bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ocular and skin manifestations in systemic pseudohypoaldosteronism
Authors: Eliwa Mahmoud Salah , El-Emmawie Aymen Hussein , Saeed Mahmood Ahmad
Published: March 2014

Pseudohypoaldosteronism type-1 is a rare disorder characterised by end-organ resistance to aldosterone resulting in salt-losing crisis with hyponatraemic dehydration, hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis. We report two siblings with pseudohypoaldosteronism type-1 who presented early in neonatal period with hyponatraemia, severe hyperkalaemia and metabolic acidosis. Both babies had miliaria like skin rash which flared up during episodes of hyperkalaemia and hyponatraemia. They had visible dilated meibomian glands from which a white material was protruding. The clinical presentation of pseudohypoaldosteronism type-1 mimics congenital adrenal hyperplasia. As there is often a delay in obtaining hormonal assay results, the eye and skin manifestations may give an important diagnostic clue which in turn will influence management.
An unusual presentation of a dural arteriovenous fistula of the sphenoparietal sinus
Authors: Macdonald Andrew , Plaha Puneet , Byrne James
Published: March 2014

Dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVFs) are a rare form of intracranial arteriovenous malformation. We present the case of a patient who presented in a previously undescribed manner with facial swelling and bruising initially misdiagnosed as cellulitis. He was found subsequently to have DAVFs of the sphenoparietal sinus that had hemorrhaged. The rarity of DAVFs at this location may account for this unique presentation. Successful treatment was achieved by transarterial embolization.
Counterterms in the context of the universal Hopf algebra of renormalization
Authors: Shojaei-Fard Ali
Published: March 2014

The manuscript discovers a new interpretation of counterterms of renormalizable Quantum Field Theories in terms of formal expansions of decorated rooted trees.
Multiple sub-hyper-spheres support vector machine for multi-class classification
Authors: Liu Shuang , Chen Peng , Li Keqiu
Published: March 2014

Support vector machine (SVM) is originally proposed to solve binary classification problem. Multi-class classification is solved by combining multiple binary classifiers, which leads to high computation cost by introducing many quadratic programming (QP) problems. To decrease computation cost, hyper-sphere SVM is put forward to compute class-specific hyper-sphere for each class. If all resulting hyper-spheres are independent, all training and test samples can be correctly classified. When some of hyper-spheres intersect, new decision rules should be adopted. To solve this problem, a multiple sub-hyper-sphere SVM is put forward in this paper. New algorithm computed hyper-spheres by SMO algorithm for all classes first, and then obtained position relationships between hyper-spheres. If hyper-spheres belong to the intersection set, overlap coefficient is computed based on map of key value index and mother hyper-spheres are partitioned into a series of sub-hyper-spheres. For the new intersecting hyper-spheres, one similarity function or same error sub-hyper-sphere or different error sub-hyper-sphere are used as decision rule. If hyper-spheres belong to the inclusion set, the hyper-sphere with larger radius is partitioned into sub-hyper-spheres. If hyper-spheres belong to the independence set, a decision function is defined for classification. With experimental results compared to other hyper-sphere SVMs, our new proposed algorithm improves the performance of the resulting classifier and decreases computation complexity for decision on both artificial and benchmark data set.
INFLUENCE OF COUPLING GEOMETRY AND DEPHASING ON THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF A C60 MOLECULAR JUNCTION
Authors: GOLSANAMLOU ZAHRA , VISHKAYI SAHAR IZADI , TAGANI MEYSAM BAGHERI , SOLEIMANI HAMID RAHIMPOUR
Published: March 2014

Thermoelectric properties of a C60 molecule coupled to three-dimensional metallic electrodes are studied using Green function formalism in linear response regime. A tight-binding model is used to investigate the effects of the dimerization and coupling geometry on the electrical conductance, thermopower and figure of merit. Increase of the contact points between the molecule and electrodes results in decrease of the number of the peaks of the electrical conductance because of the interference effects. In addition, oscillation of the thermopower is reduced in the multiple contacts. Results show that the increase of the contact points leads to the reduction of the figure of merit. Furthermore, the effect of the phase breaking scattering on the figure of merit is analyzed using the Büttiker probe method.
Two-dimensional finite element model to study calcium distribution in astrocytes in presence of excess buffer
Authors: Jha Brajesh Kumar , Adlakha Neeru , Mehta M. N.
Published: March 2014

In this paper a finite element model is developed to study cytosolic calcium concentration distribution in astrocytes for a two-dimensional steady-state case in presence of excess buffer. The mathematical model of calcium diffusion in astrocytes leads to a boundary value problem involving elliptical partial differential equation. The model consists of reaction–diffusion phenomena, association and dissociation rates and buffer. A point source of calcium is incorporated in the model. Appropriate boundary conditions have been framed. Finite element method is employed to solve the problem. A MATLAB program has been developed for the entire problem and simulated to compute the numerical results. The numerical results have been used to plot calcium concentration profiles in astrocytes. The effect of EGTA, BAPTA and σCa influx on calcium concentration distribution in astrocytes is studied with the help of numerical results.
AZ-style identities of downsets and upsets
Authors: Thu Tran Dan
Published: March 2014

