bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Computational Approach for the Constitutive Modeling of Elastoplastic Behavior of Metal Matrix Composites
Authors: Siddiqui M. U. , Arif Abul Fazal M.
Published: November 2016

Computational homogenization provides an excellent tool for the design of composite materials. In the current work, a computational approach is presented that is capable of estimating the elastic and rate-independent plastic constitutive behavior of metal matrix composites using finite element models of representative volume elements (RVEs) of the composite material. For this purpose, methodologies for the generation of three-dimensional computational microstructures, size determination of RVEs and the homogenization techniques are presented. Validation of the approach is carried out using aluminum–alumina composite samples prepared using sintering technique. Using the homogenized material response, effective constitutive models of the composite materials have been determined.
The Economic Role of Water in FYR Macedonia: An Input–Output Analysis and Implications for the Western Balkan Countries
Authors: Hristov Jordan , Martinovska-Stojcheska Aleksandra , Surry Yves
Published: November 2016

Sustainable management of water resources is imperative in the Western Balkan (WB) region, due to the seasonal, spatial and quality distribution of these resources. This paper analyzed water consumption and associated relationships between the economic sectors in Macedonia in 2005, based on input–output (IO) analysis. Using an environmentally extended IO framework, water consumption was investigated by developing several indicators. Disaggregation of the agriculture sector into 11 sub-sectors, combined with backward and forward linkage analysis, allowed us to identify rice, fruits, grapes and wine, other crop and cattle production as key water-consuming sub-sectors. The developed indicators revealed a high proportion of direct water consumption in agriculture and some other non-agricultural sectors such as mining and quarrying, other mining and quarrying products, food products and beverages as well as electrical machinery, which imposed significant pressure on natural water resources in Macedonia. Therefore, changes in production technology and specializations in Macedonia toward less water-intensive options are needed to ease the pressure on natural water resources. Extending the existing water pricing policy to capture economic, social and environmental aspects should also be considered. Moreover, the development and construction of water accounts and the disaggregation procedure have valuable implications for the WB countries. Applications elsewhere following this Macedonian example can provide a meaningful understanding of the role of water and interdependencies at regional level and increase awareness of the water resource availability at trans-boundary scale.
Multiscale atomistic modeling of fracture subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: Lee James D. , Robert Kerlin P.
Published: November 2016

It is an established fact that multiscale modeling is an effective way of studying materials over a realistic length scale. In this work, we demonstrate the use of sequential and concurrent multiscale modeling to study the effect of cyclic loading on both the atomic and continuum regions, of graphene, a material which comes with its own set of unique properties. Moreover, to further strengthen this work, we have studied the temperature effects during the cyclic loading, by analyzing the effect of loading and varying temperature gradients.
A tale of two lakes: the Newberry Volcano twin crater lakes, Oregon, USA
Authors: Lefkowitz J. N. , Varekamp J. C. , Reynolds R. W. , Thomas E.
Published: November 2016

Newberry Volcano in Oregon, USA, has two small crater lakes inside its caldera: East Lake and Paulina Lake. The 50–80 m deep lakes differ in morphology, water chemistry and sediment composition, although separated only by a narrow volcanic ridge. East Lake is a terminal lake with gaseous geothermal inputs, whereas Paulina Lake has an outlet (Paulina Creek) and subaqueous, high-alkalinity hot springs. The sediment in both lakes is organic-rich and mainly consists of diatom frustules (SiO
2
) with some volcanic ash, accumulating at sedimentation rates of 1.5–2 mm a
−1
(
210
Pb dated). In Paulina Lake the sediment has up to 14% Fe
2
O
3
of hydrothermal origin and 250 ppm As. Sediment in East Lake is Fe-poor but has up to 4 ppm Hg, and fish are also Hg-rich. Both lakes host productive ecosystems, with primary producers using geothermal CO
2
, P and Si, and nitrogen fixed by cyanobacteria (
Nostoc
sp.). Water budgets and water residence times were calculated from stable isotope budgets. East Lake has a steep vertical δ
13
C (dissolved inorganic carbon, DIC) gradient, with surface δ
13
C values of up to 5.5‰, largely due to diffusional CO
2
losses and photosynthetic carbon withdrawal. Paulina Lake is better mixed, has a lower organic productivity and limited surface CO
2
evasion; its δ
13
C (DIC) gradient is small. We theorize that the lakes are fed by different geothermal components as a result of phase separation below East Lake. The gas component (CO
2
, H
2
S, Hg) enters East Lake, as indicated by the rising bubble trains in the lake. A residual fluid, depleted in Hg but rich in Si, Fe, carbonate, P and As, enters Paulina Lake. The presence of highly toxic components and the gas-charging of East Lake present natural hazards, which may change when new volcanic activity is initiated, and thus should be monitored.
Finite-Time Stabilization for Discrete-Time Delayed Markovian Jump Systems with Partially Delayed Actuator Saturation
Authors: Wang Guoliang , Feng Bo
Published: November 2016

