bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Climate and Anthropogenic Activity on Hydrologic Features in Yanhe River
Authors: Cheng Yang , He Hongming , Cheng Nannan , He Wenming
Published: January 2016

This paper aims to analyze the effects of precipitation and anthropogenic activity on hydrologic features in Yanhe River so as to provide support for regional water management and evaluation of water and soil conservation measures. Thiessen Polygon was created to calculate mean values of watershed, and Mann-Kendall statistic test and Sen’s slop estimator test were adapted to analyze variation trend and interaction between precipitation, runoff, and sediment discharge. When 1961~1970 was set as reference period (ignoring human effects), the double mass curve quantified the effects of precipitation and anthropogenic activity on runoff and sediment discharge in Yanhe River during 1961~2008. The result showed that the monthly distribution of precipitation, runoff, and sediment discharge was extremely uneven. 78.1% of precipitation, 64.1% of runoff, and 98.6% of sediment discharge occurred in the flood season. Precipitation, runoff, and sediment discharge performed significant downward trends during 1961–2008. Therein, anthropogenic factors contributed 66.7% and 51.1% to sediment discharge reduction during 1971–1994 and 1995–2008, respectively. They contributed 103.8% and 82.9% to runoff reduction during these two periods, respectively.
Self-Rated Attentiveness Interacts with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation and Noise Stimulation in Reaction Time in a Go/No-Go Task
Authors: Sikström Sverker , Jürgensen Anna-Maria , Haghighi Maryam , Månsson Daniel , Smidelik David , Habekost Thomas
Published: January 2016

Previous research has found that stimulating inattentive people with auditory white noise induces enhancement in cognitive performance. This enhancement is believed to occur due to a statistical phenomenon called stochastic resonance, where noise increases the probability of a signal passing the firing threshold in the neural cells. Here we investigate whether people with low attentiveness benefit to a larger extent than attentive people from stimulation by auditory white noise and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). The results show, for both auditory noise and tDCS stimulation, that the changes in performance relative to nonstimulation correlate with the degree of attentiveness in a Go/No-Go task, but not in aN-back task. These results suggest that the benefit of tDCS may interact with inattentiveness.
Effect of Ranirestat on Sensory and Motor Nerve Function in Japanese Patients with Diabetic Polyneuropathy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Satoh Jo , Kohara Nobuo , Sekiguchi Kenji , Yamaguchi Yasuyuki
Published: January 2016

We conducted a 26-week oral-administration study of ranirestat (an aldose reductase inhibitor) at a once-daily dose of 20 mg to evaluate its efficacy and safety in Japanese patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The primary endpoint was summed change in sensory nerve conduction velocity (NCV) for the bilateral sural and proximal median sensory nerves. The sensory NCV was significantly (P=0.006) improved by ranirestat. On clinical symptoms evaluated with the use of modified Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (mTCNS), obvious efficacy was not found in total score. However, improvement in the sensory test domain of the mTCNS was significant (P=0.037) in a subgroup of patients diagnosed with neuropathy according to the TCNS severity classification. No clinically significant effects on safety parameters including hepatic and renal functions were observed. Our results indicate that ranirestat is effective on DPN (JapicCTI-121994).
On the Shaker Simulation of Wind-Induced Non-Gaussian Random Vibration
Authors: Xu Fei , Li Chuanri , Jiang Tongmin
Published: January 2016

Gaussian signal is produced by ordinary random vibration controllers to test the products in the laboratory, while the field data is usually non-Gaussian. Two methodologies are presented in this paper for shaker simulation of wind-induced non-Gaussian vibration. The first methodology synthesizes the non-Gaussian signal offline and replicates it on the shaker in the Time Waveform Replication (TWR) mode. A new synthesis method is used to model the non-Gaussian signal as a Gaussian signal multiplied by an amplitude modulation function (AMF). A case study is presented to show that the synthesized non-Gaussian signal has the same power spectral density (PSD), probability density function (PDF), and loading cycle distribution (LCD) as the field data. The second methodology derives a damage equivalent Gaussian signal from the non-Gaussian signal based on the fatigue damage spectrum (FDS) and the extreme response spectrum (ERS) and reproduces it on the shaker in the closed-loop frequency domain control mode. The PSD level and the duration time of the derived Gaussian signal can be manipulated for accelerated testing purpose. A case study is presented to show that the derived PSD matches the damage potential of the non-Gaussian environment for both fatigue and peak response.
MSSM Dark Matter in Light of Higgs and LUX Results
Authors: Abdallah W. , Khalil S.
Published: January 2016

