bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physician Perceptions on Colonoscopy Quality: Results of a National Survey of Gastroenterologists
Authors: Gellad Ziad F. , Voils Corrine I. , Lin Li , Provenzale Dawn
Published: March 2014

Background. Quality indicators for colonoscopy have been developed, but the uptake of these metrics into practice is uncertain. Our aims were to assess physician perceptions regarding colonoscopy quality measurement and to quantify the perceived impact of quality measurement on clinical practice.Methods. We conducted in-person interviews with 15 gastroenterologists about their perceptions regarding colonoscopy quality. Results from these interviews informed the development of a 34-question web-based survey that was emailed to 1,500 randomlyselected members of the American College of Gastroenterology.Results. 160 invitations were undeliverable, and 167 out of 1340 invited physicians (12.5%) participated in the survey. Respondents and nonrespondents did not differ in age, sex, practice setting, or years since training. 38.8% of respondents receive feedback on their colonoscopy quality. The majority of respondents agreed with the use of completion rate (90%) and adenoma detection rate (83%) as quality indicators but there was less enthusiasm for withdrawal time (61%). 24% of respondents reported usually or always removing diminutive polyps solely to increase their adenoma detection rate, and 20% reported prolonging their procedure time to meet withdrawal time standards.Conclusions. A minority of respondents receives feedback on the quality of their colonoscopy. Interventions to increase continuous quality improvement in colonoscopy screening are needed.
Reconstruction of Shredded Paper Documents by Feature Matching
Authors: Li Peng , Fang Xi , Pan Lianglu , Piao Yi , Jiao Mengjun
Published: March 2014

Splicing the shredded paper means the technology that, according the paper, which has been shredded to design a particular algorithm to splice and recover the original paper. This paper introduced the algorithm of splicing the shredded paper based on the matching to texture feature. By means of this algorithm, we modeled for the problem of splicing the shredded paper and solved it. And, we used the algorithm to splice both pieces of English shredded paper and Chinese shredded paper. The recovered paper had proved the accuracy of the algorithm.
A Comprehensive Prospective Clinical Study of Hydatid Disease
Authors: Kayal Ankit , Hussain Akhlak
Published: March 2014

The actual prevalence of hydatid disease in northern part of India is found more than usually interpreted. The present study has been done on 25 patients suffering from hydatid disease of various sites and treated during June 2009 to November 2011 at JLN Medical College and Hospital, Ajmer, with the aim of studying the clinical manifestations of hydatid disease of different sites and/or organ system and of analysing the morbidity and mortality of hydatid disease. The age, sex, h/o dog contact, duration of hospital stay, clinical presentation, treatment advised, findings and difficulties encountered during operation, and postoperative management of patients as well as morbidity and mortality were recorded and analysed. We observed that the mean age was 40 years. The sex incidence revealed female preponderance in the study (M : F: 1 : 2). Duration of illness in the present study varied from 1 month to 6 years in case of liver hydatid disease. Majority of patients were from rural areas (21) and the remaining (4) from urban areas. Swelling was the most common presenting feature. Incidence of hydatid disease at unusual sites in India is higher than in other parts of the world.
Predischarge Postpartum Methicillin ResistantStaphylococcus aureusInfection and Group B Streptococcus Carriage at the Individual and Hospital Levels
Authors: Parriott Andrea M. , Brown Joelle M. , Arah Onyebuchi A.
Published: March 2014

Background. We sought to characterize the relationship between individual group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization and pre-discharge postpartum methicillin resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infection in United States women delivering at term. We also sought to examine the association between hospital GBS colonization prevalence and MRSA infection.Materials and Methods. Data was from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of United States community hospitals. Hierarchical regression models were used to estimate odds ratios adjusted for patient age, race, expected payer, and prepregnancy diabetes and hospital teaching status, urbanicity, ownership, size, and geographic region. We used multiple imputation for missing covariate data.Results. There were 3,136,595 deliveries and 462 cases of MRSA infection included in this study. The odds ratio for individual GBS colonization was 1.2 (95% confidence interval: 0.9 to 1.5). For a five-percent increase in the hospital prevalence of GBS colonization, the odds ratio was 0.9 (95% CI: 0.1 to 5.6).Conclusions. The odds ratio estimate for the association of hospital GBS prevalence with MRSA infection is too imprecise to make conclusions about its magnitude and direction. Barring major bias in our estimates, individual GBS carriage does not appear to be strongly associated with predischarge postpartum MRSA infection.
Zenker's Diverticulum: Carbon Dioxide Laser Endoscopic Surgery
Authors: Plzák Jan , Zábrodský Michal , Lukeš Petr
Published: March 2014

