bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterotopic Pancreas within the Proximal Hepatic Duct, Containing Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm
Authors: Lawrence Alistair J. , Thiessen Aducio , Morse Amy , Shapiro A. M. James
Published: February 2015

We report a unique first case of benign heterotopic pancreas arising within the proximal hepatic bile duct, containing a focus of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN). The condition was diagnosed on pathological explant after left hepatic lobectomy with total extrahepatic bile duct excision.
Dynamical Analysis of a Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Phytoplankton Model
Authors: Deng Yunli , Zhao Min , Yu Hengguo , Wang Yi
Published: February 2015

This paper presents a nitrogen-phosphorus-phytoplankton model in a water ecosystem. The main aim of this research is to analyze the global system dynamics and to study the existence and stability of equilibria. It is shown that the phytoplankton-eradication equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the input nitrogen concentration is less than a certain threshold. However, the coexistence equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable as long as it exists. The system is uniformly persistent within threshold values of certain key parameters. Finally, to verify the results, numerical simulations are provided.
Encapsulation of Curcumin in Diblock Copolymer Micelles for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Alizadeh Ali Mohammad , Sadeghizadeh Majid , Najafi Farhood , Ardestani Sussan K. , Erfani-Moghadam Vahid , Khaniki Mahmood , Rezaei Arezou , Zamani Mina , Khodayari Saeed , Khodayari Hamid , Mohagheghi Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2015

Application of nanoparticles has recently promising results for water insoluble agents like curcumin. In this study, we synthesized polymeric nanoparticle-curcumin (PNPC) and then showed its efficiency, drug loading, stability, and safety. Therapeutic effects of PNPC were also assessed on two cell lines and in an animal model of breast cancer. PNPC remarkably suppressed mammary and hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliferation (P<0.05). Under the dosing procedure, PNPC was safe at 31.25 mg/kg and lower doses. Higher doses demonstrated minimal hepatocellular and renal toxicity in paraclinical and histopathological examinations. Tumor take rate in PNPC-treated group was 37.5% compared with 87.5% in control (P<0.05). Average tumor size and weight were significantly lower in PNPC group than control (P<0.05). PNPC increased proapoptotic Bax protein expression (P<0.05). Antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein expression, however, was lower in PNPC-treated animals than the control ones (P<0.05). In addition, proliferative and angiogenic parameters were statistically decreased in PNPC-treated animals (P<0.05). These results highlight the suppressing role for PNPC inin vitroandin vivotumor growth models. Our findings provide credible evidence for superior biocompatibility of the polymeric nanocarrier in pharmacological arena together with an excellent tumor-suppressing response.
A Novel Method for the Comprehensive Evaluation of Aerospace Components Based on GRAAP
Authors: Xu Guodong , Guo Peng , Li Xuemei , Jia Yingying
Published: February 2015

The effective evaluation of aerospace components can strongly guarantee the normal running of spacecraft. A novel model called Grey Relational Analysis Based on the Angle Perspective (GRAAP) has been developed in this paper, which can be used to carry out evaluation for the aerospace components by comparing their relation intensities between evaluation component and reference components. Take a regular component as an example; a case study has been introduced based on GRAAP, and the results indicated that the grade of component waiting for evaluation was III, and it can be used in the low orbit spacecraft at least, such as the near earth satellite, and the results were also considered to be more objective than that from some other comprehensive methods. In addition, like other traditional GRA models, GRAAP not only can deal with the evaluation issues, but can also be used to make predictions, make classifications, and so on.
Clinical Usefulness of the 2010 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute Revised Breakpoints for Cephalosporin Use in the Treatment of Bacteremia Caused byEscherichia coliorKlebsiellaspp.
Authors: Ku Nam Su , Chung Hae-Sun , Choi Jun Yong , Yong Dongeun , Lee Kyungwon , Kim June Myung , Chong Yunsop
Published: February 2015

We investigated the clinical usefulness of the revised 2010 Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoints forEscherichia coliandKlebsiellaspp. Of 2,623 patients with bacteremia caused byE. coliorKlebsiellaspp., 573 who had been treated appropriately with cephalosporin based on the CLSI 2009 guidelines were enrolled. There were no differences in the rates of treatment failure or mortality between the appropriately and inappropriately treated groups according to the CLSI 2010 guidelines. Additionally, in the matched case-control analysis, the treatment failure rate was higher in bacteremic patients with extended-spectrumβ-lactamase- (ESBL-) producing but cephalosporin-susceptible organisms than in those with ESBL-nonproducing isolates when patients with urinary tract infections were excluded (44% and 0%, resp.,P=0.026). In patients with bacteremia caused byE. coliorKlebsiellaspp., the revised CLSI 2010 guidelines did not lead to poorer outcomes. However, ESBL production appeared to be associated with poor clinical outcomes in patients with bacteremia from sources other than the urinary tract.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells: Report of the Seventh Case in the Literature
Authors: Dioscoridi Lorenzo , Bisogni Damiano , Freschi Giancarlo
Published: February 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells is extremely rare, and only six cases have been previously reported. Its histogenesis is at the moment controversial. The authors report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells found in a 74-year-old woman. The patient came with a dull pain in the right upper abdominal quadrants due to a liver neoplasm described at CT scan. A wedge resection of the fifth hepatic segment with appendectomy, omentectomy, and debulking of the major peritoneal implants was performed. Histologically, the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma with high grade differentiation associated with giant osteoclast-like cells was done without any evidence of hepatitis or cirrhosis in the surrounding hepatic parenchyma. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD10 and CD68 and in situ hybridization revealed the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK) in the giant cells and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in the tumor cells.
The “Lipid Accumulation Product” Is Associated with 2-Hour Postload Glucose Outcomes in Overweight/Obese Subjects with Nondiabetic Fasting Glucose
Authors: Malavazos Alexis Elias , Cereda Emanuele , Ermetici Federica , Caccialanza Riccardo , Briganti Silvia , Rondanelli Mariangela , Morricone Lelio
Published: February 2015

