bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Forns index predicts recurrence and death in patients with hepatitis B‐related hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection
Authors: Choi Won‐Mook , Lee Jeong‐Hoon , Ahn Hongkeun , Cho Hyeki , Cho Young Youn , Lee Minjong , Yoo Jeong‐ju , Cho Yuri , Lee Dong Hyeon , Lee Yun Bin , Cho Eun Ju , Yu Su Jong , Yi Nam‐Joon , Lee Kwang‐Woong , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan , Suh Kyung‐Suk , Kim Chung Yong , Lee Hyo‐Suk
Published: January 2015

Background & Aims

Advanced liver fibrosis is associated with recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate whether noninvasive fibrosis indices could predict intrahepatic recurrence and death after curative resection of HCC.

Methods

Patients who underwent curative resection for hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐related HCC between 2006 and 2010 at a single tertiary hospital were included. This study analysed the association of noninvasive fibrosis indices with recurrence and overall survival.

Results

A total of 303 patients were included. During a median follow‐up period of 56.0 (interquartile range, 42.0–70.0) months, 151 (49.8%) patients experienced HCC recurrence and 54 (17.8%) died. Based on multivariate analysis, Forns index [hazard ratio (HR), 1.238; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.097–1.398; P = 0.001] was independently associated with tumour recurrence after adjustment for anti‐HBe positivity, histological cirrhosis, tumour size and number. Patients with Forns index <6.9 had a significantly longer recurrence‐free survival rate than patients with Forns index ≥6.9 (P < 0.001 by log‐rank test). Forns index (HR, 1.246; 95% CI, 1.034–1.501; P = 0.02) could also predict overall survival after adjustment for tumour size and number. Forns index detected cirrhosis with an AUROC of 0.700 (95% CI, 0.641–0.758). Aspartate aminotransferase‐to‐platelet ratio index, cirrhosis discriminant score, FIB‐4 index, P2/MS and Lok index detected cirrhosis comparably to Forns index, but were not associated with tumour recurrence or death.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that Forns index could be a useful predictor of recurrence and overall survival after curative resection of HBV‐related HCC.
A Slow or Modulatory Role of Astrocytes in Neurovascular Coupling
Authors: Rosenegger David George , Gordon Grant Robert
Published: January 2015

Astrocytes are thought to play an important role in NVC, a process that allows the brain to locally control blood flow in response to changes in activity. However, there is an ongoing debate as to when, and under what conditions astrocyte activity is required. In the following review we set forth the hypotheses that astrocytes: (i) act to modulate but not initiate functional hyperemia and (ii) help set the basal tone state of the brain microvasculature by the tonic release of vaso‐active messengers. Through these actions astrocytes could help match metabolic demand with supply over a spectrum of activity timescales.
Optimizing the high‐resolution manometry (HRM) study protocol
Authors: Patel A. , Ding A. , Mirza F. , Gyawali C. P.
Published: January 2015

Background

Intolerance of the esophageal manometry catheter may prolong high‐resolution manometry (HRM) studies and increase patient distress. We assessed the impact of obtaining the landmark phase at the end of the study when the patient has acclimatized to the HRM catheter.

Methods

366 patients (mean age 55.4 ± 0.8 years, 62.0% female) undergoing esophageal HRM over a 1‐year period were studied. The standard protocol consisted of the landmark phase, 10 5 mL water swallows 20–30 s apart, and multiple rapid swallows where 4–6 2 mL swallows were administered in rapid succession. The modified protocol consisted of the landmark phase at the end of the study after test swallows. Study duration, technical characteristics, indications, and motor findings were compared between standard and modified protocols.

Key Results

Of the 366 patients, 89.6% underwent the standard protocol (study duration 12.9 ± 0.3 min). In 10.4% with poor catheter tolerance undergoing the modified protocol, study duration was significantly longer (15.6 ± 1.0 min, p = 0.004) despite similar duration of study maneuvers. Only elevated upper esophageal sphincter basal pressures at the beginning of the study segregated modified protocol patients. The 95th percentile time to landmark phase in the standard protocol patients was 6.1 min; as many as 31.4% of modified protocol patients could not obtain their first study maneuver within this period (p = 0.0003). Interpretation was not impacted by shifting the landmark phase to the end of the study.

Conclusions & Inferences

Modification of the HRM study protocol with the landmark phase obtained at the end of the study optimizes study duration without compromising quality.
Executive Attention: An Alternative Perspective on General Mental Ability, Performance, and Subgroup Differences
Authors: Bosco Frank , Allen David G. , Singh Kulraj
Published: January 2015

The validity‐adverse impact tradeoff associated with the relationships among general mental ability (GMA), ethnicity, and employee performance represents one of the most pressing concerns in organizational staffing. We conducted 4 studies with 273 bank employees and 197 university students designed to assess the extent to which executive attention (EA) and GMA predict simulation performance and supervisory ratings of performance. We also assess the extent to which measures of EA and GMA are associated with subgroup differences. Results indicate that, like GMA, EA positively predicts managerial simulation and supervisory ratings of performance. In addition, although reaching statistical significance in only 1 of our 4 studies, EA was generally associated with smaller subgroup differences than GMA, and meta‐analysis across our samples supports this reduced subgroup difference. Moreover, advantages of EA tend to increase as studies move from the laboratory with undergraduate students to a concurrent validation organizational setting with employees. We discuss implications for a theory‐based view of cognitive ability in employee selection and implications for managerial practice.
Cold adaptive potential of chironomids overwintering in a glacial stream
Authors: Lencioni Valeria , Jousson Olivier , Guella Graziano , Bernabò Paola
Published: January 2015