The Ahlswede–Zhang identity is a sharpening of the well-known LYM inequality. To establish the identity, Ahlswede and Zhang introduced an important set function called AZ function. In this paper, we present some identities which establish a relation between the AZ function and cardinalities of downsets or upsets. Some connections of these identities with the original AZ identity are considered. Furthermore, these identities yield formulas concerning the size of a star in a downset.
Ore fluids of orogenic gold deposits of the Gurupi Belt, Brazil: a review of the physico-chemical properties, sources, and mechanisms of Au transport and deposition
Authors: Klein Evandro L.
Published: March 2014

The Neoproterozoic Gurupi Belt in northern Brazil developed at the southwestern margin of the Palaeoproterozoic São Luís-West Africa Craton. Orogenic gold deposits of this belt are hosted in Palaeoproterozoic (2160–2147 Ma) metavolcano-sedimentary and calc-alkaline granitoid rocks formed in arc and/or back-arc settings during a protracted Rhyacian orogeny (2240–2080 Ma). These host rock assemblages were tectonically and isotopically reworked during the Neoproterozoic and represent the reworked margin of the craton, that is, the external domain of the Neoproterozoic (Brasiliano-Pan African) orogen. The location of the gold deposits is controlled by the Tentugal shear zone, which represents the tectonic boundary between craton and the Gurupi Belt, and its subsidiary structures. Gold occurs in veins and in association with pyrite, and subordinately arsenopyrite and chalcopyrite, in strongly altered and variable deformed host rocks. Geological characteristics, petrographic, fluid inclusion, and isotopic evidence indicate near-neutral, reduced aqueous-carbonic metamorphic fluids, with local contributions from host rocks at the deposit site. Ore deposition occurred at about 300–370 °C and up to 3 kbars in response to fluid immiscibility and fluid-rock reactions (sulphidation, desulphidation, carbonatization, CO
2
removal) and local fluid mixing and oxidation.
Localizing evoked cortical activity associated with balance reactions: does the anterior cingulate play a role?
Authors: Marlin Amanda , Mochizuki George , Staines William R. , McIlroy William E.
Published: March 2014

The ability to correct balance disturbances is essential for the maintenance of upright stability. Although information about how the central nervous system controls balance reactions in humans remains limited, recent literature highlights a potentially important role for the cerebral cortex. The objective of this study was to determine the neural source of the well-reported balance-evoked N1 response. It was hypothesized that the N1 is associated with an “error-detection” event in response to the induced perturbation and therefore may be associated with activity within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). The localized source of the N1 evoked by perturbations to standing balance was compared, within each participant, to the location of an error-related negativity (ERN) known to occur within the ACC while performing a flanker task. In contrast to the main hypotheses, the results revealed that the location of the N1 was not within the ACC. The mean Talairach coordinates for the ERN were (6.47, −4.41, 41.17) mm, corresponding to the cingulate gyrus [Brodmann area (BA) 24], as expected. However, coordinates for the N1 dipole were (5.74, −11.81, 53.73) mm, corresponding to the medial frontal gyrus (BA 6), specifically the supplementary motor area. This may suggest the N1 is linked to the planning and execution of elements of the evoked balance reactions rather than being associated with error or event detection. Alternatively, it is possible that the N1 is associated with variation in the cortical representation due to task-specific differences in the activation of a distributed network of error-related processing. Subsequent work should focus on disentangling these two possible explanations as they relate to the cortical processing linked to reactive balance control.
Potential of Fractal Analysis of Earthquakes through Wavelet Analysis and Determination ofbValue as an Aftershock Precursor: A Case Study Using Earthquake Data between 2003 and 2011 in Turkey
Authors: Srivardhan V. , Srinu Uppala
Published: March 2014

Thebvalue of earthquakes is very useful to forecast the occurrence of aftershocks in a given region. Thebvalue characterizes the release of energy due to stress accumulation in the rocks through an earthquake and is a direct indicator for the prediction of aftershocks in the region. Wavelet based fractal analysis is used in this study to determine thebvalue by calculating the fractal dimension. This method guarantees high accuracy results through a limited dataset. The objective of this work was to demonstrate an elegant method for the determination of thebvalue after an earthquake and predict the occurrence of aftershocks with high accuracy. Repeated earthquakes were analyzed between 2003 and 2011 in Turkey and thebvalue was found for these earthquakes. The results gave an indication that thebvalue of the mainshock and its aftershocks are different and aftershocks occur in the region when thebvalue of the mainshock deviates significantly from 0.5, and aftershocks keep occurring until thebvalue of the earthquake approaches close to 0.5 for this region.
Disturbance of Inorganic Phosphate Metabolism in Diabetes Mellitus: Its Relevance to the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Vorum H. , Ditzel J.
Published: March 2014

