments on quality is a tedious and laborious task for the instructor. In this paper, we make use of few object-oriented software metrics along with a reference code that is provided by the instructor to analyze student programs and provide feedback. The empirical study finds those software metrics that can be used on the considered programming assignments and the way reference code helps the instructor to assess them. This approach helps the instructor to easily find out quality issues in student programs. Feedback to such assignments can be provided using the guidelines which we will be discussing. We also perform an experimental study on programming assignments of sophomore students who were enrolled in an object-oriented programming course to validate our approach.
Children’s Trust Beliefs in Others and Trusting Behavior in Peer Interaction
Authors: Rotenberg Ken J. , Petrocchi Serena , Lecciso Flavia , Marchetti Antonella
Published: December 2013

The relation between children’s trust beliefs and trusting behavior in peer interaction was examined. One hundred and 5 Italian children (54 boys; mean age = 10 years-7 months) completed standardized scales of reliability (i.e., promise keeping) trust beliefs in parents and peers. The children participated in mixed-motive interactions with classmates which assessed behavior-dependent reliability trust on peers. The children’s reliability trustworthiness towards peers/classmates was assessed by peer reports. The SEM analyses supported the hypothesized model by showing: (1) a path between trust beliefs in parents and trust beliefs in peers; (2) paths between both types of trust beliefs and behavior-dependent trust on peers; (3) a path between behavior-dependent trust in peers and trustworthiness towards peers. Trust beliefs in peers were found to mediate the relation between trust beliefs in parents and behavior-dependent trust in peers. The findings yielded support for the basis, domain, and target trust framework and attachment theory.
Renal Cell Carcinoma Associated with Xp11.2 Translocation/TFE3 Gene Fusion: A Rare Case Report with Review of the Literature
Authors: Ahluwalia Puneet , Nair Balagopal , Kumar Ginil
Published: December 2013

Introduction. The recently recognized renal cell carcinomas associated with Xp11.2 translocations are rare tumors predominantly reported in children. Chromosome Xp11.2 translocation results in gene fusion related to transcription factor E3 (TFE3) that plays an important role in proliferation and survival.Case Report. Herein, we present two cases of a TFE3 translocation-associated RCC in young female adults, one detected incidentally and the other one presenting with gross hematuria. Tumor is characterized by immunohistochemistry and a literature review with optimal treatment regimen is presented.Discussion. Xp11.2 translocation RCCs in adult patients are associated with advanced stages, large tumors, and extracapsular disease and usually have an aggressive clinical course.Conclusion. In TFE3 RCC, the genetic background may not only contribute to tumorigenesis, but also determine the response to chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Therefore it is necessary to diagnose this tumor entity accurately. Because of the small number ofTFE3gene fusion-related renal tumors described in the literature, the exact biologic behavior and impact of current treatment modalities remain to be uncertain.
Image Quality Assessment for Different Wavelet Compression Techniques in a Visual Communication Framework
Authors: Alwan Nuha A. S. , Hussain Zahir M.
Published: December 2013

Images with subband coding and threshold wavelet compression are transmitted over a Rayleigh communication channel with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), after quantization and 16-QAM modulation. A comparison is made between these two types of compression using both mean square error (MSE) and structural similarity (SSIM) image quality assessment (IQA) criteria applied to the reconstructed image at the receiver. The two methods yielded comparable SSIM but different MSE measures. In this work, we justify our results which support previous findings in the literature that the MSE between two images is not indicative of structural similarity or the visibility of errors. It is found that it is difficult to reduce the pointwise errors in subband-compressed images (higher MSE). However, the compressed images provide comparable SSIM or perceived quality for both types of compression provided that the retained energy after compression is the same.
Motion Control of Four-Wheel Independently Actuated Electric Ground Vehicles considering Tire Force Saturations
Authors: Wang Rongrong , Karimi Hamid Reza , Chen Nan , Yin Guodong , Wang Jinxiang
Published: December 2013