The constraints imposed on the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) parameter space by the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Higgs mass limit and gluino mass lower bound are revisited. We also analyze the thermal relic abundance of lightest neutralino, which is the Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP). We show that the combined LHC and relic abundance constraints rule out most of the MSSM parameter space except a very narrow region with very largetan⁡β  (~50). Within this region, we emphasize that the spin-independent scattering cross section of the LSP with a proton is less than the latest Large Underground Xenon (LUX) limit by at least two orders of magnitude. Finally, we argue that nonthermal Dark Matter (DM) scenario may relax the constraints imposed on the MSSM parameter space. Namely, the following regions are obtained:m0≃O(4) TeV andm1/2≃600 GeV for lowtan⁡β  (~10);m0~m1/2≃O(1) TeV orm0≃O(4) TeV andm1/2≃700 GeV for largetan⁡β  (~50).
GSR-TDMA: A Geometric Spatial Reuse-Time Division Multiple Access MAC Protocol for Multihop Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks
Authors: Yun Changho , Lim Yong-Kon
Published: January 2016

The nonnegligible propagation delay of acoustic signals causes spatiotemporal uncertainty that occasionally enables simultaneous, collision-free packet transmission among underwater nodes (UNs). These transmissions can be handled by efficiently managing the channel access of the UNs in the data-link layer. To this end, Geometric Spatial Reuse-TDMA (GSR-TDMA), a new TDMA-based MAC protocol, is designed for use in centralized, multihop underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs), and in this case all UNs are periodically scheduled after determining a geometric map according to the information on their location. The scheduling strategy increases the number of UNs that send packets coincidentally via two subscheduling configurations (i.e., interhop and intrahop scheduling). Extensive simulations are used to investigate the reception success rate (RSR) and the multihop delay (MHD) of GSR-TDMA, and the results are compared to those of previous approaches, including C-MAC and HSR-TDMA. GSR-TDMA outperforms C-MAC; the RSR of GSR-TDMA is 15% higher than that of C-MAC, and the MHD of GSR-TDMA is 30% lower than that of C-MAC at the most. In addition, GSR-TDMA provides even better performance improvements over HSR-TDMA; the RSR of GSR-TDMA is 50% higher than that of HSR-TDMA, and the MHD of GSR-TDMA is an order of102lower than that of HSR-TDMA at the most.
High-Performance Internet Traffic Classification Using a Markov Model and Kullback-Leibler Divergence
Authors: Kim Jeankyung , Hwang Jinsoo , Kim Kichang
Published: January 2016

As internet traffic rapidly increases, fast and accurate network classification is becoming essential for high quality of service control and early detection of network traffic abnormalities. Machine learning techniques based on statistical features of packet flows have recently become popular for network classification partly because of the limitations of traditional port- and payload-based methods. In this paper, we propose a Markov model-based network classification with a Kullback-Leibler divergence criterion. Our study is mainly focused on hard-to-classify (or overlapping) traffic patterns of network applications, which current techniques have difficulty dealing with. The results of simulations conducted using our proposed method indicate that the overall accuracy reaches around 90% with a reasonable group size ofn=100.
Explore Interregional EEG Correlations Changed by Sport Training Using Feature Selection
Authors: Gao Jia , Wang Wei , Zhang Ji
Published: January 2016

This paper investigated the interregional correlation changed by sport training through electroencephalography (EEG) signals using the techniques of classification and feature selection. The EEG data are obtained from students with long-time professional sport training and normal students without sport training as baseline. Every channel of the 19-channel EEG signals is considered as a node in the brain network and Pearson Correlation Coefficients are calculated between every two nodes as the new features of EEG signals. Then, the Partial Least Square (PLS) is used to select the top 10 most varied features and Pearson Correlation Coefficients of selected features are compared to show the difference of two groups. Result shows that the classification accuracy of two groups is improved from 88.13% by the method using measurement of EEG overall energy to 97.19% by the method using EEG correlation measurement. Furthermore, the features selected reveal that the most important interregional EEG correlation changed by training is the correlation between left inferior frontal and left middle temporal with a decreased value.
Ultrasonic Dissection versus Conventional Dissection for Pancreatic Surgery: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lei Haiming , Xu Dong , Shi Xinghua , Han Koulan
Published: January 2016

Background. The role of ultrasonic dissection (UD) in pancreatic surgery remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the clinical effect of UD in pancreatic surgery when compared with conventional dissection (CD).Materials and Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify eligible studies that compared UD with CD for pancreatic surgery in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Risk ratio (RR) or mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated.Results. Six studies were included with a total of 215 patients undergoing UD and 210 undergoing CD. In comparison with CD in distal pancreatectomy, UD was associated with lower rates of pancreatic fistula (RR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27–0.76) and abdominal abscess and shorter operation time and hospital stay (P<0.05). In pancreaticoduodenectomy, there was no significant difference in pancreatic fistula rate between two groups (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.48–1.29). However, the significantly less intraoperative blood loss and the transfused blood unit were found in patients receiving UD (P<0.05).Conclusions. The results of this meta-analysis show that, in comparison with CD, UD is associated with better perioperative outcomes in pancreatic surgery.
Portable Low-Frequency Noise Reduction Device for Both Small Open and Closed Spaces
Authors: Wang Chao , Gao Haiyang , Yu Liyao , Yu Tiantian , Yan Wenhui , Xue Qiumeng
Published: January 2016