Insects inhabiting cold streams must either tolerate or avoid freezing to survive. The present study reports the strategy adopted by fourth‐instar larvae of two chironomid species [Pseudodiamesa branickii (Nowicki) and Diamesa cinerella (Meigen)] overwintering in a glacial stream (in the Italian Alps). The cold adaptive potential of both species under acute cold stress is investigated down to –30 °C. Supercooling points, lower lethal temperatures (LLTs), haemolymph thermal hysteresis, whole body content of sugars and polyols, and the expression of heat shock protein (HSP) genes (hsc70 and hsp70) expression are estimated. Comparable thermal hysteresis (> 2 °C) is measured in the two species, both of which accumulate glucose and sucrose as the main cryoprotectants. According to the supercooling points (= –6.37 and –6.85 °C, respectively) and LLT100 (= –16.2 and –14.7 °C, respectively), P. branickii and D. cinerella can both be considered as freeze tolerant. However, the cumulative proportion of individual freezing values and the LLT50 (–9.14 and –6.13 °C, respectively) suggest that P. branickii is more cold hardy than D. cinerella, whereas the gene expression data (i.e. an absence of up‐regulation of hsp70 in D. cinerella) suggest that D. cinerella is more cold hardy than P. branickii. These findings are discussed in relation to the validity of the different metabolic indicators for defining the level of cold hardiness of a species, even in relation to its cold stenothermy. The results are also discussed in relation to climate warming, which represents a serious threat for species from glacier‐fed streams.
Dialectical Activity, Ritual, and Value: A Critique of Talbot Brewer
Authors: Cordner Christopher
Published: December 2014

Talbot Brewer has argued that contemporary philosophy of action and ethics are hampered by a picture of human agency as essentially consisting in bringing about states of affairs – a “production‐oriented” conception of action. From classical sources, centrally including Aristotle, Brewer retrieves a different picture – of human activity as fundamentally “dialectical”. Ritual activity, including a ritual dimension of many dialectical activities, affirms and deepens our human presence in and to the world, and to other human beings. I argue that this aspect of ritual activity cannot be adequately recognised in the terms of Brewer's dialectical account of human activity.
Study of Electromigration-Induced Stress of Solder
Authors: Su Fei , Zhang Zheng , Wang Yuan , Li Weijia
Published: December 2014

This study designed and produced a special microsolder specimen (Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu) to equalize current density under stressing. The specimen was generated to avoid temperature gradient and thermal migration. The inelastic deformation of the solder with electromigration (EM) alone was then measured with moiré interferometry. In addition, the EM-induced solder stress was evaluated using a finite element method (FEM). The precision of the FEM model was verified by comparing the simulated results with the experimental results with respect to EM-induced deformation. Findings indicated that the maximum spherical stress in the solder can reach 50 MPa. Moreover, the vacancy concentration is much higher on the cathode end than on the anode end. The simulation results can illustrate the failure mode of a solder and can therefore provide a basis for the comprehensive evaluation of solder reliability under EM.
Finite-Time Coordinated Attitude Control for Spacecraft Formation Flying Under Input Saturation
Authors: Hu Qinglei , Zhang Jian , Friswell Michael I.
Published: December 2014

In this paper, finite-time attitude coordinated control for spacecraft formation flying (SFF) subjected to input saturation is investigated. More specifically, a bounded finite-time state feedback control law is first developed with the assumption that both attitude and angular velocity signals can be measured and transmitted between formation members. Then, a bounded finite-time output feedback controller is designed with the addition of a filter, which removes the requirement of the angular velocity measurements. In both cases, actuator saturation is explicitly taken into account, and the homogeneous system method is employed to demonstrate the finite-time stability of the closed-loop system. Numerical simulation results are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed control schemes.
Investigation of Nonaxisymmetric Endwall Contouring and Three-Dimensional Airfoil Design in a 1.5-Stage Axial Turbine—Part I: Design and Novel Numerical Analysis Method
Authors: Poehler Thorsten , Niewoehner Jens , Jeschke Peter , Guendogdu Yavuz
Published: January 2015