A vehicle stability control approach for four-wheel independently actuated (FWIA) electric vehicles is presented. The proposed control method consists of a higher-level controller and a lower-level controller. An adaptive control-based higher-level controller is designed to yield the vehicle virtual control efforts to track the desired vehicle motions due to the possible modeling inaccuracies and parametric uncertainties. The lower-level controller considering tire force saturation is given to allocate the required control efforts to the four in-wheel motors for providing the desired tire forces. An analytic method is given to distribute the high-level control efforts, without using the numerical-optimization-based control allocation algorithms. Simulations based on a high-fidelity, CarSim, and full-vehicle model show the effectiveness of the control approach.
Wen-pi-tang-Hab-Wu-ling-san, a Polyherbal Medicine, Attenuates ER Stress in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Promoting the Insulin Signaling Pathway
Authors: Han Yunkyung , Jung Hyo Won , Bae Hyo Sang , Park Yong-Ki
Published: December 2013

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that functions to synthesize, fold, and transport proteins. ER stress is a key link between type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the effect of WHW on the ER stress response and the insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes, and ER stress was then induced by treatment with tunicamycin. ER stress-induced adipocytes were treated with different concentrations of WHW for 24 h. The expression of ER stress-related molecules such as X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP-homologous protein 10 (CHOP10), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α(eIF2α) and signaling molecules such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), insulin receptor substrates-1 (IRS-1), and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) were investigated. WHW significantly inhibited the expression of XBP-1, GRP78, CHOP10, and eIF2αin ER stress-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WHW also increased the PI3K expression and the IRS-1 phosphorylation but decreased the phosphorylation of JNK in ER stress-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that WHW inhibits ER stress in adipocytes by suppressing the expression of ER stress-mediated molecules and the insulin signaling pathway, suggesting that WHW may be an attractive therapeutic agent for managing T2D.
Triple‐Component Drug‐Loaded Nanocomposites Prepared Using a Modified Coaxial Electrospinning
Authors: Qian Wei , Yu Deng-Guang , Li Ying , Li Xiao-Yan , Liao Yao-Zu , Wang Xia
Published: December 2013

Triple‐component nanocomposites for improved sustained drug release profiles are successfully fabricated through a modified coaxial electrospinning process, in which only organic solvent N,N‐dimethylacetamide was used as sheath fluid. Using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as filament‐forming matrix, ibuprofen (IBU) as functional ingredient, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the additional component, the IBU/PVP/PAN triple‐component nanocomposites had uniform structure and an average diameter of 620 ± 120 nm and 650 ± 120 nm when the contents of PVP in the nanofibers were 10.5% and 22.7%, respectively. The optimal sheath‐to‐core flow rate ratio was 0.11 under a total sheath and core fluid flow rate of 1.0 mL/h. Compared with the IBU/PAN composite nanofibers, the triple‐component composites could release 92.1% and 97.8% of the contained IBU, significantly larger than a value of 73.4% from the former. The inclusion of PVP in the IBU/PAN could effectively avoid the entrapment of IBU in the insoluble PAN molecules, facilitating the in vitro release of IBU. The modified coaxial process and the resulted multiple component nanocomposites would provide new way for developing novel drug sustained materials and transdermal drug delivery systems.
Testing a Conceptual Lumped Model in Karst Area, Southwest China
Authors: Shi Peng , Zhou Mi , Qu Simin , Chen Xi , Qiao Xueyuan , Zhang Zhicai , Ma Xinxin
Published: December 2013

Karst aquifers are known for their heterogeneous physical properties and irregular complex flow patterns which make it a challenge to describe the hydrological behavior and to quantitatively define the distribution of river flow components using hydrologic models. In this paper, a conceptual lumped hydrologic model, Xin’anjiang model (XAJ), was applied in Sancha River, which is a karst basin in southwest China, for the simulation of streamflow. The performance of XAJ model was evaluated based on the model’s ability to reproduce the streamflow and baseflow. Percentage of bias (PBIAS), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), coefficient of determination (R2), and standard deviation (RSR) were calculated between the simulated and measured flow for both calibration and validation period. The low PBIAS and RSR (2.7% and 0.367 for calibration period, 1.3% and 0.376 for validation period) and the high NSE andR2(0.866 and 0.866 for calibration period, 0.858 and 0.860 for validation period) indicate that the model structure and parameters are of reasonable validity. Furthermore, streamflow was separated to baseflow and surface flow using the “baseflow programme,” and the calculated results indicate that the model could also reproduce the response of baseflow in such karst system.
S100A8 and S100A9: DAMPs at the Crossroads between Innate Immunity, Traditional Risk Factors, and Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Schiopu Alexandru , Cotoi Ovidiu S.
Published: December 2013