The finite-time control problem of discrete-time delayed Markovian jump systems with partially delayed actuator saturation is considered by a mode-dependent parameter approach. Different from the traditionally saturated actuators, a kind of saturated actuator being partially delay-dependent is firstly proposed, where both nondelay and delay states are included and occur asynchronously. Moreover, the probability distributions of such two terms are described by the Bernoulli variable and are taken into account in the controller design. Sufficient conditions for the existence of the desired controller are presented with LMIs. Finally, a numerical example is provided to show the effectiveness and superiority of the obtained results.
Coexistence of Factor VII Deficiency and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia in Two Siblings
Authors: De la Corte-Rodriguez Hortensia , Rodriguez-Merchan E. Carlos , Alvarez-Roman M. Teresa , Hernandez-Moreno Ana L.
Published: November 2016

We present the case of two patients aged 12 years and 7 years who were referred to our hospital for factor VII deficiency inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, who had suffered from previous multiple joint haemarthroses. They presented with fine motor symptoms and difficulty in walking. During physical examination we observed neurological symptoms (general hypotonia, muscular hypotrophy, exaggerated tendon reflexes, pes cavus, and spastic gait). Given that the symptoms were not justified by the deficiency of coagulation factor VII and on suspicion of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), tests were carried out. Findings from the tests confirmed the diagnosis of HSP (axonal degeneration of the central motor pathway and pyramidal tracts), further complicated by mixed neuropathy. This disease was also inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern with no direct genetic association with factor VII deficiency. Neurological symptoms had gone unnoticed due to a history of multiple joint haemarthrosis; musculoskeletal examination led to a satisfactory differential diagnosis. Haematological prophylaxis was commenced with rFVIIa at 30 mcg/kg, three days per week. A rehabilitation programme was prescribed so that the patient could remain independent for as long as possible, based on orthosis, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. Response to treatment is currently satisfactory and no new bleeding has presented. As far as we are aware, the coexistence of these two diseases (factor VII deficiency and HSP) has not been previously reported in the literature.
Association between the Achievement of Target Range CKD-MBD Markers and Mortality in Prevalent Hemodialysis Patients in Taiwan by Using the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes Clinical Guidelines
Authors: Liu Ying , Lee Wen-Chin , Cheng Ben-Chung , Li Lung-Chih , Lee Chih-Hsiung , Chang Wen-Xiu , Chen Jin-Bor
Published: November 2016

Background. This study evaluated the association between achieving target chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) marker levels and mortality in Taiwanese hemodialysis (HD) patients. Target levels were based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines. Methods. We performed a retrospective medical record review of 1126 HD patients between 2009 and 2013. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between achieving target marker levels and the risk for all-cause and cardiovascular (CV) mortality. Reference target ranges were 7.9 ≤ calcium (Ca) ≤ 9.9 mg/dL, 2.4 ≤ phosphate (P) ≤ 4.7 mg/dL, and 144 ≤ intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) ≤ 648 pg/mL. Results. Achievement of target P levels was associated with a lower risk for all-cause mortality compared to achievement of either target Ca or iPTH levels. Achieving target P + iPTH levels (OR 1.32) was associated with a lower odds ratio for all-cause mortality compared to achieving target Ca + P (OR 1.66) and Ca + iPTH (OR 1.43) levels. Similar trends were observed for CV mortality risk. Conclusions. The present study demonstrated that achieving serum P levels within the KDIGO target range is the most important factor for lowering mortality in HD patients.
Preliminary Study on Aerodynamic Control of High-Angle-of-Attack Slender Body Using Blowing from Penetrating Flow Channels
Authors: Sato Ayane , Nishida Hiroyuki , Nonaka Satoshi
Published: November 2016

The objective of this study is to experimentally verify a new aerodynamic control concept of a high-angle-of-attack slender body. In the concept, penetrating flow channels are installed to the apex of the slender body. The blowing or suction is generated at the channel exits in response to the surface pressure distribution. First, the effects of the flow channels on the aerodynamic characteristics are experimentally investigated in a low-speed wind tunnel. The result shows the Suction-Blowing type channel is the most effective because its control effect does not reduce even in higher mainstream flow velocity. The peak value of the side force and yawing moment can be reduced by up to 64% and 49%, respectively. In addition, visualization of the surface flow pattern by the oil flow method shows that the Suction-Blowing type channel makes not only the primary separation line on the body side but also the secondary separation line on the body back become symmetric.
Inventory Control Systems Model for Strategic Capacity Acquisition
Authors: White Anthony S. , Censlive Michael
Published: November 2016

Variation of installed industrial capacity has been found to follow a cyclic pattern. This paper discusses the application of control theory to the problem of the timely acquisition of extra production capacity. The control system based model presented here is compared with a System Dynamics model proposed by Sterman. Key differences are the method of implementing rational decisions about deployment of extra capacity and the use of a nonlinear APVIOBPCS inventory model. Benefits of this new model are a more measurable process and the ability to select parameter values to optimise capacity deployment. Simulation of the model indicates that the results found by Sterman underestimate the production backlog and time taken to reach equilibrium. The use of a Proportional, Integral, and Derivative (PID) controller in the capacity control loop model illustrates that it is possible not only to alter the backlog levels but at the same time to reduce the sales force and improve the revenue. The model also shows clearly that the impact of not increasing capacity promptly results in catastrophic failure of sales as a structural, rather than a business, problem. This model is simple enough to be implemented as a spreadsheet for use as a guide by managers.
Alagille Syndrome: A Case Report Highlighting Dysmorphic Facies, Chronic Illness, and Depression
Authors: Bresnahan James J. , Winthrop Zachary A. , Salman Rabia , Majeed Salman
Published: November 2016