This paper presents the results of the analysis of different 3D designs for the first stator and the rotor of a 1.5-stage turbine test rig. A tangential endwall contouring for the hub and the shroud, a bowed profile stacking, and a combination of those have been designed for the first stator. In addition, a tangential endwall contouring has been designed for the hub of the unshrouded rotor. Part I of this two-part paper deals with the design process and the numerical analysis of the results. All designs have been optimized using the stage efficiency as target function. For the design of the 3D stator vanes, the optimization led to an unexpected result: The secondary flow vortex strength increased. However, the secondary flow pattern is rearranged by the 3D-designing, leading to a smoother radial exit flow angle distribution. A subsequent reduction of the rotor losses overcompensates the higher stator losses. In order to understand how the 3D vanes affect the stator secondary flow pattern, a detailed analysis of vortex stretching and vortex dissipation is presented in this paper. With this approach, the various impacts of the 3D designs on the secondary flow vortices' strength can be quantified. In addition, the potential theory effect of the self-induced velocity is introduced here in order to explain the effects of a tangential endwall contouring on the trajectory of the pressure side leg of the horseshoe vortex (HVps). To the best of our knowledge, both approaches are new for the analysis of turbine secondary flows. The impact of the stronger but rearranged stator secondary flow on the rotor secondary loss development is analyzed by means of unsteady simulations. The results show that the rotor secondary flow can be effectively reduced through a proper stator secondary flow pattern. In Part II of this paper, the analysis of extensive experimental results validates and supplements the numerical analysis.
Investigation of Nonaxisymmetric Endwall Contouring and Three-Dimensional Airfoil Design in a 1.5 Stage Axial Turbine—Part II: Experimental Validation
Authors: Niewoehner Jens , Poehler Thorsten , Jeschke Peter , Guendogdu Yavuz
Published: January 2015

This paper is the second part of a two-part paper reporting on the increase in efficiency of a 1.5 stage axial test rig turbine with the use of nonaxisymmetric endwalls and 3D airfoil design. Contoured endwalls were developed for the inlet guide vane separately, as well as in combination with a bowed radial profile stacking. In addition, a contour endwall was applied to the hub of the unshrouded rotor. In Part I, the design of the profiled endwalls and 3D airfoils is presented, as well as a detailed analysis of the steady and unsteady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results. Part II reports on the experimental validation of the numerical results. A distinct increase in mechanical efficiency for both new configurations in good agreement with the numerical results is observed. Additionally, performance map measurements demonstrate that the new designs are also beneficial under off-design conditions. Five- and three-hole-probes as well as fast-response total pressure probes are used to investigate the new designs. The main effect is the homogenization of the yaw angle behind the first stator.
Robust Indicated Mean Effective Pressure and Combustion Lambda Feedback Control for Lean NOx Trap Regeneration in a 2.2 L Common Rail Direct Injection Diesel Engine
Authors: Lee Hyunjun , Han Manbae , Sunwoo Myoungho
Published: January 2015

To meet stringent Euro-6 emission regulations, a lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst should be considered to effectively abate NOx emissions. This LNT catalyst should be periodically regenerated without deteriorating driving quality and also satisfy emission constraints, such as CO, low particulate matter or smoke, and low O2 during the regeneration phase. As a means of reductant delivery, in-cylinder post fuel injection with a feedforward (FF) control has been applied due to its simple implementation in an engine management system (EMS). However, with this method, it is difficult to satisfy the driving quality and emission constraints during the transition to or out of the regeneration phase. To solve this problem, we propose a novel LNT regeneration control method using an indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) and a combustion lambda feedback (FB) control combined with the FF control. For the precise FB control of the post injection timing, among the location of the second rate of heat release (ROHR) peak, the magnitude of the second ROHR peak, and IMEP, the IMEP was selected as a control parameter because of its lowest cyclic variation. In addition, the exhaust lambda control was applied for the accurate FB control of the post injection quantity. The proposed method was implemented in an in-house EMS. The performance in several engine tests indicated that the torque fluctuation was minimized and all emission constraints were effectively satisfied. Furthermore, this method was also robust with regard to the thermal disturbance.
m
6
A mRNA methylation facilitates resolution of naïve pluripotency toward differentiation
Authors: Geula Shay , Moshitch-Moshkovitz Sharon , Dominissini Dan , Mansour Abed AlFatah , Kol Nitzan , Salmon-Divon Mali , Hershkovitz Vera , Peer Eyal , Mor Nofar , Manor Yair S. , Ben-Haim Moshe Shay , Eyal Eran , Yunger Sharon , Pinto Yishay , Jaitin Diego Adhemar , Viukov Sergey , Rais Yoach , Krupalnik Vladislav , Chomsky Elad , Zerbib Mirie , Maza Itay , Rechavi Yoav , Massarwa Rada , Hanna Suhair , Amit Ido , Levanon Erez Y. , Amariglio Ninette , Stern-Ginossar Noam , Novershtern Noa , Rechavi Gideon , Hanna Jacob H.
Published: January 2015

mRNA modification regulates pluripotency

When stem cells progress from an embryonic pluripotent state toward a particular lineage, molecular switches dismantle the transcription factor network that keeps the cell pluripotent. Geula
et al.
now show that N6-methyladenosine (m6A), a messenger RNA (mRNA) modification present on transcripts of pluripotency factors, drives this transition. Methylation destabilized mRNA transcripts and limited their translation efficiency, which promoted the timely decay of naïve pluripotency. This m6A methylation was also critical for mammalian development.

Science
, this issue p.
1002
Direct kinetic measurement of the reaction of the simplest Criegee intermediate with water vapor
Authors: Chao Wen , Hsieh Jun-Ting , Chang Chun-Hung , Lin Jim Jr-Min
Published: January 2015

Double trouble for Criegee intermediates

Atmospheric ozone reacts with unsaturated hydrocarbons to form unstable compounds called Criegee intermediates. Only recently did a reliable method emerge to make and study these compounds in the laboratory, and they didn't seem to react with water. Now, Chao
et al.
show that the simplest Criegee intermediate, CH
2
OO, does in fact react very rapidly with pairs of water molecules (see the Perspective by Okumura). Earlier studies may have missed this result because they were conducted at low pressure, where water dimers are scarce, or because they monitored downstream processes. The new rate measurements imply that reactivity with atmospheric water pairs is a major decay channel for Criegees.

