bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Novel Wireless Sensor Networks Structure Based on the SDN
Authors: Han Zhi-jie , Ren Wanli
Published: March 2014

Since the SDN (Software Defined Network) technology based on OpenFlow was born, domestic and foreign research institutions have had increasing attention to this emerging field. The OpenFlow technology which is known for standardization and compatibility network virtualization has brought a lot of innovative solutions in the field of research. As the wireless sensor network node is complex and difficult to move and the network topology is changing rapidly with time, this requires a routing protocol for it to be able to adapt to this high topology change. Because traditional WSNS protocol communication needs to consider energy consumption, load balancing and other factors, it is difficult to find one to take into account all aspects of network algorithms. In this paper, we put forward a new solution for WSNS in accordance with the OpenFlow technology research in the application of traditional network.
Compound Option Pricing under Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Wang Xiandong , He Jianmin , Li Shouwei
Published: March 2014

Considering the uncertainty of a financial market includes two aspects: risk and vagueness; in this paper, fuzzy sets theory is applied to model the imprecise input parameters (interest rate and volatility). We present the fuzzy price of compound option by fuzzing the interest and volatility in Geske’s compound option pricing formula. For eachα, theα-level set of fuzzy prices is obtained according to the fuzzy arithmetics and the definition of fuzzy-valued function. We apply a defuzzification method based on crisp possibilistic mean values of the fuzzy interest rate and fuzzy volatility to obtain the crisp possibilistic mean value of compound option price. Finally, we present a numerical analysis to illustrate the compound option pricing under fuzzy environment.
Estimation of Hospital Potential Capacity and Basic Reproduction Number
Authors: Wang Fei , Wang Linhua , Wang Peng
Published: March 2014

In order to reflect the population covered by institutional medical services, the concept of hospital potential capacity is proposed and a formula for its estimation is developed based on a population dynamic model. Using the collected data on hospital outpatient and inpatient services and the demographical information on Chongqing as an example, the demand for medical resource allocation in Chongqing is dynamically estimated. Moreover, the proposed formula is also useful in the estimation of the basic reproduction number in epidemiology. The results can be contributed to the improvement of decision-making in the allocation of medical resources and the evaluation of the interventions and control efforts of the infectious disease.
A Case of Rhizomelic Chondrodysplasia Punctata in Newborn
Authors: Karabayır Nalan , Keskindemirci Gonca , Adal Erdal , Korkmaz Orhan
Published: March 2014

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctate (RCDP) is a rare autosomal recessive peroxisomal disease. The main features of the disease are shortening of the proximal long bones, punctate calcifications located in the epiphyses of long bones and in soft tissues around joints and vertebral column, vertebral clefting, dysmorphic face, and severe growth retardation, whereas cervical spinal stenosis may also rarely be present. Imaging of the brain and spinal cord in patients with this disorder may aid prognosis and guide management decisions. We report the newborn diagnosed as CDP with cervical stenosis. Our aim is to discuss current knowledge on etiopathogenesis as well as radiological and clinical symptoms of diseases associated with CDP.
Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome from Thermal Injury
Authors: Singh Vijay A. , Michael Rami E. , Dinh Duy-Bao P. , Bloom Scott , Cooper Michael
Published: March 2014

Background. Due to anatomical proximity to bone, the radial nerve is the most frequently injured major nerve of the upper extremity, frequently secondary to fractures (Li et al. (2013)). We describe an incidence when a branch of the radial nerve is injured as a result of a thermal injury.Observation. Radial nerve injury can occur anywhere along the anatomical course with varied etiologies, but commonly related to trauma. The most frequent site is in the proximal forearm involving the posterior interosseous branch. However, problems can occur at the junction of the middle and proximal thirds of the humerus and wrist radially. When the radial nerve is injured by a burn, a new rehabilitation dynamic arises. Not only does one agonize about the return of nerve function but also fret about the skin grafts that replaced the devitalized tissue housing that compartment.Discussion. Although posterior interosseous nerve syndrome has been described in the context of many different etiologies, it has not previously been discussed in relation to burn injuries. In this case, not only did the patient’s rehabilitation involve aggressive therapy for return of sensation and function of the arm, but also prevention of contracture normally seen in replacement of full thickness burns.
Implicit Multifunction Theorems in Banach Spaces
Authors: Yang Ming-ge , Xu Yi-fan
Published: March 2014

This paper is mainly devoted to the study of implicit multifunction theorems in terms of Clarke coderivative in general Banach spaces. We present new sufficient conditions for the local metric regularity, metric regularity, Lipschitz-like property, nonemptiness, and lower semicontinuity of implicit multifunctions in general Banach spaces. The basic tools of our analysis involve the Ekeland variational principle, the Clarke subdifferential, and the Clarke coderivative.
Multifactorial Hypercalcemia and Literature Review on Primary Hyperparathyroidism Associated with Lymphoma
Authors: Maletkovic Jelena , Isorena Jennifer P. , Palma Diaz Miguel Fernando , Korenman Stanley G. , Yeh Michael W.
Published: March 2014