Early in the progression of diabetes, a paradoxical metabolic imbalance in inorganic phosphate (Pi) occurs that may lead to reduced high energy phosphate and tissue hypoxia. These changes take place in the cells and tissues in which the entry of glucose is not controlled by insulin, particularly in poorly regulated diabetes patients in whom long-term vascular complications are more likely. Various conditions are involved in this disturbance inPi. First, the homeostatic function of the kidneys is suboptimal in diabetes, because elevated blood glucose concentrations depolarize the brush border membrane forPireabsorption and lead to lack of intracellular phosphate and hyperphosphaturia. Second, during hyperglycemic-hyperinsulinemic intervals, high amounts of glucose enter muscle and fat tissues, which are insulin sensitive. Intracellular glucose is metabolized by phosphorylation, which leads to a reduction in plasmaPi, and subsequent deleterious effects on glucose metabolism in insulin insensitive tissues. Hypophosphatemia is closely related to a decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the aging process and in uremia. Any interruption of optimal ATP production might lead to cell injury and possible cell death, and evidence will be provided herein that such cell death does occur in diabetic retinopathy. Based on this information, the mechanism of capillary microaneurysms formation in diabetic retinopathy and the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy must be reevaluated.
Funding for Postbariatric Body-Contouring (Bariplastic) Surgery in England: A Postcode Lottery
Authors: Mukherjee Samrat , Kamat Sachin , Adegbola Samuel , Agrawal Sanjay
Published: March 2014

Background. With the increase in bariatric surgery in the UK, there has been a substantial increase in patients undergoing massive weight loss (MWL) seeking postbariatric body-contouring (bariplastic) surgery. However, there is a wide variation of availability on the National Health Service (NHS). Aims. To (1) review the funding policies of Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in England for bariplastic surgery and (2) analyse the number of procedures funded in two consecutive financial years. Methods. We sent out questionnaires to all PCTs in England regarding their funding policies for bariplastic surgery and requested the number of procedures funded in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Findings. 121/147 (82%) PCTs replied to our questionnaires. 73 (60%) excluded all bariplastic procedures. 106/121 (87.6%) PCTs had referral guidelines for plastic surgery. 46/121 (38%) PCTs provided the total number of funded abdominoplasty-apronectomy (A-A) in the two financial years: total number of A-A applicants rose from 393 to 531, but approval for funding fell from 24.2% to 19.6%. Only 3 (2%) PCTs indicated increase in their future spending on bariplastic procedures in the next 5 years, with 67% planning to decrease or unsure about future funding. Conclusion. There exists a postcode lottery for bariplastic surgery in England and we feel the need for guidelines on provision of bariplastic procedures following MWL.
An Adaptive Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control Design for a Class of Uncertain Horizontal Platform Systems
Authors: Xiang Wei , Liu Xiejin
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an adaptive fuzzy sliding mode control design for a class of uncertain horizontal platform systems (HPSs). Firstly, a nonsingular terminal sliding surface is proposed for HPSs. Then, a fuzzy logic system is introduced to estimate the system uncertainties. The adaptive fuzzy sliding mode controller can guarantee the stability of the closed-loop system. The corresponding numerical simulations are demonstrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Conceptualisation and Development of a Quality of Life Measure for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Eapen Valsamma , Črnčec Rudi , Walter Amelia , Tay Kwok Ping
Published: March 2014

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to experience greater psychological distress than parents of typically developing children or children with other disabilities. Quality of Life (QoL) is increasingly recognised as a critical outcome measure for planning and treatment purposes in ASD. There is a need for ASD-specific QoL measures as generic measures may not capture all relevant aspects of living with ASD. This paper describes the conceptualisation and development of an autism-specific measure of QoL, the Quality of Life in Autism Questionnaire (QoLA) for parents and caregivers of children with ASD, that is suitable to clinical and research settings. Preliminary psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of the measure are also presented. The QoLA has 48 items in two subscales: one comprising QoL items and the second a parent report of how problematic their child’s ASD symptoms are. A study involving 39 families suggested the QoLA has excellent internal consistency as well as good known-groups validity between parents of children with ASD and those who were typically developing. The QoLA also showed good convergent validity with other measures of QoL and ASD symptom severity, respectively. The QoLA may be a valuable assessment tool and merits further psychometric evaluation.
Alleviative Effects of a Kampo (a Japanese Herbal) Medicine “Maoto (Ma‐Huang‐Tang)” on the Early Phase of Influenza Virus Infection and Its Possible Mode of Action
Authors: Nagai Takayuki , Kataoka Erika , Aoki Yuka , Hokari Rei , Kiyohara Hiroaki , Yamada Haruki
Published: March 2014

A Kampo medicine, maoto, has been prescribed in an early phase of influenza‐like illness and used for a treatment of influenza clinically in Japan these days. However, the efficacy of maoto against the virus infection remains to be elucidated. This study was conducted to evaluate the alleviative effects of maoto against early phase of influenza virus infection and its preliminary mode of actions through immune systems. When maoto (0.9 and 1.6 g/kg/day) was orally administered to A/J mice on upper respiratory tract infection of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 from 4 hours to 52 hours postinfection (p.i.) significant antipyretic effect was shown in comparison with water‐treated control. Administration of maoto (0.8 and 1.3 g/kg/day) significantly decreased the virus titers in both nasal (NLF) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) at 52 hours p.i., and significantly increased the anti‐influenza virus IgM, IgA, and IgG1 antibody titers in NLF, BALF, and serum, respectively. Maoto also increased significantly the influenza virus‐bound IgG1 and IgM antibody titers in serum and the virus‐bound IgM antibody titer in even the BALF of uninfected A/J mice. These results indicate that maoto exerts antipyretic activity in influenza virus‐infected mice and virus reducing effect at an early phase of the infection through probably augmentation of the virus‐bound natural antibodies.
Quality Prediction and Control of Reducing Pipe Based on EOS-ELM-RPLS Mathematics Modeling Method
Authors: Xiao Dong , Wang Jichun , Tian Huixin
Published: March 2014