Nowadays endoscopic diverticulotomy is the surgical approach of the first choice in treatment of Zenker's diverticulum. We report our experience with this procedure and try to sum up recent recommendations for management of surgery and postoperative care. Data of 34 patients with Zenker's diverticulum, treated by endoscopic carbon dioxide laser diverticulotomy at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic, were prospectively stored and followed in relatively short period from May 2009 to December 2013. The average length of diverticulum was 32 mm. The average duration of surgery was 32 min. The patients were fed via feeding tube for 6.1 days and antibiotics were administered for 7 days. Mean hospitalization time was 7.4 days. We observed one transient recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and no other serious complications. Recurrence rate was 3%. We recommend complete transection of the diverticular septum in one procedure, systemic antibiotic treatment and exclusion of transoral intake for minimally 5 days, and contrast oesophagogram before resumption of oral intake to exclude fistula. Open diverticulectomy should be reserved for cases with inadequate endoscopic exposure and for revision surgery for multiple recurrences from endoscopic diverticulotomies.
Using the SWEPT Methodology for a Preliminary Wind Potential Estimation
Authors: Menet Jean-Luc
Published: March 2014

The implantation of wind turbines generally follows a wind potential study which is made using specific numerical tools; the generated expenses are only acceptable for great projects. The purpose of the present paper is to propose a simplified methodology for the evaluation of the wind potential, following three successive steps for the determination of (i) the mean velocity, either directly or by the use of the most occurrence velocity (MOV); (ii) the velocity distribution coming from the single knowledge of the mean velocity by the use of a Rayleigh distribution and a Davenport-Harris law; (iii) an appropriate approximation of the characteristic curve of the turbine, coming from only two technical data. These last two steps allow calculating directly the electric delivered energy for the considered wind turbine. This methodology, called the SWEPT approach, can be easily implemented in a single worksheet. The results returned by the SWEPT tool are of the same order of magnitude than those given by the classical commercial tools. Moreover, everybody, even a “neophyte,” can use this methodology to obtain a first estimation of the wind potential of a site considering a given wind turbine, on the basis of very few general data.
Despeckle Filtering for Multiscale Amplitude-Modulation Frequency-Modulation (AM-FM) Texture Analysis of Ultrasound Images of the Intima-Media Complex
Authors: Loizou C. P. , Murray V. , Pattichis M. S. , Pantziaris M. , Nicolaides A. N. , Pattichis C. S.
Published: March 2014

The intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) is widely used as an early indicator of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Typically, the IMT grows with age and this is used as a sign of increased risk of CVD. Beyond thickness, there is also clinical interest in identifying how the composition and texture of the intima-media complex (IMC) changed and how these textural changes grow into atherosclerotic plaques that can cause stroke. Clearly though texture analysis of ultrasound images can be greatly affected by speckle noise, our goal here is to develop effective despeckle noise methods that can recover image texture associated with increased rates of atherosclerosis disease. In this study, we perform a comparative evaluation of several despeckle filtering methods, on 100 ultrasound images of the CCA, based on the extracted multiscale Amplitude-Modulation Frequency-Modulation (AM-FM) texture features and visual image quality assessment by two clinical experts. Texture features were extracted from the automatically segmented IMC for three different age groups. The despeckle filters hybrid median and the homogeneous mask area filter showed the best performance by improving the class separation between the three age groups and also yielded significantly improved image quality.
Evaluating the Use of a Negative D-Dimer and Modified Low Wells Score in Excluding above Knee Deep Venous Thrombosis in an Outpatient Population, Assessing Need for Diagnostic Ultrasound
Authors: Rahiminejad Maryam , Rastogi Anshul , Prabhudesai Shirish , Mcclinton David , MacCallum Peter , Platton Sean , Friedman Emma
Published: March 2014

Aims. Colour doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) is widely used in the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis (DVT); however, the number of scans positive for above knee DVT is low. The present study evaluates the reliability of the D-dimer test combined with a clinical probability score (Wells score) in ruling out an above knee DVT and identifying patients who do not need a CDUS.
Materials and Method. This study is a retrospective audit and reaudit of a total of 816 outpatients presenting with suspected lower limb DVT from March 2009 to March 2010 and from September 2011 to February 2012. Following the initial audit, a revised clinical diagnostic pathway was implemented. Results. In our initial audit, seven patients (4.9%) with a negative D-dimer and a low Wells score had a DVT. On review, all seven had a risk factor identified that was not included in the Wells score. No patient with negative D-dimer and low Wells score with no extra clinical risk factor had a DVT on CDUS (negative predictive value 100%). A reaudit confirmed adherence to our revised clinical diagnostic pathway. Conclusions. A negative D-dimer together with a low Wells score and no risk factors effectively excludes a lower limb DVT and an ultrasound is unnecessary in these patients.
Modified Glomerular Filtration Rate-Estimating Equations Developed in Asiatic Population for Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Liu Xun , Qiu Xilian , Shi Chenggang , Huang Hui , Huang Jianhua , Li Ming , Lou Tanqi
Published: March 2014

