bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vibration Analysis of Railway Tracks Considering Weld Surface Irregularities
Authors: Naeimi Meysam , Shadfar Morad , Mehrali Mohammad
Published: June 2015

Employing a coupled model for vehicle–track interaction, this paper presented the dynamic analysis of railway track system in the presence of weld irregularities with different geometric profiles in two parallel rails. A 3D model of a standard railway wagon running on a ballasted track system is used to examine the vibrations of the system under track irregularities. Four samples of measured rail profiles at rail welds are considered as the source of dynamic excitations, in which the profiles of parallel rails are unequal. Hence, the individual profiles of left/right rails are imported into the numerical model, taking into account the nonuniform conditions of rail welds in both sides of the railway track. The dynamic responses of the track system caused by irregularities at welds are studied by performing the time-domain vibration analysis. The time histories of the nodal responses under various weld scenarios (measured in an actual railway track site) are recorded. Finally, the peak responses of dynamic forces along the track are determined for left/right rails. The results of dynamic simulations in various weld scenarios are compared and the values of dynamic amplification factors (DAFs) are evaluated. Such findings provide an estimation for the levels of dynamic forces occurring under impact loading conditions of nonuniform rail welds in left/right rails.
Time-Delay Effects on Controlled Seismically Excited Linear and Nonlinear Structures
Authors: Temimi Helmi , Ben-Romdhane Mohamed , El-Borgi Sami , Cha Young-Jin
Published: June 2015

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of time delay associated with a semi-active variable viscous (SAVV) damper on the response of seismically excited linear and nonlinear structures. The maximum time delay is estimated on the basis of stability criteria, which consist of analyses of structural modal properties. Numerical computation of the critical time delay is performed by using dichotomic approach, which is based on multiple solving of the eigenvalue problem. Simulation results indicate that variable dampers can be effective in reducing the seismic response of structures, and that time-delay effects are important factors in control design of seismically excited structures. Furthermore, simulation results show degradation of performance whenever the actual delay exceeds the calculated critical time delay, which shows the accuracy and reliability of the proposed approach.
Symplectic Irregular Interpolation Algorithms for Optimal Control Problems
Authors: Li Mingwu , Peng Haijun , Wu Zhigang
Published: June 2015

Symplectic numerical methods for optimal control problems with irregular interpolation schemes are developed and the comparisons between irregular interpolation schemes and equidistant scheme are made in this paper. The irregular interpolation points, which are the collocation points usually adopted by pseudospectral (PS) methods, such as Legendre–Gauss, Legendre–Gauss–Radau, Legendre–Gauss–Lobatto and Chebyshev–Gauss–Lobatto points, are taken into consideration in this study. The symplectic numerical method with irregular points is proposed firstly. Then, several examples with different complexities highlight the differences in performance between different kinds of interpolation schemes. The numerical results show that the convergence of the present symplectic numerical methods can be obtained by increasing the number of sub-intervals or the number of interpolation points. Moreover, the comparison results show that the convergence of the symplectic numerical methods are generally independent on the type of interpolation points and the computational efficiency is not sensitive to the choice of interpolation points in general. Thus, the symplectic numerical methods with different interpolation schemes have obvious difference with the PS methods.
The Relationship Between Direct Government Support for R&D and Patents in Emerging Economies: A Turkish Case Study
Authors: Yesilay Rustem Baris , Ar Ilker Murat , Temel Serdal
Published: June 2015

Emerging economies have been trying to improve economic growth with the help of different policies like R&D, technology development, technology transfer and patents. Despite the large amount of literature on the relationship between technology, direct government R&D support, R&D activities and patents, it has not been clearly defined in emerging economies. With this research based on 191 observations from companies in the Aegean Region of Turkey, we have found significant relationships between technological infrastructures, inward technology transfer and patents. Furthermore, the findings prove that there is a significant relationship between R&D activities, R&D experience and patents. Surprisingly, there is no significant relationship between outward technology transfer, direct government R&D support and patents. These results contribute to the literature on the relationship between direct R&D support, R&D activities, technology and patents in emerging economies.
BRIDGING THE GENDER GAP IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS
Authors: AFANDI ELVIN , KERMANI MAJID
Published: June 2015

There is no gender difference between success in establishing a business once both males and females have the same preference to self-employment and attempts towards establishing a new business. However, the gender gap tends to be huge when it comes to individual preferences and attempts to start up an entrepreneurial activity. In this study, we empirically estimate the role of inequality in individual and country attributes between man and woman in the bridging the gender entrepreneurship gap. Using Oaxaca-type decomposition and its extensions, we found that differences in both individual as well as country characteristics largely favor males, while the former play greater role in explaining the gender gap. Empirical results also show differences in return to measured characteristics favor males. Nevertheless, a portion of gender gap that is unexplained by the differences in these characteristics and their coefficients (or return) could still indicate gender discrimination.
FIRM INNOVATIVENESS — THE SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS? EXAMINING ANTECEDENTS OF FIRM INNOVATIVENESS AND HOW IT AFFECTS BUSINESS SUCCESS
Authors: HANDRICH MATTHIAS , HANDRICH FRANZISKA , HEIDENREICH SVEN
Published: June 2015

