bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CodY Regulates SigD Levels and Activity by Binding to Three Sites in the
fla
/
che
Operon
Authors: Ababneh Qutaiba O. , Herman Jennifer K.
Published: July 2015

Exponentially growing cultures of
Bacillus subtilis
(PY79) are composed primarily of nonmotile, chained cells. The alternative sigma factor, SigD, promotes the phenotypic switch from nonmotile, chained cells to unchained, motile cells. In the present work, we investigated the role of the GTP-sensing protein CodY in the regulation of SigD. Deletion of
codY
resulted in a significant increase in SigD accumulation and activity and shifted the proportion of unchained cells up from ∼15% to ∼75%, suggesting that CodY is an important regulator of SigD. CodY was previously shown to bind to the P

D3

and P

fla
/
che

promoters located upstream of the first gene in the
sigD
-containing
fla
/
che
operon. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we found that CodY also binds to two other previously uncharacterized sites within the
fla
/
che
operon. Mutations in any one of the three binding sites resulted in SigD levels similar to those seen with the Δ
codY
mutant, suggesting that each site is sufficient to tip cells toward a maximal level of CodY-dependent SigD accumulation. However, mutations in all three sites were required to phenocopy the Δ
codY
mutant's reduced level of cell chaining, consistent with the idea that CodY binding in the
fla
/
che
operon is also important for posttranslational control of SigD activity.

IMPORTANCE
One way that bacteria adapt quickly and efficiently to changes in environmental quality is to employ global transcriptional regulators capable of responding allosterically to key cellular metabolites. In this study, we found that the conserved GTP-sensing protein CodY directly regulates cell motility and chaining in
B. subtilis
by controlling expression and activity of SigD. Our results suggest that
B. subtilis
becomes poised for cell dispersal as intracellular GTP levels are depleted.
Late postoperative choroidal detachment following an uneventful cataract surgery in a patient on topical latanoprost
Authors: Krishnamurthy Rashmi , Senthil Sirisha , Garudadri Chandrasekhar S
Published: July 2015

Topical latanoprost is a most effective and commonly used antiglaucoma medication. Use of prostaglandin analogues (PGA) in the early postoperative period is controversial due to its proinflammatory properties. We report a case of a 64-year-old man with primary open angle glaucoma, post-trabeculectomy 17 years prior, with good intraocular pressure (IOP) control on topical levobunolol 0.5% and latanoprost 0.005%. He underwent a clear corneal phacoemulsification surgery in his left eye and the PGA was stopped. He had an uneventful postoperative course and was prescribed eyeglasses at 4-week follow-up. Two weeks later, he presented to the emergency department with decreased vision in the left eye, flat anterior chamber, IOP of 00 mm Hg and 360° choroidal detachment. The continued use of topical latanoprost in the operated eye was implicated as the cause. This case illustrates the serious vision-threatening side effect of PGA when used in the early postoperative period.
Age correction in monitoring audiometry: method to update OSHA age-correction tables to include older workers
Authors: Dobie Robert A , Wojcik Nancy C
Published: July 2015

Objectives

The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Noise Standard provides the option for employers to apply age corrections to employee audiograms to consider the contribution of ageing when determining whether a standard threshold shift has occurred. Current OSHA age-correction tables are based on 40-year-old data, with small samples and an upper age limit of 60 years. By comparison, recent data (1999–2006) show that hearing thresholds in the US population have improved. Because hearing thresholds have improved, and because older people are increasingly represented in noisy occupations, the OSHA tables no longer represent the current US workforce. This paper presents 2 options for updating the age-correction tables and extending values to age 75 years using recent population-based hearing survey data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Both options provide scientifically derived age-correction values that can be easily adopted by OSHA to expand their regulatory guidance to include older workers.

Methods

Regression analysis was used to derive new age-correction values using audiometric data from the 1999–2006 US NHANES. Using the NHANES median, better-ear thresholds fit to simple polynomial equations, new age-correction values were generated for both men and women for ages 20–75 years.

Results

The new age-correction values are presented as 2 options. The preferred option is to replace the current OSHA tables with the values derived from the NHANES median better-ear thresholds for ages 20–75 years. The alternative option is to retain the current OSHA age-correction values up to age 60 years and use the NHANES-based values for ages 61–75 years.

Conclusions

Recent NHANES data offer a simple solution to the need for updated, population-based, age-correction tables for OSHA. The options presented here provide scientifically valid and relevant age-correction values which can be easily adopted by OSHA to expand their regulatory guidance to include older workers.
Discrete-element investigation of influence of granular debris flow baffles on rigid barrier impact
Authors: Law Raymond Pak Hei , Choi Clarence Edward , Ng Charles Wang Wai
Published: July 2015

