bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The myth of restenosis after carotid angioplasty and stenting
Authors: Moon Karam , Albuquerque Felipe C , Levitt Michael R , Ahmed Azam S , Kalani M Yashar S , McDougall Cameron G
Published: September 2015

Background and purpose

Reported rates of in-stent restenosis after carotid artery stenting (CAS) vary, and restenosis risk factors are poorly understood. We evaluated restenosis rates and risk factors, and compared patients with ‘hostile-neck’ carotids (a history of ipsilateral neck surgery or irradiation) and atherosclerotic lesions.

Methods

Demographic, clinical, and radiological characteristics of patients undergoing cervical CAS between 1995 and 2010 with at least 1 month of follow-up were reviewed. Patients with substantial (≥50%) radiographic restenosis were compared with those without significant restenosis to identify restenosis risk factors.

Results

The analysis included 121 patients with 133 stented vessels; 91 (68.4%) lesions were symptomatic. Indications for stent placement included hostile-neck lesions, substantial surgical comorbidities, inclusion in a randomized carotid stenting trial, acute carotid occlusion, tandem stenosis, large pseudoaneurysm, high carotid bifurcation, and contralateral laryngeal nerve palsy. Procedures were technically successful in all but one lesion (99.2%). Perioperative stroke occurred in four cases (3.0%). Mean follow-up was 38 months (range 1–204 months), during which 23 vessels (17.3%) developed restenosis. Hostile-neck carotids (n=57) comprised 42.9% of all vessels treated and were responsible for 15 of 23 restenosis cases, resulting in a significantly higher restenosis rate than that of primary atherosclerotic lesions (26.3% vs 10.5%, p=0.017). By univariate analysis, the presence of calcified plaque was significantly associated with the incidence of in-stent restenosis (p=0.02).

Conclusions

Restenosis rates after carotid angioplasty and stenting are low. Patients with a history of ipsilateral neck surgery or irradiation are at higher risk for substantial radiographic and symptomatic restenosis.
Drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiotoxicity
Authors: Varga Zoltán V , Ferdinandy Peter , Liaudet Lucas , Pacher Pál
Published: September 2015

Mitochondria has an essential role in myocardial tissue homeostasis; thus deterioration in mitochondrial function eventually leads to cardiomyocyte and endothelial cell death and consequent cardiovascular dysfunction. Several chemical compounds and drugs have been known to directly or indirectly modulate cardiac mitochondrial function, which can account both for the toxicological and pharmacological properties of these substances. In many cases, toxicity problems appear only in the presence of additional cardiovascular disease conditions or develop months/years following the exposure, making the diagnosis difficult. Cardiotoxic agents affecting mitochondria include several widely used anticancer drugs [anthracyclines (Doxorubicin/Adriamycin), cisplatin, trastuzumab (Herceptin), arsenic trioxide (Trisenox), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), imatinib (Gleevec), bevacizumab (Avastin), sunitinib (Sutent), and sorafenib (Nevaxar)], antiviral compound azidothymidine (AZT, Zidovudine) and several oral antidiabetics [e.g., rosiglitazone (Avandia)]. Illicit drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and synthetic cannabinoids (spice, K2) may also induce mitochondria-related cardiotoxicity. Mitochondrial toxicity develops due to various mechanisms involving interference with the mitochondrial respiratory chain (e.g., uncoupling) or inhibition of the important mitochondrial enzymes (oxidative phosphorylation, Szent-Györgyi-Krebs cycle, mitochondrial DNA replication, ADP/ATP translocator). The final phase of mitochondrial dysfunction induces loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and an increase in mitochondrial oxidative/nitrative stress, eventually culminating into cell death. This review aims to discuss the mechanisms of mitochondrion-mediated cardiotoxicity of commonly used drugs and some potential cardioprotective strategies to prevent these toxicities.
Serotonin transporter is not required for the development of severe pulmonary hypertension in the Sugen hypoxia rat model
Authors: de Raaf Michiel Alexander , Kroeze Yvet , Middelman Anthonieke , de Man Frances S. , de Jong Helma , Vonk-Noordegraaf Anton , de Korte Chris , Voelkel Norbert F. , Homberg Judith , Bogaard Harm Jan
Published: September 2015

Increased serotonin serum levels have been proposed to play a key role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by regulating vessel tone and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. An intact serotonin system, which critically depends on a normal function of the serotonin transporter (SERT), is required for the development of experimental pulmonary hypertension in rodents exposed to hypoxia or monocrotaline. While these animal models resemble human PAH only with respect to vascular media remodeling, we hypothesized that SERT is likewise required for the presence of lumen-obliterating intima remodeling, a hallmark of human PAH reproduced in the Sugen hypoxia (SuHx) rat model of severe angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension. Therefore, SERT wild-type (WT) and knockout (KO) rats were exposed to the SuHx protocol. SERT KO rats, while completely lacking SERT, were hemodynamically indistinguishable from WT rats. After exposure to SuHx, similar degrees of severe angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy developed in WT and KO rats (right ventricular systolic pressure 60 vs. 55 mmHg, intima thickness 38 vs. 30%, respectively). In conclusion, despite its implicated importance in PAH, SERT does not play an essential role in the pathogenesis of severe angioobliterative pulmonary hypertension in rats exposed to SuHx.
Resistin deficiency in mice has no effect on pulmonary responses induced by acute ozone exposure
Authors: Razvi Shehla S. , Richards Jeremy B. , Malik Farhan , Cromar Kevin R. , Price Roger E. , Bell Cynthia S. , Weng Tingting , Atkins Constance L. , Spencer Chantal Y. , Cockerill Katherine J. , Alexander Amy L. , Blackburn Michael R. , Alcorn Joseph L. , Haque Ikram U. , Johnston Richard A.
Published: September 2015

