bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Listening to Those at the Frontline: Patient and Healthcare Personnel Perspectives on Tuberculosis Treatment Barriers and Facilitators in High TB Burden Regions of Argentina
Authors: Iribarren Sarah J. , Rubinstein Fernando , Discacciati Vilda , Pearce Patricia F.
Published: September 2014

Purpose. In Argentina, tuberculosis (TB) control measures have not achieved key treatment targets. The purpose of this study was to identify modes of treatment delivery and explore patient and healthcare personnel perceptions of barriers and facilitators to treatment success.Methods. We used semistructured group and individual interviews for this descriptive qualitative study. Eight high burden municipalities were purposively selected. Patients in treatment for active TB(n=16), multidisciplinary TB team members(n=26), and TB program directors(n=12)at local, municipal, regional, and national levels were interviewed. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis.Results. Modes of treatment delivery varied across municipalities and types of healthcare facility and were highly negotiated with patients. Self-administration of treatment was common in hospital-based and some community clinics. Barriers to TB treatment success were concentrated at the system level. This level relied heavily on individual personal commitment, and many system facilitators were operating in isolation or in limited settings.Conclusions. We outline experiences and perspectives of the facilitating and challenging factors at the individual, structural, social, and organizational levels. Establishing strong patient-healthcare personnel relationships, responding to patient needs, capitalizing on community resources, and maximizing established decentralized system could mitigate some of the barriers.
Complex Common and Internal Iliac or Aortoiliac Aneurysms and Current Approach: Individualised Open-Endovascular or Combined Procedures
Authors: Kotsis Thomas , Louizos Louizos Alexander , Pappas Evangelos , Theodoraki Kassiani
Published: September 2014

Objective. Bilateral internal iliac artery aneurysms constitute the utmost configuration of infrarenal aortoiliac disease. We detail characteristic aortoiliac disease patterns and reconstructive techniques we have used, along with a visualized decision-making chart and a short review of the literature.Material and Methods. A retrospective, observational study of twelve clinical cases of patients with aortoiliac disease are described. Two patients had a common iliac artery aneurysm and were managed by the application of inversed stent-grafts; another case was repaired by the insertion of a standard bifurcated stent-graft flared in the right common iliac artery and with an iliac branched device in the left iliac arterial axis. Open approach was used in 5 cases and in 4 cases a combination of aortouniliac stent-grafting with femoral-femoral bypass was applied.Results. Technical success was 100%. One endoleak type Ib in a flared iliac limb was observed and corrected by internal iliac embolism and use of an iliac limb stent-graft extension. We report 100% patency rate during 26.3 months of followup.Conclusion. Individualized techniques for the management of isolated iliac or aortoiliac aneurismal desease with special concern in maintaining internal iliac artery perfusion lead to elimination of perioperative complications and long-term durability and patency rates.
Optimization of Indium Recovery and Separation from LCD Waste by Solvent Extraction with Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phosphate (D2EHPA)
Authors: Yang Jiaxu , Ekberg Christian , Retegan Teodora
Published: September 2014

Indium tin oxide (ITO) is currently the choice of electrode material in liquid crystal displays (LCDs). D2EHPA is known to be an extractant that can be used to selectively recover indium from 1 M sulfuric acid. In order to optimize the extraction and separation of indium from LCD waste, the effects of pH, temperature, time, and extractant concentration on the distribution ratios of In(III) and the major impurities such as Al(III), Cu(II), Fe(III), and Zn(II) were investigated. Metal concentrations in the aqueous feed were based on the concentrations found in the leach liquor of LCD panel glass at 0.1 g/mL S/L ratio. This study showed that extraction of indium could be increased at <293 K and stripping of indium could be increased at >293 K. Furthermore, by increasing D2EHPA concentration from 0.1 M to 0.25 M, extraction of indium could be increased from 70% to >95%.
Multiple‐Vehicle Longitudinal Collision Mitigation by Coordinated Brake Control
Authors: Lu Xiao-Yun , Wang Jianqiang , Li Shengbo Eben , Zheng Yang
Published: September 2014

Rear‐end collision often leads to serious casualties and traffic congestion. The consequences are even worse for multiple‐vehicle collision. Many previous works focused on collision warning and avoidance strategies of two consecutive vehicles based on onboard sensor detection only. This paper proposes a centralized control strategy for multiple vehicles to minimize the impact of multiple‐vehicle collision based on vehicle‐to‐vehicle communication technique. The system is defined as a coupled group of vehicles with wireless communication capability and short following distances. The safety relationship can be represented as lower bound limit on deceleration of the first vehicle and upper bound on maximum deceleration of the last vehicle. The objective is to determine the desired deceleration for each vehicle such that the total impact energy is minimized at each time step. The impact energy is defined as the relative kinetic energy between a consecutive pair of vehicles (approaching only). Model predictive control (MPC) framework is used to formulate the problem to be constrained quadratic programming. Simulations show its effectiveness on collision mitigation. The developed algorithm has the potential to be used for progressive market penetration of connected vehicles in practice.
A Two‐Stage Algorithm for the Closed‐Loop Location‐Inventory Problem Model Considering Returns in E‐Commerce
Authors: Li Yanhui , Lu Mengmeng , Liu Bailing
Published: September 2014

