bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen and Carbon Biogeochemistry in Forest Sites along an Indirect Urban–Rural Gradient in Southeastern Michigan
Authors: Kahan Ari , Currie William , Brown Daniel
Published: April 2014

To evaluate the impacts of urbanization on soil and vegetation in protected forest areas, 12 forest sites in Southeastern Michigan USA were studied in an indirect urban–rural gradient. Field study plots were established in forest edge zones of each protected area. Significant findings were that in these edge zones of protected areas: (a) soil nitrogen tended to be greater where surrounding housing density was greater; (b) overstory woody biomass and basal area were greater where surrounding housing density was greater; and (c) the study region overall exhibited low soil carbon content (mean 2.71%) and relatively high soil nitrogen content (mean 0.20%), yielding a surprisingly low surface soil C/N ratio (mean 13.4). Overall, 24 woody plant genera were encountered, with the three genera Acer, Carya and Quercus accounting for 83.7% of total biomass and 74.1% of total basal area. No significant relationships were observed between housing density and soil C/N ratio or between housing density and foliar N. Results indicate that a halo of urban-ecological impacts exists in the landscape of Southeastern Michigan, similar to previously studied linear urban–rural gradients in other regions.
Gait Recognition and Walking Exercise Intensity Estimation
Authors: Lin Bor-Shing , Liu Yu-Ting , Yu Chu , Jan Gene , Hsiao Bo-Tang
Published: April 2014

Cardiovascular patients consult doctors for advice regarding regular exercise, whereas obese patients must self-manage their weight. Because a system for permanently monitoring and tracking patients’ exercise intensities and workouts is necessary, a system for recognizing gait and estimating walking exercise intensity was proposed. For gait recognition analysis, αβ filters were used to improve the recognition of athletic attitude. Furthermore, empirical mode decomposition (EMD) was used to filter the noise of patients’ attitude to acquire the Fourier transform energy spectrum. Linear discriminant analysis was then applied to this energy spectrum for training and recognition. When the gait or motion was recognized, the walking exercise intensity was estimated. In addition, this study addressed the correlation between inertia and exercise intensity by using the residual function of the EMD and quadratic approximation to filter the effect of the baseline drift integral of the acceleration sensor. The increase in the determination coefficient of the regression equation from 0.55 to 0.81 proved that the accuracy of the method for estimating walking exercise intensity proposed by Kurihara was improved in this study.
Ischemic Heart Disease Hospitalization among Older People in a Subtropical City — Hong Kong: Does Winter Have a Greater Impact than Summer?
Authors: Chau Pui , Wong Moses , Woo Jean
Published: April 2014

Globally, excess winter morbidity from ischemic heart disease (IHD) is reported. In subtropical regions, there is a need to quantify the difference in the adverse effect of cold winters compared with hot summers, particularly among the older people. Our objectives were to: (i) compare the effect of winter on IHD hospitalizations with that of summer; (ii) examine temporal trends in the excess winter hospitalizations; and (iii) investigate the effect of age, gender, and meteorological factors on predicting such excess. Inpatient admissions due to IHD as principal cause during June 2000 to February 2009 in public hospitals of Hong Kong were extracted for the population aged ≥65. An Excess Hospitalization in Winter vs. Summer (EHWS) Index was used to contrast the adverse effect of weather on hospitalizations in winter vs. summer. Multiple linear regressions were used to investigate the trend and the predictors of such index. It was found that in a subtropical city, greater effect of winter on IHD hospitalizations than summer was observed, particularly among the oldest old (an index of 61.5% (95% CI: 49.5%–74.4%) for men aged ≥85 and 32.3% (95% CI: 25.5%–39.5%) for women aged ≥85). There was significant increasing trend in the index among those aged ≥85 but the age difference was less prominent among the women. Absolute level of coldness was not a significant factor, whereas the change in temperature was a significant factor, which implies that great fluctuation in temperature within a winter day had greater impact on occurrence of circulatory disease than an absolute temperature threshold.
12-Mo Intervention of Physical Exercise Improved Work Ability, Especially in Subjects with Low Baseline Work Ability
Authors: Kettunen Oili , Vuorimaa Timo , Vasankari Tommi
Published: April 2014

Objectives: This study’s objective was to assess the effects of a 12-month physical exercise intervention on work ability (WAI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in healthy working adults. Methods: The study group had 371 participants, of which 338 (212 women and 126 men) were allocated in the exercise group and 33 (17 women and 16 men) in the control group. The exercise group underwent a 12-month exercise program followed by a 12-month follow-up. WAI and CRF were evaluated at baseline, and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 study months, in both exercise and control groups. The exercise group was divided into subgroups according to baseline WAI classifications (poor/moderate, good, excellent). Results: During the 12-month exercise intervention, the exercise group increased their leisure-time physical activity by 71% (p = 0.016) and improved the mean WAI by 3% and CRF by 7% (p < 0.0001, in both), while WAI and CRF decreased in the control group (ANCOVA using age, sex and BMI as covariates, for WAI, p = 0.013 and for CRF, p = 0.008). The changes in WAI and CRF between the exercise group and control group were significantly different during the intervention (baseline vs. 12-months, p = 0.028 and p = 0.007) and after the follow-up (p = 0.001 and p = 0.040), respectively. A light positive correlation between the changes in WAI and in CRF (r = 0.19, p < 0.01) existed. WAI improvement was the highest (13%, p < 0.0001) in the subgroup having poor/moderate WAI at baseline (ANCOVA, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The improvement of WAI associated with CRF. These results suggest that a physical exercise intervention may improve work ability.
Cetuximab-Induced MET Activation Acts as a Novel Resistance Mechanism in Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Song Na , Liu Shizhou , Zhang Jingdong , Liu Jing , Xu Ling , Liu Yunpeng , Qu Xiujuan
Published: April 2014