Granular debris flow baffles are commonly installed in front of rigid barriers to dissipate flow energy and reduce the required barrier impact capacity. Despite the engineering value of baffles, their influence on rigid barrier impact is still not well understood. A previously calibrated discrete element method (DEM) model using a series of flume experiments was adopted to study the effectiveness of installing baffles in front of a rigid barrier. Froude scaling was used to characterize the flow front. Different baffle configurations were examined, namely number of rows, spacing between successive rows (L), and baffle height. Results reveal an optimum row spacing of L/D = 3 (D is the slit size). Row spacing less than L/D = 3 leads to increased peak dynamic force from overflow impacting the barrier, whereas row spacing greater than L/D = 3 results in increased peak dynamic force from the granular debris flow front. Increasing spacing greater than L/D = 3 allows the dispersion of debris between rows and decreases the effectiveness of the second row. Adopting baffle heights greater than 1.5 times the approach flow depth (h) reveals little influence on the peak impact force induced on the barrier.
Trade-offs between light and nutrient availability across gradients of dissolved organic carbon concentration in Swedish lakes: implications for patterns in primary production
Authors: Seekell David A. , Lapierre Jean-François , Karlsson Jan
Published: July 2015

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) limits primary production in lakes when present at high concentrations by reducing light availability, but stimulates primary production at lower concentrations by releasing nutrients through photolysis. These dual influences create the potential for threshold relationships between DOC and primary production, but empirical tests for the prevalence of thresholds are scarce. We used Box–Cox regression and environmental monitoring data from 703 subarctic and boreal lakes to assess patterns and potential threshold relationships between light and nutrient availability along gradients of DOC in northern Sweden’s six major watersheds. We found consistent patterns of increasing nutrient concentration and light attenuation with DOC. Further, we identified thresholds (mean = 5.96 mg·L−1) below which nutrient concentrations increased more rapidly than light extinction and above where the opposite occurred. These results suggest consistent patterns in primary production with shifts from nutrient to light limitation with increasing DOC. Accordingly, the thresholds agree with the vertex of the curvilinear relationship between lake primary production and DOC. We estimated that most lakes in Sweden are within ±3 mg·L−1 of the threshold, indicating high potential for changes from positive to negative influences of DOC on primary production if forecasted increases in DOC concentrations due to climate and land cover change are realized.
Ice storms as a successional pathway forFagus grandifoliaadvancement inQuercus rubradominated forests of southern New England
Authors: Covey Kristofer R. , Barrett Alex L. , Ashton Mark S.
Published: July 2015

On 11 December 2008, a severe ice storm affected large portions of southern New England. We report the results of a study investigating differential damage among tree species. Past studies surveying ice-damaged forests have relied heavily on ocular estimations of canopy damage. We compare this method with damage estimates based on the cross-sectional area of downed woody material and quantitative comparisons of tree height and canopy projection in damaged and undamaged stands. Ocular estimates and changes in canopy height and projection were unreliable. Estimates based on the amount of woody debris provide a more robust measure of storm damage. We assess damage in two forest tracts with a dominant red oak (Quercus rubra L.) canopy (42% of total basal area) and an American beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) dominated understory (50% of all stems > 1.3 m). Species’ standing basal area was well correlated with the amount of newly downed woody debris (r = 0.69, p < 0.001); accordingly, oak species constituted approximately 57% of all newly downed woody debris, and ANOVA showed that oak species were significantly more impacted by ice damage than other species present (p < 0.001). Our findings indicate that canopy species provide an “umbrella effect”, shielding less dominant lower strata trees from the worst effects of ice load. Oak was also the largest contributor to older downed woody debris, indicative of a recurrent historical pattern of differential canopy disturbance driven by strata and relative dominance. These findings suggest that periodic ice events play an important role in facilitating the advancement of shade-tolerant tree species into the canopy from lower strata.
Effects of thinning-induced changes in structural heterogeneity on growth, ingrowth, and mortality in secondary coastal Douglas-fir forests
Authors: Kuehne Christian , Weiskittel Aaron R. , Fraver Shawn , Puettmann Klaus J.
Published: July 2015

Thinning is believed to accelerate the development of late-successional attributes, thereby enhancing stand structural heterogeneity in young, secondary forests. By making use of a large-scale experiment implemented in 40- to 60-year-old coastal Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco) forests, we addressed the following objectives: (i) determine the effect of three thinning treatments on the temporal dynamics (first 11 years after thinning) of key forest structure measures, (ii) evaluate the relationships between spatially explicit structural diversity measures and spatially nonexplicit stand metrics, and (iii) test the relationships between stand structure and observed periodic stand volume growth, ingrowth, and mortality. Treatments consisted of high-density, moderate-density, and variable-density thinnings-from-below, as well as a control. Differences in stand structural heterogeneity between treatments were mostly nonsignificant. However, our results suggest that variable-density stands displayed structural enrichment as tree size and tree species diversity increased throughout the study period as a result of continuous ingrowth of species other than Douglas-fir. Simple spatially nonexplicit metrics could not be used to reliably model spatially explicit structural diversity measures. The inclusion of structural and species diversity measures only rarely improved accuracy of sample plot level growth, ingrowth, and mortality prediction models. Despite the short-term nature of this study, we conclude that variable-density thinning shows promise in increasing structural heterogeneity in young even-aged stands. The inclusion of structural diversity measures in growth and mortality models may be beneficial, but further work is needed to clarify the underlying relationships, particularly at the individual-tree level.
The inactive–active phase transition in the noisy additive (exclusive-or) probabilistic cellular automaton
Authors: Mendonça J. Ricardo G.
Published: July 2015

