bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Imaging fictive locomotor patterns in larvalDrosophila
Authors: Pulver Stefan R. , Bayley Timothy G. , Taylor Adam L. , Berni Jimena , Bate Michael , Hedwig Berthold
Published: August 2015

We have established a preparation in larval Drosophila to monitor fictive locomotion simultaneously across abdominal and thoracic segments of the isolated CNS with genetically encoded Ca2+indicators. The Ca2+signals closely followed spiking activity measured electrophysiologically in nerve roots. Three motor patterns are analyzed. Two comprise waves of Ca2+signals that progress along the longitudinal body axis in a posterior-to-anterior or anterior-to-posterior direction. These waves had statistically indistinguishable intersegmental phase delays compared with segmental contractions during forward and backward crawling behavior, despite being ∼10 times slower. During these waves, motor neurons of the dorsal longitudinal and transverse muscles were active in the same order as the muscle groups are recruited during crawling behavior. A third fictive motor pattern exhibits a left-right asymmetry across segments and bears similarities with turning behavior in intact larvae, occurring equally frequently and involving asymmetry in the same segments. Ablation of the segments in which forward and backward waves of Ca2+signals were normally initiated did not eliminate production of Ca2+waves. When the brain and subesophageal ganglion (SOG) were removed, the remaining ganglia retained the ability to produce both forward and backward waves of motor activity, although the speed and frequency of waves changed. Bilateral asymmetry of activity was reduced when the brain was removed and abolished when the SOG was removed. This work paves the way to studying the neural and genetic underpinnings of segmentally coordinated motor pattern generation in Drosophila with imaging techniques.
An Efficient Prediction-Based Data Forwarding Strategy in Vehicular Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Zhu Wanting , Gao Deyun , Foh Chuan Heng
Published: August 2015

As an important infrastructure of intelligent transportation system (ITS), vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) provide navigation and positioning, information services, driver assistance, in-vehicle entertainment, and other functions for the owners improving the development of the future smart city. Due to the high dynamic nature of VANETs, choosing a relatively stable and reliable transmission path to reduce the link breakage is obviously very important. In this paper, we propose an efficient prediction-based data forwarding strategy to ensure the reliability and efficiency of data transmission in VANETs. Besides the link lifetime prediction, we introduce a new metric named link utility used in the process of forwarder selection, in order to improve data forwarding efficiency. Link utility reflects the impact of relative velocity and distance between the vehicles on the efficiency of intervehicle data transmissions. It can be used to optimize packet routing and minimize number of hops especially in the high-density VANETs. Finally, we evaluate the performance of the proposed forwarding strategy through simulation confirming its feasibility and effectiveness.
Comparison of Subcuticular Suture Materials in Cesarean Skin Closure
Authors: Hasdemir Pınar Solmaz , Guvenal Tevfik , Ozcakir Hasan Tayfun , Koyuncu Faik Mumtaz , Dinc Horasan Gonul , Erkan Mustafa , Oruc Koltan Semra
Published: August 2015

Aim.Comparison of the rate of wound complications, pain, and patient satisfaction based on used subcuticular suture material.Methods.A total of 250 consecutive women undergoing primary and repeat cesarean section with low transverse incision were prospectively included. The primary outcome was wound complication rate including infection, dehiscence, hematoma, and hypertrophic scar formation within a 6-week period after operation. Secondary outcomes were skin closure time, the need for use of additional analgesic agent, pain score on numeric rating scale, cosmetic score, and patient scar satisfaction scale.Results.Absorbable polyglactin was used in 108 patients and nonabsorbable polypropylene was used in 142 patients. Wound complication rates were similar in primary and repeat cesarean groups based on the type of suture material. Skin closure time is longer in nonabsorbable suture material group in both primary and repeat cesarean groups. There was no difference between groups in terms of postoperative pain, need for additional analgesic use, late phase pain, and itching at the scar. Although the cosmetic results tended to be better in the nonabsorbable group in primary surgery patients, there was no significant difference in the visual satisfaction of the patients.Conclusions.Absorbable and nonabsorbable suture materials are comparable in cesarean section operation skin closure.
Investigation of Novel Noncontacting Measurement Method by the Design of Loop-Type Probe and Reconstruction of Radiation Modeling
Authors: Wu Sung-Mao , Yang Cheng-Fu , Yeh Yin-Hsiu , Li Hsin-Fang , Hsu Ren-Fang
Published: August 2015

Because the ICs’ application frequency and speed become higher and trends of system packaging and device under test request higher reliability, a novel technology combining noncontacting measurement method and reconstructing radiation model was proposed to solve signal deliveries in system packages or PCBs. In this study, a novel noncontacting method for the ICs’ measurements was investigated by the design of loop-type near-field probe and reconstructed the radiation model to substitute the traditional measurement methods, such as using probes and SMA connectors. A near-field probe was used to receive the coupling signal. The assessing circuit modeling could be completed by some synthesized theorems. According to the study’s results, frequency responses of reconstruction model developed by theorems, radiation measurements, and simulated by EM methods were highly curve fitting.
Synthesis of High Crystalline Al‐Doped ZnO Nanopowders from Al2O3 and ZnO by Radio‐Frequency Thermal Plasma
Authors: Song Min-Kyeong , Lee Mi-Yeon , Seo Jun-Ho , Kim Min-Ho , Yang Shi-Young
Published: August 2015