Noise pollution has been given more attention due to its negative impacts on human health and disease. The portable low-frequency noise reduction device we developed in this research can provide an effective way for solving low-frequency noise pollution problem in the small space. This work describes the design principle and the prototype structures for two versions of V1.5 and V2.0 and builds the noise test systems for small spaces, respectively. These devices, installed on the outer surface of the small spaces, can automatically identify the noise spectrum and implement noise reduction by means of the active noise control (ANC) technology. The testing results indicate that the noise can be reduced 12 dB in the range of 250 Hz~400 Hz for the small closed space while, for the small open space, the best effect of 5.88 dB occurs in the optimal frequency of 450 Hz. These effects will be weakened with the increasing distance away from the source and show the obvious axisymmetric distribution in the inverted cone space.
Theory of Mind Indexes the Broader Autism Phenotype in Siblings of Children with Autism at School Age
Authors: Tsang Tawny , Gillespie-Lynch Kristen , Hutman Ted
Published: January 2016

Subclinical variants of the social-communicative challenges and rigidity that define autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known as the broader autism phenotype (BAP). The BAP has been conceptualized categorically (as specific to a subset of relatives of individuals with ASD) and dimensionally (as continuously distributed within the general population). The current study examined the compatibility of these two approaches by assessing associations among autism symptoms and social-communicative skills in young school-age children with ASD, children who have a sibling with ASD, and children without a sibling with ASD. Autism symptoms were associated with reduced Theory of Mind (ToM), adaptive skills, cognitive empathy, and language skills across the full sample. Reduced ToM was a core aspect of the BAP in the current sample regardless of whether the BAP was defined categorically (in terms of siblings of children with ASD who exhibited atypical developmental) or dimensionally (in terms of associations with autism symptoms across the entire sample). Early language skills predicted school-age ToM. Findings support the compatibility of categorical and dimensional approaches to the BAP, highlight reduced ToM as a core aspect of the school-age BAP, and suggest that narrative-based approaches to promoting ToM may be beneficial for siblings of children with ASD.
Sink Location Protection Protocols Based on Packet Sending Rate Adjustment
Authors: Chen Juan , Lin Zhengkui , Liu Yan , Hu Ying , Du Xiaojiang
Published: January 2016

Sink location protection is critical to the viability of sensor networks as the central point of failure. Most existing work related to sink location protection focuses on local traffic analysis attack. In this paper, we study the sink location protection problem under a more powerful type of attack, the global traffic analysis attack. In order to hide the sink location, a protocol based on packet sending rate adjustment (SRA) is proposed. By controlling the packet sending rate of each node according to the current number of source nodes, SRA conceals the real traffic volume generated by source nodes and hence disguises the location of the sink. For further reducing the communication cost, we propose a light weight SRA protocol (L-SRA), which protects the sink location while significantly decreasing the communication cost. Performance of both SRA and L-SRA has been validated by theoretical analysis and simulation results.
Systematic Underreproduction of Time Is Independent of Judgment Certainty
Authors: Riemer Martin , Rhodes Darren , Wolbers Thomas
Published: January 2016

We recently proposed that systematic underreproduction of time is caused by a general judgment bias towards earlier responses, instead of reflecting a genuine misperception of temporal intervals. Here we tested whether this bias can be explained by the uncertainty associated with temporal judgments. We applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to inhibit neuronal processes in the right posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and tested its effects on time discrimination and reproduction tasks. The results show increased certainty for discriminative time judgments after PPC inhibition. They suggest that the right PPC plays an inhibitory role for time perception, possibly by mediating the multisensory integration between temporal stimuli and other quantities. Importantly, this increased judgment certainty had no influence on the degree of temporal underreproduction. We conclude that the systematic underreproduction of time is not caused by uncertainty for temporal judgments.
Stem Cell Therapy for Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence: The Current Status and Challenges
Authors: Zhou Shukui , Zhang Kaile , Atala Anthony , Khoury Oula , Murphy Sean V. , Zhao Weixin , Fu Qiang
Published: January 2016

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common urinary system disease that mostly affects women. Current treatments still do not solve the critical problem of urethral sphincter dysfunction. In recent years, there have been major developments in techniques to obtain, culture, and characterize autologous stem cells as well as many studies describing their applications for the treatment of SUI. In this paper, we review recent publications and clinical trials investigating the applications of several stem cell types as potential treatments for SUI and the underlying challenges of such therapy.
Intraoral Digital Impressions for Virtual Occlusal Records: Section Quantity and Dimensions
Authors: Solaberrieta Eneko , Garmendia Asier , Brizuela Aritza , Otegi Jose Ramon , Pradies Guillermo , Szentpétery Andras
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this study was to locate the 3D spatial position mandibular cast and determine its occlusal contacts in a novel way by using an intraoral scanner as part of the virtual occlusal record procedure. This study also analyzes the requirements in quantity and dimensions of the intraoral virtual occlusal record. The results showed that the best section combination consists of 2 lateral and frontal sections, the width of this section being that of 2 teeth (24 mm × 15 mm). This study concluded that this procedure was accurate enough to locate the mandibular cast on a virtual articulator. However, at least 2 sections of the virtual occlusal records were necessary, and the best results were obtained when the distance between these sections was maximum.
Cognitive Impairments Preceding and Outlasting Autoimmune Limbic Encephalitis
Authors: Gross Robert , Davis Jennifer , Roth Julie , Querfurth Henry
Published: January 2016