Acute exposure to ozone (O3), an air pollutant, causes pulmonary inflammation, airway epithelial desquamation, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Pro-inflammatory cytokines—including IL-6 and ligands of chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 2 [keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2], TNF receptor 1 and 2 (TNF), and type I IL-1 receptor (IL-1α and IL-1β)—promote these sequelae. Human resistin, a pleiotropic hormone and cytokine, induces expression of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 (the human ortholog of murine KC and MIP-2), and TNF. Functional differences exist between human and murine resistin; yet given the aforementioned observations, we hypothesized that murine resistin promotes O3-induced lung pathology by inducing expression of the same inflammatory cytokines as human resistin. Consequently, we examined indexes of O3-induced lung pathology in wild-type and resistin-deficient mice following acute exposure to either filtered room air or O3. In wild-type mice, O3 increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) resistin. Furthermore, O3 increased lung tissue or BALF IL-1α, IL-6, KC, TNF, macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells in wild-type and resistin-deficient mice. With the exception of KC, which was significantly greater in resistin-deficient compared with wild-type mice, no genotype-related differences in the other indexes existed following O3 exposure. O3 caused AHR to acetyl-β-methylcholine chloride (methacholine) in wild-type and resistin-deficient mice. However, genotype-related differences in airway responsiveness to methacholine were nonexistent subsequent to O3 exposure. Taken together, these data demonstrate that murine resistin is increased in the lungs of wild-type mice following acute O3 exposure but does not promote O3-induced lung pathology.
NF-κB-dependent airway inflammation triggers systemic insulin resistance
Authors: Cyphert Travis J. , Morris Robert T. , House Lawrence M. , Barnes Tammy M. , Otero Yolanda F. , Barham Whitney J. , Hunt Raphael P. , Zaynagetdinov Rinat , Yull Fiona E. , Blackwell Timothy S. , McGuinness Owen P.
Published: September 2015

Inflammatory lung diseases (e.g., pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome) are associated with hyperglycemia, even in patients without a prior diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. It is unknown whether the lung inflammation itself or the accompanying comorbidities contribute to the increased risk of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. To investigate whether inflammatory signaling by airway epithelial cells can induce systemic insulin resistance, we used a line of doxycycline-inducible transgenic mice that express a constitutive activator of the NF-κB in airway epithelial cells. Airway inflammation with accompanying neutrophilic infiltration was induced with doxycycline over 5 days. Then, hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps were performed in chronically catheterized, conscious mice to assess insulin action. Lung inflammation decreased the whole body glucose requirements and was associated with secondary activation of inflammation in multiple tissues. Metabolic changes occurred in the absence of hypoxemia. Lung inflammation markedly attenuated insulin-induced suppression of hepatic glucose production and moderately impaired insulin action in peripheral tissues. The hepatic Akt signaling pathway was intact, while hepatic markers of inflammation and plasma lactate were increased. As insulin signaling was intact, the inability of insulin to suppress glucose production in the liver could have been driven by the increase in lactate, which is a substrate for gluconeogenesis, or due to an inflammation-driven signal that is independent of Akt. Thus, localized airway inflammation that is observed during inflammatory lung diseases can contribute to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.
Early Angiographic Resolution of Cerebral Vasospasm with High Dose Intravenous Milrinone Therapy
Authors: Zeiler F. A. , Silvaggio J.
Published: September 2015

Background. Treatment of symptomatic delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is difficult. Recent studies suggest intravenous (IV) high dose milrinone as a potential therapy. The timing to angiographic response with this is unclear.Methods. We reviewed the chart of one patient admitted for SAH who developed symptomatic DCI and was treated with high dose IV milrinone.Results. A 66-year-old female was admitted with a Hunt and Hess clinical grade 4, World Federation of Neurological Surgeons (WFNS) clinical grade 4, and SAH secondary to a left anterior choroidal artery aneurysm which was clipped. After bleed day 6, the patient developed symptomatic DCI. We planned for angioplasty of the proximal segments. We administered high dose IV milrinone bolus followed by continuous infusion which led to clinical improvement prior to angiography. The angiogram performed 1.5 hours after milrinone administration displayed resolution of the CT angiogram and MRI based cerebral vasospasm such that further intra-arterial therapy was aborted. She completed 6 days of continuous IV milrinone therapy, was transferred to the ward, and subsequently rehabilitated.Conclusions. High dose IV milrinone therapy for symptomatic DCI after SAH can lead to rapid neurological improvement with dramatic early angiographic improvement of cerebral vasospasm.
Application of the Improved Complex Normal Form Method Based on He’s Energy Balance Method to a Noise Included Nonlinear Oscillator
Authors: Ge Gen , Yun Zheng Chao
Published: September 2015

