bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Human Leishmaniasis (VL) and Its Associated Risk Factors, in Metemma, Ethiopia
Authors: Terefe Yibeltal , Afera Berihun , Bsrat Abrha , Syoum Zewdu
Published: February 2015

Background. Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by obligate intracellular protozoans of the genus Leishmania. Objective. To assess the distribution of human leishmaniasis and assess community knowledge, attitude, and practice with regard to assumed risk factors and control options used by the society. Methods. Retrospective study from November 2013 to May 2014 was used. Six-year data from Metemma hospital record was reviewed and 89 people were interviewed. Results. The rates were 29% (n = 374/1270) and 26% (n = 328/1270) in 2005 E.C and 2003 E.C, respectively. 94% (1194/1270) of the affected individuals were in the age exceeding 15 years. At the same time, the rates in males and female were 97% (n = 1226/1270) and 3% (n = 44/1270), respectively. According to 88.8% (n = 79/89) of the respondents, transmission occurs through bite of sandflies, while 98.9% (n = 88/89) of the respondent’s indicated that waste disposal in an open space was one of the risk factors for disease occurrence. Regarding the control measures, respondents replied that 73% (n = 65/89) of them use impregnated bed net and others use cleaning and proper waste disposal. Conclusion. The current finding indicated that the disease was common in the study area; as a result, proper use of impregnated bed net, early diagnosis and treatment, and reduction of different risk factors were essential.
Germination and Early Growth Assessment ofTamarindus indica Lin Sokoto State, Nigeria
Authors: Bello Abubakar Gwaram , Gada Zubairu Yakubu
Published: February 2015

Germination and early growth assessment ofTamarindus indica L. were conducted to determine the suitable medium for germination and seedlings establishment of the species in Sokoto State, Nigeria. The viable seeds of the study species were treated with Conc. H2SO4for 30 minutes and boiling water for one hour and by soaking in water at room temperature for 12 hours. The treated seeds were placed in Petri dishes containing filter paper for germination assessment. The results indicated 68–95% germination ofT. indicaseeds within 3–19 days. Conc. H2SO4treatment gave the highest germination percentage of 95%.T. indicaseeds were treated with Conc. H2SO4for 30 minutes and sown into four (4) different potting mixtures for early growth assessment. Collar diameter, seedlings height, and leaf number were the parameters measured. Seedlings grown in the mixture of river sand and cow dung (2 : 1) had the highest seedlings height and leaf number, while the highest collar diameter was obtained from seedlings grown in the mixture of river sand and poultry droppings (2 : 1). However, growingT. indicain the mixture of river sand and cow dung (2 : 1) after 30 minutes pretreatment was recommended.
Direction of Arrival Estimation Based on the Multistage Nested Wiener Filter
Authors: He Xiaodong , Tang Bin
Published: February 2015

A novel direction of arrival (DOA) estimation technique based on data level and order recursive Multistage Nested Wiener Filters (MSNWF) which is used in adaptive beamforming for subarray signal is proposed in this paper. The two subarrays using the same array geometry are used to form a signal whose phase relative to the reference signal is a function of the DOA. The DOA is estimated by calculating the phase-shift between the reference signal and its phase-shifted version. The performance of this DOA estimation technique is significantly improved due to the application of order recursive MSNWF for the rejection of interference signals. The computation of the proposed method is simple, and the number of detectable signal sources could exceed the number of antenna elements.
Trunk and Shoulder Kinematic and Kinetic and Electromyographic Adaptations to Slope Increase during Motorized Treadmill Propulsion among Manual Wheelchair Users with a Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Gagnon Dany , Babineau Annie-Claude , Champagne Audrey , Desroches Guillaume , Aissaoui Rachid
Published: February 2015

The main objective was to quantify the effects of five different slopes on trunk and shoulder kinematics as well as shoulder kinetic and muscular demands during manual wheelchair (MWC) propulsion on a motorized treadmill. Eighteen participants with spinal cord injury propelled their MWC at a self-selected constant speed on a motorized treadmill set at different slopes (0°, 2.7°, 3.6°, 4.8°, and 7.1°). Trunk and upper limb movements were recorded with a motion analysis system. Net shoulder joint moments were computed with the forces applied to the handrims measured with an instrumented wheel. To quantify muscular demand, the electromyographic activity (EMG) of the pectoralis major (clavicular and sternal portions) and deltoid (anterior and posterior fibers) was recorded during the experimental tasks and normalized against maximum EMG values obtained during static contractions. Overall, forward trunk flexion and shoulder flexion increased as the slope became steeper, whereas shoulder flexion, adduction, and internal rotation moments along with the muscular demand also increased as the slope became steeper. The results confirm that forward trunk flexion and shoulder flexion movement amplitudes, along with shoulder mechanical and muscular demands, generally increase when the slope of the treadmill increases despite some similarities between the 2.7° to 3.6° and 3.6° to 4.8° slope increments.
Frobenius’ Idea Together with Integral Bifurcation Method for Investigating Exact Solutions to a Water Wave Model of the Generalized mKdV Equation
Authors: Rui Weiguo
Published: February 2015

