bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Content-Aware Fast Motion Estimation Algorithm for IoT Based Multimedia Service
Authors: Ryong-Baek  , Jang Kyung-Soon , Nam Jae-Hyun , Kim Byung-Gyu
Published: November 2015

Various applications based on IoT real-time multimedia are under the spotlight. To implement real-time multimedia service, motion estimation in video compression service has a high computational complexity. In this paper, an efficient motion search method based on content awareness is proposed consisting of three steps. The first step is motion classification using the center position cost distribution. The second step is calculation of a predictor based motion classification. The third step is setting the arm size of the search pattern based on adaptive use of the distance between the predictor and the center position. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves speed-up factors of up to 48.57% and 16.03%, on average, with good bitrate performance, compared with fast integer-pel and fractional-pel motion estimation for H.264/AVC (UMHexagonS), and an enhanced predictive zonal search for single and multiple frame motion estimation (EPZS) methods using JM 18.5, respectively. In addition, the proposed algorithm achieves a speed-up factor of up to 42.61%, on average, with negligible bitrate degradation, compared with the TZ search motion estimation algorithm for the multiview video coding (TZS) method on HM 10.0.
Macular Thickness Assessed with Optical Coherence Tomography in Young Chinese Myopic Patients
Authors: Zhao Minghui , Wu Qiang , Hu Ping , Jia Lili
Published: November 2015

Purpose.To evaluate the variations in macular thickness in young Chinese myopic persons and the association with axial length (AL), spherical equivalence refraction (SE), age, intraocular pressure, and sex.Methods.In total, 133 young Chinese myopic subjects between 18 and 30 years of age were selected. The macular thickness was assessed using third-generation optical coherence tomography. AL, intraocular pressure, and SE were also measured.Results.The mean central foveal thickness was191.1±15.3 µm. The macula was consistently thinner in women than in men. Central foveal thickness had a significant positive correlation with AL and a negative correlation with SE. In the inner and outer regions, the macular thickness had a positive correlation with SE and negative correlation with AL.Conclusions.The retina was thinner in women than in men. Associated with myopic progression and AL extension, the central foveal thickness increased, while the retinal thickness of the inner and outer regions decreased.
Nutritional Quality Characteristics of Different Types of Guangdong-Style Mooncakes
Authors: Yang Chunying , Liu Xueming , Chen Zhiyi , Lin Yaosheng , Zhao Xiaoli , Yang Rongling
Published: November 2015

This study was designed to clarify nutritional characteristics of Guangdong-style mooncakes. Proximate composition, fatty acid profile, and the cholesterol content of Guangdong-style mooncake types (DYLP, SYLP, LP, BP, FF, and FK) were analyzed and their energy was calculated. Guangdong-style mooncakes contained 15.96~19.16% moisture, 32.06∼43.12% total reducing sugar, 5.35∼9.06% protein, and 3.72∼18.74% crude fat and could provide 930.52~1403.30 kJ/100 g of energy excluding starch. FK mooncake had the lowest moisture, and LP, BP, and FF mooncakes contained high levels of reducing sugar. The main soluble sugars in Guangdong-style mooncakes were sucrose, glucose, and fructose. The fat content order was as follows: DYLP > SYLP > FK > BP > LP > FF, where DYLP contained 18.74% fat while FF only contained 3.72%. Dominating fatty acids in Guangdong-style mooncakes were C18:1 and C18:2. Cholesterol was mainly found in yolk-type mooncakes. FK mooncake had the highest protein content (9.06%). Guangdong-style mooncakes are high in moisture and sugar, but not always high in fat.
Lowering the Technical Threshold for Organizers to Create and Deliver Mobile Crowd Sensing Applications
Authors: Wang Jiangtao , Wang Yasha , He Yuanduo
Published: November 2015

In order to lower the technical threshold for creating and delivering Mobile Crowd Sensing Applications (MCSAs), several frameworks or toolkits have been developed, but they either fail to provide general support or still require relatively professional software development skills. Besides, the application delivery to the participants is not precise enough, because they only consider the constraints predefined by the organizers without taking the participant-side factors into account. In this paper, we propose a prototype toolkit for the organizers without software development skills to build MCSA in a rather quick and simple way. First, in terms of the application creation, it enables organizers to build MCSA by just doing some simple settings, which totally eliminates the requirement of programming skills. Second, in terms of the application delivery, it selects participants who are more likely to accept the created applications by mining their participation history. Finally, we demonstrate the expressiveness and usability for the application creation and evaluate the effectiveness of the willingness-based participant selection algorithm for the application delivery.
Mathematical Modeling of Oscillating Water Columns Wave-Structure Interaction in Ocean Energy Plants
Authors: Garrido Aitor J. , Otaola Erlantz , Garrido Izaskun , Lekube Jon , Maseda Francisco J. , Liria Pedro , Mader Julien
Published: November 2015

