bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concurrent Rotator Cuff Tear and Axillary Nerve Palsy Associated with Anterior Dislocation of the Shoulder and Large Glenoid Rim Fracture: A “Terrible Tetrad”
Authors: Takase Fumiaki , Inui Atsuyuki , Mifune Yutaka , Muto Tomoyuki , Harada Yoshifumi , Kokubu Takeshi , Kurosaka Masahiro
Published: June 2014

We present a case of concurrent rotator cuff tear and axillary nerve palsy resulting from anterior dislocation of the shoulder and a large glenoid rim fracture—a “terrible tetrad.” A 61-year-old woman fell on her right shoulder. Radiographs showed anterior dislocation of the shoulder with a glenoid rim fracture, and an MRI two months after injury revealed a rotator cuff tear. Upon referral to our hospital, physical and electrophysiological examinations revealed axillary nerve palsy. The axillary nerve palsy was incomplete and recovering, and displacement of the glenoid rim fracture was minimal and already united; therefore, we surgically repaired only the rotator cuff tear three months after injury. The patient recovered satisfactorily following the operation. In patients whose axillary nerve palsy is recovering, surgeons should consider operating on rotator cuff tears in an attempt to prevent rotator cuff degeneration.
Effectiveness of Flexible Ureterorenoscopy and Laser Lithotripsy for Multiple Unilateral Intrarenal Stones Smaller Than 2 cm
Authors: Alkan Erdal , Ozkanli Oguz , Avci Egemen , Turan Mirac , Başar M. Murad , Acar Oguz , Balbay M. Derya
Published: June 2014

Purpose. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of RIRS for the treatment of multiple unilateral intrarenal stones smaller than 20 mm.Methods. Between March 2007 and April 2013, patients with multiple intrarenal stones smaller than 20 mm were treated with RIRS and evaluated retrospectively. Each patient was evaluated for stone number, stone burden (cumulative stone length), operative time, SFRs, and complications.Results. 173 intrarenal stones in 48 patients were included. Mean age, mean number of stones per patient, mean stone burden, and mean operative time were40.2±10.9years (23–63),3.6±3.0(2–18),22.2±8.4 mm (12–45), and60.3±22.0minutes (30–130), respectively. The overall SFR was 91.7%. SFRs for patients with a stone burden less and greater than 20 mm were 100% (23/23) and 84% (21/25), respectively (χ2=26.022,P<0.001). Complications occurred in six (12.5%–6/48) patients, including urinary tract infection or high-grade fever >38.5°C in three cases, prolonged hematuria in two cases, and ureteral perforation in one case, all of whom were treated conservatively. No major complications occurred.Conclusions. RIRS is an effective treatment option in patients with multiple unilateral intrarenal stones especially when the total stone burden is less than 20 mm.
On the Security of a Novel Probabilistic Signature Based on Bilinear Square Diffie-Hellman Problem and Its Extension
Authors: Zhao Zhenguo , Shi Wenbo
Published: June 2014

Probabilistic signature scheme has been widely used in modern electronic commerce since it could provide integrity, authenticity, and nonrepudiation. Recently, Wu and Lin proposed a novel probabilistic signature (PS) scheme using the bilinear square Diffie-Hellman (BSDH) problem. They also extended it to a universal designated verifier signature (UDVS) scheme. In this paper, we analyze the security of Wu et al.’s PS scheme and UDVS scheme. Through concrete attacks, we demonstrate both of their schemes are not unforgeable. The security analysis shows that their schemes are not suitable for practical applications.
Adult versus Pediatric Neuroblastoma: The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Experience
Authors: Conter Henry J. , Gopalakrishnan Vancheswaran , Ravi Vinod , Ater Joann L. , Patel Shreyaskumar , Araujo Dejka M.
Published: June 2014

Background. Staging and treatment of adult neuroblastoma has yet to be formalized. We sought to determine the utility of the pediatric classification system in adults and determine the efficacy of different treatment modalities.Methods. Medical records of 118 adults (patients >17 years old) and 112 pediatric patients (ages 2–17), who were treated for neuroblastoma at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from January 1994 to September 2012, were reviewed. International neuroblastoma risk group (INRG) variables were abstracted. The primary outcome of interest was actuarial progression-free survival.Results. Median age of pediatric patients was 5 years (range 3–16) and 47 years (range 18–82) for adult patients. There were no differences in PFS or OS between stage-matched risk categories between pediatric and adult patients (L1-P=0.40, L2-P=0.54, and M-P=0.73). In the treatment of L1 disease, median PFS for adults treated with surgery and radiation was 11.1 months compared with single modality local treatment ± chemotherapy (6.4 and 5.1 months, resp.;P=0.07). Median PFS in L2 adult patients was 5.2 months with local therapy and 4 months with the addition of chemotherapy (P=0.23).Conclusions. Adult and pediatric patients with neuroblastoma achieve similar survival outcomes. INRG classification should be employed to stratify adult neuroblastoma patients and help select treatment.
Searches for Dark Matter with Superheated Liquid Techniques
Authors: Pullia A.
Published: June 2014

This is a short review of the detectors based on the superheated liquid techniques, including continuously sensitive bubble chambers, superheated droplet detectors (SDD) and Geysers.
An Improved Distance Matrix Computation Algorithm for Multicore Clusters
Authors: Al-Neama Mohammed W. , Reda Naglaa M. , Ghaleb Fayed F. M.
Published: June 2014

