bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of renal tissue hypoxia in a rat model of polycystic kidney disease
Authors: Ow Connie P. C. , Abdelkader Amany , Hilliard Lucinda M. , Phillips Jacqueline K. , Evans Roger G.
Published: September 2014

Renal tissue oxygen tension (Po2) and its determinants have not been quantified in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Therefore, we measured kidney tissue Po2in the Lewis rat model of PKD (LPK) and in Lewis control rats. We also determined the relative contributions of altered renal oxygen delivery and consumption to renal tissue hypoxia in LPK rats. Po2of the superficial cortex of 11- to 13-wk-old LPK rats, measured by Clark electrode with the rat under anesthesia, was higher within the cysts (32.8 ± 4.0 mmHg) than the superficial cortical parenchyma (18.3 ± 3.5 mmHg). Po2in the superficial cortical parenchyma of Lewis rats was 2.5-fold greater (46.0 ± 3.1 mmHg) than in LPK rats. At each depth below the cortical surface, tissue Po2in LPK rats was approximately half that in Lewis rats. Renal blood flow was 60% less in LPK than in Lewis rats, and arterial hemoglobin concentration was 57% less, so renal oxygen delivery was 78% less. Renal venous Po2was 38% less in LPK than Lewis rats. Sodium reabsorption was 98% less in LPK than Lewis rats, but renal oxygen consumption did not significantly differ between the two groups. Thus, in this model of PKD, kidney tissue is severely hypoxic, at least partly because of deficient renal oxygen delivery. Nevertheless, the observation of similar renal oxygen consumption, despite markedly less sodium reabsorption, in the kidneys of LPK compared with Lewis rats, indicates the presence of inappropriately high oxygen consumption in the polycystic kidney.
Role of soluble guanylate cyclase in renal hemodynamics and autoregulation in the rat
Authors: Dautzenberg Marcel , Kahnert Antje , Stasch Johannes-Peter , Just Armin
Published: September 2014

We studied the influence of soluble guanylate (sGC) on renal blood flow (RBF), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and RBF autoregulation and its role in mediating the hemodynamic effects of endogenous nitric oxide (NO). Arterial pressure (AP), heart rate (HR), RBF, GFR, urine flow (UV), and the efficiency and mechanisms of RBF autoregulation were studied in anesthetized rats during intravenous infusion of sGC activator cinaciguat before and (except GFR) also after inhibition of NO synthase (NOS) by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. Cinaciguat (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10 μg·kg−1·min−1, n = 7) reduced AP and increased HR, but did not significantly alter RBF. In clearance experiments (FITC-sinistrin, n = 7) GFR was not significantly altered by cinaciguat (0.1 and 1 μg·kg−1·min−1), but RBF slightly rose (+12%) and filtration fraction (FF) fell (−23%). RBF autoregulatory efficiency (67 vs. 104%) and myogenic response (33 vs. 44 units) were slightly depressed ( n = 9). NOS inhibition ( n = 7) increased AP (+38 mmHg), reduced RBF (−53%), and greatly augmented the myogenic response in RBF autoregulation (97 vs. 35 units), attenuating the other regulatory mechanisms. These changes were reversed by 77, 78, and 90% by 1 μg·kg−1·min−1cinaciguat. In vehicle controls ( n = 3), in which cinaciguat-induced hypotension was mimicked by aortic compression, the NOS inhibition-induced changes were not affected. We conclude that sGC activation leaves RBF and GFR well maintained despite hypotension and only slightly impairs autoregulation. The ability to largely normalize AP, RBF, RBF autoregulation, and renovascular myogenic response after NOS inhibition indicates that these hemodynamic effects of NO are predominantly mediated via sGC.
Expression and localization of a UT-B urea transporter in the human bladder
Authors: Walpole C. , Farrell A. , McGrane A. , Stewart G. S.
Published: September 2014

Facilitative UT-B urea transporters have been shown to play an important role in the urinary concentrating mechanism. Recent studies have now suggested a link between UT-B allelic variation and human bladder cancer risk. UT-B1 protein has been previously identified in the bladder of various mammalian species, but not yet in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether any UT-B protein was present in the human bladder. First, RT-PCR results confirmed that UT-B1 was strongly expressed at the RNA level in the human bladder, whereas UT-B2 was only weakly present. Initial Western blot analysis confirmed that a novel UT-B COOH-terminal antibody detected human UT-B proteins. Importantly, this antibody detected a specific 40- to 45-kDa UT-B signal in human bladder protein. Using a peptide- N-glycosidase F enzyme, this bladder UT-B signal was deglycosylated to a core 30-kDa protein, which is smaller than the predicted size for UT-B1 but similar to many proteins reported to be UT-B1. Finally, immunolocalization experiments confirmed that UT-B protein was strongly expressed throughout all urothelium layers except for the apical membrane of the outermost umbrella cells. In conclusion, these data confirm the presence of UT-B protein within the human bladder. Further studies are now required to determine the precise nature, regulation, and physiological role of this UT-B.
Gender differences in adenine-induced chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular complications in rats
Authors: Diwan Vishal , Small David , Kauter Kate , Gobe Glenda C. , Brown Lindsay
Published: September 2014

