bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of MRI phantom equivalent to human tissues for 3.0‐T MRI
Authors: Hattori Kengo , Ikemoto Yusuke , Takao Wataru , Ohno Seiichiro , Harimoto Takashi , Kanazawa Susumu , Oita Masataka , Shibuya Koichi , Kuroda Masahiro , Kato Hirokazu
Published: February 2013

Purpose:

A 3.0‐T MRI phantom (called the CAGN‐3.0T phantom) having human‐equivalent relaxation times and human‐equivalent conductivity was developed.

Methods:

The ingredients of the phantom are carrageenan (as a gelatinizer), agarose (as a T2‐relaxation modifier), GdCl3 (as a T1‐relaxation modifier), NaCl (as a conductivity modifier), and NaN3 (as an antiseptic). Numerous samples with varying concentrations of agarose, GdCl3, and NaCl were prepared, and T1 and T2 values were measured using 3.0‐T MRI.

Results:

The T1 values of the CAGN‐3.0T phantom were unaffected by NaCl, while the T2 values were only slightly affected. Based on the measured data, empirical formulae were devised to express the relationships between the concentrations of agarose, GdCl3, and NaCl and the relaxation times. The formula for expressing the conductivity of the CAGN‐3.0T phantom was obtained.

Conclusions:

By adjustments to the concentrations of agarose, GdCl3, and NaCl, the relaxation times and conductivity of almost all types of human tissues can be simulated by CAGN‐3.0T phantoms. The phantoms have T1 values of 395–2601 ms, T2 values of 29–334 ms, and conductivity of 0.27–1.26 S/m when concentrations of agarose, GdCl3, and NaCl are varied from 0 to 2.0 w/w%, 0 to 180 μmol/kg, and 0 to 0.7 w/w%, respectively. The CAGN‐3.0T phantom has sufficient strength to replicate the torso without using reinforcing agents, and can be cut with a knife into any shape.
Virulence of Burkholderia mallei Quorum-Sensing Mutants
Authors: Majerczyk Charlotte , Kinman Loren , Han Tony , Bunt Richard , Greenberg E. Peter
Published: February 2013

Many
Proteobacteria
use acyl-homoserine lactone-mediated quorum-sensing (QS) to activate specific sets of genes as a function of cell density. QS often controls the virulence of pathogenic species, and in fact a previous study indicated that QS was important for
Burkholderia mallei
mouse lung infections. To gain in-depth information on the role of QS in
B. mallei
virulence, we constructed and characterized a mutant of
B. mallei
strain GB8 that was unable to make acyl-homoserine lactones. The QS mutant showed virulence equal to that of its wild-type parent in an aerosol mouse infection model, and growth in macrophages was indistinguishable from that of the parent strain. Furthermore, we assessed the role of QS in
B. mallei
ATCC 23344 by constructing and characterizing a mutant strain producing AiiA, a lactonase enzyme that degrades acyl-homoserine lactones. Although acyl-homoserine lactone levels in cultures of this strain are very low, it showed full virulence. Contrary to the previous report, we conclude that QS is not required for acute
B. mallei
infections of mice. QS may be involved in some stage of chronic infections in the natural host of horses, or the QS genes may be remnants of the QS network in
B. pseudomallei
from which this host-adapted pathogen evolved.
Quiescent Innate Response to Infective Filariae by Human Langerhans Cells Suggests a Strategy of Immune Evasion
Authors: Boyd Alexis , Bennuru Sasisekhar , Wang Yuanyuan , Sanprasert Vivornpun , Law Melissa , Chaussabel Damien , Nutman Thomas B. , Semnani Roshanak Tolouei
Published: February 2013

Filarial infection is initiated by mosquito-derived third-stage larvae (L3) deposited on the skin that transit through the epidermis, which contains Langerhans cells (LC) and keratinocytes (KC), among other cells. This earliest interaction between L3 and the LC likely conditions the priming of the immune system to the parasite. To determine the nature of this interaction, human LC (langerin
+
E-cadherin
+
CD1a
+
) were generated
in vitro
and exposed to live L3. LC exposed to live L3 for 48 h showed no alterations in the cell surface markers CD14, CD86, CD83, CD207, E-cadherin, CD80, CD40, and HLA-DR or in mRNA expression of inflammation-associated genes, such as those for interleukin 18 (IL-18), IL-18BP, and caspase 1. In contrast to L3, live tachyzoites of
Toxoplasma gondii
, an intracellular parasite, induced production of CXCL9, IP-10, and IL-6 in LC. Furthermore, preexposure of LC to L3 did not alter Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3)- or TLR4-mediated expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-6, or IL-10. Interestingly, cocultures of KC and LC produced significantly more IL-18, IL-1α, and IL-8 than did cultures of LC alone, although exposure of the cocultures to live L3 did not result in altered cytokine production. Microarray examination of
ex vivo
LC from skin blisters that were exposed to live L3 also showed few significant changes in gene expression compared with unexposed blisters, further underscoring the relatively muted response of LC to L3. Our data suggest that failure by LC to initiate an inflammatory response to the invasive stage of filarial parasites may be a strategy for immune evasion by the filarial parasite.
Batting head injury in professional cricket: a systematic video analysis of helmet safety characteristics
Authors: Ranson Craig , Peirce Nicholas , Young Mark
Published: February 2013

Background

Batters in cricket are continuing to sustain head and facial injuries despite wearing protective helmets.