Alagille syndrome is a rare multisystem disorder affecting the liver, heart, vertebrae, eyes, and face. Alagille syndrome shares multiple phenotypic variants of other congenital or chronic childhood illnesses such as DiGeorge syndrome, Down syndrome, spina bifida, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and cystic fibrosis. All of these chronic illnesses have well-established links to psychiatric conditions. There are few community resources for Alagille patients, as it is an extremely rare condition. Despite the overlap with other chronic childhood illnesses, the psychiatric manifestations of Alagille syndrome have not been previously discussed in literature. The current study is a case report of a twelve-year-old female hospitalized in our pediatric psychiatric hospital for suicidal ideation with intent and plan. The patient had major depressive disorder, anxiety, other specified feeding and eating disorder, and attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder.
Histological and Metabolic State of Dams Suckling Small Litter or MSG-Treated Pups
Authors: Capriglioni Cancian Claudia Regina , Leite Nayara Carvalho , Montes Elisangela Gueiber , Fisher Stefani Valeria , Waselcoski Leticia , Lopes Stal Emily Caroline , Christoforo Renata Zanardini , Grassiolli Sabrina
Published: November 2016

Lactation is an important function that is dependent on changes in the maternal homeostasis and sustained by histological maternal adjustments. We evaluated how offspring manipulations during the lactational phase can modulate maternal morphologic aspects in the mammary gland, adipose tissue, and pancreatic islets of lactating dams. Two different models of litter-manipulation-during-lactation were used: litter sizes, small litters (SL) or normal litters (NL) and subcutaneous injections in the puppies of monosodium glutamate (MSG), or saline (CON). SL Dams and MSG Dams presented an increase in WAT content and higher plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides, and insulin, in relation to NL Dams and CON Dams, respectively. The MG of SL Dams and MSG Dams presented a high adipocyte content and reduced alveoli development and the milk of the SL Dams presented a higher calorie and triglyceride content, compared to that of the NL Dams. SL Dams presented a reduction in islet size and greater lipid droplet accumulation in BAT, in relation to NL Dams. SL Dams and MSG Dams present similar responses to offspring manipulation during lactation, resulting in changes in metabolic parameters. These alterations were associated with higher fat accumulation in BAT and changes in milk composition only in SL Dams.
Inferior Oblique Weakening and Abnormal Head Position: Controlled Myotomy versus Recession
Authors: Migliorini R. , Malagola R. , Comberiati A. M. , Arrico L.
Published: November 2016

Purpose. Randomized controlled trial aimed at comparing surgical outcomes in a group of patients suffering from hyperfunction of the inferior oblique (IO) muscle with abnormal head position (AHP). The surgical techniques being compared are Recession and (thread) Controlled Myotomy.Materials and Methods. The group of 20 patients suffering from medium-high hyperfunction of the IO was assessed through an ophthalmological and orthoptic examination. 10 patients underwent traditional Recession (Group  A) and 10 were treated with Controlled Myotomy (Group  B).Results. The average age was 19 years ± 10.7 SD. After 1 year, 20% of Group  A showed a small Vertical Deviation associated with a small AHP, while 80% had orthophoria and 40% of them had a small AHP. 80% of Group  B showed a small Vertical Deviation associated with an equally small AHP, while 20% had orthophoria with a full resolution of AHP.Conclusion. Based on the results obtained and the fewer intrasurgical risks involved, thread Controlled Myotomy proved to be a valid alternative to Recession. Furthermore, in case of Recession, over the long period a small residual AHP remained in the patients who had orthophoria, unlike Myotomy which led to a total resolution.
Synergistic Cytotoxic Effect of L-Asparaginase Combined with Decitabine as a Demethylating Agent in Pediatric T-ALL, with Specific Epigenetic Signature
Authors: Serravalle Salvatore , Bertuccio Salvatore N. , Astolfi Annalisa , Melchionda Fraia , Pession Andrea
Published: November 2016

T-Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (T-ALL) remains a subgroup of pediatric ALL, with a lower response to standard chemotherapy. Some recent studies established the fundamental role of epigenetic aberrations such as DNA hypermethylation, to influence patients’ outcome and response to chemotherapy. Moreover, L-asparaginase is an important chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of ALL and resistance to this drug has been linked toASNSexpression, which can be silenced through methylation. Therefore, we tested whether the sensitivity of T-ALL cell lines towards L-asparaginase is correlated to the epigenetic status ofASNSgene and whether the sensitivity can be modified by concurrent demethylating treatment. Hence we treated different T-ALL cell lines with L-asparaginase and correlated different responses to the treatment withASNSexpression. Then we demonstrated that theASNSexpression was dependent on the methylation status of the promoter. Finally we showed that, despite the demethylating effect on theASNSgene expression, the combined treatment with the demethylating agent Decitabine could synergistically improve the L-asparaginase sensitivity in those T-ALL cell lines characterized by hypermethylation of theASNSgene. In conclusion, this preclinical study identified an unexpected synergistic activity of L-asparaginase and Decitabine in the subgroup of T-ALL with lowASNSexpression due to hypermethylation of theASNSpromoter, while it did not restore sensitivity in the resistant cell lines characterized by higherASNSexpression.
Variational Problem Involving Operator Curl in a Multiconnected Domain
Authors: Aramaki Junichi
Published: November 2016

