bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A multicenter evaluation of a new therapeutic plasma exchange procedure
Authors: Winters Jeffrey L. , Burgstaler Edwin A. , Gottschall Jerome L. , Balogun Rasheed A. , Houghton Jaime R. , Lee Wanda J. , Snyder Edward L.
Published: April 2013

Background

The AMICUS (Fenwal, Inc.) was cleared in the United States for platelet (PLT) and plasma collection in 1996 with subsequent clearances for the collection of other blood products. Although not previously used for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), new disposables, software, and hardware were developed to enable TPE on the AMICUS.

Study Design and Methods

A multicenter, randomized, nonblinded, crossover paired treatment protocol was performed. Thirty patients with orders for at least two TPE procedures were randomly assigned to the AMICUS or the COBE Spectra (TerumoBCT) for the first treatment. Each patient was crossed over to the other device using the same procedure settings from the first procedure. The primary objective compared efficiency of plasma removal (EPR) with secondary objectives of comparing PLT and hemoglobin (Hb) waste plasma content, coagulation factor and complement activation, fluid balance tracking accuracy, procedure length, and adverse events.

Results

The EPR for the AMICUS (81.9 ± 7.62%) was superior to that of the COBE Spectra (75.2 ± 6.29%; p = 0.00001). The AMICUS also demonstrated statistically higher fluid balance accuracy (99.84%) compared to that of the COBE Spectra (98.83%; p < 0.0001) and a statistically shorter procedure time (103.9 ± 30.8 vs. 110.5 ± 27.1 min, p < 0.001). No significant differences with regard to PLT and Hb content in the waste plasma, change in patient PLT count, or changes in markers of coagulation and complement cascade activation were seen. Frequency and severity of adverse reactions were similar.

Conclusion

The AMICUS separator can effectively perform TPE. The AMICUS demonstrated superior plasma removal efficiency compared to the COBE Spectra with no evidence of significant differences in PLT removal, hemolysis, and coagulation or complement activation.
Quality of freeze‐dried (lyophilized) quarantined single‐donor plasma
Authors: Bux Jürgen , Dickhörner Dieter , Scheel Edgar
Published: April 2013

Background

Transfusion of plasma is a basic treatment for complex coagulopathies as well as in major blood loss. Early transfusion of plasma after trauma with major hemorrhage has been recommended by retrospective studies. However, the use of plasma is often hampered by the need to maintain a cold chain and the time needed for thawing fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP). With freeze‐dried (lyophilized) plasma (FDP) both difficulties can be avoided. Here, we describe the production, quality characteristics, and our experiences with FDP.

Study Design and Methods

Quarantine plasma samples were freeze‐dried. The clotting factors fibrinogen, Factor (F)V, FVIII, FXI, von Willebrand factor (vWF), protein S, antithrombin, plasminogen, and plasmin inhibitor were determined after manufacturing and after storage at room temperature and refrigeration. Reported adverse transfusion events were evaluated and compared to that of FFP. Clinical effectiveness was estimated by inquiry among experienced users.

Results

Lyophilization resulted in a loss of coagulation factor activity between 0% and up to 20% to 25% (FVIII, vWF). When stored refrigerated, coagulation factors did not lose more than 10% of their activities. Storage at room temperature for 24 months mainly affected vWF/ristocetin cofactor activity and fibrinogen activity. From 2007 to 2011 more than 230,000 units of FDP were delivered. There were no reports about clinical ineffectiveness. The frequency of transfusion reactions was not different from that of FFP.

Conclusion

Lyophilized plasma showed characteristics similar to FFP. Since FDP requires neither complex logistics nor time‐consuming thawing, it allows rapid treatment of coagulopathies.
Transfusion‐associated hyperkalemic cardiac arrest in pediatric patients receiving massive transfusion
Authors: Lee Angela C. , Reduque Leila L. , Luban Naomi L.C. , Ness Paul M. , Anton Blair , Heitmiller Eugenie S.
Published: April 2013

Background

Hyperkalemic cardiac arrest is a potential complication of massive transfusion in children. Our objective was to identify risk factors and potential preventive measures by reviewing the literature on transfusion‐associated hyperkalemic cardiac arrest (TAHCA) in the pediatric population.

Study Design and Methods

Literature searches were performed in MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

Results

We identified nine case reports of pediatric patients who had experienced cardiac arrest during massive transfusion. Serum potassium concentration was reported in eight of those reports; the mean was 9.2 ± 1.8 mmol/L. Risk factors for TAHCA noted in the case reports included infancy (n = 6); age of red blood cells (RBCs; n = 5); site of transfusion (n = 5); and the presence of comorbidities such as hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, acidemia, and hypotension (n = 9). We also identified 13 clinical studies that examined potassium levels associated with transfusion. Of those 13, five studied routine transfusion, two were registries, and six examined massive transfusion.

