bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subchondral bone remodeling: comparing nanofracture with microfracture. An ovine in vivo study
Authors: Zedde Pietro , Cudoni Sebastiano , Giachetti Giacomo , Manunta Maria , Masala Gerolamo , Brunetti Antonio , Manunta Andrea
Published: August 2016

Purpose: microfracture, providing direct stimulation of chondrogenic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the subchondral bone, remains the most frequently used primary cartilage repair technique. However, the newly formed type I collagen-rich fibrocartilaginous tissue has poor biomechanical properties and a tendency to degenerate. To overcome these limitations the nanofracture technique was introduced. Our purpose was to compare subchondral bone remodeling 6 months after microfracture versus nanofracture (subchondral needling) treatment in an ovine model.

Methods: full-thickness chondral lesions were created in the load-bearing area of the medial femoral condyles in four adult sheep. Each animal was then treated on one side with microfracture and on the contralateral side with nanofracture. Subchondral bone remodeling was assessed by micro-CT using a Bruker® SKYSCAN and CTVOX 2.7 software (Bruker Corp., Billerica, MA, USA) for image reconstruction; trabecular bone density measurements were performed through a color-representation structure thickness analysis.

Results: at the six-month endpoint, the microfracturetreated samples showed limited perforation depth and cone-shaped channels with large diameters at the joint surface. The channel walls displayed a high degree of regularity with significant trabecular bone compaction leading to a sealing effect with limited communication with the surrounding trabecular canals. Condyles treated with nanofracture showed channels characterized by greater depth and smaller diameters and natural irregularities of the channel walls, absence of trabecular compaction around the perforation, remarkable communication with trabecular canals, and neo-trabecular remodeling inside the channels.

Conclusions: nanofracture is an effective and innovative repair technique allowing deeper perforation into subchondral bone with less trabecular fragmentation and compaction when compared to microfracture; it results in better restoration of the normal subchondral bone architecture at six months.

Clinical Relevance: our data support the use of smaller-diameter and deeper subchondral bone perforation for MSC stimulation; this technique may prove to be an attractive alternative to standard microfracture procedures.
High tibial osteotomy in varus knees: indications and limits
Authors: Loia Marco , Vanni Stefania , Rosso Federica , Bonasia Davide , Bruzzone Matteo , Dettoni Federico , Rossi Roberto
Published: August 2016

Opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) is a surgical procedure that aims to correct the weight-bearing axis of the knee, moving the loads laterally from the medial compartment. Conventional indications for OWHTO are medial compartment osteoarthritis and varus malalignment of the knee; recently OWHTO has been used successfully in the treatment of double and triple varus. OWHTO, in contrast to closing wedge high tibial osteotomy, does not require fibular osteotomy or peroneal nerve dissection, or lead to disruption of the proximal tibiofibular joint and bone stock loss. For these reasons, interest in this procedure has grown in recent years.

The aim of this study is to review the literature on OWHTO, considering indications and prognostic factors (body mass index, grade of osteoarthritis, instability, range of movement and age), outcomes at midterm follow-up, and limits of the procedure (slope modifications, patellar height changes and difficulties in conversion to a total knee arthroplasty).
Treatment of osteochondral lesions of the talus in athletes: what is the evidence?
Authors: Vannini Francesca , Costa Giuseppe , Caravelli Silvio , Pagliazzi Gherardo , Mosca Massimiliano
Published: August 2016

Purpose: ankle injuries make up 15% of all sports injuries and osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) are an increasingly frequent problem in active patients. There exist no widely shared guidelines on OLT treatment in the athletic population. The aim of this paper is to review all the existing literature evidence on the surgical treatment of OLTs in athletes, in order to determine the current state of the art in this specific population, underlining both the limits and the potential of the strategies used.

Methods: a systematic review of the literature was performed focusing on the different types of surgical treatment used for OLTs in athletes. The screening process and analysis were performed separately by two independent researchers. The inclusion criteria for relevant articles were: clinical reports of any level of evidence, written in English, with no time limitation, or clinical reports describing the treatment of OLTs in the athletic population.

Results: with the consensus of the two observers, relevant data were then extracted and collected in a single database to be analyzed for the purposes of the present manuscript. At the end of the process, 16 papers met the selection criteria. These papers report a total of 642 athletic patients with OCTs.

Conclusions: the ideal treatment for cartilage lesions in athletes is a controversial topic, due to the need for an early return to sports, especially in elite players; this need leads to extensive use of microfractures in this population, despite the poor quality of repair associated with this technique. None of the surgical strategies described in this paper seems to be superior to the others.