Facility location and inventory control are critical and highly related problems in the design of logistics system for e‐commerce. Meanwhile, the return ratio in Internet sales was significantly higher than in the traditional business. Focusing on the existing problem in e‐commerce logistics system, we formulate a closed‐loop location‐inventory problem model considering returned merchandise to minimize the total cost which is produced in both forward and reverse logistics networks. To solve this nonlinear mixed programming model, an effective two‐stage heuristic algorithm named LRCAC is designed by combining Lagrangian relaxation with ant colony algorithm (AC). Results of numerical examples show that LRCAC outperforms ant colony algorithm (AC) on optimal solution and computing stability. The proposed model is able to help managers make the right decisions under e‐commerce environment.
Gallstone Ileus following Endoscopic Stone Extraction
Authors: Yamauchi Yoshiya , Wakui Noritaka , Asai Yasutsugu , Dan Nobuhiro , Takeda Yuki , Ueki Nobuo , Otsuka Takahumi , Oba Nobuyuki , Nisinakagawa Shuta , Kojima Tatsuya
Published: September 2014

An 85-year-old woman was an outpatient treated at Tokyo Rosai Hospital for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B. She had previously been diagnosed as having common bile duct stones, for which she underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, as stone removal was unsuccessful, a plastic stent was placed after endoscopic sphincterotomy. In October 2012, the stent was replaced endoscopically because she developed cholangitis due to stent occlusion. Seven days later, we performed ERCP to treat recurring cholangitis. During the procedure, the stone was successfully removed by a balloon catheter when cleaning the common bile duct. The next day, the patient developed abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and nausea and was diagnosed as having gallstone ileus based on abdominal computed tomography (CT) and abdominal ultrasonography findings of an incarcerated stone in the terminal ileum. Although colonoscopy was performed after inserting an ileus tube, no stone was visible. Subsequent CT imaging verified the disappearance of the incarcerated stone from the ileum, suggesting that the stone had been evacuated naturally via the transanal route. Although it is extremely rare for gallstone ileus to develop as a complication of ERCP, physicians should be aware of gallstone ileus and follow patients carefully, especially after removing huge stones.
Distributed Event‐Triggered Control of Multiagent Systems with Time‐Varying Topology
Authors: Ma Jingwei , Zhou Jie , Gao Yanping
Published: September 2014

This paper studies the consensus of first‐order discrete‐time multiagent systems, where the interaction topology is time‐varying. The event‐triggered control is used to update the control input of each agent, and the event‐triggering condition is designed based on the combination of the relative states of each agent to its neighbors. By applying the common Lyapunov function method, a sufficient condition for consensus, which is expressed as a group of linear matrix inequalities, is obtained and the feasibility of these linear matrix inequalities is further analyzed. Simulation examples are provided to explain the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
A Mandrel Feeding Strategy in Conical Ring Rolling Process
Authors: Meng Wen , Zhao Guoqun , Guan Yanjin
Published: September 2014

A mathematical model for radial conical ring rolling with a closed die structure on the top and bottom of driven roll, simplified as RCRRCDS, was established. The plastic penetration and biting‐in conditions in RCRRCDS process were determined. A mandrel feeding strategy for RCRRCDS process was proposed. The mandrel feed rate and its reasonable value range were deduced. The coupled thermal‐mechanical FE model of RCRRCDS process was established. The reasonable value range of the mandrel feed rate was verified by using numerical simulation method. The results indicate that the reasonable value range of the mandrel feed rate is feasible, the proposed mandrel feeding strategy can realize a steady RCRRCDS process, and the forming quality of conical ring rolled by using the proposed feeding strategy is better than that of conical ring rolled by using a constant mandrel feed rate.
A Schedule Optimization Model on Multirunway Based on Ant Colony Algorithm
Authors: Jiang Yu , Xu Zhaolong , Xu Xinxing , Liao Zhihua , Luo Yuxiao
Published: September 2014

In order to make full use of the slot of runway, reduce flight delay, and ensure fairness among airlines, a schedule optimization model for arrival‐departure flights is established in the paper. The total delay cost and fairness among airlines are two objective functions. The ant colony algorithm is adopted to solve this problem and the result is more efficient and reasonable when compared with FCFS (first come first served) strategy. Optimization results show that the flight delay and fair deviation are decreased by 42.22% and 38.64%, respectively. Therefore, the optimization model makes great significance in reducing flight delay and improving the fairness among all airlines.
Early versus Delayed Oral Feeding in Patients following Total Laryngectomy
Authors: Hay Ashley , Pitkin Lisa , Gurusamy Kurinchi
Published: September 2014