A strongly nonlinear oscillator with nonlinear damping subject to narrow band random excitation is discussed. The deterministic and the stochastic responses are studied, respectively, applying the improved complex normal form method based on He’s energy balance method. The accuracy of detecting of the response frequency has been improved significantly. The behavior of steady state responses together with the stability is analyzed by the moment method. The numerical simulation results are consistent with theoretical analysis. When the noise intensity is small enough, the analytical result given by the moment method agrees with the simulation quite well.
Nanotechnological Advances in Catalytic Thin Films for Green Large‐Area Surfaces
Authors: Biran Ay Suzan , Kosku Perkgoz Nihan
Published: September 2015

Large‐area catalytic thin films offer great potential for green technology applications in order to save energy, combat pollution, and reduce global warming. These films, either embedded with nanoparticles, shaped with nanostructuring techniques, hybridized with other systems, or functionalized with bionanotechnological methods, can include many different surface properties including photocatalytic, antifouling, abrasion resistant and mechanically resistive, self‐cleaning, antibacterial, hydrophobic, and oleophobic features. Thus, surface functionalization with such advanced structuring methods is of significance to increase the performance and wide usage of large‐area thin film coatings specifically for environmental remediation. In this review, we focus on methods to increase the efficiency of catalytic reactions in thin film and hence improve the performance in relevant applications while eliminating high cost with the purpose of widespread usage. However, we also include the most recent hybrid architectures, which have potential to make a transformational change in surface applications as soon as high quality and large area production techniques are available. Hence, we present and discuss research studies regarding both organic and inorganic methods that are used to structure thin films that have potential for large‐area and eco‐friendly coatings.
Lateral Vibrations of a Cable-Stayed Bridge under Crowd Excitation
Authors: Ouyang Lijun , Wang Caihong , Zhen Bin , Xu Jian
Published: September 2015

A cable-stayed bridge model under crowd excitation is established in this paper by considering the geometric nonlinear property of the cables. Lateral vibrations of the model are investigated by employing the center manifold theory, and the first-order approximation solution of the periodic vibration of the bridge is derived by using the energy method. Numerical simulations are carried out to verify the validity of our analytical expressions. Our research shows that the existence of the cables can reduce the amplitude and frequency of the bridge, especially for the large amplitude case. This might explain why measured data of a cable-stayed bridge (T-bridge in Japan) vibrating under crowd excitation are much less than the theoretical results reported in previous studies in which the cable-stayed bridge is viewed as a single-degree-of-freedom system. Our analysis results suggest that the structure types of footbridges should not be easily ignored in the study of pedestrian-footbridge interaction.
Design and Analysis of a Low Cost Wave Generator Based on Direct Digital Synthesis
Authors: Qi Jian , Sun Qun , Wu Xiaoliang , Wang Chong , Chen Linlin
Published: September 2015

Signal generators are widely used in experimental courses of universities. However, most of the commercial tests signal generators are expensive and bulky. In addition, a majority of them are in a fixed working mode with many little-used signals. In order to improve this situation, a small sized and highly accurate economic signal generator based on DDS technology has been developed, which is capable of providing wave signals commonly used in experiments. Firstly, it is introduced the basic principles of DDS and is determined the overall scheme of the signal generator. Then, it proposes a design of the hardware, which include power supply module, display module, keyboard module, waveform generating module based on DDS chip, and the minimum system module based on C8051F010. The signal generator was designed to output sine and square waveforms, and the other achieved performances included the frequency range 0.1 Hz–12.5 MHz, the frequency resolution 0.05 Hz–0.1 Hz, the output amplitude 1.0–4.5 V, the frequency accuracyKfmin=94.12% andKfmax=99.99%, and the signal distortionRTHDmin=0.638% andRTHDmax=11.67%.
Augmented Filtering Based on Information Weighted Consensus Fusion for Simultaneous Localization and Tracking via Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Jiang Xiangyuan , Lu Baozhou , Ren Peng , Luo Chunbo , Wang Xinheng
Published: September 2015

This paper develops a novel augmented filtering framework based on information weighted consensus fusion, to achieve the simultaneous localization and tracking (SLAT) via wireless sensor networks (WSNs). By integrating augmented transition and observation models, we formulate a dynamical system that encodes both the target moving manners and coarse sensor locations in an augmented state. We then conduct augmented filtering based on augmented extended Kalman filters to estimate the augmented state. We further refine our target estimate according to information weighted consensus filtering which fuses the target information obtained from neighboring sensors. The fused information is fed back as the target estimate to the augmented filter. Our framework is computationally efficient because it only requires neighboring sensor communications. Experiments on SLAT problem validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in terms of tracking accuracy and localization precision in limited ranging conditions.
The Potential Spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the Environment in the Creation of Spondylitis Tuberculosis Rabbit
Authors: Rahyussalim Ahmad Jabir , Kurniawati Tri , Rukmana Andriansjah , Fitri Arni Diana
Published: September 2015

