bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ADAMTS13 unbound to larger von Willebrand factor multimers in cryosupernatant: implications for selection of plasma preparations for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura treatment
Authors: Hori Yuji , Hayakawa Masaki , Isonishi Ayami , Soejima Kenji , Matsumoto Masanori , Fujimura Yoshihiro
Published: April 2013

Background

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is characterized by deficient ADAMTS13 activity. Treatment involves plasma exchange (PE). Both fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP) and cryosupernatant (CSP) are used, but it remains to be determined which is more effective.

Study Design and Methods

To analyze the interaction between von Willebrand factor (VWF) and ADAMTS13, we used large‐pore isoelectric focusing (IEF) analysis followed by detection with anti‐ADAMTS13 monoclonal antibody. FFP, CSP, cryoprecipitate (CP), and purified ADAMTS13 were analyzed for their effects on high shear stress–induced platelet aggregation (H‐SIPA).

Results

IEF analysis of normal plasma revealed three groups of ADAMTS13 bands with pI of 4.9 to 5.6, 5.8 to 6.7, and 7.0 or 7.5. Two band groups (pI 4.9‐5.6 and 5.8‐6.7) were found in plasma of a patient with Type 3 von Willebrand disease, in which VWF is absent, whereas no bands were found in plasma of a patient with congenital ADAMTS13 deficiency. Mixing these plasmas generated the bands at pI 7.0 or 7.5, representing the VWF‐ADAMTS13 complex; these bands were absent in CSP. FFP and purified ADAMTS13 down regulated H‐SIPA in a dose‐dependent manner. However, CP did not inhibit H‐SIPA in the initial phase, and the degree of inhibition at the endpoint was almost indistinguishable from those of the other two plasma products.

Conclusion

Both plasma products (FFP and CSP) are effective for PE in TTP patients. However, CSP may be more favorable, because it has lower levels of VWF and almost normal ADAMTS13 activity, but lower levels of ADAMTS13 in complex with larger VWF multimers.
Calcinosis cutis in dogs: histopathological and clinical analysis of 46 cases
Authors: Doerr Katherine A. , Outerbridge Catherine A. , White Stephen D. , Kass Philip H. , Shiraki Ryoji , Lam Andrea T. , Affolter Verena K.
Published: April 2013

Background

Calcinosis cutis is well recognized in dogs with endogenous hyperglucocorticism and iatrogenic hyperglucocorticism, but the pathogenesis is still unclear.

Objectives

The objectives of the study were to identify possible correlations between histopathological patterns of dermal mineralization in skin biopsies and underlying causes for calcinosis cutis in dogs, as well as to determine breed predilection and age of onset for dogs within a hospital population. In addition, mineral analysis was performed on four biopsy samples.

Animals

Forty‐six dogs with histopathologically confirmed calcinosis cutis were evaluated.

Methods

Medical records and histological sections of dogs with calcinosis cutis diagnosed by histopathology over a 21 year period were reviewed. Infrared spectrometry was used to identify the mineral in the paraffin blocks. Exact chi‐squared test was used to identify breed predispositions, while a Mann–Whitney U‐test was used to identify age correlations.

Results

Labrador retrievers, Rottweilers, boxers and Staffordshire terriers were the breeds most commonly affected in this study. Most dogs had either an exogenous or an endogenous source of corticosteroids, with the exception of five dogs with renal insufficiency. In the majority of cases, mineralization was found throughout the entire dermis. The average age of onset of calcinosis cutis for dogs with endogenous hyperglucocorticism was older than that of dogs with iatrogenic hyperglucocorticism. Using infrared spectrometry, apatite crystals were found to be the source of mineral.

Conclusions and clinical importance

There was no observable difference in the histopathological pattern of calcinosis cutis from dogs with endogenous hyperglucocorticism versus iatrogenic hyperglucocorticism. While glucocorticoid therapy appears to predispose dogs to developing calcinosis cutis, it remains unclear whether there is a specific dose or combination of factors that initiates the mineral deposition. Furthermore, the mineral deposition in dogs with calcinosis cutis was found to be apatite.
Methodology for the Evaluation of Double-Layered Microcapsule Formability Zone in Compound Nozzle Jetting Based on Growth Rate Ratio
Authors: Wang Wei , Leigh Herran C. , Coutris Nicole , Huang Yong , Mironov Vladimir , Markwald Roger
Published: April 2013

Double-layered microcapsules, which usually consist of a core (polymeric) matrix surrounded by a (polymeric) shell, have been used in many industrial and scientific applications, such as microencapsulation of drugs and living cells. Concentric compound nozzle-based jetting has been favored due to its efficiency and precise control of the core-shell compound structure. Thus far, little is known about the underlying formation mechanism of double-layered microcapsules in compound nozzle jetting. This study aims to understand the formability of double-layered microcapsules in compound nozzle jetting by combining a theoretical analysis and numerical simulations. A linear temporal instability analysis is used to define the perturbation growth rates of stretching and squeezing modes and a growth ratio as a function of the wave number, and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is implemented to model the microcapsule formation process in order to determine the good microcapsule forming range based on the growth ratio curve. Using a pseudobisection method, the lower and upper bounds of the good formability range have been determined for a given materials-nozzle system. The proposed formability prediction methodology has been implemented to model a water-poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-air compound jetting system.
On the Dynamic Properties of Pump Liquid Seals
Authors: Untaroiu Alexandrina , Hayrapetian Vahe , Untaroiu Costin D. , Wood Houston G. , Schiavello Bruno , McGuire James
Published: April 2013