The most common cause of hypercalcemia in hospitalized patients is malignancy. Primary hyperparathyroidism most commonly causes hypercalcemia in the outpatient setting. These two account for over 90% of all cases of hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can be divided into PTH-mediated and PTH-independent variants. Primary hyperparathyroidism, familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, familial hyperparathyroidism, and secondary hyperparathyroidism are PTH mediated. The most common PTH-independent type of hypercalcemia is malignancy related. Several mechanisms lead to hypercalcemia in malignancy-direct osteolysis by metastatic disease or, more commonly, production of humoral factors by the primary tumor also known as humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy that accounts for about 80% of malignancy-related hypercalcemia. The majority of HHM is caused by tumor-produced parathyroid hormone-related protein and less frequently production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D or parathyroid hormone by the tumor. We report the rare case of a patient with hypercalcemia and diagnosed primary hyperparathyroidism. The patient had persistent hypercalcemia after surgical removal of parathyroid adenoma with recorded significant decrease in PTH level. After continued investigation it was found that the patient also had elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and further studies confirmed a large spleen mass that was later confirmed to be a lymphoma. This is a rare example of two concomitant causes of hypercalcemia requiring therapy.
Evaluation of Teriparatide for Treatment of Osteoporosis in Four Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: A Case Series
Authors: Siwamogsatham Oranan , Stephens Kelly , Tangpricha Vin
Published: March 2014

Introduction.Bone disease is a common complication of cystic fibrosis (CF). To date, there have been no reports on the effectiveness of teriparatide, recombinant human parathyroid hormone, to treat CF-related bone disease.Case Presentation.We report on four patients with CF-related bone disease who were treated with teriparatide. Three patients completed two years of therapy with teriparatide, and all had significant improvements in their bone mineral density (BMD). One patient was unable to tolerate teriparatide and discontinued treatment 1 week into therapy.Conclusion.Teriparatide may be a potential treatment option for CF-related bone disease. This report highlights the need for further investigation into the use of teripartide in the CF population.
Electromagnetic Nondestructive Testing by Perturbation Homotopy Method
Authors: Ding Liang , Cao Jun
Published: March 2014

Now electromagnetic nondestructive testing methods have been applied to many fields of engineering. But traditional electromagnetic methods (usually based on least square and local iteration) just roughly give the information of location, scale, and quality. In this paper we consider inverse electromagnetic problem which is concerned with the estimation of electric conductivity of Maxwell′s equations (2D and 3D). A perturbation homotopy method combined with damping Gauss‐Newton methods is applied to the inverse electromagnetic problem. This method differs from traditional homotopy method. The structure of homotopy function is similar to Tikhonov functional. Sets of solutions are produced by perturbation for every homotopy parameter λ = λi, i = 0, …, L. At each iterative step of the algorithm, we add stochastic perturbation to numerical solutions. The previous solution and perturbation solution are regarded as the initial value in the next iteration. Although the number of solution in set increased, it increased the likelihood of obtaining correct solution. Results exhibits clear advantages over damping Gauss‐Newton method and testify that it is an available method, especially on aspects of wide convergence and precision.
Effects of Ocular Dominance on Contrast Sensitivity in Middle-Aged People
Authors: Pekel Gökhan , Alagöz Neşe , Pekel Evre , Alagöz Cengiz , Yılmaz Ömer Faruk
Published: March 2014

Purpose. Our aim was to compare contrast sensitivity values of the dominant and nondominant eyes of healthy middle-aged subjects. Material and Methods. Ninety eyes of 45 healthy middle-aged subjects (30 males and 15 females) were included in this study. Patients were aged between 40 and 60 years, having uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 20/25 or better (Snellen chart). Ocular dominance was determined by hole-in-the-card test. Functional acuity contrast testing (F.A.C.T.) was measured using the Optec 6500 vision testing system (Stereo Optical Co. Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) under both photopic and mesopic conditions. Results. At all spatial frequencies (1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cpd), under mesopic conditions, the contrast sensitivity values of the dominant eyes were slightly greater than those of the nondominant eyes; but only 18 cpd spatial frequency measurements’ difference was statistically significant (P=0.035). Under photopic conditions, the contrast sensitivity values of the dominant eyes and non-dominant eyes were similar at all spatial frequencies (P>0.05). Conclusions. The photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity values of dominant and nondominant eyes of healthy middle-aged people were similar at all spatial frequencies, except at mesopic 18 cpd spatial frequency.
Variable Torque Control of Offshore Wind Turbine on Spar Floating Platform Using Advanced RBF Neural Network
Authors: Wang Lei , Zuo Shan , Song Y. D. , Zhou Zheng
Published: March 2014