Direct Mycobacterium tuberculosis inoculation on rabbit vertebral body was used in rabbit spinal infection study. The potential spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the environment will be observed in order to create the conditions fulfilling biosafety aspects. Two groups of six New Zealand rabbits were treatment group (n=4) and control group (n=2). The treatment group had injection of 0.1 mL (107 cfu/mL) suspension of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the vertebral body T12. They were incubated for 2 to 14 weeks. One rabbit per period of 2, 4, 6, and 14 weeks was euthanized to collect feces, urine, saliva, and tissue lesions. The control group had only feces, urine, and saliva to detect bacteria using AFB staining, culture, and PCR. Both two groups were kept in individual cages. They were put together in a large cage for 3 hours every day to interact with each other. AFB staining, culture, and radiological examination showed negative result, but in one rabbit, histopathological examination showed positive result and PCR examination in another rabbit of the treatment group. Spreading score was 1.05% and infected score was 0 (null). The procedure did not reveal the potential spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis into the environment.
The Rapid Initiation, Titration, and Transition from Intravenous to Oral Treprostinil in a Patient with Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Authors: Gleason James Benjamin , Dolan Justin , Piran Pirouz , Rahaghi Franck Farzad
Published: September 2015

In patients who require urgent initiation of pulmonary arterial hypertension medications due to disease progression, it is customary to start intravenous prostacyclin therapy, typically during a hospital admission. If there are complicating factors or relative contraindications to intravenous and subcutaneous prostanoids, oral treprostinil provides another pathway to prostanoid therapy, but this usually requires a prolonged titration. We describe the case of a thirty-six-year-old male with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension and contraindication to intravenous and subcutaneous prostanoid therapy due to congenital deafness and the risk of not hearing the intravenous pump alarms. Intravenous treprostinil was initiated, titrated to high dose, and then rapidly transitioned to oral treprostinil. A rapid initiation, titration, and transition from intravenous to oral treprostinil can be safely performed under watchful supervision in order to achieve higher and more efficacious doses of oral treprostinil in a timely manner.
The Attenuated Live Yellow Fever Virus 17D Infects the Thymus and Induces Thymic Transcriptional Modifications of Immunomodulatory Genes in C57BL/6 and BALB/C Mice
Authors: Melo-Lima Breno Luiz , Espósito Danillo Lucas Alves , Fonseca Benedito Antônio Lopes da , Figueiredo Luiz Tadeu Moraes , Moreau Philippe , Donadi Eduardo Antonio
Published: September 2015

Thymus is involved in induction of self-tolerance in T lymphocytes, particularly due to Aire activity. In peripheral tissues, Treg cells and immunomodulatory molecules, like the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class Ib molecules, are essential for maintenance of autotolerance during immune responses. Viral infections can trigger autoimmunity and modify thymic function, and YFV17D immunization has been associated with the onset of autoimmunity, being contraindicated in patients with thymic disorders. Aiming to study the influence of YFV17D immunization on the transcriptional profiles of immunomodulatory genes in thymus, we evaluated the gene expression ofAIRE, FOXP3, H2-Q7(Qa-2/HLA-G),H2-T23(Qa-1/HLA-E),H2-Q10, andH2-K1following immunization with 10,000 LD50of YFV17D in C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. The YFV17D virus replicated in thymus and induced the expression ofH2-Q7(Qa-2/HLA-G) andH2-T23(Qa-1/HLA-E) transcripts and repressed the expression ofAIREandFOXP3. Transcriptional expression varied according to tissue and mouse strain analyzed. Expression ofH2-T23(Qa-1/HLA-E) andFOXP3was induced in thymus and liver of C57BL/6 mice, which exhibited defective control of viral load, suggesting a higher susceptibility to YFV17D infection. Since the immunization with YFV17D modulated thymus gene expression in genetically predisposed individuals, the vaccine may be related to the onset of autoimmunity disorders.
Synchronization of Hybrid Microgrids with Communication Latency
Authors: Lai Jingang , Zhou Hong , Hu Wenshan , Lu Xiaoqing , Zhong Liang
Published: September 2015

A distributed cooperative control scheme is proposed in order to implement a distributed secondary control for hybrid lossy microgrids. The designed distributed control is able to synchronize the frequency of inverse-based distributed generators (DGs) and minisynchronous generators (MSGs/SGs) to the desired state with a virtual leader DG/SG (reference value) in a distribution switching network under the existence of time-varying communication delays. The secondary control stage selects suitable frequencies of each DG/SG such that they can be synchronized at the desired set point. Using the proposed algorithm, each DG/SG only needs to communicate with its neighboring DGs/SGs intermittently even if the communication networks are local, the topology is time-varying, and the communication delays may exist. Therefore, the failure of a single DG/SG will not produce the failing down of the whole system. Sufficient conditions on the requirements for the network connectivity and the delays boundedness which guarantees the stability and synchronization of the controlled hybrid lossy microgrid power systems are presented. The feasibility of the proposed control methodology is verified by the simulation of a given lossy microgrid test system.
Modeling and Analysis of Queueing-Based Vary-On/Vary-Off Schemes for Server Clusters
Authors: Tang Cheng-Jen , Dai Miau-Ru
Published: September 2015

