bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Strategy for Accurately PredictingI-VElectrical Characteristics of PV Modules Using a Nonlinear Five-Point Model
Authors: Bogning Dongue Sakaros , Njomo Donatien , Ebengai Lessly
Published: June 2013

This paper presents the modelling of electricalI-Vresponse of illuminated photovoltaic crystalline modules. As an alternative method to the linear five-parameter model, our strategy uses advantages of a nonlinear analytical five-point model to take into account the effects of nonlinear variations of current with respect to solar irradiance and of voltage with respect to cells temperature. We succeeded in this work to predict with great accuracy theI-Vcharacteristics of monocrystalline shell SP75 and polycrystalline GESOLAR GE-P70 photovoltaic modules. The good comparison of our calculated results to experimental data provided by the modules manufacturers makes it possible to appreciate the contribution of taking into account the nonlinear effect of operating conditions data onI-Vcharacteristics of photovoltaic modules.
CD133 Staining Detects Acute Kidney Injury and Differentiates Clear Cell Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma from Other Renal Tumors
Authors: Schwartz John D. , Dumler Francis , Hafron Jason M. , Wilson George D. , Wolforth Stacy C. , Rooney Michele T. , Li Wei , Zhang Ping L.
Published: June 2013

CD133 has recently been characterized as a progenitor cell marker in the kidney. However, the expression of this marker has not been thoroughly investigated in kidney injury and variants of renal tumors for pathology practice. We quantified CD133 expression in kidney biopsies from patients with acute renal failure and compared staining intensity with serum creatinine levels. CD133 expression levels were also evaluated in several subtypes of renal neoplasms. Normal adult renal parenchyma showed CD133 expression in parietal epithelium and in less than 5% of the epithelial cells in proximal and distal nephron tubules. However, CD133 was diffusely upregulated in the injured proximal and distal tubular epithelium and the CD133 expression scores in renal tubules were significantly correlated with serum creatinine levels. Amongst the renal tumors, CD133 was diffusely expressed in clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma but was only focally present in other types of renal tumors. In summary, CD133 is a useful marker to detect renal tubular injury and to differentiate clear cell papillary renal cell carcinoma from other tumor types.
Genomics Approaches for Crop Improvement against Abiotic Stress
Authors: Akpınar Bala Anı , Lucas Stuart J. , Budak Hikmet
Published: June 2013

As sessile organisms, plants are inevitably exposed to one or a combination of stress factors every now and then throughout their growth and development. Stress responses vary considerably even in the same plant species; stress‐susceptible genotypes are at one extreme, and stress‐tolerant ones are at the other. Elucidation of the stress responses of crop plants is of extreme relevance, considering the central role of crops in food and biofuel production. Crop improvement has been a traditional issue to increase yields and enhance stress tolerance; however, crop improvement against abiotic stresses has been particularly compelling, given the complex nature of these stresses. As traditional strategies for crop improvement approach their limits, the era of genomics research has arisen with new and promising perspectives in breeding improved varieties against abiotic stresses.
Identification of Imitation Cheese and Imitation Ice Cream Based on Vegetable Fat Using NMR Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Monakhova Yulia B. , Godelmann Rolf , Andlauer Claudia , Kuballa Thomas , Lachenmeier Dirk W.
Published: June 2013

Vegetable oils and fats may be used as cheap substitutes for milk fat to manufacture imitation cheese or imitation ice cream. In this study, 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of the fat fraction of the products was used in the context of food surveillance to validate the labeling of milk-based products. For sample preparation, the fat was extracted using an automated Weibull-Stoldt methodology. Using principal component analysis (PCA), imitation products can be easily detected. In both cheese and ice cream, a differentiation according to the type of raw material (milk fat and vegetable fat) was possible. The loadings plot shows that imitation products were distinguishable by differences in their fatty acid ratios. Furthermore, a differentiation of several types of cheese (Edamer, Gouda, Emmentaler, and Feta) was possible. Quantitative data regarding the composition of the investigated products can also be predicted from the same spectra using partial least squares (PLS) regression. The models obtained for 13 compounds in cheese (R20.75–0.95) and 17 compounds in ice cream (R20.83–0.99) (e.g., fatty acids and esters) were suitable for a screening analysis. NMR spectroscopy was judged as suitable for the routine analysis of dairy products based on milk or on vegetable fat substitutes.
Study of the Behavior of a Bell-Shaped Colonic Self-Expandable NiTi Stent under Peristaltic Movements
Authors: Puértolas Sergio , Bajador Eduardo , Puértolas José A. , López Enrique , Ibarz Elena , Gracia Luis , Herrera Antonio
Published: June 2013