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be the initial manifestation of autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE), a disorder that at times presents a diagnostic challenge. In addition to memory impairment, clinical features that might suggest this disorder include personality changes, agitation, insomnia, alterations of consciousness, and seizures. Once recognized, ALE typically responds to treatment with immune therapies, but long-term cognitive deficits may remain. We report two cases of patients with MCI who were ultimately diagnosed with ALE with antibodies against the voltage gated potassium channel complex. Months after apparent resolution of their encephalitides, both underwent neuropsychological testing, which demonstrated persistent cognitive deficits, primarily in the domains of memory and executive function, for cases 1 and 2, respectively. A brief review of the literature is included.
N‐Stearoyl‐L‐Tyrosine Inhibits the Senescence of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells Induced by Aβ1–42 via the CB2 Receptor
Authors: Li Wen-Qing , Wang Ze-jian , Liu Sha , Hu Yue , Yin Ming , Lu Yang
Published: January 2016

Alzheimer’s disease, one of the neurodegenerative diseases, shows the progressive senescence of neural progenitor/stem cells. N‐Stearoyl‐L‐tyrosine (NsTyr) showed neuroprotective effect against chronic brain ischemia in previous reports. In the present study, we find the antisenescent effects of NsTyr‐2K in NSPCs induced by Aβ1–42 in vitro. Cell viability of NSPCs was evaluated by CCK8 assay; SA‐β‐gal staining was used to evaluate senescence of NSPCs. CB receptors were detected by immunohistochemistry in NSPCs. AM251 or AM630 was used to offset the anti‐senescence effects afforded by NsTyr‐2K. The positive rate of SA‐β‐gal staining was significantly increased in NSPCs after incubation with Aβ1–42 for 9 days. CB receptors were found on the surface of NSPCs. The expression level of CB1 receptors was significantly decreased in NSPCs after incubation with Aβ1–42. This phenomenon was reversed dose‐dependently by NsTyr‐2K. NsTyr‐2K attenuated Aβ1–42 induced NSPCs senescence dose‐dependently, and its antisenescence effect was completely abolished by AM630. Aβ1–42 dose‐dependently increased the prosenescence molecules p16 and Rb. Their expression was inhibited by NsTyr‐2K dose‐dependently and blocked by AM630 in NSPCs. These results suggest that NsTyr‐2K can alleviate the senescence of NSPCs induced by Aβ1–42 via CB2 receptor.
Insight into the Molecular Imaging of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Arora Abishek , Bhagat Neeta
Published: January 2016

Alzheimer’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Earlier it was diagnosed only via clinical assessments and confirmed by postmortem brain histopathology. The development of validated biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease has given impetus to improve diagnostics and accelerate the development of new therapies. Functional imaging like positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy provides a means of detecting and characterising the regional changes in brain blood flow, metabolism, and receptor binding sites that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Multimodal neuroimaging techniques have indicated changes in brain structure and metabolic activity, and an array of neurochemical variations that are associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Radiotracer-based PET and SPECT potentially provide sensitive, accurate methods for the early detection of disease. This paper presents a review of neuroimaging modalities like PET, SPECT, and selected imaging biomarkers/tracers used for the early diagnosis of AD. Neuroimaging with such biomarkers and tracers could achieve a much higher diagnostic accuracy for AD and related disorders in the future.
A Motion Detection Algorithm Using Local Phase Information
Authors: Lazar Aurel A. , Ukani Nikul H. , Zhou Yiyin
Published: January 2016

Previous research demonstrated thatglobalphase alone can be used to faithfully represent visual scenes. Here we provide a reconstruction algorithm by using onlylocalphase information. We also demonstrate that local phase alone can be effectively used to detect local motion. The local phase-based motion detector is akin to models employed to detect motion in biological vision, for example, the Reichardt detector. The local phase-based motion detection algorithm introduced here consists of two building blocks. The first building block measures/evaluates the temporal change of the local phase. The temporal derivative of the local phase is shown to exhibit the structure of a second order Volterra kernel with two normalized inputs. We provide an efficient, FFT-based algorithm for implementing the change of the local phase. The second processing building block implements the detector; it compares the maximum of the Radon transform of the local phase derivative with a chosen threshold. We demonstrate examples of applying the local phase-based motion detection algorithm on several video sequences. We also show how the locally detected motion can be used for segmenting moving objects in video scenes and compare our local phase-based algorithm to segmentation achieved with a widely used optic flow algorithm.
Dynamic Analysis and Design of a Balancer for a Three-Column Centrifuge
Authors: Chen Hai-Wei , Zhang Qiu-Ju
Published: January 2016