Objectives. To assess the effects of early oral feeding in laryngectomy patients versus delayed oral feeding. The outcomes used are mortality, pharyngocutaneous fistula rate, quality of life, hospital length of stay, and complications. Method. We performed searches within five major databases until June 2013. We considered randomised control trials (RCTs) and included nonrandomised studies for the assessment of harms. Results. We included four RCTs for assessment of benefits and three nonrandomised studies for assessment of harms (393 participants). There was no statistically significant difference detected in mortality at six months, pharyngocutaneous fistulae, or complications. The length of hospital stay was shorter in the early feeding group, MD −2.72 days [95% CI −5.34 to −0.09]. Conclusion. Early oral feeding appears to have similar incidence of complications and has the potential to shorten the length of hospital stay. Further well-designed RCTs are necessary because of weakness in the available evidence.
A Modified Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm Based on Search Space Division and Disruptive Selection Strategy
Authors: He Zhen-an , Ma Caiwen , Wang Xianhong , Li Lei , Wang Ying , Zhao Yuan , Guo Huinan
Published: September 2014

Artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm has attracted much attention and has been applied to many scientific and engineering applications in recent years. However, there are still some insufficiencies in ABC algorithm such as poor quality of initial solution, slow convergence, premature, and low precision, which hamper the further development and application of ABC. In order to further improve the performance of ABC, we first proposed a novel initialization method called search space division (SSD), which provided high quality of initial solutions. And then, a disruptive selection strategy was used to improve population diversity. Moreover, in order to accelerate convergence rate, we changed the definition of the scout bee phase. In addition, we designed two types of experiments to testify our proposed algorithm. On the one hand, we conducted experiments to make sure how much each modification makes contribution to improving the performance of ABC. On the other hand, comprehensive experiments were performed to prove the superiority of our proposed algorithm. The experimental results indicate that SDABC significantly outperforms other ABCs, contributing to higher solution accuracy, faster convergence speed, and stronger algorithm stability.
Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Perceived Barriers of Colorectal Cancer Screening among Family Physicians in National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh
Authors: Demyati Eyad
Published: September 2014

Objectives. The objective of this study is to explore the current knowledge, attitude, and practice of family physicians working in family medicine clinics in National Guard Health Affairs (NGHA), Riyadh, toward colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and to identify the barriers of the screening. Methods. Data were collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire adopted from the National Cancer Institute in USA, customized by adding and eliminating questions to be in line with the institution (NGHA) characteristics. Results. Of the 130 physicians, 56.2% of the physicians were not practicing CRC screening although 94.6% considered CRC screening effective. Board certified physicians had higher knowledge score and were practicing CRC screening more when compared to other physicians. Physicians who reported practicing CRC screening scored more on the knowledge score than those not practicing. Male physicians scored better on attitude score than female physicians. The study found that barriers were cited in higher rates among physicians not practicing CRC screening compared with practicing physicians. Lack of patients’ awareness was the most cited barrier. Conclusion. Large percentage of family physicians in this study do not practice CRC screening, despite the knowledge level and the positive attitude.
Physicochemical Properties of Flaxseed Fortified Extruded Bean Snack
Authors: Vadukapuram Naveen , Hall Clifford , Tulbek Mehmet , Niehaus Mary
Published: September 2014

Milled flaxseed was incorporated (0–20%) into a combination of bean-corn flours and extruded in a twin screw extruder using corn curl method. Physicochemical parameters such as water activity, color, expansion ratio, bulk density, lipid content, and peroxide values of extruded snack were analyzed. Scanning electron micrographs were taken. Peroxide values and propanal contents were measured over four months of storage. Rancidity scores of extruded snack were measured using a trained panel. As expected, omega-3 fatty acids and bulk density increased with increasing flaxseed fortification levels. Extrudates with more flaxseed had decreased lightness values and expansion ratios. However, only the 15 and 20% flaxseed containing extrudates had expansion ratios that were significantly(P≤0.05)different from the control. In general, no significant difference(P>0.05)in water activity values was observed in the flaxseed fortified extrudates, except in the navy-corn based extrudates. Peroxide values increased with increased flaxseed levels and over a storage period. However, propanal values did not change significantly in the 5–10% flaxseed fortified extrudates but increased in extrudates with higher levels of flaxseed. Rancidity scores were correlated with peroxide values and did not increase significantly during storage under nitrogen flushed conditions.
Sliding Mode Control for Electrohydrostatic Actuator
Authors: Zhengqiang Shi , Zhiyong Tang , Zhongcai Pei
Published: September 2014

Electrohydrostatic actuator (EHA) is a new actuator for next generation aircraft actuation system. This actuator is essentially a nonlinear system; response speed and accuracy are the main consideration. We use sliding mode control for this nonlinear system in this paper. The variable structure filter (VSF) is introduced to obtain the unmeasured states. Derivation of the VSF gain based on the reaching law is presented in this paper. To improve the response speed and accuracy, a nonlinear function is introduced to construct the nonlinear sliding surface using the estimated states generated by VSF. Simulation results show that low settling time and quick response are obtained by using the nonlinear sliding surface.
A Collocation Method for Numerical Solution of Hyperbolic Telegraph Equation with Neumann Boundary Conditions
Authors: Mittal R. C. , Bhatia Rachna
Published: September 2014

We present a technique based on collocation of cubic B-spline basis functions to solve second order one-dimensional hyperbolic telegraph equation with Neumann boundary conditions. The use of cubic B-spline basis functions for spatial variable and its derivatives reduces the problem into system of first order ordinary differential equations. The resulting system subsequently has been solved by SSP-RK54 scheme. The accuracy of the proposed approach has been confirmed with numerical experiments, which shows that the results obtained are acceptable and in good agreement with the exact solution.
Existence of the Optimal Control for Stochastic Boundary Control Problems Governed by Semilinear Parabolic Equations
Authors: Wang Weifeng , Wang Baobin
Published: September 2014

