bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skew monoid rings with annihilator conditions
Authors: Safarisabet Shabanali , Etezadi Mohammad
Published: February 2015

One of the most active and important research areas in noncommutative algebra is the investigation of skew monoid rings. Given a ring [Formula: see text] and a monoid [Formula: see text], we study the structure of the set of zero divisors and nilpotent elements in skew monoid ring [Formula: see text]. In the process we introduce a nil analog of the [Formula: see text]-skew [Formula: see text]-McCoy ring defined by Alhevaz and Kiani in [McCoy property of skew Laurent polynomials and power series rings, J. Algebra Appl. 13(2) (2014), Article ID: 1350083, 23pp.] and introduce the concept of so-called [Formula: see text]-skew nil [Formula: see text]-McCoy ring, which is a common generalization of [Formula: see text]-skew [Formula: see text]-McCoy rings, nil-McCoy rings and McCoy rings relative to a monoid. It is done by considering the nil-McCoy condition on a skew monoid ring [Formula: see text] instead of the polynomial ring [Formula: see text]. We also obtain various necessary or sufficient conditions for a ring to be [Formula: see text]-skew nil [Formula: see text]-McCoy. Among other results, we prove that each regular [Formula: see text]-skew [Formula: see text]-McCoy ring [Formula: see text] is abelian (i.e. idempotents are central), where [Formula: see text] is any monoid with an element of infinite order and [Formula: see text] is a compatible monoid homomorphism. This answers, in a much more general setting, a question posed in [A. R. Nasr-Isfahani, On semiprime right Goldie McCoy rings, Comm. Algebra 42(4) (2014) 1565–1570], in the positive. Furthermore, we provide various examples and classify how the nil [Formula: see text]-McCoy rings behaves under various ring extensions.
Approximating the minimum-norm fixed point of pseudocontractive mappings
Authors: Zegeye H. , Daman O. A.
Published: February 2015

We introduce an iterative process which converges strongly to the minimum-norm fixed point of Lipschitzian pseudocontractive mapping. As a consequence, convergence result to the minimum-norm zero of monotone mappings is proved. In addition, applications to convexly constrained linear inverse problems and convex minimization problems are included. Our theorems improve and unify most of the results that have been proved for this important class of nonlinear operators.
High Energy Resummation: BFKL vs Sudakov
Authors: Yuan Feng
Published: February 2015

In this talk, we review recent theoretical developments on QCD resummation in high energy scattering processes in pp and pA collisions. In particular, we will show that the transverse momentum resummation (Sudakov) can be performed consistently in the small-x factorization formalism (BFKL) at the leading double logarithmic approximation. We further discuss the physics beyond the above approximation, and show that the TMD resummation at next-to-leading logarithmic order can describe the dijet production experimental data from D0 collaboration. Finally, we comment on the TMD resummation effects in the so-called Mueller-Navelet jet production in hadronic collisions.
Hard Probes in Heavy Ion Collisions: Current Status and Prospects for Application of QCD Evolution Techniques
Authors: Vitev Ivan
Published: February 2015

In the past decade the observation of cross section modification for leading hadrons, heavy flavor and two particle correlations in heavy ion collisions has provided important insights into the dynamics of parton propagation in dense strongly-interacting matter. The development of the theory of reconstructed jets and related experimental measurements have further shed light on the characteristics of in-medium parton showers. So far, experimental results from ultra-relativistic nuclear collisions at RHIC and LHC have been analyzed in the framework of parton energy loss, where the precision of the theoretical predictions cannot be systematically improved. Only recently have higher order calculations and applications of resummation and evolution to heavy ion collisions begun to emerge. Several examples of such advances are discussed in these proceedings.
Measuring the Sea Quark Sivers Asymmetry: The E1039 Experiment at Fermilab
Authors: Klein Andi
Published: February 2015

One of the continuing puzzles in QCD is the origin of the nucleon spin. All of the existing experimental data suggest that the contributions from the quark and gluon spins account only for about 50% of the nucleon spin. In order to account for the remaining 50%, one has to include the orbital angular momentum of the quarks and gluons. One way to establish if quarks carry significant angular momentum, is to perform a measurement of the Sivers function, which describes the correlation of the spin direction of the nucleon with the transverse momentum of the quark. We will describe the E1039 experiment at Fermilab, which will measure the Sivers asymmetry of the sea quarks via the Drell-Yan process, using a 120 GeV unpolarized proton beam on a transversely polarized NH 3 target.
Why did computer science make a hero out of Turing?
Authors: Bullynck Maarten , Daylight Edgar G. , De Mol Liesbeth
Published: February 2015

Comparing the legacy of Alan Turing in computer science with that of Carl Friedrich Gauss in mathematics.
The Pyrogenic Carbon Cycle
Authors: Bird Michael I. , Wynn Jonathan G. , Saiz Gustavo , Wurster Christopher M. , McBeath Anna
Published: February 2015