This paper studies dynamics of a three-column centrifuge and tries to design a ball balancer to suppress its vibration and increase its operating speed. At first, two vibration models with and without the balancer are introduced. Then modal analysis of the centrifuge itself is carried out with two isolated natural frequency groups identified. Centrifugal forces acting on the system at the steady state are analyzed and a tip-over phenomenon is discovered and validated through simulations. A ball balancer is adopted in the centrifuge and several potential tip-over phenomena related to the balancer are studied. At last, a comparison between dynamics of the centrifuge before and after the balancer is installed is made with benefits and side effects of the balancer presented.
What Prevents Men Aged 40–64 Years from Prostate Cancer Screening in Namibia?
Authors: Kangmennaang Joseph , Mkandawire Paul , Luginaah Isaac
Published: January 2016

Objectives. Although a growing body of evidence demonstrates the public health burden of prostate cancer in SSA, relatively little is known about the underlying factors surrounding the low levels of testing for the disease in the context of this region. Using Namibia Demographic Health Survey dataset (NDHS, 2013), we examined the factors that influence men’s decision to screen for prostate cancer in Namibia.Methods. We use complementary log-log regression models to explore the determinants of screening for prostate cancer. We also corrected for the effect of unobserved heterogeneity that may affect screening behaviours at the cluster level.Results. The results show that health insurance coverage (OR = 2.95,p=0.01) is an important predictor of screening for prostate cancer in Namibia. In addition, higher education and discussing reproductive issues with a health worker (OR = 2.02,p=0.05) were more likely to screening for prostate cancer.Conclusions. A universal health insurance scheme may be necessary to increase uptake of prostate cancer screening. However it needs to be acknowledged that expanded screening can have negative consequences and any allocation of scarce resources towards screening must be guided by evidence obtained from the local context about the costs and benefits of screening.
Three-Dimensional Analysis of the Contact Pattern between the Cortical Bone and Femoral Prosthesis after Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty
Authors: Wada Hiroshi , Mishima Hajime , Sugaya Hisashi , Nishino Tomofumi , Yamazaki Masashi
Published: January 2016

The cementless stem Excia (B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany) implant has a rectangular cross-sectional shape with back-and-forth flanges and a plasma-sprayed, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate coating from the middle to proximal portion to increase initial fixation and early bone formation. Here, the conformity of the Excia stem to the femoral canal morphology was three-dimensionally assessed using computed tomography. Forty-three patients (45 hips) were examined after primary total hip arthroplasty with a mean follow-up of 27 ± 3 months (range: 24–36 months). Spot welds occurred at zone 2 in 16 hips and at zone 6 in 24 hips, with 83% (20/24 hips) of those occurring within 3 months after surgery. First- (n=12hips), second- (n=32), and third- (n=1) degree stress shielding were observed. The stem was typically in contact with the cortical bone in the anterolateral mid-portion (100%) and posteromedial distal portions (85%). Stress shielding did not progress, even in cases where the stems were in contact with the distal portions. The anterior flange was in contact with the bone in all cases. The stability of the mid-lateral portion with the dicalcium phosphate dihydrate coating and the anterior flange may have inhibited the progression of stress shielding beyond the second degree.
Dendritic Spines in Depression: What We Learned from Animal Models
Authors: Qiao Hui , Li Ming-Xing , Xu Chang , Chen Hui-Bin , An Shu-Cheng , Ma Xin-Ming
Published: January 2016

Depression, a severe psychiatric disorder, has been studied for decades, but the underlying mechanisms still remain largely unknown. Depression is closely associated with alterations in dendritic spine morphology and spine density. Therefore, understanding dendritic spines is vital for uncovering the mechanisms underlying depression. Several chronic stress models, including chronic restraint stress (CRS), chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), have been used to recapitulate depression-like behaviors in rodents and study the underlying mechanisms. In comparison with CRS, CUMS overcomes the stress habituation and has been widely used to model depression-like behaviors. CSDS is one of the most frequently used models for depression, but it is limited to the study of male mice. Generally, chronic stress causes dendritic atrophy and spine loss in the neurons of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Meanwhile, neurons of the amygdala and nucleus accumbens exhibit an increase in spine density. These alterations induced by chronic stress are often accompanied by depression-like behaviors. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This review summarizes our current understanding of the chronic stress-induced remodeling of dendritic spines in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, amygdala, and nucleus accumbens and also discusses the putative underlying mechanisms.
Liver Damage in Patients with HCV/HIV Coinfection Is Linked to HIV‐Related Oxidative Stress
Authors: Huang Xiangbo , Liang Hua , Fan Xueying , Zhu Liyan , Shen Tao
Published: January 2016