Objective

To gain an understanding of the types and mechanisms of head injuries sustained by batters wearing a helmet.

Methods

Injury type, location and mechanism were categorised via analysis of 35 videos of National or International cricketers sustaining a head injury while batting.

Results

53% of the injuries occurred following ball impact to either the helmet faceguard and peak, or the faceguard alone. Ten injuries (29%) resulted from the ball penetrating the gap between the helmet peak and faceguard. 29% of the injuries involved the ball contacting the face following penetration of the gap between the helmet peak and faceguard. Fractures, lacerations and contusions were the most common injuries associated with face or faceguard impacts while concussion was more commonly associated with impacts to the side or rear of the helmet shell. Many of the injuries described resulted in prolonged or permanent absence from cricket.

Conclusions

Significant head and facial injuries occur in cricket batters despite wearing of helmets. Cricket helmet design and associated National and International Safety Standards should be improved to provide increased protection against head injury related to ball impact to the faceguard and shell of the helmet.
Dramatic impact of using protective equipment on the level of hurling-related head injuries: an ultimately successful 27-year programme
Authors: Crowley Patrick J , Crowley Michael J
Published: February 2013

Background

Major head injuries are not uncommon in the Irish national game of hurling. Historically, helmets were not worn.

Methods

We report a multistage campaign to facilitate and encourage the use of appropriate headgear among the estimated 100 000 hurling players in Ireland. This campaign lasted for 27 years between 1985 and 2012, and involved a number of different stages including: (1) facilitating the establishment of a business dedicated to developing head protection equipment suitable for hurling, (2) placing a particular emphasis on continual product enhancement to the highest industrial standards, (3) engaging continually with the game's controlling body, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), with the ultimate objective of securing a mandatory usage policy for protective helmets and faceguards, (4) longitudinal research to monitor hurling injury, equipment usage and players’ attitudes and (5) widely communicating key research findings to GAA leaders and members, as well as to 1000 clubs and schools.

Results

One of our three relevant studies included 798 patients and identified a dramatic association between the type of head protection used by a player, if any, and the site of the injury requiring treatment. While 51% of the injured players without head protection suffered head trauma, this rate was only 35% among the players wearing helmets and 5% among players who were wearing full head protection (both a helmet and faceguard).

Conclusion

The GAA responded in three stages to the accumulating evidence: (1) they introduced a mandatory regulation for those aged less than 18 years in 2005; (2) this ruling was extended to all players under 21 years in 2007 and (3) finally extended to all players irrespective of age, gender or grade from January 2010. The latter ruling applied to both games and organised training sessions.
AN ENERGY EFFICIENT SECOND-ORDER ΣΔ MODULATOR BASED ON THE POWER AND DELAY OPTIMIZATION OF CBSC IIR FILTER
Authors: TAGHIZADEH MEHDI , KAZEROONI AMMAR RAHIMI , ZAMANI MAJID , GOODARZI PAYMAN
Published: February 2013

In this paper a second-order low distortion Sigma-Delta Modulator (ΣΔM) with utilization of Comparator-Based Switched-Capacitor (CBSC)-based IIR filter, is explored. The advantages of this new structure are justified by the reduction of power and area. For this purpose IIR filter block can be made with single CBSC gain stage that has the same accuracy and performance of second-order filter with two Op-amps. The design of CBSC gain stages is intended to minimize the power consumption, and maximize Modulator performance. As shown in the simulation result, for a 20-KHz signal bandwidth, the modulator achieves a dynamic range of 70.2 dB and a peak signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SNDR) of 68 dB with an over-sampling ratio of 64. In addition it consumes only 198 μW from a 1.8-V power supply at 2.56 MS/s.
SINGULARLY PERTURBED ELLIPTIC SYSTEM MODELING THE COMPETITIVE INTERACTIONS FOR A SINGLE RESOURCE
Authors: DUCROT ARNAUD , MADEC STEN
Published: February 2013

In this work we consider an elliptic system of equations modeling the spatial heterogeneous interactions of species competing for a single resource. Coexistence of species is studied under the small diffusion approximation. Lyapunov type arguments, based on the construction of appropriated sub-harmonic maps, are proposed to determine the small diffusion asymptotic profile of the solutions. These profiles are then coupled together with topological degree arguments to prove various coexistence results.
ANALYSIS-SUITABLE T-SPLINES OF ARBITRARY DEGREE: DEFINITION, LINEAR INDEPENDENCE AND APPROXIMATION PROPERTIES
Authors: BEIRÃO DA VEIGA L. , BUFFA A. , SANGALLI G. , VÁZQUEZ R.
Published: February 2013

T-splines are an important tool in IGA since they allow local refinement. In this paper we define analysis-suitable T-splines of arbitrary degree and prove fundamental properties: Linear independence of the blending functions and optimal approximation properties of the associated T-spline space. These are corollaries of our main result: A T-mesh is analysis-suitable if and only if it is dual-compatible. Indeed, dual compatibility is a concept already defined and used in L. Beirão da Veiga et al.5 Analysis-suitable T-splines are dual-compatible which allows for a straightforward construction of a dual basis.
LONG-TERM STABILITY ANALYSIS OF ACOUSTIC ABSORBING BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Authors: BARUCQ HÉLÈNE , DIAZ JULIEN , DUPRAT VÉRONIQUE
Published: February 2013