Oscillating Water Column (OWC)-based power take-off systems are one of the potential solutions to the current energy problems arising from the use of nuclear fission and the consumption of fossil fuels. This kind of energy converter turns wave energy into electric power by means of three different stages: firstly wave energy is transformed into pneumatic energy in the OWC chamber, and then a turbine turns it into mechanical energy and finally the turbogenerator module attached to the turbine creates electric power from the rotational mechanical energy. To date, capture chambers have been the least studied part. In this context, this paper presents an analytical model describing the dynamic behavior of the capture chamber, encompassing the wave motion and its interaction with the OWC structure and turbogenerator module. The model is tested for the case of the Mutriku wave power plant by means of experimental results. For this purpose, representative case studies are selected from wave and pressure drop input-output data. The results show an excellent matching rate between the values predicted by the model and the experimental measured data with a small bounded error in all cases, so that the validity of the proposed model is proven.
Experimental Study and Stabilization Mechanisms of Silica Nanoparticles Based Brine Mud with High Temperature Resistance for Horizontal Shale Gas Wells
Authors: Yang Xian-yu , Yue Ye , Cai Ji-hua , Liu Yue , Wu Xiao-ming
Published: November 2015

Previous studies showed that silica nanoparticles based fresh water drilling muds had good thermal stability up to 160°C; however its performance at high salt concentration was rather poor. Therefore, high performance silica nanoparticles based brine mud (NPBMs) with high temperature resistance for horizontal shale gas wells was proposed. Thermal stability tests from ambient temperature to 180°C, along with pressure transmission tests and rheology analysis, were performed to evaluate comprehensive properties of the NPBMs. Results show that the NPBMs embody excellent salt tolerance and thermal resistance for their rheological parameters did not suffer significant fluctuation. Fluid loss of the NPBM‐1 (4% NaCl plus 3% KCl) at 180°C was only 7.6 mL while the NPBM‐2 (10% NaCl plus 3% KCl) had a fluid loss of 6.6 mL at 150°C. Low water activity and good lubricity of the NPBMs were beneficial to improve wellbore stability and reduce friction resistance. Pressure transmission tests on the NPBM‐1 show that it can mitigate or even prevent the transmission of drilling mud pressure into shale thus improving wellbore stability. Additionally, optimal rheological models for the NPBM‐1 and the NPBM‐2 were Herschel‐Bulkley model and Power Law model separately.
Doppler Estimation Based on Frequency Average and Remodulation for Underwater Acoustic Communication
Authors: Hwang Chan-Ho , Kim Ki-Man , Chun Seung-Yong , Lee Sang-Kook
Published: November 2015

Underwater acoustic communication channel is time varying and has Doppler effect due to wind, sea surface roughness, and platform motion. We have to recognize the changing channel state and apply it to communication technique for increasing transmission efficiency in the underwater acoustic channel. In this paper, we propose more reliable Doppler estimation method based on frequency average and remodulation. We conducted the simulation and sea trial to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. When the channel coding technique was not applied, the uncoded bit error rate performance of the proposed method was improved about maximum 50.3% compared with conventional method.
Ischemic Colitis Caused by Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump Counterpulsation
Authors: El-Halawany H. , Bajwa A. , Shobassy M. , Qureini A. , Chhabra R.
Published: November 2015

Intra-aortic balloon pump counterpulsation (IABP) has been shown to prolong life in critically ill cardiac patients. However, complications including distal emboli, balloon rupture, bleeding, limb loss, and bowel ischemia continue to be associated with them. We present a case of a 56-year-old male who suffered bowel ischemia as a result of a malpositioned IABP. While the benefit of such devices in critically ill patients is not disputed, patients as well as clinicians should be aware of the potential side effects and patients undergoing IABP placement should be monitored for complications.
A Novel Nitronyl Nitroxide with Salicylic Acid Framework Attenuates Pain Hypersensitivity and Ectopic Neuronal Discharges in Radicular Low Back Pain
Authors: Han Wen-Juan , Chen Lei , Wang Hai-Bo , Liu Xiang-Zeng , Hu San-Jue , Sun Xiao-Li , Luo Ceng
Published: November 2015

Evidence has accumulated that reactive oxygen species and inflammation play crucial roles in the development of chronic pain, including radicular low back pain. Nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, salicylic acid, aspirin, provided analgesic effects in various types of pain. However, long-term use of these drugs causes unwanted side effects, which limits their implication. Stable nitronyl (NIT) nitroxide radicals have been extensively studied as a unique and interesting class of new antioxidants for protection against oxidative damage. The present study synthesized a novel NIT nitroxide radical with salicylic acid framework (SANR) to provide synergistic effect of both antioxidation and antiinflammation. We demonstrated for the first time that both acute and repeated SANR treatment exerted dramatic analgesic effect in radicular low back pain mimicked by chronic compression of dorsal root ganglion in rats. This analgesic potency was more potent than that produced by classical NSAIDs aspirin and traditional nitroxide radical Tempol alone. Furthermore, SANR-induced behavioral analgesia is found to be mediated, at least in partial, by a reduction of ectopic spontaneous discharges in injured DRG neurons. Therefore, the synthesized NIT nitroxide radical coupling with salicylic acid framework may represent a novel potential therapeutic candidate for treatment of chronic pain, including radicular low back pain.
Removal of Indigo Carmine Dye from Aqueous Solution Using Magnesium Hydroxide as an Adsorbent
Authors: Ramesh Thimmasandra Narayan , Pavagada Sreenivasa Vani
Published: November 2015