Aberrant MET expression and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling are implicated in promoting resistance to targeted agents; however, the induced MET activation by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors mediating resistance to targeted therapy remains elusive. In this study, we identified that cetuximab-induced MET activation contributed to cetuximab resistance in Caco-2 colon cancer cells. MET inhibition or knockdown sensitized Caco-2 cells to cetuximab-mediated growth inhibition. Additionally, SRC activation promoted cetuximab resistance by interacting with MET. Pretreatment with SRC inhibitors abolished cetuximab-mediated MET activation and rendered Caco-2 cells sensitive to cetuximab. Notably, cetuximab induced MET/SRC/EGFR complex formation. MET inhibitor or SRC inhibitor suppressed phosphorylation of MET and SRC in the complex, and MET inhibitor singly led to disruption of complex formation. These results implicate alternative targeting of MET or SRC as rational strategies for reversing cetuximab resistance in colon cancer.
Personalized Medicine’s Bottleneck: Diagnostic Test Evidence and Reimbursement
Authors: Cohen Joshua , Felix Abigail
Published: April 2014

Background: Personalized medicine is gradually emerging as a transformative field. Thus far, seven co-developed drug-diagnostic combinations have been approved and several dozen post-hoc drug-diagnostic combinations (diagnostic approved after the drug). However, barriers remain, particularly with respect to reimbursement. Purpose, methods: This study analyzes barriers facing uptake of drug-diagnostic combinations. We examine Medicare reimbursement in the U.S. of 10 drug-diagnostic combinations on the basis of a formulary review and a survey. Findings: We found that payers reimburse all 10 drugs, but with variable and relatively high patient co-insurance, as well as imposition of formulary restrictions. Payer reimbursement of companion diagnostics is limited and highly variable. In addition, we found that the body of evidence on the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of therapeutics is thin and even less robust for diagnostics. Conclusions, discussion: The high cost of personalized therapeutics and dearth of evidence concerning the comparative clinical effectiveness of drug-diagnostic combinations appear to contribute to high patient cost sharing, imposition of formulary restrictions, and limited and variable reimbursement of companion diagnostics. Our findings point to the need to increase the evidence base supportive of establishing linkage between diagnostic testing and positive health outcomes.
Molecular Response to Toxic Diatom-Derived Aldehydes in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus
Authors: Varrella Stefano , Romano Giovanna , Ianora Adrianna , Bentley Matt , Ruocco Nadia , Costantini Maria
Published: April 2014

Diatoms are dominant photosynthetic organisms in the world’s oceans and represent a major food source for zooplankton and benthic filter-feeders. However, their beneficial role in sustaining marine food webs has been challenged after the discovery that they produce secondary metabolites, such as polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs), which negatively affect the reproductive success of many invertebrates. Here, we report the effects of two common diatom PUAs, heptadienal and octadienal, which have never been tested before at the molecular level, using the sea urchin, Paracentrotus lividus, as a model organism. We show that both PUAs are able to induce teratogenesis (i.e., malformations), as already reported for decadienal, the better-studied PUA of this group. Moreover, post-recovery experiments show that embryos can recover after treatment with all three PUAs, indicating that negative effects depend both on PUA concentrations and the exposure time of the embryos to these metabolites. We also identify the time range during which PUAs exert the greatest effect on sea urchin embryogenesis. Finally, we report the expression levels of thirty one genes (having a key role in a broad range of functional responses, such as stress, development, differentiation, skeletogenesis and detoxification processes) in order to identify the common targets affected by PUAs and their correlation with morphological abnormalities. This study opens new perspectives for understanding how marine organisms afford protection from environmental toxicants through an integrated network of genes.
Bioactive 30-Noroleanane Triterpenes from the Pericarps of Akebia trifoliata
Authors: Wang Jing , Xu Qiao-Lin , Zheng Meng-Fei , Ren Hui , Lei Ting , Wu Ping , Zhou Zhong-Yu , Wei Xiao-Yi , Tan Jian-Wen
Published: April 2014

Two new 30-noroleanane triterpenes, 2α,3β,20α-trihydroxy-30-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 2α,3β-dihydroxy-23-oxo-30-norolean-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid (2), were isolated from the pericarps of Akebia trifoliata, together with four known ones, 3β-akebonoic acid (3), 2α,3β-dihydroxy-30-noroleana-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid (4), 3α-akebonoic acid (5) and quinatic acid (6). Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, and they were all isolated from the pericarps of A. trifoliata for the first time. Compounds 3−6 showed in vitro bacteriostatic activity against four assayed Gram-positive bacterial strains. In particular 3 showed antibacterial activity toward MRSA with a MIC value 25 μg/mL, which was more potent than kanamycin (MIC 125 μg/mL). No compounds showed antibacterial activity toward the three Gram-negative bacteria tested. Compounds 4 and 5 showed interesting in vitro growth inhibitory activity against human tumor A549 and HeLa cell lines, with IC50 values ranging from 8.8 and 5.6 μM, respectively. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 6 were further revealed to show significant in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 values from 0.035 to 0.367 mM, which were more potent than the reference compound acarbose (IC50 0.409 mM).
Mediterranean Diet and Diabetes: Prevention and Treatment
Authors: Georgoulis Michael , Kontogianni Meropi , Yiannakouris Nikos
Published: April 2014

