bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Gut Gone to Pot: A Case of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome due to K2, a Synthetic Cannabinoid
Authors: Ukaigwe Anene , Karmacharya Paras , Donato Anthony
Published: April 2014

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) was first described in 2004. Due to its novelty, CHS is often unrecognized by clinicians leading to expensive workup of these patients with cyclical symptoms. It may take up to 9 years to diagnose CHS. CHS is characterized by cyclical nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and an unusual compulsion to take hot showers in the presence of chronic use of cannabinoids. Cannabicyclohexanol is a synthetic cannabinoid, popularly known as K2 spice. It is a popular marijuana alternative among teenagers and young adults since it is readily available as herbal incense. Unlike marijuana, many users know that K2 is not detected in conventional urine drug screens, allowing those users to conceal their intake from typical detection methods. Serum or urine gas chromatography mass spectrophotometry is diagnostic, though not widely available. Thus, it is imperative for clinicians to recognize CHS, even with negative UDS, to provide cost-effective care. We present a 38-year-old man with a 10-year history of cannabis, and 1-year history of K2 abuse admitted with 1-week history of episodes of nausea, vomiting of clear fluids, and epigastric discomfort. Symptoms are relieved only by hot showers. Extensive laboratory, radiologic, and endoscopic evaluation was unrevealing. CHS was diagnosed, based on proposed criteria by Simonetti et al.
A New Combination Formula for Treatment of Fungal Keratitis: An Experimental Study
Authors: El-Mofty Hala Mohamed , Abdelhakim Mohamad Amr Salah Eddin , El-Miligi Mohamed Farid , El-Nabarawi Mohamed A. , Khalil Islam Ahmed Hamed
Published: April 2014

Objective. To formulate and evaluate slow release ketoconazole and ketorolac to treat fungal keratitis and associated inflammation.Methods. Experimental study with the following outcome measures.Pharmaceutical Evaluation. Mucoadhesive gels containing ketoconazole and ketorolac were used.Microbiological in vitroevaluationwas performed using cup method.In vivo evaluationwas performed on 24 rabbits divided into 2 groups, 12 rabbits each, group A (fast release formula; 6 times daily) and group B (slow release formula; 3 times daily). Each group was divided into two subgroups (6 rabbits each). Both eyes of rabbits were inoculated withCandida albicans. The left eye of all rabbits received the combination formulae. The right eye for one subgroup received ketoconazole as control 1 while the other subgroup received placebo as control 2. Clinical follow-up was done and, finally, the corneas were used for microbiological and pathological evaluation.Results. Gels containing high polymer concentration showed both high viscosity and mucoadhesion properties with slower drug release. The infected eyes treated with slow release formula containing both drugs showed better curing of the cornea and pathologically less inflammation than eyes treated with fast release formula.Conclusion. Slow release formula containing ketoconazole and ketorolac showed higher activity than fast release formula against fungal keratitis and associated inflammation.
Geometric Generalisation of Surrogate Model‐Based Optimisation to Combinatorial and Program Spaces
Authors: Kim Yong-Hyuk , Moraglio Alberto , Kattan Ahmed , Yoon Yourim
Published: April 2014

Surrogate models (SMs) can profitably be employed, often in conjunction with evolutionary algorithms, in optimisation in which it is expensive to test candidate solutions. The spatial intuition behind SMs makes them naturally suited to continuous problems, and the only combinatorial problems that have been previously addressed are those with solutions that can be encoded as integer vectors. We show how radial basis functions can provide a generalised SM for combinatorial problems which have a geometric solution representation, through the conversion of that representation to a different metric space. This approach allows an SM to be cast in a natural way for the problem at hand, without ad hoc adaptation to a specific representation. We test this adaptation process on problems involving binary strings, permutations, and tree‐based genetic programs.
Alignment Condition-Based Robust Adaptive Iterative Learning Control of Uncertain Robot System
Authors: Tong Guofeng , Lin Mingxiu
Published: April 2014

This paper proposes an adaptive iterative learning control strategy integrated with saturation-based robust control for uncertain robot system in presence of modelling uncertainties, unknown parameter, and external disturbance under alignment condition. An important merit is that it achieves adaptive switching of gain matrix both in conventional PD-type feedforward control and robust adaptive control in the iteration domain simultaneously. The analysis of convergence of proposed control law is based on Lyapunov's direct method under alignment initial condition. Simulation results demonstrate the faster learning rate and better robust performance with proposed algorithm by comparing with other existing robust controllers. The actual experiment on three-DOF robot manipulator shows its better practical effectiveness.
Hyperammonemia Associated with Valproic Acid Concentrations
Authors: Vázquez Marta , Fagiolino Pietro , Maldonado Cecilia , Olmos Ismael , Ibarra Manuel , Alvariza Silvana , Guevara Natalia , Magallanes Laura , Olano Ivette
Published: April 2014