Managing bowel obstruction produced by colon cancer requires an emergency intervention to patients usually in poor conditions, and it requires creating an intestinal stoma in most cases. Regardless of that the tumor may be resectable, a two-stage surgery is mandatory. To avoid these disadvantages, endoscopic placement of self-expanding stents has been introduced more than 10 years ago, as an alternative to relieve colonic obstruction. It can be used as a bridge to elective single-stage surgery avoiding a stoma or as a definitive palliative solution in patients with irresectable tumor or poor estimated survival. Stents must be capable of exerting an adequate radial pressure on the stenosed wall, keeping in mind that stent must not move or be crushed, guaranteeing an adequate lumen when affected by peristaltic waves. A finite element simulation of bell-shaped nitinol stent functionality has been done. Catheter introduction, releasing at position, and the effect of peristaltic wave were simulated. To check the reliability of the simulation, a clinical experimentation with porcine specimens was carried out. The stent presented a good deployment and flexibility. Stent behavior was excellent, expanding from the very narrow lumen corresponding to the maximum peristaltic pressure to the complete recovery of operative lumen when the pressure disappears.
Carbon/Phenolic Nanocomposites as Advanced Thermal Protection Material in Aerospace Applications
Authors: Tate J. S. , Gaikwad S. , Theodoropoulou N. , Trevino E. , Koo J. H.
Published: June 2013

Ablative nanocomposites were prepared by incorporating multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into phenolic resin and then impregnating them into rayon-based carbon fabric. MWCNT were blended into phenolic resin at 0.5, 1, and 2 wt% loadings using a combination of sonication and high shear mixing to insure uniform dispersion of MWCNT. The composite test specimens were tested by using an oxyacetylene test bed (OTB) applying a heat flux of 1000 W/cm2 for duration of 45 seconds. Composite specimens with 2 wt% MWCNT showed reduction in mass loss, recession in length, and in situ temperatures compared to control composites.
Saccadic Alterations in Severe Developmental Dyslexia
Authors: Pensiero Stefano , Accardo Agostino , Michieletto Paola , Brambilla Paolo
Published: June 2013

It is not sure if persons with dyslexia have ocular motor deficits in addition to their deficits in rapid visual information processing. A 15-year-old boy afflicted by severe dyslexia was submitted to saccadic eye movement recording. Neurological and ophthalmic examinations were normal apart from the presence of an esophoria for near and slightly longer latencies of pattern visual evoked potentials. Subclinical saccadic alterations were present, which could be at the basis of the reading pathology: (1) low velocities (and larger durations) of the adducting saccades of the left eye with undershooting and long-lasting postsaccadic onward drift, typical of the internuclear ophthalmoplegia; (2) saccades interrupted in mid-flight and fixation instability, which are present in cases of brainstem premotor disturbances.
Efficacy and Safety of Enoxaparin for Preventing Venous Thromboembolic Events following Urologic Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Nomura Takeo , Takahashi Mika , Iwasaki Kazunori , Oribe Tomoya , Shinohara Mayuka , Fukuda Yuko , Mizoguchi Shinsuke , Sato Fuminori , Mimata Hiromitsu
Published: June 2013

There is a paucity of definitive evidence that supports the use of enoxaparin to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after urologic laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative subcutaneous enoxaparin injection in patients who underwent urologic laparoscopic surgery. A total of 63 patients were evaluated from June 2010 to December 2012. All patients received postoperative prophylaxis with enoxaparin (2000 IU twice daily for 5 days). None of the patients treated with enoxaparin developed symptomatic VTE, but two cases (3.2%) of pulmonary embolism were noted before initial enoxaparin administration. Statistically significant differences were observed between the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) values and D-dimer levels obtained at baseline and on day 7 after surgery; however, the PT and APTT values did not exceed the normal range. In addition, signs of any adverse events were not encountered in any of the patients treated with enoxaparin. The use of enoxaparin immediately after a surgery may confer valuable thromboprophylaxis benefits for urologic laparoscopic surgery.
Using Homo-Separation of Variables for Solving Systems of Nonlinear Fractional Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Karbalaie Abdolamir , Hamid Muhammed Hamed , Erlandsson Bjorn-Erik
Published: June 2013

A new method proposed and coined by the authors as the homo-separation of variables method is utilized to solve systems of linear and nonlinear fractional partial differential equations (FPDEs). The new method is a combination of two well-established mathematical methods, namely, the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) and the separation of variables method. When compared to existing analytical and numerical methods, the method resulting from our approach shows that it is capable of simplifying the target problem at hand and reducing the computational load that is required to solve it, considerably. The efficiency and usefulness of this new general-purpose method is verified by several examples, where different systems of linear and nonlinear FPDEs are solved.
On the Study of Transience and Recurrence of the Markov Chain Defined by Directed Weighted Circuits Associated with a Random Walk in Fixed Environment
Authors: Ganatsiou Chrysoula
Published: June 2013

By using the cycle representation theory of Markov processes, we investigate proper criterions regarding transience and recurrence of the corresponding Markov chain represented uniquely by directed cycles (especially by directed circuits) and weights of a random walk with jumps in a fixed environment.
Physiologic Conditions Affect Toxicity of Ingested Industrial Fluoride
Authors: Sauerheber Richard
Published: June 2013