The aim of the present review is to examine current scientific knowledge on the association between the Mediterranean diet and diabetes mellitus (mostly type 2 diabetes). A definition of the Mediterranean diet and the tools widely used to evaluate adherence to this traditional diet (Mediterranean diet indices) are briefly presented. The review focuses on epidemiological data linking adherence to the Mediterranean diet with the risk of diabetes development, as well as evidence from interventional studies assessing the effect of the Mediterranean diet on diabetes control and the management of diabetes-related complications. The above mentioned data are explored on the basis of evaluating the Mediterranean diet as a whole dietary pattern, rather than focusing on the effect of its individual components. Possible protective mechanisms of the Mediterranean diet against diabetes are also briefly discussed.
Editorial Misconduct—Definition, Cases, and Causes
Authors: Shelomi Matan
Published: April 2014

Though scientific misconduct perpetrated by authors has received much press, little attention has been given to the role of journal editors. This article discusses cases and types of “editorial misconduct”, in which the action or inaction of editorial agents ended in publication of fraudulent work and/or poor or failed retractions of such works, all of which ultimately harm scientific integrity and the integrity of the journals involved. Rare but existent, editorial misconduct ranges in severity and includes deliberate omission or ignorance of peer review, insufficient guidelines for authors, weak or disingenuous retraction notices, and refusal to retract. The factors responsible for editorial misconduct and the options to address these are discussed.
Video-Based Human Activity Recognition Using Multilevel Wavelet Decomposition and Stepwise Linear Discriminant Analysis
Authors: Siddiqi Muhammad , Ali Rahman , Rana Md. , Hong Een-Kee , Kim Eun , Lee Sungyoung
Published: April 2014

Video-based human activity recognition (HAR) means the analysis of motions and behaviors of human from the low level sensors. Over the last decade, automatic HAR is an exigent research area and is considered a significant concern in the field of computer vision and pattern recognition. In this paper, we have presented a robust and an accurate activity recognition system called WS-HAR that consists of wavelet transform coupled with stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SWLDA) followed by hidden Markov model (HMM). Symlet wavelet has been employed in order to extract the features from the activity frames. The most prominent features were selected by proposing a robust technique called stepwise linear discriminant analysis (SWLDA) that focuses on selecting the localized features from the activity frames and discriminating their class based on regression values (i.e., partial F-test values). Finally, we applied a well-known sequential classifier called hidden Markov model (HMM) to give the appropriate labels to the activities. In order to validate the performance of the WS-HAR, we utilized two publicly available standard datasets under two different experimental settings, n??fold cross validation scheme based on subjects; and a set of experiments was performed in order to show the effectiveness of each approach. The weighted average recognition rate for the WS-HAR was 97% across the two different datasets that is a significant improvement in classication accuracy compared to the existing well-known statistical and state-of-the-art methods.
Development of a Prototype Web GIS-Based Disaster Management System for Safe Operation of the Next Generation Bimodal Tram, South Korea—Focused Flooding and Snowfall
Authors: Jang Won , Kim Jonggun , Engel Bernard , Kang Sung , Park Youngkon , Yoon Heetaek , Lim Kyoung , Jung Younghun , Shin Yongchul
Published: April 2014

The Korea Railroad Research Institute (KRRI) has developed a bimodal tram and advanced bus rapid transit (BRT) system which is an optimized public transit system created by mixing the railway’s punctual operation and the bus’ easy and convenient access. The bimodal tram system provides mass-transportation service with an eco-friendly and human-centered approach. Natural disasters have been increasing worldwide in recent years, including floods, snow, and typhoons disasters. Flooding is the most frequent natural disaster in many countries and is increasingly a concern with climate change; it seriously affects people’s lives and productivity, causing considerable economic loss and significant damage. Enhanced conventional disaster management systems are needed to support comprehensive actions to secure safety and convenience. The objective of this study is to develop a prototype version of a Web GIS-based bimodal tram disaster management system (BTDMS) using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) 5.0 to enhance on-time operation and safety of the bimodal tram system. The BTDMS was tested at the bimodal tram test railroad by simulating probable maximum flood (PMF) and snow melting for forecasting flooding and snow covered roads. This result could provide the basis for plans to protect against flooding disasters and snow covered roads in operating the bimodal tram system. The BTDMS will be used to assess and predict weather impacts on roadway conditions and operations and thus has the potential to influence economic growth. The methodology presented in this paper makes it possible to manage impacts of flooding and snowfall on urban transportation and enhance operation of the bimodal tram system. Such a methodology based on modeling could be created for most metropolitan areas in Korea and in many other countries.
Comparative development of rare cases of a polycarpellate gynoecium in an otherwise monocarpellate family, Leguminosae
Authors: Paulino Juliana Villela , Prenner Gerhard , Mansano Vidal Freitas , Teixeira Simone Pádua
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Apocarpy (i.e., free carpels) is considered to be the basal condition for ovary development in angiosperms. Yet it only occurs in 10% of angiosperm species, of which another 10% are monocarpellate. Most legume flowers are monocarpellate. Species with polycarpellate gynoecia occur in about 15 genera with most representatives in Mimosoideae. In the present study, we analyze legumes with polycarpellate flowers with the aim of improving our understanding of gynoecium evolution.