We investigate the inactive–active phase transition in an array of additive (exclusive-or) cellular automata (CA) under noise. The model is closely related with the Domany-Kinzel (DK) probabilistic cellular automaton (PCA), for which there are rigorous as well as numerical estimates on the transition probabilities. Here, we characterize the critical behavior of the noisy additive cellular automaton by mean field analysis and finite-size scaling and show that its phase transition belongs to the directed percolation universality class of critical behavior. As a by-product of our analysis, we argue that the critical behavior of the noisy elementary CA 90 and 102 (in Wolfram’s enumeration scheme) must be the same. We also perform an empirical investigation of the mean field equations to assess their quality and find that away from the critical point (but not necessarily very far away) the mean field approximations provide a reasonably good description of the dynamics of the PCA.
Topological origin of quantum mechanical vacuum transitions and tunneling
Authors: Bernardini Alex E. , Chinaglia Mariana
Published: July 2015

The quantum transition between shifted zero-mode wave functions is shown to be induced by the systematic deformation of topological and non-topological defects that support the one-dimensional double-well (DW) potential tunneling dynamics. The topological profile of the zero-mode ground state, [Formula: see text], and the first excited state, [Formula: see text], of DW potentials are obtained through the analytical technique of topological defect deformation. Deformed defects create two inequivalent topological scenarios connected by a symmetry breaking that support the quantum conversion of a zero-mode stable vacuum into an unstable tachyonic quantum state. Our theoretical findings reveal the topological origin of two-level models where a nonstationary quantum state of unitary evolution, [Formula: see text], that exhibits a stable tunneling dynamics, is converted into a quantum superposition involving a self-vanishing tachyonic mode, [Formula: see text], that parametrizes a tunneling coherent destruction. The non-classical nature of the symmetry breaking dynamics is recreated in terms of the single particle quantum mechanics of one-dimensional DW potentials.
An introduction to NRQED
Authors: Paz Gil
Published: July 2015

We present a pedagogical introduction to NRQED (non-relativistic quantum electrodynamics). NRQED is an effective field theory that describes the interaction of non-relativistic, possibly composite, spin- [Formula: see text] particle with the electromagnetic field. We explain in detail how the NRQED Lagrangian is constructed up to and including order [Formula: see text], where M is the mass of the spin- [Formula: see text] particle. As a sample application, we derive the Thomson scattering cross-section for the low energy scattering of a photon and a possibly composite spin- [Formula: see text] particle.
Can vanishing mass-on-shell interactions generate a dip at colliders?
Authors: Bai Yang , Keung Wai-Yee
Published: July 2015

We categorize new physics signatures that manifest themselves as a “dip” structure at colliders. One potential way to realize a dip is to require interactions to be zero when all particles are mass on-shell, but not if one or more are mass off-shell. For three particle interactions, we have found three interesting cases: one massive gauge boson with two identical scalars; one massless gauge boson with two different scalars; one massive gauge boson with two identical massless gauge bosons. For each case, we identify the relevant effective operators to explore its dip signature at the LHC. Unfortunately, the unstable particle with a vanishing mass-on-shell interaction has a complex mass which is coincident with the complex pole in its propagator. As a result, a contact-like amplitude without a dip is produced. Some interesting collider signatures for “fermion-phobic” vector bosons are also discussed.
Traversable wormholes in distorted gravity
Authors: Garattini Remo
Published: July 2015

In this paper, we consider the effects of distorted gravity on the traversability of the wormholes. In particular, we consider configurations which are sustained by their own gravitational quantum fluctuations. The Ultraviolet divergences appearing to one loop are taken under control with the help of a Noncommutative geometry representation and gravity's rainbow. In this context, it will be shown that for every framework, the self-sustained equation will produce a Wheeler wormhole, namely a wormhole of Planckian size. This means that, from the point of view of traversability, the wormhole will be traversable in principle, but not in practice. For this purpose, in the context of gravity's rainbow we have considered different proposals of rainbow's functions to see if the smallness of the wormhole is dependent on the chosen form of the rainbow's function. Unfortunately, we discover that this is not the case and we suggest that the self-sustained equation can be improved to see if the wormhole radius can be enlarged or not. Some consequences on topology change are discussed.
INTRA-RATER RELIABILITIES AND CONCURRENT VALIDITY OF THE UNIVERSAL GONIOMETER AND TAPE MEASURE FOR MEASURING CERVICAL ACTIVE RANGE OF MOTION
Authors: Adegoke Babatunde Olusola Adeleke , Offiah Maureen Ngozi , Okoye Emmanuel Chiebuka , Akosile Christopher Olusanjo
Published: July 2015