Level of evidence: systematic review of level IV studies, level IV.
Galerkin Scheme-Based Determination of Survival Probability of Oscillators With Fractional Derivative Elements
Authors: Spanos Pol D. , Di Matteo Alberto , Cheng Yezeng , Pirrotta Antonina , Li Jie
Published: August 2016

In this paper, an approximate semi-analytical approach is developed for determining the first-passage probability of randomly excited linear and lightly nonlinear oscillators endowed with fractional derivative elements. The amplitude of the system response is modeled as one-dimensional Markovian process by employing a combination of the stochastic averaging and the statistical linearization techniques. This leads to a backward Kolmogorov equation which governs the evolution of the survival probability of the oscillator. Next, an approximate solution of this equation is sought by resorting to a Galerkin scheme. Specifically, a convenient set of confluent hypergeometric functions, related to the corresponding linear oscillator with integer-order derivatives, is used as orthogonal basis for this scheme. Applications to the standard viscous linear and to nonlinear (Van der Pol and Duffing) oscillators are presented. Comparisons with pertinent Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the reliability of the proposed approximate analytical solution.
Medial
Longitudinal Arch Angle Presents Significant Differences Between Foot Types: A Biplane Fluoroscopy
Study
Authors: Balsdon Megan E.
R. , Bushey Kristen
M. , Dombroski Colin
E. , LeBel Marie-Eve , Jenkyn Thomas R.
Published: August 2016

The structure of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) affects the foot's overall function and its ability to dissipate plantar pressure forces. Previous research on the MLA includes measuring the calcaneal–first metatarsal angle using a static sagittal plane radiograph, a dynamic height-to-length ratio using marker clusters with a multisegment foot model, and a contained angle using single point markers with a multisegment foot model. The objective of this study was to use biplane fluoroscopy to measure a contained MLA angle between foot types: pes planus (low arch), pes cavus (high arch), and normal arch. Fifteen participants completed the study, five from each foot type. Markerless fluoroscopic radiostereometric analysis (fRSA) was used with a three-dimensional model of the foot bones and manually matching those bones to a pair of two-dimensional radiographic images during midstance of gait. Statistically significant differences were found between barefoot arch angles of the normal and pes cavus foot types (p = 0.036), as well as between the pes cavus and pes planus foot types (p = 0.004). Dynamic walking also resulted in a statistically significant finding compared to the static standing trials (p = 0.014). These results support the classification of individuals following a physical assessment by a foot specialist for those with pes cavus and planus foot types. The differences between static and dynamic kinematic measurements were also supported using this novel method.
Effects of Load Connection Form on Efficiency and Kinetics of Biped Walking
Authors: Wu Yuanhao , Chen Ken , Fu Chenglong
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates the influence of the load connection form on the walking energetics and kinetics with simple models. Four load connection forms including rigid connection (RIC), springy connection (SPC), swingy connection (SWC), and springy and swingy connection (SSC) were modeled. The step-to-step transition of periodic walking was studied through an analytical method. The toe-off impulse magnitude and the work done by toe-off were derived. Simulations were performed to study the walking performance of each model and the effect of model parameters on the gait properties. The analysis and simulation results showed that compared with RIC, SPC and SSC can significantly improve the toe-off efficiency and change the ground reaction force (GRF) profile by reducing the burden during the step-to-step transition, which may lead to reduction of walking energy cost. Energetics and kinetics of SWC are closely related to the swing angle of load at the transition moment. The load swing may decrease the walking speed, and it is not beneficial to walking efficiency.
Prediction of Streamwise Fluidelastic Instability of a Tube Array in Two-Phase Flow and Effect of Frequency Detuning
Authors: Olala Stephen , Mureithi Njuki W.
Published: August 2016

Experimental measurements of the steady forces on a central cluster of tubes in a rotated triangular array (P/D=1.5) subjected to two-phase air–water cross-flow have been conducted. The tests were done for a series of void fractions and a Reynolds number (based on the pitch velocity), Re=7.2×104. The forces obtained and their derivatives with respect to the static streamwise displacement of the central tube in the cluster were then used to perform a quasi-steady fluidelastic instability analysis. The predicted instability velocities were found to be in good agreement with the dynamic stability tests. Since the effect of the time delay was ignored, the analysis confirmed the predominance of the stiffness-controlled mechanism in causing streamwise fluidelastic instability. The effect of frequency detuning on the streamwise fluidelastic instability threshold was also explored. It was found that frequency detuning has, in general, a stabilizing effect. However, for a large initial variance in a population of frequencies (e.g., σ2=7.84), a smaller sample drawn from the larger population may have lower or higher variance resulting in a large scatter in possible values of the stability constant, K, some even lower than the average (tuned) case. Frequency detuning clearly has important implications for streamwise fluidelastic instability in the steam generator U-bend region where in-plane boundary conditions, due to preload and contact friction variance, are poorly defined. The present analysis has, in particular, demonstrated the potential of the quasi-steady model in predicting streamwise fluidelastic instability threshold in tube arrays subjected to two-phase cross-flows.
A Simulation Method to Estimate Nonparametric Distribution of Heterogeneous Consumer Preference From Market-Level Choice Data
Authors: Kang Changmuk
Published: August 2016