Offshore floating wind turbine (OFWT) has been a challenging research spot because of the high-quality wind power and complex load environment. This paper focuses on the research of variable torque control of offshore wind turbine on Spar floating platform. The control objective in below-rated wind speed region is to optimize the output power by tracking the optimal tip-speed ratio and ideal power curve. Aiming at the external disturbances and nonlinear uncertain dynamic systems of OFWT because of the proximity to load centers and strong wave coupling, this paper proposes an advanced radial basis function (RBF) neural network approach for torque control of OFWT system at speeds lower than rated wind speed. The robust RBF neural network weight adaptive rules are acquired based on the Lyapunov stability analysis. The proposed control approach is tested and compared with the NREL baseline controller using the “NREL offshore 5 MW wind turbine” model mounted on a Spar floating platform run on FAST and Matlab/Simulink, operating in the below-rated wind speed condition. The simulation results show a better performance in tracking the optimal output power curve, therefore, completing the maximum wind energy utilization.
Microenvironment Dependent Photobiomodulation on Function-Specific Signal Transduction Pathways
Authors: Liu Timon Cheng-Yi , Wu De-Feng , Zhu Ling , Peng P. , Liu Long , Yang Xiang-Bo
Published: March 2014

Cellular photobiomodulation on a cellular function has been shown to be homeostatic. Its function-specific pathway mechanism would be further discussed in this paper. The signal transduction pathways maintaining a normal function in its function-specific homeostasis (FSH), resisting the activation of many other irrelative signal transduction pathways, are so sparse that it can be supposed that there may be normal function-specific signal transduction pathways (NSPs). A low level laser irradiation or monochromatic light may promote the activation of partially activated NSP and/or its redundant NSP so that it may induce the second-order phase transition of a function from its dysfunctional one far from its FSH to its normal one in a function-specific microenvironment and may also induce the first-order functional phase transition of the normal function from low level to high level.
Health Care Expenditure and GDP in African Countries: Evidence from Semiparametric Estimation with Panel Data
Authors: Lv Zhike , Zhu Huiming
Published: March 2014

A large body of literature studies on the relationship between health care expenditure (HCE) and GDP have been analyzed using data intensively from developed countries, but little is known for other regions. This paper considers a semiparametric panel data analysis for the study of the relationship between per capita HCE and per capita GDP for 42 African countries over the period 1995–2009. We found that infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births has a negative effect on per capita HCE, while the proportion of the population aged 65 is statistically insignificant in African countries. Furthermore, we found that the income elasticity is not constant but varies with income level, and health care is a necessity rather than a luxury for African countries.
Fractal Characteristic of Rock Cutting Load Time Series
Authors: Jiang Hongxiang , Du Changlong , Liu Songyong , Gao Kuidong
Published: March 2014

A test-bed was developed to perform the rock cutting experiments under different cutting conditions. The fractal theory was adopted to investigate the fractal characteristic of cutting load time series and fragment size distribution in rock cutting. The box-counting dimension for the cutting load time series was consistent with the fractal dimension of the corresponding fragment size distribution, which indicated that there were inherent relations between the rock fragmentation and the cutting load. Furthermore, the box-counting dimension was used to describe the fractal characteristic of cutting load time series under different conditions. The results show that the rock compressive strength, cutting depth, cutting angle, and assisted water-jet types all have no significant effect on the fractal characteristic of cutting load. The box-counting dimension can be an evaluation index to assess the extent of rock crushing or cutting. Rock fracture mechanism would not be changed due to water-jet in front of or behind the cutter, but it would be changed when the water-jet was in cutter.
Multiview Discriminative Geometry Preserving Projection for Image Classification
Authors: Wang Ziqiang , Sun Xia , Sun Lijun , Huang Yuchun
Published: March 2014

In many image classification applications, it is common to extract multiple visual features from different views to describe an image. Since different visual features have their own specific statistical properties and discriminative powers for image classification, the conventional solution for multiple view data is to concatenate these feature vectors as a new feature vector. However, this simple concatenation strategy not only ignores the complementary nature of different views, but also ends up with “curse of dimensionality.” To address this problem, we propose a novel multiview subspace learning algorithm in this paper, named multiview discriminative geometry preserving projection (MDGPP) for feature extraction and classification. MDGPP can not only preserve the intraclass geometry and interclass discrimination information under a single view, but also explore the complementary property of different views to obtain a low-dimensional optimal consensus embedding by using an alternating-optimization-based iterative algorithm. Experimental results on face recognition and facial expression recognition demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
The Solid Phase Distribution and Bioaccessibility of Arsenic, Chromium, and Nickel in Natural Ironstone Soils in the UK
Authors: Wragg Joanna , Cave Mark , Gregory Sean
Published: March 2014