Valproic acid, a branched short-chain fatty acid, has numerous action mechanisms which turn it into a broad spectrum anticonvulsant drug and make its use possible in some other pathologies such as bipolar disorder. It is extensively metabolized in liver, representingβ-oxidation in the mitochondria one of its main metabolic route (40%). Carnitine is responsible for its entry into the mitochondria as any other fatty acid. Long-term high-dose VPA therapy or acute VPA overdose induces carnitine depletion, resulting in high levels of ammonia in blood. As a high correlation between salivary valproic acid levels and plasma ultrafiltrate levels was found in humans, saliva becomes a promising monitoring fluid in order to study valproic acid pharmacokinetics and its toxic effect. Extended-release (twice daily) formulations of valproic acid or carnitine supplementation are the proposed two therapeutic strategies in order to reverse hyperammonemia.
Energy Budget on Various Land Use Areas Using Reanalysis Data in Florida
Authors: Cheng Chi-Han , Nnadi Fidelia , Liou Yuei-An
Published: April 2014

Energy budget is closely related to the hydrological cycle through evapotranspiration (ET) or latent heat. Hence, quantifying the energy budget on different land uses is critical for understanding the water budget and providing useful land use information for decision makers. However, traditional methods, including in situ measurements and model-only approaches, have deficiencies in data availability, and we have still not yet fully realized how well the energy budgets presented in reanalysis data sets. Therefore, in this study, North American regional reanalysis (NARR) data set from 1992 to 2002 were employed to investigate the energy budget on various land uses (lake, wetland, agriculture, forest, and urban) at a regional scale in Florida. The results showed that the lake and urban areas had high values of energy budget, evaporation, and low Bowen ratio, while the wetland areas have the opposite treads because of the lowest evaporation rate. During drought periods, Bowen ratio, surface temperature, and sensible heat were becoming higher than those of normal years conditions. Finally, by comparing with the observed data, we found NARR had better assimilation of precipitation observations and demonstrated the land use effects from the different coefficient of correlation relationships.
Qualitative Analysis for a Reaction-Diffusion Predator-Prey Model with Disease in the Prey Species
Authors: Qiao Meihong , Liu Anping , Foryś Urszula
Published: April 2014

A diffusive predator-prey system with disease in predator species and no-flux boundary condition is considered. Sufficient conditions which ensure persistence of the system are obtained. Conditions of disease-free ecosystem are also studied. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for global asymptotic stability of the unique positive equilibrium and disease-free equilibrium of the system are derived using the approach of Lyapunov function.
Dynamic Groups Based Adaptive DTN Routing Algorithms in Social Networks
Authors: Xu Jixing , Li Jianbo , You Lei , Dai Chenqu
Published: April 2014

Due to the nonexistence of end-to-end path between the sender and the receiver in delay tolerant networks and mobile social networks, consequently successful message transmission faces great challenges. In this paper, an adaptive routing algorithm taking full use of gregariousness characteristics of moving nodes is proposed. We first abstract all social relationships and uniformly represent them using friendship. Then by dynamically dividing nodes into different social groups, we finish flooding message among the target social group where destination node resides. In addition, we propose a social group based flooding model and a message redundancy control model to select fewer but better relay nodes and further reduce message redundancy. Extensive simulations have been conducted based on the synthetic traces generated by working day movement model and the results show that the proposed routing algorithm can get a higher message delivery ratio and a lower overhead ratio compared to Bubble Rap, Epidemic, and ProPHET, thus proving a better routing performance.
The Application of Simple and Easy to Implement Decoupling Pulse Scheme Combinations to Effect Decoupling of Large J Values with Reduced Artifacts
Authors: Klika Karel D.
Published: April 2014

Of the various problems in decoupling one nucleus type from another using standard decoupling pulse schemes for broadband decoupling, a particular challenge is to effect full, artifact-free decoupling when the size of the coupling constant is very large. Herein it is demonstrated that 1H decoupling of the 31P NMR spectrum of diethyl phosphonate {HP(=O)(OCH2CH3)2} can be accomplished with reduced artifacts despite the large JH,P1 value of 693 Hz by using a combination of decoupling pulse schemes involving continuous-wave (CW) irradiation and either adiabatic-pulse decoupling (APD), MPF decoupling, or traditional composite-pulse decoupling (CPD) schemes such as WALTZ or GARP. The considered strategy is simple, efficient, and easy to implement on most instruments. The best result was attained for a combination of CW and CPD using GARP with a standard pulse width of 60 μs. Altogether, the advantages of the methodology include low power requirements, complete decoupling, tolerance of a range of large J values, large bandwidth for normal-sized J values, and the suppression of sidebands.
Novel Gyroviruses, including Chicken Anaemia Virus, in Clinical and Chicken Samples from South Africa
Authors: Smuts Heidi E. M.
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Chicken anaemia virus, CAV, was until recently the only member of theGyrovirusgenus. 6 novel gyroviruses, AGV2, HGyV1, and GyV3-6, have since been discovered in human and chicken samples.Methods. PCR amplification of the VP2 gene was used to detect AGV2/HGyV1, GyV3, and CAV in a range of clinical samples including stool, respiratory, CSF, and HIV-positive plasma. Screening of fresh local chicken meat was also performed.Results. AGV2/HGyV1 or GyV3 was detected in stools from healthy children (17/49, 34.7%) and patients with diarrhoea (22/149, 14.8%). 1.2% (3/246) nasopharyngeal respiratory samples were positive. No AGV2/HGyV1 or GyV3 was detected in nasal swabs from wheezing patients, in CSF from patients with meningitis, and in HIVpositive plasma. CAV was found in 51% (25/49) of stools from healthy children and 16% (24/149) in diarrhoea samples. Screening of 28 chicken samples showed a higher prevalence of gyrovirus (20/28, 71%) compared to CAV (1/28, 3.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of the CAV VP1 gene showed South African sequences clustering with Brazilian isolates from genotypes D2 and A2.Conclusion. Novel gyroviruses, including CAV, are present in the South African population with diarrhoea and respiratory illness as well as in healthy children. Their presence suggests an origin from chicken meat consumption.
The Osteogenesis of Bone Marrow Stem Cells on mPEG-PCL-mPEG/Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffold via Solid Freeform Fabrication
Authors: Liao Han-Tsung , Chen Yo-Yu , Lai Yu-Ting , Hsieh Ming-Fa , Jiang Cho-Pei
Published: April 2014