“Lipid accumulation product” (LAP) is a continuous variable based on waist circumference and triglyceride concentration previously associated with insulin resistance. We investigated the accuracy of LAP in identifying oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) abnormalities and compared it to the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in a population of overweight/obese outpatients presenting with nondiabetic fasting glucose. We studied 381 (male: 23%) adult (age: 18–70 years) overweight/obese Caucasians (body mass index: 36.9 ± 5.4 Kg/m2) having fasting plasma glucose < 7.0 mmol/L. OGTT was used to diagnose unknown glucose tolerance abnormalities: impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2-DM). According to OGTT 92, subjects had an IGT and 33 were diagnosed T2-DM. Logistic regression analysis detected a significant association for both LAP and HOMA-IR with single (IGT and T2-DM) and composite (IGT + T2-DM) abnormal glucose tolerance conditions. However, while the association with diabetes was similar between LAP and HOMA-IR, the relationship with IGT and composite outcomes by models including LAP was significantly superior to those including HOMA-IR (P=0.006andP=0.007, resp.). LAP seems to be an accurate index, performing better than HOMA-IR, for identifying 2-hour postload OGTT outcomes in overweight/obese patients with nondiabetic fasting glucose.
Dimension Estimation Using Weighted Correlation Dimension Method
Authors: Liu Yuanhong , Yu Zhiwei , Zeng Ming , Wang Shun
Published: February 2015

Dimension reduction is an important tool for feature extraction and has been widely used in many fields including image processing, discrete-time systems, and fault diagnosis. As a key parameter of the dimension reduction, intrinsic dimension represents the smallest number of variables which is used to describe a complete dataset. Among all the dimension estimation methods, correlation dimension (CD) method is one of the most popular ones, which always assumes that the effect of every point on the intrinsic dimension estimation is identical. However, it is different when the distribution of a dataset is nonuniform. Intrinsic dimension estimated by the high density area is more reliable than the ones estimated by the low density or boundary area. In this paper, a novel weighted correlation dimension (WCD) approach is proposed. The vertex degree of an undirected graph is invoked to measure the contribution of each point to the intrinsic dimension estimation. In order to improve the adaptability of WCD estimation,k-means clustering algorithm is adopted to adaptively select the linear portion of the log-log sequence(log⁡δk,log⁡C(n,δk)). Various factors that affect the performance of WCD are studied. Experiments on synthetic and real datasets show the validity and the advantages of the development of technique.
Tool-Body Assimilation Model Based on Body Babbling and Neurodynamical System
Authors: Takahashi Kuniyuki , Ogata Tetsuya , Tjandra Hadi , Yamaguchi Yuki , Sugano Shigeki
Published: February 2015

We propose the new method of tool use with a tool-body assimilation model based on body babbling and a neurodynamical system for robots to use tools. Almost all existing studies for robots to use tools require predetermined motions and tool features; the motion patterns are limited and the robots cannot use novel tools. Other studies fully search for all available parameters for novel tools, but this leads to massive amounts of calculations. To solve these problems, we took the following approach: we used a humanoid robot model to generate random motions based on human body babbling. These rich motion experiences were used to train recurrent and deep neural networks for modeling a body image. Tool features were self-organized in parametric bias, modulating the body image according to the tool in use. Finally, we designed a neural network for the robot to generate motion only from the target image. Experiments were conducted with multiple tools for manipulating a cylindrical target object. The results show that the tool-body assimilation model is capable of motion generation.
Making It Trustable: Acoustic-Based Signcryption Mutual Authentication for Multiwearable Devices
Authors: Zhu Shuhua , Li Xiaojie , Zhu Chunsheng , Shu Lei , Sun Wei
Published: February 2015

We address the problem of authentication and secure communication between wearable devices. As people rely heavily on such mobile and wearable devices, the need for seamless and secure communication across these spectra of devices becomes increasingly important. In order to provide secure communication, mutually trusted authentication becomes the first line of protection to guard our personal information. We propose an acoustic-based signcryption mutual authentication (ASMA), which is a key-agreement protocol by employing timestamp and owning functions of multiple-times identity authentication, password change, and devices addition and alteration. Through series of experiments verifying the reliability and accuracy, the protocol shows that it can ensure secure data transmission and data sharing for multiwearable devices.
Rapid Screening and Structural Characterization of Antioxidants from the Extract ofSelaginella doederleiniiHieron with DPPH-UPLC-Q-TOF/MS Method
Authors: Wang Gang , Yao Shun , Zhang Xiu-Xiu , Song Hang
Published: February 2015