Magnesium hydroxide is used as an adsorbent for the removal of indigo carmine dye from aqueous solution. We have investigated the effectiveness of removal of indigo carmine dye from aqueous solutions at pH 6-7 and 12-13 using magnesium hydroxide thereby varying the dose of the adsorbent, concentration of the dye, duration, and temperature. Structural transformations of adsorbent during the adsorption process at different pH values are monitored using powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Different types of adsorption isotherm models were evaluated and it was found that Langmuir isotherm fits well at both pH values (6-7 and 12-13). Adsorption of indigo carmine onto magnesium hydroxide at pH 6-7/pH 12-13 follows pseudo-second order rate kinetics.
Nanoparticle Probes for Structural and Functional Photoacoustic Molecular Tomography
Authors: Chen Haobin , Yuan Zhen , Wu Changfeng
Published: November 2015

Nowadays, nanoparticle probes have received extensive attention largely due to its potential biomedical applications in structural, functional, and molecular imaging. In addition, photoacoustic tomography (PAT), a method based on the photoacoustic effect, is widely recognized as a robust modality to evaluate the structure and function of biological tissues with high optical contrast and high acoustic resolution. The combination of PAT with nanoparticle probes holds promises for detecting and imaging diseased tissues or monitoring their treatments with high sensitivity. This review will introduce the recent advances in the emerging field of nanoparticle probes and their preclinical applications in PAT, as well as relevant perspectives on future development.
Wear and Corrosion of Cast Al Alloy Piston with and without Brake Oil
Authors: Ajibola Olawale Olarewaju , Oloruntoba Daniel Toyin
Published: November 2015

The effects of wear and corrosion of cast AA6061 aluminium alloy were studied with and without brake fluid using a wear jig while the corrosion rate was determined in brake fluid for 70 days under two experimental set-ups. The tests, yielded 0.00000123 g/mm2/min highest wear rate at 147000 wear cycles and 0.0334 mg/mm2/yr as the highest corrosion rate within the early 39th day of immersion in oil, the values being considered comparatively lower than those obtained for Al alloy in most common wet abrasion test and corrosion in aqueous solutions as previously reported in literature. The material loss rates to wear and corrosion were determined from the equations relating to wear and corrosion based on the ASTM designations. The results show that the combined actions of wear and corrosion contribute to the total loss of piston material immersed in brake oil. This is greater than either of their effects individually on cast Al alloy in the brake oil.
HTLV‐1‐Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis Is Not Associated with SNP rs12979860 of the IL‐28B Gene
Authors: Vallinoto Antonio C. R. , Santana Bárbara Brasil , Sá Keyla S. G. , Ferreira Tuane C. S. , Sousa Rita Catarina M. , Azevedo Vânia N. , Feitosa Rosimar N. M. , Machado Luiz Fernando A. , Ishak Marluísa O. G. , Ishak Ricardo
Published: November 2015

The present study investigated the association between the rs12979860 polymorphism in the IL‐28B gene and HTLV‐1 infection as well as the development of HTLV‐1‐associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HTLV‐1‐infected patients (26 HAM/TSP symptomatic and 53 asymptomatic) and 300 seronegative healthy controls were investigated. Plasma levels of the cytokines TNF‐α, TNF‐β, IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐6, and IFN‐γ from infected patients were measured using an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The HTLV proviral load was measured using a real‐time PCR assay, and T‐cell subset counts were determined by flow cytometry. Real‐time PCR was used to genotype the rs12979860 SNP. The allelic and genotypic distributions displayed no significant differences among the investigated groups. No significant association between the serum cytokine levels and the presence of the rs12979860 SNP in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects was observed. A positive correlation (p = 0.0015) between TNF‐β and IFN‐γ was observed in the asymptomatic group, but a positive correlation was only observed (p = 0.0180) between TNF‐α and IL‐6 in the HAM/TSP group. The proviral load was significantly higher in HAM/TSP patients than in asymptomatic subjects. The present results do not support a previous report indicating an association between the SNP rs12979860 and HAM/TSP outcome.
Rotor-System Log-Decrement Identification Using Short-Time Fourier-Transform Filter
Authors: Li Qihang , Wang Weimin , Chen Lifang , Sun Dan
Published: November 2015

With the increase of the centrifugal compressor capability, such as large scale LNG and CO2reinjection, the stability margin evaluation is crucial to assure the compressor work in the designed operating conditions in field. Improving the precision of parameter identification of stability is essential and necessary as well. Based on the time-varying characteristics of response vibration during the sine-swept process, a short-time Fourier transform (STFT) filter was introduced to increase the signal-noise ratio and improve the accuracy of the estimated stability parameters. A finite element model was established to simulate the sine-swept process, and the simulated vibration signals were used to study the filtering effect and demonstrate the feasibility to identify the stability parameters by using Multiple-Input and Multiple-Output system identification method that combines the prediction error method and instrumental variable method. Simulation results show that the identification method with STFT filter improves the estimated accuracy much well and makes the curves of frequency response function clearer. Experiment was carried out on a test rig as well, which indicates the identification method is feasible in stability identification, and the results of experiment indicate that STFT filter works very well.
Silver‐Nanoparticle‐Based Screen‐Printing and Film Characterization of a Disposable, Dual‐Band, Bandstop Filter on a Flexible Polyethylene Terephthalate Substrate
Authors: Adhikari Kishor Kumar , Jung Younsu , Park Hyejin , Cho Gyoujin , Kim Nam-Young
Published: November 2015