In recent decision-based design trends, product design is optimized for maximizing utility to consumers. A discrete-choice analysis (DCA) model is a widely utilized tool for quantitatively assessing how consumers evaluate utility of a product. Ordinary DCA models specify utility as linear combination of attribute values of a product and coefficients that represent preference of consumers. Assuming that the coefficient value is heterogenous between individual consumers, this study proposes a method to estimate its nonparametric distribution using market-level data, which is the market share of existing products. Where consumers consider k attributes of a product, his/her preference is represented by a k-dimensional vector of coefficient values. This method simulates an empirical distribution of the vectors in k-dimensional space. The whole space is first fragmented by disjoint regions, vectors in which prefer a specific product than others, and then, random points are sampled in each region as much as market share of the corresponding product. In a sense that more points are sampled for a more popular product, the empirical distribution is population of preference vectors. This method is practically useful since it utilizes only market-level data, which are relatively easy to gather than individual-level choice instances. In addition, the simulation procedure is intuitive and easy to implement.
Effect of Blade Profile Contouring on Endwall Flow Structure in a High-Lift Low-Pressure Turbine Cascade
Authors: Sangston Keith , Little Jesse , Eric Lyall M. , Sondergaard Rolf
Published: August 2016

Previous work has shown that low-stagger contouring near the endwall of a nominally high-lift and high-stagger angle front-loaded low-pressure turbine (LPT) airfoil is successful in reducing endwall loss by limiting the development and migration of low momentum fluid associated with secondary flow structures. The design modification that leads to loss reduction in that study was determined from an intuitive approach based on the premise that reducing flow separation near the endwall will lead to reduced loss production. Those authors also relied heavily upon Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) based computational tools. Due to uncertainties inherent in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions, there is little confidence that the authors actually achieved true minimum loss. Despite recent advances in computing capability, turbulence modeling remains a shortcoming of modern design tools. As a contribution to overcoming this problem, this paper offers a three-dimensional (3D) view of the developing mean flow, total pressure, and turbulence fields that gave rise to the loss reduction of the airfoil mentioned above. Experiments are conducted in a linear cascade with aspect ratio of 3.5 and Re = 100,000. The results are derived from stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (PIV) and total pressure measurements inside the passage. Overall, the loss reduction correlates strongly with reduced turbulence production. The aim of this paper is to provide readers with a realistic view of mean flow and turbulence development that include all the components of the Reynolds stress tensor to assess, at least qualitatively, the validity of high fidelity computational tools used to calculate turbine flows.
Simultaneous Consideration of Unit Manufacturing Processes and Supply Chain Activities for Reduction of Product Environmental and Social Impacts
Authors: Alsaffar Ahmed J. , Raoufi Kamyar , Kim Kyoung-Yun , Okudan Kremer Gül E. , Haapala Karl R.
Published: August 2016

Interest in assessing the sustainability performance of manufacturing processes and systems during product design is increasing. Prior work has investigated approaches for quantifying and reducing impacts across the product life cycle. Energy consumption and carbon footprint are frequently adopted and investigated environmental performance metrics. However, challenges persist in concurrent consideration of environmental, economic, and social impacts resulting from manufacturing processes and supply chain networks. Companies are striving to manage their manufacturing networks to improve environmental and social performance, in addition to economic performance. In particular, social responsibility has gained visibility as a conduit to competitive advantage. Thus, a framework is presented for improving environmental and social performance through simultaneous consideration of manufacturing processes and supply chain activities. The framework builds upon the unit manufacturing process modeling method and is demonstrated for production of bicycle pedal components. For the case examined, it is found that unit manufacturing processes account for 63–97% of supply chain carbon footprint when air freight transport is not used. When air freight transport is used for heavier components, transportation-related energy consumption accounts for 78–90% of supply chain carbon footprint. Similarly, from a social responsibility perspective, transportation-related activities account for 73–99% of supply chain injuries/illnesses, and days away from work when air freight transport is used. Manufacturing activities dominate the impacts on worker health when air freight transport is not used, leading to 59–99% of supply chain injuries/illnesses, and days away from work. These results reiterate that simultaneous consideration of environmental and social impacts of manufacturing and supply chain activities is needed to inform decision making in sustainable product manufacturing.
Steady Finite-Amplitude Rayleigh–Bénard Convection in Nanoliquids Using a Two-Phase Model: Theoretical Answer to the Phenomenon of Enhanced Heat Transfer
Authors: Siddheshwar P. G. , Kanchana C. , Kakimoto Y. , Nakayama A.
Published: August 2016

Rayleigh–Bénard convection in liquids with nanoparticles is studied in the paper considering a two-phase model for nanoliquids with thermophysical properties determined from phenomenological laws and mixture theory. In the absence of nanoparticle-modified thermophysical properties as used in the paper, the problem is essentially binary liquid convection with Soret effect. The base liquids chosen for investigation are water, ethylene glycol, engine oil, and glycerine, and the nanoparticles chosen are copper, copper oxide, silver, alumina, and titania. Using data on these 20 nanoliquids, our theoretical model clearly explains advanced onset of convection in nanoliquids in comparison with that in the base liquid without nanoparticles. The paper sets to rest the tentativeness regarding the boundary condition to be chosen in the study of Rayleigh–Bénard convection in nanoliquids. The effect of thermophoresis is to destabilize the system and so is the effect of other parameters arising due to nanoparticles. However, Brownian motion effect does not have a say on onset of convection. In the case of nonlinear theory, the five-mode Lorenz model is derived under the assumptions of Boussinesq approximation and small-scale convective motions, and using it enhancement of heat transport due to the presence of nanoparticles is clearly explained for steady-state motions. Subcritical motion is shown to be possible in all 20 nanoliquids.
A New ANCF/CRBF Fully Parameterized Plate Finite Element
Authors: Pappalardo Carmine M. , Wallin Michael , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: August 2016