By using Frobenius’ idea together with integral bifurcation method, we study a third order nonlinear equation of generalization form of the modified KdV equation, which is an important water wave model. Some exact traveling wave solutions such as smooth solitary wave solutions, nonsmooth peakon solutions, kink and antikink wave solutions, periodic wave solutions of Jacobian elliptic function type, and rational function solution are obtained. And we show their profiles and discuss their dynamic properties aim at some typical solutions. Though the types of these solutions obtained in this work are not new and they are familiar types, they did not appear in any existing literatures because the equationut+ux+νuxxt+βuxxx+αuux+1/3να(uuxxx+2uxuxx)+3μα2u2ux+νμα2(u2uxxx+ux3+4uuxuxx)+ν2μα2(ux2uxxx+2uxuxx2)=0is very complex. Particularly, compared with the cited references, all results obtained in this paper are new.
Intercomparison of Numerical Inversion Algorithms for Particle Size Determination of Polystyrene Suspensions Using Spectral Turbidimetry
Authors: Glasse Benjamin , Riefler Norbert , Fritsching Udo
Published: February 2015

The continuous monitoring of the particle size distribution in particulate processes with suspensions or emulsions requires measurement techniques that can be used as in situ devices in contrast to ex situ or laboratory methods. In this context, for the evaluation of turbidimetric spectral measurements, the application of different numerical inversion algorithms is investigated with respect to the particle size distribution determination of polystyrene suspensions. A modified regularization concept consisting of a Twomey-Phillips-Regularization with an integrated nonnegative constraint and a modified L-curve criterion for the selection of the regularization parameter is used. The particle size (i.e., particle diameter) of polystyrene suspensions in the rangex=0.03–3 µm was validated via dynamic light scattering and differential centrifugal sedimentation and compared to the retrieved particle size distribution from the inverted turbidimetry measurements.
Holographic Fermions in Anisotropic Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton-Axion Theory
Authors: Fang Li-Qing , Kuang Xiao-Mei
Published: February 2015

We investigate the properties of the holographic Fermionic system dual to an anisotropic charged black brane bulk in Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton-Axion gravity theory. We consider the minimal coupling between the Dirac field and the gauge field in the bulk gravity theory and mainly explore the dispersion relation exponents of the Green functions of the dual Fermionic operators in the dual field theory. We find that along both the anisotropic and the isotropic directions the Fermi momentum will be effected by the anisotropy of the bulk theory. However, the anisotropy has influence on the dispersion relation which is almost linear for massless Fermions with chargeq=2. The universal properties that the mass and the charge of the Fermi possibly correspond to nonlinear dispersion relation are also investigated.
Emergent Unilateral Renal Artery Stenting for Treatment of Flash Pulmonary Edema: Fact or Fiction?
Authors: Khan Asaad Akbar , McFadden Eugene Patrick
Published: February 2015

Flash pulmonary edema is characteristically sudden in onset with rapid resolution once appropriate therapy has been instituted (Messerli et al., 2011). Acute increase of left ventricular (LV) end diastolic pressure is the usual cause of sudden decompensated cardiac failure in this patient population. Presence of bilateral renal artery stenosis or unilateral stenosis in combination with a single functional kidney in the susceptible cohort is usually blamed for this condition. We describe a patient who presented with flash pulmonary edema in the setting of normal coronary arteries. Our case is distinct as our patient developed flash pulmonary edema secondary to unilateral renal artery stenosis in the presence of bilateral functioning kidneys. Percutaneous stent implantation in the affected renal artery resulted in rapid resolution of pulmonary edema.
Actual Anatomical and Dosimetric Changes of Parotid Glands in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients during Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Authors: Ren Gang , Xu Shou-Ping , Du Lei , Feng Lin-Chun , Qu Bao-Lin , Liu Hai-Xia , Xie Chuan-Bin , Ma Lin
Published: February 2015

The goal of this study was to evaluate the actual anatomical and dosimetric changes of parotid glands in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients during intensity modulated radiation therapy. With helical tomotherapy, its planning system, and adaptive software, weekly anatomical and dosimetric changes of parotid glands in 35 NPC patients were evaluated. Interweekly parotid volume varied significantly (P<0.03). The rate of volume change reached the highest level at the 16th fraction. The averageV1increased by 32.2 (left) and 28.6 (right), and the averageD50increased by 33.9 (left) and 24.93 (right), respectively. Repeat data comparison indicated that theV1andD50varied significantly among different fractions (both withP=0.000). The variation of parotid volume was inversely correlated with that of theV1andD50(both withP=0.000). In conclusion, parotid volume and actual dose vary significantly in NPC patients during IMRT. Replanning at the end of the fourth week of IMRT may have clinical benefits.
Adaptive Localization of Focus Point Regions via Random Patch Probabilistic Density from Whole-Slide, Ki-67-Stained Brain Tumor Tissue
Authors: Alomari Yazan M. , Sheikh Abdullah Siti Norul Huda , MdZin Reena Rahayu , Omar Khairuddin
Published: February 2015