Amplification of innate immune responses by endogenous danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) promotes inflammation. The involvement of S100A8 and S100A9, DAMPs belonging to the S100 calgranulin family, in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease is attracting an increasing amount of interest. S100A8 and S100A9 (also termed MRP8 and MRP14) preferentially form the S100A8/A9 heterodimer (MRP8/14 or calprotectin) and are constitutively expressed in myeloid cells. The levels of circulating S100A8/A9 in humans strongly correlate to blood neutrophil counts and are increased by traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, obesity, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. S100A8/A9 is an endogenous ligand of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and has been shown to promote atherogenesis in mice. In humans, S100A8/A9 correlates with the extent of coronary and carotid atherosclerosis and with a vulnerable plaque phenotype. S100A8/A9 is locally released following myocardial infarction and amplifies the inflammatory responses associated with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Elevated plasma levels of S100A8/A9 are associated with increased risk of future coronary events in healthy individuals and in myocardial infarction survivors. Thus, S100A8/A9 might represent a useful biomarker and therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease. Importantly, S100A8/A9 blockers have been developed and are approved for clinical testing.
Automated Facial Expression Recognition Using Gradient-Based Ternary Texture Patterns
Authors: Ahmed Faisal , Hossain Emam
Published: December 2013

Recognition of human expression from facial image is an interesting research area, which has received increasing attention in the recent years. A robust and effective facial feature descriptor is the key to designing a successful expression recognition system. Although much progress has been made, deriving a face feature descriptor that can perform consistently under changing environment is still a difficult and challenging task. In this paper, we present the gradient local ternary pattern (GLTP)—a discriminative local texture feature for representing facial expression. The proposed GLTP operator encodes the local texture of an image by computing the gradient magnitudes of the local neighborhood and quantizing those values in three discrimination levels. The location and occurrence information of the resulting micropatterns is then used as the face feature descriptor. The performance of the proposed method has been evaluated for the person-independent face expression recognition task. Experiments with prototypic expression images from the Cohn-Kanade (CK) face expression database validate that the GLTP feature descriptor can effectively encode the facial texture and thus achieves improved recognition performance than some well-known appearance-based facial features.
Performances of an Interleaved High Step-Up Converter with Different Soft-Switching Snubbers for PV Energy Conversion Applications
Authors: Tseng Sheng-Yu , Wang Hung-Yuan , Hsu Chih-Yang
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes an interleaved high step-up converter with different soft-switching snubbers for PV energy conversion applications. For the high step-up converter, interleaved and coupled-inductor technologies are used to reduce output ripple current and increase output power level. Simultaneously, two types of snubbers, a single-capacitor snubber and boost type snubber, are introduced separately into the discussed converters for comparing their performances of conversion efficiency and switching losses. For drawing maximum power from the PV arrays, a perturbation-and-observation method realized with the microcontroller is adopted to achieve maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm and power regulating scheme. Finally, two prototypes of the interleaved coupled-inductor boost converter with a single-capacitor snubber and with boost type snubber are implemented, respectively. The experimental results obtained are used to verify and compare the performances and feasibilities of the discussed converters with different snubbers in PV conversion applications. The experimental results show that the proposed system is suitable for PV energy conversion applications when the duty ratios of switches of the converter are less than 0.5.
Characterizations of Strong Strictly Singular Operators
Authors: Ganesa Moorthy C. , Ramasamy C. T.
Published: December 2013

A new class of operators called strong strictly singular operators on normed spaces is introduced. This class includes the class of precompact operators, and is contained in the class of strictly singular operators. Some properties and characterizations for these operators are derived.
Complex Assessment of the Incidence and Risk Factors of Delirium in a Large Cohort of Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Single-Center 6-Year Experience
Authors: Krzych Łukasz J. , Wybraniec Maciej T. , Krupka-Matuszczyk Irena , Skrzypek Michał , Bolkowska Anna , Wilczyński Mirosław , Bochenek Andrzej A.
Published: December 2013