The inspection of inhomogeneous transverse and longitudinal wall thicknesses, which determines the quality of reducing pipe during the production of seamless steel reducing pipe, is lags and difficult to establish its mechanism model. Aiming at the problems, we proposed the quality prediction model of reducing pipe based on EOS-ELM-RPLS algorithm, which taking into account the production characteristics of its time-varying, nonlinearity, rapid intermission, and data echelon distribution. Key contents such as analysis of data time interval, solving of mean value, establishment of regression model, and model online prediction were introduced and the established prediction model was used in the quality prediction and iteration control of reducing pipe. It is shown through experiment and simulation that the prediction and iteration control method based on EOS-ELM-RPLS model can effectively improve the quality of steel reducing pipe, and, moreover, its maintenance cost was low and it has good characteristics of real time, reliability, and high accuracy.
A New Method for Setting Futures Portfolios’ Maintenance Margins: Evidence from Chinese Commodity Futures Markets
Authors: Xie Chi , Yang Jiao-Jiao , Wang Gang-Jin
Published: March 2014

The Chinese commodity futures markets neglect the existence of the risk hedge and diversification between futures contracts, thus leading to overcharge futures portfolio holders’ maintenance margins. To this end, this paper proposes a new method, namely, the multivariatet-Copula-POT-PSRM method, which combines three models, that is, the multivariatet-Copula, the peaks over threshold (POT), and the power spectral risk measures (PSRM), to set futures portfolios’ maintenance margins. In the empirical analysis, we first construct four kinds of futures portfolios and set their maintenance margins by using the new method. Then, we introduce two evaluation indicators, namely, the prudence index (PI) and the opportunity cost index (OCI), to assess the effectiveness of the proposed method. We also compare the outcomes of the two evaluation indicators of the new method with those of the widely used linear additive model. The empirical results show that the new method can, respectively, lower the OCI value of all four kinds of futures portfolios for the In-sample period and the Out-of-sample period without significantly reducing the PI value as against the traditional model, which implies that the proposed method can be used to balance security and investment efficiency in the futures market.
Study on the Biological Characteristics of CD133+ Cells Interfered by RNA Interference in Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yu Ji-wei , Wang Shou-lian , Wu Ju-gang , Lu Rui-qi , Ni Xiao-chun , Cai Cheng , Jiang Bo-jian
Published: March 2014

Background. To detect the changes of biological characteristics in gastric cancer cells interfered by CD133-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA). Methods. First to select the siRNA which has the strongest interference effect among 3 siRNAs (i.e., siRNA1, siRNA2, and siRNA3) in KATO-III cells by RT-PCR and Western blotting assays. Then, CD133+ cells were sorted out from KATO-III cells using an immunomagnetic bead sorting method and transfected with the selected siRNA. Furthermore, the proliferating characteristics, the antichemotherapeutic assessment, Transwell invasion assay, monoclonal sphere formation assay, and subcutaneous transplanted tumor formation assay in nude mice were investigated. Results. siRNA3 showed the strongest interference effect in KATO-III cells. As compared to the uninterfered control group, the CD133+ cells treated by siRNA3 showed significant decreases in the abilities of proliferation, invasion, clone sphere formation, and resistance to antitumour drugs as well as the weight and size of the transplanted tumor, which was nearly similar to that of CD133− cells. Additionally, the protein expression level of the EMT factor E-cadherin increased while those of EMT-related Snail and N-cadherin decreased in CD133+ cells interfered by siRNA3. Conclusion. Inhibition of CD133 gene expression reduces the abilities of gastric cancer cells in proliferation, invasion, clonal sphere formation, and chemoresistance as well as tumor formation in nude mice.
Influence of Chatter on Machining Distortion for Thin-Walled Component Peripheral Milling
Authors: Song Qinghua , Liu Zhanqiang , Ai Xing
Published: March 2014

In specific industrial applications like very thin-walled aeronautical structures or turbine blades, workpiece vibration is strongly dominant in comparison with spindle-tool set vibration. A method for predicting the dynamic stable lobe diagram (DSLD) of thin-walled component peripheral milling process is proposed, which takes into account the variations of dynamic characteristics of workpiece with the tool position. A specific DSLD is elaborated by scanning the dynamic properties of workpiece along the machined direction throughout the machining process. And, based on the results of stability prediction for thin-walled component milling, influences of chatter on machining distortion (including cutting distortion and secular distortion) are investigated through specifying cutting conditions. Then these results are compared and verified by milling experiments.
Boundary Value Problems for First-Order Impulsive Functionalq-Integrodifference Equations
Authors: Tariboon Jessada , Ntouyas Sotiris K.
Published: March 2014