In this paper, the consistent rotation-based formulation (CRBF) is used to develop a new fully parametrized plate finite element (FE) based on the kinematic description of the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF). The ANCF/CRBF plate element has a general geometric description which is consistent with the basic principles of continuum mechanics, defines a unique rotation field, ensures the continuity of the rotation and strains at the element nodes, can describe an arbitrarily large displacement, and is consistent with computational geometry methods allowing for correctly describing complex shapes as demonstrated in this paper. The proposed ANCF/CRBF finite element does not suffer from the serious and fundamental problems encountered when using other large rotation vector formulations (LRVF) including the coordinate redundancy and violation of the principle of non-commutativity of the finite rotations which cannot be treated as vectors. The proposed bi-cubic ANCF/CRBF plate element employs, as nodal coordinates, three position coordinates and three finite rotation parameters. This element is obtained from a fully parameterized ANCF plate element by writing the position vector gradients of the ANCF plate element in terms of three finite rotation parameters using a nonlinear velocity transformation that systematically reduces the number of the element coordinates. The resulting element captures stretch, bending, and twist deformation modes and it allows for systematically describing complex curved geometry. Because of the lower dimensionality of the resulting ANCF/CRBF plate element, it does not capture complex deformation modes that can be captured using the more general ANCF finite elements. Furthermore, the ANCF/CRBF element mass matrix is not constant, leading to nonlinear Coriolis and centrifugal inertia forces. The new element is validated by examining its performance using several examples that include pendulum plate, free falling plate, and tire models. The results obtained using this new element are compared with the results obtained using the bi-cubic fully parameterized ANCF plate element, the bi-linear shell element, and the conventional solid element implemented in the commercial software ANSYS.
Double-Direction Pressure Distributions Generated by Vaporizing Metal Foils
Authors: Cai S.
Published: August 2016

In this work, a research on double-direction pressure distributions (DDPD) induced by vaporizing a single metal foil was conducted. The shock pressure in the up direction revealed the same amplitude as that in the down direction. Based on a comparison of pressure amplitudes between double-direction pressure distributions (DDPD) and single-direction pressure distributions (SDPD), the pressure upward in DDPD was found to be smaller than that in SDPD. In addition, an approach to vary the pressure amplitudes in the up and down directions in DDPD was introduced. Using polyurethane plates in different thicknesses leads to various pressure amplitudes on both sides of the foil specimen. Finally, the application of DDPD in metal forming process was examined. A profile forming part with two bulging zones was successfully manufactured.
On the effects of small-scale variability on acoustic propagation in Fram Strait: The tomography forward problem
Authors: Dushaw Brian D. , Sagen Hanne , Beszczynska-Möller Agnieszka
Published: August 2016

Acoustic tomography systems have been deployed in Fram Strait over the past decade to complement existing observing systems there. The observed acoustic arrival patterns are unusual, however, consisting of a single, broad arrival pulse, with no discernible repeating patterns or individual ray arrivals. The nature of these arrivals is caused by vigorous acoustic scattering from the small-scale processes that dominate ocean variability in Fram Strait. Simple models for internal wave and mesoscale variability were constructed and tailored to match the variability observed by moored thermisters in Fram Strait. The internal wave contribution to variability is weak. Acoustic propagation through a simulated ocean consisting of a climatological sound speed plus mesoscale and internal wave scintillations obtains arrival patterns that match the characteristics of those observed, i.e., pulse width and travel time variation. The scintillations cause a proliferation of acoustic ray paths, however, reminiscent of “ray chaos.” This understanding of the acoustic forward problem is prerequisite to designing an inverse scheme for estimating temperature from the observed travel times.
Early Triassic productivity crises delayed recovery from world’s worst mass extinction
Authors: Grasby Stephen E. , Beauchamp Benoit , Knies Jochen
Published: August 2016

The recovery of life after the latest Permian extinction was protracted over Early Triassic time. Detailed geochemistry of marine sections along northwest Pangea indicates that upwelling ceased at the extinction event. Nitrogen stable isotope data suggest that this was associated with progressive increase in nutrient stress throughout the Early Triassic, coincident with a significant decrease in organic carbon content despite pervasive anoxic to euxinic conditions. We argue that the Early Triassic hothouse both reduced marine productivity and deepened the nutricline, reducing the overall rate of nutrient delivery to the photic zone, creating an Early Triassic nutrient gap. When oceans finally cooled by Middle Triassic time, renewed nutrient upwelling and onset of organic-rich shale deposition occurred across northwest Pangea, marking the final return of global marine productivity.
Mouth rinsing with a sweet solution increases energy expenditure and decreases appetite during 60 min of self-regulated walking exercise
Authors: Deighton Kevin , Duckworth Lauren , Matu Jamie , Suter Matthew , Fletcher Charlotte , Stead Samuel , Ali Shaho , Gunby Neil , Korsness Keelie
Published: August 2016