High crystalline Al‐doped ZnO (AZO) nanopowders were prepared by in‐flight treatment of ZnO and Al2O3 in Radio‐Frequency (RF) thermal plasma. Micron‐sized (~1 μm) ZnO and Al2O3 powders were mixed at Al/Zn ratios of 3.3 and 6.7 at.% and then injected into the RF thermal plasma torch along the centerline at a feeding rate of 6.6 g/min. The RF thermal plasma torch system was operated at the plate power level of ~140 kVA to evaporate the mixture oxides and the resultant vapor species were condensed into solid particles by the high flow rate of quenching gas (~7000 slpm). The FE‐SEM images of the as‐treated powders showed that the multipod shaped and the whisker type nanoparticles were mainly synthesized. In addition, these nanocrystalline structures were confirmed as the single phase AZO nanopowders with the hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure by the XRD patterns and FE‐TEM results with the SAED image. However, the composition changes of 0.3 and 1.0 at.% were checked for the as‐synthesized AZO nanopowders at Al/Zn ratios of 3.3 and 6.7 at.%, respectively, by the XRF data, which can require the adjustment of Al/Zn in the mixture precursors for the applications of high Al doping concentrations.
Multiframe Superresolution Reconstruction Based on Self-Learning Method
Authors: Mu Shao-Shuo , Zhang Ye , Jia Ping , Yang Xun , Qiu Xiao-Feng
Published: August 2015

One category of the superresolution algorithms widely used in practical applications is dictionary-based superresolution algorithms, which constructs a single high-resolution (HR) and high-clarity image from multiple low-resolution (LR) images. Despite the fact that general dictionary-based superresolution algorithms obtain redundant dictionaries from numerous HR-LR images, HR image distortion is unavoidable. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a multiframe superresolution reconstruction based on self-learning methods. First, multiple images from the same scene are selected to be both input and training images, and larger-scale images, which are also involved in the training set, are constructed from the learning dictionary. Then, different larger-scale images are constructed via repetition of the first step and the initial HR sets whose scale closely approximates that of the target HR image are finally obtained. Lastly, initial HR images are fused into one target HR image under the NLM idea, while the IBP idea is adopted to meet the global constraint. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm produces more accurate reconstructions than those produced by other general superresolution algorithms, while, in real scene experiments, the proposed algorithm can run well and create clearer HR images from input images captured by cameras.
Distance-Based Stable Routing Decision Scheme in Urban Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Chang Sang-woo , Lee Sang-sun
Published: August 2015

A number of ad hoc routing protocols of vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) have been proposed and evaluated based on mobile ad hoc network (MANET) routing protocols. Although a large number of routing protocols have been developed in MANET, the VANET has different environments such as highly dynamic topology, frequently disconnected network, hard delay constraints for safety-related application, and various communications environments (e.g., highway or urban traffic scenarios). Therefore, development of a suitable routing protocol that considers these characteristics of VANET should be needed. In this paper we suggest the improved distance-based VANET routing protocol compared with the previous researches on urban traffic environments. We apply approaches to packet-collisions avoidance scheme in the intersection and to stable route decision scheme based on the adaptive waiting time. The performance is then evaluated under simulation which is implemented with the Manhattan urban traffic model. The results show the improved performance as compared with the previous researches.
A Special Extract ofBacopa monnieri(CDRI-08) Restores Learning and Memory by Upregulating Expression of the NMDA Receptor Subunit GluN2B in the Brain of Scopolamine-Induced Amnesic Mice
Authors: Rai Rakesh , Singh Hemant K. , Prasad S.
Published: August 2015

In the present communication, we have investigated effects of the CDRI-08, a well characterized extract ofBacopa monnieri, on expression of the GluN2B subunit of NMDAR in various brain regions of the scopolamine-induced amnesic mice. Our behavioral data reveal that scopolamine-treated amnesic mice exhibit significant decline in the spatial memory compared to the normal control mice. Our RT-PCR and immunoblotting data revealed that the scopolamine treatment resulted in a significant downregulation of the NMDAR GluN2B subunit expression in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Our enzyme assay data revealed that scopolamine caused a significant increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity in both the brain regions. Further, oral administration of the CDRI-08 to scopolamine-treated amnesic mice restored the spatial memory which was found to be associated with significant upregulation of the GluN2B subunit expression and decline in the acetylcholinesterase activity in prefrontal cortex as well as hippocampus towards their levels in the normal control mice. Our study provides the evidence for the mechanism underlying role of theBacopa monnieriextract (CDRI-08) in restoring spatial memory in amnesic mice, which may have therapeutic implications.
Evaluation of Chitosan Based Polymeric Matrices for Sustained Stomach Specific Delivery of Propranolol Hydrochloride
Authors: Dubey Juhi , Verma Anurag , Verma Navneet
Published: August 2015