Science
, this issue p.
751
; see also p.
718
The winding path to a PhD in veterinary education
Authors: Kinnison Tierney , Dernat Sylvain
Published: January 2015

Masters and PhD degrees specific to veterinary education are relatively novel, but the number of students in this area is growing. As two current students, Tierney Kinnison and Sylvain Dernat, explain, those undertaking these degrees have vastly different backgrounds and are researching a variety of topics. By sharing the experiences of those involved, they hope to encourage the next generation of veterinary educators to begin their research careers
Registering vets from overseas
Authors: Millington Claire
Published: January 2015

A quarter of vets practising in the UK are from overseas, and without them there would be a national shortage. However, if you want to recruit an overseas vet the rules can seem daunting. Claire Millington, of the RCVS's communications department, explains what you need to know
Ten‐minute chat
Authors: Wedd Steve
Published: January 2015

Steve Wedd is a vet who is involved in interactive training and presentation. He works with delegates, candidates and job applicants, using acting techniques in real‐time scenarios to test and expand their technical and interpersonal skills and competence.
Analysis on modified Chaplygin gas as dark energy model
Authors: Wu Ya-Bo , Zhang Cheng-Yuan , Lu Jian-Bo , Lu Jun-Wang , Zhang Xue , Qi Qing-Mei , Fan Bi
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we will continue to study the modified Chaplygin gas (MCG) based on Ref. 25. Concretely, we not only discuss both the change rates of the energy densities and the Hubble parameter H(z) as a function of the model parameters, which is compared and consistent with the related data in Ref. 27, but also perform the Om diagnostic in order to geometrically differentiate the MCG model from the ΛCDM, GCG and CG models. Moreover, we plot the evolutionary trajectories of MCG model with different interaction terms in Om planes, and find that the coupling intensity b2 plays an important role in the MCG model. Furthermore, we also reconstruct the potential of MCG scalar field as well as the dynamics of the scalar field according to the evolution of the MCG dark energy. It is worth stressing that the results given by us can include the ones without interaction as the special cases.
Tachyon field as a dark energy in Bianchi type-V spacetime
Authors: Sadeghi J. , Farahani H.
Published: January 2015

In this paper, we consider Bianchi type-V spacetime and study a cosmological model of dark energy based on tachyon scalar field. We assumed three different kinds of matter without possibility of interaction with scalar dark energy. Assuming power law Hubble parameter in terms of scale factor we obtain evolution of scalar field, scalar potential and equation of state parameter.
Cutoff-independent RG flow equations for two-coupled chains model
Authors: Prudêncio Thiago
Published: January 2015

One-dimensional strongly correlated electron systems coupled via transverse hopping and presence of interband interactions can converge to a Luttinger liquid state or diverge to an even more intricate behavior, as a Mott state. Explicit consideration of the renormalization group (RG) flow of the Fermi points in the Fermi surface, turns the classification of phase transitions more challenging. We reconsider the recent paper for the spinless case [E. Correa and A. Ferraz, Eur. Phys. J. B 87 (2014) 51], where RG flow equations are derived in a cutoff-dependent form up to two-loops order. We demonstrate that the cutoff-dependence can be removed by rewriting the RG flow equations in terms of the energy scale variable. In our paper, the RG flow equations assume a cutoff-independent form and leads to fixed points independent of cutoff choice. The consequence is the invariance under cutoff transformations, more suitable for classifying universality classes and phase transitions.
Coherent potential approximation for the absorption spectra of a two-dimensional Frenkel exciton system with Gaussian diagonal disorder
Authors: Boukahil A. , Huber D. L.
Published: January 2015

We investigate the optical absorption and the density of states of a Frenkel exciton system on a square lattice with nearest-neighbor interactions and a Gaussian distribution of transition frequencies (i.e. Gaussian diagonal disorder). Results are presented for the absorption and the density of states of direct and indirect edge systems for a range of variances. There is reasonable agreement with the corresponding finite array calculations of Schreiber and Toyozawa. The existence of an Urbach tail is also investigated.
Resistance calculation of the decorated centered cubic networks: Applications of the Green's function
Authors: Owaidat M. Q. , Asad J. H. , Khalifeh J. M.
Published: January 2015

The effective resistance between any pair of vertices (sites) on the three-dimensional decorated centered cubic lattices is determined by using lattice Green's function method. Numerical results are presented for infinite decorated centered cubic networks. A mapping between the resistance of the edge-centered cubic lattice and that of the simple cubic lattice is shown.
Note on a Heuristic Procedure to Identify the Most Valuable Chain of Patent Priority Network
Authors: Chang Yu-Hsin , Lai Kuei-Kuei , Yang Wen-Goang , Yang Ming-Chung
Published: January 2015