Conclusions

Key points identified from this literature search are as follows: 1) Case reports are skewed toward infants and neonates in particular and 2) the rate of blood transfusion, more so than total volume, cardiac output, and the site of infusion, are key factors in the development of TAHCA. Measures to reduce the risk of TAHCA in young children include anticipating and replacing blood loss before significant hemodynamic compromise occurs, using larger‐bore (>23‐gauge) peripheral intravenous catheters rather than central venous access, checking and correcting electrolyte abnormalities frequently, and using fresher RBCs for massive transfusion.
Electromagnetic energy of electric and magnetic dipoles
Authors: Kholmetskii A.L. , Missevitch O.V. , Yarman T.
Published: April 2013

We derive a novel expression for the relativistic energy of electric and magnetic dipoles in an external electromagnetic field and discuss its implications. In particular, we find the relativistic dependence of the energy of a dipole on its velocity, v, and show that in the most convenient presentation of the energy (when the proper electric (p0) and magnetic (m0) dipole moments are involved, whereas the electric (E) and magnetic (B) fields are defined in the laboratory frame), its value essentially depends on the orientation of the velocity, v, with respect to vectors p0, E, and m0, B. To better understand the relativistic behavior of the energy of electric and magnetic dipoles, we introduce the notion of “latent” momentum of an electric dipole, in addition to the known concept of “hidden” momentum of a magnetic dipole. We finally show that the contribution of energy terms related to “hidden” and “latent” momenta of an electric or magnetic dipole is important in the relativistic case.
LOW BIT RATE IMAGE COMPRESSION USING HIERARCHICAL LISTLESS BLOCK-TREE DTT ALGORITHM
Authors: SENAPATI RANJAN K. , PATI UMESH C. , MAHAPATRA KAMALA K.
Published: April 2013

This paper presents a listless variant of modified wavelet block tree coding (MLBTC) algorithm. Wavelet block-tree coding (WBTC) improves the image compression performance of set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) at lower rates by efficiently encoding both inter- and intra-scale correlations. The use of auxiliary lists makes WBTC undesirable for hardware implementation as it needs a lot of memory management due to exponential increase of nodes on each pass. The proposed coder named as hierarchical listless block-tree DTT (HLBT_DTT) that combines discrete Tchebichef transform (DTT) with MLBTC exhibits compression performance significantly higher than most of the DCT-based embedded coders and comparable with JPEG 2000, especially at lower bit rates. Further, HLBT_DTT requires only 10% of memory than that of DCT-based SPIHT/WBTC coders.
SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY, NLO PROPERTIES AND HOMO–LUMO ANALYSIS ON DIFFERENT DONOR AND ACCEPTOR SUBSTITUENTS OF THIAZOLYLAZOPYRIMIDINE CHROMOPHORES
Authors: TAMER ÖMER , AVCI DAVUT , ATALAY YUSUF
Published: April 2013

The molecular geometry optimization, vibrational frequencies and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) 1H and 13C chemical shift values of thiazolylazopyrimidine chromophores have been investigated by using density functional theories (DFT/B3LYP, PBE1PBE and BHand-HLYP) and Hartree–Fock (HF) methods with 6–31++G(d,p) basis set. The computed IR and NMR spectra are used to determine the types of the experimental bands observed. Also, the vibrational frequencies are supported on the basis of the potential energy distribution (PED) analysis calculated by using PBE1PBE method. The UV-vis spectrum has been obtained by TD-DFT and TD-HF methods. Total static dipole moment (μ), the mean polarizability (〈α〉), the anisotropy of the polarizability (Δα), the mean first-order hyperpolarizability (〈β〉), highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), and lowest occupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies of thiazolylazopyrimidine chromophores also have been investigated with quantum chemical calculations. Obtained nonlinear optical (NLO) parameters are compared with experimental ones. Additionally, the molecular hardness (η) and electronegativity (χ) parameters have been obtained by using the frontier molecular orbital energies. Obtained data from thiazolylazopyrimidine chromophores are important for associating the experimental and theoretical spectra with molecular structure and their properties.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTITUTION EFFECT ON THE PROTON TRANSFER MECHANISM IN 3-MERCAPTO-PROPENETHIAL
Authors: RAISSI HEIDAR , FARZAD FARZANEH , FARSI HOSSEIN
Published: April 2013

We present detailed theoretical studies of the proton transfer (PT) in the 3-Mercapto-propenethial (MP) and in some of its derivatives. The effect of substitution on the transition state structures corresponding to the PT in R2 or R1(3) positions is studied by using B3LYP/6-311++G** level of theory in gas phase and water solution. The following substituents have been taken into consideration: Cl, F, OH, SH, OCH3, SCH3, CHO, NO2, CCH and OCF3 . For the different derivatives of 3-MP, we have computed geometries and potential energy curves for the intramolecular PT in their ground. Also, the excited-state properties of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in substituted systems have been investigated theoretically using the time-dependent density functional theory method. The π-electron delocalization parameter (Q) and HOMA index as a geometrical indicator of a local aromaticity are investigated. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was also performed for better understanding the nature of intramolecular interactions. The results of analysis by Quantum theory of "Atoms in Molecules" and NBO method fairly support the DFT results. Correlations between the PT reaction barrier versus topological parameters, ν(S–H) and γ(S–H) are also probed. The obtained results showed a strong influence of the R substituent on the PT reaction barrier changes. Numerous correlations between topological, geometrical, thermodynamic properties and energetic parameters were also found.
INTERACTION OF BERYLLIUM WITH ACCEPTOR HYDROCARBONS: ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND SECOND HYPERPOLARIZABILITY
Authors: HATUA KAUSHIK , NANDI PRASANTA K.
Published: April 2013