The study described a novel bone tissue scaffold fabricated by computer-aided, air pressure-aided deposition system to control the macro- and microstructure precisely. The porcine bone marrow stem cells (PBMSCs) seeded on either mPEG-PCL-mPEG (PCL) or mPEG-PCL-mPEG/hydroxyapatite (PCL/HA) composite scaffold were cultured under osteogenic medium to test the ability of osteogenesisin vitro. The experimental outcomes indicated that both scaffolds possessed adequate pore size, porosity, and hydrophilicity for the attachment and proliferation of PBMSCs and the PBMSCs expressed upregulated genes of osteogensis and angiogenesis in similar manner on both scaffolds. The major differences between these two types of the scaffolds were the addition of HA leading to higher hardness of PCL/HA scaffold, cell proliferation, and VEGF gene expression in PCL/HA scaffold. However, thein vivobone forming efficacy between PBMSCs seeded PCL and PCL/HA scaffold was different from thein vitroresults. The outcome indicated that the PCL/HA scaffold which had bone-mimetic environment due to the addition of HA resulted in better bone regeneration and mechanical strength than those of PCL scaffold. Therefore, providing a bone-mimetic scaffold is another crucial factor for bone tissue engineering in addition to the biocompatibility, 3D architecture with high porosity, and interpored connection.
Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy for Oligometastatic Disease in Liver
Authors: Kim Myungsoo , Son Seok Hyun , Won Yong Kyun , Kay Chul Seung
Published: April 2014

Liver metastasis in solid tumors, including colorectal cancer, is the most frequent and lethal complication. The development of systemic therapy has led to prolonged survival. However, in selected patients with a finite number of discrete lesions in liver, defined as oligometastatic state, additional local therapies such as surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation, cryotherapy, and radiotherapy can lead to permanent local disease control and improve survival. Among these, an advance in radiation therapy made it possible to deliver high dose radiation to the tumor more accurately, without impairing the liver function. In recent years, the introduction of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) has offered even more intensive tumor dose escalation in a few fractions with reduced dose to the adjacent normal liver. Many studies have shown that SABR for oligometastases is effective and safe, with local control rates widely ranging from 50% to 100% at one or two years. And actuarial survival at one and two years has been reported ranging from 72% to 94% and from 30% to 62%, respectively, without severe toxicities. In this paper, we described the definition and technical aspects of SABR, clinical outcomes including efficacy and toxicity, and related parameters after SABR in liver oligometastases from colorectal cancer.
Benefits of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for Spastic Subjects: Clinical, Functional, and Biomechanical Parameters for Lower Limb and Walking in Five Hemiparetic Patients
Authors: Terreaux Luc , Gross Raphael , Leboeuf Fabien , Desal Hubert , Hamel Olivier , Nguyen Jean Paul , Pérot Chantal , Buffenoir Kévin
Published: April 2014

Introduction.Spasticity is a disabling symptom resulting from reorganization of spinal reflexes no longer inhibited by supraspinal control. Several studies have demonstrated interest in repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in spastic patients. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind crossover study on five spastic hemiparetic patients to determine whether this type of stimulation of the premotor cortex can provide a clinical benefit.Material and Methods.Two stimulation frequencies (1 Hz and 10 Hz) were tested versus placebo. Patients were assessed clinically, by quantitative analysis of walking and measurement of neuromechanical parameters (HandTreflexes, musculoarticular stiffness of the ankle).Results.No change was observed after placebo and 10 Hz protocols. Clinical parameters were not significantly modified after 1 Hz stimulation, apart from a tendency towards improved recruitment of antagonist muscles on the Fügl-Meyer scale. Only cadence and recurvatum were significantly modified on quantitative analysis of walking. Neuromechanical parameters were modified with significant decreases inHmax⁡/Mmax⁡andT/Mmax⁡ratios and stiffness indices 9 days or 31 days after initiation of TMS.Conclusion.This preliminary study supports the efficacy of low-frequency TMS to reduce reflex excitability and stiffness of ankle plantar flexors, while clinical signs of spasticity were not significantly modified.
Investigation on the Tunable-Length Zinc Oxide Nanowire Arrays for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Kuo Shou-Yi , Hsieh Ming-Yang , Lin Hsin-I
Published: April 2014