This work deals with the stability analysis of a one-parameter family of Absorbing Boundary Conditions (ABC) that have been derived for the acoustic wave equation. We tackle the problem of long-term stability of the wave field both at the continuous and the numerical levels. We first define a function of energy and show that it is decreasing in time. Its discrete form is also decreasing under a Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy (CFL) condition that does not depend on the ABC. Moreover, the decay rate of the continuous energy can be determined: it is exponential if the computational domain is star-shaped and this property can be illustrated numerically.
ISOTOPIC CONVERGENCE THEOREM
Authors: LI J. , PETERS T. J.
Published: February 2013

When approximating a space curve, it is natural to consider whether the knot type of the original curve is preserved in the approximant. This preservation is of strong contemporary interest in computer graphics and visualization. We establish a criterion to preserve knot type under approximation that relies upon pointwise convergence and convergence in total curvature.
FROM EMC AND CRONIN EFFECTS TO SIGNALS OF QUARK–GLUON PLASMA
Authors: ZHU WEI , RUAN JIANHONG , HOU FENGYAO
Published: February 2013

The EMC and Cronin effects are explained by a unitarized evolution equation, in which the shadowing and antishadowing corrections are dynamically produced due to gluon fusions. For this sake, an alternative form of the GLR–MQ–ZRS equation is derived. The resulting gluon distributions, integrated and unintegrated, in protons and nuclei are used for analysis of the contributions of the initial parton distributions to the nuclear suppression factor in heavy-ion collisions. A simulation of the fractional energy loss is extracted from the data of RHIC and LHC, where the contributions of both nuclear shadowing and nuclear antishadowing effects are considered. We find a rapid crossover from weak energy loss to strong energy loss with the gluon jet at a universal critical energy, Ec ~ 10 GeV .
PARAMETRIC STUDY OF PROPELLER TONE NOISE DUE TO NONUNIFORM FLOWS
Authors: ZHOU Q. , XIE J. , FANG B. , PAN Y.
Published: February 2013

This paper investigates the tone noise generation by submarine propellers operating in nonuniform flows. A frequency domain numerical approach is proposed. The flow nonuniformities due to submarine wakes are obtained from Computational Fluid Dynamics method. The results show that the velocity field and its harmonics depend greatly on the hull geometry and its appendages. The prediction of the radiated far-field tone noise due to a seven-bladed, highly-skewed propeller has been performed. A prediction of the acoustic pressure level for various blade skew angles shows that the tone noise reduction amount increases as the inflow velocity increases. The predicted dependence of the radiated noise on the inflow velocity, propeller diameter and blade rotational speed shows that the mean square sound pressure at the first-order blade passing frequency varies as the 3.3 power of the characteristic inflow velocity, the third power of the propeller diameter and with the second power of the blade rotational speed. Effects of blade number on the propeller tone noise directivity are also discussed, which shows that the characteristic coupling order between the main inflow harmonic and the rotating blades is the key to determine the directivity pattern.
A COMPARISON OF TRANSIENT INFINITE ELEMENTS AND TRANSIENT KIRCHHOFF INTEGRAL METHODS FOR FAR FIELD ACOUSTIC ANALYSIS
Authors: WALSH TIMOTHY F. , JONES ANDREA , BHARDWAJ MANOJ , DOHRMANN CLARK , REESE GARTH , WILSON RILEY
Published: February 2013

Finite element analysis of transient acoustic phenomena on unbounded exterior domains is very common in engineering analysis. In these problems there is a common need to compute the acoustic pressure at points outside of the acoustic mesh, since meshing to points of interest is impractical in many scenarios. In aeroacoustic calculations, for example, the acoustic pressure may be required at tens or hundreds of meters from the structure. In these cases, a method is needed for post-processing the acoustic results to compute the response at far-field points. In this paper, we compare two methods for computing far-field acoustic pressures, one derived directly from the infinite element solution, and the other from the transient version of the Kirchhoff integral. We show that the infinite element approach alleviates the large storage requirements that are typical of Kirchhoff integral and related procedures, and also does not suffer from loss of accuracy that is an inherent part of computing numerical derivatives in the Kirchhoff integral. In order to further speed up and streamline the process of computing the acoustic response at points outside of the mesh, we also address the nonlinear iterative procedure needed for locating parametric coordinates within the host infinite element of far-field points, the parallelization of the overall process, linear solver requirements, and system stability considerations.
LONGITUDINAL MELANONYCHIA: DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT OF NAIL MELANOMA
Authors: Mannava Kathleen A. , Mannava Sandeep , Koman L. Andrew , Robinson-Bostom Leslie , Jellinek Nathaniel
Published: February 2013

Malignant melanoma of the nail confers a higher mortality rate compared to other cutaneous melanomas, which is often attributable to delayed diagnosis. Two-thirds of nail melanomas present as longitudinal melanonychia (LM), longitudinally-oriented brown-black bands of pigment in the nail plate. This article delineates the appropriate clinical approach toward evaluation and management of a patient with longitudinal melanonychia, which includes determining risk factors for melanoma, recognizing scenarios in which biopsy is indicated, selecting the appropriate biopsy technique, and managing a patient in whom the diagnosis of nail melanoma has been made.
ALTools Case Study: How ESTsoft Lays Golden Eggs
Authors: Ahn JoongHo , Ha Sangwook , Baek Hyunmi
Published: February 2013

ALTools is a suite of utility software offered by ESTsoft, a Korean software company. ALTools includes eight programs: ALZip (compression and archiving utility), ALSee (image viewer and editor), ALFTP (FTP client and server), ALSong (music player with lyrics), ALShow (media player), ALToolbar (toolbar for Internet Explorer), ALPass (password manager for websites) and ALYac (antivirus). As of 2010, according to KoreanClick market research, over 20 million people were using ALTools in Korea and many of the ALTools programs were ranked first in their respective product categories.