We shall study the problem of minimizing a functional involving the curl of vector fields in a three-dimensional, bounded multiconnected domain with prescribed tangential component on the boundary. The paper is an extension of L2 minimization problem of the curl of vector fields. We shall prove the existence and the estimate of minimizers of more general functional which contains Lp norm of the curl of vector fields.
Decreased Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D Level Causes Interventricular Septal Hypertrophy in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis: Cardiovascular Aspects of Endogenous Vitamin D Deficiency
Authors: Esen Bennur , Sahin Irfan , Atay Ahmet Engin , Saglam Gokmen Emel , Harmankaya Kaptanogullari Ozlem , Yılmaz Mürvet , Kucuk Suat Hayri , Kahvecioglu Serdar , Seyahi Nurhan
Published: November 2016

Introduction. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the relation of vitamin D with echocardiographic indexes in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving renal replacement therapy (RRT).Methods. A total of 98 patients, 64 patients on hemodialysis (HD) (29F/35M, mean age 56.75 ± 18.63 years) and 34 age matched patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) (21F/13M, mean age 58.11 ± 10.63 years), with similar duration of ESRD and RRT were enrolled into this cross-sectional study. Echocardiographic examination was performed after dialysis session at normovolemic status. Fasting blood samples were obtained before dialysis session.Results. Patients on PD and female patients in both groups had significantly lower level of 25-OH-D3 level when compared to patients on HD or male patients (p: 0.0001 andp: 0.0001). When all participants were considered, there was no significant association between 25-OH-D3 and echocardiographic parameters; however, in patients on PD, a significant negative correlation was determined between 25-OH-D3 and diastolic blood pressure, interventricular septal hypertrophy (ISH), and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) (r: −0.424,p: 0.012;r: −0.508,p: 0.004;r: 0.489,p: 0.04, resp.).Conclusion. Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels is associated with ISH and LVMI in PD patients.
An Algorithm of Traffic Perception of DDoS Attacks against SOA Based on Time United Conditional Entropy
Authors: Zhao Yuntao , Liu Hengchi , Feng Yongxin
Published: November 2016

DDoS attacks can prevent legitimate users from accessing the service by consuming resource of the target nodes, whose availability of network and service is exposed to a significant threat. Therefore, DDoS traffic perception is the premise and foundation of the whole system security. In this paper the method of DDoS traffic perception for SOA network based on time united conditional entropy was proposed. According to many-to-one relationship mapping between the source IP address and destination IP addresses of DDoS attacks, traffic characteristics of services are analyzed based on conditional entropy. The algorithm is provided with perception ability of DDoS attacks on SOA services by introducing time dimension. Simulation results show that the novel method can realize DDoS traffic perception with analyzing abrupt variation of conditional entropy in time dimension.
Acute Acquired Comitant Esotropia in Adults: Is It Neurologic or Not?
Authors: Erkan Turan Kadriye , Kansu Tulay
Published: November 2016

Objectives. Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) can be a diagnostic challenge for ophthalmologists and neurologists because of its association with neurological pathologies. Our study describes a series of adult patients with AACE of undetermined etiology.Methods. Data on the clinical findings of patients presented with AACE of undetermined etiology with a minimum follow-up of 1 year were retrieved from the medical records and the results analyzed.Results. A series of 9 esotropia cases (age range: 20–43 years) was reviewed. All patients had full duction and versions, without an A-pattern or V-pattern. All patients had esotropia for distance and near. Neurological evaluation in all cases was normal. Among patients, 3 were treated with prisms, 4 were treated with strabismus surgery, and 1 was treated with botulinum toxin injections; 1 patient declined treatment. In treated patients posttreatment sensory testing indicated restoration of binocularity that remained stable throughout follow-up of 1–9 years. The patient that declined treatment had binocular function with base-out prisms.Conclusion. Acute onset esotropia may be seen without a neurological pathology in adults. Good motor and sensory outcomes can be achieved in these patients with AACE of undetermined etiology via surgical and nonsurgical methods.
Depth Attenuation Degree Based Visualization for Cardiac Ischemic Electrophysiological Feature Exploration
Authors: Yang Fei , Zhang Lei , Lu Weigang , Liu Lei , Zhang Yue , Zuo Wangmeng , Wang Kuanquan , Zhang Henggui
Published: November 2016

Although heart researches and acquirement of clinical and experimental data are progressively open to public use, cardiac biophysical functions are still not well understood. Due to the complex and fine structures of the heart, cardiac electrophysiological features of interest may be occluded when there is a necessity to demonstrate cardiac electrophysiological behaviors. To investigate cardiac abnormal electrophysiological features under the pathological condition, in this paper, we implement a human cardiac ischemic model and acquire the electrophysiological data of excitation propagation. A visualization framework is then proposed which integrates a novel depth weighted optic attenuation model into the pathological electrophysiological model. The hidden feature of interest in pathological tissue can be revealed from sophisticated overlapping biophysical information. Experiment results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method for intuitively exploring and inspecting cardiac electrophysiological activities, which is fundamental in analyzing and explaining biophysical mechanisms of cardiac functions for doctors and medical staff.
Out-of-Plane and In-Plane Magnetization Behavior of Dipolar Interacting FeNi Nanoislands around the Percolation Threshold
Authors: Stupakov A. , Bagdinov A. V. , Prokhorov V. V. , Bagdinova A. N. , Demikhov E. I. , Dejneka A. , Kugel K. I. , Gorbatsevich A. A. , Pudonin F. A. , Kovaleva N. N.
Published: November 2016