The effects of calcium ion and broad pH ranges on free fluoride ion aqueous concentrations were measured directly and computed theoretically. Solubility calculations indicate that blood fluoride concentrations that occur in lethal poisonings would decrease calcium below prevailing levels. Acute lethal poisoning and also many of the chronic effects of fluoride involve alterations in the chemical activity of calcium by the fluoride ion. Natural calcium fluoride with low solubility and toxicity from ingestion is distinct from fully soluble toxic industrial fluorides. The toxicity of fluoride is determined by environmental conditions and the positive cations present. At a pH typical of gastric juice, fluoride is largely protonated as hydrofluoric acid HF. Industrial fluoride ingested from treated water enters saliva at levels too low to affect dental caries. Blood levels during lifelong consumption can harm heart, bone, brain, and even developing teeth enamel. The widespread policy known as water fluoridation is discussed in light of these findings.
The Diagnosis and Management of Asherman’s Syndrome Developed after Cesarean Section and Reproductive Outcome
Authors: Cenksoy Pinar Ozcan , Ficicioglu Cem , Yesiladali Mert , Kizilkale Ozge
Published: June 2013

Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) frequently occur as a result of trauma to the basal layer of endometrium following pregnancy-related curettage such as incomplete abortion (33,3%), postpartum hemorrhage (37,5%), and elective abortion (8,3%). Hysterotomy, myomectomy, Cesarean section, hysteroscopic procedures, such as resection of submucosal leiomyomata or uterine septae, and endometrial ablation are less common etiologic factors resulting in IUA formation. Patients with Asherman’s syndrome usually present with menstrual disturbances, infertility, or recurrent pregnancy loss. A successful treatment of infertility could be achieved by restoration of the uterine cavity, prevention of IUA reformation, and promotion of healing process. We presented the diagnosis and management of a case that suffers from menstrual disturbances and secondary infertility resulted from IUA formation developed after Cesarean section.
A Crosslinked HA-Based Hydrogel Ameliorates Dry Eye Symptoms in Dogs
Authors: Williams David L. , Mann Brenda K.
Published: June 2013

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca, commonly referred to as dry eye or KCS, can affect both humans and dogs. The standard of care in treating KCS typically includes daily administration of eye drops to either stimulate tear production or to hydrate and lubricate the corneal surface. Lubricating eye drops are often applied four to six times daily for the life of the patient. In order to reduce this dosing regimen yet still provides sufficient hydration and lubrication, we have developed a crosslinked hydrogel based on a modified, thiolated hyaluronic acid (HA), xCMHA-S. This xCMHA-S gel was found to have different viscosity and rheologic behavior than solutions of noncrosslinked HA. The gel was also able to increase tear breakup time in rabbits, indicating a stabilization of the tear film. Further, in a preliminary clinical study of dogs with KCS, the gel significantly reduced the symptoms associated with KCS within two weeks while only being applied twice daily. The reduction of symptoms combined with the low dosing regimen indicates that this gel may lead to both improved patient health and owner compliance in applying the treatment.
General Solution of Linear Fractional Neutral Differential Difference Equations
Authors: Zhang Hai , Cao Jinde , Jiang Wei
Published: June 2013

This paper is concerned with the general solution of linear fractional neutral differential difference equations. The exponential estimates of the solution and the variation of constant formula for linear fractional neutral differential difference equations are derived by using the Gronwall integral inequality and the Laplace transform method, respectively. The obtained results extend the corresponding ones of integer order linear ordinary differential equations and delay differential equations.
Acute Delirium due to Parenteral Tramadol
Authors: Ghosh Soumitra , Mondal Supriya Kumar , Bhattacharya Arnab , Saddichha Sahoo
Published: June 2013

Tramadol is a widely used medication by physicians and is held to be a safe analgesic. It has been claimed to be helpful in the elderly and hepatic and renally compromised subjects. We would like to report a case of delirium in a middle-aged female with acute pain abdomen on tramadol while being treated in the surgical unit. The patient developed alteration in the level of consciousness and cognitive deficits following injectable dose of tramadol. She was diagnosed as a case of tramadol-induced delirium. The patient improved spontaneously after stoppage of tramadol injection. The probable mechanism for development of tramadol-induced delirium is discussed along with clinical implications.
On Asymptotic Pointwise Contractions in Modular Metric Spaces
Authors: Abdou Afrah A. N.
Published: June 2013

In this paper we study and prove some new fixed points theorems for pointwise and asymptotic pointwise contraction mappings in modular metric spaces.
Effective Environmental Education through Half-Day Teaching Programmes Outside School
Authors: Drissner Jürgen , Haase Hans-Martin , Rinderknecht Annette , Hille Katrin
Published: June 2013

The “Green Classroom” in the Botanical Garden of the University of Ulm is a learning forum outside school. Its educational concept is based on experiential learning and is geared towards expanding students’ biological knowledge and developing positive attitudes towards small animals such as invertebrates. In the first study, we assessed attitudes towards small animals of 43 students before and after they visited the “Green Classroom”, and we compared the answers they gave in their questionnaires with those of 46 students from a control group. Although the students spent only one morning in the “Green Classroom”, some of their attitudes improved after their visit. In the second study, 102 secondary-school students (56 who had previously visited the “Green Classroom”) were asked to write an essay about small animals. Students who had visited the “Green Classroom” before portrayed more positive emotions towards small animals and showed more biological understanding than their peers.
Ant Colony Optimization with Three Stages for Independent Test Cost Attribute Reduction
Authors: Xu Zilong , Zhao Hong , Min Fan , Zhu William
Published: June 2013