Analysis of whole-slide tissue for digital pathology images has been clinically approved to provide a second opinion to pathologists. Localization of focus points from Ki-67-stained histopathology whole-slide tissue microscopic images is considered the first step in the process of proliferation rate estimation. Pathologists use eye pooling or eagle-view techniques to localize the highly stained cell-concentrated regions from the whole slide under microscope, which is called focus-point regions. This procedure leads to a high variety of interpersonal observations and time consuming, tedious work and causes inaccurate findings. The localization of focus-point regions can be addressed as a clustering problem. This paper aims to automate the localization of focus-point regions from whole-slide images using the random patch probabilistic density method. Unlike other clustering methods, random patch probabilistic density method can adaptively localize focus-point regions without predetermining the number of clusters. The proposed method was compared with thek-means and fuzzyc-means clustering methods. Our proposed method achieves a good performance, when the results were evaluated by three expert pathologists. The proposed method achieves an average false-positive rate of 0.84% for the focus-point region localization error. Moreover, regarding RPPD used to localize tissue from whole-slide images, 228 whole-slide images have been tested; 97.3% localization accuracy was achieved.
Binding of Carbonic Anhydrase IX to 45S rDNA Genes Is Prevented by Exportin-1 in Hypoxic Cells
Authors: Sasso Emanuele , Vitale Monica , Monteleone Francesca , Boffo Francesca Ludovica , Santoriello Margherita , Sarnataro Daniela , Garbi Corrado , Sabatella Mariangela , Crifò Bianca , Paolella Luca Alfredo , Minopoli Giuseppina , Winum Jean-Yves , Zambrano Nicola
Published: February 2015

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) is a surrogate marker of hypoxia, involved in survival and pH regulation in hypoxic cells. We have recently characterized its interactome, describing a set of proteins interacting with CA IX, mainly in hypoxic cells, including several members of the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling apparatuses. Accordingly, we described complex subcellular localization for this enzyme in human cells, as well as the redistribution of a carbonic anhydrase IX pool to nucleoli during hypoxia. Starting from this evidence, we analyzed the possible contribution of carbonic anhydrase IX to transcription of the 45S rDNA genes, a process occurring in nucleoli. We highlighted the binding of carbonic anhydrase IX to nucleolar chromatin, which is regulated by oxygen levels. In fact, CA IX was found on 45S rDNA gene promoters in normoxic cells and less represented on these sites, in hypoxic cells and in cells subjected to acetazolamide-induced acidosis. Both conditions were associated with increased representation of carbonic anhydrase IX/exportin-1 complexes in nucleoli. 45S rRNA transcript levels were accordingly downrepresented. Inhibition of nuclear export by leptomycin B suggests a model in which exportin-1 acts as a decoy, in hypoxic cells, preventing carbonic anhydrase IX association with 45S rDNA gene promoters.
A Statistic-Based Calibration Method for TIADC System
Authors: Yang Kuojun , Tian Shulin , Ye Peng , Zhang Peng , Zheng Yuanjin
Published: February 2015

Time-interleaved technique is widely used to increase the sampling rate of analog-to-digital converter (ADC). However, the channel mismatches degrade the performance of time-interleaved ADC (TIADC). Therefore, a statistic-based calibration method for TIADC is proposed in this paper. The average value of sampling points is utilized to calculate offset error, and the summation of sampling points is used to calculate gain error. After offset and gain error are obtained, they are calibrated by offset and gain adjustment elements in ADC. Timing skew is calibrated by an iterative method. The product of sampling points of two adjacent subchannels is used as a metric for calibration. The proposed method is employed to calibrate mismatches in a four-channel 5 GS/s TIADC system. Simulation results show that the proposed method can estimate mismatches accurately in a wide frequency range. It is also proved that an accurate estimation can be obtained even if the signal noise ratio (SNR) of input signal is 20 dB. Furthermore, the results obtained from a real four-channel 5 GS/s TIADC system demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. We can see that the spectra spurs due to mismatches have been effectively eliminated after calibration.
The Effect of Intraoperative Sounds of Saw and Hammer on Psychological Condition in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty: Prospective Randomized Study
Authors: Kömürcü Erkam , Kiraz Hasan Ali , Kaymaz Burak , Gölge Umut Hatay , Nusran Gürdal , Göksel Ferdi , Şahin Hasan , Ömür Dilek , Hancı Volkan
Published: February 2015

Purpose. Surgical procedures are likely to be stressful for patients and their families. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a major surgical procedure used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. During this procedure the sounds of the saw and hammer may irritate the patient and adversely affect mood. The present study examines the effect of these intraoperative sounds during TKA on postoperative mood and anxiety, by comparing two different anesthetic procedures.
Methods. A total of 40 patients who underwent TKA for grade IV gonarthrosis participated in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: 20 patients in the general anesthesia group and 20 patients in the spinal anesthesia group. Mood and anxiety changes were evaluated using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) instruments, respectively. Results. The postoperative POMS value in the spinal anesthesia group was definitively higher than the general anesthesia group, though the difference in preoperative and postoperative POMS and STAI scores between the two groups was not significant. Conclusion. It would seem that sounds of hammer and saw have no evident negative effect on patient’s mood. Regional anesthesia is advisable for TKA patients and appropriate sedation can be administered during the operation if needed.
Evaluation of a U.S. Public Health Laboratory Service for the Molecular Detection of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Yakrus Mitchell A. , Metchock Beverly , Starks Angela M.
Published: February 2015

