bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolomic Study on the Preventive Effect ofPatrinia scabiosaefoliaFisch on Multipathogen Induced Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Rats
Authors: Zou Wei , Wen Xiaoke , Zheng Yi , Xiao Zuoqi , Luo Jieying , Chen Shuqiong , Wang Yichao , Cheng Zeneng , Xiang Daxiong , Nie Yichu
Published: June 2015

Patrinia scabiosaefoliaFisch (PSF), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used as a “heat-clearing and detoxifying” agent. The present study was to illustrate the preventive effect of PSF on pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in rats. The PID model was constructed by multipathogen infection of the upper genital tract with reference to the method previously reported. Urine metabolomic analysis was conducted with a GC-MS coupled with derivatization method. In this study, PID rats showed obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells and elevated expression of cytokines (IL-1βand IL-6) in upper genital tract, compared with control rats. Sixteen differentiating metabolites contributed to the alteration of metabolic profile in PID rats, including two amino acids, three fat acids, nine organic acids, and two types of sugars. The rats, infected by multipathogen and administered with PSF, showed decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells and lowered expression of cytokines in upper genital tract, compared with PID rats. Meanwhile, PSF intervened in the PID-associated alterations in TCA cycle, sugar metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and other uncertain metabolic pathways. These results indicate that PSF has preventive effect on multipathogen induced PID and holistic interventional effect on disease-associated metabolomic change.
A Measurement Based Shadow Fading Model for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Network Simulations
Authors: Abbas Taimoor , Sjöberg Katrin , Karedal Johan , Tufvesson Fredrik
Published: June 2015

The vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) propagation channel has significant implications on the design and performance of novel communication protocols for vehicularad hocnetworks (VANETs). Extensive research efforts have been made to develop V2V channel models to be implemented in advanced VANET system simulators for performance evaluation. The impact of shadowing caused by other vehicles has, however, largely been neglected in most of the models, as well as in the system simulations. In this paper we present a shadow fading model targeting system simulations based on real measurements performed in urban and highway scenarios. The measurement data is separated into three categories, line-of-sight (LOS), obstructed line-of-sight (OLOS) by vehicles, and non-line-of-sight due to buildings, with the help of video information recorded during the measurements. It is observed that vehicles obstructing the LOS induce an additional average attenuation of about 10 dB in the received signal power. An approach to incorporate the LOS/OLOS model into existing VANET simulators is also provided. Finally, system level VANET simulation results are presented, showing the difference between the LOS/OLOS model and a channel model based on Nakagami-mfading.
Gender and Ethnicity Based Differences in Clinical and Laboratory Features of Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Abukhalil Fawzi , Mehta Bijal , Saito Erin , Mehta Sejal , McMurtray Aaron
Published: June 2015

Background. Previous reports describe ethnicity based differences in clinical and laboratory features between Caucasians and African Americans with myasthenia gravis. However, it is not known whether these findings apply to other ethnicities.Methods. Retrospective analysis of all patients treated for myasthenia gravis during a three-year period at a community based medical center.Results. A total of 44 patients were included, including 19 of Hispanic, 16 of African American, 6 of Caucasian, and 3 of Asian ethnicities. Female gender was more common among those with Hispanic, Asian, and African American ethnicities compared to Caucasian ethnicity (p=0.029). Anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody subtypes demonstrated no significant ethnicity based differences in either generalized or ocular myasthenia gravis. A trend was noted towards greater frequency of blocking antibodies among Hispanics (52.6%) compared to African American (37.5%) and Caucasian (33.3%) patients (p=0.059). Generalized but not ocular myasthenia patients showed greater frequency of anti-muscle specific kinase antibodies in Asians and Hispanics compared to African Americans and Caucasians (p=0.041).Conclusions. The results of this study support the existence of ethnicity based differences in clinical and laboratory features of myasthenia gravis. Further study of genetic factors influencing clinical features of myasthenia gravis is indicated.
Chinese Herbal Therapy for Chronic Tension-Type Headache
Authors: Tong YanQing , Yu LiXiang , Sun Ye
Published: June 2015

Objective. To investigate the effects of Chinese herbal therapy on chronic tension-type headache.Method. 132 patients with chronic tension-type headache were enrolled in the study. All patients filled in headache questionnaire at baseline phase and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after baseline. As an alternative therapeutic method, the patients were orally administrated Chinese herbal concoction for ten days. Therapeutic effects were evaluated during 12 weeks of followup.Result. In the primary outcome analysis, mean headache scores were significantly lower in the group. Scores fell by 25%–40% during 12 weeks of followup. Patients fared significantly well for most secondary outcome measures. From baseline to 4–12 weeks of followup, the number of days with headache decreased by 6.8–9.5 days. Duration of each attack also significantly (P< 0.05) shortened from 5.3 hours at 4 weeks to 4.9 hours after 8 weeks of followup. Days with medication per four weeks at followup were lower than those at the baseline. The differences were significant (P< 0.05, 0.01) for all end points. Days with medication fell by 56.6% at 12 weeks.Conclusion. The study has provided evidence that Chinese herbal therapy can be clinically useful for the treatment of chronic tension-type headache.
Are Absence Epilepsy and Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy System Epilepsies of the Sleep/Wake System?
Authors: Halász Péter
Published: June 2015