• Methods: Flowers of nine legume species from five genera were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).

• Key results: In Leguminosae, carpels usually form as individual primordia or protuberances. Inga congesta differs slightly from this pattern in that the central apex bulges outward before the formation of individual carpel primordia. While legumes usually develop entirely plicate carpels, flowers of Acacia celastrifolia and Inga bella show an intermediate type of carpel morphology with a distal plicate zone and a small proximal ascidiate zone. Carpels in Inga congesta and Archidendron glabrum are sometimes slightly fused at the ovary base. The orientation of carpel clefts seems to reflect the floral symmetry. They are directed to the floral center in mimosoids and caesalpinioids, whereas in Swartzia dipetala carpel clefts are oriented to the adaxial side.

• Conclusions: Polycarpelly arose at least seven times independently in Leguminosae. The polycarpellate condition appears to be correlated with polyandry, and in most instances, it is accompanied by a profound change in floral organization from a closed to an open system.
Climate niche modeling in the perennial Glycine (Leguminosae) allopolyploid complex
Authors: Harbert Robert S. , Brown Anthony H. D. , Doyle Jeff J.
Published: April 2014

• Premise of study: Polyploid plants, when compared with diploids, show similar molecular, morphological, physiological, and ecological tendencies across unrelated groups, but the degree to which these form “rules” of polyploid evolution are unclear. The Glycine (Leguminosae) allopolyploid complex affords the opportunity to test whether polyploidy in similar genetic backgrounds produces similar effects on geographical range or climatic space.

• Methods: We used information on locality presence of four closely related Glycine allopolyploid species and their diploid progenitors to build models of the potentially available Australian ranges based on climate using Maxent3.3.3k. Principal coordinate analysis was used to characterize the multidimensional climate space occupied by each species.

• Key results: Each of the four Glycine allopolyploids showed intermediacy in potential geographical space and in ecological space, relative to its diploid progenitors. The four allopolyploids did not have consistently larger ranges than their progenitors, though all four occupied a portion of climate niche space not available to its progenitors. The polyploids also differed in their exploitation of potentially available geographical range. Australian ranges and environmental space did not correlate with greater colonizing ability in these polyploids.

• Conclusions: The four Glycine allopolyploids do not show many common range‐ or climate‐related features, other than intermediacy. Thus, despite their similar genetic and evolutionary backgrounds, polyploidy has not produced convergent ecological effects.
Development of polymorphic microsatellite markers for Indian tobacco, Lobelia inflata (Campanulaceae)1
Authors: Hughes P. William , Jaworski Allison F. , Davis Corey S. , Aitken Susan M. , Simons Andrew M.
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: Nuclear microsatellite markers were developed for Lobelia inflata (Campanulaceae), an obligately self‐fertilizing plant species, for use in the study of temporal fluctuation in allele frequency and of the genetic structure within and among populations.

• Methods and Results: We developed 28 primer pairs for L. inflata, all of which amplify CT dinucleotide repeats. We evaluated amplification of these loci in 53 L. inflata individuals at three sites in eastern North America and found that 24 loci showed microsatellite polymorphism. We also found that 16 loci amplified successfully in L. cardinalis, and 11 amplified successfully in L. siphilitica.

• Conclusions: These primers will be useful for assessing allelic diversity within and among populations of L. inflata, and show potential for use in congeneric species.
Application of a novel and automated branched DNA in situ hybridization method for the rapid and sensitive localization of mRNA molecules in plant tissues
Authors: Bowling Andrew J. , Pence Heather E. , Church Jeffrey B.
Published: April 2014

• Premise of the study: A novel branched DNA detection technology, RNAscope in situ hybridization (ISH), originally developed for use on human clinical and animal tissues, was adapted for use in plant tissue in an attempt to overcome some of the limitations associated with traditional ISH assays.

• Methods and Results: Zea mays leaf tissue was formaldehyde fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) and then probed with the RNAscope ISH assay for two endogenous genes, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Results from both manual and automated methods showed tissue‐ and cell‐specific mRNA localization patterns expected from these well‐studied genes.