Crucial to interrupting the spread of tuberculosis (TB) is prompt implementation of effective treatment regimens. We evaluated satisfaction, comfort with interpretation, and use of molecular results from a public health service provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the molecular detection of drug resistantMycobacterium tuberculosiscomplex (MTBC). An electronic survey instrument was used to collect information anonymously from U.S. Public Health Laboratories (PHL) that submitted at least one isolate of MTBC to CDC from September 2009 through February 2011. Over 97% of those responding expressed satisfaction with the turnaround time for receiving results. Twenty-six PHL (74%) reported molecular results to healthcare providers in less than two business days. When comparing the molecular results from CDC with their own phenotypic drug susceptibility testing, 50% of PHL observed discordance. No respondents found the molecular results difficult to interpret and 82% were comfortably discussing them with TB program officials and healthcare providers. Survey results indicate PHL were satisfied with CDC’s ability to rapidly provide interpretable molecular results for isolates of MTBC submitted for determination of drug resistance. To develop educational materials and strategies for service improvement, reasons for discordant results and areas of confusion need to be identified.
New Oscillation Results of Second-Order Damped Dynamic Equations withp-Laplacian on Time Scales
Authors: Qiu Yang-Cong , Wang Qi-Ru
Published: February 2015

By employing a generalized Riccati technique and functions in some function classes for integral averaging, we derive new oscillation criteria of second-order damped dynamic equation withp-Laplacian on time scales of the form(rtφγ(xΔ(t)))Δ+ptφγ(xΔ(t))+f(t,x(g(t)))=0, where the coefficient functionp(t)may change sign. Two examples are given to demonstrate the obtained results.
Isolation and Molecular Characterization ofBrucellaIsolates in Cattle Milk in Uganda
Authors: Mugizi Denis Rwabiita , Muradrasoli Shaman , Boqvist Sofia , Erume Joseph , Nasinyama George William , Waiswa Charles , Mboowa Gerald , Klint Markus , Magnusson Ulf
Published: February 2015

Brucellosis is endemic in livestock and humans in Uganda and its transmission involves a multitude of risk factors like consumption of milk from infected cattle. To shed new light on the epidemiology of brucellosis in Uganda the present study used phenotypic and molecular approaches to delineate theBrucellaspecies, biovars, and genotypes shed in cattle milk.Brucella abortuswithout a biovar designation was isolated from eleven out of 207 milk samples from cattle in Uganda. These isolates had a genomic monomorphism at 16 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci and showed in turn high levels of genetic variation when compared with other African strains or otherB. abortusbiovars from other parts of the world. This study further highlights the usefulness of MLVA as an epidemiological tool for investigation ofBrucellainfections.
Predictive Sliding Mode Control for Attitude Tracking of Hypersonic Vehicles Using Fuzzy Disturbance Observer
Authors: Cheng Xianlei , Tang Guojian , Wang Peng , Liu Luhua
Published: February 2015

We propose a predictive sliding mode control (PSMC) scheme for attitude control of hypersonic vehicle (HV) with system uncertainties and external disturbances based on an improved fuzzy disturbance observer (IFDO). First, for a class of uncertain affine nonlinear systems with system uncertainties and external disturbances, we propose a predictive sliding mode control based on fuzzy disturbance observer (FDO-PSMC), which is used to estimate the composite disturbances containing system uncertainties and external disturbances. Afterward, to enhance the composite disturbances rejection performance, an improved FDO-PSMC (IFDO-PSMC) is proposed by incorporating a hyperbolic tangent function with FDO to compensate for the approximate error of FDO. Finally, considering the actuator dynamics, the proposed IFDO-PSMC is applied to attitude control system design for HV to track the guidance commands with high precision and strong robustness. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed attitude control scheme.
Morphing Wing Structural Optimization Using Opposite-Based Population-Based Incremental Learning and Multigrid Ground Elements
Authors: Sleesongsom S. , Bureerat S.
Published: February 2015

This paper has twin aims. Firstly, a multigrid design approach for optimization of an unconventional morphing wing is proposed. The structural design problem is assigned to optimize wing mass, lift effectiveness, and buckling factor subject to structural safety requirements. Design variables consist of partial topology, nodal positions, and component sizes of a wing internal structure. Such a design process can be accomplished by using multiple resolutions of ground elements, which is called a multigrid approach. Secondly, an opposite-based multiobjective population-based incremental learning (OMPBIL) is proposed for comparison with the original multiobjective population-based incremental learning (MPBIL). Multiobjective design problems with single-grid and multigrid design variables are then posed and tackled by OMPBIL and MPBIL. The results show that using OMPBIL in combination with a multigrid design approach is the best design strategy. OMPBIL is superior to MPBIL since the former provides better population diversity. Aeroelastic trim for an elastic morphing wing is also presented.
Assessing Biological Response to Bevacizumab Using 18F-Fluoromisonidazole PET/MR Imaging in a Patient with Recurrent Anaplastic Astrocytoma
Authors: Barajas Ramon F. , Pampaloni Miguel H. , Clarke Jennifer L. , Seo Youngho , Savic Dragana , Hawkins Randall A. , Behr Spencer C. , Chang Susan M. , Berger Mitchel , Dillon William P. , Cha Soonmee
Published: February 2015