The objective of the present investigation was to explore the potential of Chitosan based polymeric matrices as carrier for sustained stomach specific delivery of model drug Propranolol Hydrochloride. Briefly, single unit hydrodynamically balanced (HBS) capsule formulations were prepared by encapsulating in hard gelatin capsules, intimately mixed physical mixtures of drug, and cationic low molecular weight Chitosan (LMCH) in combination with either anionic medium viscosity sodium alginate (MSA) or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMCNa). The effect of incorporation of nonionic polymers, namely, tamarind seed gum (TSG) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCCP), was also investigated. It was observed that HBS formulations remained buoyant for up to 6 h in 0.1 M HCl, when LMCH : anionic/nonionic polymer ratio was at least 4 : 1. It was also observed that LMCH has formed polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) with MSA (4 : 1.5 ratio) and CMCNa (4 : 1 ratio) in situ during the gelation of HBS formulations in 0.1 M HCl. The retardation in drug release was attributed to the PEC formation between LMCH and MSA/CMCNa. Incorporation of MCCP (rapid gel formation) and TSG (Plug formation) was found to be innovative. From the data, it is suggested that Chitosan based polymeric matrices may constitute an excellent carrier for stomach specific drug delivery.
Self-Organized Clustering Architecture for Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks
Authors: Caballero-Gil Cándido , Caballero-Gil Pino , Molina-Gil Jezabel
Published: August 2015

Vehicular Ad Hoc NETworks (VANETs) are likely to be deployed in the near future. Then, they will become the platform for much of the relayed information in the Internet of Things. This paper proposes a new system based on 1-hop clustering to reduce the number of VANET communications in dense road traffic scenarios while maintaining the security of communications by combining public-key with secret-key cryptography. The proposed distributed clustering architecture creates a dynamic virtual backbone in the network, formed by Cluster-Heads and cluster-gateways, so that these nodes are responsible for the efficient message propagation in the network. The main aim of the described architecture is to balance both stability of backbone connections and cost/efficiency trade-off. Full definitions of all the architecture procedures are provided, including a cluster-head selection algorithm based on a version of the independent set problem and a secret-key agreement scheme that uses the generalized Diffie-Hellman protocol. Simulations show that the proposal improves network performance and security.
Anthropometric Measurements Usage in Medical Sciences
Authors: Utkualp Nevin , Ercan Ilker
Published: August 2015

Morphometry is introduced as quantitative approach to seek information concerning variations and changes in the forms of organisms that described the relationship between the human body and disease. Scientists of all civilization, who existed until today, examined the human body using anthropometric methods. For these reasons, anthropometric data are used in many contexts to screen for or monitor disease. Anthropometry, a branch of morphometry, is the study of the size and shape of the components of biological forms and their variations in populations. Morphometrics can also be defined as the quantitative analysis of biological forms. The field has developed rapidly over the last two decades to the extent that we now distinguish between traditional morphometrics and the more recent geometric morphometrics. Advances in imaging technology have resulted in the protection of a greater amount of morphological information and have permitted the analysis of this information. The oldest and most commonly used of these methods is radiography. With developments in this area, CT and MRI have also been started to be used in screening of the internal organs. Morphometric measurements that are used in medicine, are widely used in the diagnosis and the follow-up and the treatment of the disease, today. In addition, in cosmetology use of these new measurements is increasing every day.
Amino Acid Metabolism of Thermoanaerobacter Strain AK90: The Role of Electron-Scavenging Systems in End Product Formation
Authors: Scully Sean Michael , Orlygsson Johann
Published: August 2015

The catabolism of the 20 amino acids by Thermoanaerobacter strain AK90 (KR007667) was investigated under three different conditions: as single amino acids without an electron-scavenging system, in the presence of thiosulfate, and in coculture with a hydrogenotrophic methanogen. The strain degraded only serine without an alternative electron acceptor but degraded 11 amino acids (alanine, cysteine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine) under both of the electron-scavenging systems investigated. Acetate was the dominant end product from alanine, cysteine, lysine, serine, and threonine under electron-scavenging conditions. The branched-chain amino acids, isoleucine, leucine, and valine, were degraded to their corresponding fatty acids under methanogenic conditions and to a mixture of their corresponding fatty acids and alcohols in the presence of thiosulfate. The partial pressure of hydrogen seems to be of importance for the branched-chain alcohol formation. This was suggested by low but detectable hydrogen concentrations at the end of cultivation on the branched-chain amino acid in the presence of thiosulfate but not when cocultured with the methanogen. A more detailed examination of the role of thiosulfate as an electron acceptor was performed with Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus (DSM 2246) and Thermoanaerobacter brockii (DSM 1457).
Multiple Comparison of Age Groups in Bone Mineral Density under Heteroscedasticity
Authors: Sezer Ahmet , Altan Lale , Özdemir Özer
Published: August 2015