We study an optimal control problem governed by a semilinear parabolic equation, whose control variable is contained only in the boundary condition. An existence theorem for the optimal control is obtained.
Fructose Induced Endotoxemia in Pediatric Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Jin Ran , Willment Andrew , Patel Shivani S. , Sun Xiaoyan , Song Ming , Mannery Yanci O. , Kosters Astrid , McClain Craig J. , Vos Miriam B.
Published: September 2014

In preclinical studies of fructose-induced NAFLD, endotoxin appears to play an important role. We retrospectively examined samples from three pediatric cohorts (1) to investigate whether endotoxemia is associated with the presence of hepatic steatosis; (2) to evaluate postprandial endotoxin levels in response to fructose beverage in an acute 24-hour feeding challenge, and (3) to determine the change of fasting endotoxin amounts in a 4-week randomized controlled trial comparing fructose to glucose beverages in NAFLD. We found that adolescents with hepatic steatosis had elevated endotoxin levels compared to obese controls and that the endotoxin level correlated with insulin resistance and several inflammatory cytokines. In a 24-hour feeding study, endotoxin levels in NAFLD adolescents increased after fructose beverages (consumed with meals) as compared to healthy children. Similarly, endotoxin was significantly increased after adolescents consumed fructose beverages for 2 weeks and remained high although not significantly at 4 weeks. In conclusion, these data provide support for the concept of low level endotoxemia contributing to pediatric NAFLD and the possible role of fructose in this process. Further studies are needed to determine if manipulation of the microbiome or other methods of endotoxin reduction would be useful as a therapy for pediatric NAFLD.
Node‐Dependence‐Based Dynamic Incentive Algorithm in Opportunistic Networks
Authors: Yu Ruiyun , Wang Pengfei
Published: September 2014

Opportunistic networks lack end‐to‐end paths between source nodes and destination nodes, so the communications are mainly carried out by the “store‐carry‐forward” strategy. Selfish behaviors of rejecting packet relay requests will severely worsen the network performance. Incentive is an efficient way to reduce selfish behaviors and hence improves the reliability and robustness of the networks. In this paper, we propose the node‐dependence‐based dynamic gaming incentive (NDI) algorithm, which exploits the dynamic repeated gaming to motivate nodes relaying packets for other nodes. The NDI algorithm presents a mechanism of tolerating selfish behaviors of nodes. Reward and punishment methods are also designed based on the node dependence degree. Simulation results show that the NDI algorithm is effective in increasing the delivery ratio and decreasing average latency when there are a lot of selfish nodes in the opportunistic networks.
Forecasting Rice Productivity and Production of Odisha, India, Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Models
Authors: Tripathi Rahul , Nayak A. K. , Raja R. , Shahid Mohammad , Kumar Anjani , Mohanty Sangita , Panda B. B. , Lal B. , Gautam Priyanka
Published: September 2014

Forecasting of rice area, production, and productivity of Odisha was made from the historical data of 1950-51 to 2008-09 by using univariate autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models and was compared with the forecasted all Indian data. The autoregressive (p) and moving average (q) parameters were identified based on the significant spikes in the plots of partial autocorrelation function (PACF) and autocorrelation function (ACF) of the different time series. ARIMA (2, 1, 0) model was found suitable for all Indian rice productivity and production, whereas ARIMA (1, 1, 1) was best fitted for forecasting of rice productivity and production in Odisha. Prediction was made for the immediate next three years, that is, 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10, using the best fitted ARIMA models based on minimum value of the selection criterion, that is, Akaike information criteria (AIC) and Schwarz-Bayesian information criteria (SBC). The performances of models were validated by comparing with percentage deviation from the actual values and mean absolute percent error (MAPE), which was found to be 0.61 and 2.99% for the area under rice in Odisha and India, respectively. Similarly for prediction of rice production and productivity in Odisha and India, the MAPE was found to be less than 6%.
Microbiological and Toxicological Assessment of Pharmaceutical Wastewater from the Lagos Megacity, Nigeria
Authors: Obasi Avemaria Ifeoma , Amaeze Nnamdi Henry , Osoko Damilola Dorcas
Published: September 2014

We conducted a microbiological and toxicological profiling of a pharmaceutical wastewater, one of the major wastes entering the Lagos lagoon. The morphological characterization of seven bacterial isolates from the wastewater indicated that 4 of them were gram positive bacilli while 3 were cocci of both gram reactions. The bacterial isolates exhibited varying degrees of enzyme activities but most were able to hydrolyze starch to yield amylase. Only 3 of the isolates showed prospects as antibacterial agents, given their moderate inhibition toStaphylococcus xylosusrelative to 8 other species tested. Overall, 81.3% of the isolates were resistant, and 3.3% were susceptible while 15.4% of the isolates showed intermediate sensitivity to the antibiotics. The assessment of antioxidant activities in liver samples ofNile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus, exposed to sublethal concentrations of the effluents indicated some form of oxidative stress given the higher levels of lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde, in the exposed fishes relative to the control kept in dechlorinate tap water. But for reduced glutathione, activities of the antioxidative stress enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-s-transferase (GST), were higher in the effluent exposed tilapia. Responses were not dose dependent and enzyme activities were often higher at day 14 compared to day 28. This relevance of the findings to water quality was discussed.
Effects of AC Coils Parameters on Transduction Efficiency of EMAT for Steel Plate Inspection
Authors: Song Xiaochun , Wang Yawu
Published: September 2014