Carbohydrate mouth rinsing can improve endurance exercise performance and is most ergogenic when exercise is completed in the fasted state. This strategy may also be beneficial to increase exercise capacity and the energy deficit achieved during moderate-intensity exercise relevant to weight control when performed after an overnight fast. Eighteen healthy men (mean (SD); age, 23 (4) years; body mass index, 23.1 (2.4) kg·m−2) completed a familiarisation trial and 3 experimental trials. After an overnight fast, participants performed 60 min of treadmill walking at a speed that equated to a rating of perceived exertion of 13 (“fairly hard”). Participants manually adjusted the treadmill speed to maintain this exertion. Mouth rinses for the experimental trials contained either a 6.4% maltodextrin solution with sweetener (CHO), a taste-matched placebo (PLA), or water (WAT). Appetite ratings were collected using visual analogue scales and exercise energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were calculated from online gas analysis. Increased walking distance during CHO and PLA induced greater energy expenditure compared with WAT (mean difference (90% confidence interval); 79 (60) kJ, P = 0.035, d = 0.24; and 90 (63) kJ, P = 0.024, d = 0.27, respectively). Appetite area under the curve was lower in CHO and PLA than WAT (8 (6) mm, P = 0.042, d = 0.43; and 6 (8) mm, P = 0.201, d = 0.32, respectively). Carbohydrate oxidation was higher in CHO than PLA and WAT (7.3 (6.7) g, P = 0.078, d = 0.47; and 10.1 (6.5) g, P = 0.015, d = 0.81, respectively). This study provides novel evidence that mouth rinsing with a sweetened solution may promote a greater energy deficit during moderate-exertion walking exercise by increasing energy expenditure and decreasing appetite. A placebo effect may have contributed to these benefits.
Quantum gravity effects on charged microblack holes thermodynamics
Authors: Abbasvandi Niloofar , Soleimani M. J. , Radiman Shahidan , Wan Abdullah W. A. T.
Published: August 2016

The charged black hole thermodynamics is corrected in terms of the quantum gravity effects. Most of the quantum gravity theories support the idea that near the Planck scale, the standard Heisenberg uncertainty principle should be reformulated by the so-called Generalized Uncertainty Principle (GUP) which provides a perturbation framework to perform required modifications of the black hole quantities. In this paper, we consider the effects of the minimal length and maximal momentum as GUP type I and the minimal length, minimal momentum and maximal momentum as GUP type II on thermo dynamics of the charged TeV-scale black holes. We also generalized our study to the universe with the extra dimensions based on the ADD model. In this framework, the effect of the electrical charge on thermodynamics of the black hole and existence of the charged black hole remnants as a potential candidate for the dark matter particles are discussed.
Bilayer Ising system designed with half-integer spins: Magnetic hysteresis, compensation behaviors and phase diagrams
Authors: Kantar Ersin
Published: August 2016

In this paper, within the framework of the effective-field theory with correlation, mixed spin-1/2 and spin-3/2 bilayer system on a square lattice is studied. The characteristic behaviors for the magnetic hysteresis, compensation types and phase diagrams depending on effect of the surface and interface exchange parameters as well as crystal field are investigated. From the behavior of total magnetization as a function of the magnetic field and temperature, we obtain the single, double and triple hysteresis loops and the [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]-, [Formula: see text]-, and [Formula: see text]-type compensation behaviors in the system. Moreover, we detect the more effective the [Formula: see text] and crystal field parameters on the bilayer Ising model according to the behaviors of the phase diagrams.
The temporal scaling laws of compressible turbulence
Authors: Sun Bohua
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes temporal scaling laws of the density-weighted energy spectrum for compressible turbulence in terms of dissipation rate, frequency and the Mach number. The study adopts the incomplete similarity theory in the scaling analysis of compressible turbulence motion. The investigation shows that the temporal Eulerian and Lagrangian energy spectra approach the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] power laws when the Mach number M tends to reach unity and infinity, respectively.
e-NSPFI: Efficient Mining Negative Sequential Pattern from Both Frequent and Infrequent Positive Sequential Patterns
Authors: Gong Yongshun , Xu Tiantian , Dong Xiangjun , Lv Guohua
Published: August 2016

Negative sequential patterns (NSPs), which focus on nonoccurring but interesting behaviors (e.g. missing consumption records), provide a special perspective of analyzing sequential patterns. So far, very few methods have been proposed to solve for NSP mining problem, and these methods only mine NSP from positive sequential patterns (PSPs). However, as many useful negative association rules are mined from infrequent itemsets, many meaningful NSPs can also be found from infrequent positive sequences (IPSs). The challenge of mining NSP from IPS is how to constrain which IPS could be available used during NSP process because, if without constraints, the number of IPS would be too large to be handled. So in this study, we first propose a strategy to constrain which IPS could be available and utilized for mining NSP. Then we give a storage optimization method to hold this IPS information. Finally, an efficient algorithm called Efficient mining Negative Sequential Pattern from both Frequent and Infrequent positive sequential patterns (e-NSPFI) is proposed for mining NSP. The experimental results show that e-NSPFI can efficiently find much more interesting negative patterns than e-NSP.
Quantum mechanics and quantum information science: The nature of ψ
Authors: Ghose Partha
Published: August 2016