A patent portfolio is more valuable than a single patent. However, the analysis approach of a company's patent portfolio is still ambiguous. The patent priority approach (PPA) presented a clearer analysis method to explore the interior of a patent family; patent families provide an outline of the patent portfolio. A patent priority analysis (PPA) could give a better picture of the patent portfolio path, and provide technical tracks through the patent family priorities. This paper evaluates the patent family priority network (PFPN), by joining whole patent family members to PPA. The length and quantity of the patent chain represent the depth and width of the technical developments. Special nodes are also found. When the PFPN has any "merge patents", the GR of the patent chain would fail to choose the right critical chain. A burst patent node bursts one path into several paths. SSR fails to choose the correct significant chain with burst patent nodes. Although the number of priority patents claimed by each family member (GR) and the cumulative sum of the priority patents for the patent family member (SSR) fail in the special situations, PFPN still could provide a simple, precise and broadly useful approach for technical development.
On the Theory of Functionally Graded Moderately Thick Composite Shells
Authors: Wen P. H. , Aliabadi Ferri
Published: January 2015

In this paper, exact solutions for double curved functionally graded shells subjected to static and dynamic distributed loads are presented for the first time. Shear deformable shell theory is used and the governing equations for the laminated and functionally graded shells with respect to the middle surface are presented in the Laplace transform domain. The exact solutions of the laminated and functionally graded shells should serve as benchmark solutions for numerical methods.
Incentives and Relative Wealth Concerns
Authors: Miglietta Salvatore
Published: January 2015

If risk-averse agents prefer to be wealthier both in absolute terms and relative to their peers (relative wealth concerns), then (1) they prefer positive correlation, and (2) they are averse to negative correlation between their payoffs. A laboratory experiment shows that subjects prefer positively correlated payoffs. Subjects interested in relative payoffs display stronger aversion to negatively correlated payoffs. This novel evidence has implications that motivate firms' extensive use of broad-based incentive plans and firms' scarce use of Relative Performance Evaluation (RPE) contracts.
Adapted integral representations of random variables
Authors: Shevchenko Georgiy , Viitasaari Lauri
Published: January 2015

We study integral representations of random variables with respect to general Hölder continuous processes and with respect to two particular cases; fractional Brownian motion and mixed fractional Brownian motion. We prove that an arbitrary random variable can be represented as an improper integral, and that the stochastic integral can have any distribution. If in addition the random variable is a final value of an adapted Hölder continuous process, then it can be represented as a proper integral. It is also shown that in the particular case of mixed fractional Brownian motion, any adapted random variable can be represented as a proper integral.
Stochastic path summation with memory
Authors: Bernido Christopher C. , Carpio-Bernido M. Victoria
Published: January 2015

Some classes of stochastic processes with memory properties are investigated by evaluating the probability density function as a white noise path integral. The corresponding modified diffusion equation for different types of memory behavior is then discussed.
Space-fractional Schrödinger equation for a quadrupolar triple Dirac-δ potential: Central Dirac-δ well and barrier cases
Authors: Tare Jeffrey D. , Esguerra Jose Perico H.
Published: January 2015

We solve the space-fractional Schrödinger equation for a quadrupolar triple Dirac-δ (QTD-δ) potential for all energies using the momentum-space approach. For the E < 0 solution, we consider two cases, i.e., when the strengths of the potential are V0 > 0 (QTD-δ potential with central Dirac-δ well) and V0 < 0 (QTD-δ potential with central Dirac-δ barrier) and derive expressions satisfied by the bound-state energy. For all fractional orders α considered, we find that there is one eigenenergy when V0 > 0, and there are two eigenenergies when V0 < 0. We also obtain both bound- and scattering-state (E > 0) wave functions and express them in terms of Fox's H-function.
Fractional Brownian motion and polymers: Learning from each other
Authors: Bornales J. , Streit L.
Published: January 2015

Self-avoiding or self-repelling random paths, with motivation from their use in polymer physics, have been widely studied using the tools of mathematics, physics, and computer simulations. We illustrate this by three recent examples.
Dynamic Symmetric Key Mobile Commerce Scheme Based on Self‐Verified Mechanism
Authors: Yang Jiachen , Xu Longsheng , Meng Qinggang , He Shudong
Published: December 2014

In terms of the security and efficiency of mobile e‐commerce, the authors summarized the advantages and disadvantages of several related schemes, especially the self‐verified mobile payment scheme based on the elliptic curve cryptosystem (ECC) and then proposed a new type of dynamic symmetric key mobile commerce scheme based on self‐verified mechanism. The authors analyzed the basic algorithm based on self‐verified mechanisms and detailed the complete transaction process of the proposed scheme. The authors analyzed the payment scheme based on the security and high efficiency index. The analysis shows that the proposed scheme not only meets the high efficiency of mobile electronic payment premise, but also takes the security into account. The user confirmation mechanism at the end of the proposed scheme further strengthens the security of the proposed scheme. In brief, the proposed scheme is more efficient and practical than most of the existing schemes.
Flow Injection Photosensitized Chemiluminescence of Luminol with Cu(II)-Rose Bengal: Mechanistic Approach and Vitamin A and C Determination
Authors: Asgher Muhammad , Yaqoob Mohammad , Nabi Abdul , Murtaza Ghulam , Siddiqi Abdul Rauf , Waseem Amir
Published: December 2014