Some selected acceptor-Be hydrocarbon complexes have been considered for evaluation of second hyperpolarizability at different DFT functional. All the complexes have been found thermally stable and there is a significant increase of second hyperpolarizability compared to the ligands. Second hyperpolarizability has been explained in terms of charge transfer interaction. Co-operative interaction is required for maximization of second hyperpolarizability. Localized charge transfer in the vicinity of metal alone cannot increase second hyperpolarizability while charge delocalization over entire molecule is mandatory. Substitution by more electropositive metals e.g. Mg , Ca have greater enhancement in longitudinal component of γ. Basis set 6-311++G** is reasonable with respect to computational cost at aug-cc-pVnZ's (n = D, T, Q) for evaluation of second hyperpolarizability for the present complexes.
A CASSCF/CASPT2 STUDY ON THE LOW-LYING ELECTRONIC STATES OF THE (CH3)2CHS AND ITS CATION
Authors: WANG FAN-XIA , ZHAO ZENG-XIA , ZHANG HONG-XING
Published: April 2013

The multireference approach (CASSCF/CASPT2) combined with the contracted with atomic natural orbital (ANO-RCC-VTZP) basis set has been used to investigate systematically, the low-lying electronic states of ( CH 3)2 CHS in Cs symmetry. The result of geometry optimization using CASSCF/ANO-RCC-VTZP shows that the theoretically determined geometric parameters and harmonic vibrational frequencies for the ground state X2A′ of ( CH 3)2 CHS are in good agreement with previous studies. In addition, we also explored several cationic states adiabatically and found that the 11A′ state of ( CH 3)2 CHS + is unstable and converts to ( CH 3)2 CSH +. The vertical and adiabatic ionization energies were obtained to compare with photoelectron spectroscopic data.
Urothelial Signaling
Authors: Birder Lori , Andersson Karl-Erik
Published: April 2013

The urothelium, which lines the inner surface of the renal pelvis, the ureters, and the urinary bladder, not only forms a high-resistance barrier to ion, solute and water flux, and pathogens, but also functions as an integral part of a sensory web which receives, amplifies, and transmits information about its external milieu. Urothelial cells have the ability to sense changes in their extracellular environment, and respond to chemical, mechanical and thermal stimuli by releasing various factors such as ATP, nitric oxide, and acetylcholine. They express a variety of receptors and ion channels, including P2X3 purinergic receptors, nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, and TRP channels, which all have been implicated in urothelial-neuronal interactions, and involved in signals that via components in the underlying lamina propria, such as interstitial cells, can be amplified and conveyed to nerves, detrusor muscle cells, and ultimately the central nervous system. The specialized anatomy of the urothelium and underlying structures, and the possible communication mechanisms from urothelial cells to various cell types within the bladder wall are described. Changes in the urothelium/lamina propria (“mucosa”) produced by different bladder disorders are discussed, as well as the mucosa as a target for therapeutic interventions.
Polyomavirus JC in the Context of Immunosuppression: A Series of Adaptive, DNA Replication-Driven Recombination Events in the Development of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Johnson Edward M. , Wortman Margaret J. , Dagdanova Ayuna V. , Lundberg Patric S. , Daniel Dianne C.
Published: April 2013

Polyomavirus JC (JCV) is the etiological agent of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a demyelinating infection of oligodendrocytes in the brain. PML, a frequently fatal opportunistic infection in AIDS, has also emerged as a consequence of treatment with several new immunosuppressive therapeutic agents. Although nearly 80% of adults are seropositive, JCV attains an ability to infect glial cells in only a minority of people. Data suggest that JCV undergoes sequence alterations that accompany this ability, and these changes can be derived from an archetype strain by mutation, deletion, and duplication. While the introductory source and primary tissue reservoir of JCV remain unknown, lymphoid cells have been identified as potential intermediaries in progression of JCV to the brain. This review is focused on sequence changes in the noncoding control region (NCCR) of the virus. We propose an adaptive mechanism that involves a sequential series of DNA replication-driven NCCR recombination events involving stalled DNA replication forks at NCCR palindromic secondary structures. We shall describe how the NCCR sequence changes point to a model in which viral DNA replication drives NCCR recombination, allowing JCV adaptation to different cell types in its progression to neurovirulence.
Discovery of Endothelium and Mesenchymal Properties of Primo Vessels in the Mesentery
Authors: Ping An , Zhendong Su , Jingxing Dai , Yaling Liu , Bae Kyung-Hee , Shiyun Tan , Hesheng Luo , Soh Kwang-Sup , Ryu Yeon Hee , Kim Sungchul
Published: April 2013