Background Data: Cervical active range of motion (cervical AROM) is often assessed in clinical practice to quantify musculoskeletal impairments of the neck and evaluate efficacy of interventions. Such assessment requires instruments with proven reliability and validity. Purpose: To investigate and compare the intra-rater reliabilities and concurrent validity of the universal goniometer and tape measure in measuring cervical AROM. Methods: Cervical AROM in 100 consecutively sampled apparently healthy individuals was measured with both universal goniometer and tape measure and repeated after five days. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics, standard error of measurement, Pearson product moment correlation and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) at 0.05 level of significance. Results: Intra-rater reliability of the tape measure (r = 0.28–0.62; ICC = 0.44–0.75) and universal goniometer (r = 0.21–0.67; ICC = 0.34–0.79) were within the acceptable range except for right lateral flexion for goniometer and left lateral flexion for tape measure. Standard errors of measurement were 0.14–0.20 and 0.76–1.27 for tape measure and goniometer, respectively. Concurrent validity coefficients of the two instruments for all cervical AROM (r = 0.23–0.40) except left lateral flexion and right rotation were within the acceptable range. There was no gender difference in cervical AROM using the goniometer but male participants had significantly more range in flexion and right lateral flexion using the tape measure. Conclusions: Tape measure and goniometer have similar intra-rater reliability and significant but weak concurrent validity in assessing cervical AROM except left lateral flexion and right rotation.
Three-Dimensional Vibrations of a Suspension Bridge Under Stochastic Traffic Flows and Road Roughness
Authors: Yin Xinfeng , Liu Yang , Guo Shihui , Zhang W. , Cai C. S.
Published: July 2015

When studying the vibration of a bridge–vehicle coupled system, most researchers mainly focus on the vertical vibration of bridges under moving vehicular loads, while the lateral and longitudinal vibrations of the bridges and the stochastic characteristics of the traffic flows are neglected. However, for long-span suspension bridges, neglecting the bridge’s three-dimensional (3D) vibrations under stochastic traffic flows can cause considerable inaccuracy in predicting the dynamic performance. This study is mainly focused on establishing a new methodology fully considering a suspension bridge’s vertical, lateral, and longitudinal vibrations induced by stochastic traffic flows under varied road roughness conditions. A new full-scale vehicle model with 18 degrees of freedom (DOFs) was developed to predict the longitudinal and lateral vibrations of the vehicle. An improved Cellular Automaton (CA) model considering the influence of the next-nearest vehicle was introduced. The bridge and vehicles in traffic flow coupled equations are established by combining the equations of motion of both the bridge and vehicles using the displacement relationship and interaction force relationship at the patch contacts. The numerical simulations show that the proposed method can rationally simulate the 3D vibrations of the suspension bridge under stochastic traffic flows.
Asymptotic behavior of BV solutions to hyperbolic systems of balance laws with relaxation
Authors: Dafermos Constantine M.
Published: July 2015

For hyperbolic systems of balance laws governing relaxation processes, in one space dimension, with source incurring nonnegative entropy production and satisfying a Kawashima-type condition, it is shown that when the initial data have small total variation on (-∞, ∞) and decay rapidly to zero, as |x| → ∞, then the Cauchy problem possesses a unique admissible BV solution, in the large, with total variation decaying to zero, as t → ∞.
Automated Generation of Counterterrorism Policies Using Multiexpert Input
Authors: Sawant Anshul , Dickerson John P. , Hajiaghayi Mohammad T. , Subrahmanian V. S.
Published: July 2015

The use of game theory to model conflict has been studied by several researchers, spearheaded by Schelling. Most of these efforts assume a single payoff matrix that captures players’ utilities under different assumptions about what the players will do. Our experience in counterterrorism applications is that experts disagree on these payoffs. We leverage Shapley’s notion of vector equilibria, which formulates games where there are multiple payoff matrices, but note that they are very hard to compute in practice. To effectively enumerate large numbers of equilibria with payoffs provided by multiple experts, we propose a novel combination of vector payoffs and well-supported ϵ-approximate equilibria. We develop bounds related to computation of these equilibria for some special cases and give a quasipolynomial time approximation scheme (QPTAS) for the general case when the number of players is small (which is true in many real-world applications). Leveraging this QPTAS, we give efficient algorithms to find such equilibria and experimental results showing that they work well on simulated data.

We then built a policy recommendation engine based on vector equilibria, called
PREVE
. We use PREVE to model the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, as a five-player game. Specifically, we apply it to three payoff matrices provided by experts in India--Pakistan relations, analyze the equilibria generated by PREVE, and suggest counterterrorism policies that may reduce attacks by LeT. We briefly discuss these results and identify their strengths and weaknesses from a policy point of view.
Conservative Management of an Iatrogenic Esophageal Tear in Kenya
Authors: Waweru Peter , Mwaniki David
Published: July 2015

Since its description over 250 years ago, diagnosis of esophageal perforation remains challenging, its management controversial, and its mortality high. This rare, devastating, mostly iatrogenic, condition can quickly lead to severe complications and death due to an overwhelming inflammatory response to gastric contents in the mediastinum. Diagnosis is made with the help of esophagograms and although such tears have traditionally been managed via aggressive surgical approach, recent reports emphasize a shift in favor of nonoperative care which unfortunately remains controversial. We here present a case of an iatrogenic esophageal tear resulting from a routine esophagoscopy in a 50-year-old lady presenting with dysphagia. The esophageal tear, almost missed, was eventually successfully managed conservatively, thanks to a relatively early diagnosis.
Parameter Estimation for Coupled Hydromechanical Simulation of Dynamic Compaction Based on Pareto Multiobjective Optimization
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Lu-Lu , Chen Jin-Jian , Wang Jian-Hua
Published: July 2015