This paper presents a silver‐nanoparticle‐based, screen‐printed, high‐performance, dual‐band, bandstop filter (DBBSF) on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. Using screen‐printing techniques to process a highly viscous silver printing ink, high‐conductivity printed lines were implemented at a web transfer speed of 5 m/min. Characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the printed lines were shown to be characterized by smooth surfaces with a root mean square roughness of 7.986 nm; a significantly higher thickness (12.2 μm) than the skin depth; and a high conductivity of 2 × 107 S/m. These excellent printed line characteristics enabled the implementation of a high‐selectivity DBBSF using shunt‐connected uniform impedance resonators (UIRs). Additionally, the inductive loading effect of T‐shaped stubs on the UIRs, which were analyzed using S‐parameters based on lumped parameter calculations, was used to improve the return losses of the geometrically optimized DBBSF. The measured minimum return loss and maximum insertion loss of 28.26 and 1.58 dB, respectively, at the central frequencies of 2.56 and 5.29 GHz of a protocol screen‐printed DBBSF demonstrated the excellent performance of the material and its significant potential for use in future cost‐effective, flexible WiMax and WLAN applications.
Simultaneous Pose and Correspondence Estimation Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yang Haiwei , Wang Fei , Li Zhe , Dong Hang
Published: November 2015

Although several algorithms have been presented to solve the simultaneous pose and correspondence estimation problem, the correct solution may not be reached to with the traditional random-start initialization method. In this paper, we derive a novel method which estimates the initial value based on genetic algorithm, considering the influences of different initial guesses comprehensively. First, a set of random initial guesses is generated as candidate solutions. Second, the assignment matrix and the perspective projection error are computed for each candidate solution. And then each individual is modified (selection, crossover, and mutation) in current iterative process. Finally, the fittest individual is stochastically selected from the final population. With the presented initialization method, the proper initial guess could be first calculated and then the simultaneous pose and correspondence estimation problem could be solved easily. Simulation results with synthetic data and experiments on real images prove the effectiveness and robustness of our proposed method.
Green Synthesis of CuInS2/ZnS Nanocrystals with High Photoluminescence and Stability
Authors: Fu Min , Luan Weiling , Tu Shan-Tung , Mleczko Leslaw
Published: November 2015

Highly photoluminescent core/shell CuInS2/ZnS (CIS/ZnS) nanocrystals were synthesized. Zinc acetate and dodecanethiol in octadecene solvent were used for shell growth. The structure and composition of QDs were investigated with inductively coupled plasma‐optical emission spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The crystal phase of CIS was tetragonal chalcopyrite. Based on X‐ray diffraction analysis, it has been concluded that the growth of the ZnS shell did not affect the phase structure of CuInS2 (CIS). Photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) of CIS increased to 80% after epitaxial growth of ZnS, and the PL emission wavelength can be feasibly tuned to be in the range of 560–710 nm by adjusting shell growth time. The superb photostability with high PL QY of CIS/ZnS nanocrystals is ascribed to the gradient of the chemical composition that has been formed between the core and the shell.
Device-Free Mobile Target Tracking Using Passive Tags
Authors: Ding Han , Xi Min , Li Zhe , Zhao Jizhong
Published: November 2015

We propose a low-cost device-free mobile target tracking system using passive tags, namely, DTrack, to detect and track a human object in a certain surveillance area. The idea is that when a human object moves, he may block or reflect the RF signals between the reader and tags. Based on the estimation of Doppler Shift and Tag Read Rate variations, DTrack can detect whether a human object enters in the system and further track the moving direction of the object. DTrack uses commercial readers and off-the-shelf passive tags and is scalable and easy for large-scale deployments. Experimental results show that our system is effective in detecting the direction of moving human objects with high accuracy.
Underwater Sensor Network Applications: A Comprehensive Survey
Authors: Felemban Emad , Shaikh Faisal Karim , Qureshi Umair Mujtaba , Sheikh Adil A. , Qaisar Saad Bin
Published: November 2015

There is no escaping fact that a huge amount of unexploited resources lies underwater which covers almost 70% of the Earth. Yet, the aquatic world has mainly been unaffected by the recent advances in the area of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) and their pervasive penetration in modern day research and industrial development. The current pace of research in the area of underwater sensor networks (UWSNs) is slow due to the difficulties arising in transferring the state-of-the-art WSNs to their underwater equivalent. Maximum underwater deployments rely on acoustics for enabling communication combined with special sensors having the capacity to take on harsh environment of the oceans. However, sensing and subsequent transmission tend to vary as per different subsea environments; for example, deep sea exploration requires altogether a different approach for communication as compared to shallow water communication. This paper particularly focuses on comprehensively gathering most recent developments in UWSN applications and their deployments. We have classified the underwater applications into five main classes, namely, monitoring, disaster, military, navigation, and sports, to cover the large spectrum of UWSN. The applications are further divided into relevant subclasses. We have also shown the challenges and opportunities faced by recent deployments of UWSN.
Comparison of Liver Biopsy Findings with the Digestive Disease Week Japan 2004 Scale for Diagnosis of Drug‐Induced Liver Injury
Authors: Tsutsui Akemi , Nakanuma Yasuni , Takaguchi Kouichi , Nakamura Satoko , Shibata Hiroshi , Baba Nobuyuki , Senoh Tomonori , Nagano Takuya , Ikeda Hiroko
Published: November 2015