• Conclusions: RNAscope ISH is a sensitive method that generates high‐quality, easily interpretable results from FFPE plant tissues. Automation of the RNAscope method on the Ventana Discovery Ultra platform allows significant advantages for repeatability, reduction in variability, and flexibility of workflow processes.
Domino reactions of 2H-azirines with acylketenes from furan-2,3-diones: Competition between the formation of ortho-fused and bridged heterocyclic systems
Authors: Khlebnikov Alexander F , Novikov Mikhail S , Pakalnis Viktoriia V , Iakovenko Roman O , Yufit Dmitry S
Published: April 2014

3-Aryl-2H-azirines react with acylketenes, generated by thermolysis of 5-arylfuran-2,3-diones, to give bridged 5,7-dioxa-1-azabicyclo[4.4.1]undeca-3,8-diene-2,10-diones and/or ortho-fused 6,6a,12,12a-tetrahydrobis[1,3]oxazino[3,2-a:3′,2′-d]pyrazine-4,10-diones. The latter compounds, with a new heterocyclic skeleton, are the result of the coupling of two molecules of azirine and two molecules of acylketene and can be prepared only from 3-aryl-2H-azirines having no electron-withdrawing groups in the aryl substituent. Calculations at the DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for the various routes of bis[1,3]oxazino[3,2-a:3′,2′-d]pyrazine skeleton formation revealed a new domino reaction of 3-aryl-2H-azirines occurring in the presence of furandiones: acid-catalyzed dimerization to dihydropyrazine followed by consecutive cycloaddition of the latter to two molecules of acylketenes.
Limited Evolution but Increasing Trends of Primary Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor Resistance Mutations in Therapy-Naive HIV-1-Infected Individuals in India
Authors: Neogi Ujjwal , Gupta Soham , Palchaudhuri Riya , Rao Shwetha D , Shastri Suresh , Diwan Vishal , Laishram Ranbir S , De Costa Ayesha , Shet Anita
Published: April 2014

Background

After the rapid scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings, surveillance of primary drug resistance mutations (DRMs) among ART-naive individuals has important public health benefits. Although a highly successful national ART programme initiated by the Government of India exists, data on the prevalence of primary DRMs is scarce. The objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence, pattern and spectrum of population-based primary DRMs in therapy-naive HIV-1-infected individuals using clinical strains and database sequences from seven HIV prevalent states of India.

Methods

Drug resistance genotyping was performed on either plasma RNA or whole-blood genomic DNA using a validated in-house method on 170 HIV-1-positive therapy-naive individuals. An additional 679 database-derived sequences from four other states were included in the analysis. The WHO-recommended list of mutations (SDRM_2009) for nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) were used for interpretation of DRMs. Trends of primary DRMs before and after the ART rollout were studied.

Results

The overall prevalence of primary DRMs was 2.6% in the selected states of India when clinical isolates as well as database-derived sequences were combined. Common mutations included T69D and D67N (NRTI mutations), and L100I, K101E, K103N and Y181C (NNRTI mutations). There was a significant increase in NNRTI mutations over time.

Conclusions

The overall DRM prevalence in this study was low. However, an increasing trend in primary NNRTI resistance has been observed during the past decade. Establishment of HIV drug resistance threshold surveillance will be useful in understanding further trends of transmitted resistance.
Prevalence in the Usa of Rilpivirine Resistance-Associated Mutations in Clinical Samples and Effects on Phenotypic Susceptibility to Rilpivirine and Etravirine
Authors: Picchio Gaston R , Rimsky Laurence T , Van Eygen Veerle , Haddad Mojgan , Napolitano Laura A , Vingerhoets Johan
Published: April 2014

Background

The prevalence of rilpivirine resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) in the USA, and their effect on phenotypic susceptibility to rilpivirine and etravirine, was evaluated in clinical samples from HIV-1-infected patients.

Methods

In total, 15,991 samples submitted to Monogram Biosciences (South San Francisco, CA, USA) for routine resistance testing between January 2010 and June 2011 were assessed for the presence of known rilpivirine RAMs K101E/P, E138A/G/K/Q/R, V179L, Y181C/I/V, Y188L, H221Y, F227C and M230I/L; non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) RAMs K103N, L100I and L100I+K103N; and the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) RAMs M184I/V and their combinations with rilpivirine RAMs. Phenotypic susceptibility (PhenoSenseGT® assay; Monogram Biosciences) was evaluated, with reduced susceptibility defined as fold change (FC) in 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50)>2.0 for rilpivirine and FC>2.9 for etravirine.

Results

Of the 15,991 samples, 17% harboured ≥1 rilpivirine RAMs. The prevalence of most rilpivirine RAMs and combinations of NNRTI RAMs of interest was low (≤3%), except for Y181C (7%). Rilpivirine RAMs were often associated with reduced rilpivirine phenotypic susceptibility. Median FC values >2.0 were observed for clinical isolates with rilpivirine RAMs K101P, E138Q/R, Y181C/I/V, Y188L or M230L, and for the combination of E138K with M184I/V, and K101E with M184I. Most rilpivirine FC values >2.0 were associated with etravirine FC values >2.9 for individual rilpivirine RAMs and those combined with M184I/V. There was no relationship between the presence of K103N and rilpivirine FC. However, the L100I+K103N combination (without rilpivirine RAMs), at <2% prevalence, was associated with a rilpivirine FC>2.0.

Conclusions

Based on 15,991 US clinical samples from HIV-1-infected patients, the frequency of most known rilpivirine RAMs apart from Y181C was low.
Phylogenetic Evidence of HIV-1 Sequence Evolution in Subjects with Persistent Low-Level Viraemia
Authors: Vardhanabhuti Saran , Taiwo Babafemi , Kuritzkes Daniel R , Eron Joseph J , Bosch Ronald J
Published: April 2014

Background

Persistent low-level viraemia (LLV) during the treatment of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with emergent drug resistance mutation (DRM); however, insight into its driver is limited. The objectives were to study HIV-1 pol sequence evolution in subjects with persistent LLV and evaluate factors associated with sequence changes.