We discuss the existence and uniqueness of solutions for a first-order boundary value problem for impulsive functionalqk-integrodifference equations. The main results are obtained with the aid of some classical fixed point theorems. Illustrative examples are also presented.
Aspheric Intraocular Lenses Implantation for Cataract Patients with Extreme Myopia
Authors: Fang Yanwen , Lu Yi , Miao Aizhu , Luo Yi
Published: March 2014

Objective. To evaluate the postoperative visual quality of cataract patients with extreme myopia after implantation of aspheric intraocular lenses (IOLs). Methods. Thirty-three eyes were enrolled in this prospectivestudy. Eighteen eyes with an axial length longer than 28 mm were included in the extreme myopia group, and the other 15 eyes were included in the nonextreme myopia group. Phacoemulsification and aspheric IOL implantation were performed. Six months after cataract surgery, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity, and wavefront aberrations were measured, and subjective visual quality was assessed. Results. The BCVA improved significantly after surgery for both groups, and patients in the nonextreme myopia group achieved better postoperative BCVA due to better retinal status of the eyes. The evaluation of contrast sensitivity without glare was the same in both groups, whereas patients in the nonextreme myopia group performed better at intermediate spatial frequencies under glare conditions. The two groups did not show a significant difference in high-order aberrations. With regard to subjective visual quality, the composite scores of both groups did not differ significantly. Conclusions. Aspheric IOLs provided good visual outcomes in cataract patients with extreme myopia. These patients should undergo careful evaluation to determine the maculopathy severity level before surgery.
Abnormalities in Pattern of Lateralization in Relation to Visuospatial Short Term Memory in Children with Williams Syndrome
Authors: Chasouris Antonios , Mayer Peter , Stuart-Hamilton Ian , Graff Martin , Workman Lance
Published: March 2014

Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder characterised by significant intellectual disability. Initial studies indicate that children with WS have a profound bias for information in the top left of visual arrays. Study 1, using a visuospatial memory test for items presented in a3×3matrix, found a significant top left bias in WS children relative to controls. Study 2 used a probe-based memory test with arrays in which items appeared with equal probability in each position. Relative to controls, WS children showed a significant top and left bias. In Study 3, the same children engaged in a visual search task and again, a top and left bias was found in the WS group. It is concluded that children with WS display atypical laterality, which might be explained by abnormal saccadic movements, by abnormalities involving development of the dorsal stream or by uneven cortical development.
Development of Automatic Visceral Fat Volume Calculation Software for CT Volume Data
Authors: Nemoto Mitsutaka , Yeernuer Tusufuhan , Masutani Yoshitaka , Nomura Yukihiro , Hanaoka Shouhei , Miki Soichiro , Yoshikawa Takeharu , Hayashi Naoto , Ohtomo Kuni
Published: March 2014

Objective. To develop automatic visceral fat volume calculation software for computed tomography (CT) volume data and to evaluate its feasibility.Methods. A total of 24 sets of whole-body CT volume data and anthropometric measurements were obtained, with three sets for each of four BMI categories (under 20, 20 to 25, 25 to 30, and over 30) in both sexes. True visceral fat volumes were defined on the basis of manual segmentation of the whole-body CT volume data by an experienced radiologist. Software to automatically calculate visceral fat volumes was developed using a region segmentation technique based on morphological analysis with CT value threshold. Automatically calculated visceral fat volumes were evaluated in terms of the correlation coefficient with the true volumes and the error relative to the true volume.Results. Automatic visceral fat volume calculation results of all 24 data sets were obtained successfully and the average calculation time was 252.7 seconds/case. The correlation coefficients between the true visceral fat volume and the automatically calculated visceral fat volume were over 0.999.Conclusions. The newly developed software is feasible for calculating visceral fat volumes in a reasonable time and was proved to have high accuracy.
Fundamental Issues and Prospective Directions in Networked Multirate Control Systems
Authors: Zhiwen Wang , Ge Guo
Published: March 2014

In view of the synchronized uniform equidistant sampling method that is widely used in network control systems (NCSs), multirate sampling control for NCSs is presented by considering the natural characteristics of NCSs. Two kinds of typical structures of network multirate control systems (NMCSs) are presented and the multirate sampling mechanisms are formulated. Then, fundamental issues and prospective directions in NMCSs are preliminarily discussed. The contents involve modeling, sampling pattern selection, control strategies, scheduling algorithms, and codesign of NMCSs. The purpose of this paper is to arouse more attention of researchers in related subjects, so that a complete theory for NCSs can be established.
Development and Application of Milk‐Run Distribution Systems in the Express Industry Based on Saving Algorithm
Authors: You Zhenlai , Jiao Yang
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces the milk‐run schema into the express distribution logistics through the feasibility analysis of application of cyclic goods‐taking schema in the express industry. In order to reach fully loaded as far as possible in distribution, the article improves the traditional model, adopting multi‐objective decision and conforming constraint conditions to Milk‐run schema, even approximating the practical truth solves model through the C‐W saving algorithm. It can effectively shorten the distance and Lower costs by means of reasonable route planning. Finally, the paper has verified the model and its effectiveness of arithmetic application by means of cases analysis.
PFAAs in Fish and Other Seafood Products from Icelandic Waters
Authors: Jörundsdóttir Hrönn , Halldorsson Thorhallur I. , Gunnlaugsdottir Helga
Published: March 2014