Thirty soil samples (12 residential gardens and 18 allotments) were collected from the Cherwell District of north Oxfordshire in south-central England. The underlying parent geology of the area is dominated by Jurassic ironstone. The samples were analysed for their total contents of As, Cr, and Ni by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and for the bioaccessible fractions of these elements using a physiologically based extraction test. Four soils (two residential soils and two allotment soils) were chosen for further determination of their element solid phase distribution. The study showed that whilst total concentrations of As, Cr, and Ni are elevated due to the soil parent material, the bioaccessibility test showed that only a small proportion of the total concentration is available for absorption into the human body (<15%). The sequential extraction test showed that the nonmobile forms of the elements are strongly sorbed on to iron oxides. Parent material geology has a significant effect on the total element concentrations and the bioaccessibility of potentially harmful element (PHE). Land use does not show such a large effect but the allotment bioaccessibility data show a bigger spread and possibly higher values for As and Cr which may be due to agronomic (cultivation) practices such as addition of fertilisers and organic matter.
Spontaneous Intestinal Perforation: An Atypical Presentation of Neutropenic Enterocolitis—A Case Report
Authors: Canbolat Ayhan Aylin , Timur Cetin , Bocu Ersin , Gulcin Neslihan
Published: March 2014

Background. Neutropenic enterocolitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal complications seen in patients who are receiving chemotherapy for leukemia. Severe neutropenia is the main underlying factor of this pathology. It is characterized by fever and abdominal pain.Case Presentation. Herein, we report a case of neutropenic enterocolitis which presented with intestinal perforation in an afebrile patient who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was receiving induction chemotherapy.Conclusion. We aimed to emphasize the importance of enterocolitis and increase awareness against such severe complications which could have unexpected presentations.
Adaptation of Sonication-Assisted Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion of Tissues for the Subsequent Extraction of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from Gulf Menhaden (Brevoortia patronus)
Authors: Olson Gregory M. , Meyer Buffy M. , Portier Ralph J.
Published: March 2014

A new adaptation based on matrix solid phase dispersion of tissue for the subsequent isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was developed and used for extractions of Gulf menhaden caught during the summer of 2011. Many Matrix Solid Phase Dispersion (MSPD) methods require specific cartridges and other clean-up materials in order to achieve proper extraction. For this study, the tissues were lyophilized prior to applying the adapted MSPD method allowing for a much more complete homogenization with the C18 silica. The tissue was spiked with phenanthrene d10as a surrogate as a measure of PAH recovery prior to the lyophilisation process to determine if any target compounds were lost and prior to sonication as per the finalized adaptation procedure to determine method efficiency. This technique used C18 silica in a 1 : 1 ratio as the primary homogenizing material for the menhaden tissue matrix and was eluted with dichloromethane (DCM) until visibly clear. The overall study mean recovery was88%±5%with method detection limits between 0.4 ng/g and 4.4 ng/g tissue dry weight. This adapted protocol has been used exclusively on the analysis of high lipid content fish stocks affected by dispersed and weathered oil from the BP Horizon incident.
Energy Efficient and Load Balanced Routing for Wireless Multihop Network Applications
Authors: Nazari Talooki Vahid , Rodriguez Jonathan , Marques Hugo
Published: March 2014

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) can benefit from ad hoc networking technology characterized by multihop wireless connectivity and infrastructure less framework. These features make them suitable for next-generation networks to support several applications such M2M applications for smart cities and public safety scenarios. Pivotal design requirements for these scenarios are energy efficiency, since many of these devices will be battery powered placing a fundamental limit on network, and specifically node lifetime. Moreover, the way in which traffic is managed also influences network lifetime, since there is a high probability for some nodes to become overloaded by packet forwarding operations in order to support neighbour data exchange. These issues imply the need for energy efficient and load balanced routing approaches that can manage the network load and not only provide reduced energy consumption on the network but also prolong the network lifetime providing robust and continuous. This work proposes a new energy efficient and traffic balancing routing approach that can provide a weighted and flexible trade-off between energy consumption and load dispersion. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol achieves high energy efficiency, decreases the percentage of failed nodes due to lack of battery power, and extends the lifespan of the network.
One-Year Period Prevalence of Oral Aphthous Ulcers and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Naito Mariko , Suzukamo Yoshimi , Wakai Kenji , Azechi Miki , Kaneko Fumio , Nakayama Takeo , Hamajima Nobuyuki , Fukuhara Shunichi
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the 1-year period prevalence of oral aphthous ulcers (OAUs) and their association with oral health-related quality of life (OHQOL) in patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) and in the general population. In this cross-sectional study, 675 patients with Behçet’s disease (BD group) and 1,097 males and females in the Japanese general population (control group) completed both questionnaires on their OAU status during the prior year and the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). In the BD group, 84% of patients reported experiencing an OAU during the previous year, and the mean number of OAUs/year was 13. In the control group, 31% of individuals experienced an OAU during the previous year, and the mean number of OAUs/year was one. Multivariate analysis indicated that both BD patients (OR, 6.2; 95% CI, 4.8–8.0) and controls (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.0–3.5) who had OAUs at least twice per year were more likely to have GOHAI scores below the norm than were controls who had fewer than two OAUs per year. The association between HLA-B*51 and OAUs remains unknown. The presence of OAUs has a negative effect on the OHQOL of patients with BD.
Deep Learning Based Syndrome Diagnosis of Chronic Gastritis
Authors: Liu Guo-Ping , Yan Jian-Jun , Wang Yi-Qin , Zheng Wu , Zhong Tao , Lu Xiong , Qian Peng
Published: March 2014