A cloud system usually consists of a lot of server clusters handling various applications. To satisfy the increasing demands, especially for the front-end web applications, the computing capacity of a cloud system is often allocated for the peak demand. Such installation causes resource underutilization during the off-peak hours. Vary-On/Vary-Off (VOVO) schemes concentrate workloads on some servers instead of distributing them across all servers in a cluster to reduce idle energy waste. Recent VOVO schemes adopt queueing theory to model the arrival process and the service process for determining the number of powered-on servers. For the arrival process, Poisson process can be safely assumed in web services due to the large number of independent sources. On the other hand, the heavy-tailed distribution of service times is observed in real web systems. However, there are no exact solutions to determine the performance forM/heavy-tailed/mqueues. Therefore, this paper presents two queueing-based sizing approximations for Poisson and non-Poisson governed service processes. The simulation results of the proposed approximations are analyzed and evaluated by comparing with the simulated system running at full capacity. This relative measurement indicates that the Pareto distributed service process may be adequately modeled by memoryless queues when VOVO schemes are adopted.
Optimization of the Turbulence Model on Numerical Simulations of Flow Field within a Hydrocyclone
Authors: Xu Yan , Wang Zunce , Ke Lin , Li Sen , Zhang Jinglong
Published: September 2015

Reynolds Stress Model and Large Eddy Simulation are used to respectively perform numerical simulation for the flow field of a hydrocyclone. The three-dimensional hexahedral computational grids were generated. Turbulence intensity, vorticity, and the velocity distribution of different cross sections were gained. The velocity simulation results were compared with the LDV test results, and the results indicated that Large Eddy Simulation was more close to LDV experimental data. Large Eddy Simulation was a relatively appropriate method for simulation of flow field within a hydrocyclone.
Youssef’s Syndrome following Cesarean Section
Authors: Birge Ozer , Ozbey Ertugrul Gazi , Erkan Mustafa Melih , Arslan Deniz , Kayar Ilkan
Published: September 2015

Youssef’s syndrome is characterized by cyclic hematuria (menouria), absence of vaginal bleeding (amenorrhea), and urinary incontinence due to vesicouterine fistula (VUF), the least common of the urogynecological fistulas. Youssef’s syndrome has a variable clinical presentation. A vesicouterine fistula is an abnormal pathway between the bladder and the uterus. The most common cause is lower segment Cesarean section. Conservative treatment may be appropriate in some cases, but surgery is the definitive treatment. Vesicouterine fistula should be suspected in cases presenting with urinary incontinence even years after Cesarean section. Diagnostic tests as well as necessary appropriate surgery should be performed on cases with suspected vesicouterine fistula. We present a 40-year-old multiparous woman with vesicouterine fistula after primary Cesarean section; she presented with urinary incontinence, hematuria, and amenorrhea 1 year after the birth. Here, we discuss our case with the help of previously published studies found in the literature.
Effect of the Human Amniotic Membrane on Liver Regeneration in Rats
Authors: Sipahi Mesut , Şahin Sevinç , Arslan Ergin , Börekci Hasan , Metin Bayram , Cantürk Nuh Zafer
Published: September 2015

Introduction. Operations are performed for broader liver surgery indications for a better understanding of hepatic anatomy/physiology and developments in operation technology. Surgery can cure some patients with liver metastasis of some tumors. Nevertheless, postoperative liver failure is the most feared complication causing mortality in patients who have undergone excision of a large liver mass. The human amniotic membrane has regenerative effects. Thus, we investigated the effects of the human amniotic membrane on regeneration of the resected liver.Methods. Twenty female Wistar albino rats were divided into control and experimental groups and underwent a 70% hepatectomy. The human amniotic membrane was placed over the residual liver in the experimental group. Relative liver weight, histopathological features, and biochemical parameters were assessed on postoperative day 3.Results. Total protein and albumin levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. No difference in relative liver weight was observed between the groups. Hepatocyte mitotic count was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. Hepatic steatosis was detected in the experimental group.Conclusion. Applying the amniotic membrane to residual liver adversely affected liver regeneration. However, mesenchymal stem cell research has the potential to accelerate liver regeneration investigations.
Implementation of a Cross-Spectrum FFT Analyzer for a Phase-Noise Test System in a Low-Cost FPGA
Authors: Fleischmann Patrick , Mathis Heinz , Kucera Jakub , Dahinden Stefan
Published: September 2015