This paper presented a parameter estimation method based on a coupled hydromechanical model of dynamic compaction and the Pareto multiobjective optimization technique. The hydromechanical model of dynamic compaction is established in the FEM program LS-DYNA. The multiobjective optimization algorithm, Nondominated Sorted Genetic Algorithm (NSGA-IIa), is integrated with the numerical model to identify soil parameters using multiple sources of field data. A field case study is used to demonstrate the capability of the proposed method. The observed pore water pressure and crater depth at early blow of dynamic compaction are simultaneously used to estimate the soil parameters. Robustness of the back estimated parameters is further illustrated by a forward prediction. Results show that the back-analyzed soil parameters can reasonably predict lateral displacements and give generally acceptable predictions of dynamic compaction for an adjacent location. In addition, for prediction of ground response of the dynamic compaction at continuous blows, the prediction based on the second blow is more accurate than the first blow due to the occurrence of the hardening and strengthening of soil during continuous compaction.
A Formula for the Reliability of a d-Dimensional Consecutive-k-out-of-n:F System
Authors: Cowell Simon
Published: July 2015

We derive a formula for the reliability of a d-dimensional consecutive-k-out-of-n:F system, that is, a formula for the probability that an n1×⋯×nd array whose entries are (independently of each other) 0 with probability p and 1 with probability q=1-p does not include a contiguous s1×⋯×sd subarray whose every entry is 1.
Neural Plasticity of Mild Tinnitus: An fMRI Investigation Comparing Those Recently Diagnosed with Tinnitus to Those That Had Tinnitus for a Long Period of Time
Authors: Carpenter-Thompson Jake R. , Schmidt Sara A. , Husain Fatima T.
Published: July 2015

Objectives. The aim of the study was to compare differences in neural correlates of tinnitus in adults with recent onset and others who had the disorder for longer than a year.Design. A total of 25 individuals with tinnitus were divided into groups based on the amount of time for which they had experienced tinnitus: <1 year (RTIN) or >1 year (LTIN). Subjects underwent an fMRI scan while listening to affective sounds from the International Affective Digital Sounds database. Resting state functional connectivity data were also collected.Results. The RTIN group recruited the posterior cingulate and insula to a greater extent than the LTIN group when processing affective sounds. In addition, we found that the LTIN group engaged more frontal regions when listening to the stimuli compared to the RTIN group. Lastly, we found increased correlations between the default mode network and the precuneus in RTIN patients compared to LTIN at rest.Conclusion. Our results suggest that the posterior cingulate and insula may be associated with an early emotional reaction to tinnitus in both task and resting states. Over time, tinnitus patients may recruit more frontal regions to better control their emotional response and exhibit altered connectivity in the default mode network.
Estimation of Hazard Rate and Mean Residual Life Ordering for Fuzzy Random Variable
Authors: Ramasubramanian S. , Mahendran P.
Published: July 2015

L2-metric is used to find the distance between triangular fuzzy numbers. The mean and variance of a fuzzy random variable are also determined by this concept. The hazard rate is estimated and its relationship with mean residual life ordering of fuzzy random variable is investigated. Additionally, we have focused on deriving bivariate characterization of hazard rate ordering which explicitly involves pairwise interchange of two fuzzy random variablesXandY.
Effect of Reinforcement on Early-Age Concrete Temperature Stress: Preliminary Experimental Investigation and Analytical Simulation
Authors: Xin Jianda , Lin Siqing , Shi Nannan , Ouyang Jianshu , Huang Dahai
Published: July 2015

For concrete under short-term loading, effect of reinforcement on concrete crack resistance capability is usually negligible; however, recent research results show that extension of this viewpoint to concrete under long-term loading (temperature variation) may be unsuitable. In order to investigate this phenomenon, this paper presents the experimental and analytical results of early-age reinforced concrete temperature stress development under uniaxial restraint. The experiments were carried out on a temperature stress testing machine (TSTM). Experimental results show that the coupling of reinforcement and concrete creep behavior influenced the concrete temperature stress development, and nearly 16% of concrete stress was reduced in the current research. Moreover, the cracking time of reinforced concrete was also delayed. Finally, based on the principle of superposition, analytical simulations of effect of reinforcement on concrete temperature stress have been performed.
Idiopathic Basal Ganglia Calcification Presented with Impulse Control Disorder
Authors: Sahin Cem , Levent Mustafa , Akbaba Gulhan , Kara Bilge , Yeniceri Emine Nese , Inanc Betul Battaloglu
Published: July 2015