Gender contributes to differences in incidence and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated cardiovascular disease. To induce kidney damage in male and female Wistar rats ( n = 12/group), a 0.25% adenine diet for 16 wk was used. Kidney function (blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, proteinuria) and structure (glomerular damage, tubulointerstitial atrophy, fibrosis, inflammation); cardiovascular function (blood pressure, ventricular stiffness, vascular responses, echocardiography) and structure (cardiac fibrosis); plasma testosterone and estrogen concentrations; and protein expression for oxidative stress [heme oxygenase-1, inflammation (TNF-α), fibrosis (transforming growth factor-β), ERK1/2, and estrogen receptor-α (ER-α)] were compared in males and females. Adenine-fed females had less decline in kidney function than adenine-fed males, although kidney atrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis were similar. Plasma estrogen concentrations increased and plasma testosterone concentrations decreased in adenine-fed males, with smaller changes in females. CKD-associated molecular changes in kidneys were more pronounced in males than females except for expression of ER-α in the kidney, which was completely suppressed in adenine-fed males but unchanged in adenine-fed females. Both genders showed increased blood pressure, ventricular stiffness, and cardiac fibrosis with the adenine diet. Cardiovascular changes with adenine were similar in males and females, except males developed concentric, and females eccentric cardiac hypertrophy. In hearts from adenine-fed male and female rats, expression of ER-α and activation of the ERK1/2 pathway were increased, in part explaining changes in cardiac hypertrophy. In summary, adenine-induced kidney damage may be increased in males due to the suppression of ER-α.
Between-muscle differences in the adaptation to experimental pain
Authors: Hug François , Hodges Paul W. , Hoorn Wolbert van den , Tucker Kylie
Published: September 2014

This study aimed to determine whether muscle stress (force per unit area) can be redistributed between individual heads of the quadriceps muscle when pain is induced into one of these heads. Elastography was used to measure muscle shear elastic modulus (an index of muscle stress). Electromyography (EMG) was recorded from vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), and rectus femoris (RF). In experiment I ( n = 20), participants matched a knee extension force, and thus any reduction of stress within the painful muscle would require compensation by other muscles. In experiment II ( n = 13), participants matched VL EMG amplitude and were free to vary external force such that intermuscle compensation would be unnecessary to maintain the experimental task. In experiments I and II, pain was induced by injection of hypertonic saline into VM or RF. Experiment III aimed to establish whether voluntary drive to the individual muscles could be controlled independently. Participants ( n = 13) were asked to voluntarily reduce activation of VM or RF while maintaining knee extension force. During VM pain, there was no change in shear elastic modulus ( experiments I and II) or EMG amplitude of VM ( experiment II). In contrast, RF pain was associated with a reduction in RF elastic modulus ( experiments I and II: −8 to −17%) and EMG amplitude ( experiment II). Participants could voluntarily reduce EMG amplitude of RF ( −26%; P = 0.003 ) but not VM ( experiment III). These results highlight between-muscle differences in adaptation to pain that might be explained by their function (monoarticular vs. biarticular) and/or the neurophysiological constraints associated to their activation.
Homeostatic plasticity induced by brief activity deprivation enhances long-term potentiation in the mature rat hippocampus
Authors: Félix-Oliveira A. , Dias R. B. , Colino-Oliveira M. , Rombo D. M. , Sebastião A. M.
Published: September 2014

Different forms of plasticity occur concomitantly in the nervous system. Whereas homeostatic plasticity monitors and maintains neuronal activity within a functional range, Hebbian changes such as long-term potentiation (LTP) modify the relative strength of specific synapses after discrete changes in activity and are thought to provide the cellular basis for learning and memory. Here, we assessed whether homeostatic plasticity could influence subsequent LTP in acute hippocampal slices that had been briefly deprived of activity by blocking action potential generation and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation for 3 h. Activity deprivation enhanced the frequency and the amplitude of spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and enhanced basal synaptic transmission in the absence of significant changes in intrinsic excitability. Changes in the threshold for Hebbian plasticity were evaluated by inducing LTP with stimulation protocols of increasing strength. We found that activity-deprived slices consistently showed higher LTP magnitude compared with control conditions even when using subthreshold theta-burst stimulation. Enhanced LTP in activity-deprived slices was also observed when picrotoxin was used to prevent the modulation of GABAergic transmission. Finally, we observed that consecutive LTP inductions attained a higher magnitude of facilitation in activity-deprived slices, suggesting that the homeostatic plasticity mechanisms triggered by a brief period of neuronal silencing can both lower the threshold and raise the ceiling for Hebbian modifications. We conclude that even brief periods of altered activity are able to shape subsequent synaptic transmission and Hebbian plasticity in fully developed hippocampal circuits.
Texture discriminability in monkey inferotemporal cortex predicts human texture perception
Authors: Zhivago Kalathupiriyan A. , Arun Sripati P.
Published: September 2014