The cross-correlation method allows phase-noise measurements of high-quality devices with very low noise levels, using reference sources with higher noise levels than the device under test. To implement this method, a phase-noise analyzer needs to compute the cross-spectral density, that is, the Fourier transform of the cross-correlation, of two time series over a wide frequency range, from fractions of Hz to tens of MHz. Furthermore, the analyzer requires a high dynamic range to accommodate the phase noise of high-quality oscillators that may fall off by more than 100 dB from close-in noise to the noise floor at large frequency offsets. This paper describes the efficient implementation of a cross-spectrum analyzer in a low-cost FPGA, as part of a modern phase-noise analyzer with very fast measurement time.
Effect of a Home-Based Virtual Reality Intervention for Children with Cerebral Palsy Using Super Pop VR Evaluation Metrics: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Chen Yuping , Garcia-Vergara Sergio , Howard Ayanna M.
Published: September 2015

Objective.The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether Super Pop VR, a low-cost virtual reality (VR) system, was a feasible system for documenting improvement in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and whether a home-based VR intervention was effective.Methods.Three children with CP participated in this study and received an 8-week VR intervention (30 minutes × 5 sessions/week) using the commercial EyeToy Play VR system. Reaching kinematics measured by Super Pop VR and two fine motor tools (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency second edition, BOT-2, and Pediatric Motor Activity Log, PMAL) were tested before, mid, and after intervention.Results.All children successfully completed the evaluations using the Super Pop VR system at home where 85% of the reaches collected were used to compute reaching kinematics, which is compatible with literature using expensive motion analysis systems. Only the child with hemiplegic CP and more impaired arm function improved the reaching kinematics and functional use of the affected hand after intervention.Conclusion.Super Pop VR proved to be a feasible evaluation tool in children with CP.
Optimization and Prediction of Ultimate Tensile Strength in Metal Active Gas Welding
Authors: Ampaiboon Anusit , Lasunon On-Uma , Bubphachot Bopit
Published: September 2015

We investigated the effect of welding parameters on ultimate tensile strength of structural steel, ST37‐2, welded by Metal Active Gas welding. A fractional factorial design was used for determining the significance of six parameters: wire feed rate, welding voltage, welding speed, travel angle, tip‐to‐work distance, and shielded gas flow rate. A regression model to predict ultimate tensile strength was developed. Finally, we verified optimization of the process parameters experimentally. We achieved an optimum tensile strength (558 MPa) and wire feed rate, 19 m/min, had the greatest effect, followed by tip‐to‐work distance, 7 mm, welding speed, 200 mm/min, welding voltage, 30 V, and travel angle, 60°. Shield gas flow rate, 10 L/min, was slightly better but had little effect in the 10–20 L/min range. Tests showed that our regression model was able to predict the ultimate tensile strength within 4%.
Research on Cloud Computing Resources Provisioning Based on Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Peng Zhiping , Cui Delong , Zuo Jinglong , Lin Weiwei
Published: September 2015

As one of the core issues for cloud computing, resource management adopts virtualization technology to shield the underlying resource heterogeneity and complexity which makes the massive distributed resources form a unified giant resource pool. It can achieve efficient resource provisioning by using the rational implementing resource management methods and techniques. Therefore, how to manage cloud computing resources effectively becomes a challenging research topic. By analyzing the executing progress of a user job in the cloud computing environment, we proposed a novel resource provisioning scheme based on the reinforcement learning and queuing theory in this study. With the introduction of the concepts of Segmentation Service Level Agreement (SSLA) and Utilization Unit Time Cost (UUTC), we viewed the resource provisioning problem in cloud computing as a sequential decision issue, and then we designed a novel optimization object function and employed reinforcement learning to solve it. Experiment results not only demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed scheme, but also proved to outperform the common methods of resource utilization rate in terms of SLA collision avoidance and user costs.
A Case of Aortopulmonary Window: Asymptomatic until the First Pregnancy
Authors: Kose Murat , Ucar Serra , Emet Samim , Akpinar Timur Selcuk , Yalin Kıvanc
Published: September 2015

The aortopulmonary window (APW) is an abnormal communication between the ascending aorta and the pulmonary trunk in the presence of two separate semilunar valves. It is a rare congenital malformation which represents 0.1% of all congenital cardiac diseases. Herein, we report a very rare case of 27-year-old patient with unrepaired APW causing Eisenmenger syndrome and pulmonary hypertension who was asymptomatic until her first pregnancy. The median survival of uncorrected APW is 33 years. Aortopulmonary window is a very rare congenital anomaly. To our knowledge, asymptomatic adult case has not been reported until now. APW should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the severe pulmonary hypertension also in adult patients.
Novel Notched UWB Filter Using Stepped Impedance Stub Loaded Microstrip Resonator and Spurlines
Authors: Uikey Ramkumar , Sangam Ramanand Sagar , Prasadu Kakumanu , Kshetrimayum Rakhesh Singh
Published: September 2015

This paper presents a novel ultrawideband (UWB) bandpass filter using stepped impedance stub loaded microstrip resonator (SISLMR). The proposed resonator is so formed to allow its four resonant frequencies in the UWB passband, which extends from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. Moreover, two spurline sections are employed to create a sharp notched-band filter for suppressing the signals of 5 GHz WLAN devices. Experimental results of the fabricated filters are in good agreement with the HFSS simulations and validate the design.
Cognitive Rehabilitation of Dementia in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Review of Non-Pharmacological Interventions
Authors: Fonseca Luciana Mascarenhas , Navatta Anna Carolina Rufino , Bottino Cássio M.C. , Miotto Eliane Correa
Published: September 2015