Perfluorinatedalkyl acids (PFAAs) are of growing concern due to possible health effects on humans. Exposure assessments indicate that fish consumption is one of the major sources of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposure to humans, one of the major PFASs, whereas concerns of overestimation of this exposure source have been raised. Therefore, PFAAs concentrations in fish from the North Atlantic (Icelandic fishing grounds) in the flesh of different fish species were investigated along with more detailed analyses of tissue concentrations in cod (Gadus morhua) and lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus). Further, fish feed was investigated as a possible source of PFAAs in aquaculture by examining fish meal as feed ingredient. No PFAAs were detected in the edible part of all fish samples, except for PFOS in pollock (Pollachius virens, 0,05 ng/g wet weight). PFOS was the only PFAA detected in the fish meal samples with the exception of PFOSA in blue whiting (Micromesistius poutassou) meal (0,45 ng/g dry weight (d.w.)), where the PFOS concentration was 1,3–13 ng/g d.w. in the capelin (Mallotus villosus) and mackerel (Scomber scombrus) meal samples. The conclusions of the study are that fish commonly consumed from the Icelandic fishing grounds are unlikely to be an important source of PFAAs exposure.
Small Fiber Neuropathy Associated with Hyperlipidemia: Utility of Cutaneous Silent Periods and Autonomic Tests
Authors: Morkavuk G. , Leventoglu A.
Published: March 2014

Background.Established electrophysiological methods have limited clinical utility in the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy. The cutaneous silent period (CSP) may be useful as a method for the evaluation of smaller and unmyelinated fiber dysfunctions. Hyperlipidemia is a very rare cause of small fiber neuropathy. In this study, hyperlipidemia and small fiber neuropathy in symptomatic patients with normal nerve conduction studies were evaluated with autonomic tests and cutaneous silent periods.Methods.Twenty-five patients with clinically suspected small fiber neuropathy and 23 healthy volunteers were included. CSP latency and duration, as well as CSP latency difference of the upper and lower extremities, were examined. Two tests were used to assess the autonomic nervous system, namely, theR-Rinterval variation test in basal and profound breath conditions and the sympathetic skin response.Results.Twenty-five patients with clinically suspected small fiber neuropathy and normal nerve conduction studies were compared with 23 controls. In the upper extremities, patients had prolonged CSP latencies (P=0.034) and shortened CSP durations (P=0.039), whereas in the lower extremities, patients had shortened CSP durations (P=0.001). The expiration-to-inspiration ratios were also reduced in patients groups. There was no significant difference between sympathetic skin response latencies and amplitude of the case and control groups.Conclusion.Our findings indicate that CSP may become a useful technique for the assessment of small fiber neuropathy in hyperlipidemic patients.
Effect of Moisture Absorption Behavior on Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fibre Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites
Authors: Pandian Amuthakkannan , Vairavan Manikandan , Jebbas Thangaiah Winowlin Jappes , Uthayakumar Marimuthu
Published: March 2014

The study of mechanical properties of fibre reinforced polymeric materials under different environmental conditions is much important. This is because materials with superior ageing resistance can be satisfactorily durable. Moisture effects in fibre reinforced plastic composites have been widely studied. Basalt fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester resin composites were subjected to water immersion tests using both sea and normal water in order to study the effects of water absorption behavior on mechanical properties. Composites specimens containing woven basalt, short basalt, and alkaline and acid treated basalt fibres were prepared. Water absorption tests were conducted by immersing specimens in water at room temperature for different time periods till they reached their saturation state. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties of water immersed specimens were conducted and compared with dry specimens as per the ASTM standard. It is concluded that the water uptake of basalt fibre is considerable loss in the mechanical properties of the composites.
Black Holes and Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Sidharth B. G.
Published: March 2014

We look at black holes from different, novel perspectives.
Forest Biomass, Carbon Stocks, and Macrofungal Dynamics: A Case Study in Costa Rica
Authors: Rojas Carlos , Calvo Erick
Published: March 2014

There are few published studies providing information about macrofungal biology in a context of forest dynamics in tropical areas. For this study, a characterization of above-ground standing tree biomass and carbon stocks was performed for four different forest subtypes within two life zones in Costa Rica. Fungal productivity and reproductive success were estimated and analyzed in the context of the forest systems studied and results showed fungal dynamics to be a complex and challenging topic. In the present study, fungal productivity was higher in forest patches with more tree density but independent from life zones, whereas fungal biomass was higher in premontane areas with ectomycorrhizal dominant trees. Even though some observed patterns could be explained in terms of climatic differences and biotic relationships, the high fungal productivity observed in dry forests was an interesting finding and represents a topic for further studies.
National Trends in the Adoption of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy over 7 Years in the United States and Impact of Laparoscopic Approaches Stratified by Age
Authors: Dua Anahita , Aziz Abdul , Desai Sapan S. , McMaster Jason , Kuy SreyRam
Published: March 2014