Osteoporosis is a silent disease because individuals may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so fragile. Bone mineral density (BMD) test helps to detect osteoporosis and determine the risk fractures. This study covers bone measurement data from total body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans for 28,454 persons who participated in the 1996–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in USA Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method is known as the primary method for detecting osteoporosis because of its high precision and accuracy. Testing the equality of the means of normal populations when the variances are unknown and unequal is a fundamental problem in clinical trials and biomedical research. In this study we compare age groups based upon BMD in case of unequal variance being present among the groups. First we test equality of variances among the age groups by the Hartley test. And then Scott-Smith test is used to test equality of BMD means for the age groups. Finally, Tukey-Cramer confidence intervals are constructed to detect which groups start to differ from the reference group in which BMD reaches the peak level.
Approximating Iterations for Nonexpansive and Maximal Monotone Operators
Authors: Yao Zhangsong , Cho Sun Young , Kang Shin Min , Zhu Li-Jun
Published: August 2015

We present two algorithms for finding a zero of the sum of two monotone operators and a fixed point of a nonexpansive operator in Hilbert spaces. We show that these two algorithms converge strongly to the minimum norm common element of the zero of the sum of two monotone operators and the fixed point of a nonexpansive operator.
Fully Distributed Multicast Routing Protocol for IEEE 802.15.8 Peer-Aware Communication
Authors: Na Woongsoo , Lee Yunseong , Yoon Jongha , Park Junho , Cho Sungrae
Published: August 2015

The IEEE 802.15.8 provides peer-aware communication (PAC) protocol for peer-to-peer infrastructureless service with fully distributed coordination. One of the most promising services in IEEE 802.15.8 is group multicast communication with simultaneous membership in multiple groups, typically up to 10 groups, in a dense network topology. Most of the existing multicast techniques in mobile ad hoc networks (MANET) have significant overhead for managing the multicast group and thus cannot be used for fully distributed PAC networks. In this paper, we propose a light-weight multicast routing protocol referred to as a fully distributed multicast routing protocol (FDMRP). The FDMRP minimizes routing table entries and thus reduces control message overhead for its multicast group management. To balance the control message, all nodes in the network have a similar number of routing entries to manage nodes in the same multicast group. To measure the effectiveness of the proposed FDMRP against the existing schemes, we evaluated performance by OPNET simulator. Performance evaluation shows that the FDMRP can reduce the number of routing entries and control message overhead by up to 85% and 95%, respectively, when the number of nodes is more than 500.
Wireless Energy Harvesting for Cognitive Multihop Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Nguyen Van-Dinh , Nguyen Hieu V. , Shin Oh-Soon
Published: August 2015

This paper analyzes the performance of cognitive multihop transmissions with wireless energy harvesting in a wireless sensor network. Data transmission between the source and the destination nodes is assumed to occur entirely via several clusters of decode-and-forward relays. The source node and relay nodes are assumed to have the ability to harvest energy from the surrounding signals and to use that harvested energy to forward the information to the next hop. Specifically, we derive an exact closed-form expression to determine throughput and outage probability of the cognitive multihop transmission as a function of an energy harvesting overhead and the interference power constraint at the primary receiver. We assume perfect channel state information at the receivers in order to evaluate the throughput and the outage probability of the cognitive multihop system with wireless energy harvesting.
Bacopa monnierias an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain
Authors: Simpson Tamara , Pase Matthew , Stough Con
Published: August 2015

The detrimental effect of neuronal cell death due to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. The Indian herbBacopa monnieriis a dietary antioxidant, with animal andin vitrostudies indicating several modes of action that may protect the brain against oxidative damage. In parallel, several studies using the CDRI08 extract have shown that extracts ofBacopa monnieriimprove cognitive function in humans. The biological mechanisms of this cognitive enhancement are unknown. In this review we discuss the animal studies andin vivoevidence forBacopa monnierias a potential therapeutic antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress and improve cognitive function. We suggest that future studies incorporate neuroimaging particularly magnetic resonance spectroscopy into their randomized controlled trials to better understand whether changes in antioxidant statusin vivocause improvements in cognitive function.
Integrated Guidance and Control Method for the Interception of Maneuvering Hypersonic Vehicle Based on High Order Sliding Mode Approach
Authors: Chen Kang , Fu Bin , Ding Yuening , Yan Jie
Published: August 2015

This paper focuses on the integrated guidance and control (IGC) method applied in the interception of maneuvering near space hypersonic vehicles using the homogeneous high order sliding mode (HOSM) approach. The IGC model is derived by combining the target-missile relative motion and dynamic equations. Then, a fourth-order sliding mode controller is implemented in the augmented IGC model. To estimate the high order derivatives of the sliding manifold which is required in the HOSM method, an Arbitrary Order Robust Exact Differentiator is presented. At last, the idea of virtual control is introduced to alleviate the chattering of the control input without using any saturation functions which may lead to a loss of the robustness. And the stability of the closed-loop system with presented fourth-order homogeneous HOSM controller is also proved theoretically. Finally, simulation results are provided and analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in three typical engagement scenarios.
Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, a “Floating Island” Pattern in Pleural Fluid Cytology: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Zhu Hui , McMeekin Emily Marie , Sturgis Charles D.
Published: August 2015