Minimal test cost attribute reduction is an important problem in cost-sensitive learning. Recently, heuristic algorithms including the information gain-based algorithm and the genetic algorithm have been designed for this problem. However, in many cases these algorithms cannot find the optimal solution. In this paper, we develop an ant colony optimization algorithm to tackle this problem. The attribute set is represented as a graph with each vertex corresponding to an attribute and weight of each edge to pheromone. Our algorithm contains three stages, namely, the addition stage, the deletion stage, and the filtration stage. In the addition stage, each ant starts from the initial position and traverses edges probabilistically until the stopping criterion is satisfied. The pheromone of the traveled path is also updated in this process. In the deletion stage, each ant deletes redundant attributes. Two strategies, called the centralized deletion strategy and the distributed deletion strategy, are proposed. Finally, the ant with minimal test cost is selected to construct the reduct in the filtration stage. Experimental results on UCI datasets indicate that the algorithm is significantly better than the information gain-based one. It also outperforms the genetic algorithm on medium-sized dataset Mushroom.
Increased Seizure Latency and Decreased Severity of Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Seizures in Mice after Essential Oil Administration
Authors: Koutroumanidou Eleni , Kimbaris Athanasios , Kortsaris Alexandros , Bezirtzoglou Eugenia , Polissiou Moschos , Charalabopoulos Konstantinos , Pagonopoulou Olga
Published: June 2013

The effect of pretreatment with essential oils (EOs) from eight aromatic plants on the seizure latency and severity of pentylenetetrazol- (PTZ-) induced seizures in mice was evaluated. Weight-dependent doses of Rosmarinus officinalis, Ocimum basilicum, Mentha spicata, Mentha pulegium, Lavandula angustifolia, Mentha piperita, Origanum dictamnus, and Origanum vulgare, isolated from the respective aromatic plants from NE Greece, were administered 60 minutes prior to intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a lethal dose of PTZ to eight respective groups of Balb-c mice. Control group received only one i.p. PTZ injection. Motor and behavioral activity of the animals after EOs administration, development of tonic-clonic seizures, seizure latency and severity, and percentage of survival after PTZ administration were determined for each group. All groups of mice treated with the EOs showed reduced activity and stability after the administration of the oil, except for those treated with O. vulgare (100% mortality after the administration of the oil). After PTZ administration, mice from the different groups showed increased latency and reduced severity of seizures (ranging from simple twitches to complete seizures). Mice who had received M. piperita demonstrated no seizures and 100% survival. The different drastic component and its concentration could account for the diversity of anticonvulsant effects.
Influence of Surfactants and Dissolved Gases on the Silver Nanoparticle Plasmon Resonance Absorption Spectra Formed by the Laser Ablation Processes
Authors: Chua Ming Jing , Murakami Yoshinori
Published: June 2013

The silver nanoparticles were fabricated by the focused laser irradiation to silver rod immersed in various kinds of surfactant aqueous solutions. It was found that anionic and cationic surfactants showed different roles on the silver nanoparticle growth during the focused laser irradiation processes. Silver nanoparticle synthesis in an amphoteric surfactant aqueous solution was also carried out using the same techniques, and it was found that the spectral shifts for these surface plasmon bands showed complicated behaviors against the concentration of amphoteric surfactants as well as pH. Furthermore, the influence of the gas dissolved in a solution on the silver nanoparticle growth during the focused laser irradiation processes was investigated. With increasing the gas pressure of CO2, the surface plasmon bands of silver nanoparticles were shifted to longer wavelength, suggesting that the dissolved gas of CO2 in a solution enhances the silver nanoparticle growth. The plausible mechanism was proposed to understand the reason of such enhancement of silver nanoparticle growth by increasing the dissolved gas in a solution.
Three Cases of Neoplastic Meningitis Initially Diagnosed with Infectious Meningitis in Emergency Department
Authors: Ahn Shin , Lim Kyung Soo
Published: June 2013

Neoplastic meningitis (NM) is diagnosed by the presence of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We report 3 patients with NM, who were misdiagnosed with infectious meningitis in emergency department (ED). Case 1. A 68-year-old man visited our ED with a 3-month history of headache. With MRI and CSF study, he was diagnosed with tuberculous meningitis. After 20 days, repeated CSF cytology showed malignant cells. His diagnosis was lung cancer with NM. Case 2. A 57-year-old man visited regional hospital ED with a 3-week history of headache and diplopia. Brain MRI was not contributory. With CSF examination, his diagnosis was aseptic meningitis. With worsening headache, he was referred to our ED. Repeated CSF showed malignant cells. His diagnosis was stomach cancer with NM. Case 3. A 75-year-old man visited a regional hospital with headache lasting for 4 months. His diagnosis was sinusitis. Persistent symptom brought him back, and he developed recurrent generalized seizures. Brain MRI showed diffuse leptomeningeal enhancement suggesting meningitis, and he was transferred to our ED. CSF exam showed malignant cells. His diagnosis was NM with unknown primary focus. When evaluating the patients with headache in ED, NM should be kept in mind as a differential diagnosis of meningitis.
Grid Connection of Wave Power Farm Using an N-Level Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter
Authors: Ekström Rickard , Leijon Mats
Published: June 2013