In order to improve the transduction efficiency of electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) for steel plates inspection, the constitutive equation of magnetostrictive material was theoretically derived and simplified while the magnetostrictive force is parallel to the material surface. Based on the multiphysics field FEM, the effects of such excitation parameters as current, frequency, and pulse number in AC coils on magnetostrictive strain were mainly simulated, and the influence of the coil with different winding shapes on magnetostrictive strain was also analyzed. The simulation and experimental results indicate that magnetostrictive strain increases with a continuously increasing excitation current density, but it decreases with the increase of the frequency and pulse number of AC currents. Moreover, on condition that loop length and AC currents are held constant, spiral type coils have higher transduction efficiency than homocentric squares and figure‐of‐eight coils.
A Mixed Element Method for the Desorption‐Diffusion‐Seepage Model of Gas Flow in Deformable Coalbed Methane Reservoirs
Authors: Yang Lei
Published: September 2014

We present a desorption‐diffusion‐seepage model for the gas flow problem in deformable coalbed methane reservoirs. Effects of fracture systems deformation on permeability have been considered in the proposed model. A mixed finite element method is introduced to solve the gas flow model, in which the coalbed gas pressure and velocity can be approximated simultaneously. Numerical experiments using the lowest order Raviart‐Thomas (RT0) mixed element are carried out to describe the dynamic characteristics of gas pressure, velocity, and concentration. Error estimate results indicate that approximation solutions
could achieve first‐order convergence rates.
Effect of Different Terpene-Containing Essential Oils on the Proliferation ofEchinococcus granulosusLarval Cells
Authors: Albani Clara María , Denegri Guillermo María , Elissondo María Celina
Published: September 2014

Human cystic echinococcosis remains a major public health problem on several countries and the treatment strategies are not solved. The aim of the present work was to determine the in vitro effect of thymol andMentha piperita,M. pulegium,andRosmarinus officinalisessential oils on the proliferation ofE. granulosuslarval cells. Isolated cells and cellular aggregates were obtained from hydatid cyst’s germinal layer and exposed to 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml of thymol and the different essential oils for 7 days. Drug effect was evaluated using test viability and scanning electron microscopy. Control cell culture viability was 2.1 x 106(100%) after 7 days of incubation. At day 7, thymol 5 μg/ml caused a reduction in cell viability of 63% and the essential oils ofM. piperita10 μg/ml,M. pulegium10 μg/ml, andR. officinalis10 μg/ml produced a reduction in the viability of 77, 82, and 71%, respectively. Moreover essential oils caused reduction in cell number, collapsed cells, and loss of normal tridimensional composition of the aggregates. Due to the inhibitory effect caused by essential oils onE. granulosuscells we suggested that it would be an effective means for suppression of larval growth.
Prediction of Sustained Virological Response to Telaprevir-Based Triple Therapy Using Viral Response within 2 Weeks
Authors: Tamai Hideyuki , Shimizu Ryo , Shingaki Naoki , Mori Yoshiyuki , Maeshima Shuya , Nuta Junya , Maeda Yoshimasa , Moribata Kosaku , Muraki Yosuke , Deguchi Hisanobu , Inoue Izumi , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kato Jun , Ichinose Masao
Published: September 2014

The aim of the present study was to predict sustained virological response (SVR) to telaprevir with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin using viral response within 2 weeks after therapy initiation. Thirty-six patients with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) and high viral load were treated by telaprevir-based triple therapy. SVR was achieved in 72% (26/36) of patients. Significant differences between the SVR group and non-SVR group were noted regarding response to prior PEG-IFN plus ribavirin, interleukin (IL)28B polymorphism, amino acid substitution at core 70, cirrhosis, hyaluronic acid level, and HCV-RNA reduction within 2 weeks. Setting 4.56 logIU/mL as the cut-off value for HCV-RNA reduction at 2 weeks, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for predicting SVR were 77%, 86%, 95%, 50%, and 79%, respectively, and for neither the IL28B minor allele nor core 70 mutant were 80%, 71%, 91%, 50%, and 78%, respectively. In conclusion, evaluation of viral reduction at 2 weeks or the combination of IL28B polymorphism and amino acid substitution at core 70 are useful for predicting SVR to telaprevir with PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy.
Development and Verification of the Tire/Road Friction Estimation Algorithm for Antilock Braking System
Authors: Zhao Jian , Zhang Jin , Zhu Bing
Published: September 2014