2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-Q-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DPPH-UPLC-Q-TOF/MS), as a rapid and efficient means, now was used for the first time to screen antioxidants fromSelaginella doederleinii. The nine biflavone compounds were screened as potential antioxidants. The biflavones were structurally identified and divided into the three types, that is, amentoflavone-type, robustaflavone-type, and hinokiflavone-type biflavonoids. Among the compounds bilobetin (3) and putraflavone (8) were found fromSelaginella doederleiniifor the first time and others including amentoflavone (1), robustaflavone (2), 4′-methoxy robustaflavone (4), podocarpusflavone A (5), hinokiflavone (6), ginkgetin (7), and heveaflavone (9) were identified previously in the plant. Moreover, nine biflavones possessed a good antioxidant activity via their DPPH free radical scavenging. It demonstrates that DPPH-UPLC-Q-TOF/MS exhibits strong capacity in separation and identification for small molecule. The method is suitable for rapid screening of antioxidants without the need for complicated systems and additional instruments.
A Survey of Modulation of Gut Microbiota by Dietary Polyphenols
Authors: Dueñas Montserrat , Muñoz-González Irene , Cueva Carolina , Jiménez-Girón Ana , Sánchez-Patán Fernando , Santos-Buelga Celestino , Moreno-Arribas M. Victoria , Bartolomé Begoña
Published: February 2015

Dietary polyphenols present in a broad range of plant foods have been related to beneficial health effects. This review aims to update the current information about the modulation of the gut microbiota by dietary phenolic compounds, from a perspective based on the experimental approaches used. After referring to general aspects of gut microbiota and dietary polyphenols, studies related to this topic are presented according to their experimental design: batch culture fermentations, gastrointestinal simulators, animal model studies, and human intervention studies. In general, studies evidence that dietary polyphenols may contribute to the maintenance of intestinal health by preserving the gut microbial balance through the stimulation of the growth of beneficial bacteria (i.e., lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) and the inhibition of pathogenic bacteria, exerting prebiotic-like effects. Combination ofin vitroandin vivomodels could help to understand the underlying mechanisms in the polyphenols-microbiota-host triangle and elucidate the implications of polyphenols on human health. From a technological point of view, supplementation with rich-polyphenolic stuffs (phenolic extracts, phenolic-enriched fractions, etc.) could be an effective option to improve health benefits of functional foods such as the case of dairy fermented foods.
Attitudes toward Management of Sickle Cell Disease and Its Complications: A National Survey of Academic Family Physicians
Authors: Mainous Arch G. , Tanner Rebecca J. , Harle Christopher A. , Baker Richard , Shokar Navkiran K. , Hulihan Mary M.
Published: February 2015

Objective. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a disease that requires a significant degree of medical intervention, and family physicians are one potential provider of care for patients who do not have access to specialists. The extent to which family physicians are comfortable with the treatment of and concerned about potential complications of SCD among their patients is unclear. Our purpose was to examine family physician’s attitudes toward SCD management.Methods. Data was collected as part of the Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) survey in the United States and Canada that targeted family physicians who were members of CERA-affiliated organizations. We examined attitudes regarding management of SCD.Results. Overall, 20.4% of respondents felt comfortable with treatment of SCD. There were significant differences in comfort level for treatment of SCD patients depending on whether or not physicians had patients who had SCD, as well as physicians who had more than 10% African American patients. Physicians also felt that clinical decision support (CDS) tools would be useful for treatment (69.4%) and avoiding complications (72.6%) in managing SCD patients.Conclusions. Family physicians are generally uncomfortable with managing SCD patients and recognize the utility of CDS tools in managing patients.
Environmental Lead Exposure, Catalase Gene, and Markers of Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress Relation to Hypertension: An Analysis Based on the EGAT Study
Authors: Sirivarasai Jintana , Kaojarern Sukhumpun , Chanprasertyothin Suwannee , Panpunuan Pachara , Petchpoung Krittaya , Tatsaneeyapant Aninthita , Yoovathaworn Krongtong , Sura Thunyachai , Kaojarern Sming , Sritara Piyamit
Published: February 2015

Lead has been linked to the development of hypertension via oxidative stress. Catalase plays an important role in the disposal of hydrogen peroxide in erythrocyte and its activity was determined by CAT gene. The aims of this study were to investigate (1) the association between blood levels of antioxidant markers such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, oxidative stress-marker (malondialdehyde), and blood lead level and (2) the influence of genetic polymorphism of CAT gene (rs769217) on change in blood pressure in general population of EGAT study project. This is a cross-sectional study of 332 normotensive, 432 prehypertensive, and 222 hypertensive male subjects. Hypertensive subjects had significantly higher blood lead level (5.28 μg/dL) compared to normotensive (4.41 μg/dL) and prehypertensive (4.55 μg/dL) subjects (P<0.05). These significant findings are also found in MDA levels. Moreover, individuals with TT genotype in hypertensive group had significantly higher blood lead and MDA levels (6.06 μg/dL and 9.67 μmol/L) than those with CC genotype (5.32 μg/dL and 8.31 μmol/L,P<0.05). Our findings suggested that decreased blood catalase activity in this polymorphism together with low level lead exposure induced lipid peroxidation may be responsible for hypertension.
Effects ofβ-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate Free Acid Ingestion and Resistance Exercise on the Acute Endocrine Response
Authors: Townsend Jeremy R. , Hoffman Jay R. , Gonzalez Adam M. , Jajtner Adam R. , Boone Carleigh H. , Robinson Edward H. , Mangine Gerald T. , Wells Adam J. , Fragala Maren S. , Fukuda David H. , Stout Jeffrey R.
Published: February 2015