Pyrogenic carbon (PyC; includes soot, char, black carbon, and biochar) is produced by the incomplete combustion of organic matter accompanying biomass burning and fossil fuel consumption. PyC is pervasive in the environment, distributed throughout the atmosphere as well as soils, sediments, and water in both the marine and terrestrial environment. The physicochemical characteristics of PyC are complex and highly variable, dependent on the organic precursor and the conditions of formation. A component of PyC is highly recalcitrant and persists in the environment for millennia. However, it is now clear that a significant proportion of PyC undergoes transformation, translocation, and remineralization by a range of biotic and abiotic processes on comparatively short timescales. Here we synthesize current knowledge of the production, stocks, and fluxes of PyC as well as the physical and chemical processes through which it interacts as a dynamic component of the global carbon cycle.
Interleukin-22: Immunobiology and Pathology
Authors: Dudakov Jarrod A. , Hanash Alan M. , van den Brink Marcel R.M.
Published: February 2015

Interleukin-22 (IL-22) is a recently described IL-10 family cytokine that is produced by T helper (Th) 17 cells, γδ T cells, NKT cells, and newly described innate lymphoid cells (ILCs). Knowledge of IL-22 biology has evolved rapidly since its discovery in 2000, and a role for IL-22 has been identified in numerous tissues, including the intestines, lung, liver, kidney, thymus, pancreas, and skin. IL-22 primarily targets nonhematopoietic epithelial and stromal cells, where it can promote proliferation and play a role in tissue regeneration. In addition, IL-22 regulates host defense at barrier surfaces. However, IL-22 has also been linked to several conditions involving inflammatory tissue pathology. In this review, we assess the current understanding of this cytokine, including its physiologic and pathologic effects on epithelial cell function.
The Immunology of Epstein-Barr Virus–Induced Disease
Authors: Taylor Graham S. , Long Heather M. , Brooks Jill M. , Rickinson Alan B. , Hislop Andrew D.
Published: February 2015

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is usually acquired silently early in life and carried thereafter as an asymptomatic infection of the B lymphoid system. However, many circumstances disturb the delicate EBV-host balance and cause the virus to display its pathogenic potential. Thus, primary infection in adolescence can manifest as infectious mononucleosis (IM), as a fatal illness that magnifies the immunopathology of IM in boys with the X-linked lymphoproliferative disease trait, and as a chronic active disease leading to life-threatening hemophagocytosis in rare cases of T or natural killer (NK) cell infection. Patients with primary immunodeficiencies affecting the NK and/or T cell systems, as well as immunosuppressed transplant recipients, handle EBV infections poorly, and many are at increased risk of virus-driven B-lymphoproliferative disease. By contrast, a range of other EBV-positive malignancies of lymphoid or epithelial origin arise in individuals with seemingly intact immune systems through mechanisms that remain to be understood.
Sequencing and Detection of Polymorphisms in the 5′ End of the Human Endogenous Retroviral Element, HRES‐l
Authors: Rasmussen H.B. , Christensent Knud , Clausen J.
Published: February 2015

Fragments of the 5’ long terminal repeat (L TR) of the human endogenous retroviral element, HRES‐I, were amplified. Single strand conformation analysis of these fragments in combination with sequencing revealed two polymorphic nucleotides, namely a HindIII and an Eco57I polymorphic site. Moreover, a number of differences from the previously published HRES‐l L TR sequence were detected. The linkage pattern of the two polymorph isms suggested the existence of three allelic forms of HRES‐l. The frequencies of the genotypes and alleles of HRES‐I were determined in 158 individuals. The detection of HRES‐I markers may be useful to study associations between this endogenous retrovirus and various diseases.
Hemiballismus and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus as Long-Term Sequelae following a Hemispherectomy for Intractable Epilepsy in a Man with a Learning Disability
Authors: Joyce Joseph , Deb Shoumitro
Published: February 2015

We report here a case of a 48-year-old gentleman with mild/moderate learning disability who developed late complications of hemispherectomy 28 years following the operation. The original operation was performed to treat intractable epilepsy (both generalized tonic/clonic and complex partial seizures) in an 8-year-old boy. After a 28 year seizure-free period, the patient developed cognitive decline, seizures, hemiballismus and a subacute confusional state, possibly related to normal pressure hydrocephalus. A ventriculo-peritoneal shunt operation, along with treatment with high doses of sulpiride, brought improvement in both mental state and hemiballismus.
The Intelligence of Dual Simplex Method to Solve Linear Fractional Fuzzy Transportation Problem
Authors: Narayanamoorthy S. , Kalyani S.
Published: February 2015

An approach is presented to solve a fuzzy transportation problem with linear fractional fuzzy objective function. In this proposed approach the fractional fuzzy transportation problem is decomposed into two linear fuzzy transportation problems. The optimal solution of the two linear fuzzy transportations is solved by dual simplex method and the optimal solution of the fractional fuzzy transportation problem is obtained. The proposed method is explained in detail with an example.
Genetic Programming Based Ensemble System for Microarray Data Classification
Authors: Liu Kun-Hong , Tong Muchenxuan , Xie Shu-Tong , Yee Ng Vincent To
Published: February 2015