The continuous development and introduction of new products has been addressed by companies of all industries through continuously high investments to foster a firm's ability to successfully develop and introduce innovations and new technologies (firm innovativeness). However, it still lacks empirical evidence about the direct antecedents of firm innovativeness and how this ability contributes to firm success. Moreover, previous literature often restricts the operationalisation of firm innovativeness to quantitative indicators, like the number of patents a company possesses, as its sole indicator. The present paper tries to close this gap by measuring effects of firm innovativeness on business success using a mixed measure of patent counts and patent citations thereby accounting for not only quantitative but also qualitative requirements. Furthermore our study is the first to determine the relative effect of R&D intensity and innovation experience as direct antecedents of firm innovativeness. We use secondary data from 246 Fortune 500 and S&P 500 to test our model. The model results show that our combined measure clearly captures firm innovativeness and represent a good predictor of business success. Moreover, our results point out that firm innovativeness is primarily influenced by R&D intensity. Also notably, our results confirm the often questioned statement that smaller firms are indeed better to translate innovativeness into business success.
New congruences for Andrews' singular overpartitions
Authors: Ahmed Zakir , Baruah Nayandeep Deka
Published: June 2015

Recently, Andrews defined the combinatorial objects which he called singular overpartitions and proved that these singular overpartitions, which depend on two parameters k and i, can be enumerated by the function [Formula: see text] which gives the number of overpartitions of n in which no part is divisible by k and only parts ≡ ±i ( mod k) may be overlined. He also proved that [Formula: see text]. Chen, Hirschhorn and Sellers then found infinite families of congruences modulo 3 and modulo powers of 2 for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we find new congruences for [Formula: see text] modulo 4, 18 and 36, infinite families of congruences modulo 2 and 4 for [Formula: see text], congruences modulo 2 and 3 for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and congruences modulo 2 for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We use simple p-dissections of Ramanujan's theta functions.
Singularity of the varieties of representations of lattices in solvable Lie groups
Authors: Kasuya Hisashi
Published: June 2015

For a lattice [Formula: see text] of a simply connected solvable Lie group [Formula: see text], we describe the analytic germ in the variety of representations of [Formula: see text] at the trivial representation as an analytic germ which is linearly embedded in the analytic germ associated with the nilpotent Lie algebra determined by [Formula: see text]. By this description, under certain assumption, we study the singularity of the analytic germ in the variety of representations of [Formula: see text] at the trivial representation by using the Kuranishi space construction. By a similar technique, we also study deformations of holomorphic structures of trivial vector bundles over complex parallelizable solvmanifolds.
Recipotent matrices and abelian groups
Authors: Butkote R.
Published: June 2015

In [M. Chandramouleeswaran and P. Muralikrishna, The recipotent abelian group, Int. J. Math. Sci. 5(4) (2010) 191–200], the concept of a recipotent matrix was introduced. A matrix [Formula: see text] of order [Formula: see text] is called recipotent matrix if [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is reversible matrix of [Formula: see text], defined by each nonzero element of [Formula: see text] is replaced by its reciprocal. The aim of this paper is to improve and complete that paper.
Basic algebras, logics, trends and applications
Authors: Chajda Ivan
Published: June 2015

The classical logic was axiomatized algebraically by means of Boolean algebras in 19th century by George Boole. Similar attempts went on 20th century for algebraic axiomatization of non-classical logics, e.g. intuitionistic logics (Brouwer and Heyting algebras), many-valued logics (Łukasiewicz, Chang’s MV-algebras, Post algebras), the logic of quantum mechanics (orthomodular lattices and posets) and fuzzy logics (residuated lattices). In this paper, we are focused in a common generalization of MV-algebras and orthomodular lattices. The resulting algebras, called basic algebras, have surprisingly strong and interesting properties and they can be investigated in their own. The aim of the paper is to get an overview of results reached during the last decade.
Weak integer additive set-labeled graphs: A creative review
Authors: Sudev N. K. , Germina K. A. , Chithra K. P.
Published: June 2015

For a non-empty ground set [Formula: see text], finite or infinite, the set-valuation or set-labeling of a given graph [Formula: see text] is an injective function [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the power set of the set [Formula: see text]. A set-valuation or a set-labeling of a graph [Formula: see text] is an injective set-valued function [Formula: see text] such that the induced function [Formula: see text] is defined by [Formula: see text] for every [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a binary operation on sets. Let [Formula: see text] be the set of all non-negative integers and [Formula: see text] be its power set. An integer additive set-labeling (IASL) is defined as an injective function [Formula: see text] such that the induced function [Formula: see text] is defined by [Formula: see text]. An IASL [Formula: see text] is said to be an integer additive set-indexer if [Formula: see text] is also injective. A weak IASL is an IASL [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. In this paper, critical and creative review of certain studies made on the concepts and properties of weak integer additive set-valued graphs is intended.
A note on zero rings
Authors: Pranjali
Published: June 2015