Rose Bengal photosensitized flow injection chemiluminescence method is reported using luminol-Cu(II) for the determination of vitamins A and C in pharmaceutical formulations. The reaction is based on the enhancement effect of analyte in the production of anion radicals of Rose Bengal (RB•−) which rapidly interact with dissolved oxygen and generate superoxide anions radicals (O2•−) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (•OH) were produced via dismutation of H2O2by catalyst (Cu2+). The generated superoxide anions radicals and hydroxyl radicals thus oxidize luminol in alkaline medium to generate strong chemiluminescence. The limit of detection (3sof the blank,n=6) of vitamins A and C and RB was found to be 0.008, 0.005, and 0.05 μg mL−1, respectively. The sample throughput of 70 h−1for vitamins A and C and 30 h−1for RB was found. Calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.05–15, 0.01–20, and 0.1–50 μg mL−1for vitamins A and C and RB, respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSDs;n=3) in the range 1.6–3.6%. The method was successfully applied to pharmaceutical formulations and the results obtained were in good agreement with the labeled values.
Clinical and Radiological Results over the Medium Term of Isolated Acetabular Revision
Authors: Piolanti Nicola , Andreani Lorenzo , Parchi Paolo Domenico , Bonicoli Enrico , Niccolai Francesco , Lisanti Michele
Published: December 2014

Acetabular cup loosening is associated with pain, reduced function, and instability of the implant. If such event happens while the femoral implant is in a satisfactory position and is well fixed to the bone, isolated acetabular revision surgery is indicated. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results over the medium term (12-month follow-up mean 36, max 60) of isolated acetabular revisions surgery using a porous hemispheric revision shell matched with a cemented all-poly cup and large diameter femoral head (>32). 33 patients were enrolled. We collect any relevant data from the clinical board. Routine clinical and radiographic examinations were performed preoperatively; the postoperative follow-up was made at 1, 3, and 6 months and yearly thereafter. At the last available follow-up, we report satisfactory improvement of functional scores in all the patients; 2 patients (6.1%) showed thigh pain and only 4 hips (12.11%) presented mild groin pain; all the femoral components are well fixed and there were no potential or pending rerevisions. With bias due to the follow-up and to the retrospective design of the study, we report clinical, functional, and radiological satisfactory results.
Abnormal Blood Glucose as a Prognostic Factor for Adverse Clinical Outcome in Children Admitted to the Paediatric Emergency Unit at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana
Authors: Ameyaw Emmanuel , Amponsah-Achiano Kwame , Yamoah Peter , Chanoine Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2014

Dysglycaemia (hyper- or hypoglycaemia) in critically ill children has been associated with poor outcome. We compared the clinical outcomes in children admitted to Pediatric Emergency Unit (PEU) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for acute medical conditions and presenting with euglycaemia or dysglycaemia. This is a prospective case matching cohort study. Eight hundred subjects aged between 3 and 144 months were screened out of whom 430 (215 with euglycaemia and 215 with dysglycaemia) were enrolled. The median age was 24 months (range: 3–144 months). In the dysglycaemia group, 28 (13%) subjects had hypoglycemia and 187 (87%) had hyperglycemia. Overall, there were 128 complications in 116 subjects. The number of subjects with complications was significantly higher in dysglycaemia group (n=99, 46%) compared to euglycaemia group (n=17, 8%) (P<0.001). Forty subjects died out of whom 30 had dysglycaemia (P=0.001). Subjects with dysglycaemia were 3 times (95% CI: 1.5–6.0) more likely to die and 4.8 times (95% CI: 3.1–7.5) more likely to develop complications (P=0.001). Dysglycaemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in children with acute medical conditions and should lead to intensive management of the underlying condition.
An Improved Finite‐Time Stability and Stabilization of Linear System with Constant Delay
Authors: Rojsiraphisal Thaned , Puangmalai Jirapong
Published: December 2014

Practical systems in engineering fields often require that values of state variables, during the finite‐time interval, must not exceed a certain value when the initial values of state are given. This leads us to investigate the finite‐time stability and stabilization of a linear system with a constant time‐delay. Sufficient conditions to guarantee the finite‐time stability and stabilization are derived by using a new form of Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and a desired state‐feedback controller. These conditions are in the form of LMIs and inequalities. Two numerical examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed criteria. Results show that our proposed criteria are less conservative than previous works in terms of versatility of minimum bounds and larger bounds of time‐delay.
Effects of Salinity, Temperature, and Polyethylene Glycol on the Seed Germination of Sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.)
Authors: Luan Zhihui , Xiao Moxin , Zhou Daowei , Zhang Hongxiang , Tian Yu , Wu Yi , Guan Bo , Song Yantao
Published: December 2014

Salinization has severe influences on agriculture in the whole world. The main aims of this work were to evaluate osmotic effect and ion effect of NaCl on seed germination of three sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.) cultivars interacting with three alternating temperature regimes and to select the most salt tolerant cultivars to plant in the saline region. Seeds were germinated in the isotonic NaCl and polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions of −0.45, −0.90, −1.34, −1.79, and −2.24 MPa at 10 : 20, 15 : 25, and 20 : 30°C temperature regimes. Both NaCl and PEG inhibited germination, but the effects of NaCl were less as compared to that of PEG, which means that adverse effects of PEG on germination were due to osmotic effect rather than specific ion accumulation. For the three cultivars, higher germination occurred at 10 : 20°C in NaCl treatments and at 20 : 30°C in the isotonic PEG treatments. Among the three cultivars, Sandaomei (SDM) is the most tolerant to salt and PEG stress.
Electron Microscopy in Rat Brain Slices Reveals Rapid Accumulation of Cisplatin on Ribosomes and Other Cellular Components Only in Glia
Authors: Zueva Lidia , Rivera Yomarie , Kucheryavykh Lilia , Skatchkov Serguei N. , Eaton Misty J. , Sanabria Priscila , Inyushin Mikhail
Published: December 2014