Recently, more and more machine learning techniques have been applied to microarray data analysis. The aim of this study is to propose a genetic programming (GP) based new ensemble system (named GPES), which can be used to effectively classify different types of cancers. Decision trees are deployed as base classifiers in this ensemble framework with three operators: Min, Max, and Average. Each individual of the GP is an ensemble system, and they become more and more accurate in the evolutionary process. The feature selection technique and balanced subsampling technique are applied to increase the diversity in each ensemble system. The final ensemble committee is selected by a forward search algorithm, which is shown to be capable of fitting data automatically. The performance of GPES is evaluated using five binary class and six multiclass microarray datasets, and results show that the algorithm can achieve better results in most cases compared with some other ensemble systems. By using elaborate base classifiers or applying other sampling techniques, the performance of GPES may be further improved.
Synthesis of LiFePO4/Graphene Nanocomposite and Its Electrochemical Properties as Cathode Material for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Ma Xiaoling , Chen Gongxuan , Liu Qiong , Zeng Guoping , Wu Tian
Published: February 2015

LiFePO4/graphene nanocomposite was successfully synthesized by rheological phase method and its electrochemical properties as the cathode materials for lithium ion batteries were measured. As the iron source in the synthesis, FeOOH nanorods anchored on graphene were first synthesized. The FeOOH nanorods precursors and the final LiFePO4/graphene nanocomposite products were characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM. While the FeOOH precursors were nanorods with 5–10 nm in diameter and 10–50 nm in length, the LiFePO4 were nanoparticles with 20–100 nm in size. Compared with the electrochemical properties of LiFePO4 particles without graphene nanosheets, it is clear that the graphene nanosheets can improve the performances of LiFePO4 as the cathode material for lithium ion batteries. The as‐synthesized LiFePO4/graphene nanocomposite showed high capacities and good cyclabilities. When measured at room temperature and at the rate of 0.1C (1C = 170 mA g−1), the composite showed a discharge capacity of 156 mA h g−1 in the first cycle and a capacity retention of 96% after 15 cycles. The improved performances of the composite are believed to be the result of the three‐dimensional conducting network formed by the flexible and planar graphene nanosheets.
Design of IIR Digital Filters with Arbitrary Flatness Using Iterative Quadratic Programming
Authors: Sugita Yasunori
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a design method of Chebyshev-type and inverse-Chebyshev-type infinite impulse response (IIR) filters with an approximately linear phase response. In the design of Chebyshev-type filters, the flatness condition in the stopband is preincorporated into a transfer function, and an equiripple characteristic in the passband is achieved by iteratively solving the QP problem using the transfer function. In the design of inverse-Chebyshev-type filters, the flatness condition in the passband is added to the constraint of the QP problem as the linear matrix equality, and an equiripple characteristic in the stopband is realized by iteratively solving the QP problem. To guarantee the stability of the obtained filters, we apply the extended positive realness to the QP problem. As a result, the proposed method can design the filters with more high precision than the conventional methods. The effectiveness of the proposed design method is illustrated with some examples.
Circularly Polarized Triband Printed Quasi-Yagi Antenna for Millimeter-Wave Applications
Authors: Elsheakh Dalia M. , Iskander Magdy F.
Published: February 2015

This paper describes the design and development of a triband with circularly polarized quasi-Yagi antenna for ka-band and short range wireless communications applications. The proposed antenna consists of an integrated balun-fed printed dipole, parasitic folded dipole and a short strip, and a modified ground plane. The antenna structure, together with the parasitic elements, is designed to achieve circular polarization and triband operating at resonant frequencies of 13.5 GHz, 30 GHz, and 60 GHz. Antenna design was first simulated using HFSS ver.14, and the obtained results were compared with experimental measurements on a prototype developed on a single printed circuit board. Achieved characteristics include −10 dB impedance bandwidth at the desired bands, circular polarization axial ratioAR<3 dB, front to back ratio of 6 dB, gain value of about 4 dBi, and average radiation efficiency of 60%. The paper includes comparison between simulation and experimental results.
The Long-Term Financial and Clinical Impact of an Electronic Health Record on an Academic Ophthalmology Practice
Authors: Lim Michele C. , Patel Roma P. , Lee Victor S. , Weeks Patricia D. , Barber Martha K. , Watnik Mitchell R.
Published: February 2015

Purpose.To examine financial and clinical work productivity outcomes associated with the use of the electronic health record (EHR).Methods.191,360 billable clinical encounters were analyzed for 12 clinical providers over a 9-year study period during which an EHR was implemented. Main outcome measures were clinical revenues collected per provider and secondary outcomes were charge capture, patient visit coding levels, transcription costs, patient visit volume per provider, digital drawing, and digital imaging volume.Results.The difference in inflation adjusted net clinical revenue per provider per year did not change significantly in the period after EHR implementation (mean = $404,198; SD = $17,912) than before (mean = $411,420; SD = $39,366) (P=0.746). Charge capture, the proportion of higher- and lower-level visit codes for new and established patients, and patient visits per provider remained stable. A total savings of $188,951 in transcription costs occurred over a 4-year time period post-EHR implementation. The rate of drawing the ophthalmic exam in the EHR was low (mean = 2.28%; SD = 0.05%) for all providers.Conclusions.This study did not show a clear financial gain after EHR implementation in an academic ophthalmology practice. Ophthalmologists do not rely on drawings to document the ophthalmic exam; instead, the ophthalmic exam becomes text-driven in a paperless world.
Inhibition ofPasteurella multocidaAdhesion to Rabbit Respiratory Epithelium Using Lectins
Authors: Carrillo Magda Patricia , Martinez Nhora María , Patiño María del Pilar , Iregui Carlos Arturo
Published: February 2015