Given a positive integer [Formula: see text], how many zero rings exist of order [Formula: see text]? Inspired from this question, in this paper, author is mainly concerned to determine the structure of zero rings of a given order; in particular, we tempted to try out the structure of each zero ring of order [Formula: see text]. In the course of the investigation, basic properties of zero rings are obtained and the results relevant to the counting of subrings, and ideals for a given zero ring have established.
Two-step iterative approximation of common fixed points of two nonself asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Singh Amit , Dimri R. C. , Prajapati Darshana J.
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we study an iterative approximation of common fixed points of two nonself asymptotically quasi-nonexpansive mappings and we prove some strong and weak convergence theorems for such mappings in a uniformly convex Banach space.
Enhanced blue light shielding property of light-diffusion polycarbonate composites by CeO2-coated silicate microspheres
Authors: Zhao Yu , Shi Liyi , Tang Anjie , Song Na , Tang Shengfu , Ding Peng
Published: June 2015

The CeO 2 coated silicate microspheres (SMSs) core–shell particles (SMS– CeO 2) were synthesized for enhancing blue light shielding property of polycarbonate (PC) composites. The structure analysis showed that CeO 2 particles were homogenously coated on SMS by Ce – O – Si bonds. The optical analysis indicated that the transmittance of PC/SMS– CeO 2 composites were enhanced to 63.2% from 42.9% for PC/SMS/ CeO 2 composites when 0.6 wt.% fillers were loaded, while there was no obvious influence on the haze of the composites. UV–Vis analysis showed that the absorbance at 450-nm wavelength of blue-light increased from 24% of PC/SMS to 50% of PC/SMS– CeO 2 composites, while the absorbance at 650-nm wavelength of red-light was unchanged. These results indicated that the PC/SMS– CeO 2 composites had blue light shielding property and better performance on transmitting other visible lights.
Financial Liberalization and Foreign Bank Entry in Emerging and Developing Economies: What Does the Literature Tell Us?
Authors: Gopalan Sasidaran
Published: June 2015

An important feature of international financial liberalization in several emerging market and developing economies (EMDEs) over the last two decades has been the rising foreign bank participation in their domestic banking systems. While the term financial liberalization has been widely used in literature, it is often not carefully defined. What is the relationship between foreign bank entry and financial liberalization? This paper lays out a simple framework to understand the different components of financial liberalization, its relationship with domestic deregulation as well as foreign bank entry and also surveys the trends and implications of foreign bank entry in EMDEs.
US Long-Term Interest Rates and Capital Flows to Emerging Economies
Authors: Olaberría Eduardo
Published: June 2015

This paper studies the association between United States (US) long-term interest rates and cycles of capital flows to emerging market economies (EMEs). It finds that cycles in capital flows to EMEs are linked to global conditions, including interest rates in the US. In particular, higher US long-term interest rates are associated with lower levels of gross capital flows to EMEs, and to a higher probability of observing sharp reversals in those flows. Episodes of sharp reversals of net capital flows, on the other hand, are mostly associated with domestic macroeconomic conditions and not necessarily with global factors such as US interest rates.
VOLUNTARY INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE FINANCE UNDER THE POST-KYOTO FRAMEWORK: THE STRATEGIC CONSEQUENCES OF DIFFERENT MODES OF FUNDING
Authors: HEUSON CLEMENS , PETERS WOLFGANG , SCHWARZE REIMUND , TOPP ANNA-KATHARINA
Published: June 2015

With reference to the newly emerging climate finance architecture under the post-Kyoto framework, this paper argues that a stronger focus must be placed on how the funds are to be spent in the recipient countries according to different needs, an issue we call the 'mode of funding'. We make our points based on a noncooperative two-country framework in which an industrialized and a developing country decide on mitigation in the first stage and on adaptation in the second stage of the game. The funding instruments recently agreed upon in UN climate negotiations are modeled in a stylized manner that highlights their specific modes of funding, such as tying the industrialized countries' transfer payments to a reduction in the developing countries' potential or actual loss and damages, mitigation or adaptation costs. We show that the various modes of funding may give rise to strategic choices when it comes to the countries' mitigation efforts. Moreover, some such modes (compensation for actual loss and damages and for adaptation costs) fall short of two essential minimum requirements for enabling Pareto improvements for donor and recipient alike and thus cannot guarantee sustained voluntary funding. We also demonstrate that the presumed equivalence of sequencing the decision on mitigation before adaptation compared to deciding simultaneously on mitigation and adaptation does not hold if different modes of climate funding are considered.
Ferrielectricity in DyMn2O5: A golden touchstone for multiferroicity of RMn2O5 family
Authors: Liu J.-M. , Dong S.
Published: June 2015