HIV infection aggravates the progression of liver damage in HCV‐coinfected patients, with the underlying pathogenesis being multifactorial. Although high level of oxidative stress has been observed frequently in patients infected with HIV or HCV, the status of oxidative stress in HIV/HCV coinfection and its contribution to HCV liver damage have not been determined. This study involved 363 HBsAg‐negative, anti‐HCV‐positive former blood donors recruited from a village in central China in July 2005; of these, 140 were positive for HIV. Of these 363 subjects, 282 were successfully followed up through July 2009. HIV/HCV‐coinfected subjects had higher rates of end‐stage liver disease‐related death than those monoinfected with HCV. Liver ultrasound manifestations were poor in HIV‐positive than in HIV‐negative individuals, in both chronic HCV carriers and those with resolved HCV. Serum concentrations of total glutathione (tGSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), GSSG, and reduced GSH were higher in HIV‐positive than HIV‐negative subjects. GSSG concentrations were higher in HIV‐infected subjects with abnormal ALT/AST levels than in those with normal ALT/AST levels and were associated with poorer liver ultrasound manifestations. These finding indicated that HIV infection accelerated HCV‐associated liver damage in HIV/HCV‐coinfected individuals. Increased oxidative stress, induced primarily by HIV coinfection, may contribute to aggravated liver damage.
Study on Horizontally Polarized Omnidirectional Microstrip Antenna
Authors: Wei Kun , Li Jian-ying , Wang Ling , Xing Zi-jian , Xu Rui
Published: January 2016

A horizontally polarized omnidirectional microstrip antenna is proposed in this paper. The structure of designed antenna is with two back-to-back horizontally polarized microstrip antenna elements. Gain variation on main radiation plane of this new antenna is analyzed and radiation theory is deduced; formula of directivity on main radiation plane is given. Better omnidirectional characteristic of this antenna can be obtained by decreasing patch physical length. Both simulated and measured results verify the omnidirectional radiation patterns and input impedance characteristics. Good omnidirectional radiation patterns (gain variation inE-plane less than ±0.4 dBi) and input impedance characteristics are obtained; moreover, cross polarization less than −20 dBi is achieved.
Dynamics Analysis on Piezoelectric Laminated Vibrator and Optimization of PZT Position
Authors: Hu Caiqi , Hu Xiaoqi , Ji Jing , Liu Jude , Li Shengduo
Published: January 2016

Piezoelectric laminated structure is widely used as actuator’s drive part. The different position of PZT on a piezoelectric vibrator causes different incentive effects. Therefore, seeking an optimal PZT position is of great significance to improve actuator’s drive forces and electromechanical conversion efficiency. In this research, the optimization of PZT position was studied using the approximate solution of piezoelectric vibrator mode shape with mutation sections. The vibration mode function was expressed as a linear superposition of the admissible function according to Rayleigh Ritz method. Then solving of functional variation was converted into the solving of the coefficient matrix of the admissible function by Hamilton’s principle. Through analyzing the forms of admissible functions, the admissible functions that satisfied the boundary conditions of displacement were chosen. For a given vibrator, approximate function for natural frequency and vibration mode was calculated in given admissible functions. Calculated values and experimental results were compared. Results showed that the more items an admissible function sequence had the closer the calculated results were to the experimental values. The errors of calculations were analyzed based on the selection of admissible functions and electromechanical coupling effect. Optimization of PZT position was achieved by analyzing the mode forces of the piezoelectric laminated vibrator.
Development and Application of Blast Casting Technique in Large-Scale Surface Mines: A Case Study of Heidaigou Surface Coal Mine in China
Authors: Ma Li , Li Kemin , Ding Xiaohua , Peng Hongge , Xiao Shuangshuang
Published: January 2016

Blast casting is a high-efficiency technique applied in surface mines for overburden removal and results in stripping cost savings. According to ballistic theory and center-of-mass frame basic movement principles, key factors influencing blast casting effect were analyzed, which include bench height and mining panel width, inclined angle of blast holes, explosive unit consumption (EUC), delay-time interval, presplitting, and blast hole pattern parameters. An intelligent design software was developed for obtaining better breaking and casting effect, and the error rates predicted with actual result can be controlled with 10%. Blast casting technique was successfully applied in Heidaigou Surface Coal Mine (HSCM) with more than 34% of material casted into the inner dump. A ramp ditch was set within the middle inner dump for coal transportation. The procedure of stripping and excavating was implemented separately and alternately in the two sections around the middle ramp ditch. An unconstrained-nonlinear model was deduced for optimizing the shift distance of the middle ramp. The calculation results show that optimum shift distance of HSCM is 480 m, and the middle ditch should be shifted after 6 blast casting mining panels being stripped.
Trace Ratio Criterion-Based Kernel Discriminant Analysis for Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Element Bearings Using Binary Immune Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yang Wen-An , Xiao Maohua , Zhou Wei , Guo Yu , Liao Wenhe , Shen Gang
Published: January 2016

The rolling element bearing is a core component of many systems such as aircraft, train, steamboat, and machine tool, and their failure can lead to reduced capability, downtime, and even catastrophic breakdowns. Due to misoperation, manufacturing deficiencies, or the lack of monitoring and maintenance, it is often found to be the most unreliable component within these systems. Therefore, effective and efficient fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings has an important role in ensuring the continued safe and reliable operation of their host systems. This study presents a trace ratio criterion-based kernel discriminant analysis (TR-KDA) for fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings. The binary immune genetic algorithm (BIGA) is employed to solve the trace ratio problem in TR-KDA. The numerical results obtained using extensive simulation indicate that the proposed TR-KDA using BIGA (called TR-KDA-BIGA) can effectively and efficiently classify different classes of rolling element bearing data, while also providing the capability of real-time visualization that is very useful for the practitioners to monitor the health status of rolling element bearings. Empirical comparisons show that the proposed TR-KDA-BIGA performs better than existing methods in classifying different classes of rolling element bearing data. The proposed TR-KDA-BIGA may be a promising tool for fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings.
Decision Support for Flexible Liner Shipping
Authors: Oppen Johan
Published: January 2016