Distance matrix has diverse usage in different research areas. Its computation is typically an essential task in most bioinformatics applications, especially in multiple sequence alignment. The gigantic explosion of biological sequence databases leads to an urgent need for accelerating these computations.DistVectalgorithm was introduced in the paper of Al-Neama et al. (in press) to present a recent approach for vectorizing distance matrix computing. It showed an efficient performance in both sequential and parallel computing. However, the multicore cluster systems, which are available now, with their scalability and performance/cost ratio, meet the need for more powerful and efficient performance. This paper proposesDistVect1as highly efficient parallel vectorized algorithm with high performance for computing distance matrix, addressed to multicore clusters. It reformulatesDistVect1vectorized algorithm in terms of clusters primitives. It deduces an efficient approach of partitioning and scheduling computations, convenient to this type of architecture. Implementations employ potential of both MPI and OpenMP libraries. Experimental results show that the proposed method performs improvement of around 3-fold speedup upon SSE2. Further it also achieves speedups more than 9 orders of magnitude compared to the publicly available parallel implementation utilized in ClustalW-MPI.
m-Polar Fuzzy Sets: An Extension of Bipolar Fuzzy Sets
Authors: Chen Juanjuan , Li Shenggang , Ma Shengquan , Wang Xueping
Published: June 2014

Recently, bipolar fuzzy sets have been studied and applied a bit enthusiastically and a bit increasingly. In this paper we prove that bipolar fuzzy sets and0,12-sets (which have been deeply studied) are actually cryptomorphic mathematical notions. Since researches or modelings on real world problems often involve multi-agent, multi-attribute, multi-object, multi-index, multi-polar information, uncertainty, or/and limit process, we put forward (or highlight) the notion ofm-polar fuzzy set (actually,0,1m-set which can be seen as a generalization of bipolar fuzzy set, wheremis an arbitrary ordinal number) and illustrate how many concepts have been defined based on bipolar fuzzy sets and many results which are related to these concepts can be generalized to the case ofm-polar fuzzy sets. We also give examples to show how to applym-polar fuzzy sets in real world problems.
Assessment of the Potential of Biomass Gasification for Electricity Generation in Bangladesh
Authors: Das Barun Kumar , Hoque S. M. Najmul
Published: June 2014

Bangladesh is an agriculture based country where more than 65 percent of the people live in rural areas and over 70% of total primary energy consumption is covered by biomass, mainly agricultural waste and wood. Only about 6% of the entire population has access to natural gas, primarily in urban areas. Electricity production in Bangladesh largely depends on fossil fuel whose reserve is now under threat and the government is now focusing on the alternating sources to harness electricity to meet the continuous increasing demand. To reduce the dependency on fossil fuels, biomass to electricity could play a vital role in this regard. This paper explores the biomass based power generation potential of Bangladesh through gasification technology—an efficient thermochemical process for distributed power generation. It has been estimated that the total power generation from the agricultural residue is about 1178 MWe. Among them, the generation potential from rice husk, and bagasses is 1010 MWe, and 50 MWe, respectively. On the other hand, wheat straw, jute stalks, maize residues, lentil straw, and coconut shell are also the promising biomass resources for power generation which counted around 118 MWe. The forest residue and municipal solid waste could also contribute to the total power generation 250 MWe and 100 MWe, respectively.
Numerical Solution of Fractional Integro‐Differential Equations by Least Squares Method and Shifted Chebyshev Polynomial
Authors: Mohammed D. Sh.
Published: June 2014

We investigate the numerical solution of linear fractional integro‐differential equations by least squares method with aid of shifted Chebyshev polynomial. Some numerical examples are presented to illustrate the theoretical results.
A Review of Active Yaw Control System for Vehicle Handling and Stability Enhancement
Authors: Aripin M. K. , Md Sam Yahaya , Danapalasingam Kumeresan A. , Peng Kemao , Hamzah N. , Ismail M. F.
Published: June 2014

Yaw stability control system plays a significant role in vehicle lateral dynamics in order to improve the vehicle handling and stability performances. However, not many researches have been focused on the transient performances improvement of vehicle yaw rate and sideslip tracking control. This paper reviews the vital elements for control system design of an active yaw stability control system; the vehicle dynamic models, control objectives, active chassis control, and control strategies with the focus on identifying suitable criteria for improved transient performances. Each element is discussed and compared in terms of their underlying theory, strengths, weaknesses, and applicability. Based on this, we conclude that the sliding mode control with nonlinear sliding surface based on composite nonlinear feedback is a potential control strategy for improving the transient performances of yaw rate and sideslip tracking control.
Complex Roots of Unity and Normal Numbers
Authors: De Koninck Jean Marie , Kátai Imre
Published: June 2014

Given an arbitrary prime number q, set ξ=e2πi/q. We use a clever selection of the values of ξα, α=1,2,…, in order to create normal numbers. We also use a famous result of André Weil concerning Dirichlet characters to construct a family of normal numbers.
Determination of Trace Metals and Essential Minerals in Selected Fruit Juices in Minna, Nigeria
Authors: Ajai A. I. , Ochigbo S. S. , Abdullahi Z. , Anigboro P. I.
Published: June 2014