An overview is given of the nature of the quantum mechanical wave function.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polycarbonate Copolymers Containing Benzoyl Groups on the Side Chain for Scratch Resistance
Authors: Jang Hohyoun , Ha Jaeseong , Yoo Jiho , Pyo Jaeseung , Choi Kunyoung , Lee Chaekyun , Ryu Taewook , Lee Sungkwun , Kim Whangi
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this study was to enhance the scratch resistance of polycarbonate copolymer by using 3,3′-dibenzoyl-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl (DBHP) monomer, containing benzoyl moieties on the ortho positions. DBHP monomer was synthesized from 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl and benzoyl chloride, followed by the Friedel-Craft rearrangement reaction with AlCl3. The polymerizations were conducted following the low-temperature procedure, which is carried out in methylene chloride by using triphosgene, triethylamine, bisphenol-A, and DBHP. The chemical structures of the polycarbonate copolymers were confirmed by1H-NMR. The thermal properties of copolymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, and also surface morphologies were assessed by atomic force microscopy. The scratch resistance of homopolymer film (100 μm) changed from 6B to 1B, and the contact angle of a sessile water drop onto the homopolymer film also increased.
Reversible Severe Pulmonary Hypertension after Adenotonsillectomy: A Case Report of a Child Treated at Bugando Medical Centre, Northwestern Tanzania
Authors: Kabyemera Rogatus , Chami Neema , Kayange Neema , Bakalemwa Respicius , Zuechner Antke , Mhada Tumaini , Buname Gustave , Hokororo Adolfine , Kataraihya Johannes
Published: August 2016

Upper airway obstruction (UAO) due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy represents one of the rare causes of pulmonary hypertension in children. We report a case of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, managed at pediatric and otorhinolaryngology departments in Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), northwestern Tanzania, with complete remission of symptoms of pulmonary hypertension following adenotonsillectomy. A 17-month-old boy presented with difficulty breathing, dry cough, and noisy breathing since 1 year. He had facial and lower limb oedema with a pan systolic murmur at the tricuspid area, fine crepitations, and tender hepatomegaly. A grade II tonsillar hypertrophy and hypertrophied adenoids were seen on nasal and throat evaluation. A 2D-echocardiography showed grossly distended right atrium and ventricle, dilated pulmonary artery, and grade III tricuspid regurgitation. His final diagnosis was severe pulmonary hypertension with right-sided heart failure due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy. He had complete remission of cardiopulmonary symptoms after adenotonsillectomy and had normal control echocardiography six and twelve months after surgery. Children with symptoms of upper airway obstruction and cardiopulmonary involvement could benefit from routine screening for pulmonary hypertension. Adenotonsillectomy should be considered for possible complete remission of both UAO and cardiopulmonary symptoms.
High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress Mediates Apoptosis and Extracellular Matrix Metabolic Imbalances Possibly via p38 MAPK Activation in Rat Nucleus Pulposus Cells
Authors: Cheng Xiaofei , Ni Bin , Zhang Feng , Hu Ying , Zhao Jie
Published: August 2016

Objectives. To investigate whether high glucose-induced oxidative stress is implicated in apoptosis of rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and abnormal expression of critical genes involved in the metabolic balance of extracellular matrix (ECM).Methods. NPCs were cultured with various concentrations of glucose to detect cell viability and apoptosis. Cells cultured with high glucose (25 mM) were untreated or pretreated with N-acetylcysteine or a p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 202190. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was evaluated. Activation of p38 MAPK was measured by Western blot. The expression of ECM metabolism-related genes, including type II collagen, aggrecan, SRY-related high-mobility-group box 9 (Sox-9), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), was analyzed by semiquantitative RT-PCR.Results. High glucose reduced viability of NPCs and induced apoptosis. High glucose resulted in increased ROS generation and p38 MAPK activation. In addition, it negatively regulated the expression of type II collagen, aggrecan, Sox-9, and TIMP-1 and positively regulated MMP-3 expression. These results were changed by pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine or SB 202190.Conclusions. High glucose might promote apoptosis of NPCs, trigger ECM catabolic pathways, and inhibit its anabolic activities, possibly through a p38 MAPK-dependent oxidative stress mechanism.
Multiple Positive Solutions of Third-Order BVP with Advanced Arguments and Stieltjes Integral Conditions
Authors: Chang Jian , Sun Jian-Ping , Zhao Ya-Hong
Published: August 2016

We consider the following third-order boundary value problem with advanced arguments and Stieltjes integral boundary conditions:u′′′t+ft,uαt=0,  t∈0,1,  u0=γuη1+λ1uandu′′0=0,  u1=βuη2+λ2u, where0<η1<η2<1,0≤γ,β≤1,α:[0,1]→[0,1]is continuous,α(t)≥tfort∈[0,1], andα(t)≤η2fort∈[η1,η2]. Under some suitable conditions, by applying a fixed point theorem due to Avery and Peterson, we obtain the existence of multiple positive solutions to the above problem. An example is also included to illustrate the main results obtained.
Simple and Efficient Preconditioner for Surface Integral Solution of Scattering from Multilayer Dielectric Bodies
Authors: Kong B. B. , Sheng X. Q.
Published: August 2016