The liver biopsy remains a valuable tool in the diagnosis of drug‐induced liver injury (DILI). The Digestive Disease Week Japan 2004 (DDW‐J) scale proposed as an objective tool for the diagnosis of DILI has been widely used in Japan. So far, the histological features have not been compared with DDW‐J scale in detail. Herein, we examined the correlation between liver biopsy findings and clinical features, particularly DDW‐J scales. A total of 80 patients with liver injuries of unknown cause were enrolled. Based on the histological findings, these cases were categorized into 3 groups: A (DILI was strongly suspected), B (DILI was suspected), and C (DILI should be considered in the differential diagnosis). Histological groups and DDW‐J scale were moderately correlated (κ = 0.60). The mean total DDW‐J scale scores were as follows: 4.89 for A, 3.26 for B, and 0.75 for C (p < 0.05). While hepatocellular type was coincided in a majority of cases by histological and DDW‐J scale evaluation, cholestatic type was not well coincided. In conclusion, biopsy findings and DDW‐J scale were well correlated, and the hepatocellular type of liver injuries was well coincided by both evaluations, though there were several discrepant cases, particularly in cholestatic type.
Tracking and Repairing Damaged Healthcare Databases Using the Matrix
Authors: Kaddoura Sanaa , Haraty Ramzi A. , Zekri Ahmed , Masud Mehedi
Published: November 2015

In a distributed mobile e-health care system, e-health service providers exchange data on the fly in response to user queries without any centralized control. Local databases in e-health service providers might be intercepted during the exchange of data and read by intruders; and malicious transactions may damage data that is highly confidential. In this case any centralized control for securing data cannot be assumed to protect confidential data. Therefore, securing health information from malicious attacks has become a major concern. Although prevention techniques are available, the history of system break-ins guarantees that there is no foolproof technique that totally eliminates security loopholes in a computer system. Hence, efficient damage assessment and recovery techniques are needed. Traditional methods require scanning the entire log from the point of attack to the end which is a slow procedure. In this paper, we present an efficient damage assessment and recovery algorithm to recover the database from malicious transactions. The algorithm is based on data dependency and uses a single matrix. The results of this work prove that our algorithm performs better than the other algorithms in both the damage assessment and the recovery stages.
Design of Building Energy Autonomous Control System with the Intelligent Object Energy Chain Mechanism Based on Energy-IoT
Authors: Park Sangmin , Park Sanguk , Byun Jinsung , Yu Yeong , Park Sehyun
Published: November 2015

The development of the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies has enabled smart objects to communicate with each other, and various IoT methods and techniques have appeared accordingly. At this point in time, there is a growing need for big data-based energy-IoT technology that can reduce energy consumption. However, despite the emergence of these technologies for IoT, there is still a lack of control systems to surmount the energy efficiency problem of hyperconnected IoT applications. In this paper, we attempt to reduce energy consumption by automatically controlling the communication between each device by establishing three different energy-IoT-based chains regarding the relationship of connections between devices.
Usefulness of Implantation of Diffractive Multifocal Intraocular Lens in Eyes with Long Axial Lengths
Authors: Ogawa Tomoichiro , Shiba Takuya , Tsuneoka Hiroshi
Published: November 2015

Purpose. This study retrospectively analyzed the postoperative visual functions of myopic eyes implanted with multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) to evaluate the efficacy of multifocal IOL in highly myopic eyes.Methods. We studied 61 patients (96 eyes) who were implanted with multifocal IOL ZMA00 or ZMB00 (Abbott Medical Optics). The patients were stratified into two groups by axial length: 26 mm or above (AL≥26group) and below 26 mm (AL<26group). Postoperative corrected and uncorrected distance (5 m) and near (30 cm) visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity, and depth of focus were compared between two groups.Results. In theAL≥26group and theAL<26group, the mean ± standard deviation uncorrected distance logMAR VA at 12-month postoperative follow-up was-0.04±0.11and-0.01±0.14, respectively; and the corrected distance VA was-0.17±0.08and-0.14±0.07, with no significant differences between two groups (p=0.558and 0.101; Mann-WhitneyUtest). For near VA, the corresponding uncorrected VA was0.06±0.08and0.05±0.09; and distance-corrected VA was0.01±0.06and0.01±0.02, with no significant differences between two groups (p=0.572, and 0.157; Mann-WhitneyUtest).Conclusion. The present study demonstrates that it is possible to achieve good uncorrected near and distance VA following implantation of multifocal IOL in eyes with long axial lengths.
Novel Sensor-EnabledEx VivoBioreactor: A New Approach towards Physiological Parameters and Porcine Artery Viability
Authors: Mundargi Raghavendra , Venkataraman Divya , Kumar Saranya , Mogal Vishal , Ortiz Raphael , Loo Joachim , Venkatraman Subbu , Steele Terry
Published: November 2015