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare aggressive sarcoma with characteristic clinical and pathologic features. It typically involves pelvic and abdominal organs of young male patients, and patients usually present at advanced stage with poor prognosis. A few reports are available describing the cytopathologic features of DSRCT in serous effusions, with the majority of published cases depicting undifferentiated small blue cells that need to be distinguished from other small blue cell tumors. We report an interesting case of DSRCT involving a pleural effusion with a “floating island” pattern that has been described in hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and adrenal cortical carcinoma. In our case, the epithelioid tumor cells form cohesive aggregates surrounded by a single layer of spindle cells, mimicking the “endothelial wrapping” in other tumors with “floating island” patterns. We demonstrate, by ancillary testing, that these peripheral spindle cells are tapered/flattened DSRCT cells, in contrast to endothelial wrapping cells, as seen in other tumors with this unique cytomorphology. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing DSRCT showing a “floating island” pattern that needs to be differentiated from metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and adrenal cortical carcinoma in effusion cytology.
Validation of Quantitative HPLC Method for Bacosides in KeenMind
Authors: Dowell Ashley , Davidson George , Ghosh Dilip
Published: August 2015

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) has been used by Ayurvedic medical practitioners in India for almost 3000 years. The pharmacological properties ofBacopa monnieriwere studied extensively and the activities were attributed mainly due to the presence of characteristic saponins called “bacosides.” Bacosides are complex mixture of structurally closely related compounds, glycosides of either jujubogenin or pseudojujubogenin. The popularity of herbal medicines and increasing clinical evidence to support associated health claims require standardisation of the phytochemical actives contained in these products. However, unlike allopathic medicines which typically contain a single active compound, herbal medicines are typically complex mixtures of various phytochemicals. The assay for bacosides in the British Pharmacopoeia monograph forBacopa monnieriexemplifies that only a subset of bacosides present are included in the calculation of total bacosides. These results in calculated bacoside values are significantly lower than those attained for the same material using more inclusive techniques such as UV spectroscopy. This study illustrates some of the problems encountered when applying chemical analysis for standardisation of herbal medicines, particularly in relation to the new method development and validation of bacosides from KeenMind.
An Assessment of the Clinical and Economic Impact of Establishing Ileocolic Anastomoses in Right-Colon Resection Surgeries Using Mechanical Staplers Compared to Hand-Sewn Technique
Authors: Roy S. , Ghosh S. , Yoo A.
Published: August 2015

Purpose. To estimate and compare clinical outcomes and costs associated with mechanical stapling versus hand-sewn sutured technique in creation of ileocolic anastomoses after right sided colon surgery.Methods. A previously conducted meta-analysis was updated for estimates of anastomotic leak rates and other clinical outcomes. A value analysis model was developed to estimate cost savings due to improved outcomes in a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients who underwent right colon surgery involving either mechanical stapling or hand-sewn anastomoses. Cost data were obtained from publicly available literature.Results. Findings from the updated meta-analysis reported that the mechanical stapling group had lower anastomotic leaks 2.4%  n=11/457compared to the hand-sewn group 6.1% leaksn=44/715. Utilizing this data, the value analysis model estimated total potential cost savings for a hospital to be around $1,130,656 for the 100-patient cohort using mechanical stapling instead of hand-sewn suturing, after accounting for incremental supplies cost of $49,400. These savings were attributed to lower index surgery costs, reduced OR time costs, and reduced reoperation costs driven by lower anastomotic leak rates associated with mechanical stapling.Conclusion. Mechanical stapling can be considered as a clinically and economically favorable option compared to suturing for establishing anastomoses in patients undergoing right colon surgery.
Influence of the Weight of a School Backpack on Spinal Curvature in the Sagittal Plane of Seven-Year-Old Children
Authors: Walicka-Cupryś Katarzyna , Skalska-Izdebska Renata , Rachwał Maciej , Truszczyńska Aleksandra
Published: August 2015

The aim of the paper was to determine a correlation between the weight of a child’s backpack, their body weight, and certain features of their body posture.Material and Methods. The study group consisted of 109 children, all aged seven years. The parameters of body posture were determined using the Zebris Ultrasonic System.Results. The number of children carrying a school backpack in accordance with recommendations was 44 subjects (40.37%). Statistically significant changes were found in the total length of the spine (Z=2.223,p=0.026) and between backpack weight and changes in the following parameters: the total length of the spine (rs=-0.3999,p=0.017), the length and the angle of the lumbar lordosis (rs=-0.3352,p=0.049), the angle of the lumbar lordosis (rs=-0.5065,p=0.002), and the sacral angle (rs=-0.4279,p=0.010).Conclusions. Wearing a backpack heavier than 10% of one’s body weight can cause shallowing of the lumbar lordosis and a tendency towards a vertical position of the sacrum. Monitoring the weight of children’s school backpacks and enabling them to leave books and notebooks at school would probably be beneficial in reducing the daily burden put on children’s spines.
Bacopa monniera(CDRI-08) Upregulates the Expression of Neuronal and Glial Plasticity Markers in the Brain of Scopolamine Induced Amnesic Mice
Authors: Konar Arpita , Gautam Akash , Thakur M. K.
Published: August 2015