An N-level cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter is proposed for grid connection of large wave power farms. The point-absorber wave energy converters are individually rectified and used as isolated DC-sources. The variable power characteristics of the wave energy converters are discussed, and a method of mitigating this issue is demonstrated. The complete power control system is given in detail and has been experimentally verified for a single-phase setup of the 9-level inverter. Theoretical expressions of the power sharing between multilevel cells are derived and show good correspondence with the experimental results.
Research on Three-Dimensional Unsteady Turbulent Flow in Multistage Centrifugal Pump and Performance Prediction Based on CFD
Authors: Wang Zhi-jian , Zheng Jian-she , Li Lu-lu , Luo Shuai
Published: June 2013

The three-dimensional flow physical model of any stage of the 20BZ4 multistage centrifugal pump is built which includes inlet region, impeller flow region, guide-vane flow region and exit region. The three-dimensional unsteady turbulent flow numerical model is created based on Navier-Stoke solver and standardk-εturbulent equations. The method of multireference frame (MRF) and SIMPLE algorithm are used to simulate the flow in multistage centrifugal pump based on FLUENT software. The distributions of relative velocity, absolute velocity, static pressure, and total pressure in guide vanes and impellers under design condition are analyzed. The simulation results show that the flow in impeller is mostly uniform, without eddy, backflow, and separation flow, and jet-wake phenomenon appears only along individual blades. There is secondary flow at blade end and exit of guide vane. Due to the different blade numbers of guide vane and impeller, the total pressure distribution is asymmetric. This paper also simulates the flow under different working conditions to predict the hydraulic performances of centrifugal pump and external characteristics including flow-lift, flow-shaft power, and flow-efficiency are attained. The simulation results are compared with the experimental results, and because of the mechanical losses and volume loss ignored, there is a little difference between them.
Flow Cytometry Total Cell Counts: A Field Study Assessing Microbiological Water Quality and Growth in Unchlorinated Drinking Water Distribution Systems
Authors: Liu G. , Van der Mark E. J. , Verberk J. Q. J. C. , Van Dijk J. C.
Published: June 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the application of flow cytometry total cell counts (TCCs) as a parameter to assess microbial growth in drinking water distribution systems and to determine the relationships between different parameters describing the biostability of treated water. A one-year sampling program was carried out in two distribution systems in The Netherlands. Results demonstrated that, in both systems, the biomass differences measured by ATP were not significant. TCC differences were also not significant in treatment plant 1, but decreased slightly in treatment plant 2. TCC values were found to be higher at temperatures above 15°C than at temperatures below 15°C. The correlation study of parameters describing biostability found no relationship among TCC, heterotrophic plate counts, and Aeromonas. Also no relationship was found between TCC and ATP. Some correlation was found between the subgroup of high nucleic acid content bacteria and ATP (R2=0.63). Overall, the results demonstrated that TCC is a valuable parameter to assess the drinking water biological quality and regrowth; it can directly and sensitively quantify biomass, detect small changes, and can be used to determine the subgroup of active HNA bacteria that are related to ATP.
Metabolic Acidosis Treatment as Part of a Strategy to Curb Inflammation
Authors: de Nadai Tales Rubens , de Nadai Mariane Nunes , Albuquerque Agnes Afrodite Sumarelli , de Carvalho Marco Tulio Menezes , Celotto Andrea Carla , Evora Paulo Roberto Barbosa
Published: June 2013

Abnormalities in systemic acid-base balance may induce significant changes in the immune response, and they may play a significant role in the development or maintenance of immune dysfunction. Different forms of acidosis (metabolic and respiratory) and even different types of metabolic acidosis (hyperchloremic and lactic) may produce different effects on immune function. If alkalization has, or not, some effect on inflammation control is still a matter of speculation. Studies concerning these subjects are limited justifying this paper.
Fuzzy Logic-Based Aerodynamic Modeling with Continuous Differentiability
Authors: Chang Ray C.
Published: June 2013

This paper presents a modeling method based on a fuzzy-logic algorithm to establish aerodynamic models by using the datasets from flight data recorder (FDR). The fuzzy-logic aerodynamic models are utilized to estimate more accurately the nonlinear unsteady aerodynamics for a transport aircraft, including the effects of atmospheric turbulence. The main objective in this paper is to present the model development and the resulting models with continuous differentiability. The uncertainty and correlation of the data points are estimated and improved by monitoring a multivariable correlation coefficient in the modeling process. The latter is increased by applying a least square method to a set of data points to train a set of modeling coefficients. A commercial transport aircraft encountered severe atmospheric turbulence twice at transonic flight in descending phase is the study case in the present paper. The robustness and nonlinear interpolation capability of the fuzzy-logic algorithm are demonstrated in predicting the degradation in performance and stability characteristics of this transport in severe atmospheric turbulence with sudden plunging motion.
In Vivo Identification of Skeletal Muscle Dynamics with Nonlinear Kalman Filter: Comparison between EKF and SPKF
Authors: Hayashibe Mitsuhiro , Guiraud David , Poignet Philippe
Published: June 2013