Rotordynamic instability due to fluid flow in seals is a well known phenomenon that can occur in pumps as well as in steam turbines and air compressors. While analysis methods using bulk-flow equations are computationally efficient and can predict dynamic properties fairly well for short seals, they often lack accuracy in cases of seals with complex geometry or with large aspect ratios (L/D above 1.0). This paper presents the linearized rotordynamic coefficients for a liquid seal with large aspect ratio subjected to incompressible turbulent flow. The fluid-induced forces acting on the rotor are calculated by means of a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (3D-CFD) analysis, and are then expressed in terms of equivalent linearized stiffness, damping, and fluid inertia coefficients. For comparison, the seal dynamic coefficients were calculated using two other codes: one developed with the bulk flow method and one based on the finite difference method. The three sets of dynamic coefficients calculated in this study were used then to predict the rotor dynamic behavior of an industrial pump. These estimations were then compared to the vibration characteristic measured during the pump shop test, results indicating that the closest agreement was achieved utilizing the CFD generated coefficients. The results of rotor dynamic analysis using the coefficients derived from CFD approach, improved the prediction of both damped natural frequency and damping factor for the first mode, showing substantially smaller damping factor which is consistent with the experimentally observed instability of the rotor-bearing system. As result of continuously increasing computational power, it is believed that the CFD approach for calculating fluid excitation forces will become the standard in industry.
Computational modeling study of the radial line slot antenna microwave plasma source with comparisons to experiments
Authors: Raja Laxminarayan L. , Mahadevan Shankar , Ventzek Peter L. G. , Yoshikawa Jun
Published: April 2013

The radial line slot antenna plasma source is a high-density microwave plasma source comprising a high electron temperature source region within the plasma skin depth from a coupling window and low electron temperature diffusion region far from the window. The plasma is typically comprised of inert gases like argon and mixtures of halogen or fluorocarbon gases for etching. Following the experimental study of Tian et al. [J. Vac. Sci. Technol. A 24, 1421 (2006)], a two-dimensional computational model is used to describe the essential features of the source. A high density argon plasma is described using the quasi-neutral approximation and coupled to a frequency-domain electromagnetic wave solver to describe the plasma-microwave interactions in the source. The plasma is described using a multispecies plasma chemistry mechanism developed specifically for microwave excitation conditions. The plasma is nonlocal by nature with locations of peak power deposition and peak plasma density being very different. The spatial distribution of microwave power coupling depends on whether the plasma is under- or over-dense and is described well by the model. The model predicts the experimentally observed low-order diffusion mode radial plasma profiles. The trends of spatial profiles of electron density and electron temperature over a wide range of power and pressure conditions compare well with experimental results.
Mercury cadmium selenide for infrared detection
Authors: Doyle Kevin , Swartz Craig H. , Dinan John H. , Myers Thomas H. , Brill Gregory , Chen Yuanping , VanMil Brenda L. , Wijewarnasuriya Priyalal
Published: April 2013

Samples of HgCdSe alloys were grown via molecular beam epitaxy on thick ZnTe buffer layers on Si substrates. Two Se sources were used: an effusion cell loaded with 5N source material that produced a predominantly Se6 beam and a cracker loaded with 6N material that could produce a predominantly Se2 beam. The background electron concentration in as-grown samples was significantly reduced by switching to the Se cracker source, going from 1017–1018 cm−3 to 3–5 × 1016 cm−3 at 12 K. The concentration remained low even when the cracking zone temperature was lowered to produce a predominantly Se6 beam, which strongly suggests that a major source of donor defects is impurities from the Se source material rather than Se species. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy was performed. Likely donors such as F, Br, and Cl were detected at the ZnTe interface while C, O, and Si were found at the interface and in the top 1.5 μm from the surface in all samples measured. The electron concentration for all samples increased when annealed in a Cd or Hg overpressure and decreased when annealed under Se. This suggests the presence of native defects such as vacancies and interstitials in addition to impurities. Overall, by switching to higher purity Se material and then annealing under Se overpressures, the background electron concentration was reduced by an order of magnitude, with the lowest value achieved being 9.4 × 1015 cm−3 at 12 K.
Strain- and kinetically induced suppression of phase separation in MBE-grown metastable and unstable GaInAsSb quaternary alloys for mid-infrared optoelectronics
Authors: Yildirim Asli , Prineas John P.
Published: April 2013