Shape and texture are both important properties of visual objects, but texture is relatively less understood. Here, we characterized neuronal responses to discrete textures in monkey inferotemporal (IT) cortex and asked whether they can explain classic findings in human texture perception. We focused on three classic findings on texture discrimination: 1) it can be easy or hard depending on the constituent elements; 2) it can have asymmetries, and 3) it is reduced for textures with randomly oriented elements. We recorded neuronal activity from monkey inferotemporal (IT) cortex and measured texture perception in humans for a variety of textures. Our main findings are as follows: 1) IT neurons show congruent selectivity for textures across array size; 2) textures that were easy for humans to discriminate also elicited distinct patterns of neuronal activity in monkey IT; 3) texture pairs with asymmetries in humans also exhibited asymmetric variation in firing rate across monkey IT; and 4) neuronal responses to randomly oriented textures were explained by an average of responses to homogeneous textures, which rendered them less discriminable. The reduction in discriminability of monkey IT neurons predicted the reduced discriminability in humans during texture discrimination. Taken together, our results suggest that texture perception in humans is likely based on neuronal representations similar to those in monkey IT.
Statistically rigorous calculations do not support common input and long-term synchronization of motor-unit firings
Authors: De Luca Carlo J. , Kline Joshua C.
Published: September 2014

Over the past four decades, various methods have been implemented to measure synchronization of motor-unit firings. In this work, we provide evidence that prior reports of the existence of universal common inputs to all motoneurons and the presence of long-term synchronization are misleading, because they did not use sufficiently rigorous statistical tests to detect synchronization. We developed a statistically based method (SigMax) for computing synchronization and tested it with data from 17,736 motor-unit pairs containing 1,035,225 firing instances from the first dorsal interosseous and vastus lateralis muscles—a data set one order of magnitude greater than that reported in previous studies. Only firing data, obtained from surface electromyographic signal decomposition with >95% accuracy, were used in the study. The data were not subjectively selected in any manner. Because of the size of our data set and the statistical rigor inherent to SigMax, we have confidence that the synchronization values that we calculated provide an improved estimate of physiologically driven synchronization. Compared with three other commonly used techniques, ours revealed three types of discrepancies that result from failing to use sufficient statistical tests necessary to detect synchronization. 1) On average, the z-score method falsely detected synchronization at 16 separate latencies in each motor-unit pair. 2) The cumulative sum method missed one out of every four synchronization identifications found by SigMax. 3) The common input assumption method identified synchronization from 100% of motor-unit pairs studied. SigMax revealed that only 50% of motor-unit pairs actually manifested synchronization.
Secure Cooperative Spectrum Sensing for the Cognitive Radio Network Using Nonuniform Reliability
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Koo Insoo
Published: September 2014

Both reliable detection of the primary signal in a noisy and fading environment and nullifying the effect of unauthorized users are important tasks in cognitive radio networks. To address these issues, we consider a cooperative spectrum sensing approach where each user is assigned nonuniform reliability based on the sensing performance. Users with poor channel or faulty sensor are assigned low reliability. The nonuniform reliabilities serve as identification tags and are used to isolate users with malicious behavior. We consider a link layer attack similar to the Byzantine attack, which falsifies the spectrum sensing data. Three different strategies are presented in this paper to ignore unreliable and malicious users in the network. Considering only reliable users for global decision improves sensing time and decreases collisions in the control channel. The fusion center uses the degree of reliability as a weighting factor to determine the global decision in scheme I. Schemes II and III consider the unreliability of users, which makes the computations even simpler. The proposed schemes reduce the number of sensing reports and increase the inference accuracy. The advantages of our proposed schemes over conventional cooperative spectrum sensing and the Chair-Varshney optimum rule are demonstrated through simulations.
Continuity of the Restriction Maps on Smirnov Classes
Authors: Soykan Yüksel
Published: September 2014

We prove the restriction maps define continuous linear operators on the Smirnov classes for some certain domain with analytic boundary.
A Model Independent S/W Framework for Search-Based Software Testing
Authors: Oh Jungsup , Baik Jongmoon , Lim Sung-Hwa
Published: September 2014

In Model-Based Testing (MBT) area, Search-Based Software Testing (SBST) has been employed to generate test cases from the model of a system under test. However, many types of models have been used in MBT. If the type of a model has changed from one to another, all functions of a search technique must be reimplemented because the types of models are different even if the same search technique has been applied. It requires too much time and effort to implement the same algorithm over and over again. We propose a model-independent software framework for SBST, which can reduce redundant works. The framework provides a reusable common software platform to reduce time and effort. The software framework not only presents design patterns to find test cases for a target model but also reduces development time by using common functions provided in the framework. We show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed framework with two case studies. The framework improves the productivity by about 50% when changing the type of a model.
False-Positive Clostridium difficile in Negative-Control Reactions Peak and Then Decrease with Repetitive Refrigeration of Immunoassay
Authors: Rodriguez-Palacios Alexander , Stämpfli Henry R. , Chang Yung-Fu
Published: September 2014