The RMn 2 O 5 manganite compounds represent one class of multiferroic family with magnetic origins, which has been receiving continuous attention in the past decade. So far, our understanding of the magnetic origins for ferroelectricity in RMn 2 O 5 is associated with the nearly collinear antiferromagnetic structure of Mn ions, while the exchange striction induced ionic displacements are the consequence of the spin frustration competitions. While this scenario may be applied to almost all RMn 2 O 5 members, its limitation is either clear: the temperature-dependent behaviors of electric polarization and its responses to external stimuli are seriously materials dependent. These inconsistences raise substantial concern with the state-of-the-art physics of ferroelectricity in RMn 2 O 5. In this mini-review, we present our recent experimental results on the roles of the 4f moments from R ions which are intimately coupled with the 3d moments from Mn ions. DyMn 2 O 5 is a golden figure for illustrating these roles. It is demonstrated that the spin structure accommodates two nearly collinear sublattices which generate respectively two ferroelectric (FE) sublattices, enabling DyMn 2 O 5 an emergent ferrielectric (FIE) system rarely identified in magnetically induced FEs. The evidence is presented from several aspects, including FIE-like phenomena and magnetoelectric responses, proposed structural model, and experimental check by nonmagnetic substitutions of the 3d and 4f moments. Additional perspectives regarding possible challenges in understanding the multiferroicity of RMn 2 O 5 as a generalized scenario are discussed.
Magnetic Response of Itinerant Spin Ice
Authors: Udagawa Masafumi
Published: June 2015

We have studied the magnetic response of itinerant spin ice, by applying the cluster dynamical mean field theory (CDMFT) to the Ising Kondo lattice model on a pyrochlore lattice. As a result, we found a characteristic interplay between magnetization curve and spin ice correlation developed at low temperatures. The magnetization develops a kink-like structure at the 2/3 of its saturation value, reminiscent of kagome ice plateau. Accompanied with the magnetization process, the monopole density shows nonmonotonic magnetic field dependence with a clear minimum, reflecting a subtle energetics of spin configurations. The spin ice correlation also affects the transport properties of the system, and brings about negative magnetoresistivity with its slope strongly dependent on the magnitude of spin ice correlation. We discuss these behaviors in comparison with the magnetic response observed in Pr 2 Ir 2 O 7.
Adaptive Resource Provisioning Mechanism in VEEs for Improving Performance of HLA-Based Simulations
Authors: Li Zengxiang , Cai Wentong , Turner Stephen John , Li Xiaorong , Duong Ta Nguyen Binh , Goh Rick Siow Mong
Published: June 2015

Parallel and distributed simulations (or
High-Level Architecture
(HLA)-based simulations) employing optimistic synchronization allow federates to advance simulation time freely at the risk of overoptimistic executions and execution rollbacks. As a result, the simulation performance may degrade significantly due to the simulation workload imbalance among federates. In this article, we investigate the execution of parallel and distributed simulations on Cloud and data centers with
Virtual Execution Environments
(VEEs). In order to speed up simulation execution, an
Adaptive Resource Provisioning Mechanism in Virtual Execution Environments
(ArmVee) is proposed. It is composed of a performance monitor and a resource manager. The former measures federate performance transparently to the simulation application. The latter distributes available resources among federates based on the measured federate performance. Federates with different simulation workloads are thus able to advance their simulation times with comparable speeds, thus are able to avoid wasting time and resources on overoptimistic executions and execution rollbacks. ArmVee is evaluated using a real-world simulation model with various simulation workload inputs and different parameter settings. The experimental results show that ArmVee is able to speed up the simulation execution significantly. In addition, it also greatly reduces memory usage and is scalable.
Digital civics
Authors: Olivier Patrick , Wright Peter
Published: June 2015

Community + Culture features practitioner perspectives on designing technologies for and with communities. We highlight compelling projects and provocative points of view that speak to both community technology practice and the interaction design field as a whole.
--- Christopher A. Le Dantec, Editor
Static Analysis Techniques for Semiautomatic Synthesis of Message Passing Software Skeletons
Authors: Sottile Matthew , Dagit Jason , Zhang Deli , Hendry Gilbert , Dechev Damian
Published: June 2015

The design of high-performance computing architectures requires performance analysis of large-scale parallel applications to derive various parameters concerning hardware design and software development. The process of performance analysis and benchmarking an application can be done in several ways with varying degrees of fidelity. One of the most cost-effective ways is to do a coarse-grained study of large-scale parallel applications through the use of program skeletons. The concept of a “program skeleton” that we discuss in this article is an abstracted program that is derived from a larger program where source code that is determined to be irrelevant is removed for the purposes of the skeleton. In this work, we develop a semiautomatic approach for extracting program skeletons based on compiler program analysis. We demonstrate correctness of our skeleton extraction process by comparing details from communication traces, as well as show the performance speedup of using skeletons by running simulations in the SST/macro simulator.
CT Imaging Findings after Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Liver Tumors
Authors: Brook Olga R. , Thornton Eavan , Mendiratta-Lala Mishal , Mahadevan Anand , Raptopoulos Vassilious , Brook Alexander , Najarian Robert , Sheiman Robert , Siewert Bettina
Published: June 2015