Recent evidences demonstrated that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has a crucial role in cancer and is recognized as a unique source of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Primo vascular system (PVS) is a new circulatory system which may play an important role in cancer metastasis and regeneration. In the current study, we applied previously established time-saving method to identify primo vessels and further investigated the immunocytochemical properties of primo vessels. Both primo vessels and primary primo vessel cells in the mesentery expressed endothelial markers and fibroblast markers. Double-labeling experiments demonstrated that endothelial and fibroblast markers are coexpressed in primo vessels. In addition, under the stimulation of TGF-β1in vitro,primary primo vessel cells differentiated into fibroblasts. Therefore, we found that primo vessels in the mesentery had a transitional structure between endothelium and mesenchymal. This is a new finding of EndMT in normal postnatal animals.
Eating Problems and Overlap with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders in a Nationwide Twin Study of 9‐ and 12‐Year‐Old Children
Authors: Råstam Maria , Täljemark Jakob , Tajnia Armin , Lundström Sebastian , Gustafsson Peik , Lichtenstein Paul , Gillberg Christopher , Anckarsäter Henrik , Kerekes Nóra
Published: April 2013

Aim. To establish the prevalence of restrictive eating problems, the overlap and association with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to estimate the heritability of eating problems in a general population sample of twins aged 9 and 12. Methods. Parents of all Swedish 9‐ and 12‐year‐old twin pairs born between 1993 and 1998 (n = 12,366) were interviewed regarding symptoms of ADHD, ASD, and eating problems (EAT‐P). Intraclass correlations and structural equation modelling were used for evaluating the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Cross‐twin, cross‐trait correlations were used to indicate a possible overlap between conditions. Results. The prevalence of eating problems was 0.6% in the study population and was significantly higher in children with ADHD and/or ASD. Among children with eating problems, 40% were screened positive for ADHD and/or ASD. Social interaction problems were strongly associated with EAT‐P in girls, and impulsivity and activity problems with EAT‐P in boys. The cross‐twin, cross‐trait correlations suggested low correlations between EAT‐P and ADHD or EAT‐P and ASD. Genetic effects accounted for 44% of the variation in liability for eating problems. Conclusions. In the group with eating problems, there was a clear overrepresentation of individuals with ADHD and/or ASD symptoms.
Ground State Solutions for the Periodic Discrete Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations with Superlinear Nonlinearities
Authors: Mai Ali , Zhou Zhan
Published: April 2013

We consider the periodic discrete nonlinear Schrödinger equations with the temporal frequency belonging to a spectral gap. By using the generalized Nehari manifold approach developed by Szulkin and Weth, we prove the existence of ground state solutions of the equations. We obtain infinitely many geometrically distinct solutions of the equations when specially the nonlinearity is odd. The classical Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz superlinear condition is improved.
Multisensor Fault Identification Scheme Based on Decentralized Sliding Mode Observers Applied to Reconfigurable Manipulators
Authors: Zhao Bo , Li Yuanchun
Published: April 2013

This paper concerns with a fault identification scheme in a class of nonlinear interconnected systems. The decentralized sliding mode observer is recruited for the investigation of position sensor fault or velocity sensor fault. First, a decentralized neural network controller is proposed for the system under fault-free state. The diffeomorphism theory is utilized to construct a nonlinear transformation for subsystem structure. A simple filter is implemented to convert the sensor fault into pseudo-actuator fault scenario. The decentralized sliding mode observer is then presented for multisensor fault identification of reconfigurable manipulators based on Lyapunov stable theory. Finally, two 2-DOF reconfigurable manipulators with different configurations are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed scheme in numerical simulation. The results demonstrate that one joint’s fault does not affect other joints and the sensor fault can be identified precisely by the proposed decentralized sliding mode observer.
A New Distance Measure for Trapezoidal Fuzzy Numbers
Authors: Ebadi M. J. , Suleiman M. , Ismail Fudziah Bt. , Ahmadian A. , Shahryari M. R. Balooch , Salahshour S.
Published: April 2013

We propose a new distance measure for the space of all trapezoidal fuzzy numbers using centroid point and left/right spread of trapezoidal fuzzy numbers. Moreover, the metric properties of suggested distance measure are investigated. Indeed, we show that for two arbitrary trapezoidal fuzzy numbers if the distance between centroid points and also the distance between left spreads and right spreads go to zero, then two given fuzzy numbers are equal. Consequently, we complete discussion about the relation between fuzzy number and its centroid which is the firstly discussed by Hadi-Vencheh and Allame (2010). To the best of our knowledge, this is first time in the literature that such metric is applied by centroid point.
Evaluation of Chemical and Microbiological Quality in 21 Brands of Iranian Bottled Drinking Waters in 2012: A Comparison Study on Label and Real Contents
Authors: Moazeni M. , Atefi M. , Ebrahimi A. , Razmjoo P. , Vahid Dastjerdi M.
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare chemical and microbiological quality of the 21 Iranian bottled drinking waters reported on manufacturer's labeling and standards in 2012. Samples were analyzed for chemical properties K+, F−,SO4 2−, Cl−, Mg2+, Ca2+, and pH. Total and fecal coliform and heterotrophic plate counts of selected samples were analyzed by MPN and HPC tests, respectively, for three months. Finally, the labeled and real contents of the samples were compared. Potassium and sulfate ions about 43 and 52 percent of studied sample contents had values higher than label amounts, respectively. Ca2+, Cl−ions, and pH were about 71, 48, and 67 percent, respectively, less than label values. Total and fecal coliforms had negative results. The mean concentrations and standard deviations for K+, Cl−, pH, Ca2+, Mg2+,SO4 2−, and HPC were 1.13 ± 1.06, 16.39 ± 31.97, 6.6 ± 0.7, 28.35 ± 10.34, 86.58 ± 33.21, 24.17 ± 17.30 mg/L, and 16855 ± 25603 cfu/mL, respectively. Thus, there is possibility of microorganisms’ growth in favorite conditions in bottled water. It was imperative to assess the public health risks in bottled water in Iran.
Tracking Controller Design for Diving Behavior of an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle
Authors: Tseng Yi-Hsiang , Chen Chung-Cheng , Lin Chung-Huo , Hwang Yuh-Shyan
Published: April 2013