We had successfully fabricated ZnO-based nanowires by vapor transport method in the furnace tube. ZnO nanowire arrays grown in 600°C for 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes had applied to the dye-sensitized solar cells. The dye loading is proportional to the total equivalent surface area of ZnO nanowire arrays in the cells and plays an important role in improving power conversion efficiency. The highest efficiency was observed in DSSC sample with ZnO nanowires grown for 90 minutes, which had the largest equivalent surface area and also the highest dye loading. According to our experimental results, the enhancement in power conversion efficiency is attributed to the higher light harvesting and reduction of carrier recombination. In addition, ZnO nanowires also contribute to the photocurrent in the UV region.
Vibration Analysis of Hollow Tapered Shaft Rotor
Authors: Asdaque P. M. G. Bashir , Behera R. K.
Published: April 2014

Shafts or circular cross-section beams are important parts of rotating systems and their geometries play important role in rotor dynamics. Hollow tapered shaft rotors with uniform thickness and uniform bore are considered. Critical speeds or whirling frequency conditions are computed using transfer matrix method and then the results were compared using finite element method. For particular shaft lengths and rotating speeds, response of the hollow tapered shaft-rotor system is determined for the establishment of dynamic characteristics. Nonrotating conditions are also considered and results obtained are plotted.
Evidence of Higher Oxidative Status in Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Grases G. , Colom M. A. , Fernandez R. A. , Costa-Bauzá A. , Grases F.
Published: April 2014

We use a simple method for evaluating antioxidative status, by measuring the redox potential of urine, and correlate the findings with measures of anxiety and depression. We include 63 individuals (28 males and 35 females aged between 20 and 65 years). The validated anxiety State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire and the validated BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) questionnaire were used to evaluate anxiety and depression. Antioxidative status was determined by measuring the redox potential of urine collected in standard conditions. Correlation of the antioxidant capacity of urines evaluated using the ferric ion/specific dye method or through redox potential using the platinum electrode demonstrated the suitability of this last procedure. We found that normal anxiety state values corresponded to low urine redox potentials, whereas higher anxiety states were associated with high urinary redox potential. We also found that individuals with normal BDI values had significantly lower urine redox potentials than individuals with higher BDI values.
Linguistic Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Application in MAGDM
Authors: Zhang Huimin
Published: April 2014

To better deal with imprecise and uncertain information in decision making, the definition of linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy sets (LIFSs) is introduced, which is characterized by a linguistic membership degree and a linguistic nonmembership degree, respectively. To compare any two linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy values (LIFVs), the score function and accuracy function are defined. Then, based ont-norm andt-conorm, several aggregation operators are proposed to aggregate linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy information, which avoid the limitations in exiting linguistic operation. In addition, the desired properties of these linguistic intuitionistic fuzzy aggregation operators are discussed. Finally, a numerical example is provided to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method in multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM).
Genomic and Functional Analysis of the Toxic Effect of Tachyplesin I on the Embryonic Development of Zebrafish
Authors: Zhao Hongya , Dai Jianguo , Jin Gang
Published: April 2014

Tachyplesin I (TP I) is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the hemocytes of the horseshoe crab. With the developments of DNA microarray technology, the genetic analysis of the toxic effect of TP I on embryo was originally considered in our recent study. Based on our microarray data of the embryonic samples of zebrafish treated with the different doses of TP I, we performed a series of statistical data analyses to explore the toxic effect of TP I at the genomic level. In this paper, we first employed the hexaMplot to illustrate the continuous variation of the gene expressions of the embryonic cells treated with the different doses of TP I. The probabilistic model-based Hough transform was used to classify these differentially coexpressed genes of TP I on the zebrafish embryos. As a result, three line rays supported with the corresponding 174 genes were detected in our analysis. Some biological processes of the featured genes, such as antigen processing, nuclear chromatin, and structural constituent of eye lens, were significantly filtered with the smallerPvalues.
Long-Term Outcome after Laparoscopic Bowel Resections for Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis: A Single-Center Experience after 900 Cases
Authors: Ruffo Giacomo , Scopelliti Filippo , Manzoni Alberto , Sartori Alberto , Rossini Roberto , Ceccaroni Marcello , Minelli Luca , Crippa Stefano , Partelli Stefano , Falconi Massimo
Published: April 2014

Background. Laparoscopic bowel resections for endometriosis are safe and effective but only short-term follow-up has been evaluated. In the present study long-term outcome in terms of intestinal and urinary function, fertility, chronic pain, and recurrence was assessed.Materials and Methods. From January 2002 to December 2010 nine hundred patients underwent laparoscopic bowel resection for endometriosis, and on 774 (86%) a questionnaire was administered. Patients were divided into 3 groups on the strength of the operation date. Postoperative diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, tenesmus, dyschezia, dysuria, dyspareunia, fertility, and recurrence of disease were assessed.Results. The median follow-up was 54 months (range 1–120). All the evaluated symptoms significantly improved over time, withP=0.0001for dyspareunia, constipation, and pelvic pain andP=0.004for diarrhea. Nonsignificant improvement was reported for dysuria and rectal bleeding (withP=0.452andP=0.097, resp.).Conclusions. The present results confirm that bowel resections for endometriosis are correlated with an acceptable complication rate even at long-term follow-up and that symptoms significantly improve over time, except for rectal bleeding and dysuria, the latter associated with a neurological damage.
The Problem of Bicenter and Isochronicity for a Class of Quasi Symmetric Planar Systems
Authors: Chaoxiong Du
Published: April 2014