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), most of the algorithms used to solve problems of syndrome diagnosis are superficial structure algorithms and not considering the cognitive perspective from the brain. However, in clinical practice, there is complex and nonlinear relationship between symptoms (signs) and syndrome. So we employed deep leaning and multilabel learning to construct the syndrome diagnostic model for chronic gastritis (CG) in TCM. The results showed that deep learning could improve the accuracy of syndrome recognition. Moreover, the studies will provide a reference for constructing syndrome diagnostic models and guide clinical practice.
An Improved Class of Chain Ratio-Product Type Estimators in Two-Phase Sampling Using Two Auxiliary Variables
Authors: Vishwakarma Gajendra K. , Kumar Manish
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a technique for estimating finite population mean of the study variable in the presence of two auxiliary variables using two-phase sampling scheme when the regression line does not pass through the neighborhood of the origin. The properties of the proposed class of estimators are studied under large sample approximation. In addition, bias and efficiency comparisons are carried out to study the performances of the proposed class of estimators over the existing estimators. It has also been shown that the proposed technique has greater applicability in survey research. An empirical study is carried out to demonstrate the performance of the proposed estimators.
Thermodynamic Analysis of a Steam Power Plant with Double Reheat and Feed Water Heaters
Authors: Rashidi M. M. , Aghagoli A. , Ali M.
Published: March 2014

A steam cycle with double reheat and turbine extraction is presented. Six heaters are used, three of them at high pressure and the other three at low pressure with deaerator. The first and second law analysis for the cycle and optimization of the thermal and exergy efficiencies are investigated. An exergy analysis is performed to guide the thermodynamic improvement for this cycle. The exergy and irreversibility analyses of each component of the cycle are determined. Effects of turbine inlet pressure, boiler exit steam temperature, and condenser pressure on the first and second laws' efficiencies are investigated. Also the best turbine extraction pressure on the first law efficiency is obtained. The results show that the biggest exergy loss occurs in the boiler followed by the turbine. The results also show that the overall thermal efficiency and the second law efficiency decrease as the condenser pressure increases for any fixed outlet boiler temperature, however, they increase as the boiler temperature increases for any condenser pressure. Furthermore, the best values of extraction pressure from high, intermediate, and low pressure turbine which give the maximum first law efficiencies are obtained based on the required heat load corresponding to each exit boiler temperature.
Optimization of Fusion Zone Grain Size, Hardness, and Ultimate Tensile Strength of Pulsed Current Microplasma Arc Welded AISI 304L Sheets Using Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Kondapalli Siva Prasad , Chalamalasetti Srinivasa Rao , Damera Nageswara Rao
Published: March 2014

Austenitic stainless steel sheets have gathered wide acceptance in the fabrication of components, which require high temperature resistance and corrosion resistance, such as metal bellows used in expansion joints in aircraft, aerospace, and petroleum industry. In case of single pass welding of thinner sections of this alloy, Pulsed Current Microplasma Arc Welding (PCMPAW) was found beneficial due to its advantages over the conventional continuous current process. The quality of welded joint depends on the grain size, hardness, and ultimate tensile strength, which have to be properly controlled and optimized to ensure better economy and desirable mechanical characteristics of the weld. This paper highlights the development of empirical mathematical equations using multiple regression analysis, correlating various process parameters to grain size, and ultimate tensile strength in PCMPAW of AISI 304L sheets. The experiments were conducted based on a five-factor, five-level central composite rotatable design matrix. A genetic algorithm (GA) was developed to optimize the process parameters for achieving the desired grain size, hardness, and ultimate tensile strength.
In VitroVirucidal and Virustatic Properties of the Crude Extract ofCynodon dactylonagainst Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Pringproa Kidsadagon , Khonghiran Oapkun , Kunanoppadol Suchaya , Potha Teerapong , Chuammitri Phongsakorn
Published: March 2014

Thein vitrovirustatic and virucidal tests of the crude extract ofCynodon dactylonagainst infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a cause of major devastating pig disease, were described. Crude extract ofC. dactylonwas prepared for cytotoxicity on tissue-culture cells that were used to measure virustatic and virucidal activities against PRRSV. Crude extract ofC. dactylonat 0.78 mg/mL showed no cytotoxicity on the cell line, and at that concentration significantly inhibited replication of PRRSV as early as 24 hours post infection (hpi).C. dactylonalso inactivated PRRSV as determined by immunoperoxidase monolayer assay (IPMA) compared to the control experiments. In summary, the present study may be among the earliest studies to describe virustatic and virucidal activities ofC. dactyloncrude extract against PRRSVin vitro. Extracts ofC. dactylonmay be useful for PRRSV control and prevention on pig farms.
Dissolved Concentrations, Sources, and Risk Evaluation of Selected Metals in Surface Water from Mangla Lake, Pakistan
Authors: Saleem Muhammad , Iqbal Javed , Shah Munir H.
Published: March 2014