Background: There is a close genetic relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome (DS), AD being the most severe mental disorder affecting ageing individuals with DS. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation interventions in DS patients with AD by means of a critical literature review. Summary: Because AD is progressive and irreversible, treatment is aimed at delaying and reducing the cognitive and functional decline in order to preserve or improve quality of life. The effects that pharmacological treatments and cognitive interventions have on elderly individuals with AD are well documented. Recent clinical trials have investigated the use of pharmacological treatment in DS patients with AD, generating preliminary results that have been unfavourable. Key Messages: There is a clear lack of studies addressing the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation interventions in DS patients with AD, and there is an urgent need for studies providing evidence to inform decisions regarding the appropriate choice of treatment strategies.
Orbital Recurrence following Aggressive Laser Treatment for Recurrent Retinoblastoma
Authors: Jacobsen Bradley H. , Berry Jesse L. , Jubran Rima , Kim Jonathan W.
Published: September 2015

Purpose: To report a case of a 29-month-old male with familial, bilateral retinoblastoma with orbital recurrence following aggressive laser treatment. Methods: This is a retrospective case report of a single patient. Results: A 3-week-old male was diagnosed with familial, bilateral retinoblastoma (group D OD, group A OS), and treated with 6 cycles of systemic chemotherapy and laser treatment. The patient exhibited full regression of tumors in both eyes. Two years after diagnosis, a small tumor recurrence within the macular laser scar of the right eye was discovered. The tumor recurrence was treated with argon and diode laser over 6 months. The tumor recurrence completely resolved following the laser treatments. Ten weeks after the last laser treatment, MRI revealed a large intraconal orbital mass, contiguous with the sclera of the right eye. Orbital biopsy and systemic work-up confirmed the diagnosis of retinoblastoma with no other metastatic foci. B-scan ultrasonography showed thinning of the sclera at the site of recurrence. Conclusion: This is an unusual orbital recurrence after successful treatment of intraocular disease with aggressive laser therapy. Clinicians should be aware of the rare possibility of orbital recurrence following chemoreduction with local consolidation even when fundus examinations are normal.
A Case Report of Nystagmus with Acute Comitant Esotropia Secondary to Heroin Withdrawal: A Novel Presentation
Authors: Rabin Richard L.
Published: September 2015

Background: Acute comitant esotropia secondary to heroin withdrawal is a rarely reported phenomenon that has never been described with nystagmus. Adverse effects of heroin on eye alignment were first reported in soldiers returning from Vietnam, yet no theory is generally accepted as the cause of these abnormalities. Method: We present a case of a 22-year-old female who developed 40 prism diopters of alternating comitant esotropia with nystagmus 8 days after abrupt heroin cessation, review the existing literature, and propose a novel hypothesis for this phenomenon. Results: After 76 days, her esotropia resolved, and she was left with 7 prism diopters of esophoria. Conclusion: This case demonstrates that acquired nystagmus can present in addition to acute-onset esotropia after abrupt heroin cessation. We compare and contrast the theories of this mechanism and review the literature.
Fatigue as Presenting Symptom and a High Burden of Premature Ventricular Contractions Are Independently Associated With Increased Ventricular Wall Stress in Patients With Normal Left Ventricular Function
Authors: van Huls van Taxis Carine F.B. , Piers Sebastiaan R.D. , de Riva Silva Marta , Dekkers Olaf M. , Pijnappels Daniël A. , Schalij Martin J. , Wijnmaalen Adrianus P. , Zeppenfeld Katja
Published: September 2015

Background—

High idiopathic premature ventricular contractions (PVC) burden has been associated with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. Patients may be symptomatic before left ventricular (LV) dysfunction develops. N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and circumferential end-systolic wall stress (cESS) on echocardiography are markers for increased ventricular wall stress. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between presenting symptoms, PVC burden, and increased ventricular wall stress in patients with frequent PVCs and preserved LV function.

Methods and Results—

Eighty-three patients (41 men; 49±15 years) with idiopathic PVCs and normal LV function referred for PVC ablation were included. Type of symptoms (palpitations, fatigue, and [near-]syncope), PVC burden on 24-hour Holter, NT-proBNP levels, and cESS on echocardiography were assessed before and 3 months after ablation. Sustained successful ablation was defined as ≥80% PVC burden reduction during follow-up. Patients were symptomatic for 24 months (Q1–Q3, 16–60); 73% reported palpitations, 47% fatigue, and 30% (near-)syncope. Baseline PVC burden was 23±13%, median NT-proBNP 92 pg/mL (Q1–Q3 50–156), and cESS 143±35 kdyne/cm
2
. Fatigue was associated with higher baseline NT-proBNP and cESS (
P
<0.001,
P
=0.011, respectively). After sustained successful ablation, achieved in 81%, NT-proBNP and cESS decreased significantly (
P
<0.001 and
P
=0.036, respectively). Fatigue was independently associated with a significantly larger reduction in NT-proBNP. In patients with nonsuccessful ablation, NT-proBNP and cESS remained unchanged.