The authors have examined the dependence of phase separation in thick layers (1 μm) of molecular beam epitaxially grown, thermodynamically metastable Ga(0.25)In(0.75)As(0.22)Sb(0.78) and unstable Ga(0.50)In(0.50)As(0.44)Sb(0.56) alloys on growth kinetics and strain. For the metastable alloy, which emits at 2.8 μms, they found that phase separation does not occur for any growth temperature, and the alloy grows stoichiometrically, with step flow growth and with high optical output at around 400 °C and 440–480 °C. Moreover, optical quality is robust for alloys grown up to 30 times the critical thickness, with evidence of some improvement for compressive strain. Remarkably, no relaxation of layers occurs, as evidenced in atomic force microscopy or reciprocal space maps up to 12 times the critical thickness. The unstrained unstable alloy, which emits at 3.9 μms, can be grown with optimal optical output and a low degree of phase separation by limiting adatom diffusion length with lower temperature growth (400–440 °C) than metastable alloy. At 450 °C and hotter, severe spinoidal decomposition occurs; however, the authors show that compressive strain may be employed to dramatically suppress phase separation.
Stolen Base Physics
Authors: Kagan David
Published: April 2013

Few plays in baseball are as consistently close and exciting as the stolen base.1 While there are several studies of sprinting,2–4 the art of base stealing is much more nuanced. This article describes the motion of the base-stealing runner using a very basic kinematic model. The model will be compared to some data from a Major League game. The predictions of the model show consistency with the skills needed for effective base stealing.
The Wiimote on the Playground
Authors: Erickson Michael , Ochoa Romulo , Ochoa Cris
Published: April 2013

In 2010, the Wiimote was upgraded with three-axis gyroscopes that can measure rotational velocities up to 2000 deg/s. The improved remote is referred to as the Wii MotionPlus. We present experiments that use the gyroscope's capabilities and compare data acquired in lab settings with those obtained in playground environments. Van Hook et al.1 and Taylor et al.2 make good cases of the benefits of using the playground as a laboratory. We expand on the experiences they describe.
A Summer Math and Physics Program for High School Students: Student Performance and Lessons Learned in the Second Year
Authors: Timme Nicholas , Baird Michael , Bennett Jake , Fry Jason , Garrison Lance , Maltese Adam
Published: April 2013

For the past two years, the Foundations in Physics and Mathematics (FPM) summer program has been held at Indiana University in order to fulfill two goals: provide additional physics and mathematics instruction at the high school level, and provide physics graduate students with experience and autonomy in designing curricula and teaching courses. In this paper we will detail changes made to the program for its second year and the motivation for these changes, as well as implications for future iterations of the program. We gauge the impact of the changes on student performance using pre-/post-test scores, student evaluations, and anecdotal evidence. These data show that the program has a positive impact on student knowledge and this impact was greater in magnitude in the second year of the program. We attribute this improvement primarily to the inclusion of more inquiry-driven activities. All activities, worksheets, and lesson plans used in the program are available online.1
Physics Teacher SOS: Supporting New Teachers Without Pushing an Agenda
Authors: Baird Dean
Published: April 2013

Few workshops for teachers focus primarily on instruction methods for basic high school physics. In Northern California, Physics Teacher SOS (PTSOS) has gained popularity doing just that. PTSOS workshops are directed toward early-career science teachers, though veterans are welcome too. The program is not influenced by scientific supply companies, government institutions, or power utilities. Support is entirely private, enough so that tuition is free.
The Orbit of Water Droplets Around Charged Rod
Authors: Ferstl Andrew , Burns Andrew
Published: April 2013

The motion of charges around a centrally charged object is often compared to gravitational orbits (such as satellites around planets). Recently, a video1 taken by astronaut Don Pettit onboard the International Space Station shows water droplets orbiting a charged knitting needle. Here we attempt to model this motion and estimate the charges on the objects involved in this system.
Deeper Insight into Fluorescence—Excitation of Molecules by Light
Authors: Wahab M. Farooq , Gore Gordon R.
Published: April 2013

In a recent issue of TPT, Gordon Gore1 made interesting observations about the red or yellow fluorescence when laser beams are passed through olive oil. With the excellent visuals contained in that article, we present a pictorial explanation of the questions that were raised in Ref 1.
Helicopter Toy and Lift Estimation
Authors: Shakerin Said
Published: April 2013

A$1 plastic helicopter toy (called a Wacky Whirler) can be used to demonstrate lift. Students can make basic measurements of the toy, use reasonable assumptions and, with the lift formula, estimate the lift, and verify that it is sufficient to overcome the toy's weight.
Towards online maximum-likelihood-based speech clustering and separation
Authors: Souden Mehrez , Kinoshita Keisuke , Nakatani Tomohiro
Published: April 2013

This paper introduces an approach for online speech source clustering and separation, which is based on the utilization of the multichannel location information in a recursive expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. Specifically, the normalized multichannel speech-recording vector is employed as a feature vector and is modeled using Watson mixture model. The model parameters are determined by maximizing the data likelihood at every time-frequency slot in an online processing manner. Consequently, the proposed approach can continuously adjust the speech clusters. Promising results showing the advantage of the proposed approach over the batch EM algorithm in the case of two speakers with speaker movement are obtained.
Experimental evaluation of inverse filtering using physical systems with known glottal flow and tract characteristics
Authors: Tze Wei Chu Derek , Li Kaiwen , Epps Julien , Smith John , Wolfe Joe
Published: April 2013