Background. Previous reports provided inconsistent data on the occurrence of postoperative delirium and emphasized its considerable impact on outcome. This study sought to evaluate the incidence and predictors of delirium, together with its relation to cerebral ischemia in a large cohort of cardiac surgery patients in a tertiary high-volume center.Methods and Results. Consecutive patients (n=8792) were prospectively enrolled from 2003 to 2008. Exclusion criteria were history of psychiatric disorders, use of psychoactive drugs, alcohol abuse, and data incompleteness. Finally, 5781 patients were analyzed in terms of 100 perioperative patient-specific and treatment variables. The incidence of postoperative delirium (DSM IV criteria) was 4.1% and it coexisted with cerebral ischemia in 1.1% of patients. In bivariate analysis, 49 variables were significantly linked to postoperative delirium. Multivariate analysis confirmed that delirium was independently associated with postoperative stroke (logistic odds ratio (logOR) = 2.862,P=0.004), any blood transfusions (logOR = 4.178,P<0.0001), age > 65 years (logOR = 2.417,P=0.002), carotid artery stenosis (logOR = 2.15,P=0.01), urgent/emergent surgery (logOR = 1.982,P=0.02), fasting glucose level, intraoperative oxygen partial pressure fluctuations, and hematocrit. Area under ROC curve for the model was 0.8933.Conclusions. Early identification of nonpsychiatric perioperative determinants of delirium facilitates its diagnosis and might help develop preventive strategies to improve long-term outcome after cardiac surgery procedures.
An Iterative Solver in the Presence and Absence of Multiplicity for Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Soleymani Fazlollah , Shateyi Stanford , Özkum Gülcan
Published: December 2013

We develop a high‐order fixed point type method to approximate a multiple root. By using three functional evaluations per full cycle, a new class of fourth‐order methods for this purpose is suggested and established. The methods from the class require the knowledge of the multiplicity. We also present a method in the absence of multiplicity for nonlinear equations. In order to attest the efficiency of the obtained methods, we employ numerical comparisons alongside obtaining basins of attraction to compare them in the complex plane according to their convergence speed and chaotic behavior.
Evaluation and Characterization of Plasma Sprayed Cu Slag-Al Composite Coatings on Metal Substrates
Authors: Mantry S. , Jha B. B. , Satapathy A.
Published: December 2013

Copper slag is a waste product obtained during matte smelting and refining of copper. The present work explores the coating potential of copper slag by plasma spraying. This work shows that copper slag is eminently coatable. An attempt has been made in the present investigation to use the composites coatings of copper slag and Al powder in suitable combination on aluminium and mild steel substrates in order to improve the surface properties of these ductile metal-alloy substrates. When premixed with Al powder, the coating exhibits higher interfacial adhesion as compared to pure copper slag coatings. Maximum adhesion strengths of about 23 MPa and 21 MPa are recorded for the coatings of copper slag with 15 wt% of Al on aluminium and mild steel substrates, respectively. The input power to the plasma torch is found to affect the coating deposition efficiency and morphology of the coatings. It also suggests value addition of an industrial waste.
Performance Analysis of Gas Foil Bearing with Different Foil Pivot Configuration
Authors: Patil Milind Babasaheb , Kalita Karuna , Kakoty Sashindra K.
Published: December 2013

A numerical model is developed in order to find out the performance characteristics of gas foil bearings. The static performance analysis of gas foil bearings has been carried out using an elastic foundation model of the foil. The steady state results have been compared with the experimental and theoretical results available in the literature. The characteristics of the bearing have been investigated with change in foil pivot position. It has been shown that the load carrying capacity is different for different foil pivot positions. Besides effect of bearing parameters like eccentricity ratio, length to diameter ratio, compliance coefficient, and bearing number on the load carrying capacity with different foil pivot positions have been studied.
Presymptomatic Treatment with Acetylcholinesterase Antisense Oligonucleotides Prolongs Survival in ALS (G93A-SOD1) Mice
Authors: Marc Gotkine , Leah Rozenstein , Ofira Einstein , Oded Abramsky , Zohar Argov , Hanna Rosenmann
Published: December 2013