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of a panel of lectins to inhibit the ability ofPasteurella multocidato adhere to and affect the rabbit respiratory epithelium. Nasal septa from rabbit fetuses were cultured with various lectins before the addition ofP. multocida. The percentage of bacteria adhering to the epithelium was evaluated semiquantitatively by indirect immunoperoxidase (IIP) staining. The goblet cells (GCs) were counted in semithin sections stained with toluidine blue and served as the main morphological criterion to evaluate the inhibitory effect of the lectins. The lectins PNA, WGA, RCA120, and DBA significantly inhibited the adhesion ofP. multocidato the ciliated epitheliumP<0.05and prevented the pathogen-induced increase in the number of GCsP<0.05compared with those of positive control tissues. In addition, VVA, SJA, UEA I, DSL, SBA, and ECL significantly inhibited the increase in GCs compared with that of the control tissues. The results suggest that less aggressive therapeutic strategies, such as treatment with lectins, may represent alternative approaches to control bacterial respiratory infections.
Study of Some Strategies for Disposal of the GNSS Satellites
Authors: Sanchez Diogo Merguizo , Yokoyama Tadashi , Almeida Prado Antonio Fernando Bertachini de
Published: February 2015

The complexity of the GNSS and the several types of satellites in the MEO region turns the creation of a definitive strategy to dispose the satellites of this system into a hard task. Each constellation of the system adopts its own disposal strategy; for example, in the American GPS, the disposal strategy consists in changing the altitude of the nonoperational satellites to 500 km above or below their nominal orbits. In this work, we propose simple but efficient techniques to discard satellites of the GNSS by exploiting Hohmann type maneuvers combined with the use of the2ω˙+Ω˙≈0resonance to increase its orbital eccentricity, thus promoting atmospheric reentry. The results are shown in terms of the increment of velocity required to transfer the satellites to the new orbits. Some comparisons with direct disposal maneuvers (Hohmann type) are also presented. We use the exact equations of motion, considering the perturbations of the Sun, the Moon, and the solar radiation pressure. The geopotential model was considered up to order and degree eight. We showed the quantitative influence of the sun and the moon on the orbit of these satellites by using the method of the integral of the forces over the time.
A Case of Sarcoidosis of the Central Nervous System and Orbita
Authors: Mercan Metin , Akyol Aslı , Karaman Yahya , Bolay Hayrunnisa
Published: February 2015

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease characterized by granulomatous inflammation. Lung or lymph node involvement is common. We present a rare case of sarcoidosis that began with orbital involvement, and a month later, due to insufficient treatment, it involved the central nervous system. A 49-year-old female patient began suffering from swelling in her right eye, redness, ptosis, and limited eye movements two months ago. Gadolinium-enhanced orbital magnetic resonance imaging showed thickening of the lacrimal gland and the right medial rectus muscle. After three weeks of local antibiotic and steroid treatments, her symptoms were resolved. One month ago, the patient reported sudden weakness in her right arm and leg. After laboratory tests and imaging studies, the patient was diagnosed with probable neurosarcoidosis using the Zajicek criteria and treated with prednisone (1 mg/kg/day). Although sarcoidosis frequently presents with lung and lymph node involvement, it is rarely accompanied by orbital involvement. Patients with orbital symptoms may receive a late diagnosis and insufficient central nervous system treatment. Involvement of the central nervous system in sarcoidosis leads to high morbidity and mortality rates. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are very important.
Association between Portal Vein Thrombosis and Survival in Non-Liver-Transplant Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Qi Xingshun , Dai Junna , Yang Man , Ren Weirong , Jia Jia , Guo Xiaozhong
Published: February 2015

A systematic review of the literature was performed to analyze the association between portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and survival in non-liver-transplant patients with liver cirrhosis. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for all relevant papers which evaluated the prognostic value of PVT in predicting the survival of liver cirrhosis. Meta-analyses were not conducted because the ways of data expression and lengths of follow-up were heterogeneous among studies. Overall, 13 papers were included. The 5-day, 6-week, and 1-year mortality were investigated in 1, 3, and 1 studies, respectively; and all of them were not significantly different between cirrhotic patient with and without PVT. By comparison, the 3-year mortality was reported in 1 study; and it was significantly increased by the presence of PVT. The overall mortality was analyzed in 5 studies; and the association with overall mortality and PVT was significant in 4 studies, but not in another one. However, as for the cirrhotic patients undergoing surgical or interventional shunts, the overall mortality was not significantly associated with the presence of PVT in 4 studies. In conclusion, the presence of PVT might be associated with the long-term mortality in non-liver-transplant patients with liver cirrhosis, but not with the short-term mortality.
Discrete-Time Exponentially Stabilizing Fuzzy Sliding Mode Control via Lyapunov’s Method
Authors: Jovanović Radiša Ž. , Bučevac Zoran M.
Published: February 2015