Aberrant false-positive reactions in negative-controls during ELISA testing for Clostridium difficile indicated the potential for false-diagnoses. Experiments with 96-well products showed a maximum peak of false-positive immunoassay reactions with the provided negative-control reagents after 5 refrigeration-to-room temperature cycles (P<0.001), decreasing thereafter with additional refrigeration cycles. Because repetitive refrigeration causes a peak of false-positives, the use of single negative-controls per ELISA run might be insufficient to monitor aberrant preanalytical false-positives if immunoassays are subject to repetitive refrigeration.
Plasmonic Structure Enhanced Exciton Generation at the Interface between the Perovskite Absorber and Copper Nanoparticles
Authors: Chang Sheng Hsiung , Lin Kuen-Feng , Chiang Chien-Hung , Chen Sheng-Hui , Wu Chun-Guey
Published: September 2014

The refractive index and extinction coefficient of a triiodide perovskite absorber (TPA) were obtained by fitting the transmittance spectra of TPA/PEDOT:PSS/ITO/glass using the transfer matrix method. Cu nanoplasmonic structures were designed to enhance the exciton generation in the TPA and to simultaneously reduce the film thickness of the TPA. Excitons were effectively generated at the interface between TPA and Cu nanoparticles, as observed through the 3D finite-difference time-domain method. The exciton distribution is advantageous for the exciton dissociation and carrier transport.
Performance Evaluation of the Machine Learning Algorithms Used in Inference Mechanism of a Medical Decision Support System
Authors: Bal Mert , Amasyali M. Fatih , Sever Hayri , Kose Guven , Demirhan Ayse
Published: September 2014

The importance of the decision support systems is increasingly supporting the decision making process in cases of uncertainty and the lack of information and they are widely used in various fields like engineering, finance, medicine, and so forth, Medical decision support systems help the healthcare personnel to select optimal method during the treatment of the patients. Decision support systems are intelligent software systems that support decision makers on their decisions. The design of decision support systems consists of four main subjects called inference mechanism, knowledge-base, explanation module, and active memory. Inference mechanism constitutes the basis of decision support systems. There are various methods that can be used in these mechanisms approaches. Some of these methods are decision trees, artificial neural networks, statistical methods, rule-based methods, and so forth. In decision support systems, those methods can be used separately or a hybrid system, and also combination of those methods. In this study, synthetic data with 10, 100, 1000, and 2000 records have been produced to reflect the probabilities on the ALARM network. The accuracy of 11 machine learning methods for the inference mechanism of medical decision support system is compared on various data sets.
Applications of Soil Moisture Sensor with Electrokinetic Ion Trap Mechanism
Authors: Lee Ming-Hsi , Tsai De-Jian , Lee Chia-Yen
Published: September 2014

A sensor comprising a pair of stainless steel planar electrodes and a capacitance meter is proposed for the real-time monitoring of the moisture content in soil. As rain falls on the ground, the moisture content of the soil between the two electrodes increases. The resulting change in the dielectric constant of the sensing material (soil) produces a corresponding change in the capacitance signal, from which the moisture content can then be inversely derived. The measurement performance of the proposed sensor is enhanced by means of an ion trap mechanism comprising two graphite mesh electrodes positioned orthogonally to the measurement electrodes. A DC voltage is applied to the two electrodes such that the anions and cations in the water are trapped by the positive and negative electrodes, respectively, thereby minimizing their effects on the sensing operation. The experimental results show that the proposed sensor achieves a high degree of sensitivity (i.e., 1.27  μF/%) for gravimetric water contents ranging from 21 to 28%. Moreover, it is shown that the sensor has a repeatability of ±0.71% and ±0.55% for low and high gravimetric water contents, respectively.
Mindfulness‐Based Therapies in the Treatment of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Aucoin Monique , Lalonde-Parsi Marie-Jasmine , Cooley Kieran
Published: September 2014

Background. Functional gastrointestinal disorders are highly prevalent and standard treatments are often unsatisfactory. Mindfulness‐based therapy has shown benefit in conditions including chronic pain, mood, and somatization disorders. Objectives. To assess the quality and effectiveness reported in existing literature, we conducted a meta‐analysis of mindfulness‐based therapy in functional gastrointestinal disorders. Methods. Pubmed, EBSCO, and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to May 2014. Study inclusion criteria included randomized, controlled studies of adults using mindfulness‐based therapy in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias. Effect sizes were calculated and pooled to achieve a summary effect for the intervention on symptom severity and quality of life. Results. Of 119 records, eight articles, describing seven studies, met inclusion criteria. In six studies, significant improvements were achieved or maintained at the end of intervention or follow‐up time points. The studies had an unclear or high risk of bias. Pooled effects were statistically significant for IBS severity (0.59, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.86) and quality of life (0.56, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.79). Conclusion. Studies suggest that mindfulness based interventions may provide benefit in functional gastrointestinal disorders; however, substantial improvements in methodological quality and reporting are needed.
GHK and DNA: Resetting the Human Genome to Health
Authors: Pickart Loren , Vasquez-Soltero Jessica Michelle , Margolina Anna
Published: September 2014