Cisplatin is a widely used, effective anticancer drug. Its use, however, is associated with several side effects including nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity. It is known that cisplatin is accumulated in cells by the organic cation transport system and reacts with nucleotides, damaging them, but the precise target of cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity remains obscure.
Here we report direct visualization of cisplatin inside brain cells using in vivo “cisplatin staining,” a technique that takes advantage of the high electron density of cisplatin, which contains platinum (atomic mass=195). After applying 0.1% cisplatin to living brain slices for 30 min, we fixed the tissue and observed the accumulated cisplatin using electron microscopy. We found that cisplatin was localized mainly to ribosomes associated with endoplasmic reticulum (EPR) in glial cells and to the myelin sheath formed by oligodendrocytes around neuronal axons. Staining of nuclear DNA was moderate. Our in vivo “cisplatin staining” method validated that the main target of cisplatin is a direct attack on myelin and the RNA contained in ribosomes.
Image Superresolution Reconstruction via Granular Computing Clustering
Authors: Liu Hongbing , Zhang Fan , Wu Chang-an , Huang Jun
Published: December 2014

The problem of generating a superresolution (SR) image from a single low-resolution (LR) input image is addressed via granular computing clustering in the paper. Firstly, and the training images are regarded as SR image and partitioned into some SR patches, which are resized into LS patches, the training set is composed of the SR patches and the corresponding LR patches. Secondly, the granular computing (GrC) clustering is proposed by the hypersphere representation of granule and the fuzzy inclusion measure compounded by the operation between two granules. Thirdly, the granule set (GS) including hypersphere granules with different granularities is induced by GrC and used to form the relation between the LR image and the SR image by lasso. Experimental results showed that GrC achieved the least root mean square errors between the reconstructed SR image and the original image compared with bicubic interpolation, sparse representation, and NNLasso.
An Overview of Transmission Line Protection by Artificial Neural Network: Fault Detection, Fault Classification, Fault Location, and Fault Direction Discrimination
Authors: Yadav Anamika , Dash Yajnaseni
Published: December 2014

Contemporary power systems are associated with serious issues of faults on high voltage transmission lines. Instant isolation of fault is necessary to maintain the system stability. Protective relay utilizes current and voltage signals to detect, classify, and locate the fault in transmission line. A trip signal will be sent by the relay to a circuit breaker with the purpose of disconnecting the faulted line from the rest of the system in case of a disturbance for maintaining the stability of the remaining healthy system. This paper focuses on the studies of fault detection, fault classification, fault location, fault phase selection, and fault direction discrimination by using artificial neural networks approach. Artificial neural networks are valuable for power system applications as they can be trained with offline data. Efforts have been made in this study to incorporate and review approximately all important techniques and philosophies of transmission line protection reported in the literature till June 2014. This comprehensive and exhaustive survey will reduce the difficulty of new researchers to evaluate different ANN based techniques with a set of references of all concerned contributions.
Posterior Pole Sparing Laser Photocoagulation Combined with Intravitreal Bevacizumab Injection in Posterior Retinopathy of Prematurity
Authors: Kim Rebecca , Kim Yu Cheol
Published: December 2014

Purpose. To report the results of the posterior pole sparing laser photocoagulation combined with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (IVB) in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods. A retrospective chart review of premature babies with ROP, all of whom received laser photocoagulation with IVB. Eleven eyes of 6 infants with advanced zone I ROP underwent laser ablation sparing posterior pole with concurrent IVB. The results were compared with those of full-laser treatment combined with IVB to 8 eyes of 5 infants with advanced ROP without involvement of the posterior pole.Results. The posterior pole sparing laser with IVB was performed with zone I, stage 3+ ROP at the mean postmenstrual age of 36 weeks and 5 days. The plus sign decreased significantly at postoperative day 1, the neovascular proliferation regressed by postoperative week 1, and the normal vascularization started at postoperative day 32 on the average. Two months after treatment, vascularization of the spared avascular area was completed. There was no macular dragging, tractional retinal detachment, foveal destruction by laser scars, or any other adverse event. No significant anatomical differences were identified from those of full-laser ablation combined with IVB.Conclusions. Posterior pole sparing laser with IVB can give favorable results without destruction of posterior pole retina.
Complexation of Oxovanadium(IV) and Dioxouranium(VI) with Synthesized 1,2-(Diimino-4′-antipyrinyl)-1,2-diphenylethane Schiff Base: A Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and Bioactivity Investigation
Authors: Bashir Shabnum , Maqsood Syed Raashid , Peerzada Ghulam Mustafa , Khan Badruddin , Rizvi Masood Ahmad
Published: December 2014