Methods

HIV-1 pol sequences from 54 treatment-naive subjects undergoing first-line lopinavir/ritonavir- or efavirenz-containing ART were obtained at pre-ART and end of LLV. HIV-1 sequence evolution was evaluated using phylogenetic analysis and Hamming distance calculation. DRMs were interpreted based on the International AIDS Society-USA 2011 update.

Results

Subjects with new DRM during LLV had greater HIV-1 evolution across pol from the pre-ART to end of LLV compared with subjects without DRM. Evolution over non-DRM sites was similar between groups. Higher degree of genetic evolution was positively associated with higher HIV-1 RNA levels during LLV, both at DRM and non-DRM sites.

Conclusions

The magnitude of LLV was the primary driver of evolution rate at DRM as well as non-DRM sites. Higher viral load was associated with DRM emergence in these subjects. These findings provide insights that may be applicable to the management of patients with persistent LLV during ART.
Recent Trends in Early Stage Response to Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Australia
Authors: McManus Hamish , Hoy Jennifer F , Woolley Ian , Boyd Mark A , Kelly Mark D , Mulhall Brian , Roth Norman J , Petoumenos Kathy , Law Matthew G ,   the Australian HIV Observational Database
Published: April 2014

Background

There have been improvements in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) over the past 15 years. The aim of this analysis was to assess whether improvements in ART have resulted in improvements in surrogates of HIV outcome.

Methods

Patients in the Australian HIV Observational Database who initiated treatment using mono/duo therapy prior to 1996, or using cART from 1996 onwards, were included in the analysis. Patients were stratified by era of ART initiation. Median changes in CD4+ T-cell count and the proportion of patients with detectable HIV viral load (>400 copies/ml) were calculated over the first 4 years of treatment. Probabilities of treatment switch were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

A total of 2,753 patients were included in the analysis: 28% initiated treatment <1996 using mono/duo therapy and 72% initiated treatment ≥1996 using cART (30% 1996–1999, 12% 2000–2003, 11% 2004–2007 and 19% ≥2008). Overall CD4+ T-cell count response improved by later era of initiation ( P<0.001), although 2000–2003 CD4+ T-cell count response was less than that for 1996– 1999 ( P=0.007). The average proportion with detectable viral load from 2 to 4 years post-treatment commencement by era was: <1996 mono/duo 0.69 (0.67–0.71), 1996–1999 cART 0.29 (0.28–0.30), 2000–2003 cART 0.22 (0.20–0.24), 2004–2007 cART 0.09 (0.07–0.10) and ≥2008 cART 0.04 (0.03–0.05). Probability of treatment switch at 4 years after initiation decreased from 53% in 1996–1999 to 29% after 2008 ( P<0.001).

Conclusions

Across the five time-periods examined, there have been incremental improvements for patients initiated on cART, as measured by overall response (viral load and CD4+ T-cell count) and also increased durability of first-line ART regimens.
Evaluación de la fuerza de anclajes de andamios de fachada
Authors: González-Rodrigo S. , González-Yunta F. , González-García M. N.
Published: April 2014

La resistencia de los anclajes a fachada de las protecciones colectivas (PC) o de los medios auxiliares de edificación (MAE) constituye un punto esencial de la estabilidad de esos elementos, que en muchos casos se desconoce. Se han realizado numerosos estudios acerca de la resistencia y del comportamiento de los anclajes metálicos a estructuras de hormigón. Sin embargo apenas existen trabajos que analicen la resistencia de anclajes a fábricas de albañilería y mucho menos a fábricas de albañilería con decenios de antigüedad en situaciones reales: edificios en los que hay que intervenir y es preciso anclar PC y MAE a sus fábricas.
En este trabajo se ha evaluado la resistencia a arrancamiento de cáncamos insertados en tacos de plástico alojados en fábricas de albañilería de edificación ya construidas. Los resultados obtenidos se han comparado con los de otros investigadores y han permitido valorar las prescripciones de la norma UNE-EN 12810-1 relativas a la disposición y separación de anclajes de los andamios a fachada.
Bases metodológicas para el cálculo de muros entramados de madera con vegetación o muros Krainer
Authors: García-Vega A. , Sanz-Ronda F. J. , Fuentes-Pérez J. F. , Navarro-Hevia J. , Martínez-Rodríguez A.
Published: April 2014

El presente trabajo establece una serie de criterios para el cálculo de muros entramados de madera con vegetación, popularmente conocidos como muros Krainer. Son obras de bioingeniería empleadas en la consolidación de taludes, que mezclan elementos constructivos inertes con elementos vivos y deben llevar asociado un cálculo de estabilidad. La información existente sobre muros es muy amplia, pero no hay aplicaciones específicas sobre esta técnica. Se propone una metodología basada en la comprobación de tensiones admisibles entre el terreno y los materiales constructivos, comprobando la seguridad frente al deslizamiento, vuelco, resistencia a flexión y comprobación de anclajes y elementos de unión. La bioingeniería debe promoverse frente al uso de técnicas tradicionales (escollera u hormigón), puesto que, además de conseguir la estabilización del terreno y la integración paisajística, supone la conservación y el mantenimiento de la vegetación del entorno. Por ello, resulta necesario establecer unos principios de cálculo para garantizar su correcto funcionamiento.
Steer-by-Wire Force Feedback System Based on Magnetorheological Fluid Damper
Authors: Hu Li Yong , Yu Zai He , Zheng Di , Zhan Jian Ming
Published: April 2014