The exponentially stabilizing state feedback control algorithm is developed by Lyapunov’s second method leading to the variable structure system with chattering free sliding modes. Linear time-invariant discrete-time second order plant is considered and the control law is obtained by using a simple fuzzy controller. The analytical structure of the proposed controller is derived and used to prove exponential stability of sliding subspace. Essentially, the control algorithm drives the system from an arbitrary initial state to a prescribed so-called sliding subspaceS, in finite time and with prescribed velocity estimate. Inside the sliding subspaceS, the system is switched to the sliding mode regime and stays in it forever. The proposed algorithm is tested on the real system in practice, DC servo motor, and simulation and experimental results are given.
A Novel CP Horn Antenna with Switchable Polarization by Single Port Feeding
Authors: Huang Yangzhen , Geng Junping , Liang Xianling , Jin Ronghong , Bai Xudong
Published: February 2015

A novel CP horn antenna with switchable polarization by single port feeding is presented. The antenna is composed of a coaxial-waveguide converter and a balance-cavity, a horn, a square-to-circular waveguide transition, and a stepped-septum polarizer, which simplify the feeding and can work on the left-hand or right-hand circular polarizations by manual exchanging the mounting position of the coaxial-waveguide converter and the balance-cavity. The antenna achieves an impedance bandwidth (3.88~5.12 GHz) of 27.5% and a 3 dB-AR (Axial Ratio) bandwidth of 18.6%, with the 3 dB-AR beamwidth of about 149°, and the antenna gain is over 13.3 dB in the available band.
Protective Effects of the Flavonoid Chrysin against Methylmercury-Induced Genotoxicity and Alterations of Antioxidant Status,In Vivo
Authors: Manzolli Eduardo Scandinari , Serpeloni Juliana Mara , Grotto Denise , Bastos Jairo Kennup , Antunes Lusânia Maria Greggi , Barbosa Fernando , Barcelos Gustavo Rafael Mazzaron
Published: February 2015

The use of phytochemicals has been widely used as inexpensive approach for prevention of diseases related to oxidative damage due to its antioxidant properties. One of dietary flavonoids is chrysin (CR), found mainly in passion fruit, honey, and propolis. Methylmercury (MeHg) is a toxic metal whose main toxic mechanism is oxidative damage. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of CR against oxidative damage induced by MeHg in Wistar rats. Animals were treated with MeHg (30 µg/kg/bw) in presence and absence of CR (0.10, 1.0, and 10 mg/kg/bw) by gavage for 45 days. Glutathione (GSH) in blood was quantified spectrophotometrically and for monitoring of DNA damage, comet assay was used in leukocytes and hepatocytes. MeHg led to a significant increase in the formation of comets; when the animals were exposed to the metal in the presence of CR, higher concentrations of CR showed protective effects. Moreover, exposure to MeHg decreased the levels of GSH and GSH levels were restored in the animals that received CR plus MeHg. Taken together the findings of the present work indicate that consumption of flavonoids such as CR may protect humans against the adverse health effects caused by MeHg.
An Improved Saliency Detection Approach for Flying Apsaras in the Dunhuang Grotto Murals, China
Authors: Chen Zhong , Xiong Shengwu , Mao Qingzhou , Fang Zhixiang , Yu Xiaohan
Published: February 2015

Saliency can be described as the ability of an item to be detected from its background in any particular scene, and it aims to estimate the probable location of the salient objects. Due to the salient map that computed by local contrast features can extract and highlight the edge parts including painting lines of Flying Apsaras, in this paper, we proposed an improved approach based on a frequency-tuned method for visual saliency detection of Flying Apsaras in the Dunhuang Grotto Murals, China. This improved saliency detection approach comprises three important steps: (1) image color and gray channel decomposition; (2) gray feature value computation and color channel convolution; (3) visual saliency definition based on normalization of previous visual saliency and spatial attention function. Unlike existing approaches that rely on many complex image features, this proposed approach only used local contrast and spatial attention information to simulate human’s visual attention stimuli. This improved approach resulted in a much more efficient salient map in the aspect of computing performance. Furthermore, experimental results on the dataset of Flying Apsaras in the Dunhuang Grotto Murals showed that the proposed visual saliency detection approach is very effective when compared with five other state-of-the-art approaches.
In Situ Study of Electropolymerized Poly(3-aminobenzoic acid) Thin Film on BD-R and DVD-R Grating Substrates by Electrochemical-Transmission Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Sriwichai Saengrawee , Baba Akira , Phanichphant Sukon , Shinbo Kazunari , Kato Keizo , Kaneko Futao
Published: February 2015