The technique presented here uses an impedance head to measure the input impedance spectrum of a physical model of a vocal tract, and then to inject a known glottal flow waveform into the tract. The sound measured outside the mouth is used to evaluate inverse filtering techniques by comparison with the known glottal flow and measured acoustical properties of the tract. The normalized least square errors in the glottal flow were typically a percent or less in the time domain and several percent in the frequency domain. Accurate determination of resonance frequencies and bandwidths required a suitable order of inverse filter.
The vowel inherent spectral change of English vowels spoken by native and non-native speakers
Authors: Jin Su-Hyun , Liu Chang
Published: April 2013

The current study examined Vowel Inherent Spectral Change (VISC) of English vowels spoken by English-, Chinese-, and Korean-native speakers. Two metrics, spectral distance (amount of spectral shift) and spectral angle (direction of spectral shift) of formant movement from the onset to the offset, were measured for 12 English monophthongs produced in a /hvd/ context. While Chinese speakers showed significantly greater spectral distances of vowels than English and Korean speakers, there was no significant speakers' native language effect on spectral angles. Comparisons to their native vowels for Chinese and Korean speakers suggest that VISC might be affected by language-specific phonological structure.
The effect of diffuse reflections on spatial discrimination in a simulated concert hall
Authors: Robinson Philip , Pätynen Jukka , Lokki Tapio
Published: April 2013

This letter presents results from a study on diffusive architectural surfaces and auditory perception. Spatial discrimination of multiple sources is investigated in a simulated performance venue with various diffusive surface treatments. Simulations were generated with closely spaced sound sources on the stage of a concert hall and a listener in the audience area. Subjects were asked to distinguish signals in which pairs of simultaneous talkers were presented at various lateral separations, in halls with flat or diffusive surfaces. The experiments reveal that discriminating differences in the lateral arrangement of sources is possible at narrower separation angles when reflections come from flat rather than diffusive surfaces.
Mechanisms of clogging in granular drainage systems permeated with low organic strength leachate
Authors: Nikolova-Kuscu R. , Powrie W. , Smallman D.J.
Published: April 2013

Leachate drains in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills are susceptible to biological and (or) chemical clogging. This paper describes clogging of drainage aggregates permeated with leachates representative of those from landfills containing wastes with a low organic content — such as low-level radioactive waste repositories — which may occur as a result of microbiological activity causing formation of bacterial biofilms (microbiological clogging) and precipitation of low-solubility inorganic salts (chemical clogging). The balance between these depends on the leachate composition. Biological deposits appeared to reach a pseudo steady state, proportional to the nutrient loading, for the range of conditions investigated and as such can be considered to be self-limiting and the clog material reasonably permeable. Harder inorganic deposits of calcium carbonate occurred if the Ca2+ concentration in the leachate exceeded the local solubility limit under the prevailing conditions, i.e., partial pressures of CO2 between 3.7 and 6 kPa and pH of 6.7–6.8. CaCO3 clog was observed to bind the granular aggregates together and be effectively impermeable, and was, unlike a pure microbial clog, observed not to be self-limiting. Hard CaCO3 clog could be reduced by not co-disposing wastes that are high in calcium with wastes having a high organic content, and generally keeping the Ca2+ concentration in the leachate low.
Eulerian finite element simulation of spudcan–pile interaction
Authors: Tho Kee Kiat , Leung Chun Fai , Chow Yean Khow , Swaddiwudhipong Somsak
Published: April 2013

Jack-up rigs are commonly employed to perform offshore oil and gas drilling. During the installation of the spudcan foundation, the large volume of soil displaced may induce severe stresses on the piles supporting the adjacent platform. The increasing numbers of jack-up rigs being deployed at close proximity to piled platforms accentuates the need for research into quantifying the effect of spudcan penetration on adjacent piles. The main difficulty with the numerical simulation of spudcan–pile interaction lies in the need to model continuous spudcan penetration in a three-dimensional (3-D) modeling space. In this paper, the three-dimensional Eulerian numerical technique is adopted to perform a coupled interaction analysis whereby the process of continuous spudcan penetration is simulated and the corresponding pile responses are obtained. The salient features of the proposed numerical approach with particular emphasis on the incorporation of a pile in the numerical model are first described. The validation of the numerical model against centrifuge experimental data under different geometric configurations and soil profiles are then presented. The final part of this paper demonstrates the usefulness of the proposed numerical approach through a series of parametric studies. This numerical approach can be readily applied to perform site-specific assessment to mitigate the risks associated with spudcan–pile interaction.
Synergic effects in catalytic systems Mo(VI) − hydroxyl-containing ligand – KClO3
Authors: Povar Igor , Kiriyak Ludmila , Cazac Tatiana
Published: April 2013

The influence of some hydroxyl-containing ligands (L) on the catalytic current in the system molybdenum(VI) – potassium chlorate has been investigated. It has been shown that the phenomenon of synergism in studying catalytic currents is associated with the activating action of L. The activity of a mixture of L and an oxidant significantly exceeds the sum of effects for their separate influence. The growth of catalytic current is possible if the catalyst (a metal ion M) possesses free or labile seats in the coordination area for formation of intermediate active compounds of the catalyst with the oxidant. It has been shown that the increase of the catalytic current is associated with formation of the intermediate active complex [Mo(V) L ClO–3]. The scheme of reactions occurring in solution and on an electrode has been elaborated. Found values of the formation constant, energy, and entropy of intermediate active complexes prove the high activity of such systems, improving the voltammetric determination of the metal catalyst by more than one order.
Theoretical study on the reaction of atomic oxygen with unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine
Authors: Wen Jinmiao , Tian Yafang , He Hongqing , Wang Li
Published: April 2013