Objective. To examine the endocrine response to a bout of heavy resistance exercise following acuteβ-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) ingestion.Design. Twenty resistance trained men were randomized and consumed either 1 g of HMB-FA (BetaTor) or placebo (PL) 30 min prior to performing an acute heavy resistance exercise protocol. Blood was obtained before (PRE), immediately after (IP), and 30 min after exercise (30P). Circulating concentrations of testosterone, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), and insulin were assayed. Data were analyzed with a repeated measures ANOVA and area under the curve (AUC) was analyzed by the trapezoidal rule.Results. The resistance exercise protocol resulted in significant elevations from PRE in testosteroneP<0.01, GHP<0.01, and insulinP=0.05at IP, with GHP<0.01and insulinP<0.01remaining elevated at 30P. A significant interaction was noted between groups in the plasma GH response at IP, which was significantly higher following HMB-FA compared to PLP<0.01. AUC analysis revealed an elevated GH and IGF-1 response in the HMB-FA group compared to PL.Conclusion. HMB-FA prior to resistance exercise augments the GH response to high volume resistance exercise compared to PL. These findings provide further support for the potential anabolic benefits associated with HMB supplementation.
Attractor of Beam Equation with Structural Damping under Nonlinear Boundary Conditions
Authors: Wang Danxia , Zhang Jianwen , Wang Yinzhu , Zhang Sufang
Published: February 2015

Simultaneously, considering the viscous effect of material, damping of medium, and rotational inertia, we study a kind of more general Kirchhoff-type extensible beam equationutt-uxxtt+uxxxx-σ(∫0l‍(ux)2dx)uxx-ϕ(∫0l‍(ux)2dx)uxxt=q(x), in [0,L]×R+with the structural damping and the rotational inertia term. Little attention is paid to the longtime behavior of the beam equation under nonlinear boundary conditions. In this paper, under nonlinear boundary conditions, we prove not only the existence and uniqueness of global solutions by prior estimates combined with some inequality skills, but also the existence of a global attractor by the existence of an absorbing set and asymptotic compactness of corresponding solution semigroup. In addition, the same results also can be proved under the other nonlinear boundary conditions.
RGBD Video Based Human Hand Trajectory Tracking and Gesture Recognition System
Authors: Liu Weihua , Fan Yangyu , Li Zuhe , Zhang Zhong
Published: February 2015

The task of human hand trajectory tracking and gesture trajectory recognition based on synchronized color and depth video is considered. Toward this end, in the facet of hand tracking, a joint observation model with the hand cues of skin saliency, motion and depth is integrated into particle filter in order to move particles to local peak in the likelihood. The proposed hand tracking method, namely, salient skin, motion, and depth based particle filter (SSMD-PF), is capable of improving the tracking accuracy considerably, in the context of the signer performing the gesture toward the camera device and in front of moving, cluttered backgrounds. In the facet of gesture recognition, a shape-order context descriptor on the basis of shape context is introduced, which can describe the gesture in spatiotemporal domain. The efficient shape-order context descriptor can reveal the shape relationship and embed gesture sequence order information into descriptor. Moreover, the shape-order context leads to a robust score for gesture invariant. Our approach is complemented with experimental results on the settings of the challenging hand-signed digits datasets and American sign language dataset, which corroborate the performance of the novel techniques.
A Coupled Plastic Damage Model for Concrete considering the Effect of Damage on Plastic Flow
Authors: Zhou Feng , Cheng Guangxu
Published: February 2015

A coupled plastic damage model with two damage scalars is proposed to describe the nonlinear features of concrete. The constitutive formulations are developed by assuming that damage can be represented effectively in the material compliance tensor. Damage evolution law and plastic damage coupling are described using the framework of irreversible thermodynamics. The plasticity part is developed without using the effective stress concept. A plastic yield function based on the true stress is adopted with two hardening functions, one for tensile loading history and the other for compressive loading history. To couple the damage to the plasticity, the damage parameters are introduced into the plastic yield function by considering a reduction of the plastic hardening rate. The specific reduction factor is then deduced from the compliance tensor of the damaged material. Finally, the proposed model is applied to plain concrete. Comparison between the experimental data and the numerical simulations shows that the proposed model is able to describe the main features of the mechanical performances observed in concrete material under uniaxial, biaxial, and cyclic loadings.
Optical Transition Probabilities of Er3+Ions in ErBa3B9O18Crystal
Authors: He Ming , Liu Tiezheng , Xiu Junling , Tang Yuanguang , Zhang Zhihua
Published: February 2015