The study has investigated the almost disturbance decoupling problem of nonlinear uncertain control systems via the fuzzy feedback linearization approach. The significant dedication of this paper is to organize a control algorithm such that the closed-loop system is active for given initial condition and bounded tracking trajectory with the input-to-state stability and almost disturbance decoupling performance. This study presents a feedback linearization controller for diving control of an unmanned underwater vehicle. Unmanned underwater vehicle proposes difficult control subject due to its nonlinear dynamics, uncertain models, and the existence of disturbances that are difficult to measure. In general, while investigating the diving dynamics of an unmanned underwater vehicle, the pitch angle is always assumed to be small. This assumption is a strong restricting constraint in many interesting practical applications and will be relaxed in this study.
Impact of Self-Watching Double J Stent Insertion on Pain Experience of Male Patients: A Randomized Control Study Using Visual Analog Scale
Authors: Hussein Naser S. , Norazan M. R.
Published: April 2013

Objective. To confirm safety and feasibility of double J stent insertion under local anesthesia and to assess the effect of detailed explanation and observing double J stent insertion on pain experience of male patients. Material and Methods. Eighty consenting males, randomized and divided prospectively into group A, who were allowed to observe DJ stent insertion, and group B, were not observed. All DJ stent insertions were done by senior urologist in operating urology room with or without fluoroscopy guidance. At the end of the procedure the vital signs and duration of the procedure were documented and patients were asked to fill unmarked 100 mm visual analogue pain scale (VAS) as soon as the surgeon leaves operating room. Results. Mean age of entire study group was 38.8 years; the majority of the patients had DJ stent insertion for obstructed ureteric stone, with uneventful outcomes. Postprocedural systolic blood pressure and mean pain using VAS showed statistically significant difference between groups A and B. Conclusion. DJ stent insertion under local anesthesia is a safe and feasible procedure. We recommended self-watching and detailed explanation to patients who underwent DJ stent insertion to reduce the pain and anxiety associated with the procedure.
Detection of Early Faults in Rotating Machinery Based on Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Lim Meng Hee , Leong M. S.
Published: April 2013

This paper explores the application of wavelet analysis for the detection of early changes in rotor dynamics caused by common machinery faults, namely, rotor unbalance and minor blade rubbing conditions. In this paper, the time synchronised wavelet analysis method was formulated and its effectiveness to detect machinery faults at the early stage was evaluated based on signal simulation and experimental study. The proposed method provides a more standardised approach to visualise the current state of rotor dynamics of a rotating machinery by taking into account the effects of time shift, wavelet edge distortion, and system noise suppression. The experimental results showed that this method is able to reveal subtle changes of the vibration signal characteristics in both the frequency content distribution and the amplitude distortion caused by minor rotor unbalance and blade rubbing conditions. Besides, this method also appeared to be an effective tool to diagnose and to discriminate the different types of machinery faults based on the unique pattern of the wavelet contours. This study shows that the proposed wavelet analysis method is promising to reveal machinery faults at early stage as compared to vibration spectrum analysis.
Homogenization in Sobolev Spaces with Nonstandard Growth: Brief Review of Methods and Applications
Authors: Amaziane Brahim , Pankratov Leonid
Published: April 2013

We review recent results on the homogenization in Sobolev spaces with variable exponents. In particular, we are dealing with the Γ-convergence of variational functionals with rapidly oscillating coefficients, the homogenization of the Dirichlet and Neumann variational problems in strongly perforated domains, as well as double porosity type problems. The growth functions also depend on the small parameter characterizing the scale of the microstructure. The homogenization results are obtained by the method of local energy characteristics. We also consider a parabolic double porosity type problem, which is studied by combining the variational homogenization approach and the two-scale convergence method. Results are illustrated with periodic examples, and the problem of stability in homogenization is discussed.
Dynamic Stabilization for Challenging Lumbar Degenerative Diseases of the Spine: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Kaner Tuncay , Ozer Ali Fahir
Published: April 2013

Fusion and rigid instrumentation have been currently the mainstay for the surgical treatment of degenerative diseases of the spine over the last 4 decades. In all over the world the common experience was formed about fusion surgery. Satisfactory results of lumbar spinal fusion appeared completely incompatible and unfavorable within years. Rigid spinal implants along with fusion cause increased stresses of the adjacent segments and have some important disadvantages such as donor site morbidity including pain, wound problems, infections because of longer operating time, pseudarthrosis, and fatigue failure of implants. Alternative spinal implants were developed with time on unsatisfactory outcomes of rigid internal fixation along with fusion. Motion preservation devices which include both anterior and posterior dynamic stabilization are designed and used especially in the last two decades. This paper evaluates the dynamic stabilization of the lumbar spine and talks about chronologically some novel dynamic stabilization devices and thier efficacies.
One‐Dimensional TiO2 Nanostructures as Photoanodes for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Qu Jie , Lai Chao
Published: April 2013