A dual-level direct dynamics method is employed to study the reaction mechanism of (CH3)2NNH2 (unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine) with the oxygen (O) atom. The geometries and frequencies of all the stationary points are optimized at the MPW1K/6-311G (d, p) level, and the energy profiles are further refined by the interpolated single-point energies (ISPE) method at the BMC-CCSD level of theory. The rate constants of the O atom with (CH3)2NNH2 are evaluated over a wide temperature range of 200–2000 K by using the canonical variational transition-state theory (CVT) with the small curvature tunneling correction (SCT). The agreement between the theoretical and experimental rate constants is good around room temperature. The channels of H abstraction from the -NH2 position favor temperatures below 1200 K. With increasing temperature, contributions from other channels should be taken into account. The reactivity of N2H4, CH3NHNH2, and (CH3)2NNH2 toward atomic O is compared to explore the methylation effect.
DFT study of the stereo-selectivity of oxygenated heterocycles from 10 to 12 links
Authors: Merouani Hafida , Morell Christophe , Ouddai Nadia , Chermette Henry
Published: April 2013

Intra-molecular Diels–Alder (IMDA) reactions of tethered trienes can furnish two distinct diastereoisomeric products, the cis (i.e., endo) stereoisomer and the trans (i.e., exo) stereoisomer. Experimental evidence shows a quite high cis stereo-selectivity for 10-link compounds (cis/trans = 70:30), while 11- and 12-links compounds exhibit no particular selectivity. DFT (B3LYP/6-31G*) computations provide useful insights into the origins of this amazing stereo-selectivity. The cyclization path towards trans stereo-isomer is always thermodynamically favored, whatever the size of the system. The high cis stereo-selectivity displayed by the 10-link system is kinetically controlled by a tug-of-war between ring strain and electronic effects in the transition structure. The dual descriptor of chemical reactivity, a conceptual DFT based descriptor designed to delineate electronic effects, has been used to unravel the stabilizing processes that take place at the TSs.
Pavement performance mechanics of interlocking concrete paver crosswalk designs
Authors: Khanal Shila , Tighe Susan L. , Bowers Robert
Published: April 2013

This paper summarizes a research study that involved a partnership between Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology located at University of Waterloo and Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute. This research study involved the construction of eight crosswalks with different base and bedding materials at two test sites and was directed at defining the performance mechanics for designs with various bases and setting beds. The objective was to quantify the structural performance of four different interlocking concrete pavement designs under two loading scenarios. The Test Track typically experienced loaded garbage trucks up to 56 000 kg of maximum load. The Ring Road experienced traffic volume of a typical urban road. This research evaluated eight crosswalks of four different designs in these two locations. Sand set concrete base concrete header was one of the designs. Similarly, the combination of asphalt base, granular base, steel header, aluminum header, and concrete header were other designs of the crosswalks studied. Strain gauges, moisture probes, earth pressure cells, and thermistors were installed in the crosswalks to continuously monitor the structural and environmental impact from various loading conditions. Continued surveys were all performed as part of the research. Maximum recommended lifetime design equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) for bituminous set concrete base concrete header design was 7.5 million ESALs and sand set asphalt base asphalt header was recommended to have 1.5 million design ESALs. This paper presents the performance mechanics of the crosswalks from construction (2007–2009) to May 2010.
Social and nutritional stressors: agents for altered immune function in white-footed mice (Peromyscusleucopus)
Authors: Thomason C.A. , Hedrick-Hopper T.L. , Derting T.L.
Published: April 2013

As habitats become more fragmented, population densities and diets of wildlife can change dramatically, contributing to increased stress and incidence of infections and disease. To better understand effects of human disturbance on immunocompetence of wild mammals, we studied individual and combined effects of social and nutritional stress on the health of wild-captured adult male white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818)), a species that commonly occurs in close proximity to humans. Paired mice had reduced body mass and circulating monocytes, higher serum corticosterone level, and a significantly weaker humoral immune response compared with mice housed individually. Mice fed a 5% protein diet had reduced body mass and circulating monocytes, but no differences in humoral or cellular immune responses compared with mice fed a 30% protein diet. The only interactive effect of the two stresses on immune-related parameters was on mass of the spleen. We hypothesize that reduced humoral immunocompetence in response to acute and chronic social stress likely contributes to increases in disease transmission in high-density populations associated with fragments of habitat. In addition, anthropogenic impacts that limit food availability may be of greater importance to immune function than impacts on food quality.
THE FURHAT BACK-PROJECTED HUMANOID HEAD–LIP READING, GAZE AND MULTI-PARTY INTERACTION
Authors: MOUBAYED SAMER AL , SKANTZE GABRIEL , BESKOW JONAS
Published: April 2013