Levels of trace metals and essential minerals in selected fruit juice samples purchased from Minna were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and Flame photometer. From the obtained result, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, and Zn were present in all the samples, while Cd, Pb, and Cr were not detectable in all the samples. Concentrations of K range between 1.31 ± 0.10 and 41.20 ± 0.10 mg/100 mL, Na between 15.47 ± 0.15 and 3.50 ± 0.20 mg/100 mL, Mn between Nd and 0.27 ± 0.08 mg/100 mL, Fe between Nd and 0.90 ± 0.05 mg/100 mL, Cu between Nd-0.60 ± 0.00 mg/100 mL, and Zn between Nd-0.09 ± 0.01 mg/100 mL, respectively. The trace metal levels in all the samples were within permissible limit as recommended by WHO for edible foods and drinks and could therefore be taken to compliment the deficiency of these essential minerals from other food sources.
Persistent Hypercalcemia and Hyperparathyroidism in a Horse
Authors: Cruz Villagrán Claudia , Frank Nicholas , Schumacher James , Reel Danielle
Published: June 2014

A 27-year-old, American Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated for anorexia, lethargy, a swelling on the right, cranial aspect of the neck, and signs of esophageal obstruction. Serum biochemical analyses revealed hypophosphatemia, total and ionized hypercalcemia, and hemoconcentration. Sonographic examination of the neck revealed a 1.7 cm diameter mass within the right lobe of the thyroid. The serum concentration of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) was increased. The right lobe of the thyroid was excised with the horse sedated. The mass within that lobe was determined, by histological examination, to be a parathyroid adenoma. Despite excision of the mass, serial blood analyses revealed persistent hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, and increased iPTH. Anorexia and lethargy resolved, and follow-up communication with the owner and referring veterinarian one year later indicated that the horse was clinically stable.
Seismic Responses of an Added‐Story Frame Structure with Viscous Dampers
Authors: Cheng Xuansheng , Jia Chuansheng , Zhang Yue
Published: June 2014

The damping ratio of an added‐story frame structure is established based on complex damping theory to determine the structure seismic response. The viscous dampers are selected and arranged through target function method. A significant damping effect is obtained when a small velocity index is selected. The seismic responses of a five‐floor reinforced concrete frame structure with directly added light steel layers and light steel layers with viscous dampers are compared with the finite element software SAP2000. Calculation results show that, after adding the layers, the structure becomes flexible and the shear in the bottom layer decreases. However, the interlaminar shear of the other layers increases. The seismic response of the added layers is very significant and exhibits obvious whiplash effect. The interstory displacement angles of some layers do not meet the requirements. The seismic response of the structure decreases after the adoption of viscous dampers; thereby seismic requirements are satisfied.
Research on Traditional Medicine: What Has Been Done, the Difficulties, and Possible Solutions
Authors: Telles Shirley , Pathak Shivangi , Singh Nilkamal , Balkrishna Acharya
Published: June 2014

Traditional medicine (TM) is being used more frequently all over the world. However most often these are choices made by the patient. Integrating TM into mainstream health care would require research to understand the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of TM systems. This paper describes research done on TM and difficulties encountered in researching TM, especially when an attempt is made to conform to the model for conventional medicine. The research articles were PubMed searched and categorized as experimental, quasiexperimental, reviews, descriptive, historical, interviews, case histories, and abstract not available. The last part of the report provides suggestions to make research on TM more acceptable and useful, with the ultimate goal of integrating TM into mainstream healthcare with sufficient knowledge about the efficacy, safety, and mechanism of action of TM systems.
A Combined MPI-CUDA Parallel Solution of Linear and Nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann Equation
Authors: Colmenares José , Galizia Antonella , Ortiz Jesús , Clematis Andrea , Rocchia Walter
Published: June 2014

The Poisson-Boltzmann equation models the electrostatic potential generated by fixed charges on a polarizable solute immersed in an ionic solution. This approach is often used in computational structural biology to estimate the electrostatic energetic component of the assembly of molecular biological systems. In the last decades, the amount of data concerning proteins and other biological macromolecules has remarkably increased. To fruitfully exploit these data, a huge computational power is needed as well as software tools capable of exploiting it. It is therefore necessary to move towards high performance computing and to develop proper parallel implementations of already existing and of novel algorithms. Nowadays, workstations can provide an amazing computational power: up to 10 TFLOPS on a single machine equipped with multiple CPUs and accelerators such as Intel Xeon Phi or GPU devices. The actual obstacle to the full exploitation of modern heterogeneous resources is efficient parallel coding and porting of software on such architectures. In this paper, we propose the implementation of a full Poisson-Boltzmann solver based on a finite-difference scheme using different and combined parallel schemes and in particular a mixed MPI-CUDA implementation. Results show great speedups when using the two schemes, achieving an 18.9x speedup using three GPUs.
Monocytes as Regulators of Inflammation and HIV-Related Comorbidities during cART
Authors: Anzinger Joshua J. , Butterfield Tiffany R. , Angelovich Thomas A. , Crowe Suzanne M. , Palmer Clovis S.
Published: June 2014

Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) extends the lifespan and the quality of life for HIV-infected persons but does not completely eliminate chronic immune activation and inflammation. The low level of chronic immune activation persisting during cART-treated HIV infection is associated with the development of diseases which usually occur in the elderly. Although T-cell activation has been extensively examined in the context of cART-treated HIV infection, monocyte activation is only beginning to be recognized as an important source of inflammation in this context. Here we examine markers and sources of monocyte activation during cART-treated HIV infection and discuss the role of monocytes during cardiovascular disease, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and innate immune aging.
Evaluation of Correlation of Cell Cycle Proteins and Ki-67 Interaction in Paranasal Sinus Inverted Papilloma Prognosis and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Transformation
Authors: Tsou Yung-An , Huang Hung-Jin , Wang Tang-Chuan , Tai Chih-Jaan , Chen Chuan-Mu , Chen Calvin Yu-Chian
Published: June 2014

The recurrent sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) could be transformed to sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. We use protein expression patterns by immunohistochemical method to see whether the expression of p53, p16, p21, and p27 belongs to cell-cycle-regulators and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) and Ki-67 the proliferation markers in sixty patients with sinonasal inverted papilloma, and 10 of them with squamous cell carcinoma transformation. Significantly elevated levels of Ki-67, p27, and PCNA in IP with squamous cell carcinoma transformation of sinonasal tract compared with inverted papilloma were revealed. No variation of p16, p21, PLUNC (palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone protein) and p53 expression was correlated to sinonasal IP malignant transformation by multivariate survey. However, we found elevated PLUNC expression in IPs with multiple recurrences. Finally, we found that PCNA, p27 may interact with CDK1 which promote IP cell proliferation and correlate to sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma. Ki-67 could work throughout the cell cycles to cause malignant transformation. In conclusion, this is a first study showing the correlation of Ki-67, PCNA interacted with CDK1 might lead to malignant transformation. Elevated PLUNC expression in the sinonasal IPs was related to multiple recurrences in human.
A New Hybrid Forecasting Strategy Applied to Mean Hourly Wind Speed Time Series
Authors: Pappas Stylianos Sp. , Karamousantas Dimitrios Ch. , Chatzarakis George E. , Pappas Christos Sp.
Published: June 2014

An alternative electric power source, such as wind power, has to be both reliable and autonomous. An accurate wind speed forecasting method plays the key role in achieving the aforementioned properties and also is a valuable tool in overcoming a variety of economic and technical problems connected to wind power production. The method proposed is based on the reformulation of the problem in the standard state space form and on implementing a bank of Kalman filters (KF), each fitting an ARMA model of different order. The proposed method is to be applied to a greenhouse unit which incorporates an automatized use of renewable energy sources including wind speed power.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Renal Dopaminergic System: A Positive Friendly Relationship?
Authors: Choi Marcelo Roberto , Rukavina Mikusic Natalia Lucía , Kouyoumdzian Nicolás Martín , Kravetz María Cecilia , Fernández Belisario Enrique
Published: June 2014

Sodium metabolism by the kidney is accomplished by an intricate interaction between signals from extrarenal and intrarenal sources and between antinatriuretic and natriuretic factors. Renal dopamine plays a central role in this interactive network. The natriuretic hormones, such as the atrial natriuretic peptide, mediate some of their effects by affecting the renal dopaminergic system. Renal dopaminergic tonus can be modulated at different steps of dopamine metabolism (synthesis, uptake, release, catabolism, and receptor sensitization) which can be regulated by the atrial natriuretic peptide. At tubular level, dopamine and atrial natriuretic peptide act together in a concerted manner to promote sodium excretion, especially through the overinhibition of Na+, K+-ATPase activity. In this way, different pathological scenarios where renal sodium excretion is dysregulated, as in nephrotic syndrome or hypertension, are associated with impaired action of renal dopamine and/or atrial natriuretic peptide, or as a result of impaired interaction between these two natriuretic systems. The aim of this review is to update and comment on the most recent evidences demonstrating how the renal dopaminergic system interacts with atrial natriuretic peptide to control renal physiology and blood pressure through different regulatory pathways.
Perfluorocarbon Nanoparticles: Evolution of a Multimodality and Multifunctional Imaging Agent
Authors: Winter Patrick M.
Published: June 2014

Perfluorocarbon nanoparticles offer a biologically inert, highly stable, and nontoxic platform that can be specifically designed to accomplish a range of molecular imaging and drug delivery functions in vivo. The particle surface can be decorated with targeting ligands to direct the agent to a variety of biomarkers that are associated with diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and thrombosis. The surface can also carry a high payload of imaging agents, ranging from paramagnetic metals for MRI, radionuclides for nuclear imaging, iodine for CT, and florescent tags for histology, allowing high sensitivity mapping of cellular receptors that may be expressed at very low levels in the body. In addition to these diagnostic imaging applications, the particles can be engineered to carry highly potent drugs and specifically deposit them into cell populations that display biosignatures of a variety of diseases. The highly flexible and robust nature of this combined molecular imaging and drug delivery vehicle has been exploited in a variety of animal models to demonstrate its potential impact on the care and treatment of patients suffering from some of the most debilitating diseases.
The Si Nanocrystal Trap Center Studied by Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS)
Authors: Lv Tiezheng , Zhao Lili
Published: June 2014