We present a transportation problem representing a combination of liner and tramp shipping, where using other modes of transportation is also an option. As an example, we consider transportation of palletized frozen fish from Russia and Norway to terminals in Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK. We present a mathematical model for the planning problem associated with each tour and show that problem instances of realistic size can be solved to optimality using standard software.
Numerical Analysis of a Train-Bridge System Subjected to Earthquake and Running Safety Evaluation of Moving Train
Authors: Yang Xun , Wang Huanhuan , Jin Xianlong
Published: January 2016

This paper investigates the dynamic response of a train-bridge system subjected to earthquakes, and the running safety indices of the train on the bridge under earthquake are studied. Taking a long span cable-stayed bridge across the Huangpu River as an example, a full three-dimensional finite element model of the train-bridge system was established, in which the soil-bridge and rail-train interactions were considered. Parallel computing based on contact balance was utilized to deal with this large-scale numerical simulation problem. The dynamic nonlinear analysis was performed on a Hummingbird supercomputer using the finite element code LS-DYNA 971. The results show that the acceleration responses of the train subjected to an earthquake are much greater than the ones without earthquake input, and the running safety of a moving train is affected by both the earthquake intensity and the running speed of the train. The running safety of the moving train can be evaluated by the threshold curve between earthquake intensity and train speed. The proposed modeling strategies and the simulated results can give a reference prediction of the dynamic behaviour of the train-bridge subjected to an earthquake.
A Vibration Reliability Analysis Method for the Uncertain Space Beam Structure
Authors: Mo Yanyu , Guo Shuxiang , Tang Cheng
Published: January 2016

Considering that uncertainty is inherent and unavoidable in engineering practice and the available information about the uncertain parameters is always not sufficient, the paper tries to carry out the nonprobabilistic vibration reliability analysis so as to avoid resonance on uncertain structure with bounded parameters. The input uncertain-but-bounded parameters are treated as interval variables, and an interval model is adopted to describe bounded uncertainties. Then a theory of nonprobabilistic reliability is introduced, in which the dimensionless nonprobabilistic reliability index and system reliability index are defined. In order to investigate the resonance failure with reliability method, the resonance failure domains are stated according to the relationships between the natural frequencies and the excitation frequencies. Then the uncertain structure is modeled as a series system and a system reliability index is proposed to evaluate the safety of the structure. The paper also takes a frequency analysis on the uncertain space beam structure to get the resonance failure modes. A frequency analysis method based on the monotonicity discriminant of the frequency sensitivity is presented. Then an optimization algorithm is introduced to verify the validity of the former frequency analysis method. Two examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the presented method.
mGlu5 Receptors and Relapse to Cocaine-Seeking: The Role of Receptor Trafficking in Postrelapse Extinction Learning Deficits
Authors: Knackstedt Lori A. , Schwendt Marek
Published: January 2016

We have previously demonstrated that MTEP, an allosteric antagonist of mGlu5, infused into the nucleus accumbens attenuates relapse after abstinence from cocaine self-administration. MTEP infused into the dorsolateral striatum (dlSTR) does not alter relapse but has long-lasting effects on subsequent extinction learning. Here we tested whether systemic MTEP would prevent relapse after abstinence or alter extinction learning. We also investigated the mechanism of action by which intra-dlSTR MTEP on test day alters extinction on subsequent days. Animals self-administered cocaine for 12 days followed by abstinence for 20-21 days. MTEP (0.5–5 mg/kg IP) was administered prior to placement into the operant chamber for a context-primed relapse test. A separate group of animals received intra-dlSTR MTEP prior to the relapse test and were sacrificed day later. Systemic administration of MTEP attenuated abstinent-relapse without significantly affecting extinction learning. Surface biotinylation analysis of protein expression in the dlSTR revealed that, in cocaine animals, intra-dlSTR MTEP administration decreased mGlu5 surface expression and prevented changes in Arc and GluA1/GluA2 observed in their vehicle counterparts. Thus, blockade of mGlu5 receptors may be utilized in future treatment strategies for relapse prevention in humans, although the effects of chronic blockade on extinction learning should be further evaluated.
A Probability-Based Hybrid User Model for Recommendation System
Authors: Hao Jia , Yan Yan , Wang Guoxin , Gong Lin , Zhao Bo
Published: January 2016