Preclinical studies on animal models have discerned the antiamnesic and memory-enhancing potential ofBacopa monniera(Brahmi) crude extract and standardized extracts. These studies primarily focus on behavioral consequences. However, lack of information on molecular underpinnings has limited the clinical trials of the potent herb in human subjects. In recent years, researchers highlight plasticity markers as molecular correlates of amnesia and being crucial to design therapeutic targets. In the present report, we have investigated the effect of a special extract ofB. monniera(CDRI-08) on the expression of key neuronal (BDNF and Arc) and glial (GFAP) plasticity markers in the cerebrum of scopolamine induced amnesic mice. Pre- and postadministration of CDRI-08 ameliorated amnesic effect of scopolamine by decreasing acetyl cholinesterase activity and drastically upregulating the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF, Arc, and GFAP in mouse cerebrum. Interestingly, the plant extractper seelevated BDNF and Arc expression as compared to control but GFAP was unaltered. In conclusion, our findings provide the first molecular evidence for antiamnesic potential of CDRI-08 via enhancement of both neuronal and glial plasticity markers. Further investigations on detailed molecular pathways would encourage therapeutic application of the extract in memory disorders.
Evolution of InAs/GaAs QDs Size with the Growth Rate: A Numerical Investigation
Authors: Ilahi Bouraoui , Souaf Manel , Baira Mourad , Alrashdi Jawaher , Sfaxi Larbi , Alhazaa Abdulaziz , Maaref Hassen
Published: August 2015

This paper investigates the impact of the deposition rate on the mean buried InAs/GaAs quantum dots’ (QDs) size by means of a coupled photoluminescence spectroscopy and numerical approach. The proposed method consists in tuning the theoretical transition energies by changing the QDs aspect ratio towards best fit of the photoluminescence emission energies arising from the state filling effect. The electron‐hole confined states are obtained by solving the single particle one band effective mass Schrödinger equation in cylindrical coordinates for a lens shaped QD by finite element method taking into account the strain effects. The obtained evolution is in agreement with morphological data taken from similar uncapped QDs samples.
Innovative Approaches to Radiation Treatment for Mycosis Fungoides in the Setting of Collagen Vascular Disease
Authors: Terezakis Stephanie A. , Bohle George C. , Lo Ying-Chun , Berry Sean L. , Yahalom Joachim
Published: August 2015

Patients with connective tissue disorders are clinically challenging for radiation oncologists as these patients may be at increased risk for radiation-related skin toxicity. A clinical dilemma presents itself in a patient with lupus who presents with confluent skin lesions from mycosis fungoides requiring radiotherapy. In this report, we discuss an innovative technique used to develop an immobilization device that also effectively functioned as a uniform bolus with distinct dosimetric advantages to the use of a facial moulage.
Association of Aortic Diameters with Coronary Artery Disease Severity and Albumin Excretion
Authors: Özdemir Bülent , Emül Ali , Özdemir Levent , Sağ Saim , Biçer Murat , Aydınlar Ali
Published: August 2015

Introduction. Aortic diameters, aortic distensibility, microalbuminuria, coronary artery disease which are all together related to vascular aging are investigated in this paper.Methods. Eighty consecutive nondiabetic patients undergoing elective coronary angiography were enrolled into the study. Systolic and diastolic aortic diameters, aortic distensibility, CAD severity by angiogram with the use of Gensini scoring, and albumin excretion rates were determined.Results. Cases with CAD had significantly larger systolic (30,72 ± 3,21 mm versus 34,19 ± 4,03 mm for cases without and with CAD, resp.) and diastolic aortic diameters measured 3 cm above aortic valve compared to patients without CAD (33,56 ± 4,07 mm versus 29,75 ± 3,12 mm). The systolic and diastolic diameters were significantly higher in albuminuria positive patients compared to albuminuria negative patients (p= 0.017 and 0.008, resp., for systolic and diastolic diameters).Conclusion. In conclusion aortic diameters are increased in patients with coronary artery disease and in patients with microalbuminuria. In CAD patients, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, aortic systolic and diastolic pressure, and albumin excretion rate were higher and aortic distensibility was lower.
Improvement in Tracing Quantum Dot‐Conjugated Nanospheres for In Vivo Imaging by Eliminating Food Autofluorescence
Authors: Park Chul-Kyu , Cho Hoonsung
Published: August 2015