ALZip, the first ALTools application, was initially created for internal use, for an employee at the ESTsoft company who did not know how to use an English file archiver program. But after it generated significant public interest, ESTsoft decided to expand the “AL” series product line, releasing ALFTP in July 2000, ALSee in August 2000, ALPass in October 2002, ALShow in July 2004, ALSong in November 2004, ALToolbar in May 2007, and ALYac in December 2007. To manage the expansion of its product line, the company packaged them into one software suite, named ALTools in 2002 and developed an additional program that could assist users in keeping the AL series software titles up to date. It also commercialized ALTools in 2002, adding banner ads in ALTools products and selling software licenses to public institutions and private companies. However, they offered ALTools for free to individual users.

ESTsoft is now looking for new business opportunities in the global market for ALTools. In February 2010, ESTsoft established ESTsoft, Inc. in the United States and entered the U.S. market directly. This is its second overseas branch, following ESTsoft Japan (September 2007). Do you think ALTools will be able to continue its success in other countries, outside of Korea? What challenges might it face?
Russian Restaurant with Japanese Cuisine Makes Foreign Markets' Selection: The Case of Two Sticks
Authors: Panibratov Andrei
Published: February 2013

The case considers the problem of the expansion strategy of the Russian Japanese restaurant Dve Palochki (Two Sticks). The focus of the case is the exploration of the regional and international opportunities for the company, particularly the Chinese market. This case is recommended for discussion in study groups in an international business strategy course when considering the following issues: choosing a foreign market entry strategy; internationalization of SME; the marketing and HR policy of a firm that is in the process of initial internationalization.

This case is intended for analysis of the decisions a medium-sized enterprise's management has to make regarding its foreign expansion. Students are expected to examine the problems linked to quality management, the development of marketing activities, the adjustment of the brand concept, and the organizational restructuring. The analysis can be carried out with the following aims: to evaluate the business environment of newly internationalizing firms in the Japanese restaurant sector as it exists today in the Russian market; to realize the perspectives and difficulties of working in developing and developed markets for a firm in the process of internationalization; to carry out comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of foreign strategies based on strong marketing and HR policies; to examine the promotion process of the restaurant in Russia and evaluate the options for implementing its principles in new overseas locations.
OPTICAL PROPERTIES AND CARRIER DYNAMICS IN ASYMMETRIC COUPLED InGaN MULTIPLE QUANTUM WELLS
Authors: WENG GUO-EN , ZHANG BAO-PING , LIANG MING-MING , LV XUE-QIN , ZHANG JIANG-YONG , YING LEI-YING , QIU ZHI REN , YAGUCHI H. , KUBOYA S. , ONABE K. , CHEN SHAO-QIANG , AKIYAMA H.
Published: February 2013

Optical properties and carrier dynamics of InGaN/GaN asymmetric coupled quantum wells (ACQWs) are studied by excitation-power-dependent photoluminescence (PL), photoreflectance (PR) and time-resolved PL (TRPL) experiments. Under weak excitations, only the emission from the widest well is observed due to the tunneling from narrower to wider wells. Under strong excitations, the carrier distribution becomes more uniform and an enhanced emission from the mid well (2.5 nm well) is observed. Dependence of the PL intensity on excitation power is well explained by a rate equation model. The energy levels in the ACQW structure are clearly revealed by PR measurements and are in good agreement with calculations. Our results indicate that the enhanced emission from the mid well is ascribed to "reverse tunneling" from 3.0 to 2.5 nm well, which is confirmed by TRPL experiments.
EFFECT OF MOLYBDENUM DOPING AND ANNEALING ON PHOTOLUMINESCENCE OF SPUTTERING-DERIVED ZINC OXIDE FILMS
Authors: SHI SHIWEI , LI JUNLEI , WANG XIAN , SUN ZHAOQI , JIANG XISHUN , CUI JINGBIAO , CHEN XIAOSHUANG
Published: February 2013

The molybdenum-doped ZnO (MZO) films were deposited on quartz substrates by radio frequency magnetron sputtering. All films have a polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure. Mo doping influences the grain size of the MZO films and leads to a compressive stress in the films. The valence of Mo in the MZO films is hexavalence. Mo doping enhances the emissions at 380 and 412 nm. Annealing significantly influences the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the MZO films. The PL spectral intensity of the annealed films is much higher than that of the unannealed films. The emissions at 400 and 525 nm enhanced dramatically with the rising of annealing temperature while the emissions at 380 and 412 nm became weak or disappeared. Mo doping is beneficial for the enhancement of the emissions at 400 and 525 nm of the annealed MZO films. The origins of these emissions were discussed in detail.
COMBUSTION SIMULATION OF 1 kW CLASS LNG STIRLING ENGINE CHP SYSTEM CONSIDERING HEAT RECOVERY
Authors: KIM HOUCK JU , LEE YOUN SIK , AHN JOON
Published: February 2013