Conclusions—

In patients with frequent PVCs and preserved LV function, fatigue was associated with higher baseline NT-proBNP and cESS, and with a significantly larger reduction in NT-proBNP after sustained successful ablation. These findings support a link between fatigue and PVC-induced increased ventricular wall stress, despite preserved LV function.
Sierolomorpha sogdiana spec. nov. from Central Asia, and a World catalogue of Sierolomorphidae (Hymenoptera)
Authors: LELEJ ARKADY S. , MOKROUSOV MIKHAIL V.
Published: September 2015

Sierolomorpha sogdiana Lelej & Mokrousov, spec. nov. is described and illustrated from Central Asia (Uzbekistan). A key to the Palaearctic species of Sierolomorpha and a World catalogue of the family Sierolomorphidae (13 species in three genera) are given.
Firm/Employee Matching
Authors: Oyer Paul , Schaefer Scott
Published: September 2015

The authors study the sources of match-specific value at large U.S. law firms by analyzing how graduates of law schools group into law firms. They measure the degree to which lawyers from certain schools concentrate within certain firms and then analyze how this agglomeration can be explained by “natural advantage’’ factors (such as geographic proximity) and by productive complementarities across graduates of a given school. Large law firms tend to hire from a select group of law schools, and individual offices within these firms are substantially more concentrated in terms of hires from particular schools. The degree of concentration is highly variable, as there is substantial variation in firms’ hiring strategies. Two main drivers of variation in law school concentration occur within law offices. First, geography drives a large amount of concentration, as most firms hire largely from local schools. Second, school-based networks (and possibly productive complementarities) appear to be important because partners’ law schools drive associates’ law school composition even when controlling for firm, school, and firm/school match characteristics and when instrumenting for partners’ law schools.
Educational approach to transient analysis of electric circuits by simulating equations
Authors: Jenko Marjan
Published: September 2015

When studying an electric circuit, one can describe the circuit using equations. The equations can be coded into a computer program and iterated with fixed time step through time of interest, which generates simulation results. A specific methodology is needed for the purpose. The methodology of simulation of equations is developed and presented. Using this approach there is no black box (a general-purpose simulation tool) between the student or an engineer who is simulating the circuit, and the circuit itself. The use of “black boxes” – general-purpose simulators – is of great value when optimising circuits, but they can leave “black holes” when it is about understanding circuit principles and/or exploring new circuit ideas. Simulating equations leaves no space for “simulation noise”. The circuit is DC-wise analysed at sequential moments in time. Equations, which describe circuit components that store energy (capacitors and inductors), connect in time sequential DC analyses. The simulation of equations adds to the understanding of existing circuits and it has potential in the creation of new circuits. Time- and/or signal- and/or environment-dependent devices can be easily included in the simulation of equations. Test cases show a perfect match between simulated and known results for the analysed circuits. Programming efforts for the simulation of equations are at a manageable level for even a moderately proficient programmer.
The co-production of campus safety and security: a case study at the University of Georgia
Authors: Williams Brian N. , LePere-Schloop Megan , Silk P. Daniel , Hebdon Alexandra
Published: September 2015

Campus safety and security is a salient issue and an area of increasing concern facing educational institutions in the United States. Yet little is known regarding ongoing efforts and resulting difficulties to co-produce campus safety and security. This article contributes to the literature on co-production by examining student and campus police officer perceptions of the professional–service user relationship in the context of campus safety and security. Findings suggest that demographic and contextual factors shape user and professional perceptions of their relationship in different ways, and that these perceptual differences affect efforts to co-deliver services.

Points for practitioners

This article describes the views of university police personnel and students regarding the co-production of safety and security on a research university campus in the United States. Data gleaned from the research illustrates that while police officers and students may have differing views of one another and their roles in co-production, they agree that public safety would be served by opportunities for police and students to meet one another and have personal interaction outside of formal, law enforcement-driven situations. This suggests the value of well-developed engagement strategies, as well as the potential benefit of harnessing ‘teachable moments’ during which police and the student population can learn about one another.
Manufacturing cost relationships for vacuum bag-only prepreg processing
Authors: Centea Timotei , Nutt Steven R
Published: September 2015

Vacuum bag-only prepregs enable the out-of-autoclave manufacture of high-performance composite structures and increase the material, part, and process selection space. However, manufacturing choices involve economic as well as technical considerations. To understand these relationships, we developed a technical cost model that captures the distinctive characteristics of vacuum bag-only prepreg processing (including vacuum-induced air evacuation and resin cure) and estimates the costs associated with materials, equipment, and labor. We applied the model to realistic manufacturing cases and used a parametric study to evaluate the effects of part characteristics, material use efficiency, and cure efficiency. The results indicate that prepreg cost, part size, prepreg waste, and the air evacuation capacity of the material have the strongest influence on part costs and demonstrate that cost modeling can guide efforts to improve or optimize processing by identifying the most economically valuable modifications.