In this paper, we present Furhat — a back-projected human-like robot head using state-of-the art facial animation. Three experiments are presented where we investigate how the head might facilitate human–robot face-to-face interaction. First, we investigate how the animated lips increase the intelligibility of the spoken output, and compare this to an animated agent presented on a flat screen, as well as to a human face. Second, we investigate the accuracy of the perception of Furhat's gaze in a setting typical for situated interaction, where Furhat and a human are sitting around a table. The accuracy of the perception of Furhat's gaze is measured depending on eye design, head movement and viewing angle. Third, we investigate the turn-taking accuracy of Furhat in a multi-party interactive setting, as compared to an animated agent on a flat screen. We conclude with some observations from a public setting at a museum, where Furhat interacted with thousands of visitors in a multi-party interaction.
PRESSURE DRIVEN STEADY FLOW IN CONSTRICTED CHANNELS OF DIFFERENT CROSS-SECTION SHAPES
Authors: WU B. , VAN HIRTUM A. , LUO X. Y.
Published: April 2013

The influence of the cross-section shape on pressure driven viscous flow through a uniform channel is assessed by presenting analytical flow solutions of velocity distribution, volume flow rate and shear stress for different cross-section shapes. Next, a simplified flow model through a non-uniform constricted channel is formulated which accounts for flow inertia, viscosity and cross-section shape. The model outcome is quantified for different fluids, flows and geometrical properties relevant to physiological flows. It is seen that a commonly applied quasi-one-dimensional (1D) model is not accurate indicating the need to account for the cross-section shape.
QUANTITATIVE NON-STATIONARY ASSESSMENT OF CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMICS BY EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION OF CEREBRAL DOPPLER FLOW VELOCITY
Authors: CHANG CHIA-CHI , HSU HUNG-YI , HSIAO TZU-CHIEN
Published: April 2013

Dynamic regulation of cerebral circulation involves complex interaction between cardiovascular, respiratory, and autonomic nervous systems. Evaluating cerebral hemodynamics by using traditional statistic- and linear-based methods would underestimate or miss important information. Complementary ensemble empirical mode decomposition (CEEMD) has great capability of adaptive feature extraction from non-linear and non-stationary data without distortion. This study applied CEEMD for assessment of cerebral hemodynamics in response to physiologic challenges including paced 6-cycle breathing, hyperventilation, 7% CO2 breathing and head-up tilting test in twelve healthy subjects. Intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) were extracted from arterial blood pressure (ABP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) signals, and was quantified by logarithmic averaged period and logarithmic energy density. The IMFs were able to show characteristics of ABP and CBFV waveform morphology in beat-to-beat timescale and in long-term trend scale. The changes in averaged period and energy density derived from IMFs were helpful for qualitative and quantitative assessment of ABP and CBFV responses to physiologic challenges. CEEMD is a promising method for assessing non-stationary components of systemic and cerebral hemodynamics.
WRINKLING DYNAMICS OF MEMBRANE BASED ON USER DEFINED WRINKLE PATTERN
Authors: GAJBHIYE S. C. , UPADHYAY S. H. , HARSHA S. P.
Published: April 2013

In this paper, a wrinkling algorithm is described to simulate realistic wrinkles on the membrane for large computational overheads. The membrane has very little in-plane deformations and most of the deformations come from buckling. The formulation of the deformed area due to symmetric loading uses the modulated method to ensure or characterize the user defined wrinkle pattern which is based on deformation of individual triangle. The methodology facilitates the use of small in-plane deformation stiffness's and a coarse mesh for the numerical simulation. This approach has been validated using the numerical simulation considering the different symmetric loading condition on the particular triangular shaped element. Moreover, the ability to design wrinkles (even on generalized deformable models) makes this method more versatile.
Protection Effect of Endomorphins on Advanced Glycation End Products Induced Injury in Endothelial Cells
Authors: Liu Jing , Yan Liping , Niu Ruilan , Tian Limin , Zhang Qi , Quan Jinxing , Liu Hua , Wei Suhong , Guo Qian
Published: April 2013

Endomorphins (EMs) have a very important bridge-function in cardiovascular, endocrinological, and neurological systems. This study is to investigate the effects of EMs on the synthesis and secretion of vasoactive substances induced by advanced glycation end products in primary cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Firstly, HUVECs were stimulated with AGEs-bovine serum albumin (AGEs-BSA), bovine serum albumin (BSA), or both AGEs-BSA and EMs together, respectively. Then, HUVEC survival rate was calculated by MTT assay, the levels of NO, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were detected by colorimetric analysis, and the contents of endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected by ELISA. The mRNA levels of eNOS and ET-1 were measured by RT-PCR. The expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) was detected by immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that the mRNA expression and secretion of eNOS were significantly enhanced after incubation with EMs compared to those with AGEs-BSA, while the secretion of NO and iNOS, mRNA expression, and secretion of ET-1 had opposite changes. The fluorescence intensity of p38MAPK in nuclear was decreased after pretreatment with EMs compared to incubation with AGEs-BSA.Conclusion. The present study suggests that EMs have certain protection effect on AGEs-BSA-induced injury in HUVEC.
Basal Cell Ameloblastoma of Mandible: A Rare Case Report with Review
Authors: Shakya Hemant , Khare Vikram , Pardhe Nilesh , Mathur Ena , Chouhan Mansi
Published: April 2013