Magnetic properties of inhomogeneous nanoisland FeNi films were studied by SQUID magnetometry. The FeNi films with nominal thickness ranging from 0.6 to 2.0 nm were deposited by rf sputtering on Sitall glass substrates and covered by a protecting Al2O3 layer on the top. The SQUID data indicate pronounced irreversibility behavior for the out-of-plane temperature-dependent magnetization response (measured at H≃100 Oe) using zero-field cooling (ZFC) and field-cooled warming (FCW) after the applied dc magnetizing field Hm≃2 T for the FeNi samples with nominal thickness 1.1 nm ≲d≲1.8 nm, below the percolation threshold. The positive difference between the FCW and ZFC data identifies two irreversibility temperature scales, TB≈50 K and T⁎≈200 K, which can be associated with the superparamagnetic and superferromagnetic behavior in inhomogeneous nanoisland FeNi films, respectively. However, above the film percolation threshold, we observed a crossover from the out-of-plane to in-plane magnetization orientation. Here, the in-plane FCW-ZFC difference implies negative remanent magnetization response in the temperature range TB≲T≲T⁎. The observed magnetization properties can be associated with the presence of the superferromagnetic phase in self-assembled clusters of quasi-2D metallic magnetic FeNi nanoislands.
Successful Nonoperative Management of High-Grade Blunt Renal Injuries
Authors: May Allison M. , Darwish Oussama , Dang Brian , Monda John J. , Adsul Prajakta , Syed Johar , Siddiqui Sameer A.
Published: November 2016

Current management of high-grade blunt renal trauma favors a nonoperative approach when possible. We performed a retrospective study of high grade blunt renal injuries at our level I trauma center to determine the indications and success of nonoperative management (NOM). 47 patients with blunt grade IV or V injuries were identified between October 2004 and December 2013. Immediate operative patients (IO) were compared to nonoperatively managed (NOM). Of the 47 patients, 3 (6.4%) were IO and 44 (95.6%) NOM. IO patients had a higher heart rate on admission, 133 versus 100 in NOM (P=0.01). IO patients had a higher rate of injury to the renal vein or artery (100%) compared to NOM group (18%) (P=0.01). NOM failed in 3 of 44 patients (6.8%). Two required nonemergent nephrectomy and one required emergent exploration resulting in nephrectomy. Six NOM patients had kidney-related complications (13.6%). The renal salvage rate for the entire cohort was 87.2% and 93.2% for NOM. Nonoperative management for hemodynamically stable patients with high-grade blunt renal trauma is safe with a low risk of complications. Management decisions should consider hemodynamic status and visualization of active renal bleeding as well as injury grade in determining operative management.
Lesser Toxicities of Belotecan in Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Single-Center Study of Camptothecin Analogs
Authors: Park Yeon Hee , Chung Chae Uk , Park Bo Mi , Park Myoung Rin , Park Dong Il , Moon Jae Young , Park Hee Sun , Kim Jin Hwan , Jung Sung Soo , Kim Ju Ock , Kim Sun Young , Lee Jeong Eun
Published: November 2016

Purpose. Topotecan and belotecan are camptothecin derivatives that are used to treat small cell lung cancer (SCLC). This study compared the toxicities and efficacies of belotecan and topotecan monotherapies in patients with SCLC.Methods. We retrospectively reviewed data from 94 patients with SCLC (with or without prior chemotherapy) who were treated using belotecan monotherapy (n=59, 188 cycles) or topotecan monotherapy (n=35, 65 cycles) between September 2003 and December 2011.Results. Thrombocytopenia occurred during 42% and 61.5% of the belotecan and topotecan cycles, respectively (p=0.007). Significant differences between belotecan and topotecan were also observed for grade 4/5 lung infection (3.2% versus 10.8%, resp.;p=0.003), all-grade headache (3.2% versus 10.8%, resp.;p=0.017), and grade 4/5 increased liver enzymes (0.5% versus 4.6%, resp.;p=0.023). The median TTPDs, CSSs, and OSs were 14 months and 11.6 months (p=0.646), 10 months and 7 months (p=0.179), and 34.5 months and 21.4 months (p=0.914) after belotecan and topotecan monotherapy, respectively.Conclusions. Belotecan monotherapy may be safer than topotecan monotherapy in SCLC patients. And in terms of efficacy, belotecan could be comparable to topotecan monotherapy.
Technical Considerations of Giant Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm Exclusion
Authors: Barr James , Acharya Metesh Nalin , Kourliouros Antonios , Raja Shahzad Gull
Published: November 2016