Objective. Previous research suggests that acetylcholinesterase (AChE) may be involved in ALS pathogenesis. AChE enzyme inhibitors can upregulate AChE transcription which in certain contexts can have deleterious (noncatalytic) effects, making them theoretically harmful in ALS, whilst AChE antisense-oligonucleotides (mEN101), which downregulate AChE may be beneficial. Our aim was to investigate whether downregulation of AChE using mEN101 is beneficial in an ALS mouse model.Methods. ALS (G93A-SOD1) mice received saline, mEN101, inverse-EN101, or neostigmine. Treatments were administered from 5 weeks. Disease-onset and survival were recorded. Additional mice were sacrificed for pathological analysis at 15 weeks of age. In a follow-up experiment treatment was started at the symptomatic stage at a higher dose.Results. mEN101 given at the presymptomatic (but not symptomatic) stage prolonged survival and attenuated motor-neuron loss in ALS mice. In contrast, neostigmine exacerbated the clinical parameters.Conclusions. These results suggest that AChE may be involved in ALS pathogenesis. The accelerated disease course with neostigmine suggests that any beneficial effects of mEN101 occur through a non-catalytic rather than cholinergic mechanism.
Perceived Effectiveness of Elder Abuse Interventions in Psychological Distress and the Design of Culturally Adapted Interventions: A Qualitative Study in the Chinese Community in Chicago
Authors: Dong XinQi , Chang E-Shien , Wong Esther , Simon Melissa
Published: December 2013

This qualitative study examines US Chinese older adults’ views on the perceived effectiveness, challenges, and cultural adaptations of elder abuse interventions to psychological distress in the Chinese community in Chicago. A community-based participatory research approach was implemented to partner with the Chinese community. A total of 37 community-dwelling Chinese older adults (age 60+) participated in focus group discussions. Data analysis was based on grounded theory framework. Our findings suggest that older adults perceived social support, empowerment, and community-based interventions design as most effective to promote psychological well-being of victims. The perceived preferences were similar between elder abuse victims and non-victims. Strategies to culturally adapt evidence-based interventions were proposed with respect to nurturing filial piety values, familial integrations, and increased independence. Research and educational outreach initiatives were also discussed. This study has wide policy and practice implications for designing and deploying interventions to reduce psychological distress with respect to elder abuse outcome. Cultural relevancy of health interventions is important in the context of the Chinese communities. Collective federal, state, and community efforts are needed to support the culturally appropriate design and implementation of interventions suitable for the needs of the Chinese older adults.
Solution of Nonlinear Space-Time Fractional Differential Equations Using the Fractional Riccati Expansion Method
Authors: Abdel-Salam Emad A.-B. , Yousif Eltayeb A.
Published: December 2013

The fractional Riccati expansion method is proposed to solve fractional differential equations. To illustrate the effectiveness of the method, space-time fractional Korteweg-de Vries equation, regularized long-wave equation, Boussinesq equation, and Klein-Gordon equation are considered. As a result, abundant types of exact analytical solutions are obtained. These solutions include generalized trigonometric and hyperbolic functions solutions which may be useful for further understanding of the mechanisms of the complicated nonlinear physical phenomena and fractional differential equations. Among these solutions, some are found for the first time. The periodic and kink solutions are founded as special case.
External Ophthalmomyiasis Caused by a Rare Infesting Larva,Sarcophaga argyrostoma
Authors: Graffi Shmuel , Peretz Avi , Wilamowski Amos , Schnur Heather , Akad Fouad , Naftali Modi
Published: December 2013

Purpose. External ophthalmomyiasis (EO) is caused by infesting larvae belonging to various species of flies. Most documented cases result from sheep (Oestrus ovis) and Russian (Rhinoestrus purpureus) botfly larvae, but we recently discovered a rare case of EO caused by flesh fly (Sarcophaga argyrostoma) larvae. Here, we report the case of a patient with EO who had been hospitalized and sedated for 1 week because of unrelated pneumonia.Methods. Case report.Results. A total of 32 larvae were removed from the adnexae of both eyes. Larvae identification was confirmed through DNA analysis. Treatment with topical tobramycin resulted in complete resolution of EO.Conclusion. EO can be caused byS. argyrostoma, and the elderly and debilitated may require extra ocular protection against flies during sedation.
Application of the Denitrification‐Decomposition Model to Predict Carbon Dioxide Emissions under Alternative Straw Retention Methods
Authors: Chen Can , Chen Deli , Pan Jianjun , Lam Shu Kee
Published: December 2013