Skeletal muscle system has nonlinear dynamics and subject-specific characteristics. Thus, it is essential to identify the unknown parameters from noisy biomedical signals to improve the modeling accuracy in neuroprosthetic control. The objective of this work is to develop an experimental identification method for subject-specific biomechanical parameters of a physiological muscle model which can be employed to predict the nonlinear force properties of stimulated muscle. Our previously proposed muscle model, which can describe multiscale physiological system based on the Hill and Huxley models, was used for the identification. The identification protocols were performed on two rabbit experiments, where the medial gastrocnemius was attached to a motorized lever system to record the force by the nerve stimulation. The muscle model was identified using nonlinear Kalman filters: sigma-point and extended Kalman filter. The identified model was evaluated by comparison with experimental measurements in the cross-validation manner. The feasibility could be demonstrated by comparison between the estimated parameter and the measured value. The estimates with SPKF showed 5.7% and 2.9% error in each experiment with 7 different initial conditions. It reveals that SPKF has great advantage especially for the identification of multiscale muscle model which accounts for the high nonlinearity and discontinuous states between muscle contraction and relaxation process.
Classification of Cerebral Lymphomas and Glioblastomas Featuring Luminance Distribution Analysis
Authors: Yamasaki Toshihiko , Chen Tsuhan , Hirai Toshinori , Murakami Ryuji
Published: June 2013

Differentiating lymphomas and glioblastomas is important for proper treatment planning. A number of works have been proposed but there are still some problems. For example, many works depend on thresholding a single feature value, which is susceptible to noise. In other cases, experienced observers are required to extract the feature values or to provide some interactions with the system. Even if experts are involved, interobserver variance becomes another problem. In addition, most of the works use only one or a few slice(s) because 3D tumor segmentation is time consuming. In this paper, we propose a tumor classification system that analyzes the luminance distribution of the whole tumor region. Typical cases are classified by the luminance range thresholding and the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) thresholding. Nontypical cases are classified by a support vector machine (SVM). Most of the processing elements are semiautomatic. Therefore, even novice users can use the system easily and get the same results as experts. The experiments were conducted using 40 MRI datasets. The classification accuracy of the proposed method was 91.1% without the ADC thresholding and 95.4% with the ADC thresholding. On the other hand, the baseline method, the conventional ADC thresholding, yielded only 67.5% accuracy.
Tradeoff Analysis for Optimal Multiobjective Inventory Model
Authors: Cheng Longsheng , Tsou Ching-Shih , Lee Ming-Chang , Huang Li-Hua , Song Dingwei , Teng Wei-Shan
Published: June 2013

Deterministic inventory model, the economic order quantity (EOQ), reveals that carrying inventory or ordering frequency follows a relation of tradeoff. For probabilistic demand, the tradeoff surface among annual order, expected inventory and shortage are useful because they quantify what the firm must pay in terms of ordering workload and inventory investment to meet the customer service desired. Based on a triobjective inventory model, this paper employs the successive approximation to obtain efficient control policies outlining tradeoffs among conflicting objectives. The nondominated solutions obtained by successive approximation are further used to plot a 3D scatterplot for exploring the relationships between objectives. Visualization of the tradeoffs displayed by the scatterplots justifies the computation effort done in the experiment, although several iterations needed to reach a nondominated solution make the solution procedure lengthy and tedious. Information elicited from the inverse relationships may help managers make deliberate inventory decisions. For the future work, developing an efficient and effective solution procedure for tradeoff analysis in multiobjective inventory management seems imperative.
Trypanocidal Activity ofSmallanthus sonchifolius: Identification of Active Sesquiterpene Lactones by Bioassay-Guided Fractionation
Authors: Frank F. M. , Ulloa J. , Cazorla S. I. , Maravilla G. , Malchiodi E. L. , Grau A. , Martino V. , Catalán C. , Muschietti L. V.
Published: June 2013

In order to find novel plant-derived biologically active compounds againstTrypanosoma cruzi, we isolated, from the organic extract ofSmallanthus sonchifolius, the sesquiterpene lactones enhydrin (1), uvedalin (2), and polymatin B (3) by bioassay-guided fractionation technique. These compounds showed a significant trypanocidal activity against the epimastigote forms of the parasite with IC50values of 0.84 μM (1), 1.09 μM (2), and 4.90 μM (3). After a 24 h treatment with 10 μg/mL of enhydrin or uvedalin, parasites were not able to recover their replication rate. Compounds1and2showed IC50values of 33.4 μM and 25.0 μM againstT. cruzitrypomastigotes, while polymatin B was not active. When the three compounds were tested against the intracellular forms ofT. cruzi, they were able to inhibit the amastigote replication with IC50of 5.17 μM, 3.34 μM, and 9.02 μM for1,2, and3, respectively. The cytotoxicity of the compounds was evaluated in Vero cells obtaining CC50values of 46.5 μM (1), 46.8 μM (2), and 147.3 μM (3) and the selectivity index calculated. According to these results, enhydrin and uvedalin might have potentials as agents against Chagas disease and could serve as lead molecules to develop new drugs.
Mechanism and Motion of Semifixed Abrasive Grit for Wire-Saw Slicing
Authors: Yao Chunyan , Peng Wei , Chen Siyuan
Published: June 2013