The present study is carried out for the assessment of water quality parameters and selected metals levels in surface water from Mangla Lake, Pakistan. The metal levels (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Average levels of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb were higher than the allowable concentrations set by national and international agencies. Principal component analysis indicated significant anthropogenic contributions of Cd, Co, Cr, Ni, and Pb in the water reservoir. Noncarcinogenic risk assessment was then evaluated using Hazard QuotientHQing/dermand Hazard IndexHIing/dermfollowing USEPA methodology. For adults and children, Cd, Co, Cr, and PbHQing>1emerged as the most important pollutants leading to noncarcinogenic concerns via ingestion route, whereas there was no risk via dermal contact of surface water. This study helps in establishing pollutant loading reduction goal and the total maximum daily loads, and consequently contributes to preserve public health and develop water conservation strategy.
Hidden Markov Mined Activity Model for Human Activity Recognition
Authors: Sarkar A. M. Jehad
Published: March 2014

Object-usage-based human activity recognition systems require activity data for learning. Acquiring such data from the real world is expensive and time consuming. To overcome such difficulties, the exploitation of web activity data is gaining popularity. However, due to a lack of much real-world information in such data, existing activity models are not suitable for web data. In this paper, we propose a hidden Markov model- (HMM-) based activity model specially designed to use web activity data for activity recognition. It utilizes a sequence of object-usage information for activity recognition. We also propose a web activity data mining algorithm for this model. It is extremely fast and efficient in comparison with the existing algorithms. We perform three experiments to validate the proposed model. We show that the model can be effectively utilized by an activity recognition system.
Modelling Oil-Spill Detection with Swarm Drones
Authors: Aznar F. , Sempere M. , Pujol M. , Rizo R. , Pujol M. J.
Published: March 2014

Nowadays, swarm robotics research is having a great increase due to the benefits derived from its use, such as robustness, parallelism, and flexibility. Unlike distributed robotic systems, swarm robotics emphasizes a large number of robots, and promotes scalability. Among the multiple applications of such systems we could find are exploring unstructured environments, resource monitoring, or distributed sensing. Two of these applications, monitoring, and perimeter/area detection of a given resource, have several ecological uses. One of them is the detection and monitoring of pollutants to delimit their perimeter and area accurately. Maritime activity has been increasing gradually in recent years. Many ships carry products such as oil that can adversely affect the environment. Such products can produce high levels of pollution in case of being spilled into sea. In this paper we will present a distributed system which monitors, covers, and surrounds a resource by using a swarm of homogeneous low cost drones. These drones only use their local sensory information and do not require any direct communication between them. Taking into account the properties of this kind of oil spills we will present a microscopic model for a swarm of drones, capable of monitoring these spills properly. Furthermore, we will analyse the proper macroscopic operation of the swarm. The analytical and experimental results presented here show the proper evolution of our system.
Modeling the Perceptions and Preferences of Pedestrians on Crossing Facilities
Authors: Guo Hongwei , Zhao Facheng , Wang Wuhong , Zhou Yanlong , Zhang Yujie , Wets Geert
Published: March 2014

Pedestrian’s street-crossing behaviour has a significant effect on traffic performance and safety. The crossing behaviour is determined by human factors and environmental factors. Aiming at examining the pedestrian perceptions toward crossing facilities and preferences for crossing locations, an observational study of pedestrian crossing behaviour at urban street is conducted. The perceptions and preferences of pedestrians are collected using stated preference technique. A specific questionnaire is designed to conduct the stated preference survey. A multinomial logit model is proposed to describe the perceptions and preferences of pedestrians on crossing facilities and locations. The sensitivity analysis is performed to discuss the influence of various factors on crossing behaviour. Then the relationship between crossing locations and crossing distances is analyzed by a new proposed method. With the theoretical analysis, the engineering solutions considering pedestrian behaviour are suggested. The results are helpful to design human-centered crossing facilities in urban traffic.
Outcomes and Control Rates for I-125 Plaque Brachytherapy for Uveal Melanoma: A Community-Based Institutional Experience
Authors: Wagner Aaron , Chen Andy , Cook Taylor , Faber David , Winward Kirk , Sause William
Published: March 2014

Purpose. To evaluate our community-based institutional experience with plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanomas with a focus on local control rates, factors impacting disease progression, and dosimetric parameters impacting treatment toxicity. Methods and Materials. Our institution was retrospectively reviewed from 1996 to 2011; all patients who underwent plaque brachytherapy for uveal melanoma were included. Follow-up data were collected regarding local control, distant metastases, and side effects from treatment. Analysis was performed on factors impacting treatment outcomes and treatment toxicity. Results. A total of 107 patients underwent plaque brachytherapy, of which 88 had follow-up data available. Local control at 10 years was 94%. Freedom from progression (FFP) and overall survival at 10 years were 83% and 79%, respectively. On univariate analysis, there were no tumor or dosimetric treatment characteristics that were found to have a prognostic impact on FFP. Brachytherapy treatment was well tolerated, with clinically useful vision (>20/200) maintained in 64% of patients. Statistically significant dosimetric relationships were established with cataract, glaucoma, and retinopathy development (greatest P=0.05). Conclusions. Treatment with plaque brachytherapy demonstrates excellent outcomes in a community-based setting. It is well tolerated and should remain a standard of care for COMS medium sized tumors.
Limited Functional Health Literacy, Health Information Sources, and Health Behavior among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan
Authors: Yoshida Yuko , Iwasa Hajime , Kumagai Shu , Suzuki Takao , Yoshida Hideyo
Published: March 2014