The electropolymerization process and doping/dedoping properties of poly(3-aminobenzoic acid) (PABA) thin films on gold-coated commercial BD-R and DVD-R grating substrates were simultaneously studied by the combination of electrochemical technique and transmission surface plasmon resonance (TSPR) spectroscopy. The optical property as a function of the applied potentials and time dependence during electropolymerization were studied. The obtained TSPR wavelength scan spectra after electropolymerization showed that the maximum wavelength slightly shifted to longer wavelength indicating the increase of film thickness. In addition, the change during construction of PABA-based immunosensor for label-free detection of human immunoglobulin G can be observed.
Optimum Control for Nonlinear Dynamic Radial Deformation of Turbine Casing with Time-Varying LSSVM
Authors: Fei Cheng-Wei , Bai Guang-Chen , Tang Wen-Zhong , Choy Yatsze
Published: February 2015

With the development of the high performance and high reliability of aeroengine, the blade-tip radial running clearance (BTRRC) of high pressure turbine seriously influences the reliability and performance of aeroengine, wherein the radial deformation control of turbine casing has to be concerned in BTRRC design. To improve BTRRC design, the optimum control-based probabilistic optimization of turbine casing radial deformation was implemented using time-varying least square support vector machine (T-LSSVM) by considering nonlinear material properties and dynamic thermal load. First the T-LSSVM method was proposed and its mathematical model was established. And then the nonlinear dynamic optimal control model of casing radial deformation was constructed with T-LSSVM. Thirdly, through the numerical experiments, the T-LSSVM method is demonstrated to be a promising approach in reducing additional design samples and improving computational efficiency with acceptable computational precision. Through the optimum control-based probabilistic optimization for nonlinear dynamic radial turbine casing deformation, the optimum radial deformation is 7.865 × 10−4 m with acceptable reliability degree 0.995 6, which is reduced by 7.86 × 10−5 m relative to that before optimization. These results validate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed T-LSSVM method, which provides a useful insight into casing radial deformation, BTRRC control, and the development of gas turbine with high performance and high reliability.
Parathyroid Adenoma with Prominent Lymphocytic Infiltrate
Authors: Iliadis Alexandros , Koletsa Triantafyllia , Kostopoulos Ioannis , Karayannopoulou Georgia
Published: February 2015

Only very few previously reported cases of pronounced lymphocytic infiltration in parathyroid adenoma can be found in the English medical literature. The objective of this report is to present such a rare case and to investigate to a certain extent the immunohistochemical profile of this rare histologic observation. The lymphoid cell population within the tumour was composed of nodule-forming B-cells and different subsets of infiltrating T-cells and caused minimal destruction of neoplastic tissue.
Effects of Metamaterial Slabs Applied to Wireless Power Transfer at 13.56 MHz
Authors: Kim Gunyoung , Oh Taek-Kyu , Lee Bomson
Published: February 2015

This paper analyzes the effects of a metamaterial slab (or a practical “perfect lens”) with negative permeability applied to a two loop magnetically coupled wireless power transfer (WPT) system at 13.56 MHz, based on theory, full-wave electromagnetic- (EM-) simulations, and measurements. When using lossless slabs with ideal negative permeability in EM-simulations, the WPT efficiencies have been found to be enhanced close to 100% due to the magnetic field focusing. For the case of using a realistic slab made of ring resonators (RR)μr=-1-j0.23withs/d=0.5(s: slab width,d: distance between the transmitting and receiving loops), the WPT efficiency has been found to significantly decrease to about 20%, even lower than that of a free space case (32%) due to the heavy power absorption in the slab. However, some efficiency enhancement can be achieved whens/dis optimized between 0.1 and 0.3. Overall, the significant enhancement of efficiencies when using a lossless slab becomes moderate or only marginal when employing a realistic slab.
Influenza and Pregnancy: A Review of the Literature from India
Authors: Bhalerao-Gandhi Ashwini , Chhabra Pankdeep , Arya Saurabh , Simmerman James Mark
Published: February 2015

Maternal influenza infection is known to cause substantial morbidity and mortality among pregnant women and young children. Many professional healthcare bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) have identified pregnant women as a priority risk group for receipt of inactivated seasonal influenza vaccination. However influenza prevention in this group is not yet a public health priority in India. This literature review was undertaken to examine the Indian studies of influenza among pregnant women. Eight Indian studies describing influenza burden and/or outcomes among pregnant women with influenza were identified. In most studies, influenza A (pH1N1) was associated with increased maternal mortality (25–75%), greater disease severity, and adverse fetal outcomes as compared to nonpregnant women. Surveillance for seasonal influenza infections along with higher quality prospective studies among pregnant women is needed to quantify disease burden, improve awareness among antenatal care providers, and formulate antenatal influenza vaccine policies.
Induced Resistance in Solanum lycopersicum by Algal Elicitor Extracted from Sargassum fusiforme
Authors: Sbaihat Layth , Takeyama Keiko , Koga Takeharu , Takemoto Daigo , Kawakita Kazuhito
Published: February 2015

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) production relies heavily on the use of chemical pesticides, which is undesired by health‐ and environment‐concerned consumers. Environment‐friendly methods of controlling tomato diseases include agroecological practices, organic fungicides, and biological control. Plants’ resistance against pathogens is induced by applying agents called elicitors to the plants and would lead to disease prevention or reduced severity. We investigated the ability of a novel elicitor extracted from the brown sea algae (Sargassum fusiforme) to elicit induced resistance in tomato. The studied elicitor induced hypersensitive cell death and production in tomato tissues. It significantly reduced severities of late blight, grey mold, and powdery mildew of tomato. Taken together, our novel elicitor has not shown any direct antifungal activity against the studied pathogens, concluding that it is an elicitor of induced resistance.
Separated Pitch Control at Tip: Innovative Blade Design Explorations for Large MW Wind Turbine Blades
Authors: Agarwala Ranjeet , Ro Paul I.
Published: February 2015