Road friction information is very important for vehicle active braking control systems such as ABS, ASR, or ESP. It is not easy to estimate the tire/road friction forces and coefficient accurately because of the nonlinear system, parameters uncertainties, and signal noises. In this paper, a robust and effective tire/road friction estimation algorithm for ABS is proposed, and its performance is further discussed by simulation and experiment. The tire forces were observed by the discrete Kalman filter, and the road friction coefficient was estimated by the recursive least square method consequently. Then, the proposed algorithm was analysed and verified by simulation and road test. A sliding mode based ABS with smooth wheel slip ratio control and a threshold based ABS by pulse pressure control with significant fluctuations were used for the simulation. Finally, road tests were carried out in both winter and summer by the car equipped with the same threshold based ABS, and the algorithm was evaluated on different road surfaces. The results show that the proposed algorithm can identify the variation of road conditions with considerable accuracy and response speed.
Nonlocal Intracranial Cavity Extraction
Authors: Manjón José V. , Eskildsen Simon F. , Coupé Pierrick , Romero José E. , Collins D. Louis , Robles Montserrat
Published: September 2014

Automatic and accurate methods to estimate normalized regional brain volumes from MRI data are valuable tools which may help to obtain an objective diagnosis and followup of many neurological diseases. To estimate such regional brain volumes, the intracranial cavity volume (ICV) is often used for normalization. However, the high variability of brain shape and size due to normal intersubject variability, normal changes occurring over the lifespan, and abnormal changes due to disease makes the ICV estimation problem challenging. In this paper, we present a new approach to perform ICV extraction based on the use of a library of prelabeled brain images to capture the large variability of brain shapes. To this end, an improved nonlocal label fusion scheme based on BEaST technique is proposed to increase the accuracy of the ICV estimation. The proposed method is compared with recentstate-of-the-artmethods and the results demonstrate an improved performance both in terms of accuracy and reproducibility while maintaining a reduced computational burden.
Development of SCAR Primers for PCR Assay to DetectDiplodia seriata
Authors: Martín M. T. , Cuesta M. J. , Martín L.
Published: September 2014

The aim of this study was to develop primer pairs forDiplodia seriataidentification, one of the most common fungal species associated with grapevine decline in Castilla y León (Spain). Genetic variability of selected isolates ofD. seriatawas estimated. A molecular marker was generated from a random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fragment. PCR products of around 1200 bp were obtained with OPE20 primer. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced. The sequences were compared and a fragment of 1207 bp was used to design primer pairs. Two primer pairs were selected (DS3.8 S3-DS3.8 R6 and DS3.8 S3-DS3.8 R4) that amplified a single DNA product of 634 bp and 233 bp, respectively, withD. seriataisolates. No amplification was obtained for any of the 57 isolates of other species. The designed SCAR primer pairs allowed a rapid detection ofD. seriata, and were able to detect 0.1 pg of the target DNA. Detection was specific and sensitive forD. seriata. The established protocols detected these fungi in naturally infected grapevines after DNA purification.Diplodia seriatawas detectable without DNA purification and isolation in 62.5% to 75% of reactions. The detection of this pathogen in wood samples has great potential for use in pathogen-free certification schemes.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Hospitalization and Home-Based Care Strategies for People Living with HIV/AIDS: The Case of Zimbabwe
Authors: Hove-Musekwa Senelani D. , Nyabadza Farai , Mambili-Mamboundou Hermane , Chiyaka Christinah , Mukandavire Zindoga
Published: September 2014

The model of care of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) has shifted from hospital care to community home-based care (CHBC) because of shortage of space in hospitals and lack of resources. We evaluate the costs and benefits of home-based care and other HIV/AIDS intervention strategies in Zimbabwe, using an interdisciplinary approach which weaves together the techniques of an epidemic transmission model and economic evaluation concepts. The intervention strategies considered are voluntary counselling and testing (VCT), VCT combined with hospitalization (H), VCT combined with CHBC, and all the interventions implemented concurrently. The results of the study indicate that implementing all the strategies concurrently is the most cost-effective, a result which also agrees with the epidemiological model. Our results also show that the effectiveness of a strategy in the epidemiological model does not necessarily imply cost-effectiveness of the strategy and behaviour change, modelled by the parameters p and m, that accompanied the strategies, influencing both the cost-effectiveness of an intervention strategy and dynamics of the epidemic. This study shows that interdisciplinary collaborations can help in improving the accuracy of predictions of the course and cost of the epidemic and help policy makers in implementing the correct strategies.
QPSO versus BSA for Failure Correction of Linear Array of Mutually Coupled Parallel Dipole Antennas with Fixed Side Lobe Level and VSWR
Authors: Muralidharan R. , Athinarayanan Vallavaraj , Mahanti G. K. , Mahanti Ananya
Published: September 2014