We study a class of quasi symmetric seventh degree systems and obtain the conditions that its two singular points can be two centers at the same step by careful computing and strict proof. In addition, the condition of an isochronous center is also given. In terms of quasi symmetric systems, our work is interesting and obtained conclusions about bicenters are new.
Coupled Coincidence Points for Mixed Monotone Random Operators in Partially Ordered Metric Spaces
Authors: Jiang Binghua , Xu Shaoyuan , Shi Lu
Published: April 2014

The aim of this work is to prove some coupled random coincidence theorems for a pair of compatible mixed monotone random operators satisfying weak contractive conditions. These results are some random versions and extensions of results of Karapınar et al. (2012). Our results generalize the results of Shatanawi and Mustafa (2012).
New Tools for Embryo Selection: Comprehensive Chromosome Screening by Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization
Authors: Rodrigo Lorena , Mateu Emilia , Mercader Amparo , Cobo Ana Cristina , Peinado Vanessa , Milán Miguel , Al-Asmar Nasser , Campos-Galindo Inmaculada , García-Herrero Sandra , Mir Pere , Simón Carlos , Rubio Carmen
Published: April 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS) using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). The study included 1420 CCS cycles for recurrent miscarriage (n=203); repetitive implantation failure (n=188); severe male factor (n=116); previous trisomic pregnancy (n=33); and advanced maternal age (n=880). CCS was performed in cycles with fresh oocytes and embryos (n=774); mixed cycles with fresh and vitrified oocytes (n=320); mixed cycles with fresh and vitrified day-2 embryos (n=235); and mixed cycles with fresh and vitrified day-3 embryos (n=91). Day-3 embryo biopsy was performed and analyzed by aCGH followed by day-5 embryo transfer. Consistent implantation (range: 40.5–54.2%) and pregnancy rates per transfer (range: 46.0–62.9%) were obtained for all the indications and independently of the origin of the oocytes or embryos. However, a lower delivery rate per cycle was achieved in women aged over 40 years (18.1%) due to the higher percentage of aneuploid embryos (85.3%) and lower number of cycles with at least one euploid embryo available per transfer (40.3%). We concluded that aneuploidy is one of the major factors which affect embryo implantation.
Oral Myiasis Caused byChrysomya bezzianain Anterior Maxilla
Authors: Aggarwal Ankur , Daniel M. Jonathan , Shetty Raju Singam , Kumar Boddu Naresh , Sumalatha C. H. , Srikanth E. , Rai Shalu , Malik Rohit
Published: April 2014

Oral myiasis is a rare pathology and is associated with poor oral hygiene, alcoholism, senility, suppurating lesions, and severe halitosis. It arises from invasion of body tissues or cavities of living animals by maggots or larvae of certain dipterian flies. It is mostly reported in developing countries and in the tropics. We hereby report a rare case of oral myiasis in a 70-year-old female with extensive necrotic oral lesion burrowing into the hard palate through which numerous live maggots (larvae) and seen emerging out and discuss the definition, etiology, predisposing factors, classification, and management of the same. Furthermore, the life cycle of the causative organism in the present case, that is,Chrysomya bezziana, has also been discussed.
Siting and Sizing of DG in Medium Primary Radial Distribution System with Enhanced Voltage Stability
Authors: Jain Sanjay , Agnihotri Ganga , Kalambe Shilpa , Kamdar Renuka
Published: April 2014

This paper intends to enumerate the impact of distributed generation (DG) on distribution system in terms of active as well as reactive power loss reduction and improved voltage stability. The novelty of the method proposed in this paper is the simple and effective way of sizing and siting of DG in a distribution system by using two-port Z-bus parameters. The validity of the method is verified by comparing the results with already published methods. Comparative study presented has shown that the proposed method leads existing methods in terms of its simplicity, undemanding calculation procedures, and less computational efforts and so does the time. The method is implemented on IEEE 69-bus test radial distribution system and results show significant reduction in distribution power losses with improved voltage profile of the system. Simulation is carried out in MATLAB environment for execution of the proposed algorithm.
Virulence Factors Associated with Pediatric Shigellosis in Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Cruz Carolinie Batista Nobre da , Souza Maria Carolina Scheffer de , Serra Paula Taquita , Santos Ivanildes , Balieiro Antonio , Pieri Fabio Alessandro , Nogueira Paulo Afonso , Orlandi Patrícia Puccinelli
Published: April 2014