This paper focuses on the deployment and evaluation of a separated pitch control at blade tip (SePCaT) control strategy for large megawatt (MW) wind turbine blade and explorations of innovative blade designs as a result of such deployment. SePCaT configurations varied from five to thirty percent of the blade length in 5 percentage increments (SePCaT5, SePCaT10, SePCaT15, SePCaT20, SePCaT25, and SePCaT30) are evaluated by comparing them to aerodynamical responses of the traditional blade. For low, moderate, high, and extreme wind speed variations treated as 10, 20, 30, and 40 percent of reference wind speeds, rotor power abatement in region 3 of the wind speed power curve is realized by feathering full length blade by 6, 9, 12, and 14 degrees, respectively. Feathering SePCaT30, SePCaT25, SePCaT20, and SePCaT15 by 14, 16, 26, and 30 degrees, respectively, achieves the same power abatement results when compared to traditional blade at low wind speeds. Feathering SePCaT30, SePCaT25, and SePCaT20 by 18, 26, and 30 degrees on the other hand has the same effect at high wind speeds. SePCaT30 feathered to 26 and 30 degrees has the same abatement effects when compared to traditional blade at high and extreme wind speeds.
An EPQ Model for Deteriorating Production System and Items with Rework
Authors: Li N. , Chan Felix T. S. , Chung S. H. , Tai Allen H.
Published: February 2015

This paper investigates the economic production quantity model jointly considering product deterioration and a deteriorating production system with rework. In this imperfect deteriorating production system, not only does the machine produce defective product but also the machine is subjected to quality deterioration. To be more specific, the defective rate increases at certain time intervals. The defects produced are stored until the end of normal production process. Then they are reworked with extra cost to restore their quality and regarded as perfect product. The main objective is to minimize the total cost per unit product by determining the optimal combination of production run time and backlog quantity. Numerical experiments are carried out to illustrate the behavior of the inventory and show the impact of different parameters on the model. Discussion and conclusions are made at the end of the paper.
Immersive Technology and the Elderly: A Mini-Review
Authors: Shelton Brett E. , Uz Cigdem
Published: February 2015

Technologies that provide immersive experiences continue to become more ubiquitous across all age groups. This paper presents a review of the literature to provide a snapshot of the current state of research involving the use of immersive technologies and the elderly. A narrative literature review was conducted using the ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, Springerlink and ERIC databases to summarize primary studies from which conclusions were drawn into a holistic interpretation. The majority of the studies examined the effect of immersive technologies on elder peoples' age-related declines, including sensory and motor changes (vision, hearing, motor skills), cognitive changes and social changes. Various immersive technologies have been described and tested to address these age-related changes, and have been categorized as ‘games and simulations', ‘robotics' and ‘social technologies'. In most cases, promising results were found for immersive technologies to challenge age-related declines, especially through the increase of morale.
Constitutional Study of Parkinson's Disease Patients Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine Pattern Differentiation
Authors: Li Jing-Jing , Chua Ka-Kit , Li Min
Published: February 2015

Objectives: It was the aim of this study to determine whether (1) Parkinson's disease (PD) patients can be divided into different traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutions based on the 44-item Traditional Chinese Medical Constitutional Scale and Classification (TCM-CSC, Chinese version, 中醫體質及分型量表), (2) whether levodopa usage correlates with the TCM classification type, and (3) whether there is a difference in the mean daily intake of levodopa between males and females in any of the constitutional types. Methods: PD patients who had visited the TCM clinic of the Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) or who had attended the PD public talks organized by HKBU and the Association of Parkinson's Disease in Hong Kong were invited for interviews with TCM assessors. The TCM-CSC (Chinese version) was used in the assessment to divide patients into four different constitutions: the balanced constitution (type A), the yang-deficiency constitution (type B), the yin-deficiency constitution (type C) and the stasis constitution (type D). Results: Sixty-three patients (29 males, 34 females; mean age 63.65 ± 8.116 years; mean PD duration 5.49 ± 4.544 years) participated in the study. Sixteen PD patients (26%) had only one type of TCM constitution, while 47 PD patients (74%) had more than one type of TCM constitution. Type D patients showed the lowest intake of daily levodopa. There was no significant difference in the mean daily intake of levodopa between males and females in any of the constitutional types. Conclusions: (1) PD patients cannot be divided into different constitutional types based on the TCM-CSC effectively. (2) In general, levodopa usage does not correlate with the constitutional type; however, patients with the stasis constitution (type D) showed the lowest levodopa intake compared to the other constitutions. (3) There was no significant difference in the mean daily intake of levodopa between males and females. Further research on the treatment pattern of different TCM constitutions, using large samples, is warranted.
Patterns of Psychological Adaptation to Spousal Bereavement in Old Age
Authors: Spahni Stefanie , Morselli Davide , Perrig-Chiello Pasqualina , Bennett Kate Mary
Published: February 2015