Fluorescence imaging using fluorescent probes has demonstrated long‐term stability and brightness suitable for in vivo deep‐tissue imaging, but it also allows intense background fluorescence associated with food in the near‐infrared (IR) range. We investigated effects of changing rodent diet on food autofluorescence, in the presence of quantum dots‐conjugated magnetic nanospheres (QD‐MNSs). Replacement of a regular rodent diet with a purified diet has great improvement in removing autofluorescence in the near‐infrared range ideal for in vivo fluorescence imaging. By feeding a purified diet for eliminating ingredients impairing desirable fluorescence signals in the near‐IR range, food autofluorescence was clearly eliminated and fluorescence probes, QD‐MNSs, introduced by i.v. injection were effectively traced in a mouse by a distinctive signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Digital Hardware Realization of Forward and Inverse Kinematics for a Five-Axis Articulated Robot Arm
Authors: Hai Linh Bui Thi , Kung Ying-Shieh
Published: August 2015

When robot arm performs a motion control, it needs to calculate a complicated algorithm of forward and inverse kinematics which consumes much CPU time and certainty slows down the motion speed of robot arm. Therefore, to solve this issue, the development of a hardware realization of forward and inverse kinematics for an articulated robot arm is investigated. In this paper, the formulation of the forward and inverse kinematics for a five-axis articulated robot arm is derived firstly. Then, the computations algorithm and its hardware implementation are described. Further, very high speed integrated circuits hardware description language (VHDL) is applied to describe the overall hardware behavior of forward and inverse kinematics. Additionally, finite state machine (FSM) is applied for reducing the hardware resource usage. Finally, for verifying the correctness of forward and inverse kinematics for the five-axis articulated robot arm, a cosimulation work is constructed by ModelSim and Simulink. The hardware of the forward and inverse kinematics is run by ModelSim and a test bench which generates stimulus to ModelSim and displays the output response is taken in Simulink. Under this design, the forward and inverse kinematics algorithms can be completed within one microsecond.
Toward a General-Purpose Heterogeneous Ensemble for Pattern Classification
Authors: Nanni Loris , Brahnam Sheryl , Ghidoni Stefano , Lumini Alessandra
Published: August 2015

We perform an extensive study of the performance of different classification approaches on twenty-five datasets (fourteen image datasets and eleven UCI data mining datasets). The aim is to find General-Purpose (GP) heterogeneous ensembles (requiring little to no parameter tuning) that perform competitively across multiple datasets. The state-of-the-art classifiers examined in this study include the support vector machine, Gaussian process classifiers, random subspace of adaboost, random subspace of rotation boosting, and deep learning classifiers. We demonstrate that a heterogeneous ensemble based on the simple fusion by sum rule of different classifiers performs consistently well across all twenty-five datasets. The most important result of our investigation is demonstrating that some very recent approaches, including the heterogeneous ensemble we propose in this paper, are capable of outperforming an SVM classifier (implemented with LibSVM), even when both kernel selection and SVM parameters are carefully tuned for each dataset.
Catalytic Hydrodechlorination of Trichlorobenzenes with Pd(Phen)Cl2 as Catalyst Precursor
Authors: Zhang Guanlin , Xu Hu , Fan Yuehui , Wang Yuhong , Zhang Lirong , Lu Guanzhong
Published: August 2015

We reported the catalytic hydrodechlorination (HDC) of trichlorobenzenes by an organometallic compound Pd(Phen)Cl2 as a catalyst precursor. The catalyst precursor was prepared by chemical coordination reaction and characterized by FTIR and 1H NMR techniques. The HDC performance of Pd(Phen)Cl2 as catalyst precursor was evaluated on 1,2,3‐, 1,2,4‐, and 1,3,5‐trichlorobenzenes (TCBs). All TCBs could be converted to dechlorination products with high conversion. Products distribution was closely related with the substrate structures and C‐Cl bond energies. A reasonable reaction mechanism was also proposed.
Inferring Visual Perceptual Object by Adaptive Fusion of Image Salient Features
Authors: Xu Xin , Mu Nan , Zhang Hong
Published: August 2015

Saliency computational model with active environment perception can be useful for many applications including image retrieval, object recognition, and image segmentation. Previous work on bottom-up saliency computation typically relies on hand-crafted low-level image features. However, the adaptation of saliency computational model towards different kinds of scenes remains a challenge. For a low-level image feature, it can contribute greatly on some images but may be detrimental for saliency computation on other images. In this work, a novel data driven approach is proposed to adaptively select proper features for different kinds of images. This method exploits low-level features containing the most distinguishable salient information per image. Then the image saliency can be calculated based on the adaptive weight selection scheme. A large number of experiments are conducted on the MSRA database to compare the performance of the proposed method with the state-of-the-art saliency computational models.
Prevalence, Long-term Development, and Predictors of Psychosocial Consequences of False-Positive Mammography among Women Attending Population-Based Screening
Authors: Bolejko Anetta , Hagell Peter , Wann-Hansson Christine , Zackrisson Sophia
Published: August 2015

Background: Cancer screening aims to detect cancer at an asymptomatic stage, although side effects from screening also occur. We investigated the prevalence, longitudinal development, and predictors of psychosocial consequences of false-positive breast cancer screening.