Ameloblastoma is a slow-growing benign neoplasm that has a strong tendency to local invasion and that can grow to be quite large without metastasizing. Rare examples of distant metastasis of an ameloblastoma in lungs or regional lymph nodes do exist. It has an aggressive and recurrent course and is rarely metastatic. Radiographically it shares common features with other lesions such as the giant cell tumor, aneurysmal bone cyst, and renal cell carcinoma metastasis; a definitive diagnosis can only be made with histopathology. Basal cell ameloblastoma is believed to be the rarest histologic subtype in which the tumor is composed of more primitive cells and has even fewer features of peripheral palisading. Till date, only few cases of basal cell ameloblastoma have been reported in the literature. Considering the rarity of the lesion, we report here an interesting and unique case of basal cell ameloblastoma of the mandible occurring in a very old patient.
Total Esophageal Avulsion at the Esophagogastric Junction after Blunt Trauma
Authors: Uygun Ibrahim , Otcu Selcuk , Aydogdu Bahattin , Okur Mehmet Hanifi , Arslan Mehmet Serif
Published: April 2013

Total avulsion and transection of the esophagus at the esophagogastric junction are very rare after blunt trauma, and their management is challenging. Here, we present the case of a boy with this injury. To date, only two cases have been reported in children. One was treated successfully and the other died. The initial emergency operation should aim to save the life and native esophagus. Therefore, a primary or early thoracal end esophagostomy with gastrostomy should be performed, while primary repair should not be.
Expression Pattern of Genes of RLR-Mediated Antiviral Pathway in Different-Breed Chicken Response to Marek’s Disease Virus Infection
Authors: Feng Ze-Qing , Lian Ting , Huang Yong , Zhu Qing , Liu Yi-Ping
Published: April 2013

It has been known that the chicken’s resistance to disease was affected by chicken’s genetic background. And RLR-mediated antiviral pathway plays an important role in detection of viral RNA. However, little is known about the interaction of genetic background with RLR-mediated antiviral pathway in chicken against MDV infection. In this study, we adopted economic line-AA broilers and native Erlang mountainous chickens for being infected with MDV. Upon infection with MDV, the expression ofMDA-5was upregulated in two-breed chickens at 4, 7, and 21 d.p.i. It is indicated that MDA-5 might be involved in detecting MDV in chicken. Interestingly, the expression ofIRF-3andIFN-βgenes was decreased in spleen and thymus of broilers at 21 d.p.i, but it was upregulated in immune tissues of Erlang mountainous chickens. And the genome load of MDV in spleen of broiler is significantly higher than that in Erlang mountainous chickens. Meanwhile, we observed that the death of broiler mainly also occurred in this phase. Collectively, these present results demonstrated that the expression patters ofIRF-3andIFN-βgenes in chicken against MDV infection might be affected by the genetic background which sequently influence the resistance of chicken response to MDV.
Paraneoplastic Neurological Syndromes: Severe Neurological Symptoms Resulting from Relatively Benign or Occult Tumours—Two Case Reports
Authors: Ghadiri-Sani M. , Waqar Mueez , Smith Dave , Doran Mark
Published: April 2013

Introduction. Paraneoplastic syndromes represent rare symptom complexes resulting from the ability of tumour cells to disrupt the homeostatic processes of various bodily systems. Here we present two cases to demonstrate how such tumours may evade detection even after extensive investigation and how even relatively benign tumours can produce severe neurological symptoms.Case 1. A 69-year-old female was admitted with a subacute onset of dysarthria, ataxia, and cerebellar signs. Workup revealed a relatively benign Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.Case 2. A 64-year-old female was admitted with acute leg weakness, which progressed to quadriplegia and was eventually fatal over the ensuing months. Her Ca-125 was elevated, though three different CT views of her pelvis and surgical exploration failed to demonstrate any malignancy.Discussion. These cases highlight how even relatively benign or very small tumours may result in severe neurological symptoms. Suspecting and investigating paraneoplastic syndromes (PNSs) are crucial as up to 80% of patients present with PNS before there is any other indication of malignancy. A PET scan and regular surveillance may reveal occult malignancies better than CT or MRI. Neuromodulatory therapies and treatment of the underlying malignancy remain the best management options in these patients.
Influence of the Texture and Strain on the Behaviour of Ni53.6Mn27.1Ga19.3 and Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 Shape Memory Alloys
Authors: Rudajevova Alexandra , Pospíšil Jiří
Published: April 2013

Polycrystalline samples of Ni53.6Mn27.1Ga19.3 and Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 shape memory alloys were investigated using dilatometry. The longitudinal axes of the samples were perpendicular to the columnar grains. Both alloys showed positive shape memory effects. The martensitic phase transformation occurred without hysteresis in both alloys with transformation temperatures of 174°C for the Ni53.6Mn27.1Ga19.3 alloy and 253°C for the Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 alloy. The dilatation characteristics for both alloys were determined in three perpendicular directions. The strain associated with the internal stress at the interface between the two martensitic structures and the two grains affected the dilatation characteristics in the y and z directions (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sample). The microstructure was determined for all the directions investigated. To investigate the mechanical history, a round cross-section of the Ni54.2Mn29.4Ga16.4 sample was machined using a milling machine along the longitudinal axis so that both sides of the sample were symmetrical. This sample treatment changed the dilatation characteristics of the martensite and austenite. The study and analysis of the dilatation characteristics of the thermal cycle showed the relaxation of internal stresses and the reorientation of the martensitic variants.
Polyostotic Fibrous Dysplasia with Epiphyseal Involvement in Long Bones: A Case Report
Authors: Fukui Tomoaki , Kawamoto Teruya , Hitora Toshiaki , Yamagami Yoshiki , Akisue Toshihiro , Yamamoto Tetsuji
Published: April 2013