As fossil fuel has been depleted, a reasonable use of energy is required. In this regard, the cascade use of thermal energy has been proactively considered in view of available energy. For the purpose, the micro co-generation system for a household based on Stirling engine was suggested as a unit of distributed energy system. A slot-type premixed burner is used to completely block noises and harmful gases for the purpose of use in a household, and air supplied to a burner recovers heat from the exhaust gas in order to improve the efficiency of energy use. This study conducted a numerical simulation on combustion in a combustion chamber to investigate the effects that recuperation of heat from exhaust gas have on heat transfer and combustion characteristics.
ELECTRON CARRIER-MEDIATED ROOM TEMPERATURE FERROMAGNETISM IN ANATASE (Ti,Co)O2
Authors: FUKUMURA TOMOTERU , YAMADA YOSHINORI , UENO KAZUNORI , YUAN HONGTAO , SHIMOTANI HIDEKAZU , IWASA YOSHIHIRO , GU LIN , TSUKIMOTO SUSUMU , IKUHARA YUICHI , KAWASAKI MASASHI
Published: February 2013

Since the discovery of room temperature ferromagnetism in ( Ti,Co ) O2 , the mechanism has been under discussion for a decade. Particularly, the central concern has been whether or not the ferromagnetic exchange interaction is mediated by charge carriers like ( Ga,Mn ) As . Recent two studies on the control of ferromagnetism in anatase ( Ti,Co ) O2 at room temperature via electric field effect [Y. Yamada et al., Science332, 1065 (2011)] and chemical doping [Y. Yamada et al., Appl. Phys. Lett.99, 242502 (2011)] indicate a principal role of electrons in the carrier-mediated exchange interaction. In this article, the authors review fundamental properties of anatase ( Ti,Co ) O2 and discuss the carrier mediated ferromagnetism.
Relationship among Photopic Negative Response, Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness, and Visual Field between Normal and POAG Eyes
Authors: Shen Xiaoli , Huang Lina , Fan Ning , He Jing
Published: February 2013

Purpose. To determine the relationship among photopic negative response (PhNR) of the electroretinogram (ERG), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and the visual field in normal and glaucomatous patients. Methods. Thirty-eight normal volunteers and one hundred twenty-four patients with Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) were enrolled in the study. The PhNRs were elicited by white stimuli on a white background and red stimuli on a blue background. The visual field parameters were measured using the standard automated perimetry (SAP). The spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to measure the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness around the optic disc. Results. The PhNR amplitude (W/W, B/R), MD, and mean RNFL thickness in POAG eyes were significantly lower than normal eyes (). The R value in Normal + Glaucomatous group was higher than that of the only glaucomatous group. The R values of PhNR amplitude (B/R) with MD and RNFL were higher than those of PhNR amplitude (W/W). Significant linear association was found in the relationship between RNFL thickness and PhNR amplitude (B/R) (, ). However, significant curve associations were found in the relationship between MD and PhNR amplitude (B/R) and RNFL thickness (, 0.442, ). Conclusions. The ganglion cell activity can be more efficiently evaluated with the PhNR elicited with a red than with a broadband stimulus. The linear relationship between the PhNR amplitude and RNFL thickness indicates that inner retinal function declines proportionately with neural loss in glaucomatous eyes. The PhNR and RNFLT are more objective tools to detect glaucomatous damage than visual field.
Modeling Lane-Keeping Behavior of Bicyclists Using Survival Analysis Approach
Authors: Guo Hongwei , Wang Wuhong , Guo Weiwei , Zhao Facheng
Published: February 2013

Bicyclists may cross the bicycle lane and occupy the adjacent motor lanes for some reason. The mixed traffic consisting of cars and bicycles shows very complicated dynamitic patterns and higher accident risk. To investigate the reason behind such phenomenon, the lifetime analysis method is adopted to examine the observed data for the behavior that bicycles cross the bicycle lane and occupy the adjacent motor lanes. The concepts named valid volume and probability of lane-keeping behavior are introduced to evaluate the influence of various external factors such as lane width and curb parking, and a semiparametric method is used to estimate the model with censored data. Six variables are used to accommodate the effects of traffic conditions. After the model estimation, the effects of the selected variables on the lane-keeping behavior are discussed. The results are expected to give a better understanding of the bicyclist behavior.
Dust Fluid Cosmological Model
Authors: Bagora (Menaria) Anita , Purohit Rakeshwar
Published: February 2013

Bianchi type I tilted bulk viscous fluid cosmological model filled with dust fluid is investigated. We assume that (constant), where is the coefficient of bulk viscosity and is the expansion in the model. It has been assumed that the expansion in the model is only in two directions; that is, one of the components of Hubble parameters is zero. The physical and geometrical aspects of the model in the presence and absence of bulk viscosity are also discussed. Also, we have discussed two special models and their physical properties. From this, we present a particular example based on dust fluid.
Association betweenTCF7L2Genotype and Glycemic Control in Diabetic Patients Treated with Gliclazide
Authors: Javorský Martin , Babjaková Eva , Klimčáková Lucia , Schroner Zbynek , Židzik Jozef , Štolfová Mária , Šalagovič Ján , Tkáč Ivan
Published: February 2013