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC), also referred to as Idiopathic Basal Ganglia Calcification (IBGC) or “Fahr’s disease,” is a clinical condition characterized by symmetric and bilateral calcification of globus pallidus and also basal ganglions, cerebellar nuclei, and other deep cortical structures. It could be accompanied by parathyroid disorder and other metabolic disturbances. The clinical features are dysfunction of the calcified anatomic localization. IBGC most commonly presents with mental damage, convulsion, parkinson-like clinical picture, and neuropsychiatric behavior disorders; however, presentation with impulse control disorder is not a frequent presentation. In the current report, a 43-year-old male patient who has been admitted to psychiatry policlinic with the complaints of aggressive behavior episodes and who has been diagnosed with impulse control disorder and IBGC was evaluated in the light of the literature.
Automation of Presentation Record Production Based on Rich‐Media Technology Using SNT Petri Nets Theory
Authors: Martiník Ivo
Published: July 2015

Rich‐media describes
a broad range of digital interactive media that
is increasingly used in the Internet and also in
the support of education. Last year, a special
pilot audiovisual lecture room was built as a
part of the MERLINGO (MEdia-rich
Repository of LearnING Objects) project
solution. It contains all the elements of the
modern lecture room determined for the
implementation of presentation recordings based
on the rich‐media technologies and their
publication online or on‐demand featuring the
access of all its elements in the automated mode
including automatic editing. Property‐preserving
Petri net process algebras (PPPA) were designed
for the specification and verification of the
Petri net processes. PPPA does not need to
verify the composition of the Petri net
processes because all their algebraic operators
preserve the specified set of the properties.
These original PPPA are significantly
generalized for the newly introduced class of
the SNT Petri process and agent nets in this
paper. The PLACE‐SUBST and ASYNC‐PROC
algebraic operators are defined for this class
of Petri nets and their chosen properties are
proved. The SNT Petri process and agent nets
theory were significantly applied at the design,
verification, and implementation of the
programming system ensuring the pilot
audiovisual lecture room
functionality.
The Coupling Dynamic Analysis and Field Test of TBM Main System under Multipoint Impact Excitation
Authors: Huo Junzhou , Wu Hanyang , Li Guangqing , Sun Wei , Chen Jing
Published: July 2015

Damage by excessive vibration is serious engineering problem in TBM boring process. Dynamic characteristic analysis is essential for TBM antivibration design. According to TBM horizontal support structure, a dynamic coupling nonlinear model is established, with consideration of time-varying impact load and multicomponent complex relationship from cutter to gripper shoe. A set of field vibration tests is set up to accurately collect data under extreme work conditions; then, field data is collected from Liaoning northwest engineering. Field data is applied to validate simulation model to make sure time-varying damping stiffness, support cylinder stiffness, and the TBM machine stiffness distribution are reasonable. Simulation indicates the weakest part of TBM in axial and torsional DOF is the cylinder hinge and the connection shaft between motor and pinion, and the horizontal and vertical weak parts are bull gear. It also shows that, in normal excavation conditions, the acceleration amplitude of the cutterhead in three directions ranges from 1.5 g to 2 g. These results provide theoretical basis for the antivibration design and structural optimization of TBM.
Chemotherapy Treatment of Elderly Patients (≥70 Years) with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Seven-Year Retrospective Study of Real-Life Clinical Practice at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Authors: Koyi Hirsh , Hillerdal Gunnar , Andersson Olov , Kölbeck Karl-Gustav , Liv Per , Brandén Eva
Published: July 2015

An increasing proportion of cancer patients are aged >65 years and many are aged >70 years. Treatment of the elderly with lung cancer has, therefore, become an important issue; so we performed a retrospective study of our patients to demonstrate how elderly patients with NSCLC are treated in real-life, clinical practice. All patients aged ≥70 years with NSCLC at our department were reviewed retrospectively. In total, 1059 patients (50.8% of all NSCLC patients). Of these patients, 243 (22.9%) received chemotherapy, 164 (70.4%) of whom were treated with a platinum doublet using carboplatin. Second- and third-line chemotherapy were given to 31.4% and 13.9% of patients, respectively. Median overall survival was 289 and 320 days for male and female patients, respectively. Patients with performance status (PS) 0 experienced significantly better survival than patients with PS1 or PS 2: 410, 314, and 204 days, respectively. Age was of less importance, with patients aged 70–79 years versus those aged ≥80 years. Treatment of elderly NSCLC patients with chemotherapy is feasible if they have a good PS and appears to prolong survival. In this study, we found no significant differences in survival either between age groups or genders.
A Multimodal User Authentication System Using Faces and Gestures
Authors: Choi Hyunsoek , Park Hyeyoung
Published: July 2015

As a novel approach to perform user authentication, we propose a multimodal biometric system that uses faces and gestures obtained from a single vision sensor. Unlike typical multimodal biometric systems using physical information, the proposed system utilizes gesture video signals combined with facial images. Whereas physical information such as face, fingerprints, and iris is fixed and not changeable, behavioral information such as gestures and signatures can be freely changed by the user, similar to a password. Therefore, it can be a countermeasure when the physical information is exposed. We aim to investigate the potential possibility of using gestures as a signal for biometric system and the robustness of the proposed multimodal user authentication system. Through computational experiments on a public database, we confirm that gesture information can help to improve the authentication performance.
Impact of Inherited Prothrombotic Disorders on the Long-Term Clinical Outcome of Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty in Patients with Diabetes
Authors: Dubský Michal , Jirkovská Alexandra , Pagáčová Libuše , Bém Robert , Němcová Andrea , Fejfarová Vladimíra , Wosková Veronika , Jude Edward B.
Published: July 2015