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is star materials due to its remarkable optical and electronic properties, resulting in various applications, especially in the fields of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Photoanode is the most important part of the DSSCs, which help to adsorb dye molecules and transport the injected electrons. The size, structure, and morphology of TiO2 photoanode have been found to show significant influence on the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs. In this paper, we briefly summarize the synthesis and properties of one‐dimensional (1D) TiO2 nanomaterials (bare 1D TiO2 nanomaterial and 1D hierarchical TiO2) and their photovoltaic performance in DSSCs.
Model Reduction Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition and Predictive Control of Distributed Reactor System
Authors: Marquez Alejandro , Oviedo Jairo José Espinosa , Odloak Darci
Published: April 2013

This paper studies the application of proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to reduce the order of distributed reactor models with axial and radial diffusion and the implementation of model predictive control (MPC) based on discrete-time linear time invariant (LTI) reduced-order models. In this paper, the control objective is to keep the operation of the reactor at a desired operating condition in spite of the disturbances in the feed flow. This operating condition is determined by means of an optimization algorithm that provides the optimal temperature and concentration profiles for the system. Around these optimal profiles, the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs), that model the reactor are linearized, and afterwards the linear PDEs are discretized in space giving as a result a high-order linear model. POD and Galerkin projection are used to derive the low-order linear model that captures the dominant dynamics of the PDEs, which are subsequently used for controller design. An MPC formulation is constructed on the basis of the low-order linear model. The proposed approach is tested through simulation, and it is shown that the results are good with regard to keep the operation of the reactor.
Outlier Detection in Adaptive Functional-Coefficient Autoregressive Models Based on Extreme Value Theory
Authors: Chen Ping , Dong Ling , Chen Wanyi , Lin Jin-Guan
Published: April 2013

This paper proposes several test statistics to detect additive or innovative outliers in adaptive functional-coefficient autoregressive (AFAR) models based on extreme value theory and likelihood ratio tests. All the test statistics follow a tractable asymptotic Gumbel distribution. Also, we propose an asymptotic critical value on a fixed significance level and obtain an asymptoticp-value for testing, which is used to detect outliers in time series. Simulation studies indicate that the extreme value method for detecting outliers in AFAR models is effective both for AO and IO, for a lone outlier and multiple outliers, and for separate outliers and outlier patches. Furthermore, it is shown that our procedure can reduce possible effects of masking and swamping.
Significance of Kampo, Japanese Traditional Medicine, in the Treatment of Obesity: Basic and Clinical Evidence
Authors: Yamakawa Jun-ichi , Moriya Junji , Takeuchi Kenji , Nakatou Mio , Motoo Yoshiharu , Kobayashi Junji
Published: April 2013

The cause of obesity includes genetic and environmental factors, including cytokines derived from adipocytes (adipo-cytokines). Although drug therapy is available for obesity, it is highly risky. Our main focus in this review is on the traditional form of Japanese medicine, Kampo, in the treated of obesity. Two Kampo formulas, that is, bofutsushosan (防風通聖散) and boiogito (防己黄耆湯), are covered by the national health insurance in Japan for the treatment of obesity. Various issues related to their action mechanisms remain unsolved. Considering these, we described the results of basic experiments and presented clinical evidence and case reports on osteoarthritis as examples of clinical application of their two Kampo medicine. Traditional medicine is used not only for treatment but also for prevention. In clinical practice, it is of great importance to prove the efficacy of combinations of traditional medicine and Western medicine and the utility of traditional medicine in the attenuation of adverse effects of Western medicine.
The Method for Product Design Selection with Incomplete Linguistic Weight Information Based on Quality Function Deployment in a Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Li Ming
Published: April 2013

The selection of a design for the given product is a critical problem in product design development. Focuses of the designers and customers on the design are not identical. In order to bridge the gap and provide a more relaxing way to select the design, a new method based on quality function deployment (QFD) is proposed. In such a method, customers are required to give their linguistic preferences on the design with respect to the customer requirements (CRs). In the rating of the weight of CRs, they are allowed to provide incomplete linguistic weight information and the objective optimization model is proposed to derive the exact linguistic weight information. Designers are required to rate the correlation between design requirements (DRs) and the relationship between the CRs and DRs to construct the house of quality. Opinions given by the customers are translated into the opinions with respect to the DRs based on the QFD. Afterwards, the priorities of the designs and design requirements are determined. The assessment results not only show the contribution of each design requirement to the customer satisfaction but also show the advantages and disadvantages of each design from the designers’ perspective clearly and directly. An example is provided to validate the applicability of the proposed method.
Effects of Trans-Fatty Acids on Liver Lipid Metabolism in Mice Fed on Diets Showing Different Fatty Acid Composition
Authors: Saín Juliana , González Marcela A. , Lasa Arrate , Scalerandi María Victoria , Bernal Claudio A. , Portillo Maria P.
Published: April 2013