With the rapid development of information communication technology, the available information or knowledge is exponentially increased, and this causes the well-known information overload phenomenon. This problem is more serious in product design corporations because over half of the valuable design time is consumed in knowledge acquisition, which highly extends the design cycle and weakens the competitiveness. Therefore, the recommender systems become very important in the domain of product domain. This research presents a probability-based hybrid user model, which is a combination of collaborative filtering and content-based filtering. This hybrid model utilizes user ratings and item topics or classes, which are available in the domain of product design, to predict the knowledge requirement. The comprehensive analysis of the experimental results shows that the proposed method gains better performance in most of the parameter settings. This work contributes a probability-based method to the community for implement recommender system when only user ratings and item topics are available.
Synaptic Wnt/GSK3βSignaling Hub in Autism
Authors: Caracci Mario O. , Ávila Miguel E. , De Ferrari Giancarlo V.
Published: January 2016

Hundreds of genes have been associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and the interaction of weak andde novovariants derive from distinct autistic phenotypes thus making up the “spectrum.” The convergence of these variants in networks of genes associated with synaptic function warrants the study of cell signaling pathways involved in the regulation of the synapse. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a central role in the development and regulation of the central nervous system and several genes belonging to the cascade have been genetically associated with ASDs. In the present paper, we review basic information regarding the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in excitatory/inhibitory balance (E/I balance) through the regulation of pre- and postsynaptic compartments. Furthermore, we integrate information supporting the role of the glycogen synthase kinase 3β(GSK3β) in the onset/development of ASDs through direct modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, given GSK3βactivity as key modulator of synaptic plasticity, we explore the potential of this kinase as a therapeutic target for ASD.
Metals and Neuronal Metal Binding Proteins Implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Cristóvão Joana S. , Santos Renata , Gomes Cláudio M.
Published: January 2016

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent age‐related dementia affecting millions of people worldwide. Its main pathological hallmark feature is the formation of insoluble protein deposits of amyloid‐β and hyperphosphorylated tau protein into extracellular plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, respectively. Many of the mechanistic details of this process remain unknown, but a well‐established consequence of protein aggregation is synapse dysfunction and neuronal loss in the AD brain. Different pathways including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metal metabolism have been suggested to be implicated in this process. In particular, a body of evidence suggests that neuronal metal ions such as copper, zinc, and iron play important roles in brain function in health and disease states and altered homeostasis and distribution as a common feature across different neurodegenerative diseases and aging. In this focused review, we overview neuronal proteins that are involved in AD and whose metal binding properties may underlie important biochemical and regulatory processes occurring in the brain during the AD pathophysiological process.
An Allele Real-Coded Quantum Evolutionary Algorithm Based on Hybrid Updating Strategy
Authors: Zhang Yu-Xian , Qian Xiao-Yi , Peng Hui-Deng , Wang Jian-Hui
Published: January 2016

For improving convergence rate and preventing prematurity in quantum evolutionary algorithm, an allele real-coded quantum evolutionary algorithm based on hybrid updating strategy is presented. The real variables are coded with probability superposition of allele. A hybrid updating strategy balancing the global search and local search is presented in which the superior allele is defined. On the basis of superior allele and inferior allele, a guided evolutionary process as well as updating allele with variable scale contraction is adopted. AndHεgate is introduced to prevent prematurity. Furthermore, the global convergence of proposed algorithm is proved byMarkovchain. Finally, the proposed algorithm is compared with genetic algorithm, quantum evolutionary algorithm, and double chains quantum genetic algorithm in solving continuous optimization problem, and the experimental results verify the advantages on convergence rate and search accuracy.
IL6 Trans-signaling Promotes KRAS-Driven Lung Carcinogenesis
Authors: Brooks Gavin D. , McLeod Louise , Alhayyani Sultan , Miller Alistair , Russell Prudence A. , Ferlin Walter , Rose-John Stefan , Ruwanpura Saleela , Jenkins Brendan J.
Published: January 2016

Oncogenic KRAS mutations occur frequently in lung adenocarcinoma. The signaling pathways activated by IL6 promote Kras-driven lung tumorigenesis, but the basis for this cooperation is uncertain. In this study, we used the gp130F/F (Il6st) knock-in mouse model to examine the pathogenic contribution of hyperactivation of the STAT3 arm of IL6 signaling on KRAS-driven lung tumorigenesis. Malignant growths in the gp130F/F:KrasG12D model displayed features of atypical adenomatous hyperplasia, adenocarcinoma in situ, and invasive adenocarcinoma throughout the lung, as compared with parental KrasG12D mice, where STAT3 was not hyperactivated. Among IL6 family cytokines, only IL6 was upregulated in the lung. Accordingly, normalization of pulmonary STAT3 activity, by genetic ablation of either Il6 or Stat3, suppressed the extent of lung cancer in the model. Mechanistic investigations revealed elevation in the lung of soluble IL6 receptor (sIL6R), the key driver of IL6 trans-signaling, and blocking this mechanism via interventions with an anti-IL6R antibody or the inhibitor sgp130Fc ameliorated lung cancer pathogenesis. Clinically, expression of IL6 and sIL6R was increased significantly in human specimens of lung adenocarcinoma or patient serum. Our results offer a preclinical rationale to clinically evaluate IL6 trans-signaling as a therapeutic target for the treatment of KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res; 76(4); 866–76. ©2016 AACR.