The computation of scattering from multilayer dielectric bodies is studied by using the combined tangential formulation (CTF) of surface integral solution. A simple and efficient preconditioner is designed for the surface integral solution of multilayer dielectric bodies and validated by numerical experiments. Compared with the traditional near field preconditioner, the proposed preconditioner significantly reduce CPU time and memory requirement. Furthermore, the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) is employed to improve the capability of the solutions. The trick of efficiently implementing MLFMA is presented for multilayer dielectric bodies. Numerical examples are presented to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the approach for computing scattering from multilayer dielectric problems.
Prospective Randomized Study on the Influence of Myoinositol in PCOS Women Undergoing IVF in the Improvement of Oocyte Quality, Fertilization Rate, and Embryo Quality
Authors: Lesoine Bernd , Regidor Pedro-Antonio
Published: August 2016

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the pathological factors involved in the failure of in vitro fertilization (IvF). The aim of the present study was to investigate if the combination of myoinositol + folic acid was able to improve the oocyte quality, the ratio between follicles and retrieved oocytes, the fertilization rate, and the embryo quality in PCOS patients undergoing IvF treatments. 29 patients with PCOS underwent IvF protocols for infertility treatment and were randomized prospectively into two groups. Group A (placebo) with 15 patients and group B (4000 mg myoinositol + 400 μg folic acid per day) with 14 patients. The patients of group B used for two months myoinositol + folic acid before starting the IvF protocol and data were obtained concerning number of follicles, number of oocytes, quality of oocytes, fertilization rates, and embryo quality in both groups. The ratio follicle/retrieved oocyte was better in the myoinositol group (= group B). Out of the 233 oocytes collected in the myoinositol group 136 were fertilized, whereas only 128 out of 300 oocytes in the placebo group were fertilized. More metaphase II and I oocytes were retrieved in relation to the total amount of oocytes in the myoinositol. More embryos of grade I quality were obtained in the myoinositol. The duration of stimulation was 9,7 days (±3,3) in the myoinositol group and 11,2 (±1,8) days in the placebo group and the number of used FSH units was lower in the myoinositol group: 1750 FSH units (mean) versus 1850 units (mean). Our evidence suggests that myoinositol therapy in women with PCOS results in better fertilization rates and a clear trend to a better embryo quality. As the number of retrieved oocytes was smaller in the myoinositol group, the risk of hyper stimulation syndrome can be reduced in these patients.
Parameter Estimation in Mean Reversion Processes with Deterministic Long-Term Trend
Authors: Sánchez Freddy H. Marín , Gallego Verónica M.
Published: August 2016

This paper describes a procedure based on maximum likelihood technique in two phases for estimating the parameters in mean reversion processes when the long-term trend is defined by a continued deterministic function. Closed formulas for the estimators that depend on observations of discrete paths and an estimation of the expected value of the process are obtained in the first phase. In the second phase, a reestimation scheme is proposed whena prioriknowledge exists of the long-term trend. Some experimental results using simulated data sets are graphically illustrated.
Detection of Urinary Tract Pathology in SomeSchistosoma haematobiumInfected Nigerian Adults
Authors: Onile O. S. , Awobode H. O. , Oladele V. S. , Agunloye A. M. , Anumudu C. I.
Published: August 2016

Screening forSchistosoma haematobiuminfection and its possible morbidity was carried out in 257 adult participants in Eggua community, Ogun State, Nigeria. Parasitological assessment for the presence of ova ofS. haematobiumin urine and abdominopelvic ultrasonographic examination for bladder and secondary kidney pathology were carried out.S. haematobiumprevalence of 25.68% (66/257) was recorded among the participants. There was a significantly higher prevalence of 69.2% of urinary schistosomiasis in the females than the prevalence of 31.8% in males (P=0.902). The intensity of infections was mostly light (55) (21.8%) compared to heavy (10) (3.9%) with the mean intensity of 16.7 eggs/10 mL urine. Structural bladder pathology prevalence among participants was 33.9%. The bladder and kidney pathologies observed by ultrasound in subjects withS. haematobiuminfections included abnormal bladder wall thickness (59%), abnormal bladder shape (15.2%), bladder wall irregularities (15.2%), bladder masses (1.5%), bladder calcification (1.5%), and hydronephrosis (3%). Infection withS. haematobiumwas associated with bladder pathology. Higher frequencies of bladder abnormalities were observed more in the participants with light intensity ofS. haematobiuminfection than in those with heavy infection. More bladder pathology was also seen in women than in men, although this was not statistically significant. In conclusion, there is evidence that the development of bladder pathology may be associated withS. haematobiuminfection.
Follicular Helper T Cells in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Why Should They Be Considered as Interesting Therapeutic Targets?
Authors: Sawaf Matthieu , Dumortier Hélène , Monneaux Fanny
Published: August 2016