The aim of our study was to analyse inherited thrombotic disorders that influence the long-term outcome of PTA.Methods. Diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treated by PTA in our centre between 2008 and 2011 were included in the study. Patients were divided into unsuccessful PTA group (75 patients), successful PTA group (58 patients), and control group (65 patients, with diabetes but no PAD). Diagnosis of inherited thrombotic disorders included mutation in factor V (Leiden), factor II (prothrombin), and mutation in genes for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase—MTHFR (C677T and A1298C).Results. The genotypic frequency of Leiden allele G1691A was significantly associated with a risk of unsuccessful PTA in comparison with successful PTA group and control group (OR 8.8 (1.1–70.6),p=0.041, and OR 9.8 (1.2–79.2),p=0.032, resp.). However, we only observed a trend for the association of the prothrombin allele G20210A and risk of PTA failure. The frequencies of alleles of MTHFR 677 or 1298 did not differ significantly among the groups.Conclusion. Our study showed higher frequency of heterozygous form of Leiden mutation in diabetic patients with unsuccessful outcome of PTA in comparison with patients with successful PTA and diabetic patients without PAD.
Transhepatic Embolization of Congenital Intrahepatic Portosystemic Venous Shunts with Associated Aneurysms
Authors: Paudel Kalyan , Hoffer Eric K.
Published: July 2015

Intrahepatic shunts between the portal and systemic venous systems with associated aneurysms are extremely rare. A middle aged woman presented with hepatic encephalopathy and was found to have two intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunts with associated aneurysms. Diagnosis was made by duplex ultrasound and was confirmed with contrast enhanced MRI. Treatment was performed percutaneously with an Amplatzer vascular plug.
Outage Analysis of Transmit Beamforming and Relay Selection with Outdated Channel Estimates over Nakagami-m Fading Channels
Authors: Wang Lei , Cai Yueming , Zhang Liang , Yang Weiwei
Published: July 2015

We investigate the joint effects of feedback delay and channel estimation errors (CEE) over Nakagami- m fading channels for two-hop amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying systems with transmit beamforming (TB) and relay selection (RS). We derive new closed-form expressions for the system outage performance including the exact analysis and informative high SNR asymptotic approximations, which indicate that TB feedback delay reduces the achievable diversity order to one, regardless of Nakagami- m fading parameters. Whereas RS delay reduces the diversity order to a case without relay selection and CEE merely result in coding gain loss, numerical results verify the theoretical analysis and illustrate that the outage performance is more sensitive to the TB feedback delay.
Some Inequalities for the Omori-Yau Maximum Principle
Authors: Hong Kyusik
Published: July 2015

We generalize A. Borbély’s condition for the conclusion of the Omori-Yau maximum principle for the Laplace operator on a complete Riemannian manifold to a second-order linear semielliptic operatorLwith bounded coefficients and no zeroth order term. Also, we consider a new sufficient condition for the existence of a tamed exhaustion function. From these results, we may remark that the existence of a tamed exhaustion function is more general than the hypotheses in the version of the Omori-Yau maximum principle that was given by A. Ratto, M. Rigoli, and A. G. Setti.
Sepsis and AKI in Clinical Emergency Room Patients: The Role of Urinary NGAL
Authors: Si Nga Hong , Medeiros Pamela , Menezes Precil , Bridi Ramaiane , Balbi André , Ponce Daniela
Published: July 2015

Background. Few studies have investigated the predictive properties of urinary (u) NGAL as an AKI marker in septic population.Objectives. This study evaluated the efficacy of uNGAL as predictor of AKI and death in septic patients admitted to the clinical emergency room (ER).Methodology. We prospectively studied patients with sepsis admitted to the ER. Urine was analyzed for NGAL within the first 24 hours after admission (classified as NGAL1), between 24 and 48 h (NGAL2), and at moment of AKI diagnosis (NGAL3).Results. Among 168 septic patients admitted to ER, 72% developed AKI. The uNGAL and its relationship with creatinine (Cr) were high in septic patients but statistically higher in those with sepsis and AKI. The uNGAL1 and uNGAL2, as well as uNGAL1/uCr1 and uNGAL2/uCr2, were good predictors for AKI (AUC-ROC 0.73, 0.70, 0.77, and 0.84, resp.). The uNGAL1 and uNGAL1/uCr1 were poor predictors for death (AUC-ROC 0.66 and 0.68, resp.), whereas uNGAL2 and uNGAL2/uCr2 were better predictors (AUC-ROC 0.70 and 0.81, resp.).Conclusion. The uNGAL is highly sensitive but nonspecific predictor of AKI and death in septic patients admitted into ER.
Biology of Bone Tissue: Structure, Function, and Factors That Influence Bone Cells
Authors: Florencio-Silva Rinaldo , Sasso Gisela Rodrigues da Silva , Sasso-Cerri Estela , Simões Manuel Jesus , Cerri Paulo Sérgio
Published: July 2015