Previous studies showed associations between variants inTCF7L2gene and the therapeutic response to sulfonylureas. All sulfonylureas stimulate insulin secretion by the closure of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel. The aim of the present study was to compareTCF7L2genotype specific effect of gliclazide binding toKATPchannel A-site (Group 1) with sulfonylureas binding to AB-site (Group 2). A total of 101 patients were treated with sulfonylureas for 6 months as an add-on therapy to the previous metformin treatment.TCF7L2rs7903146 C/T genotype was identified by real-time PCR with subsequent melting curve analysis. Analyses using the dominant genetic model showed significantly higher effect of gliclazide in the CC genotype group in comparison with combined CT + TT genotype group (1.32±0.15% versus0.73±0.11%,Padj=0.005). No significant difference in ΔHbA1c between the patients with CC genotype and the T-allele carriers was observed in Group 2. In the multivariate analysis, only theTCF7L2genotype (P=0.006) and the baseline HbA1c (P<0.001) were significant predictors of ΔHbA1c. After introducing an interaction term between theTCF7L2genotype and the sulfonylurea type into multivariate model, the interaction became a significant predictor (P=0.023) of ΔHbA1c. The results indicate significantly higher difference in ΔHbA1c among theTCF7L2genotypes in patients treated with gliclazide than in patients treated with glimepiride, glibenclamide, or glipizide.
RefractoryScedosporium apiospermumKeratitis Successfully Treated with Combination of Amphotericin B and Voriconazole
Authors: Fadzillah Mohd-Tahir , Ishak Siti-Raihan , Ibrahim Mohtar
Published: February 2013

Aim. To report a case of refractory fungal keratitis caused byScedosporium apiospermum.Methods. Interventional case report.Results. A 47-year-old Malay housewife presented with left eye cornea ulcer as her first presentation of diabetes mellitus. There was no history of ocular trauma, contact lens used, or cornea foreign body.Scedosporium apiospermumwas isolated from the cornea scrapping. Her cornea ulcer initially responded well to topical Amphotericin B within 3 days but subsequently worsened. Repeat cornea scrapping also yieldsScedosporium apiospermum. This refractory keratitis was successfully treated with a combination of topical Amphotericin B and Voriconazole over 6 weeks.Conclusion.Scedosporium apiospermumkeratitis is an opportunistic infection, which is difficult to treat despite tight control of diabetes mellitus and intensive antifungal treatment. The infection appeared to have very quick onset but needed long duration of treatment to completely heal. Surgical debridement always plays an important role as a therapeutic procedure as well as establishes the diagnosis through repeat scrapping.
A Case of Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries Discovered on Coronary Computed Tomography
Authors: Marler Adam T. , Slim Jennifer N. , Batts Travis , Watts James , Slim Ahmad M.
Published: February 2013

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is a rare condition accounting for less than 1% of all congenital cardiac diseases. The fundamental nature of this condition involves a blend of atrioventricular as well as ventriculoarterial discordance. Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is classically associated with three additional abnormalities, including ventricular septal defect, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and tricuspid valve abnormalities. Patients with this anomaly have been shown to exhibit reduced exercise tolerance as well as reduced health-related quality of life when compared to patients with normal cardiovascular anatomy. We present the case of a 33-year-old active duty lieutenant in the United States Air Force referred to the cardiology clinic for evaluation of valvular heart disease with subsequent discovery of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries on cardiac gated computed tomography.
Removal Efficiency and Mechanism of Sulfamethoxazole in Aqueous Solution by Bioflocculant MFX
Authors: Xing Jie , Yang Ji-Xian , Li Ang , Ma Fang , Liu Ke-Xin , Wu Dan , Wei Wei
Published: February 2013

Although the treatment technology of sulfamethoxazole has been investigated widely, there are various issues such as the high cost, inefficiency, and secondary pollution which restricted its application. Bioflocculant, as a novel method, is proposed to improve the removal efficiency of PPCPs, which has an advantage over other methods. Bioflocculant MFX, composed by high polymer polysaccharide and protein, is the metabolism product generated and secreted byKlebsiellasp. In this paper, MFX is added to 1 mg/L sulfanilamide aqueous solution substrate, and the removal ratio is evaluated. According to literatures review, for MFX absorption of sulfanilamide, flocculant dosage, coagulant-aid dosage, pH, reaction time, and temperature are considered as influence parameters. The result shows that the optimum condition is 5 mg/L bioflocculant MFX, 0.5 mg/L coagulant aid, initial pH 5, and 1 h reaction time, and the removal efficiency could reach 67.82%. In this condition, MFX could remove 53.27% sulfamethoxazole in domestic wastewater, and the process obeys Freundlich equation.R2value equals 0.9641. It is inferred that hydrophobic partitioning is an important factor in determining the adsorption capacity of MFX for sulfamethoxazole solutes in water; meanwhile, some chemical reaction probably occurs.
Recent Developments on Hybrid Time-Frequency Numerical Simulation Techniques for RF and Microwave Applications
Authors: Oliveira Jorge F. , Pedro José C.
Published: February 2013