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by B cell hyperactivity leading to the production of autoantibodies, some of which having a deleterious effect. Reducing autoantibody production thus represents a way of controlling lupus pathogenesis, and a better understanding of the molecular and cellular factors involved in the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells could allow identifying new therapeutic targets. Follicular helper T cells (TFH) represent a distinct subset of CD4+T cells specialized in providing help to B cells. They are required for the formation of germinal centers and the generation of long-lived serological memory and, as such, are suspected to play a central role in SLE. Recent advances in the field ofTFHbiology have allowed the identification of important molecular factors involved inTFHdifferentiation, regulation, and function. Interestingly, some of theseTFH-related molecules have been described to be dysregulated in lupus patients. In the present review, we give an overview of the aberrant expression and/or function of such key players in lupus, and we highlight their potential as therapeutic targets.
Influence of Grain Boundary on the Fatigue Crack Growth of 7050-T7451 Aluminum Alloy Based on Small Time Scale Method
Authors: Wang Weihan , Zhang Weifang , Wang Hongxun , Fang Xiaoliang , Liang Xiaobei
Published: August 2016

Based on the small time scale method, the influence of grain boundary on the fatigue crack growth of 7050-T7451 has been investigated. The interaction between fatigue crack and grain boundary was investigated by in situ SEM testing. Results showed that the fatigue crack growth will be retarded by grain boundary when the angle between fatigue crack and grain boundary is greater than 90 degrees. Mechanism analysis showed that the fatigue crack tip would not be able to open until the loading reached the 55% of maximum load, and the fatigue crack had been closed completely before the loading was not reduced to the minimum value, which led to the crack growth retardation. When the 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy suffered from fatigue loading with constant amplitude, a behavior of unstable fatigue crack growth could be observed often, and results indicated that the bridge linked mechanism led to the behavior. The grain boundary was prone to fracture during fatigue loading, and it became the best path for the fatigue crack growth. The fatigue crack tip would be connected with fractured grain boundary eventually, which led to the fast crack growth in different loading stage.
Effectiveness of a Short-Term Treatment of Oxygen-Ozone Therapy into Healing in a Posttraumatic Wound
Authors: Degli Agosti Irene , Ginelli Elena , Mazzacane Bruno , Peroni Gabriella , Bianco Sandra , Guerriero Fabio , Ricevuti Giovanni , Perna Simone , Rondanelli Mariangela
Published: August 2016

Introduction. A number of studies suggest that oxygen-ozone therapy may have a role in the treatment of chronic, nonhealing, or ischemic wounds for its disinfectant and antibacterial properties. Nonhealing wounds are a significant cause of morbidity. Here we present a case of subcutaneous oxygen-ozone therapy used to treat a nonhealing postoperative wound in a young man during a period of 5 weeks.Case Presentation. A 46-year-old man had a motorcycle accident and underwent amputation of the right tibia and fibula. At the discharge he came to our attention to start rehabilitation treatment. At that time the wound was ulcerated but it was afebrile with no signs of inflammation and negativity to blood tests. At 2 months from the trauma despite appropriate treatment and dressing, the wound was slowly improving and the patient complained of pain. For this reason in addition to standard dressing he underwent oxygen-ozone therapy. After 5 weeks of treatment the wound had healed.Conclusion. In patients with nonhealing wounds, oxygen-ozone therapy could be helpful in speeding the healing and reducing the pain thanks to its disinfectant property and by the increase of endogenous oxygen free radicals’ scavenging properties. Compared to standard dressing and other treatments reported in the literature it showed a shorter time of action.
Extrahepatic Diseases and NAFLD: The Triangular Relationship between NAFLD, Type 2-Diabetes and Dysbiosis
Authors: Scorletti Eleonora , Byrne Christopher D.
Published: August 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases from simple steatosis with hepatic lipid accumulation to end-stage liver disease with decompensated cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent data from the USA showed that in 2013, NAFLD was the second most frequent indication for liver transplantation behind hepatitis C. Since there are now effective treatments for hepatitis C and there is currently no licensed treatment for NAFLD, it has been predicted that over the next 10-15 years, NAFLD will replace hepatitis C as the most frequent indication for liver transplantation. Besides, increasing the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and end-stage liver disease, it has recently become clear that NAFLD also increases risk of extrahepatic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease, cardiac diseases and chronic kidney disease, to name but a few. Of each of these extrahepatic diseases, the evidence to date suggests that NAFLD is a strong risk factor for T2DM. When NAFLD occurs in combination with obesity and insulin resistance (as it frequently does), there is a marked increase in risk of incident T2DM with possible synergism occurring between liver fat accumulation, insulin resistance and obesity to further increase risk of development of T2DM. Thus, there is a reciprocal relationship between NAFLD as a risk factor for T2DM, and T2DM as a risk factor for liver disease progression in NAFLD. Moreover, recent evidence now points to the importance of perturbation of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis) in both T2DM and NAFLD. Consequently, there is a triangular relationship between dysbiosis and T2DM and NAFLD. This review will focus on T2DM as a key extrahepatic complication of NAFLD and will describe and discuss the triangular relationship between dysbiosis and T2DM and NAFLD and the factors and potential mechanisms underpinning this relationship.