Bone tissue is continuously remodeled through the concerted actions of bone cells, which include bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts, whereas osteocytes act as mechanosensors and orchestrators of the bone remodeling process. This process is under the control of local (e.g., growth factors and cytokines) and systemic (e.g., calcitonin and estrogens) factors that all together contribute for bone homeostasis. An imbalance between bone resorption and formation can result in bone diseases including osteoporosis. Recently, it has been recognized that, during bone remodeling, there are an intricate communication among bone cells. For instance, the coupling from bone resorption to bone formation is achieved by interaction between osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Moreover, osteocytes produce factors that influence osteoblast and osteoclast activities, whereas osteocyte apoptosis is followed by osteoclastic bone resorption. The increasing knowledge about the structure and functions of bone cells contributed to a better understanding of bone biology. It has been suggested that there is a complex communication between bone cells and other organs, indicating the dynamic nature of bone tissue. In this review, we discuss the current data about the structure and functions of bone cells and the factors that influence bone remodeling.
Failure Diagnosis System for a Ball-Screw by Using Vibration Signals
Authors: Lee Won Gi , Lee Jin Woo , Hong Min Sung , Nam Sung-Ho , Jeon YongHo , Lee Moon G.
Published: July 2015

Recently, in order to reduce high maintenance costs and to increase operating ratio in manufacturing systems, condition-based maintenance (CBM) has been developed. CBM is carried out with indicators, which show equipment’s faults and performance deterioration. In this study, indicator signal acquisition and condition monitoring are applied to a ball-screw-driven stage. Although ball-screw is a typical linearly reciprocating part and is widely used in industry, it has not gained attention to be diagnosed compared to rotating parts such as motor, pump, and bearing. First, the vibration-based monitoring method, which uses vibration signal to monitor the condition of a machine, is proposed. Second, Wavelet transform is used to analyze the defect signals in time-frequency domain. Finally, the failure diagnosis system is developed using the analysis, and then its performance is evaluated. Using the system, we estimated the severity of failure and detect the defect position. The low defect frequency (≈58.7 Hz) is spread all over the time in the Wavelet-filtered signal with low frequency range. Its amplitude reflects the progress of defect. The defect position was found in the signal with high frequency range (768~1,536 Hz). It was detected from the interval between abrupt changes of signal.
Understanding Complete Pathologic Response in Oesophageal Cancer: Implications for Management and Survival
Authors: O’Sullivan K. E. , Hurley E. T. , Hurley J. P.
Published: July 2015

Despite significant improvement over recent decades, oesophageal cancer survival rates remain poor. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by oesophageal resection is mainstay of therapy for resectable oesophageal tumours. Operative morbidity and mortality associated with oesophagectomy remain high and complications arise in up to 60% of patients. Management strategies have moved towards definitive chemoradiotherapy for a number of tumour sites (head and neck, cervical, and rectal) particularly for squamous pathology. We undertook to perform a review of the current status of morbidity and mortality associated with oesophagectomy, grading systems determining pathologic response, and data from clinical trials managing patients with definitive chemoradiotherapy to inform a discussion on the topic.
Application of Fuzzy Optimization to the Orienteering Problem
Authors: Verma Madhushi , Shukla K. K.
Published: July 2015

This paper deals with the orienteering problem (OP) which is a combination of two well-known problems (i.e., travelling salesman problem and the knapsack problem). OP is an NP-hard problem and is useful in appropriately modeling several challenging applications. As the parameters involved in these applications cannot be measured precisely, depicting them using crisp numbers is unrealistic. Further, the decision maker may be satisfied with graded satisfaction levels of solutions, which cannot be formulated using a crisp program. To deal with the above-stated two issues, we formulate thefuzzyorienteering problem (FOP) and provide a method to solve it. Here we state the two necessary conditions of OP of maximizing the total collected score and minimizing the time taken to traverse a path (within the specified time bound) as fuzzy goals and the remaining necessary conditions as crisp constraints. Using the max-min formulation of the fuzzy sets obtained from the fuzzy goals, we calculate the fuzzy decision sets (ZandZ∗) that contain the feasible paths and the desirable paths, respectively, along with the degrees to which they are acceptable. To efficiently solve large instances of FOP, we also present a parallel algorithm on CREW PRAM model.
Short-Term City Electric Load Forecasting with Considering Temperature Effects: An Improved ARIMAX Model
Authors: Cui Herui , Peng Xu
Published: July 2015

Short-term electric load is significantly affected by weather, especially the temperature effects in summer. External factors can result in mutation structures in load data. Under the influence of the external temperature factors, city electric load cannot be easily forecasted as usual. This research analyzes the relationship between electricity load and daily temperature in city. An improved ARIMAX model is proposed in this paper to deal with the mutation data structures. It is found that information amount of the improved ARIMAX model is smaller than that of the classic method and its relative error is less than AR, ARMA and Sigmoid-Function ANN models. The forecasting results are more accurately fitted. This improved model is highly valuable when dealing with mutation data structure in the field of load forecasting. And it is also an effective technique in forecasting electric load with temperature effects.