The objectives of this study were to explore how health information sources vary by functional health literacy levels and the relationship between health literacy and health behaviors among the old-old, community-dwelling adults. A cross-sectional study was used. The sample included 620 participants from a rural community in northern Japan. We used structured questionnaires to gather demographic information and assess health-related behaviors, information sources utilized, and functional health literacy. Functional health literacy scores were categorized into three groups, namely, low, middle, and high literacy. Individuals with limited health literacy were more likely to drink less alcohol, were less physically active, had less dietary variety, and had a low rate of medical check-ups. They were also less likely to use printed media, organization or medical procedure, electronic media, and accessed fewer health-related information sources. This study highlights the necessity of information tools that facilitate better access to information among older adults with limited health literacy.
Postnatal Systemic Blood Flow in Neonates with Abnormal Fetal Umbilical Artery Doppler
Authors: Olsen Richelle N. , Shepherd Jennifer , Katheria Anup
Published: March 2014

Objective. Abnormal umbilical artery Doppler (UAD) studies are associated with poor neonatal outcomes. We sought to determine if postnatal measures of systemic blood flow (SBF), as measured by functional echocardiography (fECHO), could identify which fetuses with abnormal UAD were at the highest risk of adverse outcomes. Study Design. This is a retrospective review of fetuses with abnormal UAD who received fECHO in the first 72 hours of life. Measures of SBF (right ventricular output (RVO) and superior vena cava (SVC) flow) were performed and compared with prenatal variables and postnatal outcomes. Result. 63 subjects had abnormal UAD, 20 of which also had fECHO. Six subjects had abnormal flow. Gestational age at delivery was similar between the two groups. Those with abnormal SBF had fewer days of abnormal UAD prior to delivery and developed RDS (P<0.001). Conclusion. Postnatal measures of SBF were associated with poor postnatal outcomes in fetuses with abnormal UAD. Future studies incorporating antenatal measures of SBF may help obstetricians determine which pregnancies complicated by UAD are likely to have postnatal morbidity.
Extramedullary Hematopoiesis in Uterine Leiomyoma Associated with Numerous Intravascular Thrombi
Authors: Cui Xiaoyan , Peker Deniz , Greer Heather O. , Conner Michael G. , Novak Lea
Published: March 2014

We report a case of extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) in uterine leiomyoma and associated numerous intravascular thrombi. A 29-year-old nulliparous female presented with heavy vaginal bleeding and a hematocrit of 22%. No bone marrow biopsy has been performed. She had a history of uterine leiomyomata and menorrhagia for a year. A transvaginal ultrasound confirmed the presence of a uterine leiomyoma. The patient was treated conservatively with oral contraceptive pills due to desire for fertility. However, she continued to have heavy vaginal bleeding and developed bilateral upper extremity deep vein thrombosis and multiple superficial vein thromboses after two months. An exploratory laparotomy with uterine myomectomy was performed. Gross examination of the specimen revealed a single nodular mass measuring10.0×9.5×7.5 cm with a white-tan swirling cut surface. Microscopic examination revealed benign smooth muscle consistent with leiomyoma and numerous intravascular thrombi both with areas of EMH. Immunohistochemical stains confirmed the presence of all three benign lineages of hematopoietic cells. Occurrence of EMH in uterine leiomyoma and intravascular thrombi is very rare. It may be related to systemic hematopoietic stimulation due to severe chronic anemia and local presence of hematopoietic growth factors and/or cytokines.
Effect of Virtual Mass Force on the Mixed Transport Process in a Multiphase Rotodynamic Pump
Authors: Yu Zhiyi , Zhu Baoshan , Cao Shuliang , Liu Ying
Published: March 2014

To explore the effect of virtual mass force, the unsteady two-phase flow in a multiphase rotodynamic pump impeller was numerically simulated, where the inlet gas void fraction was 4.9%, 14.9%, and 25.2%, respectively. The drag force and the virtual mass force were accounted for and the cases with and without the latter one were both analyzed for comparison. The results show that the trajectories of the gas bubbles are influenced by the virtual mass force evidently in the inlet extended region. Due to the effect of virtual mass force, some gas will firstly move to the shroud before accumulating in the hub region of the impeller. The characteristic of the pump head was discussed and the results demonstrate that the virtual mass force can decrease the pump head and lead to its fluctuation. In addition, the comparison between the steady and unsteady simulation shows that the virtual mass effect can be found only by unsteady simulation.
Vancomycin-ResistantEnterococcus faeciumBacteremia in a Tertiary Care Hospital: Epidemiology, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Outcome
Authors: Rosa Regis G. , Schwarzbold Alexandre V. , Santos Rodrigo P. dos , Turra Eduardo E. , Machado Denise P. , Goldani Luciano Z.
Published: March 2014

Vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium(VREF) has emerged as a relevant multidrug-resistant pathogen and potentially lethal etiology of health care associated infections worldwide. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to assess factors associated with mortality in patients with VREF bacteremia in a major tertiary referral hospital in Southern Brazil. All documented cases of bacteremia identified between May 2010 and July 2012 were evaluated. Cox regression was performed to determine whether the characteristics related to the host or antimicrobial treatment were associated with the all-cause 30-day mortality. In total, 35 patients with documented VREF bacteremia were identified during the study period. The median APACHE-II score of the study population was 26 (interquartile range: 10). The overall 30-day mortality was 65.7%. All VREF isolates were sensitive to linezolid, daptomycin, and quinupristin-dalfopristin. Linezolid was the only antimicrobial agent within vitroactivity against VREF that was administered to the cohort. After multivariate analysis, linezolid treatment (HR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02–0.27) and presence of acute kidney injury at the onset of bacteremia (HR, 4.01; 95% CI, 1.62–9.94) were independently associated with mortality. Presentation with acute kidney injury and lack of treatment with an effective antibiotic poses risk for mortality in patients with VREF bacteremia.
γδT Cell and Other Immune Cells Crosstalk in Cellular Immunity
Authors: He Ying , Wu Kangni , Hu Yongxian , Sheng Lixia , Tie Ruxiu , Wang Binsheng , Huang He
Published: March 2014

γδT cells have been recognized as effectors with immunomodulatory functions in cellular immunity. These abilities enable them to interact with other immune cells, thus having the potential for treatment of various immune-mediated diseases with adoptive cell therapy. So far, the interactions betweenγδT cell and other immune cells have not been well defined. Here we will discuss the interactivities among them and the perspective onγδT cells for their use in immunotherapy could be imagined. The understanding of the crosstalk among the immune cells in immunopathology might be beneficial for the clinical application ofγδT cell.
Effectiveness of the Premarital Education Programme in Iran
Authors: Yazdanpanah Mahdieh , Eslami Mohammad , Nakhaee Nouzar
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Iran is confronted with increasing trend of divorce in recent decades. Considering the probable role of sexual dissatisfaction in the breakdown of marriages, the Ministry of Health recently decided to enrich the educational content of the premarital education programmes. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the new program with the classic one. Methods. Three hundred fifty-one women were divided into two premarital education groups: classic education (n=162) and new education (n=189). The mental health, quality of life, marital satisfaction, and sexual satisfaction of women were evaluated one year after marriage. Results. At one-year followup, both groups showed improvement in mental health (P<0.001); however physical health-related quality of life decreased in both groups. The two groups showed no significant difference in terms of sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction. Marital satisfaction showed significant correlation with sexual satisfaction (r=0.55,  P<0.001). Conclusion. The new program of premarital education showed no superiority over the classic method. Considering the increasing rate of divorce in Iran, the premarital education programmes may not be successful in achieving their goals. Revision of the premarital education programme is warranted.
Complex Projective Synchronization in Drive-Response Stochastic Complex Networks by Impulsive Pinning Control
Authors: Wu Xuefei , Nie Zhe
Published: March 2014

The complex projective synchronization in drive-response stochastic coupled networks with complex-variable systems is considered. The impulsive pinning control scheme is adopted to achieve complex projective synchronization and several simple and practical sufficient conditions are obtained in a general drive-response network. In addition, the adaptive feedback algorithms are proposed to adjust the control strength. Several numerical simulations are provided to show the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed methods.
Observer Based Traction/Braking Control Design for High Speed Trains Considering Adhesion Nonlinearity
Authors: Cai Wenchuan , Liao Wenhao , Li Danyong , Song Yongduan
Published: March 2014

Train traction/braking control, one of the key enabling technologies for automatic train operation, literally takes its action through adhesion force. However, adhesion coefficient of high speed train (HST) is uncertain in general because it varies with wheel-rail surface condition and running speed; thus, it is extremely difficult to be measured, which makes traction/braking control design and implementation of HSTs greatly challenging. In this work, force observers are applied to estimate the adhesion force or/and the resistance, based on which simple traction/braking control schemes are established under the consideration of actual wheel-rail adhesion condition. It is shown that the proposed controllers have simple structure and can be easily implemented from real applications. Numerical simulation also validates the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Broadcasting in Connected and Fragmented Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Najafzadeh Sara , Ithnin Norafida Binti , Abd Razak Shukor
Published: March 2014

This paper starts with an overview of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) and their characteristics. Then this paper reviews diverse applications of VANETs and the requirements of these applications. In addition it reviews VANETs standards, different broadcasting presented in a variety of studies, and also associated issues with data dissemination in connected and fragmented vehicular networks to solve broadcast storm problem and temporary disconnected VANETs. The discussion will be about the encountered challenges and presented solutions with respect to the related issues, based on the literature and strength and weakness of each protocol.