Evolutionary algorithms play an important role in synthesizing linear array antenna. In this paper, the authors have compared quantum particle swarm optimization (QPSO) and backtracking search algorithms (BSA) in failure correction of linear antenna arrays constructed using half wavelength uniformly spaced dipoles. The QPSO algorithm is a combination of classical PSO and quantum mechanics principles to enhance the performance of PSO and BSA is considered as a modernized PSO using historical populations. These two algorithms are applied to obtain the voltage excitations of the nondefective elements in the failed antenna array such that the necessary objectives, namely, the minimization of parameters like side lobe level (SLL) and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), are achieved leading to their values matching closely the desired parameter values. The results of both algorithms are compared in terms of parameters used in the objective function along their statistical parameters. Moreover, in order to reduce the processing time, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) is used to obtain the array factor. In this paper, an example is presented for the application of the above two algorithms for a linear array of 30 parallel half wavelength dipole antennas failed with 4 elements and they clearly show the effectiveness of both the QPSO and BSA algorithms in terms of optimized parameters, statistical values, and processing time.
Food Insecurity and Not Dietary Diversity Is a Predictor of Nutrition Status in Children within Semiarid Agro-Ecological Zones in Eastern Kenya
Authors: Bukania Zipporah N. , Mwangi Moses , Karanja Robert M. , Mutisya Richard , Kombe Yeri , Kaduka Lydia U. , Johns Timothy
Published: September 2014

Machakos and Makueni counties in Kenya are associated with historical land degradation, climate change, and food insecurity. Both counties lie in lower midland (LM) lower humidity to semiarid (LM4), and semiarid (LM5) agroecological zones (AEZ). We assessed food security, dietary diversity, and nutritional status of children and women.Materials and Methods.A total of 277 woman-child pairs aged 15–46 years and 6–36 months respectively, were recruited from farmer households. Food security and dietary diversity were assessed using standard tools. Weight and height, or length in children, were used for computation of nutritional status.Findings.No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in food security and dietary diversity score (DDS) between LM4 and LM5. Stunting, wasting, and underweight levels among children in LM4 and LM5 were comparable as were BMI scores among women. However, significant associations (P=0.023) were found between severe food insecurity and nutritional status of children but not of their caregivers. Stunting was significantly higher in older children (>2 years) and among children whose caregivers were older.Conclusion. Differences in AEZ may not affect dietary diversity and nutritional status of farmer households. Consequently use of DDS may lead to underestimation of food insecurity in semiarid settings.
Kinetic Study of Nonequilibrium Plasma‐Assisted Methane Steam Reforming
Authors: Zheng Hongtao , Liu Qian
Published: September 2014

To develop a detailed reaction mechanism for plasma‐assisted methane steam reforming, a comprehensive numerical and experimental study of effect laws on methane conversion and products yield is performed at different steam to methane molar ratio (S/C), residence time s, and reaction temperatures. A CHEMKIN‐PRO software with sensitivity analysis module and path flux analysis module was used for simulations. A set of comparisons show that the developed reaction mechanism can accurately predict methane conversion and the trend of products yield in different operating conditions. Using the developed reaction mechanism in plasma‐assisted kinetic model, the reaction path flux analysis was carried out. The result shows that CH3 recombination is the limiting reaction for CO production and O is the critical species for CO production. Adding 40 wt.% Ni/SiO2 in discharge region has significantly promoted the yield of H2, CO, or CO2 in dielectric packed bed (DPB) reactor. Plasma catalytic hybrid reforming experiment verifies the reaction path flux analysis tentatively.
A Virtual Machine Migration Strategy Based on Time Series Workload Prediction Using Cloud Model
Authors: Liu Yanbing , Gong Bo , Xing Congcong , Jian Yi
Published: September 2014

Aimed at resolving the issues of the imbalance of resources and workloads at data centers and the overhead together with the high cost of virtual machine (VM) migrations, this paper proposes a new VM migration strategy which is based on the cloud model time series workload prediction algorithm. By setting the upper and lower workload bounds for host machines, forecasting the tendency of their subsequent workloads by creating a workload time series using the cloud model, and stipulating a general VM migration criterion workload‐aware migration (WAM), the proposed strategy selects a source host machine, a destination host machine, and a VM on the source host machine carrying out the task of the VM migration. Experimental results and analyses show, through comparison with other peer research works, that the proposed method can effectively avoid VM migrations caused by momentary peak workload values, significantly lower the number of VM migrations, and dynamically reach and maintain a resource and workload balance for virtual machines promoting an improved utilization of resources in the entire data center.
An Optimization of (Q, r) Inventory Policy Based on Health Care Apparel Products with Compound Poisson Demands
Authors: Pan An , Hui Chi-Leung , Ng Frency
Published: September 2014

Addressing the problems of a health care center which produces tailor‐made clothes for specific people, the paper proposes a single product continuous review model and establishes an optimal policy for the center based on (Q, r) control policy to minimize expected average cost on an order cycle. A generic mathematical model to compute cost on real‐time inventory level is developed to generate optimal order quantity under stochastic stock variation. The customer demands are described as compound Poisson process. Comparisons on cost between optimization method and experience‐based decision on Q are made through numerical studies conducted for the inventory system of the center.
CD66+ Cells in Cervical Precancers Are Partially Differentiated Progenitors with Neoplastic Traits
Authors: Pattabiraman Chitra , Hong Shiyuan , Gunasekharan Vignesh K. , Pranatharthi Annapurna , Bajaj Jeevisha , Srivastava Sweta , Krishnamurthy H. , Ammothumkandy Aswathy , Giri Venkat G. , Laimins Laimonis A. , Krishna Sudhir
Published: September 2014