We present our initial experience in using single modality fluoromisonidazole (FMISO) PET/MR imaging to noninvasively evaluate the biological effects induced by bevacizumab therapy in a patient treated for recurrent high grade glioma. In this index patient, bevacizumab therapy resulted in the development of nonenhancing tumor characterized by reduced diffusion and markedly decreased FMISO uptake in the setting of maintained CBF and CBV. These observations suggest that the dynamic biological interplay between tissue hypoxia and vascular normalization occurring within treated recurrent high grade glioma can be captured utilizing FMISO PET/MR imaging.
Evolutionary Analysis of Structural Protein Gene VP1 of Foot‐and‐Mouth Disease Virus Serotype Asia 1
Authors: Zhang Qingxun , Liu Xinsheng , Fang Yuzhen , Pan Li , Lv Jianliang , Zhang Zhongwang , Zhou Peng , Ding Yaozhong , Chen Haotai , Shao Junjun , Zhao Furong , Lin Tong , Chang Huiyun , Zhang Jie , Wang Yonglu , Zhang Yongguang
Published: February 2015

Foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotype Asia 1 was mostly endemic in Asia and then was responsible for economically important viral disease of cloven‐hoofed animals, but the study on its selection and evolutionary process is comparatively rare. In this study, we characterized 377 isolates from Asia collected up until 2012, including four vaccine strains. Maximum likelihood analysis suggested that the strains circulating in Asia were classified into 8 different groups (groups I–VIII) or were unclassified (viruses collected before 2000). On the basis of divergence time analyses, we infer that the TMRCA of Asia 1 virus existed approximately 86.29 years ago. The result suggested that the virus had a high mutation rate (5.745 × 10−3 substitutions/site/year) in comparison to the other serotypes of FMDV VP1 gene. Furthermore, the structural protein VP1 was under lower selection pressure and the positive selection occurred at many sites, and four codons (positions 141, 146, 151, and 169) were located in known critical antigenic residues. The remaining sites were not located in known functional regions and were moderately conserved, and the reason for supporting all sites under positive selection remains to be elucidated because the power of these analyses was largely unknown.
Postnatal Administration of Allopregnanolone Modifies Glutamate Release but Not BDNF Content in Striatum Samples of Rats Prenatally Exposed to Ethanol
Authors: Yunes Roberto , Estrella Cecilia R. , García Sebastián , Lara Hernán E. , Cabrera Ricardo
Published: February 2015

Ethanol consumption during pregnancy may induce profound changes in fetal CNS development. We postulate that some of the effects of ethanol on striatal glutamatergic transmission and neurotrophin expression could be modulated by allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid modulator ofGABAAreceptor activity. We describe the acute pharmacological effect of allopregnanolone (65 μg/kg, s.c.) administered to juvenile male rats (day 21 of age) on the corticostriatal glutamatergic pathway, in both control and prenatally ethanol-exposed rats (two ip injections of 2.9 g/kg in 24% v/v saline solution on gestational day 8). Prenatal ethanol administration decreased the K+-induced release of glutamate regarding the control group. Interestingly, this effect was reverted by allopregnanolone. Regarding BDNF, allopregnanolone decreases the content of this neurotrophic factor in the striatum of control groups. However, both ethanol alone and ethanol plus allopregnanolone treated animals did not show any change regarding control values. We suggest that prenatal ethanol exposure may produce an alteration ofGABAAreceptors which blocks the GABA agonist-like effect of allopregnanolone on rapid glutamate release, thus disturbing normal neural transmission. Furthermore, the reciprocal interactions found between GABAergic neurosteroids and BDNF could underlie mechanisms operating during the neuronal plasticity of fetal development.
Nonzero-Sum Stochastic Differential Portfolio Games under a Markovian Regime Switching Model
Authors: Ma Chaoqun , Wu Hui , Lin Xiang
Published: February 2015

We consider a nonzero-sum stochastic differential portfolio game problem in a continuous-time Markov regime switching environment when the price dynamics of the risky assets are governed by a Markov-modulated geometric Brownian motion (GBM). The market parameters, including the bank interest rate and the appreciation and volatility rates of the risky assets, switch over time according to a continuous-time Markov chain. We formulate the nonzero-sum stochastic differential portfolio game problem as two utility maximization problems of the sum process between two investors’ terminal wealth. We derive a pair of regime switching Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equations and two systems of coupled HJB equations at different regimes. We obtain explicit optimal portfolio strategies and Feynman-Kac representations of the two value functions. Furthermore, we solve the system of coupled HJB equations explicitly in a special case where there are only two states in the Markov chain. Finally we provide comparative statics and numerical simulation analysis of optimal portfolio strategies and investigate the impact of regime switching on optimal portfolio strategies.
Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Chiari I Malformation
Authors: Figus Michele , Posarelli Chiara , Nasini Francesco , Perrini Paolo , Miccoli Mario , Baggiani Angelo , Ferreras Antonio , Nardi Marco
Published: February 2015

Background/Aims. To evaluate optic nerve head with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in patients with Chiari I malformation (CMI) compared to healthy controls.Methods. Cross-sectional study. OCT of the optic nerve head of 22 patients with CMI and 22 healthy controls was quantitatively analyzed. The healthy controls were matched for age and sex with the study population. Mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was calculated for both eyes; the mean thickness value was also registered for each quadrant and for each subfield of the four quadrants.Results. CMI patients showed a reduction of the RNFL thickness in both eyes. This reduction was more statistically significant (P<0.05) for the inferior quadrant in the right eye and in each quadrant than nasal one in the left eye.Conclusion. A distress of the retinal nerve fibers could explain the observed reduction of the RNFL thickness in patients with CMI; in our series the reduction of the RNFL thickness seems lower when CMI is associated with syringomyelia.
Energy Hole Mitigation through Cooperative Transmission in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Fei Li , Chen Yi , Gao Qiang , Peng Xiao-Hong , Li Qiong
Published: February 2015