Si nanocrystal (NC) embedded into the SiO2 matrix was made by SiO/SiO2 superlattice method. Here we investigate the storage phenomena of MOS structure having Si NC inside the dielectric layer by high frequency C-V method and DLTS. DLTS treated the individual Si NC as a single point deep level defect in the oxide and revealed essences of Si NC storage, such as a large capture cross section at about 1–7 × 10−13 cm2 and potential barrier at about 1.6 eV. These two properties we observed are consistent with Si NC dimensions of 5–7 nm in the planar TEM image, and previous I-V characterization in the MOS‐like structure. These results are helpful to understand the principle of charge storage of this structure and optimize the performance of real Si NC device. The trapping mechanism in MOS systems containing Si NCs is related to the quantum levels of the Si NC band structure at around 300 K.
Dissolution of Lipid-Based Matrices in Simulated Gastrointestinal Solutions to Evaluate Their Potential for the Encapsulation of Bioactive Ingredients for Foods
Authors: Raymond Yves , Champagne Claude P.
Published: June 2014

The goal of the study was to compare the dissolution of chocolate to other lipid-based matrices suitable for the microencapsulation of bioactive ingredients in simulated gastrointestinal solutions. Particles having approximately 750 μm or 2.5 mm were prepared from the following lipid-based matrices: cocoa butter, fractionated palm kernel oil (FPKO), chocolate, beeswax, carnauba wax, and paraffin. They were added to solutions designed to simulate gastric secretions (GS) or duodenum secretions (DS) at 37°C. Paraffin, carnauba wax, and bees wax did not dissolve in either the GS or DS media. Cocoa butter, FPKO, and chocolate dissolved in the DS medium. Cocoa butter, and to a lesser extent chocolate, also dissolved in the GS medium. With chocolate, dissolution was twice as fast as that with small particles (750 μm) as compared to the larger (2.5 mm) ones. With 750 μm particle sizes, 90% dissolution of chocolate beads was attained after only 60 minutes in the DS medium, while it took 120 minutes for 70% of FPKO beads to dissolve in the same conditions. The data are discussed from the perspective of controlled release in the gastrointestinal tract of encapsulated ingredients (minerals, oils, probiotic bacteria, enzymes, vitamins, and peptides) used in the development of functional foods.
Preliminary Study on Pain Reduction of Monosodium Iodoacetate‐Induced Knee Osteoarthritis in Rats by Carbon Dioxide Laser Moxibustion
Authors: Wu Fan , Zhang Ruixing , Shen Xueyong , Lao Lixing
Published: June 2014

In order to study the effects of CO2 laser moxibustion on the pain and inflammatory cytokine expression in the spinal dorsal horn of rats with monosodium iodoacetate‐ (MIA‐) induced knee osteoarthritis (KOA), we designed an experiment by randomly assigning 8 SD rats into 3 groups, namely, a CO2 laser moxibustion group, a sham treatment group, and a blank control group. The treatment group received a laser moxibustion on acupoint Dubi (ST 35; 5 min/treatment, 1 treatment/day) for 8 days, and after treatment, the rats exhibited significantly increased interhindpaw differences compared with their preinduction values. Meanwhile, cytokine microarray analysis showed that one cytokine (TIMP‐1) was significantly upregulated and two cytokines (Agrin and MMP‐8) were significantly downregulated in treatment group. The present study suggested that CO2 laser moxibustion created certain pain reduction in the rats with MIA‐induced KOA and significantly inhibited the expression of most inflammatory cytokines in the ipsilateral spinal dorsal horn.
Somewhat Slightly Generalized Double Fuzzy Semicontinuous Functions
Authors: Mohammed Fatimah M. , Noorani M. S. M. , Ghareeb A.
Published: June 2014

The aim of this paper is to introduce the concepts of somewhat slightly generalized double fuzzy semicontinuous functions and somewhat slightly generalized double fuzzy semiopen functions in double fuzzy topological spaces. Some interesting properties and characterizations of these functions are introduced and discussed. Furthermore, the relationships among the new concepts are discussed with some necessary examples.
Muscular Damage and Kidney Function in Rugby Players after Daily Whole Body Cryostimulation
Authors: Lombardi Giovanni , Colombini Alessandra , Porcelli Simone , Mauri Clara , Zani Viviana , Bonomi Felice , Melegati Gianluca , Banfi Giuseppe
Published: June 2014

Muscular damage, consequent to strenuous activities, could exceed the recovery potential of muscles and determine renal failure. Whole body cryostimulation is a cold-based therapy used to improve recovery or overcome fatigue symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repeated sessions of cryostimulation on muscle damage, renal function, and their relationship. Serum samples, from 27 elite rugby players, under training, before and after 2 sessions/day of cryotherapy over 7 days, were tested for markers of muscular (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase) and renal (creatinine, cystatin C) functions. eGFR was calculated with two formulas based on either serum creatinine concentration (MDRD) or serum creatinine and cystatin C concentrations (creatinine/cystatin C CKD EPI). Pre- and posttreatment differences were determined by Wilcoxon’s test; correlations were evaluated with Spearman’s test.
Cryostimulation helped muscular recovery (increased lactate dehydrogenase activity (P<0.001) and the stabile creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase activities). Creatinine was unaffected while cystatin C was increased (P=0.013). Creatinine-based eGFR was not affected by cryostimulation, while creatinine/cystatin C-based eGFR showed a slight decrease (P=0.015). eGFR and muscular biomarkers were not correlated, suggesting a real recovery effect of cryotherapy. Cystatin C seemed more sensible than creatinine in evaluating the kidney function.
Medical Image Segmentation for Mobile Electronic Patient Charts Using Numerical Modeling of IoT
Authors: Chae Seung-Hoon , Moon Daesung , Lee Deok Gyu , Pan Sung Bum
Published: June 2014