Giant coronary artery aneurysms are rare clinical entities. We report the case of a 49-year-old man who presented with dyspnoea and exertional chest pain. Investigations confirmed an aneurysmal right coronary artery measuring 4 cm with a fistulous communication to the right atrium. Following right atriotomy, the fistula was oversewn and the aneurysmal right coronary artery ligated at its origin and at several points along its course. A saphenous vein graft was anastomosed to the posterior descending artery. Persistent ventricular fibrillation occurred upon chest closure, attributed to ischaemia following ligation of the aneurysmal coronary artery. Emergent resternotomy and internal defibrillation were successfully performed. The sternum was stented open to reduce right ventricular strain and closed the following day. The patient made an unremarkable recovery. We here address the technical challenges associated with surgical repair of right coronary aneurysms and the physiology and management of potential complications.
Modelling of Creep and Stress Relaxation Test of a Polypropylene Microfibre by Using Fraction-Exponential Kernel
Authors: Sorzia Andrea
Published: November 2016

A tensile test until breakage and a creep and relaxation test on a polypropylene fibre are carried out and the resulting creep and stress relaxation curves are fit by a model adopting a fraction-exponential kernel in the viscoelastic operator. The models using fraction-exponential functions are simpler than the complex ones obtained from combination of dashpots and springs and, furthermore, are suitable for fitting experimental data with good approximation allowing, at the same time, obtaining inverse Laplace transform in closed form. Therefore, the viscoelastic response of polypropylene fibres can be modelled straightforwardly through analytical methods. Addition of polypropylene fibres greatly improves the tensile strength of composite materials with concrete matrix. The proposed analytical model can be employed for simulating the mechanical behaviour of composite materials with embedded viscoelastic fibres.
Virus Infections on Prion Diseased Mice Exacerbate Inflammatory Microglial Response
Authors: Lins Nara , Mourão Luiz , Trévia Nonata , Passos Aline , Farias José Augusto , Assunção Jarila , Quintairos Amanda , Bento-Torres João , Consentino Kronka Sosthenes Marcia , Diniz José Antonio Picanço , Vasconcelos Pedro Fernando da Costa , Picanço-Diniz Cristovam Wanderley
Published: November 2016

We investigated possible interaction between an arbovirus infection and the ME7 induced mice prion disease. C57BL/6, females, 6‐week‐old, were submitted to a bilateral intrahippocampal injection of ME7 prion strain (ME7) or normal brain homogenate (NBH). After injections, animals were organized into two groups: NBH (n = 26) and ME7 (n = 29). At 15th week after injections (wpi), animals were challenged intranasally with a suspension of Piry arbovirus 0.001% or with NBH. Behavioral changes in ME7 animals appeared in burrowing activity at 14 wpi. Hyperactivity on open field test, errors on rod bridge, and time reduction in inverted screen were detected at 15th, 19th, and 20th wpi respectively. Burrowing was more sensitive to earlier hippocampus dysfunction. However, Piry‐infection did not significantly affect the already ongoing burrowing decline in the ME7‐treated mice. After behavioral tests, brains were processed for IBA1, protease‐resistant form of PrP, and Piry virus antigens. Although virus infection in isolation did not change the number of microglia in CA1, virus infection in prion diseased mice (at 17th wpi) induced changes in number and morphology of microglia in a laminar‐dependent way. We suggest that virus infection exacerbates microglial inflammatory response to a greater degree in prion‐infected mice, and this is not necessarily correlated with hippocampal‐dependent behavioral deficits.
Identification of CHD1L as an Important Regulator for Spermatogonial Stem Cell Survival and Self‐Renewal
Authors: Liu Shan-Shan , Bai Yin-Shan , Feng Li , Dong Wen-Wei , Li Yang , Xu Li-Ping , Ma Ning-Fang
Published: November 2016

Chromodomain helicase/ATPase DNA binding protein 1‐like gene (Chd1l) participates in chromatin‐dependent processes, including transcriptional activation and DNA repair. In this study, we have found for the first time that Chd1l is mainly expressed in the testicular tissues of prepubertal and adult mice and colocalized with PLZF, OCT4, and GFRα1 in the neonatal mouse testis and THY1+ undifferentiated spermatogonia or spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). Knockdown of endogenous Chd1l in cultured mouse undifferentiated SSCs inhibited the expression levels of Oct4, Plzf, Gfrα1, and Pcna genes, suppressed SSC colony formation, and reduced BrdU incorporation, while increasing SSC apoptosis. Moreover, the Chd1l gene expression is activated by GDNF in the cultured mouse SSCs, and the GDNF signaling pathway was modulated by endogenous levels of Chd1l; as demonstrated by the gene expression levels of GDNF, inducible transcripts Etv5, Bcl6b, Pou3f, and Lhx1, but not that of GDNF‐independent gene, Taf4b, were significantly downregulated by Chd1l knockdown in mouse SSCs. Taken together, this study provides the first evidence to support the notion that Chd1l is an intrinsic and novel regulator for SSC survival and self‐renewal, and it exerts such regulation at least partially through a GDNF signaling pathway.
An Alternative Approach for High Speed Railway Carrying Capacity Calculation Based on Multiagent Simulation
Authors: Gao Mo , Zhou Leishan , Chen Yongjun
Published: November 2016

It is a multiobjective mixed integer programming problem that calculates the carrying capacity of high speed railway based on mathematical programming method. The model is complex and difficult to solve, and it is difficult to comprehensively consider the various influencing factors on the train operation. The multiagent theory is employed to calculate high speed railway carrying capacity. In accordance with real operations of high speed railway, a three-layer agent model is developed to simulate the operating process of high speed railway. In the proposed model, railway network agent, line agent, station agent, and train agent are designed, respectively. To validate the proposed model, a case study is performed for Beijing–Shanghai high speed railway by using NetLogo software. The results are consistent with the actual data, which implies that the proposed multiagent method is feasible to calculate the carrying capacity of high speed railway.
Bent Metal in a Bone: A Rare Complication of an Emergent Procedure or a Deficiency in Skill Set?
Authors: Krishnan Mridula , Lester Katherine , Johnson Amber , Bardeloza Kaye , Edemekong Peter , Berim Ilya
Published: November 2016