Objectives. To evaluate eight modified equations developed in Asiatic populations in type 2 diabetic patients in China.Methods. A total of 209 Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Using the technetium—99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid—glomerular filtration rate (GFR) to act as the reference, comparisons of their efficiency to estimate GFR in the subjects were made between various equations.Results. Median of difference of the Chinese equation 1 was the lowest (median of difference, 0.51 mL/min/1.73 m2). Median percent of absolute difference of the Chinese equation 2 was less than those of the other equations (26.97 versus ranged from 32.54 to 37.61 mL/min/1.73 m2, [P<0.001for all]). Precision of the simplified reexpressed MDRD equation was the best (92.9 mL/min/1.73 m2). Accuracies of the Chinese equation 2 were greater (P<0.05for all). There was also an improvement in chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage misclassification of the Chinese equation 2 (55.0 versus ranged from 61.2 to 64.6%, [P<0.001for all]). However, the 30% accuracies of all the equations were less than 70%.Conclusions. Our study highlighted a limitation in the use of the above equations in the majority of Chinese diabetic subjects. A better equation is needed in order to give an accurate estimation of GFR in type 2 diabetic patients in China.
Molecular and Cellular Pathways of Immunoglobulin G Activity In Vivo
Authors: Nimmerjahn Falk
Published: March 2014

In retrospect, the therapeutic potential of immunoglobulins was first demonstrated by von Behring and Kitasato in the late nineteenth century by protecting mice from the lethal effects caused by tetanus and diphtheria toxin via injection of a hyperimmune serum generated in rabbits. Even today, hyperimmune sera generated from human donors with high serum titers against a certain pathogen are still in use as a means of providing passive protection. More importantly, therapeutic antibodies specific for malignant or autoreactive cells have become included in the standard of care in diseases such as breast cancer and malignant lymphoma. Despite this clinical success, we are only at the beginning of understanding the precise molecular and cellular pathways responsible for immunoglobulin G (IgG) activity in vivo. Since then, an enormous amount of information about the mechanism of IgG activity has been obtained in various model systems. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of our current understanding of how IgG antibodies mediate their activity in vivo and how we can use this knowledge to enhance the activity of therapeutic antibodies or block the proinflammatory and tissue pathology inducing activity of autoantibodies.
Experimental Research on an Active Sting Damper in a Low Speed Acoustic Wind Tunnel
Authors: Chen Jinjin , Shen Xing , Tu Fanfan , Qureshi Ehtesham Mustafa
Published: March 2014

Wind tunnels usually use long cantilever stings to support aerodynamic models in order to reduce support system flow interference on experimental data. However, such support systems are a potential source of vibration problems which limit the test envelope and affect data quality due to the inherently low structural damping of the systems. When exposed to tunnel flow, turbulence and model flow separation excite resonant Eigenmodes of a sting structure causing large vibrations due to low damping. This paper details the development and experimental evaluation of an active damping system using piezoelectric devices with balance signal feedback both in a lab and a low speed acoustic wind tunnel and presents the control algorithm verification tests with a simple cantilever beam. It is shown that the active damper, controlled separately by both PID and BP neural network, has effectively attenuated the vibration. For sting mode only, 95% reduction of displacement response under exciter stimulation and 98% energy elimination of sting mode frequency have been achieved.
Synthesis of Triphenyltin (IV) and Dibutyltin (IV) Complexes of 1-Aryl-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamides and Their Characterization
Authors: Rastogi Rashmi B. , Singh Karuna , Jaiswal Vinay
Published: March 2014

Organotin complexes of the types Ph3SnL and Bu2SnL [where Ph = phenyl and Bu = butyl; HL = 1-phenyl-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamide (HPhthc), 1-benzyl-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamide (Hbzthc), 1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-2,5-dithiohydrazodicarbonamide (HEtOPhthc)] have been prepared. Molar conductance studies demonstrate the nonionic behavior of the complexes. The 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance and FAB mass spectra of the complexes are consistent with the proposed stoichiometry. Infrared spectra suggest an anionic bidentate coordinating behavior of the ligands.
A Case of Neurosarcoidosis with Labyrinthine Involvement
Authors: Johnson Peter B. , Melbourne-Chambers Roxanne , Saindane Amit Manohar , Desai Nilesh , Smith Myrton
Published: March 2014

Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease of unknown aetiology, which may involve any organ system. It most commonly occurs in adults with childhood involvement being rare. Central nervous system involvement is seen in up to 25% and typically involves meningeal disease resulting in multiple cranial neuropathies. Other common clinical findings include seizures, headache, dementia, and pituitary dysfunction. Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis with typical findings including pachymeningeal and leptomeningeal enhancing lesions. Other imaging findings include lacunar and major territory infarcts, hypothalamic and infundibular thickening, hydrocephalus, and cranial nerve enhancement. We present a case of an eight-year-old male patient with progressive headache, visual disturbance, unilateral sensory hearing loss, and multiple cranial neuropathies. Imaging findings demonstrated the classic pachymeningeal and leptomeningeal enhancement along much of the skull base, as well as enhancement of the right and left second and eighth cranial nerves. Extensive inflammatory changes were noted in the temporal bones and paranasal sinuses. There was also enhancement of the right and left labyrinths. Sinus biopsy confirmed sarcoidosis. We present the first case to our knowledge of sarcoid labyrinthitis.
Chaotification for Partial Difference Equations via Controllers
Authors: Liang Wei , Shi Yuming , Li Zongcheng
Published: March 2014