This paper reviews some of the promising doors that functional analysis techniques have recently opened in the field of electronic circuit simulation. Because of the modulated nature of radio frequency (RF) signals, the corresponding electronic circuits seem to operate in a slow time scale for the aperiodic information and another, much faster, time scale for the periodic carrier. This apparent multirate behavior can be appropriately described using partial differential equations (PDEs) within a bivariate framework, which can be solved in an efficient way using hybrid time-frequency techniques. With these techniques, the aperiodic information dimension is treated in the discrete time domain, while the periodic carrier dimension is processed in the frequency domain, in which the solution is evaluated within a space of harmonically related sinusoidal functions. The objective of this paper is thus to provide a general overview on the most important hybrid time-frequency techniques, as the ones found in commercial tools or the ones recently published in the literature.
Autism in the Faroe Islands: Diagnostic Stability from Childhood to Early Adult Life
Authors: Kočovská Eva , Billstedt Eva , Ellefsen Asa , Kampmann Hanna , Gillberg I. Carina , Biskupstø Rannvá , Andorsdóttir Guðrið , Stóra Tormóður , Minnis Helen , Gillberg Christopher
Published: February 2013

Childhood autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been regarded as one of the most stable diagnostic categories applied to young children with psychiatric/developmental disorders. The stability over time of a diagnosis of ASD is theoretically interesting and important for various diagnostic and clinical reasons. We studied the diagnostic stability of ASD from childhood to early adulthood in the Faroe Islands: a total school age population sample (8–17‐year‐olds) was screened and diagnostically assessed for AD in 2002 and 2009. This paper compares both independent clinical diagnosis and Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders (DISCO) algorithm diagnosis at two time points, separated by seven years. The stability of clinical ASD diagnosis was perfect for AD, good for “atypical autism”/PDD‐NOS, and less than perfect for Asperger syndrome (AS). Stability of the DISCO algorithm subcategory diagnoses was more variable but still good for AD. Both systems showed excellent stability over the seven‐year period for “any ASD” diagnosis, although a number of clear cases had been missed at the original screening in 2002. The findings support the notion that subcategories of ASD should be collapsed into one overarching diagnostic entity with subgrouping achieved on other “non‐autism” variables, such as IQ and language levels and overall adaptive functioning.
Receipt of Prescribed Controlled Substances by Adolescents and Young Adults Prior to Presenting for Opiate Dependence Treatment
Authors: Matson Steven C. , Bentley Cathleen , Hughes Dughman Vicki , Bonny Andrea E.
Published: February 2013

Purpose. The objective of this study was to document the number of controlled substance prescriptions filled by adolescents and young adult patients in the 2 years prior to presentation for opiate dependence treatment.Methods. Opiate-dependent youth () presenting to our Medication-Assisted Treatment for Addiction program from January 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010 were identified via electronic medical record. Subjects were further classified based on their opiate use as dependent to heroin-only, prescription (Rx) opiate-only, or combined heroin + Rx opiate only. The Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System (OARRS) was used to identify each subject's controlled substance prescription history. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the relationships between patient characteristics and the total number of prescriptions filled.Results. Twenty-five percent of subjects had filled ≥6 prescriptions, and 15% had filled ≥11 prescriptions. The mean number of prescriptions filled was 5 (range: 0–59). Thirteen percent had filled ≥6 opiate/narcotic prescriptions, and 8% had filled ≥11 prescriptions.Conclusions. A subset of opiate-dependent youth had filled multiple opiate/narcotic prescriptions providing some evidence that physician-provided prescriptions may be a source of opiate abuse or diversion for a minority of opiate-dependent adolescents and young adults.
Effect ofL. usitatissimum(Flaxseed/Linseed) Fixed Oil against Distinct Phases of Inflammation
Authors: Kaithwas Gaurav , Majumdar Dipak K.
Published: February 2013

The present investigation summarizes the effect ofLinum usitatissimumfixed oil against different phases of acute inflammatory reaction, namely, protein exudation, peritoneal capillary permeability, and leukocyte migration. The fixed oil exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of protein exudation vascular permeability, comparable to standard aspirin. The oil also inhibited the leukocyte migration in pleural exudates in a dose-dependent manner. Production of less vasodilatory (PGE3) and chemotactic (LTB5) eicosanoids through EPA (derived from linolenic acid) metabolism could account for the above observations.
Characterization of Yersinia enterocolitica Biotype 1A Strains Isolated from Swine Slaughterhouses and Markets
Authors: Paixão Renata , Moreno Luisa Zanolli , Sena de Gobbi Débora Dirani , Raimundo Daniele Cristine , Hofer Ernesto , Matté Maria Helena , Ferreira Thais Sebastiana Porfida , Gomes Vasco Tulio de Moura , Costa Barbara Leticia Pereira , Moreno Andrea Micke
Published: February 2013

Yersinia enterocolitica is an important foodborne pathogen that causes illness in humans and animals. Y. enterocolitica is also the most heterogeneous species of the genus and is divided into distinct serotypes and over six biotypes. Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A strains are classically considered as nonpathogenic; however, some biotype 1A isolates have been considered as causative of gastrointestinal disease, yielding symptoms indistinguishable from those produced by pathogenic biotypes. Even after decades of isolation of clinical strains, the pathogenic mechanisms of these isolates are still not fully understood. In the present study, 122 Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A strains isolated from swine slaughterhouses and meat markets in Sao Paulo, Brazil, were characterized according to the presence of the virulence genes ail, virF, and ystA. A total of 94 strains were positive to at least one virulence gene (77.05%), and 67 were positive to all of them (54.92%). Twenty‐two strains were submitted to PFGE genotyping resulting in 22 distinct pulsotypes, varying from 50% to 84% of genetic similarity. Any clustering tendency among pulsotypes related to origin, isolation site, or even virulence profile was not observed. The present study reports an important contamination of the environment in swine slaughterhouses, meat markets, and pork, by potentially virulent Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A.
Quantitative MRI Demonstrates Abnormality of the Fornix and Cingulum in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Syc Stephanie B. , Harrison Daniel M. , Saidha Shiv , Seigo Michaela , Calabresi Peter A. , Reich Daniel S.
Published: February 2013