Straw retention has been shown to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from agricultural soils. But it remains a big challenge for models to effectively predict CO2 emission fluxes under different straw retention methods. We used maize season data in the Griffith region, Australia, to test whether the denitrification‐decomposition (DNDC) model could simulate annual CO2 emission. We also identified driving factors of CO2 emission by correlation analysis and path analysis. We show that the DNDC model was able to simulate CO2 emission under alternative straw retention scenarios. The correlation coefficients between simulated and observed daily values for treatments of straw burn and straw incorporation were 0.74 and 0.82, respectively, in the straw retention period and 0.72 and 0.83, respectively, in the crop growth period. The results also show that simulated values of annual CO2 emission for straw burn and straw incorporation were 3.45 t C ha−1 y−1 and 2.13 t C ha−1 y−1, respectively. In addition the DNDC model was found to be more suitable in simulating CO2 mission fluxes under straw incorporation. Finally the standard multiple regression describing the relationship between CO2 emissions and factors found that soil mean temperature (SMT), daily mean temperature (Tmean), and water‐filled pore space (WFPS) were significant.
Pattern Analysis of Driver’s “Pressure-State-Response” in Traffic Congestion
Authors: Qi Weiwei , Pei Yulong , Song Mo , Bie Yiming
Published: December 2013

Traffic congestion, which has a direct impact on the driver’s mood and action, has become a serious problem in rush hours in most cities of China. Currently, the study about driver’s mood and action in traffic congestion is scarce, so it is necessary to work on the relationship among driver’s mood and action and traffic congestion. And the PSR (pressure-state-response) framework is established to describe that relationship. Here, PSR framework is composed of a three-level logical structure, which is composed of traffic congestion environment, drivers’ physiology change, and drivers’ behavior change. Based on the PSR framework, various styles of drivers have been chosen to drive on the congested roads, and then traffic stream state, drivers’ physiology, and behavior characters have been measured via the appropriative equipment. Further, driver’s visual characteristics and lane changing characteristics are analyzed to determine the parameters of PSR framework. According to the PSR framework, the changing law of drivers’ characteristics in traffic congestion has been obtained to offer necessary logical space and systematic framework for traffic congestion management.
A Novel Least Significant Bit First Processing Parallel CRC Circuit
Authors: Qu Xiujie , Cao Zhongkai , Yang Zhanjie
Published: December 2013

In HDLC serial communication protocol, CRC calculation can first process the most or least significant bit of data. Nowadays most CRC calculation is based on the most significant bit (MSB) first processing. An algorithm of the least significant bit (LSB) first processing parallel CRC is proposed in this paper. Based on the general expression of the least significant bit first processing serial CRC, using state equation method of linear system, we derive a recursive formula by the mathematical deduction. The recursive formula is applicable to any number of bits processed in parallel and any series of generator polynomial. According to the formula, we present the parallel circuit of CRC calculation and implement it with VHDL on FPGA. The results verify the accuracy and effectiveness of this method.
Quadratic Optimal Regulator Design of a Pneumatic Control Valve
Authors: Heidari Mohammad , Homaei Hadi
Published: December 2013

Pneumatic control valves are still the most used devices in the process industries, due to their low cost and simplicity. This paper presents a regulator for pneumatic control valves using pole-placement method, optimal control, full-order state observer, and minimum-order state observer and their responses will be compared with each other. Bondgraph method has been used to model the control valve. Simulation results have been made for four models of regulator. The results show that minimum overshoot and settling time are achieved using optimal regulator of pneumatic valve.
Direct Surge Margin Control for Aeroengines Based on Improved SVR Machine and LQR Method
Authors: Zhang Haibo , Sun Fengyong
Published: December 2013