During human aging there is an increase in the activity of inflammatory, cancer promoting, and tissue destructive genes plus a decrease in the activity of regenerative and reparative genes. The human blood tripeptide GHK possesses many positive effects but declines with age. It improves wound healing and tissue regeneration (skin, hair follicles, stomach and intestinal linings, and boney tissue), increases collagen and glycosaminoglycans, stimulates synthesis of decorin, increases angiogenesis, and nerve outgrowth, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and increases cellular stemness and the secretion of trophic factors by mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, GHK has been found to reset genes of diseased cells from patients with cancer or COPD to a more healthy state. Cancer cells reset their programmed cell death system while COPD patients’ cells shut down tissue destructive genes and stimulate repair and remodeling activities. In this paper, we discuss GHK’s effect on genes that suppress fibrinogen synthesis, the insulin/insulin-like system, and cancer growth plus activation of genes that increase the ubiquitin-proteasome system, DNA repair, antioxidant systems, and healing by the TGF beta superfamily. A variety of methods and dosages to effectively use GHK to reset genes to a healthier state are also discussed.
Backward Stochastic Differential Equations Approach to Hedging, Option Pricing, and Insurance Problems
Authors: Cordoni Francesco , Di Persio Luca
Published: September 2014

In the present work we give a self-contained introduction to financial mathematical models characterized by noise of Lévy type in the framework of the backward stochastic differential equations theory. Such techniques will be then used to analyse an innovative model related to insurance and death processes setting.
Targeting Mast Cells Tryptase in Tumor Microenvironment: A Potential Antiangiogenetic Strategy
Authors: Ammendola Michele , Leporini Christian , Marech Ilaria , Gadaleta Cosmo Damiano , Scognamillo Giovanni , Sacco Rosario , Sammarco Giuseppe , De Sarro Giovambattista , Russo Emilio , Ranieri Girolamo
Published: September 2014

Angiogenesis is a complex process finely regulated by the balance between angiogenesis stimulators and inhibitors. As a result of proangiogenic factors overexpression, it plays a crucial role in cancer development. Although initially mast cells (MCs) role has been defined in hypersensitivity reactions and in immunity, it has been discovered that MCs have a crucial interplay on the regulatory function between inflammatory and tumor cells through the release of classical proangiogenic factors (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor) and nonclassical proangiogenic mediators granule-associated (mainly tryptase). In fact, in several animal and human malignancies, MCs density is highly correlated with tumor angiogenesis. In particular, tryptase, an agonist of the proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2), represents one of the most powerful angiogenic mediators released by human MCs after c-Kit receptor activation. This protease, acting on PAR-2 by its proteolytic activity, has angiogenic activity stimulating both human vascular endothelial and tumor cell proliferation in paracrine manner, helping tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Based on literature data it is shown that tryptase may represent a promising target in cancer treatment due to its proangiogenic activity. Here we focused on molecular mechanisms of three tryptase inhibitors (gabexate mesylate, nafamostat mesylate, and tranilast) in order to consider their prospective role in cancer therapy.
Certain Inequalities Involving Generalized Erdélyi-Kober Fractionalq-Integral Operators
Authors: Agarwal Praveen , Salahshour Soheil , Ntouyas Sotiris K. , Tariboon Jessada
Published: September 2014

In recent years, a remarkably large number of inequalities involving the fractionalq-integral operators have been investigated in the literature by many authors. Here, we aim to present some new fractional integral inequalities involving generalized Erdélyi-Kober fractionalq-integral operator due to Gaulué, whose special cases are shown to yield corresponding inequalities associated with Kober type fractionalq-integral operators. The cases of synchronous functions as well as of functions bounded by integrable functions are considered.
Risk Factors for Chronic Subdural Hematoma after a Minor Head Injury in the Elderly: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Tseng Jen-Ho , Tseng Ming-Yuan , Liu Ann-Jeng , Lin Wen-Hsiung , Hu Hsiao-Yun , Hsiao Sheng-Huang
Published: September 2014

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the major comorbidities in elderly resulting in disability and death. Early recognition of CSDH is important for early management. However, manifestations of CSDH are nonspecific and subtle. Therefore, identification of risk factors of CSDH can offer clinical follow-up strategies for patients after episodes of head injury. The purpose of the study aimed at identifying risk factors of CSDH of Taiwanese. Analysis of data from the National Health Insurance provides important information on predictive factors influencing the early diagnosis of CSDH in elderly patients following minor head injuries. The current study is the first nationwide population-based study in Taiwan, showing that old age (≥75 years), male gender, and coexisting hydrocephalus are significantly predictive factors, irrespective to their medical comorbidities.
Memory and Electrical Properties of (100)‐Oriented AlN Thin Films Prepared by Radio Frequency Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Lee Maw-Shung , Wu Sean , Jhong Shih-Bin , Chen Kai-Huang , Liu Kuan-Ting
Published: September 2014