Chaotification problems
of partial difference equations are studied. Two chaotification
schemes are established by utilizing the snap-back repeller theory
of general discrete dynamical systems, and all the systems are
proved to be chaotic in the sense of both Li-Yorke and Devaney. An
example is provided to illustrate the theoretical results with
computer simulations.
Computational Model for Internal Relative Humidity Distributions in Concrete
Authors: Ali Wondwosen , Urgessa Girum
Published: March 2014

A computational model is developed for predicting nonuniform internal relative humidity distribution in concrete. Internal relative humidity distribution is known to have a direct effect on the nonuniform drying shrinkage strains. These nonuniform drying shrinkage strains result in the buildup of internal stresses, which may lead to cracking of concrete. This may be particularly true at early ages of concrete since the concrete is relatively weak while the difference in internal relative humidity is probably high. The results obtained from this model can be used by structural and construction engineers to predict critical drying shrinkage stresses induced due to differential internal humidity distribution. The model uses finite elment-finite difference numerical methods. The finite element is used to space discretization while the finite difference is used to obtain transient solutions of the model. The numerical formulations are then programmed in Matlab. The numerical results were compared with experimental results found in the literature and demonstrated very good agreement.
A Schiff Base-Derived Copper (II) Complex Is a Potent Inducer of Apoptosis in Colon Cancer Cells by Activating the Intrinsic Pathway
Authors: Hajrezaie Maryam , Paydar Mohammadjavad , Zorofchian Moghadamtousi Soheil , Hassandarvish Pouya , Gwaram Nura Suleiman , Zahedifard Maryam , Rouhollahi Elham , Karimian Hamed , Looi Chung Yeng , Ali Hapipah Mohd , Abdul Majid Nazia , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen
Published: March 2014

Metal-based drugs with extensive clinical applications hold great promise for the development of cancer chemotherapeutic agents. In the last few decades, Schiff bases and their complexes have become well known for their extensive biological potential. In the present study, we examined the antiproliferative effect of a copper (II) complex on HT-29 colon cancer cells. The Cu(BrHAP)2Schiff base compound demonstrated a potent antiproliferative effect in HT-29 cells, with an IC50value of 2.87 μg/ml after 72 h of treatment. HT-29 cells treated with Cu (II) complexes underwent apoptosis death, as exhibited by a progressive elevation in the proportion of the G1cell population. At a concentration of 6.25 μg/ml, the Cu(BrHAP)2compound caused significant elevation in ROS production following perturbation of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochromecrelease, as assessed by the measurement of fluorescence intensity in stained cells. Furthermore, the activation of caspases 3/7 and 9 was part of the Cu (II) complex-induced apoptosis, which confirmed the involvement of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. Meanwhile, there was no significant activation of caspase-8. Taken together, these results imply that the Cu(BrHAP)2compound is a potential candidate for furtherin vivoand clinical colon cancer studies to develop novel chemotherapeutic agents derived from metal-based agents.
On the Generalized Mass Transport Equation to the Concept of Variable Fractional Derivative
Authors: Atangana Abdon , Kilicman Adem
Published: March 2014

The hydrodynamic dispersion equation was generalized using the concept of variational order derivative. The modified equation was numerically solved via the Crank‐Nicholson scheme. The stability and convergence of the scheme in this case were presented. The numerical simulations showed that, the modified equation is more reliable in predicting the movement of pollution in the deformable aquifers, than the constant fractional and integer derivatives.
Cytokines as Biomarkers in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Burska Agata , Boissinot Marjorie , Ponchel Frederique
Published: March 2014

RA is a complex disease that develops as a series of events often referred to as disease continuum. RA would benefit from novel biomarker development for diagnosis where new biomarkers are still needed (even if progresses have been made with the inclusion of ACPA into the ACR/EULAR 2010 diagnostic criteria) and for prognostic notably in at risk of evolution patients with autoantibody-positive arthralgia. Risk biomarkers for rapid evolution or cardiovascular complications are also highly desirable. Monitoring biomarkers would be useful in predicting relapse. Finally, predictive biomarkers for therapy outcome would allow tailoring therapy to the individual. Increasing numbers of cytokines have been involved in RA pathology. Many have the potential as biomarkers in RA especially as their clinical utility is already established in other diseases and could be easily transferable to rheumatology. We will review the current knowledge’s relation to cytokine used as biomarker in RA. However, given the complexity and heterogeneous nature of RA, it is unlikely that a single cytokine may provide sufficient discrimination; therefore multiple biomarker signatures may represent more realistic approach for the future of personalised medicine in RA.
Efficacy and Safety of Paromomycin in Treatment of Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis
Authors: Sundar Shyam , Singh Anup , Tiwari Anurag , Shukla Saurabh , Chakravarty Jaya , Rai Madhukar
Published: March 2014