Introduction. The aim of this study was to characterize national trends in adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and determine differences in outcome based on type of surgery and patient age.Methods. Retrospective cross-sectional study of patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Trends in open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy by age group and year were analyzed. Differences in outcomes including in-hospital mortality, complications, discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), and cost are examined.Results. Between 1999 and 2006, 358,091 patients underwent cholecystectomy. In 1999, patients aged ≥80 years had the lowest rates of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, followed by those aged 65–79, 64–50, and 49–18 years (59.7%, 65.3%, 73.2%, and 83.5%, resp.,P<0.05). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was associated with improved clinical and economic outcomes across all age groups. Over the study period, there was a gradual increase in laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed among all age groups during each year, though elderly patients continued to lag significantly behind their younger counterparts in rates of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Conclusion. This is the largest study to report trends in adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the US in patients stratified by age. Elderly patients are more likely to undergo open cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with improved clinical outcomes.
Regularity of Functions on the Reduced Quaternion Field in Clifford Analysis
Authors: Kim Ji Eun , Lim Su Jin , Shon Kwang Ho
Published: March 2014

We define a new hypercomplex structure ofℝ3and a regular function with values in that structure. From the properties of regular functions, we research the exponential function on the reduced quaternion field and represent the corresponding Cauchy-Riemann equations in hypercomplex structures ofℝ3.
Outcome of Endodontic Treatments Made by Postgraduate Students in the Dental Clinic of Bretonneau Hospital
Authors: Touboul Virginie , Germa Alice , Lasfargues Jean-Jacques , Bonte Eric
Published: March 2014

Objective. The objective of this retrospective study is double: (1) to assess the 1–4 years of outcome of endodontic treatment performed by postgraduate students in endodontics in the Dental Clinic of Bretonneau Hospital and (2) to examine outcome predictors.Method. 363 teeth in 296 patients were treated between 2007 and 2011. 183 patients (224 teeth) were lost during the followup. 113 patients were included in the study (recall: 38%), corresponding to 139 teeth of which 8 were extracted. 131 remaining teeth (36%) were examined clinically and radiographically. Apical periodontitis (AP) was absent (PAI = 1) or present (PAI ≥ 2). Outcome was classified as “healed,” “healing,” or “diseased”.Results. The success rate was 92%. No failure was observed among the 23 initial endodontic treatments. Among the 108 retreated teeth, 80% were “healed” and 11% were “healing.” An association was found between success rate and preoperative signs or symptoms (absent 95% versus present 83%), preoperative root filling density (inadequate 93% versus adequate 57%), but not between preoperative AP status and success.Conclusion. Outcomes in this retrospective study were similar to those previously reported. However, a larger sample size is needed to assess outcome predictors more precisely.
Performance and Risk Assessment of Soil‐Structure Interaction Systems Based on Finite Element Reliability Methods
Authors: Gu Quan
Published: March 2014

In the context of performance‐based earthquake engineering, reliability method has been of significant importance in performance and risk assessment of structures or soil‐structure interaction (SSI) systems. The finite element (FE) reliability method combines FE analysis with state‐of‐the‐art methods in reliability analysis and has been employed increasingly to estimate the probability of occurrence of failure events corresponding to various hazard levels (e.g., earthquakes with various intensity). In this paper, crucial components for FE reliability analysis are reviewed and summarized. Furthermore, recent advances in both time invariant and time variant reliability analysis methods for realistic nonlinear SSI systems are presented and applied to a two‐dimensional two story building on layered soil. Various time invariant reliability analysis methods are applied, including the first‐order reliability method (FORM), importance sampling method, and orthogonal plane sampling (OPS) method. For time variant reliability analysis, an upper bound of the failure probability is obtained from numerical integration of the mean outcrossing rate (MOCR). The MOCR is computed by using FORM analysis and OPS analysis. Results by different FE reliability methods are compared in terms of accuracy and computational cost. This paper provides valuable insights for reliability based probabilistic performance and risk assessment of SSI systems.
Structural Evolution of Silicon Carbide Nanopowders during the Sintering Process
Authors: Volkova Galina , Doroshkevych Oleksandr , Shylo Artem , Zelenyak Tetyana , Burkhovetskiy Valeriy , Danilenko Igor , Konstantinova Tetyana
Published: March 2014

Processes of sintering of silicon carbide nanopowder were investigated. Values of density (ρ=3.17 g/cm3) and strength (σ=450 MPa) were obtained. Within the theory of dispersed systems, the temperature evolution of the materials structure was considered. The relationship between sintering temperature, characteristics of crystal structure and physical properties, in particular, density, and strength of aforementioned ceramics was established. It was concluded that it is necessary to suppress the anomalous diffusion at temperatures above 2080°C.
QoS-Aware Middleware for Ubiquitous Environment: A Review and Proposed Solution
Authors: Al-Roubaiey Anas , Alkhiaty M. AL-Rhman
Published: March 2014