Internet of Things (IoT) brings telemedicine a new chance. This enables the specialist to consult the patient’s condition despite the fact that they are in different places. Medical image segmentation is needed for analysis, storage, and protection of medical image in telemedicine. Therefore, a variety of methods have been researched for fast and accurate medical image segmentation. Performing segmentation in various organs, the accurate judgment of the region is needed in medical image. However, the removal of region occurs by the lack of information to determine the region in a small region. In this paper, we researched how to reconstruct segmentation region in a small region in order to improve the segmentation results. We generated predicted segmentation of slices using volume data with linear equation and proposed improvement method for small regions using the predicted segmentation. In order to verify the performance of the proposed method, lung region by chest CT images was segmented. As a result of experiments, volume data segmentation accuracy rose from 0.978 to 0.981 and from 0.281 to 0.187 with a standard deviation improvement confirmed.
Privacy Preserving RBF Kernel Support Vector Machine
Authors: Li Haoran , Xiong Li , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Jiang Xiaoqian
Published: June 2014

Data sharing is challenging but important for healthcare research. Methods for privacy-preserving data dissemination based on the rigorous differential privacy standard have been developed but they did not consider the characteristics of biomedical data and make full use of the available information. This often results in too much noise in the final outputs. We hypothesized that this situation can be alleviated by leveraging a small portion of open-consented data to improve utility without sacrificing privacy. We developed a hybrid privacy-preserving differentially private support vector machine (SVM) model that uses public data and private data together. Our model leverages the RBF kernel and can handle nonlinearly separable cases. Experiments showed that this approach outperforms two baselines: (1) SVMs that only use public data, and (2) differentially private SVMs that are built from private data. Our method demonstrated very close performance metrics compared to nonprivate SVMs trained on the private data.
The Role of the Selective Adaptor p62 and Ubiquitin-Like Proteins in Autophagy
Authors: Lippai Mónika , Lőw Péter
Published: June 2014

The ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy were long viewed as independent, parallel degradation systems with no point of intersection. By now we know that these degradation pathways share certain substrates and regulatory molecules and show coordinated and compensatory function. Two ubiquitin-like protein conjugation pathways were discovered that are required for autophagosome biogenesis: the Atg12-Atg5-Atg16 and Atg8 systems. Autophagy has been considered to be essentially a nonselective process, but it turned out to be at least partially selective. Selective substrates of autophagy include damaged mitochondria, intracellular pathogens, and even a subset of cytosolic proteins with the help of ubiquitin-binding autophagic adaptors, such as p62/SQSTM1, NBR1, NDP52, and Optineurin. These proteins selectively recognize autophagic cargo and mediate its engulfment into autophagosomes by binding to the small ubiquitin-like modifiers that belong to the Atg8/LC3 family.
How Adolescent Subjective Health and Satisfaction with Weight and Body Shape Are Related to Participation in Sports
Authors: Dyremyhr Åse Eriksen , Diaz Esperanza , Meland Eivind
Published: June 2014

Background. Physical exercise has positive effects on health. However, its associations with self-rated health and body image, which are important predictors for adolescents’ wellbeing and later morbidity, are complex.Methods. Cross-sectional survey among 2527 Norwegian adolescents. We examined the relations between self-reported gender, body size, amount and type of exercise and measures of self-rated health, drive for thinness, and desire to change body, with binary logistic regression analyses.Results. Girls and overweight students reported to a greater extent than their peers impaired self-rated health, weight concerns, and desire to change their body. Increasing amount of time spent on sports was related to improved self-rated health in a dose-response manner. Both girls and boys who engaged in individual sports with an advantage of leanness, but only girls engaged in team sports, reported an increased desire to change the body. However, weight concern was not related to amount or type of sports.Conclusions. Physical exercise is positively related to self-reported health but has negative associations with body image for many adolescents. Health promotion efforts should consider this paradox and stimulate physical activity and sports along with body acceptance.
Investigation of Transient Flow in a Centrifugal Charging Pump during Charging Operating Process
Authors: Zhang Fan , Yuan Shouqi , Fu Qiang , Hong Feng , Yuan Jianping
Published: June 2014

Centrifugal charging pumps are important components of nuclear power plants and must be operated under multioperating conditions for the requirements of the system. In order to investigate the internal flow mechanism of the centrifugal charging pump during the transient transition process of charging operating from Q = 34 m3/h to Q = 110 m3/h, numerical simulation and experiment are implemented in this study. The relationship between flow rate and time is obtained from the experiment and worked as the boundary condition to accurately accomplish the numerical simulation during the transient process. External and internal characteristics under the variable operating conditions are analyzed through the transient simulation. The results show that the liquid viscosity, large scale vortexes exist in the flow passages in the beginning of the variable operating conditions, which indicates flow separation and the sudden changes in direction of velocity. As the flow rate increases gradually, the flow angles of the fluid in inlet accelerate correspondingly and the flow along the blade is more uniform, which leads to a decrease and movements of the vortexes. The contents of the current work can provide references for the design optimization and fluid control of the pump used in the transient process of variable operating conditions.
Feedback‐Assisted Iterative Learning Model Predictive Control with Nonlinear Fuzzy Model
Authors: Liu Xiangjie , Xi Ke
Published: June 2014