Background: While the negative effects of spousal bereavement on well-being are well documented in empirical research, the large individual differences in psychological adaptation are still not well understood. Objective: This contribution aims to identify patterns of psychological adaptation to spousal loss in old age and to shed light on the role of intra- and interpersonal resources and contextual factors as discriminant variables among these patterns. Methods: The data stem from a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 402 widowed individuals (228 women, 174 men) aged between 60 and 89 years (mean age 74.41 years), who lost their partner within the last 5 years, and 618 married individuals, who served as controls (312 women, 306 men; mean age 73.82 years). Results: The exploratory latent profile analysis of the well-being outcomes of depressive symptoms, hopelessness, loneliness, life satisfaction and subjective health revealed three different groups in the widowed sample: ‘resilients' (54% of the sample), ‘copers' (39%) and ‘vulnerables' (7%). The most important variables for group allocation were intrapersonal resources - psychological resilience and the Big Five personality traits - but also the quality of the former relationship and how the loss was experienced. Conclusion: Successful adaptation to spousal loss is primarily associated with high scores in psychological resilience and extraversion and low scores in neuroticism. Our results shed light on the variability in psychological adaptation and underline the important role of intrapersonal resources in facing spousal loss in old age.
The Prevalence of Peripheral and Central Hearing Impairment and Its Relation to Cognition in Older Adults
Authors: Quaranta Nicola , Coppola Francesco , Casulli Mara , Barulli Orietta , Lanza Francesco , Tortelli Rosanna , Capozzo Rosa , Leo Antonio , Tursi Marianna , Grasso Alessandra , Solfrizzi Vincenzo , Sobbà C. , Logroscino Giancarlo
Published: February 2015

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) and dementia are two highly prevalent conditions in the adult population. Recent studies have suggested that hearing loss is independently associated with poorer cognitive functioning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ARHL and cognitive impairment in a large sample of subjects older than 65 years and to correlate hearing function with cognitive function. A total of 488 subjects older than 65 years (mean age 72.8 years) participating in the Great Age Study underwent a complete audiological, neurological and neuropsychological evaluation as part of a multidisciplinary assessment. The prevalence of a hearing loss greater than 25 dB HL was 64.1%, of Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) was 14.3 and 25.3% of the subjects reported a hearing handicap as reported on the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly Screening Version questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis corrected for gender, age and education duration showed that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was significantly associated with hearing impairment (CAPD and hearing threshold; odds ratio 1.6, p = 0.05) and that Alzheimer's disease (AD) was significantly associated with CAPD (odds ratio 4.2, p = 0.05). Given that up to 80% of patients affected by MCI convert to AD, adding auditory tests to a screening cognitive battery might have value in the early diagnosis of cognitive decline.
Cochlear Implantation in the Elderly
Authors: Skarzynski Piotr H. , Olszewski Lukasz , Lorens Artur , Wlodarczyk Andrzej W. , Skarzynski Henryk
Published: February 2015

Hearing disorders become an increasingly important issue that influences quality of life and many other economic factors. Due to the prolongation of human life and the more active lifestyles of people in retirement age, there is an increasing requirement for the available treatment options of hearing loss in the aging population. The aim of this study was to compare the hearing preservation outcomes of adult patients implanted with the Cochlear™ Nucleus® CI422 when divided into two groups by age, younger and older than 65 years of age. The study cohort consisted of 62 patients implanted from January 2011 through December 2013 at our clinic. All patients were assessed and classified according to the hearing preservation classification. Comparing the results between subgroups, we observed that the degree of hearing preservation was greater in younger adults than in older adults. Results of this review may suggest that deeper insertion is to be recommended for an older population of cochlear implant recipients.
A Case of Disease Improvement after Treatment with Everolimus plus Exemestane in a Patient with Hormone Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer with Bone Metastases
Authors: Beck J. Thaddeus , Mantooth Ryan
Published: February 2015

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and a leading cause of death in women worldwide. Despite significant advances in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, tumor metastasis occurs frequently and is associated with poor long-term prognosis. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a central role in cancer cell growth, proliferation, and resistance to endocrine therapies. Therefore, mTOR inhibitors such as everolimus in combination with nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors might reverse endocrine resistance and improve clinical outcomes in patients. Here, we report on a case of infiltrating lobular carcinoma of the breast with metastases to the bone. Histopathologic analysis showed that the patient was estrogen and progesterone receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor-2 negative. This case represents the clinical spectrum of complications caused by metastasis: the patient experienced a considerable amount of skeletal-related complications, had previously received chemotherapy, and experienced disease progression while taking nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors. After treatment with oral everolimus 10 mg daily plus oral exemestane 25 mg daily, the patient's disease was ameliorated. Combination therapy was well tolerated, with minimal adverse effects that were manageable with concomitant medications. Although further analyses in larger populations are necessary, the addition of everolimus to exemestane might provide an effective new treatment option for patients with bone metastasis.