Shigellosis is a global human health problem and the incidence is highest among children. In the present work, mainShigellavirulence genes was examined by PCR and compared to symptoms of pediatric shigellosis. ThirtyShigellaisolates were identified from an etiologic study at which 1,339 children ranging 0–10 years old were enrolled.S. flexneriwas the most frequent species reaching 60.0% of isolates, 22.2% wereS. sonnei, and 6.6% were bothS. dysenteriaeandS. boydii. AllShigellainfected children had diarrhea, but not all were accompanied by others symptoms of bacillary dysentery. Among major virulence genes, the PCR typing revealedipaBCDwas present in all isolates, followed byIpaH7.8,set-1A,set-1B, sen/ospD3, virF,andinvE. The pathogenic potential of the ShET-1B subunit was observed in relation to dehydration (P<0.001) and ShET-2 related to the intestinal injury (P=0.033) evidenced by the presence of bloody diarrhea. Our results show associations among symptoms of shigellosis and virulence genes of clinical isolates ofShigellaspp.
Isoprostanes and Neuroprostanes as Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Miller Elżbieta , Morel Agnieszka , Saso Luciano , Saluk Joanna
Published: April 2014

Accumulating data shows that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative disorders. The literature data indicate thatin vivoor postmortem cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue levels of F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoPs) especially F4-neuroprotanes (F4-NPs) are significantly increased in some neurodegenerative diseases: multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Central nervous system is the most metabolically active organ of the body characterized by high requirement for oxygen and relatively low antioxidative activity, what makes neurons and glia highly susceptible to destruction by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species and neurodegeneration. The discovery of F2-IsoPs and F4-NPs as markers of lipid peroxidation caused by the free radicals has opened up new areas of investigation regarding the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of human neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on the relationship between F2-IsoPs and F4-NPs as biomarkers of oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. We summarize the knowledge of these novel biomarkers of oxidative stress and the advantages of monitoring their formation to better define the involvement of oxidative stress in neurological diseases.
Multiple Ion Cluster Source for the Generation of Magnetic Nanoparticles: Investigation of the Efficiency as a Function of the Working Parameters for the Case of Cobalt
Authors: Llamosa Perez Daniel , Martínez Lidia , Huttel Yves
Published: April 2014

We present dataset of Co nanoparticles production using a Multiple Ion Cluster Source (MICS). We study the evolution of the mean size and deposition rate of Co nanoparticles as a function of the power and argon flux applied to the Co magnetron, the aggregation length of the Co magnetron and the total argon flux. The results show the strong influence of these parameters on the mean size of the nanoparticles and the efficiency of the process as well as on the atomic deposition rate. In particular, it is shown that nanoparticles of mean size ranging from 4 to 14 nm can be produced and that the influence of the working parameters on the production of magnetic nanoparticles is more complex than for the case of noble metal presented previously.
Hybrid Particle Swarm Optimization for Hybrid Flowshop Scheduling Problem with Maintenance Activities
Authors: Li Jun-qing , Pan Quan-ke , Mao Kun
Published: April 2014

A hybrid algorithm which combines particle swarm optimization (PSO) and iterated local search (ILS) is proposed for solving the hybrid flowshop scheduling (HFS) problem with preventive maintenance (PM) activities. In the proposed algorithm, different crossover operators and mutation operators are investigated. In addition, an efficient multiple insert mutation operator is developed for enhancing the searching ability of the algorithm. Furthermore, an ILS-based local search procedure is embedded in the algorithm to improve the exploitation ability of the proposed algorithm. The detailed experimental parameter for the canonical PSO is tuning. The proposed algorithm is tested on the variation of 77 Carlier and Néron’s benchmark problems. Detailed comparisons with the present efficient algorithms, including hGA, ILS, PSO, and IG, verify the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Fenugreek Seed Extract Inhibit Fat Accumulation and Ameliorates Dyslipidemia in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Bhandari Uma , Jamadagni Shrirang
Published: April 2014

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of aqueous extract ofTrigonella foenum-graecumseeds (AqE-TFG) on fat accumulation and dyslipidemia in high fat diet- (HFD-) induced obese rats. Female Wistar rats were fed with HFDad libitum, and the rats on HFD were treated orally with AqE-TFG or orlistat ((HFD for 28 days + AqE-TFG (0.5 and 1.0 g/kg) or orlistat (10 mg/kg) from day 8 to 28), respectively. Treatment with AqE-TFG produced significant reduction in body weight gain, body mass index (BMI), white adipose tissue (WAT) weights, blood glucose, serum insulin, lipids, leptin, lipase, and apolipoprotein-B levels and elevation in adiponectin levels. AqE-TFG improved serum aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. AqE-TFG treatment reduced the hepatic and cardiac thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and elevated the antioxidant enzyme (glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)) levels. In addition, liver and uterine WAT lipogenic enzyme (fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)) activities were restored towards normal levels. These findings demonstrated the preventive effect of AqE-TFG on fat accumulation and dyslipidemia, due to inhibition of impaired lipid digestion and absorption, in addition to improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism, enhancement of insulin sensitivity, increased antioxidant defense, and downregulation of lipogenic enzymes.
Regional Cerebral Blood-Flow with 99mTc-ECD Brain Perfusion SPECT in Landau-Kleffner Syndrome: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Nemati Reza , Nabipour Iraj , Javadi Hamid , Chabi Negar , Assadi Majid
Published: April 2014