The aim of the present work is to design and construct anex vivobioreactor system to assess the real time viability of vascular tissue. Porcine carotid artery as a model tissue was used in theex vivobioreactor setup to monitor its viability under physiological conditions such as oxygen, pressure, temperature, and flow. The real time tissue viability was evaluated by monitoring tissue metabolism through a fluorescent indicator “resorufin.” Ourex vivobioreactor allows real time monitoring of tissue responses along with physiological conditions. Theseex vivoparameters were vital in determining the tissue viability in sensor-enabled bioreactor and our initial investigations suggest that, porcine tissue viability is considerably affected by high shear forces and low oxygen levels. Histological evaluations with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining show intact endothelium with fresh porcine tissue whereas tissues after incubation inex vivobioreactor studies indicate denuded endothelium supporting the viability results from real time measurements. Hence, this novel viability sensor-enabledex vivobioreactor acts as model to mimicin vivosystem and record vascular responses to biopharmaceutical molecules and biomedical devices.
Two-Dimensional FTIR as a Tool to Study the Chemical Interactions within Cellulose-Ionic Liquid Solutions
Authors: Kathirgamanathan Kalyani , Grigsby Warren J. , Al-Hakkak Jafar , Edmonds Neil R.
Published: November 2015

In this study two-dimensional FTIR analysis was applied to understand the temperature effects on processing cellulose solutions in imidazolium-based ionic liquids. Analysis of the imidazolium ionνC2–H peak revealed hydrogen bonding within cellulose solutions to be dynamic on heating and cooling. The extent of hydrogen bonding was stronger on heating, consistent with greater ion mobility at higher temperature when the ionic liquid network structure is broken. At ambient temperatures a blue shiftedνC2–H peak was indicative of greater cation-anion interactions, consistent with the ionic liquid network structure. Both cellulose and water further impact the extent of hydrogen bonding in these solutions. The FTIR spectral changes appeared gradual with temperature and contrast shear induced rheology changes which were observed on heating above 70°C and cooling below 40°C. The influence of cellulose on solution viscosity was not distinguished on initial heating as the ionic liquid network structure dominates rheology behaviour. On cooling, the quantity of cellulose has a greater influence on solution rheology. Outcomes suggest processing cellulose in ionic liquids above 40°C and to reduce the impacts of cation-anion effects and enhance solubilisation, processing should be done at 70°C.
Nonlinear Parameters for Monitoring Gear: Comparison Between Lempel-Ziv, Approximate Entropy, and Sample Entropy Complexity
Authors: Kedadouche Mourad , Thomas Marc , Tahan Antoine , Guilbault Raynald
Published: November 2015

Vibration analysis is the most used technique for defect monitoring failures of industrial gearboxes. Detection and diagnosis of gear defects are thus crucial to avoid catastrophic failures. It is therefore important to detect early fault symptoms. This paper introduces signal processing methods based on approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SampEn), and Lempel-Ziv Complexity (LZC) for detection of gears defects. These methods are based on statistical measurements exploring the regularity of vibratory signals. Applied to gear signals, the parameter selection of ApEn, SampEn, and LZC calculation is first numerically investigated, and appropriate parameters are suggested. Finally, an experimental study is presented to investigate the effectiveness of these indicators and a comparative study with traditional time domain indicators is presented. The results demonstrate that ApEn, SampEn, and LZC provide alternative features for signal processing. A new methodology is presented combining both Kurtosis and LZC for early detection of faults. The results show that this proposed method may be used as an effective tool for early detection of gear faults.
Analyzing the Correlation between the Level of Serum Markers and Ischemic Cerebral Vascular Disease by Multiple Parameters
Authors: Dong Laibin , Hou Rongzhi , Xu Yuxia , Yuan Jiaying , Li Lijun , Zheng Chao , Zhao Hehua
Published: November 2015

Objective.To explore the serum markers associated with ischemic cerebral vascular disease (ICVD) and discuss their diagnostic value.Methods.Two hundred and eighty-eight patients with ICVD and one hundred and eighty healthy persons were enrolled as the case group and the control group, respectively. This paper then carried out the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of their respective levels of serum markers, made combined analysis of related factors, and detected the diagnostic value.Results.Meta-analysis results showed that for ICVD patients the levels of CRP, S-100, TNF-α, HCY, NSE, and IL-6 were higher than those of the healthy persons, while the level of HDL was obviously lower than that of the healthy persons. The multivariate regression analysis indicated that the association between the level of HDL and TNF-αand the occurrence of ICVD was statistically significant (P<0.05). The area under the curves (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of HDL and TNF-αwas 0.916, with sensitivity of 90.91% and specificity of 76.47%.Conclusion.HDL has negative correlation with the occurrence of ICVD, while TNF-αwas positively correlated with it. The combination test of HDL and TNF-αcould raise the accuracy of ICVD diagnosis.
Locality-Aware Task Scheduling and Data Distribution for OpenMP Programs on NUMA Systems and Manycore Processors
Authors: Muddukrishna Ananya , Jonsson Peter A. , Brorsson Mats
Published: November 2015