A novel scheme of high stability engine control (HISTEC) on the basis of an improved linear quadratic regulator (ILQR), called direct surge margin control, is derived for super-maneuver flights. Direct surge margin control, which is different from conventional control scheme, puts surge margin into the engine closed-loop system and takes surge margin as controlled variable directly. In this way, direct surge margin control can exploit potential performance of engine more effectively with a decrease of engine stability margin which usually happened in super-maneuver flights. For conquering the difficulty that aeroengine surge margin is undetectable, an approach based on improved support vector regression (SVR) machine is proposed to construct a surge margin prediction model. The surge margin modeling contains two parts: a baseline model under no inlet distortion states and the calculation for surge margin loss under supermaneuvering flight conditions. The previous one is developed using neural network method, the inputs of which are selected by a weighted feature selection algorithm. Considering the hysteresis between pilot input and angle of attack output, an online scrolling window least square support vector regression (LSSVR) method is employed to firstly estimate inlet distortion index and further compute surge margin loss via some empirical look-up tables.
The Key Role of pH Value in the Synthesis of Titanate Nanotubes‐Loaded Manganese Oxides as a Superior Catalyst for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3
Authors: Chen Xiongbo , Cen Chaoping , Tang Zhixiong , Zeng Wenhao , Chen Dingsheng , Fang Ping , Chen Zhihang
Published: December 2013

Titanate nanotubes (TNTs) synthesized by hydrothermal method were increasingly used as the catalyst support for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with ammonia. This paper reports the critical process of postwashing to prepare satisfactory TNTs for the uses of SCR catalysts. Herein, alkaline TNTs (TNTs‐AL), acidic TNTs (TNTs‐AC), and neutral TNTs (TNTs‐NE) were synthesized by controlling washing pH value. When these TNTs were utilized as the catalyst supports for manganese oxides (Mn/TNTs‐AL, Mn/TNTs‐AC, and Mn/TNTs‐NE), the key role of pH value was found. Titanate nanosheets, titanate nanorods and titanate nanotubes were dominated in Mn/TNTs‐AL, Mn/TNTs‐AC, and Mn/TNTs‐NE, respectively. MnO2 crystal was observed when using TNTs‐AC or TNTs‐NE as the support. By contrast, Mn3O4 and NaNO3 were observed when using TNTs‐AL as the support. Mn/TNTs‐NE showed the best SCR activity, in line with the largest surface area, the best dispersion, and the most active redox property of manganese oxides. Mn/TNTs‐AL showed negligible SCR activity, resulting from the minimum surface area, the Mn3O4‐dominating crystal structure, and the bad dispersion of manganese oxides.
An Interval‐Valued Intuitionistic Fuzzy TOPSIS Method Based on an Improved Score Function
Authors: Bai Zhi-yong
Published: December 2013

This paper proposes an improved score function for the effective ranking order of interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IVIFSs) and an interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy TOPSIS method based on the score function to solve multicriteria decision‐making problems in which all the preference information provided by decision‐makers is expressed as interval‐valued intuitionistic fuzzy decision matrices where each of the elements is characterized by IVIFS value and the information about criterion weights is known. We apply the proposed score function to calculate the separation measures of each alternative from the positive and negative ideal solutions to determine the relative closeness coefficients. According to the values of the closeness coefficients, the alternatives can be ranked and the most desirable one(s) can be selected in the decision‐making process. Finally, two illustrative examples for multicriteria fuzzy decision‐making problems of alternatives are used as a demonstration of the applications and the effectiveness of the proposed decision‐making method.
Phenotyping Chronic Pelvic Pain Based on Latent Class Modeling of Physical Examination
Authors: Fenton B. W. , Grey S. F. , Reichenbach M. , McCarroll M. , Von Gruenigen V.
Published: December 2013

Introduction. Defining clinical phenotypes based on physical examination is required for clarifying heterogeneous disorders such as chronic pelvic pain (CPP). The objective of this study was to determine the number of classes within 4 examinable regions and then establish threshold and optimal exam criteria for the classes discovered. Methods. A total of 476 patients meeting the criteria for CPP were examined using pain pressure threshold (PPT) algometry and standardized numeric scale (NRS) pain ratings at 30 distinct sites over 4 pelvic regions. Exploratory factor analysis, latent profile analysis, and ROC curves were then used to identify classes, optimal examination points, and threshold scores. Results. Latent profile analysis produced two classes for each region: high and low pain groups. The optimal examination sites (and high pain minimum thresholds) were for the abdominal wall region: the pair at the midabdomen (PPT threshold depression of > 2); vulvar vestibule region: 10:00 position (NRS > 2); pelvic floor region: puborectalis (combined NRS > 6); vaginal apex region: uterosacral ligaments (combined NRS > 8). Conclusion. Physical examination scores of patients with CPP are best categorized into two classes: high pain and low pain. Standardization of the physical examination in CPP provides both researchers and general gynecologists with a validated technique.
Capabilities of Satellite-Based Precipitation to Estimate the Spatiotemporal Variation of Flood/Drought Class in Poyang Lake Basin
Authors: Li Xianghu , Zhang Qi , Ye Xuchun
Published: December 2013