The (100)‐oriented aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films were well deposited onto p‐type Si substrate by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. The optimal deposition parameters were the RF power of 350 W, chamber pressure of 9 mTorr, and nitrogen concentration of 50%. Regarding the physical properties, the microstructure of as‐deposited (002)‐ and (100)‐oriented AlN thin films were obtained and compared by XRD patterns and TEM images. For electrical properties analysis, we found that the memory windows of (100)‐oriented AlN thin films are better than those of (002)‐oriented thin films. Besides, the interface and interaction between the silicon and (100)‐oriented AlN thin films was serious important problem. Finally, the current transport models of the as‐deposited and annealed (100)‐oriented AlN thin films were also discussed. From the results, we suggested and investigated that large memory window of the annealed (100)‐oriented AlN thin films was induced by many dipoles and large electric field applied.
Optical Coherence Tomography Guided Laser Cochleostomy: Towards the Accuracy on Tens of Micrometer Scale
Authors: Zhang Yaokun , Pfeiffer Tom , Weller Marcel , Wieser Wolfgang , Huber Robert , Raczkowsky Jörg , Schipper Jörg , Wörn Heinz , Klenzner Thomas
Published: September 2014

Lasers have been proven to be precise tools for bone ablation. Applying no mechanical stress to the patient, they are potentially very suitable for microsurgery on fragile structures such as the inner ear. However, it remains challenging to control the laser-bone ablation without injuring embedded soft tissue. In this work, we demonstrate a closed-loop control of a short-pulsed CO2laser to perform laser cochleostomy under the monitoring of an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system. A foresighted detection of the bone-endosteum-perilymph boundary several hundred micrometers before its exposure has been realized. Position and duration of the laser pulses are planned based on the residual bone thickness distribution. OCT itself is also used as a highly accurate tracking system for motion compensation between the target area and the optics. Duringex vivoexperimental evaluation on fresh porcine cochleae, the ablation process terminated automatically when the thickness of the residual tissue layer uniformly reached a predefined value. The shape of the resulting channel bottom converged to the natural curvature of the endosteal layer without injuring the critical structure. Preliminary measurements in OCT scans indicated that the mean absolute accuracy of the shape approximation was only around 20 μm.
Efficient Wireless Vibration Data Sensing and Signal Processing Technique Based on the Android Platform
Authors: Park Chan-Seob , Baek Ryong , Hoe Woong , Kim Byung-Gyu , Lee Hyun-Jun
Published: September 2014

Recently, many researches on big-data sensing and analysis have been actively promoted. The big data, which is generated by the digital and networked environment, is referred to to form not only numerical data, but also large-scale data for storing image data and character. Usually, many data measured through sensors are very large in scale in various vibration measurements. Measurement methods for vibration analysis currently consist of a general sensing scheme using cabling to obtain vibration data. The system is difficult to use efficiently in a location where equipment installation is not easy. We proposed a novel vibration measurement system that includes a main hardware module and a wireless data transceiver module. The system is easy to use and field data are transmitted to a remote location using Bluetooth communication and the Android platform. Nonexpert personnel can obtain field vibration data for transport, even over long distances. Through experiments in field test, we verify that the stable remote sensing range reaches up to 150 m in real-time communication without any data loss.
Generation Planning Methodology Based on Load Factor for Hydroelectric Power Plants
Authors: Sevilgen Süleyman Hakan , Erdem Hasan Hüseyin
Published: September 2014

Major parameters affecting the generation capacity of hydroelectric plants are resource regime, reservoir geometry, and water head together with flow rate and efficiency. For the same resource regime and flow rate, water head can be altered depending on generation planning. By means of holding water in the reservoir and consequent increase in head can lead to boost power generation. In this paper, a method to compare two different operational styles has been identified; a plant operating with a low fixed head has been compared to a plant with an increased water head by means of holding water. In order to achieve this objective, an economical model including annual power revenues and net income increase depending on the operational strategy has been developed. Parameters affecting net income gain of the developed model are power generation boost and loss during peak and nonpeak durations, and electricity prices during peak and nonpeak durations. Depending on this model, strategies that would increase the plant revenue streams with increasing reservoir head have been presented in the results section of the paper.
Growth and Device Performance of AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure with AlSiC Precoverage on Silicon Substrate
Authors: Lee Jae-Hoon , Lee Jung-Hee
Published: September 2014