The currently dominant method in the production of wafers is to use slurry wire-saw slicing. This paper reports a new wire-saw slicing technology, namely, semifixed abrasive wire-saw slicing. The traditional smooth wire is replaced by a patterned wire with a textured surface that can help the wire carrying the abrasives. It aims to improve the number of transient fixed abrasives in the machining process. Transient fixed abrasives can produce “scratch-indenting” processes that are similar to fixed-abrasive wire slicing thereby improving the efficiency of the wire-saw cutting. This study focuses on the behavioral mechanics of the abrasive grits in the slurry during the slicing process. The dynamic images of the movement of abrasive grits in the slicing process are obtained by a high-speed camera. At the microlevel, using statistical methods, the behavioral mechanics of the abrasive grits are investigated by changing the slicing parameters. The results contribute toward a more intuitive and profound understanding of the principle of free-abrasive wire sawing.
Dynamic Actin Gene Family Evolution in Primates
Authors: Zhu Liucun , Zhang Ying , Hu Yijun , Wen Tieqiao , Wang Qiang
Published: June 2013

Actin is one of the most highly conserved proteins and plays crucial roles in many vital cellular functions. In most eukaryotes, it is encoded by a multigene family. Although the actin gene family has been studied a lot, few investigators focus on the comparison of actin gene family in relative species. Here, the purpose of our study is to systematically investigate characteristics and evolutionary pattern of actin gene family in primates. We identified 233 actin genes in human, chimpanzee, gorilla, orangutan, gibbon, rhesus monkey, and marmoset genomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that actin genes in the seven species could be divided into two major types of clades: orthologous group versus complex group. Codon usages and gene expression patterns of actin gene copies were highly consistent among the groups because of basic functions needed by the organisms, but much diverged within species due to functional diversification. Besides, many great potential pseudogenes were found with incomplete open reading frames due to frameshifts or early stop codons. These results implied that actin gene family in primates went through “birth and death” model of evolution process. Under this model, actin genes experienced strong negative selection and increased the functional complexity by reproducing themselves.
Percutaneous Method of Management of Simple Bone Cyst
Authors: Lakhwani O. P.
Published: June 2013

Introduction.Simple bone cyst or unicameral bone cysts are benign osteolytic lesions seen in metadiaphysis of long bones in growing children. Various treatment modalities with variable outcomes have been described in the literature. The case report illustrates the surgical technique of minimally invasive method of treatment.Case Study.A 14-year-old boy was diagnosed as active simple bone cyst proximal humerus with pathological fracture. The patient was treated by minimally invasive percutaneous curettage with titanium elastic nail (TENS) and allogenic bone grafting mixed with bone marrow under image intensifier guidance.Results.Pathological fracture was healed and allograft filled in the cavity was well taken up. The patient achieved full range of motion with successful outcome.Conclusion.Minimally invasive percutaneous method using elastic intramedullary nail gives benefit of curettage cyst decompression and stabilization of fracture. Allogenic bone graft fills the cavity and healing of lesion by osteointegration. This method may be considered with advantage of minimally invasive technique in treatment of benign cystic lesions of bone, and the level of evidence was therapeutic level V.
HLA-B*44 Is Associated with Dengue Severity Caused by DENV-3 in a Brazilian Population
Authors: Xavier Eurico de Alencar Liciana , de Mendonça Braga-Neto Ulisses , José Moura do Nascimento Eduardo , Tenório Cordeiro Marli , Maria Silva Ana , Alexandre Antunes de Brito Carlos , da Silva Maria da Paz Carvalho , Gil Laura Helena Vega Gonzales , Montenegro Silvia Maria Lucena , Marques Ernesto Torres de Azevedo
Published: June 2013

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been correlated with susceptibility or resistance to severe dengue; however, few immunogenetic studies have been performed in Latin American (LA) populations. We have conducted immunogenetic studies of HLA class I and II alleles in a cohort of 187 patients with DENV-3 infection and confirmed clinical diagnosis of either severe dengue, known as dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF), or the less severe form, dengue fever (DF), in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. An association analysis was performed using Fisher’s association test, with odds ratios (ORs) calculated using conditional maximum likelihood estimates. HLA-B*44 (P=0.047, OR = 2.025, 95% CI = 0.97–4.24) was found to be associated with increased susceptibility to DHF in response to DENV-3 infection. In addition, HLA-B*07 (P=0.048, OR = 0.501, one-sided 95% CI = 0–0.99) and HLA-DR*13 (P=0.028, OR = 0.511, one-sided 95% CI = 0–0.91) were found to be associated with resistance to secondary dengue infection by DENV-3. These results suggest that HLA-B*44 supertype alleles and their respective T-cell responses might be involved in susceptibility to severe dengue infections, whereas the HLA-B*07 supertype alleles and DR*13 might be involved in cross-dengue serotype immunity.
Determination of Flavonoids, Phenolic Acids, and Xanthines inMateTea (Ilex paraguariensisSt.-Hil.)
Authors: Bojić Mirza , Simon Haas Vicente , Šarić Darija , Maleš Željan
Published: June 2013