Landau-Kleffner syndrome (LKS) is a rare childhood disorder characterized by acquired aphasia and epilepsy. 99mTc-ECD SPECT imaging was performed in two right-handed children with LKS. A relative decrease in perfusion was found in the left frontal-temporal cortices of both patients as well as in the left and right parietal cortices of one patient with aphasia, without clinical epilepsy. The degree of regional cerebral perfusion impairment did not correlate with the severity of the clinical and EEG abnormalities, but the area of hypoperfusion was compatible with the speech area of the brain. Overall, although asymmetrical temporoparietal perfusion appears as a common finding in LKS, SPECT findings in LKS alone cannot elucidate the pathogenic features of the disorder in the brain. Here, we present two cases of LKS in which we investigated SPECT perfusion scans.
Taking Bacteriophage Therapy Seriously: A Moral Argument
Authors: Verbeken Gilbert , Huys Isabelle , Pirnay Jean-Paul , Jennes Serge , Chanishvili Nina , Scheres Jacques , Górski Andrzej , De Vos Daniel , Ceulemans Carl
Published: April 2014

The excessive and improper use of antibiotics has led to an increasing incidence of bacterial resistance. In Europe the yearly number of infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria is more than 400.000, each year resulting in 25.000 attributable deaths. Few new antibiotics are in the pipeline of the pharmaceutical industry. Early in the 20th century, bacteriophages were described as entities that can control bacterial populations. Although bacteriophage therapy was developed and practiced in Europe and the former Soviet republics, the use of bacteriophages in clinical setting was neglected in Western Europe since the introduction of traditional antibiotics. Given the worldwide antibiotic crisis there is now a growing interest in making bacteriophage therapy available for use in modern western medicine. Despite the growing interest, access to bacteriophage therapy remains highly problematic. In this paper, we argue that the current state of affairs is morally unacceptable and that all stakeholders (pharmaceutical industry, competent authorities, lawmakers, regulators, and politicians) have the moral duty and the shared responsibility towards making bacteriophage therapy urgently available for all patients in need.
Incidental Prostate Cancer in Transurethral Resection of the Prostate Specimens in the Modern Era
Authors: Otto Brandon , Barbieri Christopher , Lee Richard , Te Alexis E. , Kaplan Steven A. , Robinson Brian , Chughtai Bilal
Published: April 2014

Objectives.To identify rates of incidentally detected prostate cancer in patients undergoing surgical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Materials and Methods.A retrospective review was performed on all transurethral resections of the prostate (TURP) regardless of technique from 2006 to 2011 at a single tertiary care institution. 793 men (ages 45–90) were identified by pathology specimen. Those with a known diagnosis of prostate cancer prior to TURP were excluded (n=22) from the analysis.Results.760 patients had benign pathology; eleven (1.4%) patients were found to have prostate cancer. Grade of disease ranged from Gleason3+3=6to Gleason3+4=7. Nine patients had cT1a disease and two had cT1b disease. Seven patients were managed by active surveillance with no further events, one patient underwent radiation, and three patients underwent radical prostatectomy.Conclusions.Our series demonstrates that 1.4% of patients were found to have prostate cancer, of these 0.5% required treatment. Given the low incidental prostate cancer detection rate, the value of pathologic review of TURP specimens may be limited depending on the patient population.
General Explicit Solution of Planar Weakly Delayed Linear Discrete Systems and Pasting Its Solutions
Authors: Diblík Josef , Halfarová Hana
Published: April 2014

Planar linear discrete systems with constant coefficients and delaysx(k+1)=Ax(k)+∑l=1n‍Blxl(k-ml)are considered wherek∈ℤ0∞:={0,1,…,∞},m1,m2,…,mnare constant integer delays,0<m1<m2<⋯<mn,A,B1,…,Bnare constant2×2matrices, andx:ℤ-mn∞→ℝ2. It is assumed that the considered system is weakly delayed. The characteristic equations of such systems are identical with those for the same systems but without delayed terms. In this case, after several steps, the space of solutions with a given starting dimension2(mn+1)is pasted into a space with a dimension less than the starting one. In a sense, this situation is analogous to one known in the theory of linear differential systems with constant coefficients and special delays when the initially infinite dimensional space of solutions on the initial interval turns (after several steps) into a finite dimensional set of solutions. For every possible case, explicit general solutions are constructed and, finally, results on the dimensionality of the space of solutions are obtained.
Magnetic Properties of Well-Aligned ZnO Nanorod Arrays Grown by a Simple Hydrothermal Reaction
Authors: Yun Jiangni , Qu Rui , Zhang Zhiyong , Li Jun
Published: April 2014

Well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays with room temperature ferromagnetism were prepared on glass substrate through hydrothermal method. The as-prepared nanorod arrays were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), photoluminescence (PL) spectrum, and magnetization measurements. The XRD and SEM results indicated that the ZnO nanorods are with the wurtzite structure and exhibit preferential (002) orientation withc-axis perpendicular to the substrate surface. The PL results suggested that the possible defect in the as-prepared ZnO nanorod arrays might beVZn,Oi, orOZn. The first-principles calculations reveal that the room temperature ferromagnetism may result from theVZndefects present in the ZnO nanorod and the hybridization of the Zn 3d states with O 2p states is responsible for the half-metallic ferromagnetism in ZnO nanorod.
Lie Group Method of the Diffusion Equations
Authors: Sun Jian-Qiang , Huang Rong-Fang , Gu Xiao-Yan , Yu Ling
Published: April 2014