Intraosseous (IO) access is an important consideration in patients with difficult intravenous (IV) access in emergent situations. IO access in adults has become more popular due to the ease of placement and high success rates. The most common sites of access include the proximal tibia and the humeral head. The complications associated are rare but can be catastrophic: subsequent amputation of a limb has been described in the literature. We report a 25-year-old female presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in whom emergent IO access was complicated by needle bending inside the humerus. Conventional bedside removal was impossible and required surgical intervention in operating room.
Text Summarization Using FrameNet-Based Semantic Graph Model
Authors: Han Xu , Lv Tao , Hu Zhirui , Wang Xinyan , Wang Cong
Published: November 2016

Text summarization is to generate a condensed version of the original document. The major issues for text summarization are eliminating redundant information, identifying important difference among documents, and recovering the informative content. This paper proposes a Semantic Graph Model which exploits the semantic information of sentence using FSGM. FSGM treats sentences as vertexes while the semantic relationship as the edges. It uses FrameNet and word embedding to calculate the similarity of sentences. This method assigns weight to both sentence nodes and edges. After all, it proposes an improved method to rank these sentences, considering both internal and external information. The experimental results show that the applicability of the model to summarize text is feasible and effective.
Study on Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Limestone under Uniaxial Impact Compressive Loads
Authors: Zou Fei , Fang Zheng-feng , Xia Ming-yao
Published: November 2016

The dynamic mechanical properties of limestone are studied with 5 types of impact pressure acting on limestone samples in axial direction in this paper. The rubber shaper with a diameter of 5 mm and thickness of 2 mm is adopted. Besides the conical punch of split pressure bar of Hopkinson with a diameter of 50 mm is also used. The half-sinusoid pulse is obtained by using the pulse shaper method and special punch method; the constant strain rate deformation of the sample is realized. Dynamic compressive properties and failure modes of limestone under different impact pressure are investigated. In addition, energy dissipation is studied in the process of experiment. The results show that the dynamic compressive strength of limestone has an exponent relation to strain rate. The failure strain, degree of fragmentation, incident energy, and absorption energy increase, while the energy absorbency decreases with the increasing of strain rate. However, the initial elastic modulus is not sensitive to the strain rate. The research method and conclusions have reference value for the dynamic mechanical properties of other brittle materials.
Customized Dictionary Learning for Subdatasets with Fine Granularity
Authors: Ye Lei , Wang Can , Xu Xin , Qian Hui
Published: November 2016

Sparse models have a wide range of applications in machine learning and computer vision. Using a learned dictionary instead of an “off-the-shelf” one can dramatically improve performance on a particular dataset. However, learning a new one for each subdataset (subject) with fine granularity may be unwarranted or impractical, due to restricted availability subdataset samples and tremendous numbers of subjects. To remedy this, we consider the dictionary customization problem, that is, specializing an existing global dictionary corresponding to the total dataset, with the aid of auxiliary samples obtained from the target subdataset. Inspired by observation and then deduced from theoretical analysis, a regularizer is employed penalizing the difference between the global and the customized dictionary. By minimizing the sum of reconstruction errors of the above regularizer under sparsity constraints, we exploit the characteristics of the target subdataset contained in the auxiliary samples while maintaining the basic sketches stored in the global dictionary. An efficient algorithm is presented and validated with experiments on real-world data.
Synthesis and Characterization of Molecular Imprinting Polymer Microspheres of Piperine: Extraction of Piperine from Spiked Urine
Authors: Roland Rachel Marcella , Bhawani Showkat Ahmad
Published: November 2016

Molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) microspheres for Piperine were synthesized by precipitation polymerization with a noncovalent approach. In this research Piperine was used as a template, acrylic acid as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker, and 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator and acetonitrile as a solvent. The imprinted and nonimprinted polymer particles were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The synthesized polymer particles were further evaluated for their rebinding efficiency by batch binding assay. The highly selected imprinted polymer for Piperine was MIP 3 with a composition (molar ratio) of 0.5 : 3 : 8, template : monomer : cross-linker, respectively. The MIP 3 exhibits highest binding capacity (84.94%) as compared to other imprinted and nonimprinted polymers. The extraction efficiency of highly selected imprinted polymer of Piperine from spiked urine was above 80%.
Al6061 Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced with Alumina and Molybdenum Disulphide
Authors: Pitchayyapillai G. , Seenikannan P. , Raja K. , Chandrasekaran K.
Published: November 2016