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is an uncommon, but well-known benign skeletal disorder. In cases affecting long bones, FD is commonly recognized to locate in the diaphyses or the metaphyses and to spare the epiphyses. In this paper, we present a rare case of polyostotic FD in a 13-year-old girl with unilateral multiple epiphyseal lesions arising in the femur, the tibia, and the fibula with the growth plates.
Related Fixed Point of Set-Valued Mappings in Three Menger Spaces
Authors: Beg Ismat , Chauhan Sunny
Published: April 2013

We prove a related fixed point theorem for set-valued mappings in three Menger spaces. Some examples are also furnished to support the results. Our main result generalizes and extends several known results in the literature.
Long-Term Load Forecasting Based on a Time-Variant Ratio Multiobjective Optimization Fuzzy Time Series Model
Authors: Liu Xiaojuan , Fang Jian’an
Published: April 2013

Load forecasting problem is a complex nonlinear problem linked with economic and weather factors. Long-term load forecasting provides useful information for maintenance scheduling, adequacy assessment, and limited energy resources for electrical power systems. Fuzzy time series forecasting models can be used for long-term load forecasting. However, the interval length has been chosen arbitrarily in the implementations of known fuzzy time series forecasting models, which has an important impact on the performance of these models. In this paper, a time-variant ratio multiobjective optimization fuzzy time series model (TV-RMOP) is proposed, and its performance is tested on the prediction of enrollment at the University of Alabama. Results clearly promote the forecasting accuracy as compared to the conventional models. A genetic algorithm is used to search for the length of intervals based on the training data while Pareto optimality theory provides the necessary conditions to identify an optimal one. The TV-RMOP model is applied for the long-term load forecasting in Shanghai of China.
Similar Connotation in Chronic Hepatitis B and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Patients with Dampness-Heat Syndrome
Authors: Dai Jianye , Sun Shujun , Cao Jianmei , Zhao Yu , Cao Huijuan , Zheng Ningning , Fang Junwei , Wang Yang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yongyu , Hu Yiyang , Cao Zhiwei
Published: April 2013

The phenomenon that the same syndrome turns up in different diseases appears in the sight of people around the world, which raises the thought for possibility of “Same Treatment for Different Diseases.” Actually, treatment based on ZHENG classification in Traditional Chinese Medicine could bring revelation for the former finding. The dampness-heat syndrome in chronic hepatitis B and nonalcoholic fatty liver is regarded as the breakthrough point. We discussed the molecular mechanism of similar connotation that exists in chronic hepatitis B and nonalcoholic fatty liver by metabonomics to give the modern understanding of dampness-heat syndrome. Both urine and serum metabolic profiling revealed that obvious differences existed between dampness-heat syndrome and non-dampness-heat syndrome but the commonality was proved to appear in chronic hepatitis B and nonalcoholic fatty liver patients with dampness-heat syndrome. Furthermore, disorder of body fluid metabolism, decline in digestive capacity, and imbalance of intestinal flora were found to be the new guiding for treatment, with the hope to provide the basis for Chinese personalized medicine.
Early Loading of Single-Piece Implant for Partially Edentulous Posterior Arch: A Prospective One-Year Case Report
Authors: Beldar Amol , Bhongade Manohar L. , Byakod Girish , Buregoni Chandrashekar
Published: April 2013

Implant therapy is now well established, and there is an increasing need for shorter rehabilitation time. Original prerequisites of osseointegration have been reassessed to satisfy continuously increasing patient's expectation of reduced treatment time, improved esthetics, and increased comfort. Shorter healing time may be appropriate in some circumstances, and examples of early loading have been reported in animal and human studies. However, to date there are insufficient data to determine a universally acceptable opinion on early loading of implants for single-tooth replacement. This case report involves early loading, combined with construction of a restoration, inserted directly after 6 weeks of implant surgery and followup of one year.
Inventory Based Bi-Objective Flow Shop Scheduling Model and Its Hybrid Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Qing-dao-er-ji Ren , Wang Yuping
Published: April 2013

Flow shop scheduling problem is a typical NP-hard problem, and the researchers have established many different multi-objective models for this problem, but none of these models have taken the inventory capacity into account. In this paper, an inventory based bi-objective flow shop scheduling model was proposed, in which both the total completion time and the inventory capacity were as objectives to be optimized simultaneously. To solve the proposed model more effectively, we used a tailor-made crossover operator, and mutation operator, and designed a new local search operator, which can improve the local search ability of GA greatly. Based on all these, a hybrid genetic algorithm was proposed. The computer simulations were made on a set of benchmark problems, and the results indicated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.