Purpose. To study radiological response to stereotactic radiotherapy for focal liver tumors.Materials and Methods. In this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant study CTs of 68 consecutive patients who underwent stereotactic radiotherapy for liver tumors between 01/2006 and 01/2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Two independent reviewers evaluated lesion volume and enhancement pattern of the lesion and of juxtaposed liver parenchyma.Results. 36 subjects with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 25 with liver metastases, and seven with cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) were included in study. Mean follow-up time was 5.6 ± 7.1 months for HCC, 6.4 ± 5.1 months for metastases, and 10.1 ± 4.8 months for the CCC. Complete response was seen in 4/36 (11.1%) HCCs and 1/25 (4%) metastases. Partial response (>30% decrease in long diameter) was seen in 25/36 (69%) HCCs, 14/25 (58%) metastases, and 7/7 (100%) of CCCs. Partial response followed by local recurrence (>20% increase in long diameter from nadir) occurred in 2/36 (6%) HCCs and 4/25 (17%) metastases. Liver parenchyma adjacent to the lesion demonstrated a prominent halo of delayed enhancement in 27/36 (78%) of HCCs, 19/21 (91%) of metastases, and 7/7 (100%) of CCCs.Conclusion. Sustainable radiological partial response to stereotactic radiotherapy is most frequent outcome seen in liver lesions. Prominent halo of delayed enhancement of the adjacent liver is frequent finding.
Multitarget Tracking with Spatial Nonmaximum Suppressed Sensor Selection
Authors: Ma Liang , Xue Kai , Wang Ping
Published: June 2015

Multitarget tracking is one of the most important applications of sensor networks, yet it is an extremely challenging problem since multisensor multitarget tracking itself is nontrivial and the difficulty is further compounded by sensor management. Recently, random finite set based Bayesian framework has opened doors for multitarget tracking with sensor management, which is modelled in the framework of partially observed Markov decision process (POMDP). However, sensor management posed as a POMDP is in essence a combinatorial optimization problem which is NP-hard and computationally unacceptable. In this paper, we propose a novel sensor selection method for multitarget tracking. We first present the sequential multi-Bernoulli filter as a centralized multisensor fusion scheme for multitarget tracking. In order to perform sensor selection, we define the hypothesis information gain (HIG) of a sensor to measure its information quantity when the sensor is selected alone. Then, we propose spatial nonmaximum suppression approach to select sensors with respect to their locations and HIGs. Two distinguished implementations have been provided using the greedy spatial nonmaximum suppression. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of proposed sensor selection approach for multitarget tracking.
β-Elemene Inhibits Cell Proliferation by Regulating the Expression and Activity of Topoisomerases I and IIαin Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG-2 Cells
Authors: Gong Min , Liu Ying , Zhang Jian , Gao Ya-jie , Zhai Ping-ping , Su Xi , Li Xiang , Li Yan , Hou Li , Cui Xiao-nan
Published: June 2015

Objective. To investigate the effects ofβ-Elemene (β-ELE) on the proliferation, apoptosis, and topoisomerase I (TOPO I) and topoisomerase IIα(TOPO IIα) expression and activity of human hepatocarcinoma HepG-2 cells.Methods. After treatment withβ-ELE, morphological alterations of HepG-2 cells were observed under an inverted microscope. Cell proliferation was assessed using an MTT assay, cell cycles were analyzed using flow cytometry, and apoptosis was detected by Annexin V/PI staining. The expression of TOPO I and TOPO IIαwas analyzed by Western blot techniques, and their activity was measured using the TOPO I-mediated, supercoiled pBR322 DNA relaxation and TOPO IIα-mediated Kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) decatenation assays, respectively. Supercoiled pBR322 and kDNA were also used to determine the direct effect ofβ-ELE on DNA breaks.Results.β-ELE significantly inhibited HepG-2 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.β-ELE also induced tumor cell arrest at S phase, induced cell apoptosis, and downregulated the protein expression of TOPO I and TOPO IIαin a dose-dependent manner.β-ELE also inhibited TOPO I- and TOPO IIα-mediated DNA relaxation but did not directly induce DNA breakage at any concentration.Conclusion.β-ELE could inhibit the proliferation of HepG-2 cells and interfere with the expression and activity of TOPO I and TOPO IIα.
ECG Prediction Based on Classification via Neural Networks and Linguistic Fuzzy Logic Forecaster
Authors: Volna Eva , Kotyrba Martin , Habiballa Hashim
Published: June 2015

The paper deals with ECG prediction based on neural networks classification of different types of time courses of ECG signals. The main objective is to recognise normal cycles and arrhythmias and perform further diagnosis. We proposed two detection systems that have been created with usage of neural networks. The experimental part makes it possible to load ECG signals, preprocess them, and classify them into given classes. Outputs from the classifiers carry a predictive character. All experimental results from both of the proposed classifiers are mutually compared in the conclusion. We also experimented with the new method of time series transparent prediction based on fuzzy transform with linguistic IF‐THEN rules. Preliminary results show interesting results based on the unique capability of this approach bringing natural language interpretation of particular prediction, that is, the properties of time series.
Correlation between the Photocatalytic Degradability of PAHs over Pt/TiO2‐SiO2 in Water and Their Quantitative Molecular Structure
Authors: Luo Zhao-hui , Wei Chuan-ling , He Nan-nan , Sun Zhi-guo , Li Hui-xin , Chen Dan
Published: June 2015