In order to achieve the performance of the steer-by-wire force feedback based on magnetorheological fluid (MRF) damper, an experimental system was developed. The aligning torque model and the return model based on MRF damper were built up. The general structure and hardware components were introduced. The change course of feedback force is achieved followed the change of the current of the MRF damper. Experiments showed that the force feedback system based on MRF damper can be used for automobile steer-by-wire system in the little angle.
Equipment Servo System Signal Acquisition Module Design Based on Embedded
Authors: Chen Jing Tong , Sun Shi Yu , Duan Xiu Sheng
Published: April 2014

Contrary to the difficult for complex equipment in the parallel signal acquisition, thereby affecting the equipment condition monitoring results, Design a parallel signal data acquisition device and its collection method based on embedded system. It can achieve real-time multi-point data collection and analyze parallel signal data acquisition system structure and function, then giving the hardware design of embedded systems based on the chip, including the processes of mass storage system and a plurality of communication method. Realize of the equipment condition monitoring and fault diagnosis based on this.
A Research on Anti-Slip Regulation of In-Wheel Motor Driven Electric Vehicle
Authors: Huang Miao Hua , Zhao Ya Chao
Published: April 2014

In order to develop the four in-wheel motors driven Electric Vehicle (EV), this paper designed a skidding detector depending on the motor torque, established a slip-ratio estimator. Then, the Model Following Control (MFC) and Optimal Slip-ratio Control algorithms were analysed, compared and optimized. All of the algorithms were simulated using the one-wheel vehicle model. The simultion results show that the algorithms can make full use of the road adhesion characteristics and do good work on the ASR and the vehicle dynamics.
Analyses of Relations between Pavement Adhesion Coefficient and Regenerative Braking in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Authors: Liu Jin Long , Zhang Jing Ming , Xue Ming Zhi
Published: April 2014

The study object is Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) with front-wheel drive (FWD) pattern and wire-controlled braking system. The relations between pavement adhesion coefficient and recovery efficiency of regenerative braking were discussed. Consequences were concluded through theoretical derivations basing on the two-wheel model. Simulations were built and simulated within a certain HEV on the platform in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The results indicate that the recovery efficiency would experience an upward trend if the pavement adhesion coefficient declines.
Co-Simulation Study of Synchronous Control Technology for Independent Electric Drive Vehicle
Authors: Zhong Heng , Zhao Wei , Sun Yu
Published: April 2014

The slip-judgment method of threshold value was made for all-wheel independent electric drive vehicle through the analysis of the relationship of steering kinematics, which based on detecting speed and current of wheel-motor. The speed coordinated control of motor was used as synchronous control method. Models of vehicle dynamics and synchronous control were respectively constructed in Adams and Matlab/Simulink, which composed the model of mechanical-electric collaborative simulation. The synchronous control process of vehicle that running on bisectional road was analyzed, the result shows that synchronous control based on power control strategy reduces slip-wheel motors power consumption and increases other motors output power and torque through reducing the motor speed to average speed of normal wheel-motor. Improves the traction performance and stability of vehicle, also reduces the wheel wear and drivers control difficulty. The method has advantages of low cost, wide applicability, good controllability, high reliability etc., provide the reference of synchronization technology for independent electric drive military vehicle.
Research on the Enhancement of Space-Tracking Ships' Orbit Determination Accuracy in Manned Space Engineering
Authors: Li Hui Fen , Xue Guo Hu , Mu Jun Shan , Xu Xian Chun , Hao Sha
Published: April 2014

As China's space-tracking ships' missions change, there is ever higher demand on ships' orbit determination accuracy. This is reflected in Shenzhou missions, during which ships' orbit determination accuracy influences the whole tracking and control system. This paper bases its research on the analysis of error sources' influence on the determination of near-earth and near-round orbit, and proposes urgent problems and research prospects of maritime orbit determination accuracy enhancement. It establishes a model for adjusting ship attitude and speed, designs a self-adjusting information retrieval calibration method, realizes accurate simulation of ship complex error and researches on optimal selection of first-orbit root number based on sequence statistics. It also conducts research on improving preliminary treatment model and enhancing orbit report accuracy.
Fusion of Polarization Image Based on Curvelet Transform
Authors: Zhang De Xiang , Wang Hong Hai , Xue Feng
Published: April 2014