The energy balancing capability of cooperative communication is utilized to solve the energy hole problem in wireless sensor networks. We first propose a cooperative transmission strategy, where intermediate nodes participate in two cooperative multi-input single-output (MISO) transmissions with the node at the previous hop and a selected node at the next hop, respectively. Then, we study the optimization problems for power allocation of the cooperative transmission strategy by examining two different approaches: network lifetime maximization (NLM) and energy consumption minimization (ECM). For NLM, the numerical optimal solution is derived and a searching algorithm for suboptimal solution is provided when the optimal solution does not exist. For ECM, a closed-form solution is obtained. Numerical and simulation results show that both the approaches have much longer network lifetime than SISO transmission strategies and other cooperative communication schemes. Moreover, NLM which features energy balancing outperforms ECM which focuses on energy efficiency, in the network lifetime sense.
Pleural Mycobacterium Avium Complex Infection in an Immunocompetent Female with No Risk Factors
Authors: Manglani Ravi P. , Khaja Misbahuddin , Hennessey Karen , Kennedy Omonuwa
Published: February 2015

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections rarely affect the pleura, accounting for 5–15% of pulmonary MAC. We report a case of MAC pleural effusion in an otherwise immunocompetent young patient. A 37-year-old healthy female with no past medical history was admitted to the hospital with two weeks of right sided pleuritic chest pain, productive cough, and fever. She was febrile, tachycardic, and tachypneic with signs of right sided pleural effusion which were confirmed by chest X-ray and chest CT. Thoracentesis revealed lymphocytic predominant exudative fluid. The patient underwent pleural biopsy, bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage, and video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), all of which failed to identify the causative organism. Six weeks later, MAC was identified in the pleural fluid and pleural biopsy by DNA hybridization and culture. The patient was started on clarithromycin, ethambutol, and rifampin. After six months of treatment, she was asymptomatic with complete radiological resolution of the effusion. The presence of lymphocytic effusion should raise the suspicion for both tuberculous and nontuberculous mycobacterial disease. Pleural biopsy must be considered to make the diagnosis. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion of MAC infection in an otherwise immunocompetent patient presenting with a unilateral lymphocytic exudative effusion.
Statins Increase the Frequency of Circulating CD4+FOXP3+Regulatory T Cells in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Rodríguez-Perea Ana Lucía , Montoya Carlos J. , Olek Sven , Chougnet Claire A. , Velilla Paula A.
Published: February 2015

Statins have been shown to modulate the number and the suppressive function of CD4+FOXP3+T cells (Treg) in inflammatory conditions. However, it is not well established whether statin could also affect Treg in absence of inflammation. To address this question, eighteen normocholesterolemic male subjects were treated with lovastatin or atorvastatin daily for 45 days. The frequency and phenotype of circulating Treg were evaluated at days 0, 7, 30, and 45. mRNA levels of FOXP3, IDO, TGF-β, and IL-10 were measured in CD4+T cells. We found that both statins significantly increased Treg frequency and FOXP3 mRNA levels at day 30. At day 45, Treg numbers returned to baseline values; however, TGF-βand FOXP3 mRNA levels remained high, accompanied by increased percentages of CTLA-4- and GITR-expressing Treg. Treg Ki-67 expression was decreased upon statin treatment. Treg frequency positively correlated with plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), suggesting a role for HDL-c in Treg homeostasis. Therefore, statins appear to have inflammation-independent immune-modulatory effects. Thus, the increase in Treg cells frequency likely contributes to immunomodulatory effect of statins, even in healthy individuals.
Dynamic Pricing of a Web Service in an Advance Selling Environment
Authors: Safari Ehram , Babakhani Masoud , Sadjadi Seyed Jafar , Shahanaghi Kamran , Naboureh Khadijeh
Published: February 2015

Consider a web service with different quality of service levels where users may purchase their required web service through a reservation system. The service provider adjusts prices of web service classes over a prespecified time horizon to manage demand and maximize profit. Users may cancel their services as long as they pay a penalty. One of the important challenges for service providers is capacity limitation of the resources employed in offering the web service. Thus, taking this important proposition into account makes pricing strategies considered by the provider has more credit. Another important factor in determining pricing strategies discussed in the present paper is the market influence which can increase or decrease the price that the provider offers. This paper develops a continuous time optimal control model for identifying pricing strategies for the web service classes. We study the optimality condition of the considered model based on maximum principal and propose an algorithm to obtain the optimal pricing policy. Moreover, we perform numerical analyses to evaluate the effect of some parameters on control and state variables and objective function. In addition, we compare the proposed algorithm with genetic algorithm (GA) and simulated annealing (SA) available in Matlab.
Modeling Dynamic Trust and Risk Evaluation Based on High-Order Moments
Authors: Gao Yan , Dai Zhiyong , Liu Wenfen
Published: February 2015