The correlation between the photocatalytic degradability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over Pt/TiO2‐SiO2 in water and their quantitative molecular structure was studied. Six PAHs, namely, naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and dibenzo[a,h]anthracene, were tested in Pt/TiO2‐SiO2 suspension under UV irradiation. The results showed that the degradation efficiencies of the higher molecular weight PAHs were enhanced significantly in the presence of Pt/TiO2‐SiO2, while the degradation efficiencies of the lower molecular weight PAHs were decreased in the presence of Pt/TiO2‐SiO2. Both the photolysis and photocatalysis of all PAHs fit the pseudo‐first‐order equation very well, except FL. Quantitative analysis of molecular descriptors of energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (Ehomo), energy of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (Elumo), and the difference between Elumo and Ehomo, GAP (GAP = Elumo − Ehomo), suggested that the GAP was significant for predicting a PAHs’ photocatalytic degradability. Through comparison against the maximum GAP (7.4529 eV) of PAHs (dibenzo[a,h]anthracene) that could be photocatalytically degraded and the minimum GAP (8.2086 eV) of PAHs (pyrene) that could not be photocatalytically degraded in this study, the photocatalytic degradability of 67 PAHs was predicted. The predictions were partly verified by experimental photocatalytic degradation of anthracene and Indeno[1.2.3.cd]pyrene.
Antiepileptic and Antidepressive Polypharmacy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Beiske Georg Anton Giæver , Holmøy Trygve , Beiske Antonie Giæver , Johannessen Svein I. , Johannessen Landmark Cecilie
Published: June 2015

Objective. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are often suffering from neuropathic pain. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly used and are susceptible to be involved in drug interactions. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prevalence of use of antiepileptic and antidepressive drugs in MS patients and to discuss the theoretical potential for interactions.Methods. Review of the medical records from all patients treated at a dedicated MS rehabilitation centre in Norway between 2009 and 2012.Results. In total 1090 patients attended a rehabilitation stay during the study period. Of these, 342 (31%; 249 females) with mean age of 53 (±10) years and EDSS 4.8 (±1.7) used at least one AED (gabapentin 12.7%, pregabalin 7.7%, clonazepam 7.8%, and carbamazepine 2.6%) or amitriptyline (9.7%). Polypharmacy was widespread (mean 5.4 drugs) with 60% using additional CNS-active drugs with a propensity to be involved in interactions. Age, gender, and EDSS scores did not differ significantly between those using and not using AED/amitriptyline.Conclusion. One-third of MS patients attending a rehabilitation stay receive AED/amitriptyline treatment. The high prevalence of polypharmacy and use of CNS-active drugs calls for awareness of especially pharmacodynamic interactions and possible excessive adverse effects.
Effects of High Glucose Levels and Glycated Serum on GIP Responsiveness in the Pancreatic Beta Cell Line HIT-T15
Authors: Puddu Alessandra , Sanguineti Roberta , Montecucco Fabrizio , Viviani Giorgio Luciano
Published: June 2015

Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) is an incretin hormone produced in the gastrointestinal tract that stimulates glucose dependent insulin secretion. Impaired incretin response has been documented in diabetic patients and was mainly related to the inability of the pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin in response to GIP. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) have been shown to play an important role in pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the exposure to AGEs can induce GIP resistance in the pancreatic beta cell line HIT-T15. Cells were cultured for 5 days in low (CTR) or high glucose (HG) concentration in the presence of AGEs (GS) to evaluate the expression of GIP receptor (GIPR), the intracellular signaling activated by GIP, and secretion of insulin in response to GIP. The results showed that incubation with GS alone altered intracellular GIP signaling and decreased insulin secretion as compared to CTR. GS in combination with HG reduced the expression of GIPR and PI3K and abrogated GIP-induced AKT phosphorylation and GIP-stimulated insulin secretion. In conclusion, we showed that treatment with GS is associated with the loss of the insulinotropic effect of GIP in hyperglycemic conditions.
Evaluation of Synergetic Anticancer Activity of Berberine and Curcumin on Different Models of A549, Hep-G2, MCF-7, Jurkat, and K562 Cell Lines
Authors: Balakrishna Acharya , Kumar M. Hemanth
Published: June 2015

Ayurvedic system of medicine is usingBerberis aristataandCurcuma longaherbs to treat different diseases including cancer. The study was performed to evaluate the synergetic anticancer activity of Berberine and Curcumin by estimating the inhibition of the cell proliferation by cytotoxicity assay using MTT method on specified human cell lines (A549, Hep-G2, MCF-7, Jurkat, and K562). All the cells were harvested from the culture and seeded in the 96-well assay plates at seeding density of 2.0 × 104cells/well and were incubated for 24 hours. Test items Berberine with Curcumin (1 : 1), Curcumin 95% pure, and Berberine 95% pure were exposed at the concentrations of 1.25, 0.001, and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively, and incubated for a period of 48 hours followed by dispensing MTT solution (5 mg/mL). The cells were incubated at 37 ± 1°C for 4 hours followed by addition of DMSO for dissolving the formazan crystals and absorbance was read at 570 nm. Separate wells were prepared for positive control, controls (only medium with cells), and blank (only medium). The results had proven the synergetic anticancer activity of Berberine with Curcumin inducing cell death greater percentage of >77% when compared to pure curcumin with <54% and pure Berberine with <45% on average on all cell line models.
Autophagic Cell Death byPoncirus trifoliataRafin., a Traditional Oriental Medicine, in Human Oral Cancer HSC-4 Cells
Authors: Han Hye-Yeon , Park Bong-Soo , Lee Guem San , Jeong Seung-Hwa , Kim Hyungwoo , Ryu Mi Heon
Published: June 2015