Cervical cancers, a malignancy associated with oncogenic papilloma viruses, remain a major disease burden in the absence of effective implementation of preventive strategies. CD66+ cells have previously been identified as a tumor-propagating subset in cervical cancers. We investigated the existence, differentiation state, and neoplastic potential of CD66+ cells in a precancer cell line harboring HPV31b episomes. The gene expression profile of CD66high cells overlaps with differentiated keratinocytes, neoplastic mesenchymal transition, cells of the squamocolumnar junction, and cervical cancer cell line–derived spheroids. There is elevated expression of DNMT1, Notch1, and the viral gene product E1⁁E4 in CD66high cells. Thus, CD66high cells, in the absence of differentiating signals, express higher levels of key regulators of keratinocytes stemness, differentiation, and the viral life cycle, respectively. We also find a striking association of neoplastic traits, including migration, invasion, and colony formation, in soft agar with CD66high cells. These properties and a distinct G2–M–enriched cell-cycle profile are conserved in cells from cervical cancers. Principally, using a precancerous cell line, we propose that CD66high cells have an intermediate differentiation state, with a cellular milieu connected with both viral replication and neoplastic potential, and validate some key features in precancer lesions. Such pathophysiologically relevant systems for defining cellular changes in the early phases of the disease process provide both mechanistic insight and potential therapeutic strategies. Collectively, our data provide a rationale for exploring novel therapeutic targets in CD66+ subsets during cancer progression. Cancer Res; 74(22); 6682–92. ©2014 AACR.
Obesity Increases the Risk for High-Grade Prostate Cancer: Results from the REDUCE Study
Authors: Vidal Adriana C. , Howard Lauren E. , Moreira Daniel M. , Castro-Santamaria Ramiro , Andriole Gerald L. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: September 2014

Background: Studies suggest that obesity is associated with lower risk of prostate cancer but more aggressive cancers. As obesity lowers PSA levels, these observations may be influenced by detection bias. We examined the association between obesity and risk of low- and high-grade prostate cancer in REDUCE, in which biopsies were largely independent of PSA.

Methods: The REDUCE study tested dutasteride for prostate cancer risk reduction in men with a PSA of 2.5 to 10.0 ng/mL and a negative biopsy. Study participants included 6,729 men who underwent at least one on-study biopsy. The association between baseline body mass index (BMI <25 kg/m2 normal weight; 25–29.9 kg/m2 overweight; and ≥30 kg/m2 obese) and risk of high-grade (Gleason ≥7) or low-grade prostate cancer (Gleason <7) versus no prostate cancer was examined using multinomial logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 1,739 men (27%) were normal weight, 3,384 (53%) overweight, and 1,304 (20%) were obese. Obesity was associated with lower risk of low-grade prostate cancer in both univariable (OR, 0.74; P = 0.001) and multivariable analyses (OR, 0.79; P = 0.01). In univariable analysis, obesity was not associated with high-grade prostate cancer (OR, 1.08; P = 0.50). However, in multivariable analysis, obesity was associated with increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer (OR, 1.28; P = 0.042). This analysis was not able to address how obesity may influence prostate cancer progression.

Conclusions: Obesity is associated with decreased risk of low-grade and increased risk of high-grade prostate cancer. These data provide further support to the hypothesis that obesity is associated with aggressive prostate cancer.

Impact: Obesity is linked with aggressive prostate cancer. Avoiding obesity may prevent the risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2936–42. ©2014 AACR.
Time Dependence of Risks and Benefits in Pediatric Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapy
Authors: DeWitt Elizabeth S. , Triedman John K. , Cecchin Frank , Mah Doug Y. , Abrams Dominic J. , Walsh Edward P. , Gauvreau Kimberlee , Alexander Mark E.
Published: September 2014

Background—

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) used to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in children not only provide appropriate therapy in 25% of patients but also result in a significant incidence of inappropriate shocks and other device complications. ICDs placed for secondary prevention have higher rates of appropriate therapy than those placed for primary prevention. Pediatric patients with primary prevention ICDs were studied to determine time-dependent incidence of appropriate use and adverse events.

Methods and Results—

A total of 140 patients aged <21 years (median age, 15 years) at first ICD implantation at Boston Children’s Hospital (2000–2009) in whom devices were placed for primary prevention were retrospectively identified. Demographics and times to first appropriate shock; adverse events (including inappropriate shock, lead failure, reintervention, and complication); generator replacement and follow-up were noted. During mean follow-up of 4 years, appropriate shock occurred in 19% patients and first adverse event (excluding death/transplant) occurred in 36%. Risk of death or transplant was ≈1% per year and was not related to receiving appropriate therapy. Conditional survival analysis showed rates of appropriate therapy and adverse events decrease soon after implantation, but adverse events are more frequent than appropriate therapy throughout follow-up.

Conclusions—

Primary prevention ICDs were associated with appropriate therapy in 19% and adverse event in 36% in this cohort. The incidence of both first appropriate therapy and device-related adverse events decreased during longer periods of follow-up after implantation. This suggests that indications for continued device therapy in pediatric primary prevention ICD patients might be reconsidered after a period of nonuse.