The optical absorption and emission intensity of luminescent and birefringent crystal ErBa3B9O18were examined from optical absorption data based on Judd-Ofelt theory. The three intensity parametersΩt(t=2,4,6) are 3.10 × 10−20, 0.87 × 10−20, and 1.80 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. From the obtained intensity parameters, the radiative probabilitiesAr, radiative lifetimeτf, fluorescence branching ratiosβc, and integrated emission cross sections∑have been calculated. In comparison with other Er-doped luminescent crystals, ErBa3B9O18may find application in thin disk laser.
Analytic Solutions of the Space-Time Fractional Combined KdV-mKdV Equation
Authors: Abdel-Salam Emad A.-B. , Al-Muhiameed Zeid I. A.
Published: February 2015

The fractional mapping method is proposed to solve fractional differential equations. To illustrate the effectiveness of the method, we discuss the space-time fractional combined KdV-mKdV equation. Many types of exact analytical solutions are obtained. The solutions include generalized trigonometric and hyperbolic functions solutions. These solutions are useful to understand the mechanisms of the complicated nonlinear physical phenomena and fractional differential equations. Among these solutions, some are found for the first time.
Association between Washing Residue on the Feet and Tinea Pedis in Diabetic Patients
Authors: Takehara Kimie , Amemiya Ayumi , Mugita Yuko , Tsunemi Yuichiro , Seko Yoko , Ohashi Yumiko , Ueki Kohjiro , Kadowaki Takashi , Oe Makoto , Nagase Takashi , Ikeda Mari , Sanada Hiromi
Published: February 2015

Tinea pedis (TP) may lead to the development of foot ulcers in diabetic patients; thus, its prevention in diabetic patients is important. TP occurs after dermatophytes on the skin scales of TP patients attach to the feet. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the scales and dermatophytes, and this can be performed using various methods, including foot washing. This study aimed to objectively examine the association between the presence of TP and foot-washing habits. We included 33 diabetic patients, and, of these, 17 had TP. The presence of washing residue on the feet was determined by applying a fluorescent cream to the participants’ feet, and images of the feet were captured under ultraviolet light before and after foot washing. Our results showed that diabetic patients with TP had higher levels of washing residue on their feet than those without TP. The importance of washing feet to prevent TP needs to be emphasized through educational programs for diabetic patients. Furthermore, the development of an effective foot-washing technique is essential.
Generic Mathematical Model for Efficient Milling Process Simulation
Authors: Perez Hilde , Diez Eduardo , Marquez Juan de Juanes , Vizan Antonio
Published: February 2015

The current challenge in metal cutting models is to estimate cutting forces in order to achieve a more accurate and efficient machining process simulation and optimization system. This paper presents an efficient mathematical model for process simulation to evaluate the cutting action with variable part geometries of helical cutters and predict the cutting forces involved in the process. The objective of this paper has been twofold: to improve both the accuracy and computational efficiency of the algorithm for cutting force estimation in peripheral milling. Runout effect and the real tool tooth trajectory are taken into account to determine the instantaneous position of the cutting flute. An expression of average chip thickness for the engaged flute in the cut is derived for cutting force calculations resulting in a more efficient process simulation method in comparison with previous models. It provides an alternative to other studies in scientific literature commonly based on numerical integration. Experiments were carried out to verify the validity of the proposed method.
Instant Transport Media for Biopsied Soft Tissue Specimens: A Comparative Study
Authors: Patil Shankargouda , Rao Roopa S. , Agarwal Anveeta , Raj A. Thirumal
Published: February 2015

Background.Formalin, a traditionally preferred fixative in the field of pathology, has restricted usage in private settings. Since its toxicity violates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, an eco-friendly alternative would be the need of the hour. Hence an instant media which is economical and nontoxic and enables easy transport of biopsied soft tissue specimens in its original state is of vital importance.Materials and Methods.Commercially available fresh goat buccal mucosa specimens were sliced into smaller bits of equal dimensions and placed in six different containers containing 20% honey, 30% jaggery, milk, and ice for 1 hr, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours each with formalin as a positive control. After the set time interval, the specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 24 hours followed by routine processing and staining. The histologic interpretations were a blinded procedure and evaluated by two experts. Results were statistically analysed.Results.30% jaggery proved to be an ideal transport media showing high quality preservation after 24 hours. 20% honey and ice showed optimal tissue preservation up to 6 hours following which quality deteriorated. Tissues transported in milk showed poor preservation.Conclusion.30% jaggery can be endorsed in routine histopathological analysis as a transport media.
Twelve-Year Outcomes of Pterygium Excision with Conjunctival Autograft versus Intraoperative Mitomycin C in Double-Head Pterygium Surgery
Authors: Chan Tommy C. Y. , Wong Raymond L. M. , Li Emmy Y. M. , Yuen Hunter K. L. , Yeung Emily F. Y. , Jhanji Vishal , Wong Ian Y. H.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. The study aims to compare the long-term outcome of conjunctival autograft (CAU) and mitomycin C (MMC) in double-head pterygium surgery.Methods. This is a follow-up study of a comparative interventional trial. Thirty-nine eyes of the 36 patients with double-head pterygium excision in the original study 12 years ago were recruited for clinical assessment. Seven out of the 36 patients were lost. In the original study, each eye with double-head pterygium was randomized to have pterygium excision with CAU on one “head” (temporal or nasal) and MMC on the other “head.” All patients were invited for clinical assessment for conjunctival bed status and the presence of pterygium recurrence in the current study.Results. There was no significant difference between the size, morphology, and type of pterygium among the two treatment groups. The recurrence rate of CAU group and MMC group 12 years after excision was 6.3% and 28.1%, respectively (P=0.020). Among eyes without recurrence, the conjunctival bed was graded higher in the MMC group than the CAU group (P=0.024).Conclusion. The use of conjunctival autograft has a significantly lower long-term recurrence rate than mitomycin C in double-head pterygium surgery.
Comparative Study of Retinal Vessel Segmentation Based on Global Thresholding Techniques
Authors: Mapayi Temitope , Viriri Serestina , Tapamo Jules-Raymond
Published: February 2015

Due to noise from uneven contrast and illumination during acquisition process of retinal fundus images, the use of efficient preprocessing techniques is highly desirable to produce good retinal vessel segmentation results. This paper develops and compares the performance of different vessel segmentation techniques based on global thresholding using phase congruency and contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE) for the preprocessing of the retinal images. The results obtained show that the combination of preprocessing technique, global thresholding, and postprocessing techniques must be carefully chosen to achieve a good segmentation performance.
“Section to Point” Correction Method for Wind Power Forecasting Based on Cloud Theory
Authors: Liu Dunnan , Hu Yu , Xu Yujie , Li Canbing
Published: February 2015

As an intermittent energy, wind power has the characteristics of randomness and uncontrollability. It is of great significance to improve the accuracy of wind power forecasting. Currently, most models for wind power forecasting are based on wind speed forecasting. However, it is stuck in a dilemma called “garbage in, garbage out,” which means it is difficult to improve the forecasting accuracy without improving the accuracy of input data such as the wind speed. In this paper, a new model based on cloud theory is proposed. It establishes a more accurate relational model between the wind power and wind speed, which has lots of catastrophe points. Then, combined with the trend during adjacent time and the laws of historical data, the forecasting value will be corrected by the theory of “section to point” correction. It significantly improves the stability of forecasting accuracy and reduces significant forecasting errors at some particular points. At last, by analyzing the data of generation power and historical wind speed in Inner Mongolia, China, it is proved that the proposed method can effectively improve the accuracy of wind speed forecasting.
Impact of Different Body Positions on Bioelectrical Activity of the Pelvic Floor Muscles in Nulliparous Continent Women
Authors: Chmielewska Daria , Stania Magdalena , Sobota Grzegorz , Kwaśna Krystyna , Błaszczak Edward , Taradaj Jakub , Juras Grzegorz
Published: February 2015

We examined pelvic floor muscles (PFM) activity (%MVC) in twenty nulliparous women by body position during exercise as well as the activation of abdominal muscles and the gluteus maximus during voluntary contractions of the PFMs. Pelvic floor muscle activity was recorded using a vaginal probe during five experimental trials. Activation of transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, and gluteus maximus during voluntary PFM contractions was also assessed. Significant differences in mean normalized amplitudes of baseline PFM activity were revealed between standing and lying (P<0.00024) and lying and ball-sitting positions (P<0.0053). Average peak, average time before peak, and average time after peak did not differ significantly during the voluntary contractions of the PFMs. Baseline PFM activity seemed to depend on the body position and was the highest in standing. Pelvic floor muscles activity during voluntary contractions did not differ by position in continent women. Statistically significant differences between the supine lying and sitting positions were only observed during a sustained 60-second contraction of the PFMs.
Effects of Two Different Cellulose Nanofiber Types on Properties of Poly(vinyl alcohol) Composite Films
Authors: Yuwawech Kitti , Wootthikanokkhan Jatuphorn , Tanpichai Supachok
Published: February 2015

This work concerns a study on the effects of fiber types and content of cellulose nanofiber on mechanical, thermal, and optical properties polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composites. Two different types of cellulose nanofibers, which are nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) and bacterial cellulose (BC), were prepared under various mechanical treatment times and then incorporated into the PVA prior to the fabrication of composite films. It was found that tensile modulus of the PVA film increased with nanofibers content at the expense of its percentage elongation value. DSC thermograms indicate that percentage crystallinity of PVA increased after adding 2–4 wt% of the fibers. This contributed to the better mechanical properties of the composites. Tensile toughness values of the PVA/BC nanocomposite films were also superior to those of the PVA/NFC system containing the same fiber loading. SEM images of the composite films reveal that tensile fractured surface of PVA/BC experienced more ductile deformation than the PVA/NFC analogue. The above discrepancies were discussed in the light of differences between the two types of fibers in terms of diameter and their intrinsic properties. Lastly, percentage total visible light transmittance values of the PVA composite films were greater than 90%, regardless of the fiber type and content.
Suan Zao Ren Tangin Combination withZhi Zi Chi Tangas a Treatment Protocol for Insomniacs with Anxiety: A Randomized Parallel-Controlled Trial
Authors: Hu Lin-lin , Zhang Xin , Liu Wen-juan , Li Mei , Zhang Yong-hua
Published: February 2015

Insomnia is a serious worldwide health problem that is often comorbid with anxiety. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Chinese formula containingSuan Zao Ren Tang(SZRT) andZhi Zi Chi Tang(ZZCT; SZR-ZZC) for improving sleep quality and anxiety states with four indices of Polysomnography (PSG), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Self Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS).Methods.A randomized, parallel-controlled trial compared SZR-ZZC to lorazepam tablet in insomniacs with anxiety. Patients were randomized to the SZR-ZZC treatment group (n=60) and the lorazepam tablet treatment group (n=59).Results. SZR-ZZC significantly improved scores on all four treatment indices. Compared with lorazepam, treatment with SZR-ZZC resulted in a significant reduction in the ISI (P=0.029), the PSQI (P=0.017), and wake after sleep onset (WASO;P=0.008) scores and improved sleep architecture (P=0.000–0.003) after a 4-week treatment period. Only one subject in the SZR-ZZC group experienced adverse side effects.Conclusion. Treatment with SZR-ZZC for 4 weeks appears to be a relatively safe and effective complementary therapeutic option when aiming to improve sleep quality and anxiety in insomniacs with anxiety.
Cryptanalysis and Improvement of an Efficient and Secure Medical Image Protection Scheme
Authors: Zhang Li-bo , Zhu Zhi-liang , Yang Ben-qiang , Liu Wen-yuan , Zhu Hong-feng , Zou Ming-yu
Published: February 2015

Nowadays, the increasing demand for telemedicine services has raised interest in the real-time medical image protection literatures. In this paper, we evaluate the security of an efficient and secure medical image protection scheme recently proposed (Fu et al., 2013). It is found that this scheme can be successfully broken by launching chosen-plaintext attacks. Improvement is subsequently developed for promoting the security and efficiency performance. Extensive security analyses and experimental results both indicate that the improved scheme can well address the security flaws and advance the speed performance of the original one.
Unusual Transalveolar and Transmuco-Gingival Root Avulsion of a Fractured Primary Central Incisor: A Case with an 8-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Ferrés-Amat E. , Díaz-Martínez C. , Herrera-Martínez S. , Maura-Solivellas I. , Ferrés-Padró E.
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this unique case report is to describe a very unusual dentoalveolar fracture associated with avulsion of the near-complete root. A 3-year-old male patient came for consultation after a dentoalveolar trauma with a “fragment that looks like canine” found in his mouth by his mother. This boy suffered root fracture of the upper primary central right incisor, accompanied by transalveolar and transmuco-gingival avulsion of the tooth root fragment, leaving the crown in its position in the dental arch. Clinical and radiological examinations were performed in order to follow up the case: 15 days, one month, and three months after trauma, the crown had a slight mobility without other clinical or radiological signs. After six months, the upper primary central right incisor’s crown was exfoliated. Open bite due to the persistence of the pacifier habit favored the crown retention in the mouth. This case emphasizes the importance of primary diagnosis and follow-up of trauma cases. To the best of our knowledge, this kind of dental injury has not been previously described in the literature nor in the current Dental Trauma guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries in the primary dentition.
Decision Making for Third Party Logistics Supplier Selection in Semiconductor Manufacturing Industry: A Nonadditive Fuzzy Integral Approach
Authors: Hwang Bang-Ning , Shen Yung-Chi
Published: February 2015

The semiconductor industry has a unique vertically disintegrated structure that consists of various firms specializing in a narrow range of the value chain. To ensure manufacturing and logistics efficiency, the semiconductor manufacturers considerably rely on 3PL suppliers to achieve supply chain excellence. However, 3PL supplier selection is a complex decision-making process involving multiple selection criteria. The goal of this paper is to identify the key 3PL selection criteria by employing the nonadditive fuzzy integral approach. Unlike the traditional multicriterion decision-making (MCDM) methods which often assume independence among criteria and additive importance weights, the nonadditive fuzzy integral is a more effective approach to solve the dependency among criteria, vagueness in information, and essential fuzziness of human judgment. In this paper, we demonstrate an empirical case that employs the nonadditive fuzzy integral to evaluate the importance weight of selection criteria and choose the most appropriate 3PL supplier. The research result can become a valuable reference for manufacturing companies operating in comparable situations. Moreover, the systematic framework presented in this study can be easily extended to the analysis of other decision-making domains.
Evaluation of Ethnopharmacological and Antioxidant Potential ofZanthoxylum armatumDC.
Authors: Kanwal Rabia , Arshad Muhammad , Bibi Yamin , Asif Saira , Chaudhari Sunbal Khalil
Published: February 2015

Zanthoxylum armatumDC. (syn.Z. alatumRoxb.) is an important medicinal plant commonly called Timur or Indian prickly ash. The ethnopharmacological study ofZ. armatumrevealed the use of different plant parts for curing various ailments including cholera, chest infection, fever, indigestion, stomach disorders, gas problems, piles, toothache, gum problems, dyspepsia, as carminative, antipyretic, aromatic, tonic, and stomachic. Keeping in view the medicinal potential of the plant, the antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, reducing power, and phosphomolybdate assay using different concentrations (7.81 μg/mL–250 μg/mL). Ascorbic acid was taken as standard. The results indicated that the free radical scavenging activity ranged from 40.12% to 78.39%, and the reductive potential ranged from 0.265 nm to 1.411 nm while the total antioxidant activity ranged from 0.124 nm to 0.183 nm. The antioxidant potential evaluated by three assays increased in a concentration dependent manner and ascorbic acid showed better antioxidant activity than leaf extract. Results obtained through different tests confirmed redox protective activities ofZanthoxylum armatum. Further in vitro and in vivo research should be performed, so this plant can be further utilized in drug development.
Daisaikoto for Menstrual Pain: A Lesson from a Case with Menstrual Pain Successfully Treated with Daisaikoto
Authors: Horiba Yuko , Yoshino Tetsuhiro , Watanabe Kenji
Published: February 2015

Menstrual pain is one of the common symptoms among women. It is estimated that 5–14% of women are sometimes absent from school or work because of pain. Usually gynecologists prescribe analgesics and/or low-dose oral contraceptives. However, such treatment is not always effective and sometimes causes an adverse effect, such as stomach pain or low body temperature. Kampo medicine is one of the choices for the menstrual pain in Japan. Tokishakuyakusan, kamishoyosan, or keishibukuryogan is commonly used for the treatment of menstrual pain. Here we report a case of menstrual pain successfully treated with daisaikoto which is not commonly used for such a case. Twenty-five-year-old woman suffered from severe menstrual pain and stress at company. She also had constipation and abdominal distension. We prescribed daisaikoto extract 7.5 g per day. Not only menstrual pain but also constipation and abdominal distension improved within 6 months. Here we propose that daisaikoto is one of the choices for the treatment of menstrual pain with mental stress.
Intestinal Microbiota as Modulators of the Immune System and Neuroimmune System: Impact on the Host Health and Homeostasis
Authors: Maranduba Carlos Magno da Costa , De Castro Sandra Bertelli Ribeiro , Souza Gustavo Torres de , Rossato Cristiano , da Guia Francisco Carlos , Valente Maria Anete Santana , Rettore João Vitor Paes , Maranduba Claudinéia Pereira , Souza Camila Maurmann de , Carmo Antônio Márcio Resende do , Macedo Gilson Costa , Silva Fernando de Sá
Published: February 2015

Many immune-based intestinal disorders, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, as well as other illnesses, may have the intestines as an initial cause or aggravator in the development of diseases, even apparently not correlating directly to the intestine. Diabetes, obesity, multiple sclerosis, depression, and anxiety are examples of other illnesses discussed in the literature. In parallel, importance of the gut microbiota in intestinal homeostasis and immunologic conflict between tolerance towards commensal microorganisms and combat of pathogens is well known. Recent researches show that the immune system, when altered by the gut microbiota, influences the state in which these diseases are presented in the patient directly and indirectly. At the present moment, a considerable number of investigations about this subject have been performed and published. However, due to difficulties on correlating information, several speculations and hypotheses are generated. Thus, the present review aims at bringing together how these interactions work—gut microbiota, immune system, and their influence in the neuroimmune system.
Bonded Excimer in Stacked Cytosines: A Semiclassical Simulation Study
Authors: Wu Weifeng , Yuan Shuai , She Jiajie , Dou Yusheng , Allen Roland E.
Published: February 2015

The formation of a covalent bond between two stacked cytosines, one of which is excited by an ultrafast laser pulse, was studied by semiclassical dynamics simulations. The results show that a bonded excimer is created, which sharply lowers the energy gap between the LUMO and HOMO and consequently facilitates the deactivation of the electronically excited molecule. This is different from the case of two stacked adenines, where the formation of a covalent bond alters the nonadiabatic deactivation mechanism in two opposite ways. It lowers the energy gap and consequently leads to the coupling between the HOMO and LUMO levels, thus enhancing the deactivation of the electronically excited molecule. On the other hand, it leads to restriction of the deformation vibration of the pyrimidine in the excited molecule, because of a steric effect, and this delays the deactivation process of the excited adenine molecule with return to the electronic ground state.
A Pilot Study on the Use of Mobile Augmented Reality for Interactive Experimentation in Quadratic Equations
Authors: Barraza Castillo Ramón Iván , Cruz Sánchez Vianey Guadalupe , Vergara Villegas Osslan Osiris
Published: February 2015

Recent studies have reported that the inclusion of new technological elements such as augmented reality (AR), for educational purposes, increases the learning interest and motivation of students. However, developing AR applications, especially with mobile content, is still a rather technical subject; thus the dissemination of the technology in the classroom has been rather limited. This paper presents a new software architecture for AR application development based on freely available components; it provides a detailed view of the subsystems and tasks that encompass the creation of a mobile AR application. The typical task of plotting a quadratic equation was selected as a case study to obtain feasibility insights on how AR could support the teaching-learning process and to observe the student’s reaction to the technology and the particular application. The pilot study was conducted with 59 students at a Mexican undergraduate school. A questionnaire was created in order to obtain information about the students’ experience using the AR application and the analysis of the results obtained is presented. The comments expressed by the users after the AR experience are positive, supporting the premise that AR can be, in the future, a valuable complimentary teaching tool for topics that benefit from contextual learning experience and multipoint visualization, such as the quadratic equation.