Poncirus trifoliataRafin. has long been used as anti-inflammatory and antiallergic agent to treat gastrointestinal disorders and pulmonary diseases such as indigestion, constipation, chest fullness, chest pain, bronchitis, and sputum in Korea.P. trifoliataextract has recently been reported to possess anticancer properties; however, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. In this study, its antiproliferative effects and possible mechanisms were investigated in HSC-4 cells. The methanol extract ofP. trifoliata(MEPT) significantly decreased the proliferation of HSC-4 cells (inhibitory concentration (IC)50= 142.7 μg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. While there were no significant changes observed upon cell cycle analysis and ANNEXIN V and 7-AAD double staining in the MEPT-treated groups, the intensity of acidic vesicular organelle (AVO) staining and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (LC) 3-II protein expression increased in response to MEPT treatment. Furthermore, 3-methyladenine (3-MA, autophagy inhibitor) effectively blocked the MEPT-induced cytotoxicity of HSC-4 cells and triggered the activation of p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) proteins. Taken together, our results indicate that MEPT is a potent autophagy agonist in oral cancer cells with antitumor therapeutic potential that acts through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.
Semiautomatic, Quantitative Measurement of Aortic Valve Area Using CTA: Validation and Comparison with Transthoracic Echocardiography
Authors: Tuncay V. , Prakken N. , Ooijen P. M. A. van , Budde R. P. J. , Leiner T. , Oudkerk M.
Published: June 2015

Objective. The aim of this work was to develop a fast and robust (semi)automatic segmentation technique of the aortic valve area (AVA) MDCT datasets.Methods. The algorithm starts with detection and cropping of Sinus of Valsalva on MPR image. The cropped image is then binarized and seed points are manually selected to create an initial contour. The contour moves automatically towards the edge of aortic AVA to obtain a segmentation of the AVA. AVA was segmented semiautomatically and manually by two observers in multiphase cardiac CT scans of 25 patients. Validation of the algorithm was obtained by comparing to Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE). Intra- and interobserver variability were calculated by relative differences. Differences between TTE and MDCT manual and semiautomatic measurements were assessed by Bland-Altman analysis. Time required for manual and semiautomatic segmentations was recorded.Results. Mean differences from TTE were −0.19 (95% CI: −0.74 to 0.34) cm2for manual and −0.10 (95% CI: −0.45 to 0.25) cm2for semiautomatic measurements. Intra- and interobserver variability were 8.4 ± 7.1% and 27.6 ± 16.0% for manual, and 5.8 ± 4.5% and 16.8 ± 12.7% for semiautomatic measurements, respectively.Conclusion. Newly developed semiautomatic segmentation provides an accurate, more reproducible, and faster AVA segmentation result.
Sickle Cell Trait Causing Splanchnic Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Saxena Priyanka , Dhiman Pratibha , Bihari Chhagan , Rastogi Archana
Published: June 2015

Sickle cell trait is considered as a benign condition as these individuals carry only one defective gene and typically have their life span similar to the normal population without any health problems related to sickle cell. Only under extreme conditions, red cells become sickled and can cause clinical complications including hematuria and splenic infarction. Although twofold increased risk of venous thrombosis has been described in African Americans, there is no data available from Indian population. We here report a case of sickle cell trait from India whose index presentation was thrombosis of unusual vascular territory.
The Efficient Apoptotic Induction of Paclitaxel‐Loaded Poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) Nanoparticles in the In Vitro Study of Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Zheng Donghui , Ye Huiping , Luo Can , Xu Huae , Meng Ling
Published: June 2015

Paclitaxel (Ptx) has been established as one of the most important components of first line chemotherapy regimen in the treatment of lung cancer. However, the poor solubility of Ptx makes it employ Cremophor as a solvent, which greatly limits its application due to the severe adverse effect. Encapsulation of Ptx into nanoparticles substantially increases the solubility of Ptx, therefore eradicating the necessity of Cremophor involvement. Here we report on a simple way of preparing Ptx‐loaded nanoparticles formed by amphiphilic poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PVP‐b‐PCL) copolymers. Ptx was incorporated into PVP‐b‐PCL nanoparticles with a high loading efficiency. In vitro release study shows that Ptx was released from the nanoparticles in a sustained manner. The following experiments including cell staining and cytotoxicity tests indicated that Ptx‐NPs led to enhanced induction of apoptosis in non‐small‐cell lung cancer cell lines NCI‐1975 and A549, which is achieved by regulating the expression of apoptosis related proteins. Therefore, data from this study offers an effective way of improving the anticancer efficiency of Ptx by a nanodrug delivery system with amphiphilic PVP‐b‐PCL as drug carriers.
Multisorted Tree-Algebras for Hierarchical Resources Allocation
Authors: Zobo Erick Patrick , Fouda Ndjodo Marcel
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a generic abstract model for the study of disparities between goals and results in hierarchical multiresources allocation systems. In an organization, disparities in resource allocation may occur, when, after comparison of a resource allocation decision with an allocation reference goal or property, some agents have surplus resources to accomplish their tasks, while at the same time other agents have deficits of expected resources. In the real world, these situations are frequently encountered in organizations facing scarcity of resources and/or inefficient management. These disparities can be corrected using allocation decisions, by measuring and reducing gradually such disparities and their related costs, without totally canceling the existing resource distribution. While a lot of research has been carried out in the area of resource allocation, this specific class of problems has not yet been formally studied. The paper exposes the results of an exploratory research study of this class of problems. It identifies the commonalities of the family of hierarchical multiresource allocation systems and proposes the concept of multisorted tree-algebra for the modeling of these problems. The research presented here is not yet an in-depth descriptive research study of the mathematical theory of multisorted tree-algebra, but a formal study on modelling hierarchical multiresource allocation problems.
Superior PSZ‐SOD Gap‐Fill Process Integration Using Ultra‐Low Dispensation Amount in STI for 28 nm NAND Flash Memory and Beyond
Authors: Lai Chun Chi , Lu Yi Wen , Chien Hung Ju , Ying Tzung Hua
Published: June 2015