Objective. To characterize MR signal changes associated with tissue damage in the fornix and cingulum in multiple sclerosis (MS) using quantitative MRI measures and to determine associations with cognitive dysfunction.Background. The fornix and cingulum are white-matter bundles that carry information related to cognition. While cognitive dysfunction is reported in 40–60% of MS patients, the neuroanatomical correlates of cognitive impairment remain incompletely understood.Methods. The cingulum, pillars of the fornix, and corticospinal tract were segmented by fiber tracking via diffusion tensor imaging. Average tract-specific fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) were compared in MS cases and healthy volunteers. Associations with clinical measures and neuropsychological tests were derived by multivariate linear regression.Results. Fornix FA (P=0.004) and MTR (P=0.005) were decreased, and fornix MD (P<0.001) and cingulum MD (P<0.001) increased, in MS cases (n=101) relative to healthy volunteers (n=16) after adjustment for age and sex. Lower fornix FA and MTR, and higher fornix MD andλ∥, were correlated with lower PASAT-3 scores, but not with slower 25FTW times. Lower PASAT-3 scores were associated with lower cingulum FA and higher MD andλ⊥.Conclusions. Cognitive dysfunction in MS may involve damage to a widespread network of brain structures, including white-matter pathways within the limbic system.
Segmental Renal Ischemia following Transplantation of Horseshoe Kidney as Separate Allografts
Authors: Foster J. T. , Morrissey P. E.
Published: February 2013

Introduction. Horseshoe kidney is a congenital anomaly that presents unique challenges for the transplant surgeon. The mere presence of horseshoe kidney should not preclude consideration for transplantation.Case Report. A 33-year-old women suffering from end-stage renal disease underwent deceased donor renal transplant with a divided horseshoe kidney. We present a postoperative complication and the technical strategy for transplant salvage. The patient currently has excellent graft function.Discussion. Horseshoe kidneys do present challenges for successful transplantation. Though case reports of successful transplantation are increasing, we present a technical complication and successful transplant salvage strategy. Technical descriptions in the literature of successful back-table preparation strategies should help more transplant surgeons to begin to utilize this resource.Conclusion. This study concludes that horseshoe kidneys can be successfully used for transplantation and provides a technical strategy to salvage the transplant after a unique complication associated with these donor kidneys.
Gene Expression Profiling of Human Oocytes Developed and MaturedIn VivoorIn Vitro
Authors: Virant-Klun Irma , Knez Katja , Tomazevic Tomaz , Skutella Thomas
Published: February 2013

The quality of the human oocyte determines the success of fertilization and affects the consequent embryo development, pregnancy and birth; it therefore serves as a basis for human reproduction and fertility. The possibility to evaluate oocyte quality in thein vitrofertilization programme is very limited. The only criterion which is commonly used to evaluate oocyte quality is its morphology. There is a mass of oocytes in thein vitrofertilization programme which are not fertilized in spite of normal morphology. In the past, several attempts focused on oocyte gene expression profiling by different approaches. The results elucidated groups of genes related to the human oocyte. It was confirmed that some factors, such as oocytein vitromaturation, are detectable at the molecular level of human oocytes and their polar bodies in terms of gene expression profile. Furthermore, the first genetic evaluations of oocyte-like cells developedin vitrofrom human stem cells of different origin were performed showing that these cells express some genes related to oocytes. All these findings provide some new knowledge and clearer insights into oocyte quality and oogenesis that might be introduced into clinical practice in the future.
Left Ventricular Global Function Index by Magnetic Resonance Imaging—A Novel Marker for Assessment of Cardiac Performance for the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events
Authors: Mewton Nathan , Opdahl Anders , Choi Eui-Young , Almeida Andre L.C. , Kawel Nadine , Wu Colin O. , Burke Gregory L. , Liu Songtao , Liu Kiang , Bluemke David A. , Lima Joao A.C.
Published: February 2013

Left ventricular (LV) function is generally assessed independent of structural remodeling and vice versa. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a novel LV global function index (LVGFI) that integrates LV structure with global function and to assess its predictive value for cardiovascular (CV) events throughout adult life in a multiethnic population of men and women without history of CV diseases at baseline. A total of 5004 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis underwent a cardiac magnetic resonance study and were followed up for a median of 7.2 years. The LVGFI by cardiac magnetic resonance was defined by the ratio of stroke volume divided by LV total volume defined as the sum of mean LV cavity and myocardial volumes. Cox proportional hazard models were constructed to predict the end points of heart failure, hard CV events, and a combined end point of all CV events after adjustment for established risk factors, calcium score, and biomarkers. A total of 579 (11.6%) CV events were observed during the follow-up period. In adjusted models, the end points of heart failure, hard CV events, and all events were all significantly associated with LVGFI (heart failure, hazard ratio=0.64,
P
<0.0001; hard CV events, hazard ratio=0.79,
P
=0.007; all events, hazard ratio=0.79,
P
<0.0001). LVGFI had a significant independent predictive value in the multivariable models for all CV event categories. The LVGFI was a powerful predictor of incident HF, hard CV events, and a composite end point, including all events in this multiethnic cohort.