This paper proposes a dynamic trust and risk evaluation model based on high-order moments. The credibility of an entity is measured with trust degree and risk value comprehensively. Firstly, considering the dynamic and time decay characters of trust, a time attenuation function is defined, and direct trust is further expressed. Subsequently, in order to improve the accuracy of feedback trust, a filter mechanism is constructed to eliminate the false feedback, combining coefficient of skewness with hypothesis test. More importantly, the weights of direct trust and feedback trust are derived subjectively and adaptively with the moments and frequency of direct interactions. Furthermore, risk is evaluated with direct risk and feedback risk, which are obtained by mainly using coefficient of variation and coefficient of kurtosis. Risk value can be used to measure the stability of providing services. Simulation results show that the proposed model not only has high accuracy, but also resists effectively collusive attacks and strategic malicious behaviors.
A Novel Inversion Method of Manufacturing Flaws in the Packaging of Conformal Load-Bearing Antenna Structure
Authors: Li P. , Xu W. Y. , Song L. W. , Qiu Y. Y.
Published: February 2015

Composite material is widely used in the conformal load-bearing antenna structure (CLAS), and the manufacturing flaws in the packaging process of the CLAS will lead to the degradation of its wave-transparent property. For this problem, a novel inverse method of the flaw’s dimension by antenna-radome system’s far field data has been proposed. Two steps are included in the inversion: the first one is the inversion from the far filed data to the transmission coefficient of the CLAS’s radome; the second one is the inversion from the transmission coefficient to the flaw’s dimension. The inversion also has a good potential for the separable multilayer composite material radome. A 12.5 GHz CLAS with microstrip antenna array is used in the simulation, which indicates the effectiveness of the novel inversion method. Finally, the error analysis of the inversion method is presented by numerical simulation; the results is that the inversed error could be less than 10%, if the measurement error of far field data is less than 0.45 dB in amplitude and ±5° in phase.
Some Classes of Continuous Operators on Spaces of Bounded Vector-Valued Continuous Functions with the Strict Topology
Authors: Nowak Marian
Published: February 2015

LetXbe a completely regular Hausdorff space and letE,·Eand(F,·F)be Banach spaces. LetCb(X,E)be the space of allE-valued bounded, continuous functions onX, equipped with the strict topologyβσ. We study the relationship between important classes of(βσ,·F)-continuous linear operatorsT:Cb(X,E)→F(strongly bounded, unconditionally converging, weakly completely continuous, completely continuous, weakly compact, nuclear, and strictly singular) and the corresponding operator measures given by Riesz representing theorems. Some applications concerning the coincidence among these classes of operators are derived.
Effect of Keishibukuryogan on Genetic and Dietary Obesity Models
Authors: Gao Fengying , Yokoyama Satoru , Fujimoto Makoto , Tsuneyama Koichi , Saiki Ikuo , Shimada Yutaka , Hayakawa Yoshihiro
Published: February 2015

Obesity has been recognized as one of the most important risk factors for a variety of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension/cardiovascular diseases, steatosis/hepatitis, and cancer. Keishibukuryogan (KBG, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan in Chinese) is a traditional Chinese/Japanese (Kampo) medicine that has been known to improve blood circulation and is also known for its anti-inflammatory or scavenging effect. In this study, we evaluated the effect of KBG in two distinct rodent models of obesity driven by either a genetic (SHR/NDmcr-cp rat model) or dietary (high-fat diet-induced mouse obesity model) mechanism. Although there was no significant effect on the body composition in either the SHR rat or the DIO mouse models, KBG treatment significantly decreased the serum level of leptin and liver TG level in the DIO mouse, but not in the SHR rat model. Furthermore, a lower fat deposition in liver and a smaller size of adipocytes in white adipose tissue were observed in the DIO mice treated with KBG. Importantly, we further found downregulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism in the KBG-treated liver, along with decreased liver TG and cholesterol level. Our present data experimentally support in fact that KBG can be an attractive Kampo medicine to improve obese status through a regulation of systemic leptin level and/or lipid metabolism.
A New Jammer Suppression Method in MIMO Radar Using Matrix Pencil Method and Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test
Authors: Lee Kang-in , Kang Wonjune , Chung Young-Seek , Yang Hoon-Gee , Kim Jong Mann
Published: February 2015

We propose a new algorithm to suppress the jammer signals and estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) of the signal of interest (SOI) for collocated MIMO radar by using the matrix pencil method (MPM) and the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT). The conventional GLRT divides the visible region into small angle samples, suppresses the jammer signals at each angle sample, and then estimates the DOA of the SOI. In the proposed algorithm, we extract the eigenvalues of received signals regardless of the SOI and jammer by using the MPM, which contain the information of the DOA of SOIs or jammers. Then, in order to suppress the jammers, we apply the GLRT to the extracted DOAs instead of to the entire visible region. By applying the MPM again to the received signals in which the jammer signals are suppressed, we can estimate the DOAs of the SOI. Since the proposed algorithm does not depend on the number of angle samples, it shows fast and accurate results regardless of the angle resolution. In order to verify the proposed algorithm, we compared the results with the results of the conventional GLRT and show the computing time.
Effects of Shenque Moxibustion on Behavioral Changes and Brain Oxidative State in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice
Authors: Liu Juntian , Zhao Baixiao , Cui Yingxue , Huang Yuhai , Huang Chang , Huang Jian , Han Li , Lao Lixing
Published: February 2015