The diffusion equation is discretized in spacial direction and transformed into the ordinary differential equations. The ordinary differential equations are solved by Lie group method and the explicit Runge-Kutta method. Numerical results showed that Lie group method is more stable than the corresponding explicit Runge-Kutta method.
A Characterization ofE-Benson Proper Efficiency via Nonlinear Scalarization in Vector Optimization
Authors: Zhao Ke Quan , Xia Yuan Mei , Guo Hui
Published: April 2014

A class of vector optimization problems is considered and a characterization ofE-Benson proper efficiency is obtained by using a nonlinear scalarization function proposed by Göpfert et al. Some examples are given to illustrate the main results.
Parametric Optimization of Cultural Conditions for Carboxymethyl Cellulase Production Using Pretreated Rice Straw byBacillus sp. 313SIunder Stationary and Shaking Conditions
Authors: Goyal Varsha , Mittal Arpana , Bhuwal Anish Kumari , Singh Gulab , Yadav Anita , Aggarwal Neeraj Kumar
Published: April 2014

Carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase) provides a key opportunity for achieving tremendous benefits of utilizing rice straw as cellulosic biomass. Out of total 80 microbial isolates from different ecological niches one bacterial strain, identified asBacillus sp. 313SI, was selected for CMCase production under stationary as well as shaking conditions of growth. During two-stage pretreatment, rice straw was first treated with 0.5 M KOH to remove lignin followed by treatment with 0.1 N H2SO4for removal of hemicellulose. The maximum carboxymethyl cellulase activity of 3.08 U/mL was obtained using 1% (w/v) pretreated rice straw with 1% (v/v) inoculum, pH 8.0 at 35°C after 60 h of growth under stationary conditions, while the same was obtained as 4.15 U/mL using 0.75% (w/v) pretreated substrate with 0.4% (v/v) inoculum, pH 8.0 at 30°C, under shaking conditions of growth for 48 h. For maximum titre of CMCase carboxymethyl cellulose was optimized as the best carbon source under both cultural conditions while ammonium sulphate and ammonium nitrate were optimized as the best nitrogen sources under stationary and shaking conditions, respectively. The present study provides the useful data about the optimized conditions for CMCase production byBacillus sp. 313SIfrom pretreated rice straw.
Leucocyte Telomere Shortening in relation to Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Depression
Authors: Liu Zhelong , Zhang Jianhua , Yan Jiangtao , Wang Yuping , Li Yongsheng
Published: April 2014

The goal of this study is to investigate the association between oxidative stress and telomere length shortening in the comorbid depression and diabetes. Therefore, 71 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2D) and 52 subjects with normal glycemic level (control, Ctrl) were enrolled. Depressive status was identified with the Depression Subscale of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-D). Leukocyte telomere length ratio (T/S ratio) was determined with quantitative PCR. Oxidative stress status was evaluated with 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) assay kit. Some other biochemical blood testing was also performed. The data showed that T2D patients had higher proportion of depression evaluated by the HADS-D (x2=4.196,P=0.041). T/S ratio was significantly negatively correlated with 8-OHdG, HADS-D, age, HbA1c, FPG, and HOMA-IR. In addition, HADS-D was significantly positively correlated with HbA1c, FPG, HOMA-IR, and 8-OHdG. Both HADS-D and 8-OHdG were the major independent predictors for T/S ratio. This study indicates that oxidative stress contributes to both telomere length shortening and depression development in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients, while in depression status, some other mechanisms besides oxidative stress may also affect the telomere length.
Vision Related Quality of Life in Patients with Keratoconus
Authors: Aydin Kurna Sevda , Altun Ahmet , Gencaga Tugba , Akkaya Sezen , Sengor Tomris
Published: April 2014

Purpose.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the vision related quality of life in patients with keratoconus by using the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire-25 (NEI-VFQ-25).Methods.Thirty patients presented with keratoconus (keratoconus group) and 30 healthy patients (control group) were included in this study. Twenty patients were using rigid gas permeable and 10 patients were not using contact lenses in keratoconus group. High and low contrast visual acuity and meanKvalues of the patients were recorded. Each subject completed the 25-item NEI-VFQ-25.Results.All subscales of NEI-VFQ-25 were lower in the keratoconus patients. The difference was more evident in the subscales of general vision, ocular pain, near vision, vision-specific mental health, vision-specific role difficulties, and peripheral visionP<0.05. Overall composite score was 75.2 ± 17.2 in the keratoconus group and 93.2 ± 5.6 in the control groupP=0.00. Contact lens wearers had higher best corrected visual acuity in comparison with noncontact lens wearersP=0.028. Patients with low visual acuity (logMAR > 0.4) in the better eye had lower distance vision, social functioning, mental health, and role difficulties. Meanwhile, patients with low visual acuity (logMAR > 0.4) in the worse eye had lower general health scoresP<0.05.Conclusions.Vision related quality of life was worse in keratoconus patients. Success in the contact lens usage and maintaining higher visual acuity may improve vision related quality of life.