Raw material, different formulations of foods, and dietary supplements ofmatedemands control of the content of bioactive substances for which high performance thin layer chromatography (TLC), described here, presents simple and rapid approach for detections as well as quantification. Using TLC densitometry, the following bioactive compounds were identified and quantified: chlorogenic acid (2.1 mg/g), caffeic acid (1.5 mg/g), rutin (5.2 mg/g), quercetin (2.2 mg/g), and kaempferol (4.5 mg/g). The results obtained with TLC densitometry for caffeine (5.4 mg/g) and theobromine (2.7 mg/g) show no statistical difference to the content of total xanthines (7.6 mg/g) obtained by UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Thus, TLC remains a technique of choice for simple and rapid analysis of great number of samples as well as a primary screening technique in plant analysis.
How Reliable Are Hematological Parameters in Predicting UncomplicatedPlasmodium falciparumMalaria in an Endemic Region?
Authors: Muwonge Haruna , Kikomeko Sharif , Sembajjwe Larry Fred , Seguya Abdul , Namugwanya Christine
Published: June 2013

Background. Malaria remains endemic in Sub-Saharan Africa. Hematological changes that occur have been suggested as potential predictors of malaria. This study was aimed at evaluating the diagnostic relevance of hematological parameters in predicting malaria.Methods. A cross-sectional study involving 370 patients with signs and symptoms of malaria was conducted at Mulago Hospital, Kampala, from May, 2012 to February, 2013. Thin and thick blood films were prepared for each patient and stained with Giemsa to aid the detection of malaria parasites. Patients’ hematological parameters were determined.Results. Out of the 370 patients, 61 (16.5%) had malaria. Significant differences in the hematological parameters betweenP. falciparummalaria parasitemic patients and nonparasitemic patients were only observed in mean (±SD) of the differential monocyte count (10.89 ± 6.23% versus 8.98 ± 5.02%,P=0.01) and the platelet count (172.43 (± 80.41)×103cells/µl versus 217.82 ± (95.96)×103cells/µlP=0.00). The mean (±SD) values of the red blood cell indices (hemoglobin count, MCV, MCH, and MCHC), the differential neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, and the mean platelet volume (MPV) did not significantly differ between the two groups.Conclusion. Hematological changes are unreliable laboratory indicators of malaria in acute uncomplicatedPlasmodium falciparummalaria.
Quality of Life and Mental Health in Patients with Chronic Diseases Who Regularly Practice Yoga and Those Who Do Not: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Cramer Holger , Lauche Romy , Langhorst Jost , Dobos Gustav , Paul Anna
Published: June 2013

While clinical trials have shown evidence of efficacy of yoga in different chronic diseases, subjective health benefits associated with yoga practice under naturalistic conditions have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate associations of regular yoga practice with quality of life and mental health in patients with chronic diseases. Using a case-control design, patients with chronic diseases who regularly practiced yoga were selected from a large observational study and compared to controls who did not regularly practice yoga and who were matched individually to each case on gender, main diagnosis, education, and age (within 5 years). Patients’ quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire), mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), life satisfaction, and health satisfaction (Questionnaire for Life Satisfaction) were assessed. Patients who regularly practiced yoga (n=186) had a better general health status (P=0.012), a higher physical functioning (P=0.001), and physical component score (P=0.029) on the SF-36 than those who did not (n=186). No group differences were found for the mental scales of the SF-36, anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, or health satisfaction. In conclusion, practicing yoga under naturalistic conditions seems to be associated with increased physical health but not mental health in chronically diseased patients.
Intra- and Interday Reliability of Spine Rasterstereography
Authors: Guidetti Laura , Bonavolontà Valerio , Tito Alessandro , Reis Victor M. , Gallotta Maria Chiara , Baldari Carlo
Published: June 2013

To determine intra- and interday reliability of spine rasterstereographic system Formetric 4D with and without reflective markers. Twenty-six healthy volunteers (M group) had two markers placed in correspondence of vertebra prominens and intergluteal cleft, and 24 volunteers (NM group) were assessed without markers. All participants were analyzed two times in the same day and one time on a separate day. Trunk length, kyphotic angle, lordotic angle, pelvic inclination, kyphotic and lordotic apex, right and left lateral deviation,flèche cervicaleandlombaire, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, inflection point, rotation correction, right and left surface rotation, pelvic torsion, and trunk torsion were measured. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach Alpha (Cα) were calculated. In M group, for intra-, interday, and overall evaluations, the higher reliability coefficients were 0.971, 0.963, and 0.958 (ICC) and 0.987, 0.983, and 0.985 (Cα) for trunk length, kyphotic angle, and lordotic apex, respectively; while in NM group, they were 0.978, 0.982, and 0.972 and 0.989, 0.991, and 0.991 for trunk length. In M group, the lower values were 0.598, 0.515, and 0.534 (ICC) and 0.742, 0.682, and 0.784 (Cα) for trunk and pelvic torsion and in NM group 0.561, 0.537, and 0.461 and 0.731, 0.695, and 0.729 for left lateral deviation. The reliability of most parameters was excellent.