Performance degradation due to nonuniform data access latencies has worsened on NUMA systems and can now be felt on-chip in manycore processors. Distributing data across NUMA nodes and manycore processor caches is necessary to reduce the impact of nonuniform latencies. However, techniques for distributing data are error-prone and fragile and require low-level architectural knowledge. Existing task scheduling policies favor quick load-balancing at the expense of locality and ignore NUMA node/manycore cache access latencies while scheduling. Locality-aware scheduling, in conjunction with or as a replacement for existing scheduling, is necessary to minimize NUMA effects and sustain performance. We present a data distribution and locality-aware scheduling technique for task-based OpenMP programs executing on NUMA systems and manycore processors. Our technique relieves the programmer from thinking of NUMA system/manycore processor architecture details by delegating data distribution to the runtime system and uses task data dependence information to guide the scheduling of OpenMP tasks to reduce data stall times. We demonstrate our technique on a four-socket AMD Opteron machine with eight NUMA nodes and on the TILEPro64 processor and identify that data distribution and locality-aware task scheduling improve performance up to 69% for scientific benchmarks compared to default policies and yet provide an architecture-oblivious approach for programmers.
Persistence of Bronchial Dysplasia Is Associated with Development of Invasive Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Merrick Daniel T. , Gao Dexiang , Miller York E. , Keith Robert L. , Baron Anna E. , Feser William , Kennedy Timothy C. , Blatchford Patrick J. , Braudrick Sarah , Hirsch Fred R. , Heasley Lynn , Bunn Paul A. , Franklin Wilbur A.
Published: November 2015

Bronchial dysplasia (BD), a presumed precursor of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), rarely progresses to invasive cancer. A high-risk cohort at the University of Colorado provided an opportunity to directly sample airway epithelium at mapped sites on successive bronchoscopies. We have hypothesized that persistent dysplastic lesions showing a similar or higher level of dysplasia on follow-up biopsy, are associated with increased risk for the development of SCC. Endoscopic biopsies from 188 high-risk subjects were histologically classified according to the current WHO classification for BD using a numeric histology score ranging from 1 to 8 representing normal bronchial mucosa through invasive lung cancer. Differences in follow-up histology scores were compared between sites classified by clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical variables. Subjects with a higher frequency of sites that persist or progress to high-grade dysplasia (≥37.5% persist/progress, N = 35 versus <37.5% persist/progress, N = 114) show a significant association with development of incident invasive SCC (adjusted HR, 7.84; 95% confidence interval, 1.56–39.39), and those with incident lung SCC have adjusted mean follow-up histology scores 1.55 U higher than in subjects without lung cancer. Current smoking, elevated Ki67 growth fraction, histologic features of angiogenic squamous dysplasia (ASD) and higher histology score in baseline biopsies are significantly associated with increased follow-up histology scores. These results show that persistent BD is associated with the development of invasive SCC. Furthermore, increased expression of Ki67, the presence of angiogenic change and degree of baseline atypia are associated with persistence of BD. Cancer Prev Res; 9(1); 96–104. ©2015 AACR.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Increased Risk of Bladder Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhang Hui , Wen Xiuhua , Zhang Yonggang , Wei Xueli , Liu Taiyang
Published: November 2015

Background/Aims: Vitamin D status in relation to bladder carcinoma risk was still inconsistent. This study was carried out to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and bladder carcinoma risk through a meta-analysis approach. Methods: Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Embase were searched systemically to find eligible studies from the earliest available date to April 16, 2015. The search terms “vitamin D”, “25-hydroxyvitamin D”, “bladder cancer” or “bladder carcinoma” were used to retrieve relevant studies. The exposure of interest was intake of vitamin D or serum vitamin D levels, and the outcome of interest was bladder carcinoma incidence or mortality. The pooled risk ratio (RR) values and their 95%CIs were calculated through meta-analysis. Results: Seven studies with a total of 62,141 participants met the inclusion criteria and were finally included into the meta-analysis. There was no heterogeneity among those included studies (I2 = 0%, P = 0.53). The pooled RR of bladder carcinoma for the lowest category versus the highest category of vitamin D was 1.34 (95% CI 1.17-1.53, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis by omitting one study by turns showed all the pooled RRs were statistically significant. Meta-analysis of 5 studies reporting outcomes of serum vitamin D levels also showed that the low serum vitamin D level was associated with increased risk of bladder carcinoma (RR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.15-1.52, P = 0.0001). No obvious risk of publication bias was observed. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of bladder carcinoma in present study.
Ciclopirox 8% HPCH Nail Lacquer in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Onychomycosis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Amorolfine Controlled Study Using a Blinded Evaluator
Authors: Iorizzo Matilde , Hartmane Ilona , Derveniece Andra , Mikazans Ingmars
Published: November 2015