Purpose. To determine whether moxibustion influences the learning and memory behavior of ApoE−/− male mice, and investigate the mechanism of moxibustion on the alteration of oxidized proteins (glial fibrillary acidic protein,β-amyloid) in hippocampus.Methods. Thirty-three ApoE−/− mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=11/group): moxibustion, sham moxibustion, and no treatment control. Wild-type C57BL/6 micen=13were used for normal control. Moxibustion was performed with Shenque (RN8) moxibustion for 20 minutes per day, 6 days/week for 12 weeks. In sham control, the procedure was similar except burning of the moxa stick. Behavioral tests (step-down test and Morris water maze task) were conducted in the 13th week. The mice were then sacrificed and the tissues were harvested for immune-histochemical staining.Results. In the step-down test, the moxibustion group had shorter reaction time in training record and committed less mistakes compared to sham control. In immune-histochemical study, the moxibustion group expressed lower level of GFAP and less aggregation ofβ-amyloid in the hippocampus than the sham control.Conclusion. Our findings suggest that moxibustion may enhance learning capability of ApoE−/− mice. The mechanism may be via inhibiting oxidized proteins (GFAP andβ-amyloid) in astrocytes.
Use of Geochemical Fossils as Indicators of Thermal Maturation: An Example from the Anambra Basin, Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Odundun Olumuyiwa Adedotun
Published: February 2015

Organic geochemical studies and fossil molecules distribution results have been employed in characterizing subsurface sediments from some sections of Anambra Basin, southeastern Nigeria. The total organic carbon (TOC) and soluble organic matter (SOM) are in the range of 1.61 to 69.51 wt% and 250.1 to 4095.2 ppm, respectively, implying that the source rocks are moderately to fairly rich in organic matter. Based on data of the paper, the organic matter is interpreted as Type III (gas prone) with little oil. The geochemical fossils and chemical compositions suggest immature to marginally mature status for the sediments, with methyl phenanthrene index (MPI-1) and methyl dibenzothiopene ratio (MDR) showing ranges of 0.14–0.76 and 0.99–4.21, respectively. The abundance of 1,2,5-TMN (Trimethyl naphthalene) in the sediments suggests a significant land plant contribution to the organic matter. The pristane/phytane ratio values of 7.2–8.9 also point to terrestrial organic input under oxic conditions. However, the presence of C27 to C29 steranes and diasteranes indicates mixed sources—marine and terrigenous—with prospects to generate both oil and gas.
The Role of Androgen Receptor Expression in the Curative Treatment of Prostate Cancer with Radiotherapy: A Pilot Study
Authors: Poelaert Filip , Van Praet Charles , Beerens Anne-Sophie , De Meerleer Gert , Fonteyne Valérie , Ost Piet , Lumen Nicolaas
Published: February 2015

The androgen receptor (AR) and its signaling pathway play an important role in the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). In the setting of primary treatment of PCa with radiotherapy (RT), where the AR can be expected to be of more importance, studies evaluating the AR expression are lacking. The goal of this research is to evaluate AR protein expression in hormone-naive PCa patients treated by RT and investigate its possible prognostic role. Primary biopsy samples of 18 patients treated with primary RT were analyzed including the corresponding clinical information. AR protein expression of the tumor epithelium (with highest Gleason pattern) and the surrounding stroma was quantified using the Quick score for steroid receptors. The differential expression between epithelium and stroma, respectively, between tumor and normal tissue (ΔTumor − ΔBenign >2 versus ≤2), was predictive for clinical progression-free survival in the biopsy samples (P= 0.014). Preliminary results of this research show already a promising role of differential AR expression in predicting clinical relapse after PCa treatment with primary EBRT. Further research is needed to validate these findings. Hopefully this can lead to a better understanding of PCa evolution and eventually lead to better therapy strategies.
Beneficial Effects and Safety of Corticosteroids Combined with Traditional Chinese Medicine for Pemphigus: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhou Tingting , Zhou Peiru , Hua Hong , Liu Xiaosong
Published: February 2015

Objective. To evaluate the beneficial effects and safety of corticosteroids combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for pemphigus.Methods. Seven electronic databases were searched to identify any potential randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or clinical controlled trials (CCTs) that compared corticosteroids with and without TCM for the treatment of pemphigus, published in any language. Remission of the mucocutaneous lesions, therapeutic duration, dosage of corticosteroids, and specific antibody titers were employed as the main outcome measures. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions and Rev Man 5.1.0 software.Results. Four RCTs with a total of 199 patients were included in the present review. Management with corticosteroids combined with TCM seemed to benefit pemphigus patients in terms of healing of lesions, prevention of complications and relapse, and reduced interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level. The trials were not of high methodological quality. No study mentioned allocation concealment and blinding. Only one trial reported adverse events, and it indicated that the safety of corticosteroids combined with TCM was uncertain.Conclusion. There is some, albeit weak, evidence to show that combined treatment with corticosteroids with TCM could be of benefit for some patients with pemphigus. The efficacy and safety of this combined treatment should be evaluated further in better designed, fully powered, and confirmatory RCTs.