Poyang Lake basin is one of the most frequently affected areas by a variety of flood or drought events in China. Satellite-based precipitation data have greatly improved their temporal and spatial resolution in recent years, but the short length of records limited their applications in some fields. This paper compared and evaluated the creditability of using a short period data series to estimate the statistics characteristics of long period data series and investigated the usefulness of TRMM rainfall data for monitoring the temporal and spatial distribution of flood/drought classes by theZindex method in Poyang Lake basin. The results show that (1) the 1998–2010 data series are sufficiently robust to depict the statistics characteristics of long period data; (2) the intra-annual distribution and interannual variability of flood/drought classes based on TRMM rainfall data matched well with the results from rain gauges data; (3) the spatial agreement between TRMM and interpolated gauges rainfall varied with the precipitation characteristics; and (4) TRMM rainfall data described the similar spatial pattern of flood/drought classes with the interpolated gauges rainfall. In conclusion, it is suitable and credible for flood/drought classes evaluation based on the TRMM rainfall data in Poyang Lake basin.
Operational Impacts of Using Restricted Passenger Flow Assignment in High-Speed Train Stop Scheduling Problem
Authors: Fu Huiling , Sperry Benjamin R. , Nie Lei
Published: December 2013

One key decision basis to the train stop scheduling process is the passenger flow assignment, that is, the estimated passengers’ travel path choices from origins to destinations. Many existing assignment approaches are stochastic in nature, which causes unbalanced problems such as low efficiency in train capacity occupancy or an irrational distribution of transfer passengers among stations. The purpose of this paper is to propose a train stop scheduling approach. It combines a passenger flow assignment procedure that routes passenger travel paths freely within a train network and is particularly capable of incorporating additional restrictions on generating travel paths that better resemble the rail planner’s purpose of utilizing capacity resources by introducing four criteria to define the feasibility of travel path used by a traveler. Our approach also aims at ensuring connectivity and rapidity, the two essential characteristics of train service increasingly required by modern high-speed rails. The effectiveness of our approach is tested using the Chinese high-speed rail network as a real-world example. It works well in finding a train stop schedule of good quality whose operational indicators dominate those of an existing stochastic approach. The paper concludes with a comprehensive operational impact analysis, further demonstrating the value of our proposed approach.
Prediction of Sentinel Node Status and Clinical Outcome in a Melanoma Centre
Authors: Teixeira Vera , Vieira Ricardo , Coutinho Inês , Cabral Rita , Serra David , Julião Maria José , Brites Maria Manuel , Albuquerque Anabela , de Lima João Pedroso , Figueiredo Américo
Published: December 2013

Background. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a standard procedure for patients with localized cutaneous melanoma. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Melanoma Panel has reinforced the status of the sentinel lymph node (SLN) as an important prognostic factor for melanoma survival. We sought to identify predictive factors associated with a positive SLNB and overall survival in our population.Methods. We performed a retrospective chart review of 221 patients who have done a successful SLNB for melanoma between 2004 and 2010 at our department. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done.Results. The SLNB was positive in 48 patients (21.7%). Univariate analysis showed that male gender, increasing Breslow thickness, tumor type, and absence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were significantly associated with a positive SLNB. Multivariate analysis confirmed that Breslow thickness and the absence of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes are independently predictive of SLN metastasis. The 5-year survival rates were 53.1% for SLN positive patients and 88.2% for SLN negative patients. Breslow thickness and the SLN status independently predict overall survival.Conclusions. The risk factors for a positive SLNB are consistent with those found in the previous literature. In addition, the SLN status is a major determinant of survival, which highlights its importance in melanoma management.