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the effects of trans-fatty acids (TFA) on liver lipid metabolism in mice fed on experimental diets rich in either oleic or linoleic acid. Methods: Twenty-two male CF1 mice (22.0 ± 0.1 g) were fed with diets rich in corn oil or olive oil, supplemented or not with TFA (0.75 g TFA/100 g diet), for 4 weeks. Changes in triacylglycerol content, the activity and expression of enzymes involved in lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation were measured. Results: Supplementation of an olive oil-rich diet with TFA increased liver triacylglycerols, the activity and expression of lipogenic enzymes and sterol regulatory element-binding protein SREBP-1a expression. By contrast, when TFA were added to a corn oil-rich diet, they did not modify these parameters. No significant differences were observed among the experimental groups in the activity and expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-Ia, body and liver weights or serum triacylglycerol concentrations. Conclusions: The effect of TFA on liver fat accumulation depends on the dietary fatty acid composition. Steatosis induced by TFA when included in an olive oil diet (but not in a corn oil diet) was associated with an increased lipogenesis but not with a decreased fatty acid oxidation in animals fed on the olive oil diet. This metabolic change is mediated by SREBP-1a but not by SREBP-1c, and seems to be independent of insulin.
Prevalence of Word Retrieval Complaint and Prediction of Dementia in a Population-Based Study of Elderly Subjects
Authors: Condret-Santi V. , Barbeau E.J. , Matharan F. , Le Goff M. , Dartigues J.-F. , Amieva H.
Published: April 2013

There is agreement that elderly people complain about word finding difficulties, particularly proper names. However, few studies have focused on the prevalence of this complaint in the general population, nor is it clearly known whether it is predictive of dementia. The aim of this study was to fill this gap using the PAQUID cohort. 1,838 people aged 65 or more completed questionnaires and neuropsychological evaluation regularly during 13 years. Results show that the complaint about proper name retrieval concerns 64% of people aged above 65 years, and the complaint about common names 30%. The complaint was not associated with enhanced risk of dementia, whereas short naming tests were. Only a marginal relation was found between these naming tests and word retrieval complaint. This study emphasizes the importance of proper name retrieval complaint in the general population and suggests that elderly subjects can be reassured in the absence of other symptoms.
Vascular Repair and Regeneration as a Therapeutic Target for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Farkas Laszlo , Kolb Martin
Published: April 2013

The last decade has seen substantial changes in our understanding of the pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a severe and devastating disease without curative treatment. It is now accepted that injury to the endothelial cells of the pulmonary arteries is central for the subsequent development of lumen-obliterative lung vascular lesions. A variety of circulating and lung-resident progenitor and stem cells likely contribute to vascular integrity, and evidence for the presence of cells expressing stem and progenitor cell markers is found inside and in the immediate vicinity of pulmonary vascular lesions in PAH. The currently available vasodilator therapies mainly target enhanced vasoconstriction in the lung circulation and help to maintain or improve right ventricular function, but do not treat pulmonary vascular remodeling, the underlying cause of the disease. Vascular gene therapy and cell therapy with progenitor and stem cells is a progressing field in the context of the development of novel treatment options for PAH, but the majority of the studies are currently performed at the level of preclinical studies in animal models. The current review provides an overview of the current knowledge on cell- and gene therapy-based approaches for vascular repair and regeneration in PAH.
A new reptant species of Leandra (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) from the Atlantic Forest, southeastern Brazil
Authors: GOLDENBERG RENATO , REGINATO MARCELO
Published: April 2013

Leandra reptans is a new species from montane Atlantic Forest at the state of Espírito Santo, southeastern Brazil. It can be recognized by its reptant habit, leaves purple beneath and with a perpendicular, peltate-like insertion of the petiole into the strongly cordate blade base, calyx lobes with a basal constriction and antepetalous stamens with dorsal gland-like appendages.
On two South-West Atlantic Diastylis (Cumacea: Crustacea), D. obliquisulcata n. sp. and D. geocostae, with remarks on this speciose genus
Authors: ALBERICO NATALIA A. , ROCCATAGLIATA DANIEL
Published: April 2013

A new species, Diastylis obliquisulcata from eastern Patagonia, is fully described and illustrated based on specimens col-lected in shallow waters. Diastylis obliquisulcata shares with 14 other species of this genus an opercular maxilliped 3, a short telson and rudimentary exopods on pereopods 3 and 4 in the females. Diastylis obliquisulcata can be easily distin-guished from all these species by the females having an oblique groove or sulcus on each side of the carapace. The taxo-nomic position of this group of species in the genus Diastylis is discussed. The adult male of Diastylis geocostae is described for the first time, the adult female briefly redescribed, and its distribution, up to now known from the type lo-cality only (Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro State), is extended to off Rawson, Argentina. Within this species there are reported ontogenetic changes in the carapace ornamentation, in the chaetotaxy of the telson, and in the length ratio between the telson and the uropod peduncl
Memoan ciceroi gen. et sp. nov., a remarkable new firefly genus and species from the Atlantic Rainforest (Coleoptera: Lampyridae)
Authors: DA SILVEIRA LUIZ FELIPE LIMA , MERMUDES JOSÉ RICARDO M.
Published: April 2013