Iterative learning control (ILC), due to its advantage of requiring less system knowledge, can serve as a feedforward signal in system control. ILC can be combined with model predictive control (MPC) to constitute a feedforward‐feedback configuration. In this scheme, ILC provides most of the control signal and copes with the repetitive disturbances. MPC provides the supplementary control for regulation purpose and also for nonrepeating disturbance rejection. Considering the nonlinear industrial process, this paper establishes the plant nonlinear fuzzy model to constitute the fuzzy model‐based feedback‐assisted ILC. The integrated control strategy can achieve wide‐range operation and good tracking performance. The performance of the feedback‐assisted ILC is illustrated by a steam‐boiler system.
Impact of Feedback Channel Delay over Joint User Scheduling Scheme and Separated Random User Scheduling Scheme in LTE-A System with Carrier Aggregation
Authors: Ali Ahmed A. , Nordin Rosdiadee , Ismail Mahamod , Abdullah Huda
Published: June 2014

In Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), the signal quality in a wireless channel is estimated based on the channel quality measurements. The measurement results are used to select suitable modulation and coding scheme for each transmission, feedback, and processing delay, which can cause a mismatch between channel quality information (CQI) and current channel state at the base station. However, prospect delays in the reception of such CQI may lead to a system performance degradation. This study analyzes the impact of CQI feedback delay on joint user scheduling (JUS) scheme and separated random user scheduling (SRUS) scheme in LTE-A system over carrier aggregation. The analysis will be compared with the system having delayed channel and perfect knowledge at different deployment scenario. We will study the throughput performance of both scheduling schemes with different deployment scenario, and then recommend the suitable deployment scenario to keep the desired QoS for a specific number of users. Results show that, in main beam directed at sector boundaries and diverse coverage, JUS scheme performs better than SRUS, which can justify the intensive use of user equipment power and extra control signaling overhead.
Tumor and the Microenvironment: A Chance to Reframe the Paradigm of Carcinogenesis?
Authors: Bizzarri Mariano , Cucina Alessandra
Published: June 2014

The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis has eventually accumulated an impressive body of shortfalls and paradoxes, as admittedly claimed by its own supporters given that the cell-based approach can hardly explain the emergence of tissue-based processes, like cancer. However, experimental data and alternatives theories developed during the last decades may actually provide a new framework on which cancer research should be reframed. Such issue may be fulfilled embracing new theoretical perspectives, taking the cells-microenvironment interplay as the privileged level of observation and assuming radically different premises as well as new methodological frameworks. Within that perspective, the tumor microenvironment cannot be merely considered akin to new “factor” to be added to an already long list of “signaling factors”; microenvironment represents the physical-biochemical support of the morphogenetic field which drives epithelial cells towards differentiation and phenotype transformation, according to rules understandable only by means of a systems biology approach. That endeavour entails three fundamental aspects: general biological premises, the level of observation (i.e., the systems to which we are looking for), and the principles of biological organization that would help in integrating and understanding experimental data.
Development of Dual Inhibitors against Alzheimer’s Disease Using Fragment-Based QSAR and Molecular Docking
Authors: Goyal Manisha , Dhanjal Jaspreet Kaur , Goyal Sukriti , Tyagi Chetna , Hamid Rabia , Grover Abhinav
Published: June 2014

Alzheimer’s (AD) is the leading cause of dementia among elderly people. Considering the complex heterogeneous etiology of AD, there is an urgent need to develop multitargeted drugs for its suppression.β-amyloid cleavage enzyme (BACE-1) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), being important for AD progression, have been considered as promising drug targets. In this study, a robust and highly predictive group-based QSAR (GQSAR) model has been developed based on the descriptors calculated for the fragments of 20 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) derivatives. A large combinatorial library of DHP analogues was created, the activity of each compound was predicted, and the top compounds were analyzed using refined molecular docking. A detailed interaction analysis was carried out for the top two compounds (EDC and FDC) which showed significant binding affinity for BACE-1 and AChE. This study paves way for consideration of these lead molecules as prospective drugs for the effective dual inhibition of BACE-1 and AChE. The GQSAR model provides site-specific clues about the molecules where certain modifications can result in increased biological activity. This information could be of high value for design and development of multifunctional drugs for combating AD.
MicroRNAs Expression Profiles in Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Bronze-da-Rocha Elsa
Published: June 2014

The current search for new markers of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is explained by the high morbidity and mortality still observed in developed and developing countries due to cardiovascular events. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have emerged as potential new biomarkers and are small sequences of RNAs that regulate gene expression at posttranscriptional level by inhibiting translation or inducing degradation of the target mRNAs. Circulating miRNAs are involved in the regulation of signaling pathways associated to aging and can be used as novel diagnostic markers for acute and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular pathologies. This review summarizes the biogenesis, maturation, and stability of miRNAs and their use as potential biomarkers for coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction (MI), and heart failure (HF).
Molecular Testing for Lymph Node Metastases as a Determinant of Colon Cancer Recurrence: Results from a Retrospective Multicenter Study
Authors: Sargent Daniel J. , Shi Qian , Gill Sharlene , Louvet Christophe , Everson Richard B. , Kellner Udo , Clancy Thomas E. , Pipas J. Marc , Resnick Murray B. , Meyers Michael O. , Wu Tsung-Teh , Huntsman David , Validire Pierre , Farooq Umar , Pavey Emily S. , Beaudry Guillaume , Haince Jean-Francois , Fradet Yves
Published: June 2014

Purpose: Recurrence risk assessment to make treatment decisions for early-stage colon cancer patients is a major unmet medical need. The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the clinical utility of guanylyl cyclase C (GCC) mRNA levels in lymph nodes on colon cancer recurrence.