Ubiquitous computing has introduced a new era of computing. Compared to traditional distributed systems, ubiquitous computing systems feature increased dynamism and heterogeneity. In traditional computing environments (mainframe and PC), users actively choose to interact with computers. Ubiquitous computing applications are likely to be different, where computing systems are available anywhere but not visible. The underlying ubiquitous computing infrastructures are more complex and bring up many issues. In this work we survey the literature to demonstrate, in detail, the characteristics and the challenges of the ubiquitous computing as well as the requirements for building ubiquitous software that brings these characteristics into reality. Furthermore we present some existing middleware solutions for ubiquitous environments, and propose our middleware-based architecture to facilitate the user interaction in such environment. To the best of our knowledge this is the first work proposing DDS-based solution for ubiquitous computing as a unified middleware.
Nonlinear Analysis of Actuation Performance of Shape Memory Alloy Composite Film Based on Silicon Substrate
Authors: Sun Shuangshuang , Jiang Xiance
Published: March 2014

The mechanical model of the shape memory alloy (SMA) composite film with silicon (Si) substrate was established by the method of mechanics of composite materials. The coupled action between the SMA film and Si substrate under thermal loads was analyzed by combining static equilibrium equations, geometric equations, and physical equations. The material nonlinearity of SMA and the geometric nonlinearity of bending deformation were both considered. By simulating and analyzing the actuation performance of the SMA composite film during one cooling‐heating thermal cycle, it is found that the final cooling temperature, boundary condition, and the thickness of SMA film have significant effects on the actuation performance of the SMA composite film. Besides, the maximum deflection of the SMA composite film is affected obviously by the geometric nonlinearity of bending deformation when the thickness of SMA film is very large.
An Improved Phase Disposition SPWM Strategy for Cascaded Multilevel Inverter
Authors: Xu Jinbang , Wu Zhizhuo , Wu Xiao , Wu Fang , Shen Anwen
Published: March 2014

The Carrier Phase Shifted (CPS) strategy is conventional for cascaded multilevel inverter, because it can naturally ensure all cascaded cells to output balanced power. However, in point of spectra of the output line voltage, CPS is suboptimal to Phase Disposition (PD) strategy, because the latter can not naturally ensure power balance. This paper presents an improved PD strategy, inspiration from the disposition of CPS strategy triangle carriers. Just reconstructing the triangle carriers of PD strategy, it can not only reserve the waveform quality of the line voltage to be optimal, but also naturally ensure the output power of each cascaded cells to be balanced.
Generalizations of Inequalities for Differentiable Co-Ordinated Convex Functions
Authors: Chen Feixiang
Published: March 2014

A generalized lemmas is proved and several new inequalities for differentiable co-ordinated convex and concave functions in two variables are obtained.
Numerical Study of Entropy Generation due to Coupled Laminar and Turbulent Mixed Convection and Thermal Radiation in an Enclosure Filled with a Semitransparent Medium
Authors: Goodarzi M. , Safaei M. R. , Oztop Hakan F. , Karimipour A. , Sadeghinezhad E. , Dahari M. , Kazi S. N. , Jomhari N.
Published: March 2014

The effect of radiation on laminar and turbulent mixed convection heat transfer of a semitransparent medium in a square enclosure was studied numerically using the Finite Volume Method. A structured mesh and the SIMPLE algorithm were utilized to model the governing equations. Turbulence and radiation were modeled with the RNGk-εmodel and Discrete Ordinates (DO) model, respectively. For Richardson numbers ranging from 0.1 to 10, simulations were performed for Rayleigh numbers in laminar flow (104) and turbulent flow (108). The model predictions were validated against previous numerical studies and good agreement was observed. The simulated results indicate that for laminar and turbulent motion states, computing the radiation heat transfer significantly enhanced the Nusselt number (Nu) as well as the heat transfer coefficient. Higher Richardson numbers did not noticeably affect the average Nusselt number and corresponding heat transfer rate. Besides, as expected, the heat transfer rate for the turbulent flow regime surpassed that in the laminar regime. The simulations additionally demonstrated that for a constant Richardson number, computing the radiation heat transfer majorly affected the heat transfer structure in the enclosure; however, its impact on the fluid flow structure was negligible.
Screening for Cervical Cancer Using Automated Analysis of PAP-Smears
Authors: Bengtsson Ewert , Malm Patrik
Published: March 2014

Cervical cancer is one of the most deadly and common forms of cancer among women if no action is taken to prevent it, yet it is preventable through a simple screening test, the so-called PAP-smear. This is the most effective cancer prevention measure developed so far. But the visual examination of the smears is time consuming and expensive and there have been numerous attempts at automating the analysis ever since the test was introduced more than 60 years ago. The first commercial systems for automated analysis of the cell samples appeared around the turn of the millennium but they have had limited impact on the screening costs. In this paper we examine the key issues that need to be addressed when an automated analysis system is developed and discuss how these challenges have been met over the years. The lessons learned may be useful in the efforts to create a cost-effective screening system that could make affordable screening for cervical cancer available for all women globally, thus preventing most of the quarter million annual unnecessary deaths still caused by this disease.