The gap‐fill performance and process of perhydropolysilazane‐based inorganic spin‐on dielectric (PSZ‐SOD) film in shallow trench isolation (STI) with the ultra‐low dispensation amount of PSZ‐SOD solution have been investigated in this study. A PSZ‐SOD film process includes liner deposition, PSZ‐SOD coating, and furnace curing. For liner deposition, hydrophilic property is required to improve the contact angle and gap‐fill capability of PSZ‐SOD coating. Prior to PSZ‐SOD coating, the additional treatment on liner surface is beneficial for the fluidity of PSZ‐SOD solution. The superior film thickness uniformity and gap‐fill performance of PSZ‐SOD film are achieved due to the improved fluidity of PSZ‐SOD solution. Following that up, the low dispensation rate of PSZ‐SOD solution leads to more PSZ‐SOD filling in the trenches. After PSZ‐SOD coating, high thermal curing process efficiently promotes PSZ‐SOD film conversion into silicon oxide. Adequate conversion from PSZ‐SOD into silicon oxide further increases the etching resistance inside the trenches. Integrating the above sequence of optimized factors, void‐free gap‐fill and well‐controlled STI recess uniformity are achieved even when the PSZ‐SOD solution dispensation volume is reduced 3 to 6 times compared with conventional condition for the 28 nm node NAND flash and beyond.
Optimization of Culture Medium for Maximal Production of Spinosad Using an Artificial Neural Network - Genetic Algorithm Modeling
Authors: Lan Zhou , Zhao Chen , Guo Weiqun , Guan Xiong , Zhang Xiaolin
Published: June 2015

Background: Spinosyns, products of secondary metabolic pathway of Saccharopolyspora spinosa, show high insecticidal activity, but difficulty in enhancing the spinosad yield affects wide application. The fermentation process is a key factor in this case. Methods: The response surface methodology (RMS) and artificial neural network (ANN) modeling were applied to optimize medium components for spinosad production using S. spinosa strain CGMCC4.1365. Experiments were performed using a rotatable central composite design, and the data obtained were used to construct an ANN model and an RSM model. Using a genetic algorithm (GA), the input space of the ANN model was optimized to obtain optimal values of medium component concentrations. Results: The regression coefficients (R2) for the ANN and RSM models were 0.9866 and 0.9458, respectively, indicating that the fitness of the ANN model was higher. The maximal spinosad yield (401.26 mg/l) was obtained using ANN/GA-optimized concentrations. Conclusion: The hybrid ANN/GA approach provides a viable alternative to the conventional RSM approach for the modeling and optimization of fermentation processes.
Serum Anticholinergic Activity as an Index of Anticholinergic Activity Load in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Hachisu Mitsugu , Konishi Kimiko , Hosoi Misa , Tani Masayuki , Tomioka Hiroi , Kitajima Yuka , Inamoto Atsuko , Hirata Akihito , Koganemaru Taishi , Tomita Akisa , Akashi Norihisa , Hori Koji
Published: June 2015

We reported a procedure of serum anticholinergic activity (SAA) measurement and the reliability and reproducibility of the receptor binding assay, and we also described the usefulness of SAA measurement reflecting the anticholinergic activity (AA) in the central nervous system (CNS). According to the results of a 10 times repeated measurement of standard atropine binding, the relative error was between -5.5 and +3.7%, and we considered that measurement of SAA in our studies is accurate and validated. Downregulation of acetylcholine activates inflammation in both CNS and peripheral tissue, which causes AA in both sites. Therefore, changes of AA in the CNS link with SAA in the peripheral system even if a substance having AA does not penetrate through the blood-brain barrier. Then we redescribe issues that require attention in the measurement of SAA. It is generally defined that any SAA greater than the detection limit of a quantitative atropine equivalent level (≥1.95 nM in our study) is positive. According to previous studies, SAA is considered to be positive when its atropine equivalent is ≥1.95 nM and undetectable when this is <1.95 nM. Nevertheless, as a low SAA can act as AA in the CNS, we should assume that SAA might also be positive if its marker concentration is between 0 and 1.95 nM. In addition, SAA should be measured around 11 a.m. or somewhat later because of the diurnal rhythm of cortisol in humans.