Methods: The proportion of lymph nodes with GCC-positive mRNA (LNR) was evaluated in 463 untreated T3N0 patients, blinded to clinical outcomes. One site's (n = 97) tissue grossing method precluded appropriate lymph node assessment resulting in post hoc exclusion. Cox regression models tested the relationship between GCC and the primary endpoint of time to recurrence. Assay methods, primary analyses, and cut points were all prespecified.

Results: Final dataset contained 366 patients, 38 (10%) of whom had recurrence. Presence of four or more GCC-positive lymph nodes was significantly associated with risk of recurrence [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.46, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07–5.69, P = 0.035], whereas binary GCC LNR risk class (HR = 1.87, 95% CI, 0.99–3.54, P = 0.054) and mismatch repair (MMR) status (HR = 0.77, 95% CI, 0.36–1.62, P = 0.49) were not. In a secondary analysis using a 3-level GCC LNR risk group classification of high (LNR > 0.20), intermediate (0.10 < LNR ≤ 0.20), and low (LNR ≤ 0.10), high-risk patients had a 2.5 times higher recurrence risk compared with low-risk patients (HR = 2.53, 95% CI, 1.24–5.17, P = 0.011).

Conclusions: GCC status is a promising prognostic factor independent of traditional histopathology risk factors in a contemporary population of patients with stage IIa colon cancer not treated with adjuvant therapy, but GCC determination must be performed with methodology adapted to the tissue procurement and fixation technique. Clin Cancer Res; 20(16); 4361–9. ©2014 AACR.
To “Grow” or “Go”: TMEM16A Expression as a Switch between Tumor Growth and Metastasis in SCCHN
Authors: Shiwarski Daniel J. , Shao Chunbo , Bill Anke , Kim Jean , Xiao Dong , Bertrand Carol A. , Seethala Raja S. , Sano Daisuke , Myers Jeffery N. , Ha Patrick , Grandis Jennifer , Gaither L. Alex , Puthenveedu Manojkumar A. , Duvvuri Umamaheswar
Published: June 2014

Purpose: Tumor metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with cancer. However, the mechanisms that underlie metastatic progression remain unclear. We examined TMEM16A (ANO1) expression as a key factor shifting tumors between growth and metastasis.

Experimental Design: We evaluated 26 pairs of primary and metastatic lymph node (LN) tissue from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) for differential expression of TMEM16A. In addition, we identified mechanisms by which TMEM16A expression influences tumor cell motility via proteomic screens of cell lines and in vivo mouse studies of metastasis.

Results: Compared with primary tumors, TMEM16A expression decreases in metastatic LNs of patients with SCCHN. Stable reduction of TMEM16A expression enhances cell motility and increases metastases while decreasing tumor proliferation in an orthotopic mouse model. Evaluation of human tumor tissues suggests an epigenetic mechanism for decreasing TMEM16A expression through promoter methylation that correlated with a transition between an epithelial and a mesenchymal phenotype. These effects of TMEM16A expression on tumor cell size and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) required the amino acid residue serine 970 (S970); however, mutation of S970 to alanine does not disrupt the proliferative advantages of TMEM16A overexpression. Furthermore, S970 mediates the association of TMEM16A with Radixin, an actin-scaffolding protein implicated in EMT.

Conclusions: Together, our results identify TMEM16A, an eight transmembrane domain Ca2+-activated Cl− channel, as a primary driver of the “Grow” or “Go” model for cancer progression, in which TMEM16A expression acts to balance tumor proliferation and metastasis via its promoter methylation. Clin Cancer Res; 20(17); 4673–88. ©2014 AACR.
"Pintou uma chance legal" o programa "Terra Legal" no interior dos projetos integrados de colonização e do polígono desapropriado de Altamira, no Pará
Authors: Cunha Cândido Neto da
Published: June 2014

Amplas análises demonstram como o processo de colonização da Amazônia apartir dos anos 1970 voltou-se para a implantação do grande capital na região, inclusiveatraindo mão-de-obra para viabilizá-lo. Partindo daí e restringindo-se à região doPolígono Desapropriado de Altamira, no Pará, este artigo pretende detalhar algumascontradições dos programas de colonização que, apesar de normativas quepreconizavam o contrário, viabilizaram a instalação da grande propriedade em áreasoriginalmente destinadas à “propriedade familiar”. Três momentos principais serãoabordados: a) a colonização oficial; b) os Projetos de Assentamentos (PAs) e Projetosde Desenvolvimento Sustentável (PDS), vindos com o I e o II Plano Nacional deReforma Agrária; e c) o Programa “Terra Legal”.