Methods: Three hundred ninety-nine women with false-positive screening mammography responded to the Consequences of Screening–Breast Cancer (COS-BC) questionnaire immediately after a negative diagnosis (free from breast cancer) following recall examination(s) (baseline), and 6 and 12 months later. Age-matched controls (n = 499) with a negative mammogram responded to the COS-BC at the same occasions. Five COS-BC scales (Sense of dejection, Anxiety, Behavioral, Sleep, and Existential values) were used as outcome measures.

Results: Women with false-positive mammography had consistently higher prevalence of all five consequences compared with controls (P < 0.001). The prevalences decreased between baseline and 6 months (P < 0.001) but were stable between 6 and 12 months (P ≥ 0.136). Early recall profoundly predicted long-term consequences for all five outcomes (OR, 3.05–10.31), along with dissatisfaction with information at recall (OR, 2.28–2.56), being foreign-born (OR, 2.35–3.71), and lack of social support (OR, 1.13–1.25).

Conclusion: This 1-year longitudinal study shows that women experience psychosocial consequences of false-positive screening mammography. Early recall should be performed cautiously, and provision of information as well as social support may reduce psychosocial consequences.

Impact: Although delivery of population-based screening reduces breast cancer mortality, it also raises the issue of its impact on the psychosocial well-being of healthy women. Our findings identify predictors that can be targeted in future efforts to reduce the side effects of mammographic screening. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 24(9); 1388–97. ©2015 AACR.
Association between Serum Sialic Acid Levels and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: He Junling , Mao Weilin , Zhang Juanwen , Jin Xi
Published: August 2015

Background: To assess the association between serum sialic acid (SA) levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a Chinese population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 3,898 Chinese who took their annual health examination. Serum SA levels and other clinical and laboratory parameters were measured. Results: A total of 18.11% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD. NAFLD subjects with/without metabolic syndrome (MS) had significantly higher serum SA levels than those without NAFLD. Serum SA levels were significantly and positively correlated with components of MS (body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride and fasting plasma glucose) in the NAFLD group. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that SA levels were significantly associated with the risk factor for NAFLD. Serum SA levels were negatively correlated with the FIB-4 score, and lower serum SA levels were independent factors predicting advanced fibrosis in subjects with NAFLD. Conclusions: Our results showed a significant association between serum SA levels and NAFLD.
Prognostic Role of a Multimarker Analysis of Circulating Tumor Cells in Advanced Gastric and Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinomas
Authors: Kubisch Ilja , de Albuquerque Andreia , Schuppan Detlef , Kaul Sepp , Schaich Markus , Stölzel Ulrich
Published: August 2015

Objective: We aimed to assess the prognostic value of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas. Methods: The presence of CTC was evaluated in 62 patients with advanced gastric and gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas before systemic therapy and at follow-up through immunomagnetic enrichment for mucin 1- and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)-positive cells, followed by real-time RT-PCR of the tumor-associated genes KRT19, MUC1, EPCAM, CEACAM5 and BIRC5. Results: The patients were stratified into groups according to CTC detection (CTC negative: with all marker genes negative; CTC positive: with at least 1 of the marker genes positive). Patients who were CTC positive at baseline had a significantly shorter median progression-free survival (PFS; 3.5 months, 95% CI: 2.9-4.2) and overall survival (OS; 5.8 months, 95% CI: 4.5-7.0) than patients lacking CTC (PFS 10.7 months, 95% CI: 6.9-14.4, p < 0.001; OS 13.3 months, 95% CI: 8.0-18.6, p = 0.003). Alterations in the marker profile during the course of chemotherapy were not predictive of clinical outcome or response to therapy. Yet, a favorable clinical response depended significantly on CTC negativity (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Our data suggest that the presence of CTC is a major predictor of outcome in patients with gastric and gastroesophageal malignancies.
Dynamic Amygdala Influences on the Fronto-Striatal Brain Mechanisms Involved in Self-Control of Impulsive Desires
Authors: Krämer Bernd , Gruber Oliver
Published: August 2015

Human decisions are guided by a variety of motivational factors, such as immediate rewards, long-term goals, and emotions. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the dynamic functional interactions between the amygdala, the nucleus accumbens, and the prefrontal cortex that underlie the influences of emotions, desires, and rationality on human decisions. We found that increased functional connectivity between the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens facilitated the approach of an immediate reward in the presence of emotional information. Further, increased functional interactions of the anteroventral prefrontal cortex with the amygdala and the nucleus accumbens were associated with rational decisions in dilemma situations. These findings support previous animal studies by demonstrating that emotional signals from the amygdala and goal-oriented information from prefrontal cortices interface in the nucleus accumbens to guide human decisions and reward-directed actions.