Aluminum Hybrid Reinforcement Technology is a response to the dynamic ever-increasing service requirement of industries such as transportation, aerospace, automobile, and marine, due to its attractive properties like high ductility, highly conductivity, light weight, and high strength to weight ratio. In this evolution, an attempt has been made to investigate the wear rate of Al6061 hybrid metal matrix composite reinforced with the hard ceramic alumina (4, 8, and 12 wt.% of Al2O3) and soft solid lubricant of molybdenum disulphide (2, 4, and 6 wt.% of MoS2) is fabricated by using stir casting method. The unlubricated pins on disc wear tests were conducted to examine the wear behaviour of Al6061/12 wt.% of Al2O3/MoS2composites. The sliding wear tests were carried out at various loads of 15, 30, and 45 N, sliding velocity (1.25, 2.50, and 3.25 m/sec), and different MoS2 wt.% (2, 4, and 6 wt.%). In addition, the CNC turning experiments were conducted on Al6061/12 wt.% Al2O3/6 wt.% MoS2using CNMG 120408 uncoated carbide cutting tool under cutting of 100, 150, and 200 m/min, feed of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mm/rev, and depth of cut of 1, 1.5, and 2 mm.
Skin Aging‐Dependent Activation of the PI3K Signaling Pathway via Downregulation of PTEN Increases Intracellular ROS in Human Dermal Fibroblasts
Authors: Noh Eun-Mi , Park Jinny , Song Hwa-Ryung , Kim Jeong-Mi , Lee Minok , Song Hyun-Kyung , Hong On-Yu , Whang Pyoung H. , Han Myung-Kwan , Kwon Kang-Beom , Kim Jong-Suk , Lee Young-Rae
Published: November 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a major role in both chronological aging and photoaging. ROS induce skin aging through their damaging effect on cellular constituents. However, the origins of ROS have not been fully elucidated. We investigated that ROS generation of replicative senescent fibroblasts is generated by the modulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5‐triphosphate (PIP3) metabolism. Reduction of the PTEN protein, which dephosphorylates PIP3, was responsible for maintaining a high level of PIP3 in replicative cells and consequently mediated the activation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐OH kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Increased ROS production was blocked by inhibition of PI3K or protein kinase C (PKC) or by NADPH oxidase activating in replicative senescent cells. These data indicate that the signal pathway to ROS generation in replicative aged skin cells can be stimulated by reduced PTEN level. Our results provide new insights into skin aging‐associated modification of the PI3K/NADPH oxidase signaling pathway and its relationship with a skin aging‐dependent increase of ROS in human dermal fibroblasts.
The Cause of Unexpected Acute Abdomen and Intra-Abdominal Hemorrhage in 24-Week Pregnant Woman: Bochdalek Hernia
Authors: Koca Yavuz Savas , Barut Ibrahim , Yildiz İhsan , Yazkan Rasih
Published: November 2016

Bochdalek hernia (BH) is the most common type of congenital diaphragm hernia and is rarely seen in adults. In adult patients, BH often remains asymptomatic or presents with nondiagnostic symptoms and may lead to complications, though rarely. The necrosis and perforations occurring in the hernia may lead to mortality. In this report, we present a 34-year-old pregnant woman at 24 gestational weeks who presented with Bochdalek hernia causing gastric volvulus associated with perforation and intra-abdominal hemorrhage associated with splenic rupture.
Axisymmetric Longitudinal-Bending Waves in a Cylindrical Shell Interacting with a Nonlinear Elastic Medium
Authors: Zemlyanukhin Alexander I. , Bochkarev Andrey V. , Mogilevich Lev I. , Tindova Ekaterina G.
Published: November 2016

A nonlinear differential equation is derived which describes the propagation of axisymmetric stationary longitudinal-bending waves in infinite cylindrical shell of Timoshenko type, interacting with the external nonlinear elastic medium. A modified perturbation method based on the use of diagonal Pade approximants was applied to build exact solitary-wave solutions of the derived equation in the form of traveling front and the traveling pulse. Numerical solutions of the equation, obtained by means of finite difference method, are in good agreement with the corresponding exact analytical ones.
Evolution ofbopAGene inBurkholderia: A Case of Convergent Evolution as a Mechanism for Bacterial Autophagy Evasion
Authors: Yu Dong , Yin Zhiqiu , Jin Yuan , Zhou Jing , Ren Hongguang , Hu Mingda , Li Beiping , Zhou Wei , Liang Long , Yue Junjie
Published: November 2016

Autophagy is an important defense mechanism targeting intracellular bacteria to restrict their survival and growth. On the other hand, several intracellular pathogens have developed an antiautophagy mechanism to facilitate their own replication or intracellular survival. Up to now, no information about the origin or evolution of the antiautophagic genes in bacteria is available. BopA is an effector protein secreted byBurkholderia pseudomalleivia the type three secretion system, and it has been shown to play a pivotal role in their escape from autophagy.  The evolutionary origin ofbopAwas examined in this work. Sequence similarity searches for BopA showed that no homolog of BopA was detected in eukaryotes. However, eukaryotic linear motifs were detected in BopA. The phylogenetic tree of the BopA proteins in our analysis is congruent with the species phylogeny derived from housekeeping genes. Moreover, there was no obvious difference in GC content values ofbopAgene and their respective genomes. Integrated information on the taxonomic distribution, phylogenetic relationships, and GC content of thebopAgene ofBurkholderiarevealed that this gene was acquired via convergent evolution, not from eukaryotic host through horizontal gene transfer (HGT) event. This work has, for the first time, characterized the evolutionary mechanism of bacterial evasion of autophagy. The results of this study clearly demonstrated the role of convergent evolution in the evolution of how bacteria evade autophagy.