This was a randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial with a blinded evaluator, designed to compare the efficacy and safety of the nail lacquer P-3051 with amorolfine 5% in the treatment of mild-to-moderate toenail onychomycosis. Patients were treated for 48 weeks with P-3051 daily, or twice weekly with amorolfine 5%. Out of 120 evaluable patients, 60 (50.0%) received P-3051 and 60 (50.0%) amorolfine 5%. At baseline, the two groups were homogeneous in terms of race, pathogens, number of affected toenails and severity of the infected target nail area. The statistical superiority of P-3051 versus amorolfine was achieved after 48 weeks (treatment success: 58.3% for P-3051 vs. 26.7% for amorolfine, p < 0.001; complete cure: 35.0% for P-3051 vs. 11.7% for amorolfine, p < 0.001). Mycological cure at week 48 was achieved in all patients treated with P-3051 compared to 81.7% of patients treated with amorolfine (p < 0.001). Moreover, fungal eradication by P-3051 was statistically superior at week 24. The results of this study, and of a previous pivotal study versus the insoluble formulation of ciclopirox 8%, led to consider P-3051 as the gold standard for the topical treatment of mild-to-moderate onychomycosis.
Anti-Inflammation of N-Benzyl-4-Bromobenzamide in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Human Gingival Fibroblasts
Authors: Aroonrerk Nuntana , Niyomtham Nattisa , Yingyoungnarongkul Boon-ek
Published: November 2015

Objective: To evaluate the effect of N-benzyl-4-bromobenzamide (NBBA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Material and Methods: The benzamide compound was synthesized. The condition for IL-6 production of HGFs after induction with LPS was optimized. The HGFs were incubated with NBBA (10 µg/ml) for 30 min before LPS (1 μg/ml) was added. After 24 h of incubation time, the culture media were harvested and their IL-6 and PGE2 contents were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prednisolone (PDS) and NS-398 were used as positive controls. Statistical analysis of the IL-6 and PGE2 contents was performed using the ANOVA test followed by the Tukey multiple-comparisons test to compare replicate means. p < 0.001 was considered statistically significant. Results: The maximum IL-6 production was achieved when HGFs were exposed to 1 μg/ml of LPS for 24 h, which was inhibited by the IL-6 immunosuppressant PDS. The benzamide compound, NBBA, exhibited a potent anti-IL-6 activity with inhibition of 35.6 ± 0.5%, significantly different from in the LPS-induced HGFs (p < 0.001). In addition, it inhibited 75.6 ± 0.52% PGE2 production. Cell viability was not significantly affected by treatment with NBBA at a concentration <10 µg/ml (p < 0.001). Conclusions: NBBA exhibited an inhibitory effect on the production of IL-6 and PGE2 in LPS-induced HGFs. It could serve as a compound with inhibiting inflammatory activity in periodontal disease.
Genome-Edited Human Pluripotent Stem Cell–Derived Macrophages as a Model of Reverse Cholesterol Transport—Brief Report
Authors: Gupta Rajat M. , Meissner Torsten B. , Cowan Chad A. , Musunuru Kiran
Published: November 2015

Objective—

To create isogenic human pluripotent stem cell–derived macrophages with and without
ABCA1
expression as a model for reverse cholesterol transport.

Approach and Results—

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) genome-editing system was used to introduce frameshift mutations into the coding sequence of ATP-binding cassette, subfamily A, member 1. Individual human pluripotent stem cell clones with deleterious mutations were identified, expanded, and differentiated into mature macrophages with a cytokine-based, feeder-free differentiation protocol. Wild-type cells demonstrated effective cholesterol efflux to apoAI acceptor, whereas

ABCA1
−/−

cells displayed significantly reduced efflux ability and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions—

Human pluripotent stem cell–derived macrophages capable of reverse cholesterol transport can be rapidly generated and genetically edited with CRISPR/Cas9. Introduction of homozygous frameshift mutations results in loss of
ABCA1
expression in differentiated macrophages and subsequent reduction of cholesterol efflux capability. This facile genome-editing approach and differentiation protocol pave the way for future studies of the molecular determinants of reverse cholesterol transport and other macrophage properties.
NG2 Proteoglycan Ablation Reduces Foam Cell Formation and Atherogenesis via Decreased Low-Density Lipoprotein Retention by Synthetic Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: She Zhi-Gang , Chang Yunchao , Pang Hong-Bo , Han Wenlong , Chen Hou-Zao , Smith Jeffrey W. , Stallcup William B.
Published: November 2015

Objectives—

Obesity and hyperlipidemia are critical risk factors for atherosclerosis. Because ablation of NG2 proteoglycan in mice leads to hyperlipidemia and obesity, we investigated the impact of NG2 ablation on atherosclerosis in apoE null mice.

Approach and Results—

Immunostaining indicates that NG2 expression in plaque, primarily by synthetic smooth muscle cells, increases during atherogenesis. NG2 ablation unexpectedly results in decreased (30%) plaque development, despite aggravated obesity and hyperlipidemia. Mechanistic studies reveal that NG2-positive plaque synthetic smooth muscle cells in culture can sequester low-density lipoprotein to enhance foam-cell formation, processes in which NG2 itself plays direct roles. In agreement with these observations, low-density lipoprotein retention and lipid accumulation in the NG2/ApoE knockout aorta is 30% less than that seen in the control aorta.

Conclusions—

These results indicate that synthetic smooth muscle cell–dependent low-density lipoprotein retention and foam cell formation outweigh obesity and hyperlipidemia in promoting mouse atherogenesis. Our study sheds new light on the role of synthetic smooth muscle cells during atherogenesis. Blocking plaque NG2 or altering synthetic smooth muscle cells function may be promising therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis.