bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recurrent Transient Ischemic Attacks in a Patient with POEMS Syndrome
Authors: Akyol A. , Nazliel B. , Batur Caglayan H. Z. , Oner Y. , Sucak G. Turkoz
Published: March 2014

A 47-year-old female with a prior history of POEMS (polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes) syndrome was admitted with transient ischemic attacks complicated by dysarthria and right-sided hemiparesis. A blood survey indicated thrombocytosis and hyperfibrinogenemia while imaging of intracranial vasculature showed occlusion of the bilateral middle cerebral arteries. POEMS syndrome, of which arterial thromboses have been mentioned as a manifestation, is rarely accompanied by transient ischemic attacks. The pathophysiologic mechanism is yet unclear and needs further investigation.
Exponential Stability of Stochastic Differential Equation with Mixed Delay
Authors: Zhu Wenli , Huang Jiexiang , Ruan Xinfeng , Zhao Zhao
Published: March 2014

This paper focuses on a class of stochastic differential equations with mixed delay based on Lyapunov stability theory, Itô formula, stochastic analysis, and inequality technique. A sufficient condition for existence and uniqueness of the adapted solution to such systems is established by employing fixed point theorem. Some sufficient conditions of exponential stability and corollaries for such systems are obtained by using Lyapunov function. By utilizing Doob’s martingale inequality and Borel-Cantelli lemma, it is shown that the exponentially stable in the mean square of such systems implies the almost surely exponentially stable. In particular, our theoretical results show that if stochastic differential equation is exponentially stable and the time delay is sufficiently small, then the corresponding stochastic differential equation with mixed delay will remain exponentially stable. Moreover, time delay upper limit is solved by using our theoretical results when the system is exponentially stable, and they are more easily verified and applied in practice.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Developing in a Cutaneous Lichen Planus Lesion: A Rare Case
Authors: Ghosh Saptarshi , Kotne Sivasankar , Ananda Rao P. B. , Turlapati S. P. V. , Kumar Soren Dillip
Published: March 2014

Lichen planus is a benign disorder characterized by an itchy, noninfectious skin rash. Though lichen planus is a common papulosquamous disorder affecting about 1-2% of the population, neoplastic transformation of cutaneous lichen planus lesions occurs very rarely and should be borne in mind while treating nonhealing longstanding lesions of lichen planus. Studies suggest an estimated 0.3–3% risk of malignancy in patients with oral lichen planus, however, cutaneous lichen planus does not carry an increased risk of malignant degeneration. We present a case of a 36-year-old male with a 10-year-long history of hypertrophic lichen planus who presented with a nonhealing ulcer in the left popliteal fossa. The patient underwent wide local excision with superficial skin grafting. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed verrucous squamous cell carcinoma complicating lichen planus. In view of underlying structure involvement, adjuvant radiation therapy was given. This case is being reported to emphasize the infrequent possibility of development of malignancy in cutaneous lichen planus, especially if it presents as a longstanding, nonhealing, itchy lesion with patchy areas of depigmentation in the lower limbs.
Both Castration and Goserelin Acetate Ameliorate Myocardial Ischemia Reperfusion Injury and Apoptosis in Male Rats
Authors: Hadi Najah R. , Yusif Fadhil G. , Yousif Maitham , Jaen Karrar K.
Published: March 2014

Although reperfusion of an ischemic organ is essential to prevent irreversible tissue damage, it may amplify tissue injury. This study investigates the role of endogenous testosterone in myocardial ischemia reperfusion and apoptosis in male rats. Material and method. Twenty four male rats were randomized into 4 equal groups: Group (1), sham group, rats underwent the same anesthetic and surgical procedure as the control group except for LAD ligation; Group (2), Active control group, rats underwent LAD ligation; Group (3), castrated, rats underwent surgical castration, left 3wks for recovery, and then underwent LAD ligation; and Group (4), Goserelin acetate treated, rats received 3.6 mg of Goserelin 3 wks before surgery and then underwent LAD ligation. At the end of experiment, plasma cTn I, cardiac TNF-α, IL1-β, ICAM-1, and Apoptosis level were measured and histological examination was made. Results. Compared to sham group, the levels of myocardial TNF-α, IL-1β, ICAM-1, apoptosis, and plasma cTn I were significantly increased (P<0.05) in control group and all rats showed significant myocardial injury (P<0.05). Castration and Goserelin acetates significantly counteract the increase in myocardial levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, ICAM-1, plasma cTn I, and apoptosis (P<0.05) and significantly reduce (P<0.05) the severity of myocardial injury. We conclude that castration and Goserelin acetates ameliorate myocardial I/R injury and apoptosis in rats via interfering with inflammatory reactions.
The Applications of Cardinal Trigonometric Splines in Solving Nonlinear Integral Equations
Authors: Xie Jin , Liu Xiaoyan , Xu Lixiang
Published: March 2014

The cardinal trigonometric splines on small compact supports are employed to solve integral equations. The unknown function is expressed as a linear combination of cardinal trigonometric splines functions. Then a simple system of equations on the coefficients is deducted. When solving the Volterra integral equations, the system is triangular, so it is relatively straight forward to solve the nonlinear system of the coefficients and a good approximation of the original solution is obtained. The sufficient condition for the existence of the solution is discussed and the convergence rate is investigated.
Threatening Inferior Limb Ischemia: When to Consider Fasciotomy and What Principles to Apply?
Authors: Alexandrescu Vlad-Adrian , Van Espen Didier
Published: March 2014

Inferior limb compartmental syndrome (CS) gathers a constellation of symptoms that traditionally refers to pathologically increased intramuscular and surrounding tissue pressure generally contained in nonexpansile leg spaces. It associates oftentimes reperfusion or traumatic injury. Intrinsic rigidity of these leg and foot closed compartments may enhance critical pressure risings with deleterious effects on specific vascular and nervous supply, with two main presentations: acute versus chronic display. For these situations, early fasciotomy plays the major role of releasing specific compartment hypertension and prevents deleterious tissue necrosis. Intervention is effective only if required upon precise indications (measured tissue pressure within 20 to 30 mm Hg of systemic diastolic pressure) and performed correctly in a timely fashioned approach. Any failure or delay in recognizing CS inevitably leads to adverse outcomes and jeopardy for secondary limb loss. When judiciously applied during or soon after limb-salvage revascularization technically successful fasciotomy may represent a major contributor in limb preservation. It accounts for a well-defined therapeutic proceeding available for any conscientious and well-briefed interventionist.
Application of Filters to Multiway Joins in MapReduce
Authors: Lee Taewhi , Im Dong-Hyuk , Kim Hangkyu , Kim Hyoung-Joo
Published: March 2014

Joining multiple datasets in MapReduce may amplify
the disk and network overheads because intermediate join results have to be written to the underlying distributed file system, or map output records have to be replicated multiple times. This paper proposes a method for applying filters
based on the processing order of input datasets, which is appropriate for the two types of multiway joins: common attribute joins and distinct attribute joins. The number of redundant records filtered depends on the processing order. In common attribute joins, the input records do not need to be replicated, so a set of filters is created, which are applied in turn. In distinct attribute joins, the input records have to
be replicated, so multiple sets of filters need to be created, which depend on the number of join attributes. The experimental results showed that our approach outperformed a cascade of two‐way joins and basic multiway joins in cases where small portions of input datasets were joined.
Primary Pleural Benign Myxoid Schwannoma in an 18-Year-Old Female: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Abou Al-Shaar Hussam , Qutob Safi , Abu-Zaid Ahmed , Azzam Ayman , Amin Tarek , Mohammed Shamayel
Published: March 2014

Pleural schwannomas are exceedingly rare neoplasms of the thoracic cavity. To the best of our knowledge, less than 20 cases have been reported in the medical English literature. Herein, we report the case of primary pleural benign myxoid schwannoma in an 18-year-old female. The patient was originally referred to our tertiary care hospital for further management of right adrenal gland mass. Physical examination and all laboratory tests were normal. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed a4.2×3.2 cm, heterogeneous noncalcified mass involving the right adrenal gland region. The right renal vein and inferior vena cava were intact. There was no pleural effusion, ascites, or lymphadenopathy. No pelvic masses were identified. Patient was scheduled for surgical resection. On laparotomy, the mass was not found in its radiologically expected location, and the right kidney and right adrenal gland were intact. The right-sided lower part of diaphragm was opened, and the mass was interestingly found inside the thorax attached to the pleura, and resected successfully. A final histopathological diagnosis of primary pleural benign myxoid schwannoma was established. At a postoperative 6-month followup, there was no radiological evidence of tumor recurrence. Furthermore, literature review on pleural schwannomas is also presented.
Soft Approximations and Uni-Int Decision Making
Authors: Kharal Athar
Published: March 2014

Notions of core, support, and inversion of a soft set have been defined and studied. Soft approximations are soft sets developed through core and support and are used for granulating the soft space. Membership structure of a soft set has been probed in and many interesting properties are presented. We present a new conjecture to solve an optimum choice problem. Our Example 31 presents a case where the new conjecture solves the problem correctly.
Growth of Logarithmic Derivatives and Their Applications in Complex Differential Equations
Authors: Latreuch Zinelâabidine , Belaïdi Benharrat
Published: March 2014

We continue the study of the behavior of the growth of logarithmic derivatives. In fact, we prove some relations between the value distribution of solutions of linear differential equations and growth
of their logarithmic derivatives. We also give an estimate of the growth of the quotient of two differential polynomials generated by solutions of the equation f″+A(z)f′+B(z)f=0, where A(z) and B(z) are entire functions.
Inquiry-Based Education for Students with Visual Impairment
Authors: Rooks-Ellis Deborah L.
Published: March 2014

The purpose of the study presented here was to identify and synthesize studies of evidence-based practices for working with students with visual impairment in the science classroom. Expanding a comprehensive literature search conducted in 1992, 10 empirical reports were found and reviewed. A synthesis of the results showed strong support for inquiry-oriented approaches to science instruction for children with disabilities. Evidence also was found that knowledge of science pedagogy for children with disabilities is continuing to increase; however, the literature to support evidence-based methodology for students with visual impairment in the science classroom is sparse. This critical review is a call for research that provides support for inquiry approaches in science education for the learner with a visual impairment.
Continuous Probabilistic Skyline Queries for Uncertain Moving Objects in Road Network
Authors: Pan Shanliang , Dong Yihong , Cao Jinfeng , Chen Ken
Published: March 2014

In moving environment, the positions of moving objects cannot be located accurately. Apart from the measuring instrument errors, movement of the objects is the main factor contributing to this uncertainty. This uncertainty makes dominant relationship of data instable, which will affect skyline operator. In this paper, we mainly study the continuous probabilistic skyline query for uncertain moving objects in road network. The query point is deemed to be stationary while moving objects are treated as targets with uncertainty described by a probability density function. After defining the notion of dominant probability and probabilistic skyline, we put forward a novel algorithm to deal with continuous probabilistic skyline query on road network. Firstly, we compute the dominant probability and skyline probability to get initial permanent p-skyline set. Then we define events to predict the time when dominant relationship between moving objects may change. Furthermore, we track and calculate events to update the probabilistic skyline in an incremental way. Two pruning strategies are proposed to cancel invalid events and objects in a bid to diminish search space. Finally, an extensive experimental evaluation on real datasets shows that probabilistic skyline sets in road network can be updated by the proposed algorithm. It demonstrates both efficiency and effectiveness.
Reservoir Sedimentation Based on Uncertainty Analysis
Authors: Imanshoar Farhad , Jahangirzadeh Afshin , Basser Hossein , Akib Shatirah , Kamali Babak , Tabatabaei Mohammad Reza M. , Kakouei Masoud
Published: March 2014

Reservoir sedimentation can result in loss of much needed reservoir storage capacity, reducing the useful life of dams. Thus, sufficient sediment storage capacity should be provided for the reservoir design stage to ensure that sediment accumulation will not impair the functioning of the reservoir during the useful operational-economic life of the project. However, an important issue to consider when estimating reservoir sedimentation and accumulation is the uncertainty involved in reservoir sedimentation. In this paper, the basic factors influencing the density of sediments deposited in reservoirs are discussed, and uncertainties in reservoir sedimentation have been determined using the Delta method. Further, Kenny Reservoir in the White River Basin in northwestern Colorado was selected to determine the density of deposits in the reservoir and the coefficient of variation. The results of this investigation have indicated that by using the Delta method in the case of Kenny Reservoir, the uncertainty regarding accumulated sediment density, expressed by the coefficient of variation for a period of 50 years of reservoir operation, could be reduced to about 10%. Results of the Delta method suggest an applicable approach for dead storage planning via interfacing with uncertainties associated with reservoir sedimentation.
Characterization of Cr-Curcumin Complex by Differential Pulse Voltammetry and UV-Vis Spectrophotometry
Authors: Iwunze Maurice O.
Published: March 2014

Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV) and UV-Vis techniques were used in characterizing the complexation of chromium with curcumin. It was observed that chromium complexed with curcumin in a 1 : 3 ratio. The experimental values that were used to calculate this ratio were independently determined by the two techniques used. The values obtained from each technique agree with each other reasonably well, within limits of experimental error. The stability constant or formation constant, Kf, of the complex, 1.58×1010, was determined using the Lingane
equation and Gibb’s free energy of formation was calculated as −58.18 kJ.
Parasitological and Molecular Observations on a Little Family Outbreak of Human Fasciolosis Diagnosed in Italy
Authors: Gabrielli Simona , Calderini Pietro , Dall’Oglio Luigi , Paola De Angelis , Maurizio De Angelis , Federico Scottoni , Cancrini Gabriella
Published: March 2014

In the year 2010, three children who were born in a Romanian cattle farmer family went to Italy to join their mother. One of them was admitted to an Italian pediatric hospital for severe anemia that, when she was in her country, had been treated with blood transfusion. Blood tests and an abdominal ultrasound study triggered the suspicion of biliary parasitosis. The child underwent a cholangiopancreatography that caused the release of parasitic material microscopically identified asFasciola hepatica. All children and their mother were submitted to coproparasitological analyses, which identifiedF. hepaticaeggs only in the patient and in her twin sister. Parasitic materials recovered and flatworm specimens by usad hocobtained from Italian and Romanian cattle were genetically (ITSandCOIgenes) analyzed, and their sequences were compared with those deposited in GenBank. Specimens from children clustered with the Romanian strain examined and showed remarkable genetic differences with flatworm specimens from Italy. Anamnesis, parasite biology, and genetic data strongly suggest that twin sisters became infected in Romania; however, human fasciolosis is an emerging sanitary problem, favored by climate changes and global drivers; therefore, it deserves more attention on behalf of physicians working in both developing and developed countries.
Endodontic Treatment of Bilateral Maxillary First Premolars with Three Roots Using CBCT: A Case Report
Authors: Gopal Sujatha , John Gijo , Pavan Kumar K. , Latha Swarna , Latha Suma , Kallepalli Sowmya
Published: March 2014

One of the determining factors for the success of endodontic therapy is understanding the morphological anatomy of the tooth structure and its variants in relation to its template anatomy. The internal anatomy of maxillary first premolars is particularly complex due to their variation in number of roots and canal configuration. However, the bilateral presence of three roots in a maxillary first premolar is of rare occurrence. This case report describes the unusual anatomy bilaterally detected in maxillary first premolars using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.
Coevolution of Mucosal Immunoglobulins and the Polymeric Immunoglobulin Receptor: Evidence That the Commensal Microbiota Provided the Driving Force
Authors: Kaetzel Charlotte S.
Published: March 2014

Immunoglobulins (Igs) in mucosal secretions contribute to immune homeostasis by limiting access of microbial and environmental antigens to the body proper, maintaining the integrity of the epithelial barrier and shaping the composition of the commensal microbiota. The emergence of IgM in cartilaginous fish represented the primordial mucosal Ig, which is expressed in all higher vertebrates. Expansion and diversification of the mucosal Ig repertoire led to the emergence of IgT in bony fishes, IgX in amphibians, and IgA in reptiles, birds, and mammals. Parallel evolution of cellular receptors for the constant (Fc) regions of Igs provided mechanisms for their transport and immune effector functions. The most ancient of these Fc receptors is the polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), which first appeared in an ancestor of bony fishes. The pIgR transports polymeric IgM, IgT, IgX, and IgA across epithelial cells into external secretions. Diversification and refinement of the structure of mucosal Igs during tetrapod evolution were paralleled by structural changes in pIgR, culminating in the multifunctional secretory IgA complex in mammals. In this paper, evidence is presented that the mutualistic relationship between the commensal microbiota and the vertebrate host provided the driving force for coevolution of mucosal Igs and pIgR.
Calibration Technique for Recovery of Short Duration Aerodynamic Force
Authors: Sahoo Niranjan , Babu P. Ramesh
Published: March 2014

Force measurement is one of the key issues for design of high speed vehicle configurations. They are routinely tested in impulse facilities where the test duration is in the order of few milliseconds. Since, the experiments are performed in short test times, it is expected that the model never achieves the steady state. So, the measurement diagnostics must account this fact while inferring the forces from the measured parameters. One of the methods is the determination of characteristics system response function by including the dynamics of the system. The aim of this work is to develop a calibration experimental setup and measure axial force on generic aerodynamic body configurations during a short time (~0.6 ms). A generic aerodynamic model attached to a “stress bar” is suspended freely and an impulse load is applied at the tip of the model. An accelerometer fitted with the model records the signal corresponding to the motion of the model. Then, the system characteristics function (impulse response function) is obtained from input force history and output accelerometer signal and further used to predict any unknown forces of similar nature. The recovered forces are compared well with the applied ones with a reasonable accuracy of ±5%.
Adult Traumatic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation: A Case Report
Authors: Min Han Zaw , Nagao Nobuto , Sakakibara Toshihiko , Akeda Koji , Matsubara Takao , Sudo Akihiro , Kasai Yuichi
Published: March 2014

We presented a very rare case of adult Fielding type I atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF). We performed awake manual reduction of the dislocation without need for anesthesia, achieving excellent outcomes, and no previous reports have described awake reduction without the need for anesthesia. AARF in this case was attributed to excessive extension and rotation forces applied to the cervical spine. For the management of adult Fielding type I AARF, early diagnosis and early reduction may lead to excellent outcomes.
Obstructive Small Bowel Metastasis from Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: A Case Report
Authors: Tunio Mutahir A. , AlAsiri Mushabbab , Saleh Rasha M. , Akbar Shomaila Amir , Ali Nagoud M. , Senosy Hassan Mohamed Abdalazez
Published: March 2014

Background.Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare and aggressive gynecologic malignancy with an overall poor prognosis. Lungs, bones, and brain are common sites of metastases of uterine leiomyosarcoma. Metastases of uterine leiomyosarcoma to the small bowel are extremely rare, and only four case reports have been published to date.Case presentation.A 55-year-old Saudi woman diagnosed with a case of uterine leiomyosarcoma treated with total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and bilateral salpingooophorectomy (BSO) presented in emergency room after sixteen months with acute abdomen. Subsequent work-up showed a jejunal mass for which resection and end-to-end anastomosis were performed. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of small bowel metastasis from uterine leiomyosarcoma. Further staging work-up showed wide spread metastasis in lungs and brain. After palliative cranial irradiation, systemic chemotherapy based on single agent doxorubicin was started.Conclusion.Metastatic leiomyosarcoma of small bowel from uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare entity and is sign of advanced disease. It should be differentiated from primary leiomyosarcoma of small bowel as both are treated with different systemic chemotherapeutic agents.
Shape Reconstruction for Unsteady Advection-Diffusion Problems by Domain Derivative Method
Authors: Yan Wenjing , Su Jian , Jing Feifei
Published: March 2014

This paper is concerned with the numerical simulation for shape reconstruction of the unsteady advection-diffusion problems. The continuous dependence of the solution on variations of the boundary is established, and the explicit representation of domain derivative of corresponding equations is derived. This allows the investigation of iterative method for the ill-posed problem. By the parametric method, a regularized Gauss-Newton scheme is employed to the shape inverse problem. Numerical examples indicate that the proposed algorithm is feasible and effective for the practical purpose.
Optical Response to Submicron Digital Elements Simulated by FDTD Wavelets with Refractive Impulse
Authors: Bourdillon Antony J.
Published: March 2014

Accurate simulation from digital, submicron, optical elements is obtained by finite difference time domain (FDTD) results that are phase analyzed as sources for Huygens wavelets on fine scales much shorter than the wavelength used. Results, from the MIT electromagnetic evaluation program, are renormalized by a method here called “refractive impulse.” This is valid for polarized responses from digital diffractive and focusing optics. The method is employed with plane wave incidence at any angle or with diverging or converging beams. It is more systematic, more versatile, and more accurate than commercial substitutes.
Understanding the Terrestrial Carbon Cycle: An Ecohydrological Perspective
Authors: Govind Ajit , Kumari Jyothi
Published: March 2014

The terrestrial carbon (C) cycle has a great role in influencing the climate with complex interactions that are spatially and temporally variable and scale-related. Hence, it is essential that we fully understand the scale-specific complexities of the terrestrial C-cycle towards (1) strategic design of monitoring and experimental initiatives and (2) also developing conceptualizations for modeling purposes. These complexities arise due to the nonlinear interactions of various components that govern the fluxes of mass and energy across the soil-plant-atmospheric continuum. Considering the critical role played by hydrological processes in governing the biogeochemical and plant physiological processes, a coupled representation of these three components (collectively referred to as ecohydrological approach) is critical to explain the complexity in the terrestrial C-cycling processes. In this regard, we synthesize the research works conducted in this broad area and bring them to a common platform with an ecohydrological spirit. This could aid in the development of novel concepts of nonlinear ecohydrological interactions and thereby help reduce the current uncertainties in the terrestrial C-cycling process. The usefulness of spatially explicit and process-based ecohydrological models that have tight coupling between hydrological, ecophysiological, and biogeochemical processes is also discussed.
Exact Solutions of a High-Order Nonlinear Wave Equation of Korteweg-de Vries Type under Newly Solvable Conditions
Authors: Rui Weiguo
Published: March 2014

By using the integral bifurcation method together with factoring technique, we study a water wave model, a high-order nonlinear wave equation of KdV type under some newly solvable conditions. Based on our previous research works, some exact traveling wave solutions such as broken-soliton solutions, periodic wave solutions of blow-up type, smooth solitary wave solutions, and nonsmooth peakon solutions within more extensive parameter ranges are obtained. In particular, a series of smooth solitary wave solutions and nonsmooth peakon solutions are obtained. In order to show the properties of these exact solutions visually, we plot the graphs of some representative traveling wave solutions.
Patient Choice for Older People in English NHS Primary Care: Theory and Practice
Authors: Harding Andrew J. E. , Sanders Frances , Lara Antonieta Medina , van Teijlingen Edwin R. , Wood Cate , Galpin Di , Baron Sue , Crowe Sam , Sharma Sheetal
Published: March 2014

In the English National Health Service (NHS), patients are now expected to choose the time and place of treatment and even choose the actual treatment. However, the theory on which patient choice is based and the implementation of patient choice are controversial. There is evidence to indicate that attitudes and abilities to make choices are relatively sophisticated and not as straightforward as policy developments suggest. In addition, and surprisingly, there is little research on whether making individual choices about care is regarded as a priority by the largest NHS patient group and the single largest group for most GPs—older people. This conceptual paper examines the theory of patient choice concerning accessing and engaging with healthcare provision and reviews existing evidence on older people and patient choice in primary care.
Central Pontine and Extrapontine Myelinolysis: The Great Masquerader—An Autopsy Case Report
Authors: Jacob Sajish , Gupta Harsh , Nikolic Dejan , Gundogdu Betul , Ong Shirley
Published: March 2014

Central pontine myelinolysis is a demyelinating disorder characterized by the loss of myelin in the center of the basis pontis usually caused by rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia. The clinical features vary depending on the extent of involvement. Demyelination can occur outside the pons as well and diagnosis can be challenging if both pontine and extrapontine areas are involved. We herein report a case of myelinolysis involving pons, lateral geniculate bodies, subependymal region, and spinal cord. To the best of our knowledge, this case represents the second case of spinal cord involvement in osmotic demyelination syndrome and the first case of involvement of thoracic region of spinal cord.
Substrate Directed Regioselective Monobromination of Aralkyl Ketones Using N-Bromosuccinimide Catalysed by Active Aluminium Oxide: α-Bromination versus Ring Bromination
Authors: Mohan Reddy Bodireddy , Reddy G. Trivikram , Gangi Reddy N. C.
Published: March 2014

Bromination of aralkyl ketones using N-bromosuccinimide in presence of active Al2O3 provided either α-monobrominated products in methanol at reflux or mononuclear brominated products in acetonitrile at reflux temperature with excellent isolated yields depending on the nature of substrate employed. The α-bromination was an exclusive process when aralkyl ketones containing moderate activating/deactivating groups were subjected to bromination under acidic Al2O3 conditions in methanol at reflux while nuclear functionalization was predominant when aralkyl ketones containing high activating groups were utilized for bromination in presence of neutral Al2O3 conditions in acetonitrile at reflux temperature. In addition, easy isolation of products, use of inexpensive catalyst, short reaction time (10–20 min), and safe operational practice are the major benefits in the present protocol.
Randomized, Double‐Blind Clinical Trial to Assess the Acute Diuretic Effect of Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Carneiro Danilo Maciel , Freire Ramias Calixto , Honório Tereza Cristina de Deus , Zoghaib Iury , Cardoso Fabiana Fernandes de S. e Silva , Tresvenzol Leonice Manrique F. , de Paula José Realino , Sousa Ana Luiza Lima , Jardim Paulo César Brandão Veiga , Cunha Luiz Carlos da
Published: March 2014

In this double‐blind, randomized clinical trial, 36 healthy male volunteers were randomly distributed into three groups (n = 12) that underwent a three‐step treatment. For four consecutive days, we alternately administered a standardized dried extract of Equisetum arvense (EADE, 900 mg/day), placebo (corn starch, 900 mg/day), or hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg/day), separated by a 10‐day washout period. Each volunteer served as his own control, and the groups’ results were compared. We repeated the same evaluation after each stage of treatment to evaluate the safety of the drug. The diuretic effect of EADE was assessed by monitoring the volunteers’ water balance over a 24 h period. The E. arvense extract produced a diuretic effect that was stronger than that of the negative control and was equivalent to that of hydrochlorothiazide without causing significant changes in the elimination of electrolytes. There was no significant increase in the urinary elimination of catabolites. Rare minor adverse events were reported. The clinical examinations and laboratory tests showed no changes before or after the experiment, suggesting that the drug is safe for acute use. Further research is needed to better clarify the mechanism of diuretic action and the other possible pharmacological actions of this phytomedicine.
Hypervector Spaces Based on Intersectional Soft Sets
Authors: Jun Young Bae , Park Chul Hwan , Alshehri N. O.
Published: March 2014

The notion of int-soft subfields, int-soft algebras over int-soft subfields, and int-soft hypervector spaces are introduced, and their properties and characterizations are considered. In connection with linear transformations, int-soft hypervector spaces are discussed.
Comparison of Teacher Motivation for Mathematics and Special Educators in Middle Schools That Have and Have Not Achieved AYP
Authors: King-Sears Margaret E. , Baker Pamela H.
Published: March 2014

Mathematics and special educators who taught in middle schools that had or had not made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) were surveyed to compare their motivation across three domains on a Teacher Motivation Survey: Work Environment, Professional Identity, and Career Satisfaction. Educators from schools who had met AYP reported a significantly better Work Environment, also referred to as collective efficacy, than that of educators from schools that had not met AYP. There were no statistically significant differences for special or mathematics educators, whether from a school that had or had not met AYP. Other results from the Teacher Motivation Survey are presented, including qualitative analyses from open-ended queries in the survey. Implications for expanding this research as well as more immediate applications and actions for school administrators are noted.
Low-Frequency Raman Spectroscopic Monitoring of Supramolecular Structure in H-Bonded Liquids
Authors: Kuzkova Nataliia , Yakunov Andrey , Bilyi Mykola
Published: March 2014

Effective density of vibrational states in H-bonded liquids was measured by Raman scattering method. Actuality of a low-frequency part of the spectrum of the intermediate (fracton) region, which obeys a power law, indicates the correct application of the percolation model. The dependence of exponent on binary solutions concentration has been studied. Existence of correlation of the fractal structure parameter and dynamic viscosity has been noted.
Finite-Time Cooperative Tracking Control Algorithm for Multiple Surface Vessels
Authors: Jiao Jianfang , Fu Mingyu
Published: March 2014

We investigate the problem of finite-time cooperative tracking for multiple surface vessels in the presence of external disturbances. A robust finite-time cooperative tracking algorithm based on terminal sliding-mode control is proposed for multiple surface vessels. In light of the leader-follower strategy, a virtual leader vessel is defined to provide reference point for other surface vessels to form the desired formation. Specifically, the proposed algorithm only requires the communication topology among the surface vessels to be a directed graph with a directed spanning tree. The robustness is achieved by compensating the upper bound of external disturbance in the control input, and the global finite-time stability is proved by Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed finite-time cooperative tracking control algorithm is demonstrated by simulation results.
Excitation Density Dependence of Optical Oxygen Sensing in Poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) Waveguides Showing Amplified Spontaneous Emission
Authors: Anni M. , Lattante S.
Published: March 2014

Reversible oxygen induced emission quenching of both the Spontaneous Emission (SE) and the Amplified Spontaneous Emission (ASE) of poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene)
waveguides is demonstrated. We show that ASE shows a stronger quenching than SE, up to about 6.2 times, but also a stronger decrease when the excitation density increases. We conclude that the fast increase of the ASE decay rate is the main process in determining the ASE detection sensitivity, limiting the potentiality of sensitivity improvement of ASE with respect to SE.
Effect of Aerobic Training on Glucose Control and Blood Pressure in T2DDM East African Males
Authors: Yan Huimin , Prista Antonio , Ranadive Sushant M. , Damasceno Albertino , Caupers Paula , Kanaley Jill A. , Fernhall Bo
Published: March 2014

Background.Exercise training intervention is underused in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus in East Africa.Methods.41 physically-active males with type 2 diabetes mellitus living in Mozambique were recruited and randomly assigned to 12 weeks of supervised exercise of low intensity exercise (LEX), vigorous intensity exercise (VEX), or to a control group (CON). Since there were no differences for any outcome variables between the exercise groups, VEX and LEX were combined into one exercise group (EX).Results.Age and baseline body weight were similar between EX and CON. Plasma glucose at 120 min following glucose load (Glu 120) was significantly reduced in the EX group after training (Glu 120 : 17.3 mmol/L to 15.0 mmol/L,P<0.05), whereas Glu 120 remained unchanged in the CON (Glu 120 : 16.6 mmol/L to 18.7 mmol/L). After controlling for baseline blood pressure (BP), posttraining systolic BP and diastolic BP were lower in the EX group than in the CON group (EX: 129/77 mm Hg, CON: 152/83 mm Hg,P<0.05).Conclusion.Adding exercise to already active African men with type 2 diabetes improved glucose control and BP levels without concomitant changes in weight.
In-Stent Ulceration: An Unusual Pathology
Authors: Kalavakunta Jagadeesh Kumar , Gangula Shravan , Gupta Vishal
Published: March 2014

In-stent restenosis occurs in 10–60% of cases undergoing interventional therapy. Many mechanisms explain the reason for in-stent restenosis, but restenosis due to an ulcerated plaque is very rare and has not been well reported in the literature. We report an interesting case of 72-year-old man presenting with neurological symptoms secondary to in-stent restenosis of the carotid artery caused by an ulcerated plaque. We also explain the different mechanisms for restenosis along with the treatment options.
Electrodeposition of Mesoporous Co3O4Nanosheets on Carbon Foam for High Performance Supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Zhemi , Younis Adnan , Chu Dewei , Ao Zhimin , Xu Haolan , Li Sean
Published: March 2014

Metal oxide nanosheets have promising potential applications in novel energy storage devices. In this work, Co3O4 nanosheets/carbon foam with excellent supercapacitor characteristics was successfully fabricated, without using metal substrates. The experimental results demonstrate that the electrochemical tests showed that the as‐prepared Co3O4 nanosheets exhibited an ideal capacitive behavior with a maximum specific capacitance of 106 F/g in 1 M NaOH solution at a scan rate of 0.1 V s−1.
On Optimal Control Problem for Backward Stochastic Doubly Systems
Authors: Chala Adel
Published: March 2014

We are going to study an approach of optimal control problems where the state equation is a backward doubly stochastic differential equation, and the set of strict (classical) controls need not
be convex and the diffusion coefficient and the generator coefficient depend on the terms control. The main result is necessary conditions as well as a sufficient condition for optimality in the form of a relaxed maximum principle.
Perborate Oxidation of Substituted 5-Oxoacids in Aqueous Acetic Acid Medium: A Kinetic and Mechanistic Study
Authors: Shree Devi S. , Muthukumaran B. , Krishnamoorthy P.
Published: March 2014

Kinetics and mechanism of oxidation of substituted 5-oxoacids by sodium perborate in aqueous acetic acid medium have been studied. The reaction exhibits first order both in [perborate] and [5-oxoacid] and second order in [H+]. Variation in ionic strength has no effect on the reaction rate, while the reaction rates are enhanced on lowering the dielectric constant of the reaction medium. Electron releasing substituents in the aromatic ring accelerate the reaction rate and electron withdrawing substituents retard the reaction. The order of reactivity among the studied 5-oxoacids is p-methoxy ≫ p-methyl > p-phenyl > –H > p-chloro > p-bromo > m-nitro. The oxidation is faster than H2O2 oxidation. The formation of H2BO3+ is the reactive species of perborate in the acid medium. Activation parameters have been evaluated using Arrhenius and Eyring’s plots. A mechanism consistent with the observed kinetic data has been proposed and discussed. Based on the mechanism a suitable rate law is derived.
Damage Detection of Composite Plates by Lamb Wave Ultrasonic Tomography with a Sparse Hexagonal Network Using Damage Progression Trends
Authors: Keulen C. J. , Yildiz M. , Suleman A.
Published: March 2014

Lamb wave based structural health monitoring shows a lot of potential for damage detection of composite structures. However, currently there is no agreement upon optimal network arrangement or detection algorithm. The objective of this research is to develop a sparse network that can be expanded to detect damage over a large area. To achieve this, a novel technique based on damage progression history has been developed. This technique gives an amplification factor to data along actuator-sensor paths that show a steady reduction in transmitted power as induced damage progresses and is implemented with the reconstruction algorithm for probabilistic inspection of damage (RAPID) technique. Two damage metrics are used with the algorithm and a comparison is made to the more commonly used signal difference coefficient (SDC) metric. Best case results show that damage is detected within 12 mm. The algorithm is also run on a more sparse network with no damage detection, therefore indicating that the selected arrangement is the most sparse arrangement with this configuration.
Four Cases of Chylous Ascites following Robotic Gynecologic Oncological Surgery
Authors: Göçmen Ahmet , Avcı Muhittin Eftal , Şanlıkan Fatih , Uçar Mustafa Gazi
Published: March 2014

Chylous ascites is an uncommon form of ascites characterized by milky-appearing fluid caused by blocked or disrupted lymph flow through chyle-transporting vessels. The most common causes of chylous ascites are therapeutic interventions and trauma. In this report, we present four cases of chylous ascites following robot-assisted surgery for endometrial staging and the treatment strategies that we used. After retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, leaving a drain is very useful in diagnosing chylous ascites and observing its resolution; furthermore, the use of octreotide in conjunction with TPN appears to be an efficient treatment modality for chylous ascites and should be considered before any invasive intervention.
The Larger Bound on the Domination Number of Fibonacci Cubes and Lucas Cubes
Authors: Ren Shengzhang
Published: March 2014

LetΓnandΛnbe then-dimensional Fibonacci cube and Lucas cube, respectively. Denote byΓ[un,k,z]the subgraph ofΓninduced by the end-vertexun,k,zthat has no up-neighbor. In this paper, the number of end-vertices and domination numberγofΓnandΛnare studied. The formula of calculating the number of end-vertices is given and it is proved thatγ(Γ[un,k,z])≤2k-1+1. Using these results, the larger bound on the domination numberγofΓnandΛnis determined.
Centralized Resource Allocation for Connecting Radial and Nonradial Models
Authors: Mirsalehy A. , Abu Bakar M. R. , Jahanshahloo G. R. , Hosseinzadeh Lotfi F. , Lee L. S.
Published: March 2014

This paper examines an alternative approach to the centralized resource allocation model that indicates that all the units are under the control of an entity of the centralized decision maker. The proposed approach is a technique for connecting the two basic Radial CRA-BCC and Nonradial CRA-SBM models in an integrated structure called connected CRA-SBM. In the proposed model, exchanging the two parameter amounts can change the location of the analysis between the CRA-BCC and the CRA-SBM models and deal with the weaknesses inherent in such models. By remedying all the weaknesses in one model, the entire units are simply projected on the frontier line and one can obtain suitable benchmarks for each of them. In the offered model, all of the inputs and outputs, respectively, decrease and increase simultaneously. Lastly, numerical examples emphasize the significance of the offered method.
Immunosurveillance by Antiangiogenesis: Tumor Growth Arrest by T Cell–Derived Thrombospondin-1
Authors: Schadler Keri L. , Crosby Erika J. , Zhou Alice Yao , Bhang Dong Ha , Braunstein Lior , Baek Kwan Hyuck , Crawford Danielle , Crawford Alison , Angelosanto Jill , Wherry E. John , Ryeom Sandra
Published: March 2014

Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy suggest that manipulation of the immune system to enhance the antitumor response may be a highly effective treatment modality. One understudied aspect of immunosurveillance is antiangiogenic surveillance, the regulation of tumor angiogenesis by the immune system, independent of tumor cell lysis. CD4+ T cells can negatively regulate angiogenesis by secreting antiangiogenic factors such as thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). In tumor-bearing mice, we show that a Th1-directed viral infection that triggers upregulation of TSP-1 in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells can inhibit tumor angiogenesis and suppress tumor growth. Using bone marrow chimeras and adoptive T-cell transfers, we demonstrated that TSP-1 expression in the T-cell compartment was necessary and sufficient to inhibit tumor growth by suppressing tumor angiogenesis after the viral infection. Our results establish that tumorigenesis can be stanched by antiangiogenic surveillance triggered by an acute viral infection, suggesting novel immunologic approaches to achieve antiangiogenic therapy. Cancer Res; 74(8); 2171–81. ©2014 AACR.
RAE1 Ligands for the NKG2D Receptor Are Regulated by STING-Dependent DNA Sensor Pathways in Lymphoma
Authors: Lam Adeline R. , Le Bert Nina , Ho Samantha S.W. , Shen Yu J. , Tang Melissa L.F. , Xiong Gordon M. , Croxford J. Ludovic , Koo Christine X. , Ishii Ken J. , Akira Shizuo , Raulet David H. , Gasser Stephan
Published: March 2014

The immunoreceptor NKG2D originally identified in natural killer (NK) cells recognizes ligands that are upregulated on tumor cells. Expression of NKG2D ligands (NKG2DL) is induced by the DNA damage response (DDR), which is often activated constitutively in cancer cells, revealing them to NK cells as a mechanism of immunosurveillance. Here, we report that the induction of retinoic acid early transcript 1 (RAE1) ligands for NKG2D by the DDR relies on a STING-dependent DNA sensor pathway involving the effector molecules TBK1 and IRF3. Cytosolic DNA was detected in lymphoma cell lines that express RAE1 and its occurrence required activation of the DDR. Transfection of DNA into ligand-negative cells was sufficient to induce RAE1 expression. Irf3+/−;Eμ-Myc mice expressed lower levels of RAE1 on tumor cells and showed a reduced survival rate compared with Irf3+/+;Eμ-Myc mice. Taken together, our results suggest that genomic damage in tumor cells leads to activation of STING-dependent DNA sensor pathways, thereby activating RAE1 and enabling tumor immunosurveillance. Cancer Res; 74(8); 2193–203. ©2014 AACR.