A species of firefly discovered in a fragile and rapidly disappearing Atlantic Rainforest biome in Brazil does not fit into any of the existing subfamilies nor described generic categories in the Lampyridae and is described here as Memoan ci-ceroi gen. et sp. nov. and classed as Lampyridae Incertae sedis, as it exhibits features of both the Amydetinae and Lampy-rinae. An overview of subfamily arrangements and relevant generic characters is given to support this action. Memoan gen. nov. can be distinguished by its alveolate pronotum and elytra; subserrate antennae, antenommeres II–IX com-pressed, antennal sockets obliquely inserted on tubercles; labial palp one-segmented and obconic, and by its conspicuous pleuroventral suture.
Methods for Estimating Climate Anomaly Forcing Patterns
Authors: Zidikheri Meelis J. , Frederiksen Jorgen S.
Published: April 2013

Inverse methods for determining the anomalous mean forcing functions responsible for climate change are investigated. First, an iterative method is considered, and it is shown to successfully reproduce forcing functions for various idealized and observed climate states using quasigeostrophic simulations. Second, a new inverse method that is more computationally efficient is presented. This method closes the mean-field equations by representing the second-order statistical moments, the transient eddy heat and momentum (or potential vorticity) fluxes, as linear functions of the mean field. The coefficients of the linear parameterization are determined by least squares regression. It is shown that the new method also successfully reproduces the anomalous forcing functions responsible for climatic changes in quasigeostrophic simulations.
An Objective Bayesian Improved Approach for Applying Optimal Fingerprint Techniques to Estimate Climate Sensitivity*
Authors: Lewis Nicholas
Published: April 2013

A detailed reanalysis is presented of a “Bayesian” climate parameter study (as exemplified by Forest et al.) that estimates climate sensitivity (ECS) jointly with effective ocean diffusivity and aerosol forcing, using optimal fingerprints to compare multidecadal observations with simulations by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2D climate model at varying settings of the three climate parameters. Use of improved methodology primarily accounts for the 90% confidence bounds for ECS reducing from 2.1–8.9 K to 2.0–3.6 K. The revised methodology uses Bayes's theorem to derive a probability density function (PDF) for the whitened (made independent using an optimal fingerprint transformation) observations, for which a uniform prior is known to be noninformative. A dimensionally reducing change of variables onto the parameter surface is then made, deriving an objective joint PDF for the climate parameters. The PDF conversion factor from the whitened variables space to the parameter surface represents a noninformative joint parameter prior, which is far from uniform. The noninformative prior prevents more probability than data uncertainty distributions warrant being assigned to regions where data respond little to parameter changes, producing better-constrained PDFs. Incorporating 6 years of unused model simulation data and revising the experimental design to improve diagnostic power reduces the best-fit climate sensitivity. Employing the improved methodology, preferred 90% bounds of 1.2–2.2 K for ECS are then derived (mode and median 1.6 K). The mode is identical to those from Aldrin et al. and [using the same Met Office Hadley Centre Climate Research Unit temperature, version 4 (HadCRUT4), observational dataset] from Ring et al. Incorporating nonaerosol forcing and observational surface temperature uncertainties, unlike in the original study, widens the 90% range to 1.0–3.0 K.
The Political and Historical Significance of the Fischer Controversy
Authors: von Strandmann Hartmut Pogge
Published: April 2013

In this article the main phase (1961–5) of the Fischer Controversy will be analysed. The hostile rejection by fellow German historians will be seen in contrast to the more neutral and sometimes even positive responses by leading journalists. The controversy advanced to become a media event and ultimately was seen as the ‘decisive incident in the historiography of the Federal Republic’. The thesis that Germany had pushed more for war in 1914 than any other power electrified the debate in the public. His demolition of politically and historically ‘comfortable’ views led to a strong defensive reaction among conservative historians. Even members of the CDU-government intervened in 1964 and warned of the dangers to the ‘national consciousness’ of the Federal Republic. The intensity of the controversy reached new heights at the two historical congresses in Berlin in October 1964 and in Vienna in September 1965. Against the background of the Eichmann and Auschwitz Trials the Fischer Controversy led to a very intensive and wide-ranging debate about the political and historical identity of the Federal Republic. It marked the beginning of a much more critical interpretation of German history in the twentieth century.
Hepatocellular carcinoma continues to be diagnosed in the advanced stage: profile of hepatocellular carcinoma in a tertiary care hospital in South India
Authors: Pal Sandip , Ramachandran Jeyamani , Kurien Reuben Thomas , Eapen Anu , Ramakrishna Banumathi , Keshava Shyamkumar N , Goel Ashish , Sajith KG , Eapen CE
Published: April 2013

This report is an analysis of 231 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from a tertiary care hospital in India. Most of the HCCs were diagnosed in cirrhotics and at an advanced stage which limited the therapeutic options. Physician awareness of this complication of cirrhosis and regular ultrasound screening of cirrhotic patients will help in detection of early stage cancers and, thus, enhance the survival rates.