A crack-free AlGaN/GaN heterostructure was grown on 4-inch Si (111) substrate with initial dot-like AlSiC precoverage layer. It is believed that introducing the AlSiC layer between AlN wetting layer and Si substrate is more effective in obtaining a compressively stressed film growth than conventional Al precoverage on Si surface. The metal semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET), fabricated on the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure grown with the AlSiC layer, exhibited normally on characteristics, such as threshold voltage of −2.3 V, maximum drain current of 370 mA/mm, and transconductance of 124 mS/mm.
The Assignment of Scores Procedure for Ordinal Categorical Data
Authors: Chen Han-Ching , Wang Nae-Sheng
Published: September 2014

Ordinal data are the most frequently encountered type of data in the social sciences. Many statistical methods can be used to process such data. One common method is to assign scores to the data, convert them into interval data, and further perform statistical analysis. There are several authors who have recently developed assigning score methods to assign scores to ordered categorical data. This paper proposes an approach that defines an assigning score system for an ordinal categorical variable based on underlying continuous latent distribution with interpretation by using three case study examples. The results show that the proposed score system is well for skewed ordinal categorical data.
Awareness Levels about Breast Cancer Risk Factors, Early Warning Signs, and Screening and Therapeutic Approaches among Iranian Adult Women: A large Population Based Study Using Latent Class Analysis
Authors: Tazhibi Mahdi , Feizi Awat
Published: September 2014

Background and Objective. Breast cancer (BC) continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality among women throughout the world and in Iran. Lack of awareness and early detection program in developing country is a main reason for escalating the mortality. The present research was conducted to assess the Iranian women’s level of knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, early warning signs, and therapeutic and screening approaches, and their correlated determinants.Methods. In a cross-sectional study, 2250 women before participating at a community based screening and public educational program in an institute of cancer research in Isfahan, Iran, in 2012 were investigated using a self-administered questionnaire about risk factors, early warning signs, and therapeutic and screening approaches of BC. Latent class regression as a comprehensive statistical method was used for evaluating the level of knowledge and its correlated determinants.Results. Only 33.2%, 31.9%, 26.7%, and 35.8% of study participants had high awareness levels about screening approaches, risk factors, early warning signs and therapeutic modalities of breast cancer, respectively, and majority had poor to moderate knowledge levels. Most effective predictors of high level of awareness were higher educational qualifications, attending in screening and public educational programs, personal problem, and family history of BC, respectively.Conclusion. Results of current study indicated that the levels of awareness among study population about key elements of BC are low. These findings reenforce the continuing need for more BC education through conducting public and professional programs that are intended to raise awareness among younger, single women and those with low educational attainments and without family history.
A Multiobjective Fuzzy Aggregate Production Planning Model Considering Real Capacity and Quality of Products
Authors: Madadi Najmeh , Wong Kuan Yew
Published: September 2014

In this study, an attempt has been made to develop a multiobjective fuzzy aggregate production planning (APP) model that best serves those companies whose aim is to have the best utilization of their resources in an uncertain environment while trying to keep an acceptable degree of quality and customer service level simultaneously. In addition, the study takes into account the performance and availability of production lines. To provide the optimal solution to the proposed model, first it was converted to an equivalent crisp multiobjective model and then goal programming was applied to the converted model. At the final step, the IBM ILOG CPLEX Optimization Studio software was used to obtain the final result based on the data collected from an automotive parts manufacturing company. The comparison of results obtained from solving the model with and without considering the performance and availability of production lines, revealed the significant importance of these two factors in developing a real and practical aggregate production plan.
Genetic Transformation ofMetroxylon sagu(Rottb.) Cultures viaAgrobacterium-Mediated and Particle Bombardment
Authors: Ibrahim Evra Raunie , Hossain Md. Anowar , Roslan Hairul Azman
Published: September 2014

Sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) is a perennial plant native to Southeast Asia and exploited mainly for the starch content in its trunk. Genetic improvement of sago palm is extremely slow when compared to other annual starch crops. Urgent attention is needed to improve the sago palm planting material and can be achieved through nonconventional methods. We have previously developed a tissue culture method for sago palm, which is used to provide the planting materials and to develop a genetic transformation procedure. Here, we report the genetic transformation of sago embryonic callus derived from suspension culture usingAgrobacterium tumefaciensand gene gun systems. The transformed embryoids cells were selected against Basta (concentration 10 to 30 mg/L). Evidence of foreign genes integration and function of thebarandgusgenes were verified via gene specific PCR amplification, gus staining, and dot blot analysis. This study showed that the embryogenic callus was the most suitable material for transformation as compared to the fine callus, embryoid stage, and initiated shoots. The gene gun transformation showed higher transformation efficiency than the ones transformed usingAgrobacteriumwhen targets were bombarded once or twice using 280 psi of helium pressure at 6 to 8 cm distance.
Purification of Anthocyanins with o-Dihydroxy Arrangement by Sorption in Cationic Resins Charged with Fe(III)
Authors: Castañeda-Ovando Araceli , Galán-Vidal Carlos Andrés , Contreras-López Elizabeth , Páez-Hernández Ma. Elena
Published: September 2014