Background. Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) plays an important role in maintaining endemicity of visceral leishmaniasis and its transmission. Treatment regimens for PKDL are toxic and require 3-4 months of hospitalization. These long and arduous regimens result in extensive noncompliance. There is an urgent need to develop a safe, effective, and acceptable regimen for the treatment of PKDL. Paromomycin (PM) has been recently approved in India for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL); hence we tested its efficacy in patients with PKDL. Methods. In this exploratory study, 31 patients with PKDL aged 10 years and above were administered PM 11 mg/kg daily intramuscularly for 45  days and followed up for one year. Results. Out of 31 patients, 7 patients were lost to followup at 1  year and 9 (37.5%) got cured with complete disappearance of lesion, while 15 (62.5%) showed no improvement by per protocol analysis. Conclusion. Cure rate with 45 intramuscular injections of PM was unacceptably low though there was no serious side effect of the drug. Whether paromomycin can be used in multidrug therapy to shorten the duration of treatment should be the next logical step for investigation.
Performance Analysis of Relay Subset Selection for Amplify-and-Forward Cognitive Relay Networks
Authors: Sultan Kiran , Qureshi Ijaz Mansoor , Malik Aqdas Naveed , Zubair Muhammad
Published: March 2014

Cooperative communication is regarded as a key technology in wireless networks, including cognitive radio networks (CRNs), which increases the diversity order of the signal to combat the unfavorable effects of the fading channels, by allowing distributed terminals to collaborate through sophisticated signal processing. Underlay CRNs have strict interference constraints towards the secondary users (SUs) active in the frequency band of the primary users (PUs), which limits their transmit power and their coverage area. Relay selection offers a potential solution to the challenges faced by underlay networks, by selecting either single best relay or a subset of potential relay set under different design requirements and assumptions. The best relay selection schemes proposed in the literature for amplify-and-forward (AF) based underlay cognitive relay networks have been very well studied in terms of outage probability (OP) and bit error rate (BER), which is deficient in multiple relay selection schemes. The novelty of this work is to study the outage behavior of multiple relay selection in the underlay CRN and derive the closed-form expressions for the OP and BER through cumulative distribution function (CDF) of the SNR received at the destination. The effectiveness of relay subset selection is shown through simulation results.
Transplant Glomerulopathy: The Interaction of HLA Antibodies and Endothelium
Authors: Hanf William , Bonder Claudine S. , Coates P. Toby H.
Published: March 2014

Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is a major cause of chronic graft dysfunction without effective therapy. Although the histological definition of TG is well characterized, the pathophysiological pathways leading to TG development are still poorly understood. Electron microscopy suggests an earlier appearance of TG and suggests that endothelial cell injury is the first sign of the disease. The pathogenic role of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in endothelial cells has been described in acute vascular and humoral rejection. However the mechanisms and pathways of endothelial cell injury by HLA antibodies remain unclear. Despite the description of different causes of the morphological lesion of TG (hepatitis, thrombotic microangiopathy), the strong link between TG and chronic antibody mediated rejection suggests a major role for HLA antibodies in TG formation. In this review, we describe the effect of classes I or II HLA-antibodies in TG and especially the implication of donor specific antibodies (DSA). We update recent studies about endothelial cells and try to explain the different signals and intracellular pathways involved in the progression of TG.
Design of a TFT‐LCD Based Digital Automobile Instrument
Authors: Xu Yunsong , Yin Shen , Yu Jinyong , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: March 2014

The traditional mechanical instrument lacks the ability to satisfy the market with characters of favorable compatibility, easy upgrading, and fashion. Thus the design of a TFT‐LCD (thin film transistor‐liquid crystal display) based automobile instrument is carried out. With a 7‐inch TFT‐LCD and the 32‐bit microcontroller MB91F599, the instrument could process various information generated by other electronic control units (ECUs) of a vehicle and display valuable driving parameters on the 7‐inch TFT‐LCD. The function of aided parking is also provided by the instrument. Basic principles to be obeyed in circuits designing under on‐board environment are first pointed out. Then the paper analyzes the signals processed in the automobile
instrument and gives an introduction to the sampling circuits and interfaces related to these signals. Following this is the functional categorizing of the circuit modules, such as video buffer circuit, CAN bus interface circuit, and TFT‐LCD drive circuit. Additionally, the external EEPROM stores information of the vehicle for history data query, and the external FLASH enables the display of high quality figures. On the whole, the accomplished automobile instrument meets the requirements of automobile instrument markets with its characters of low cost, favorable compatibility, friendly interfaces, and easy upgrading.
On the Gauss Map of Surfaces of Revolution with Nonlightlike Axis in Minkowski 3-Space
Authors: Jin Minghao , Pei Donghe
Published: March 2014

We study surfaces of revolution with a nonlightlike axis in 3-dimensional Minkowski space and classify such surfaces in terms of the Gauss mapGthat satisfies the conditionΔhG=ΛG, with Λ being a3×3real matrix. Furthermore, this paper completes the classification problem of surfaces of revolution in Minkowski 3-space given by Jin et al. (2013).
Effect of C/Si Ratio on the Electrochemical Behavior of a-SiCx:H Coatings on SS301 Substrate Deposited by PECVD
Authors: Li D. , Guruvenket S. , Szpunar J. A. , Klemberg-Sapieha J. E.
Published: March 2014

Amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a-SiCx:H) coatings were deposited on stainless steel 301 (SS301) using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition with the methane gas flow ranging from 30 to 90 sccm. XRD spectra confirmed the amorphous structure of these coatings. The as-deposited coatings all exhibited homogenous dense feature, and no porosities were observed in SEM and AFM analysis. The a-SiCx:H coatings remarkably increased the corrosion resistance of the SS301 substrate. With the increase of the C concentration, the a-SiCx:H coatings exhibited significantly enhanced electrochemical behavior. The a-SiCx:H coating with the highest carbon concentration acted as an excellent barrier to charge transfer, with a corrosion current of3.5×10-12 A/cm2and a breakdown voltage of 1.36 V, compared to2.5×10-8 A/cm2and 0.34 V for the SS301 substrate.
Oral Administration of MBG to Modulate Immune Responses and Suppress OVA‐Sensitized Allergy in a Murine Model
Authors: Wu Yu-Sheng , Chen Sherwin , Wang William , Lu Chung-Lun , Liu Chi-Feng , Chen Shiu-Nan
Published: March 2014

Recently studies performed on mushroom isolated polysaccharides demonstrated that β‐(1,3)‐glucan may affect the balance of Th1/Th2 cell response. Using ovalbumin (OVA) as a hypersensitivity inducer, we evaluated the ability of mushroom beta‐glucan (MBG) in modulating Th1/Th2 cell responses in B6 mice. As compared to the control group, administration of MBG resulted in an increase of phagocytic activities, Th1 cytokine productions, immunoglobulins including IgG2A and IgA, and a significant expression of the splenic surface markers including CD3, CD4, CD8, and F4/80. In contrast, administration of MBG has significantly suppressed IgE and IgG1 levels and Th2 cytokines including IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐6. Histopathological observation of MBG‐treated followed by OVA‐treated mice showed less filtration of eosinophil in pulmonary tissue sections. Our data suggested that administration of MBG treatments alters the natural course of the IgE‐mediated hypersensitivities. In this investigation, we realize the mushroom beta glucan alter the Th2 response toward the Th1 in the allergic, resulting in a reduction in IgE productions which played a substantive role in reducing the severity of IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity.
Overview of Bearingless Induction Motors
Authors: Sun Xiaodong , Chen Long , Yang Zebin
Published: March 2014

Bearingless induction motors combining functions of both torque generation and noncontact magnetic suspension together have attracted more and more attention in the past decades due to their definite advantages of compactness, simple structure, less maintenance, no wear particles, high rotational speed, and so forth. This paper overviews the key technologies of the bearingless induction motors, with emphasis on motor topologies, mathematical models, and control strategies. Particularly, in the control issues, the vector control, independent control, direct torque control, nonlinear decoupling control, sensorless control, and so forth are investigated. In addition, several possible development trends of the bearingless induction motors are also discussed.
Photosynthetic Active Pigments Changes in Norway Spruce (Picea abies) under the Different Acclimation Irradiation and Elevated CO2 Content
Authors: Kvíčala Miroslav , Lacková Eva , Urbancová Lenka
Published: March 2014

Photosynthetic active pigments content (chlorophylls and carotenoids) in Norway spruce (Picea abies) needles was measured by absorption spectroscopy. Norway spruce was exposed to low and high photosynthetic active radiation and ambient and elevated CO2 concentration. It was investigated that combination of low photosynthetic active radiation and elevated concentration of CO2 resulted in stimulation of chlorophylls and carotenoids production. Combination of high photosynthetic active radiation and elevated CO2 concentration led to overall chlorophylls and carotenoids content decrease. Moreover, specific leaf area trend could be used as a potentially reliable indicator of plant stress response.
Use of Poly (ε-Lysine) Dendrons: A Strategy Targeting Bacterial Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation
Authors: Issa Rahaf , Meikle Steve T. , James Stuart L. , Cooper Ian R.
Published: March 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is recognised as a major aetiological agent of nosocomial infections, which are associated with multiple-antibiotic resistance. Among many of its important virulence factors is its ability to form biofilms on the surfaces of implantable medical devices and to produce toxic metabolites, pyocyanin, via an intercellular cell density-dependent signalling system of communication. In this study, poly (ε-lysine) dendrons composed of increasingly branching generations were synthesised, characterised, and examined for their effects on virulence factor production in P. aeruginosa. The results show that these hyperbranched poly (ε-lysine) dendrons, in particular the 3rd generation, can increase the efficacy of a conventional antibiotic, ciprofloxacin, and reduce pyocyanin production, with marginal effects on the rate of bacterial replication, suggesting that the observed effects are not due to dendron toxicity. Furthermore, dendron and ciprofloxacin coadministration was identified as the most effective strategy which highlights the potential of peptide-based dendrons as quorum sensing inhibitors.
Impact of an Educational Film on Parental Knowledge of Children with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Arora Shilpa Khanna , Aggarwal Anju , Mittal Hema
Published: March 2014

Parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) must have knowledge about the disease and its management to improve the outcome. This uncontrolled interventional trial was carried out to evaluate the parental knowledge of CP and assess the impact of an educational programme on it. Preset questionnaires were filled before and 1 week after a single session educational programme using an educational film. Out of a total of 53 subjects, majority (75.5%) were from lower socioeconomic status. Initially, none knew the correct name of child’s illness; afterwards 45.3% could name it. When compared to previous status, there occurred significant improvement in the knowledge of parents after viewing the film with regard to knowing the cause of CP, knowing that motor involvement was predominant in CP, knowledge regarding curability of the disease, and knowledge about special schooling (P<0.05). Change in knowledge was not related to socioeconomic or educational status (P>0.05). Majority (94.3%) found the film useful and 96.2% learned how they could help in the management of their children. Parental knowledge of CP is inadequate which can be improved by incorporating such educational programmes in special clinics to improve management.
Optic Disc Hemorrhage after Phacoemulsification in Patients with Glaucoma
Authors: Bojikian Karine D. , Moore Daniel B. , Chen Philip P. , Slabaugh Mark A.
Published: March 2014

Background. Optic disk hemorrhage is known to be a risk factor for glaucoma progression. Cataract surgery by phacoemulsification results in large intraocular pressure fluctuations. We aim to investigate whether phacoemulsification is associated with optic disc hemorrhage in patients with glaucoma. Methods. This is a retrospective review of consecutive university clinic based glaucoma patients undergoing phacoemulsification alone, with at least 3 visits in the year before and at least 5 visits in the year following phacoemulsification. The presence of optic disk hemorrhage was evaluated with slit lamp biomicroscopy at each clinic visit prior to and following phacoemulsification. Results. We evaluated 158 eyes of 158 subjects; 15 (9.5%) had ODH noted at least once during the 2-year study period. Four eyes had ODH identified on postoperative day 1, for a cross-sectional prevalence of 2.5%. Fourteen ODH episodes were noted preoperatively versus 12 episodes postoperatively (P=0.68). Aspirin use was associated with ODH (P=0.015). Conclusions. Our cross-sectional study found a prevalence of ODH immediately after CE that was similar to other published rates, and our longitudinal study did not find an increase in ODH in the year after phacoemulsification when compared to the year prior to surgery.
A New Method for the Analysis of Bacterial Endotoxins in Ultrapure Paraffin Oil
Authors: Chen Dandan
Published: March 2014

The paper demonstrates the feasibility of the gel-clot method for the analysis of bacterial endotoxins in water extracts of ultrapure paraffin oil which is a water insoluble oily medical device. Because ultrapure paraffin oil is water insoluble oily liquid, the ultrapure paraffin oil (10 mL) was shaken with 10 mL water for 15 minutes at 2000 rpm, the endotoxin present was extracted to the aqueous phase without interference inhibition/enhancement of the product, the recovery of the endotoxin added to the ultrapure paraffin oil was determined. A validation study confirmed that endotoxins present in ultrapure paraffin oil which is water insoluble liquid medical device pass over into the aqueous phase at concentrations of 20, 10, and 5 EU/mL with recoveries of 94.2% to 111%. So the conclusion is that the gel-clot test is suitable for detecting bacterial endotoxins in ultrapure paraffin oil which is a water insoluble oily medical device.
Promotive Effect of Topical Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin on Hair Growth in Male Mice
Authors: Aldhalimi Muhsin A. , Hadi Najah R. , Ghafil Fadaa A.
Published: March 2014

Recently topical use of 2% Ketoconazole solution has been reported to have a therapeutic effect on androgenic alopecia. Minoxidil is a vasodilatory medication used primarily as antihypertensive drug. It was discovered to have the side effect of hair growth and reversing baldness. Tretinoin is commonly used topically for acne treatment and in the treatment of photoaging. It is used by some as hair loss treatment. Objective. To compare the stimulatory effect of Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin on hair growth in a mouse model. Materials and Methods. Coat hairs on the dorsal skin of seven weeks old male mice were gently clipped and then stained by using commercial dye. These mice were divided into four groups each of five treated with topical application of ethanol 95%, Ketoconazole solution 2%, Minoxidil solution 5%, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin solution 0.1%, respectively. The drugs were applied once daily for three weeks, the clipped area was photographed, and the ratio of regrown coat area was calculated. Results. The results demonstrated that Ketoconazole, Minoxidil, and Minoxidil with Tretinoin had a significant stimulatory effect on hair growth compared with the control group and Minoxidil was the most effective drug among them.
Advance Health Care Directives and “Public Guardian”: The Italian Supreme Court Requests the Status of Current and Not Future Inability
Authors: Busardò Francesco Paolo , Bello Stefania , Gulino Matteo , Zaami Simona , Frati Paola
Published: March 2014

Advance health care decisions animate an intense debate in several European countries, which started more than 20 years ago in the USA and led to the adoption of different rules, based on the diverse legal, sociocultural and philosophical traditions of each society. In Italy, the controversial issue of advance directives and end of life’s rights, in the absence of a clear and comprehensive legislation, has been over time a subject of interest of the Supreme Court. Since 2004 a law introduced the “Public Guardian,” aiming to provide an instrument of assistance to the person lacking in autonomy because of an illness or incapacity. Recently, this critical issue has once again been brought to the interest of the Supreme Court, which passed a judgment trying to clarify the legislative application of the appointment of the Guardian in the field of advance directives.
Independent Component Analysis of Instantaneous Power-Based fMRI
Authors: Zhong Yuan , Zheng Gang , Liu Yijun , Lu Guangming
Published: March 2014

In functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies using spatial independent component analysis (sICA) method, a model of “latent variables” is often employed, which is based on the assumption that fMRI data are linear mixtures of statistically independent signals. However, actual fMRI signals are nonlinear and do not automatically meet with the requirement of sICA. To provide a better solution to this problem, we proposed a novel approach termed instantaneous power based fMRI (ip-fMRI) for regularization of fMRI data. Given that the instantaneous power of fMRI signals is a scalar value, it should be a linear mixture that naturally satisfies the “latent variables” model. Based on our simulated data, the curves of accuracy and resulting receiver-operating characteristic curves indicate that the proposed approach is superior to the traditional fMRI in terms of accuracy and specificity by using sICA. Experimental results from human subjects have shown that spatial components of a hand movement task-induced activation reveal a brain network more specific to motor function by ip-fMRI than that by the traditional fMRI. We conclude that ICA decomposition of ip-fMRI may be used to localize energy signal changes in the brain and may have a potential to be applied to detection of brain activity.
Nonclassical Effects of Light in Fifth Harmonic Generation up to First-Order Hamiltonian Interaction
Authors: Pratap Rajendra , Giri D. K. , Prasad Ajay
Published: March 2014

The nonclassical effects of light in the fifth harmonic generation are investigated by quantum mechanically up to the first-order Hamiltonian interaction. The coupled Heisenberg equations of motion involving real and imaginary parts of the quadrature operators are established. The occurrence of amplitude squeezing effects in both quadratures of the radiation field in the fundamental mode is investigated and found to be dependent on the selective phase values of the field amplitude. The photon statistics in the fundamental mode have also been investigated and found to be sub-Poissonian in nature. It is observed that there is no possibility to produce squeezed light in the harmonic mode up to first-order Hamiltonian interaction. Further, we have found that the normal squeezing in the harmonic mode directly depends upon the fifth power of the field amplitude of the initial pump field up to second-order Hamiltonian interaction. This gives a method of converting higher-order squeezing in the fundamental mode into normal squeezing in the harmonic mode and vice versa. The analytic expression of fifth-order squeezing of the fundamental mode in the fifth harmonic generation is established.
Decision Process Analysis on Project Priority Strategy: A Case Study of an ICT Design Firm
Authors: Yu Vincent F. , Kuo Catherine W. , Yeh Ruey Huei
Published: March 2014

Project priority strategy is the benchmarking of a corporate operation management strategy and in particular is used by a projects-based research and development firm in the complex competence environment of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry. This research takes the variables of external environments and internal resources into account for a firm’s market, technology, and finance assets in order to present a decision process on a project priority strategy. This empirical study also addresses the key factors of the interaction between business on a project development’s supply chain: clients, the examined firm, and suppliers. The findings indicate that a profit-driven project can dominate the firm’s strategic operations and management from the resource-based view and analytic hierarchy process technique perspectives. At the same time, the analysis results contribute significant values to project decision management, which is highly recommended for small-medium enterprises conducting product/project development, project portfolio management, and strategic business management.
Numerical Research about Influence of Blade Outlet Angle on Flow-Induced Noise and Vibration for Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Yang Ailing , Lang Dapeng , Li Guoping , Chen Eryun , Dai Ren
Published: March 2014

A hybrid numerical method was used to calculate the flow-induced noise and vibration of the centrifugal pump in the paper. The unsteady flows inside the centrifugal pumps with different blade outlet angles were simulated firstly. The unsteady pressure on the inner surface of the volute and the unsteady force applied on the impeller were analyzed. Then the vibration of the volute and sound field were calculated based on an acoustic-vibro-coupling method. The results show that the pump head has increased 7% while the hydraulic efficiency decreased 11.75% as blade outlet angles increased from 18° to 39°. The amplitude of pressure fluctuation at the first blade passing frequency has decreased but increased at the second-order blade passing frequency as the angle growing. The total fluctuation power near volute tongue goes up about 12% every 3° increment of blade outlet angle. The results also show that vibrating-velocity of the volute at second-order blade passing frequency is much higher than at other frequencies, and the velocity increases rapidly as blade outlet angle varies from 18° to 39°. At the same time, the sound pressure level outside the pump has increased about 8.6 dB when the angle increased from 18° to 39°.
Photodegradation of HCFC-22 Using Microwave Discharge Electrodeless Mercury Lamp with TiO2Photocatalyst Balls
Authors: Seo Seong-Gyu , Park Young-Kwon , Kim Sun-Jae , Lee Heon , Jung Sang-Chul
Published: March 2014

The photodegradation of chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22) was investigated using microwave/UV/TiO2photocatalysts hybrid system. The microwave discharge electrodeless mercury lamp (MDEML) used in this study showed mainly atomic Hg emission lines at 253.7 nm. The decomposition efficiency of HCFC-22 increased with decreasing inlet concentration and with increasing reactor residence time. The removal efficiency increased with increasing microwave power on every oxygen concentration. The highest degradation efficiency was obtained when both TiO2balls and MDEML were used.