Curvelet transform is the combination of the multi-scale analysis and multi-directional analysis transforms, which is more suitable for objects with curves. Applications of the curvelet transform have increased rapidly in the field of image fusion. Firstly, using the curvelet transform, several polarization images can be decomposed into low-frequency coefficients and high-frequency coefficients with multi-scales and multi-directions. For the low-frequency coefficients, the average fusion method is used. For the each directional high frequency sub-band coefficients, the larger value of region variance information measurement is used to select the better coefficients for fusion. At last the fused image can be obtained by utilizing inverse transform for fused curvelet coefficients. In the present work an algorithm for image fusion based on the curvelet transform was implemented, analyzed, and compared with a wavelet-based fusion algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm works better in preserving the edges and texture information compared with the wavelet-based image fusion algorithms.
Application of Multi-Mode Intelligent Control System in Grate Cooler Optimization
Authors: Li Xiao Ming , Wang Xiao Hong , Yu Hong Liang
Published: April 2014

According to the characteristics of non-linear, time-varying and large time delay in the control of grate cooler, a multi-mode intelligent control method is proposed in the paper.The multi-mode intelligent controller is builded up by variable integral PID control, fuzzy control, Bang-Bang control and expert control. This control method through a multi-mode intelligent control rules automatically identifies different modal and chooses a corresponding control algorithm to correct variable integral PID control.Industrial applications show that the control system has good robustness, achieved good control effect.
Attitude Decoupling Controller Design of Dual-Ducted SUAV Based on ADRC System
Authors: Gao Tong Yue , Wang Dong Dong , Fei Tao , Ge Hai Lang
Published: April 2014

This dual-ducted SUAV is a nonlinear and strong coupling of multiple-input and multiple-output system, and particularly between the pitch and roll channels channel coupling is strong, in order to implement effective control, it must be decoupled. The traditional methods are difficult to achieve effective control of the strong coupling of multivariable systems. For the SUAV model of nonlinear coupling characteristics, based on the establishment of the UAV attitude model, this paper designed an attitude ADRC decoupling controller. The simulation showed this ADRC decoupling controller had strong robustness and immunity, and solved the channels coupling between the pitch and roll.
Design of On-Off Control System for Electric Equipment Based on WiFi
Authors: Wu Zhuo Kui , Zeng Tao
Published: April 2014

According to the demands of electric equipment monitoring and control, a design of on-off control system for electric equipment based on WiFi is presented. The system introduces WiFi wireless communication technology into the communication network construction, which realizes the rapid wireless data transmission, simplifies the network organizing method and saves the network building cost. The WiFi on-off control device and the host computer program based on C# are designed. The WiFi on-off control device has the functions of on-off control of electric equipment and WiFi communication. The host computer program realizes the functions of system login, electric equipment terminal configuration, electric equipment on-off state display and control. The system test and analysis results show that the designed system can realize the remote wireless control of multiple electric equipments and the operation effect is good.
Design on Electrostatic Precipitator Control System
Authors: Liu Yu , Wei Shi Qi , Gu Xiao Xu , Zhao Sen Lei , Wang Bin Yu
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the frequency electrostatic dust-phase power design, triggered by SCR phase control method to achieve closed-loop control of three-phase AC voltage regulator of the main circuit, designed three fold spark for spark control tracking control algorithm. Electrostatic precipitator and main circuit power supply is simulated, and the main circuit parameters were calculated, the results show that the system can be better used in industrial environments dust.
Overview of Repetitive Control System
Authors: He Juan , Luo Guang Yi , Chen Ji Qiong
Published: April 2014

The repetitive control theory is a theory of control system design, the purpose is to design a controller , which can make the system steady-state error be zero under tracking arbitrary periodicity reference signal, the repetitive control theory has been widely applied in tracking control system with periodic reference signals.
Pulsed Driver Control System for High-Power LED
Authors: Fan Xian Guang , Hu Zhen Bang , Xu Ying Jie , Wang Xiu Fen , Wang Xin , Zuo Yong
Published: April 2014

Pulsed current source is used to drive high-power LED in thermal analysis and testing. A new scheme to design the high-power LED pulsed current source, which integrates FPGA device, with highly quality single-chip microcomputer C8051F as the control center, is introduced. In order to obtain the LED automatic current control, the negative feedback is used in the LED pulsed driver. The pulsed current source consists of constant-current source and couple output interface controlled by square pulse signal, which ensures the stability of pulsed current, rise time and fall time. It is convenient to adjust the pulse current amplitude, pulse width, pulse cycle and sampling gate independently. Results show that the current stability of the driver control system can obtain 0.01%.
Study on Auto Control System of No Decoupling Dynamic Compaction Machine
Authors: Yang Fei , Zhao Lei
Published: April 2014

This paper introduces the current development of dynamic compaction machine at home and abroad and the basic structure of no decoupling dynamic compaction machine. Besides, The design scheme of no decoupling dynamic compaction machines brake control system is focused on putting forward in order to achieve automatic ramming without decoupling and without artificial hook. This kind of dynamic compaction machine with the advantage of simple structure, convenient operation and high efficiency effectively reduces the construction cost.
The Control of the Descent Submersible in the Confused Sea Environment
Authors: Ezangina Tatiana Al. , Gayvoronskiy Sergey An.
Published: April 2014

To damp the vertical oscillations of the descent submersible caused by dusting the control system utilizing a shock-absorbing hoist located on the submersible was developed. The robust proportional-plus-integral action controller was included in the control loop to ensure the acceptable dynamic properties of the system by the interval variations of the module mass and the rope length. The parametric synthesis of the controller was carried out on the basis of the robust expansion of the coefficient method of the quality rating estimation. The system operability was confirmed by the results of the digital simulation.