We report the comparative synthetic methodologies and characterization of a tetradentate Schiff base ligand 1,2-(diimino-4′-antipyrinyl)-1,2-diphenylethane (DE). The target synthesis of oxovanadium(IV) and dioxouranium(VI) complexes (vanadyl and uranyl) with the (DE) ligand was also attempted to envisage the effect of metal ion steric factor on complexation process through solution phase thermodynamic and kinetic studies. The thermodynamic stabilities of synthesized vanadyl and uranyl (DE) complexes are discussed in light of their solution phase thermodynamic stability constants obtained by electroanalytical method. A comparative kinetic profile of vanadyl and uranyl complexation with DE is also reported. The complexation reaction proceeds with an overall 2nd order kinetics with both metal ions. Temperature dependent studies of rate constants present an activation energy barrier of ca. 40.913 and 48.661 KJ mol−1, for vanadyl and uranyl complexation, respectively, highlighting the metal ion steric and ligand preorganization effects. The synthesized Schiff base ligand and its vanadyl and uranyl complexes were screened for biocidal potential as antibacterial, antifungal, and anthelmintic agents with the results compared to corresponding reference drugs.
Investigation of CPD and HMDS Sample Preparation Techniques for Cervical Cells in Developing Computer-Aided Screening System Based on FE-SEM/EDX
Authors: Jusman Yessi , Ng Siew Cheok , Abu Osman Noor Azuan
Published: December 2014

This paper investigated the effects of critical-point drying (CPD) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) sample preparation techniques for cervical cells on field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (FE-SEM/EDX). We investigated the visualization of cervical cell image and elemental distribution on the cervical cell for two techniques of sample preparation. Using FE-SEM/EDX, the cervical cell images are captured and the cell element compositions are extracted for both sample preparation techniques. Cervical cell image quality, elemental composition, and processing time are considered for comparison of performances. Qualitatively, FE-SEM image based on HMDS preparation technique has better image quality than CPD technique in terms of degree of spread cell on the specimen and morphologic signs of cell deteriorations (i.e., existence of plate and pellet drying artifacts and membrane blebs). Quantitatively, with mapping and line scanning EDX analysis, carbon and oxygen element compositions in HMDS technique were higher than the CPD technique in terms of weight percentages. The HMDS technique has shorter processing time than the CPD technique. The results indicate that FE-SEM imaging, elemental composition, and processing time for sample preparation with the HMDS technique were better than CPD technique for cervical cell preparation technique for developing computer-aided screening system.
O Serogroup-Specific Touchdown-Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection and Identification ofVibrio choleraeO1, O139, and Non-O1/Non-O139
Authors: Bhumiratana Adisak , Siriphap Achiraya , Khamsuwan Nutsarin , Borthong Jednipit , Chonsin Kaknokrat , Sutheinkul Orasa
Published: December 2014

A novel, sensitive locus-specific touchdown-multiplex polymerase chain reaction (TMPCR), which is based on two-stage amplification pertaining to multiplex PCR and conditional touchdown strategy, was used in detecting and differentiatingVibrio choleraeserogroups. A panel of molecular marker-based TMPCR method generates reproducible profiles ofV. cholerae-specific (588 bp) amplicons derived fromompW gene encoding the outer membrane protein and serogroup-specific amplicons, 364 bp for the O1 and 256 bp for the O139, authentically copied fromrfbgenes responsible for the lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis. The TMPCR amplification efficiency yields either equally or unequally detectable duplex DNA bands of the O1 (588 and 364 bp) and O139 (588 and 256 bp) or a DNA fragment of non-O1/non-O139 (588 bp) while providing no false positive identifications using the genomic DNA templates of the other vibrios and Enterobacteriaceae. The reciprocal analysis of two-template combinations demonstrated that, usingV. choleraeO1, O139, or equally mixed O1 and O139, the TMPCR had a detection limit of as low as 100 pg of the O1, O139, or non-O1/non-O139 in reactions containing unequally or equally mixed gDNAs. In addition, the O serogroup-specific TMPCR method had 100% agreement with the serotyping method when examined for the serotypedV. choleraereference strains and those recovered from clinical samples. The potential benefit of using this TMPCR tool would augment the serotyping method used in epidemiological surveillance and monitoring ofV. choleraeserogroups, O1, O139, and non-O1/non-O139 present in clinical and environmental samples.
Possible Complications of Ureteroscopy in Modern Endourological Era: Two-Point or “Scabbard” Avulsion
Authors: Gaizauskas Andrius , Markevicius Marius , Gaizauskas Sergejus , Zelvys Arunas
Published: December 2014

Indication has led ureteroscopy to be a worldwide technique, with the expected appearance of multiple types of complications. Severe complications are possible including ureteral perforation or avulsion. Ureteral avulsion has been described as an upper urinary tract injury related to the action of blunt trauma, especially from traffic accidents, being the mechanism of injury, the result of an acute deceleration/acceleration movement. With the advent of endourology, that term is also applied to the extensive degloving injury resulting from a mechanism of stretching of the ureter that eventually breaks at the most weakened site, or ureteral avulsion is referred to as a discontinuation of the full thickness of the ureter. The paper presents a case report and literature review of the two-point or “scabbard” avulsion. The loss of long segment of the upper ureter, when end-to-end anastomosis is not technically feasible, presents a challenge to the urological surgeon. In the era of small calibre ureteroscopes these complications, due to growing incidence of renal stones will become more and more actual. Our message to other urologists is to know such a complication, to know the ways of treatment, and to analyse ureteroscopic signs, when to stop or pay attention.