In the present work, a new purification method of anthocyanins with o-dihydroxy arrangement is proposed. This method is based on a ligand-exchange mechanism, using a cationic exchange resin loaded with metallic ions in order to increase the affinity of the resin to the anthocyanin(s) with o-dihydroxy arrangement. This method was used to purify the main anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-glucoside; Cy-3-glc) from the anthocyanic methanolic extract of blue corn. The best sorption result was using Fe(III) in its ion form. The purification procedure begins with the formation of a metal-anthocyanin complex (Cy-3-glc-Fe) which was optimal at pH 5, followed by a NaOH 0.1 M elution process in order to eliminate anthocyanins without o-dihydroxy arrangement, sugars, and organic acids. Finally, the pure anthocyanin is obtained by adding HCl 0.1 M which breaks the metal-anthocyanin complex.
Cholesterol Assimilation byLactobacillusProbiotic Bacteria: AnIn VitroInvestigation
Authors: Tomaro-Duchesneau Catherine , Jones Mitchell L. , Shah Divya , Jain Poonam , Saha Shyamali , Prakash Satya
Published: September 2014

Excess cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), an important cause of mortality worldwide. Current CVD therapeutic measures, lifestyle and dietary interventions, and pharmaceutical agents for regulating cholesterol levels are inadequate. Probiotic bacteria have demonstrated potential to lower cholesterol levels by different mechanisms, including bile salt hydrolase activity, production of compounds that inhibit enzymes such as 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A, and cholesterol assimilation. This work investigates 11Lactobacillusstrains for cholesterol assimilation. Probiotic strains for investigation were selected from the literature:Lactobacillus reuteriNCIMB 11951,L. reuteriNCIMB 701359,L. reuteriNCIMB 702655,L. reuteriNCIMB 701089,L. reuteriNCIMB 702656,Lactobacillus fermentumNCIMB 5221,L. fermentumNCIMB 8829,L. fermentumNCIMB 2797,Lactobacillus rhamnosusATCC 53103 GG,Lactobacillus acidophilusATCC 314, andLactobacillus plantarumATCC 14917. Cholesterol assimilation was investigated in culture media and under simulated intestinal conditions. The best cholesterol assimilator wasL. plantarumATCC 14917 (15.18 ± 0.55 mg/1010 cfu) in MRS broth.L. reuteriNCIMB 701089 assimilated over 67% (2254.70 ± 63.33 mg/1010 cfu) of cholesterol, the most of all the strains, under intestinal conditions. This work demonstrates that probiotic bacteria can assimilate cholesterol under intestinal conditions, withL. reuteriNCIMB 701089 showing great potential as a CVD therapeutic.
A Tree‐Based Model for Setting Optimal Train Fare Zones
Authors: Conejero J. Alberto , Jordán Cristina , Sanabria-Codesal Esther
Published: September 2014

Given a railway line with n stops and the number of travelers between each pair of stops, we show how to split these stops into k different fare zones in order to maximize the benefit obtained from the sale of tickets to the travelers. We present a method to obtain this solution that is based on finding the longest path in a weighted root tree. This method improves in terms of efficiency the combinatorial method, where all the possible distributions have to be considered for deciding which is the optimal one.
Review of Development Survey of Phase Change Material Models in Building Applications
Authors: Akeiber Hussein J. , Wahid Mazlan A. , Hussen Hasanen M. , Mohammad Abdulrahman Th.
Published: September 2014

The application of phase change materials (PCMs) in green buildings has been increasing rapidly. PCM applications in green buildings include several development models. This paper briefly surveys the recent research and development activities of PCM technology in building applications. Firstly, a basic description of phase change and their principles is provided; the classification and applications of PCMs are also included. Secondly, PCM models in buildings are reviewed and discussed according to the wall, roof, floor, and cooling systems. Finally, conclusions are presented based on the collected data.
Synthesis of a Cementitious Material Nanocement Using Bottom‐Up Nanotechnology Concept: An Alternative Approach to Avoid CO2 Emission during Production of Cement
Authors: Jo Byung Wan , Chakraborty Sumit , Yoon Kwang Won
Published: September 2014

The world’s increasing need is to develop smart and sustainable construction material, which will generate minimal climate changing gas during their production. The bottom‐up nanotechnology has established itself as a promising alternative technique for the production of the cementitious material. The present investigation deals with the chemical synthesis of cementitious material using nanosilica, sodium aluminate, sodium hydroxide, and calcium nitrate as reacting phases. The characteristic properties of the chemically synthesized nanocement were verified by the chemical composition analysis, setting time measurement, particle size distribution, fineness analysis, and SEM and XRD analyses. Finally, the performance of the nanocement was ensured by the fabrication and characterization of the nanocement based mortar. Comparing the results with the commercially available cement product, it is demonstrated that the chemically synthesized nanocement not only shows better physical and mechanical performance, but also brings several encouraging impacts to the society, including the reduction of CO2 emission and the development of sustainable construction material. A plausible reaction scheme has been proposed to explain the synthesis and the overall performances of the nanocement.