System epilepsy is an emerging concept interpreting major nonlesional epilepsies as epileptic dysfunctions of physiological systems. I extend here the concept of reflex epilepsy to epilepsies linked to input dependent physiological systems. Experimental and clinical reseach data were collected to create a coherent explanation of underlying pathomechanism in AE and NFLE. We propose that AE should be interpreted as epilepsy linked to the corticothalamic burst-firing mode of NREM sleep, released by evoked vigilance level oscillations characterized by reactive slow wave response. In the genetic variation of NFLE the ascending cholinergic arousal system plays an essential role being in strong relationship with a gain mutation of the nicotinic acethylcholin receptors, rendering the arousal system hyperexcitable. I try to provide a more unitary interpretation for the variable seizure manifestation integrating them as different degree of pathological arosuals and alarm reactions. As a supporting hypothesis the similarity between arousal parasomnias and FNLE is shown, underpinned by overlaping pathomechanism and shared familiarity, but without epileptic features. Lastly we propose that both AE and NFLE are system epilepsies of the sleep-wake system representing epileptic disorders of the antagonistic sleep/arousal network. This interpretation may throw new light on the pathomechanism of AE and NFLE.
Isolated Nasal Tip Metastasis from Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Ledderose Georg J. , Englhard Anna S.
Published: June 2015

Objectives. Cutaneous metastases can be the first sign of a malignant disease and have an unfavorable prognostic significance. The external nose is rarely affected. The uncommon clinical presentation of these cutaneous metastases may lead to the wrong diagnosis and treatment.Methods. We present the case of a 59-year-old patient with a small indolent tumor on the tip of the nose that turned out to be the first sign of an extended esophageal cancer.Conclusion. The differential diagnosis of tumors of the facial skin and the nasal tip includes metastases from an unknown primary tumor. In rare cases, squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus needs to be considered.
Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis in a Patient with Previous Psychosis and Neurological Abnormalities: A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Heekin R. David , Catalano Maria C. , Frontera Alfred T. , Catalano Glenn
Published: June 2015

Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by IgG autoantibodies directed against the NR1 subunit of the NMDA glutamate receptor. Psychiatric symptoms are common and include psychosis, mania, depressed mood, aggression, and speech abnormalities. Neurological symptoms such as seizures, decreased responsiveness, dyskinesias, and other movement abnormalities and/or autonomic instability are frequently seen as well. We present the case of a woman who was followed up at our facility for over 14 years for the treatment of multiple neuropsychiatric symptoms. Initially, she presented with paresthesias, memory loss, and manic symptoms. Nine years later, she presented to our facility again, this time with left sided numbness, left eyelid droop, and word finding difficulties. Finally, five years later, she presented with manic symptoms, hallucinations, and memory impairment. During her hospitalization, she subsequently developed catatonic symptoms and seizures. During her stay, it was discovered that she was positive for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies and her symptoms responded well to appropriate therapy. This case demonstrates that it may be useful for clinicians to consider screening for anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in long-term patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms that have not adequately responded to therapy.
Reconstruction Accuracy Assessment of Surface and Underwater 3D Motion Analysis: A New Approach
Authors: de Jesus Kelly , de Jesus Karla , Figueiredo Pedro , Vilas-Boas João Paulo , Fernandes Ricardo Jorge , Machado Leandro José
Published: June 2015

This study assessed accuracy of surface and underwater 3D reconstruction of a calibration volume with and without homography. A calibration volume (6000 × 2000 × 2500 mm) with 236 markers (64 above and 88 underwater control points—with 8 common points at water surface—and 92 validation points) was positioned on a 25 m swimming pool and recorded with two surface and four underwater cameras. Planar homography estimation for each calibration plane was computed to perform image rectification. Direct linear transformation algorithm for 3D reconstruction was applied, using 1600000 different combinations of 32 and 44 points out of the 64 and 88 control points for surface and underwater markers (resp.). Root Mean Square (RMS) error with homography of control and validations points was lower than without it for surface and underwater cameras (P≤0.03). With homography, RMS errors of control and validation points were similar between surface and underwater cameras (P≥0.47). Without homography, RMS error of control points was greater for underwater than surface cameras (P≤0.04) and the opposite was observed for validation points (P≤0.04). It is recommended that future studies using 3D reconstruction should include homography to improve swimming movement analysis accuracy.
Improving VANETs Connectivity with a Totally Ad Hoc Living Mobile Backbone
Authors: Alves Junior Joilson , Wille Emilio C. G.
Published: June 2015

The vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) for intelligent transportation systems is an emerging concept to improve transportation security, reliability, and management. The network behavior can be totally different in topological aspects because of the mobility of vehicular nodes. The topology can be fully connected when the flow of vehicles is high and may have low connectivity or be invalid when the flow of vehicles is low or unbalanced. In big cities, the metropolitan buses that travel on exclusive lanes may be used to set up a metropolitan vehicular data network (backbone), raising the connectivity among the vehicles. Therefore, this paper proposes the implementation of a living mobile backbone, totally ad hoc (MOB-NET), which will provide infrastructure and raise the network connectivity. In order to show the viability of MOB-NET, statistical analyses were made with real data of express buses that travel through exclusive lanes, besides evaluations through simulations and analytic models. The statistic, analytic, and simulation results prove that the buses that travel through exclusive lanes can be used to build a communication network totally ad hoc and provide connectivity in more than 99% of the time, besides raising the delivery rate up to 95%.
Improving Crystalline Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency Using Graded-Refractive-Index SiON/ZnO Nanostructures
Authors: Tu Yung-Chun , Wang Shui-Jinn , Wu Chien-Hung , Chang Kow-Ming , Lin Tseng-Hsing , Hung Chien-Hsiung , Wu Jhen-Siang
Published: June 2015

The fabrication of silicon oxynitride (SiON)/ZnO nanotube (NT) arrays and their application in improving the energy conversion efficiency (η) of crystalline Si-based solar cells (SCs) are reported. The SiON/ZnO NT arrays have a graded-refractive-index that varies from 3.5 (Si) to1.9~2.0(Si3N4and ZnO) to1.72~1.75(SiON) to 1 (air). Experimental results show that the use of 0.4 μm long ZnO NT arrays coated with a 150 nm thick SiON film increasesΔη/ηby 39.2% under AM 1.5 G (100 mW/cm2) illumination as compared to that of regular SCs with a Si3N4/micropyramid surface. This enhancement can be attributed to SiON/ZnO NT arrays effectively releasing surface reflection and minimizing Fresnel loss.
Research on the Complex Dynamic Characteristics and RLS Estimation’s Influence Based on Price and Service Game
Authors: Ma Junhai , Guo Zhanbing
Published: June 2015

Considering that the real competitions in service market contain two important factors, price and service, we build a dynamical price and service game model and study the complex dynamics of this bivariate game. Some special properties about the adjustment of service are noted by comparing our innovative bivariate game model with previous univariate game model. Besides, we discuss the stabilities of fixed points and compare the price and service game with price game. What is more, the recursive least-squares (RLS) estimation is introduced to substitute naive estimation; then the impacts of RLS estimation are studied by comparing it with naive estimation.
Bilateral Facial Paralysis Caused by Bilateral Temporal Bone Fracture: A Case Report and a Literature Review
Authors: Eliçora Sultan Şevik , Dinç Aykut Erdem , Bişkin Sultan , Damar Murat , Bilgin Ergin
Published: June 2015

Bilateral facial paralysis caused by bilateral temporal bone fracture is a rare clinical entity, with seven cases reported in the literature to date. In this paper, we describe a 40-year-old male patient with bilateral facial paralysis and hearing loss that developed after an occupational accident. On physical examination, House-Brackmann (HB) facial paralysis of grade 6 was observed on the right side and HB grade 5 paralysis on the left. Upon temporal bone computed tomography (CT) examination, a fracture line exhibiting transverse progression was observed in both petrous temporal bones. Our patient underwent transmastoid facial decompression surgery of the right ear. The patient refused a left-side operation. Such patients require extensive monitoring in intensive care units because the presence of multiple injuries means that facial functions are often very difficult to evaluate. Therefore, delays may ensue in both diagnosis and treatment of bilateral facial paralysis.
Rhein ElicitsIn VitroCytotoxicity in Primary Human Liver HL-7702 Cells by Inducing Apoptosis through Mitochondria-Mediated Pathway
Authors: Bounda Guy-Armel , Zhou Wang , Wang Dan-dan , Yu Feng
Published: June 2015

Objective. To study rhein-induced apoptosis signaling pathway and to investigate its molecular mechanisms in primary human hepatic cells.Results. Cell viability of HL-7702 cells treated with rhein showed significant decrease in dose-dependent manner. Following rhein treatment (25 μM, 50 μM, and 100 μM) for 12 h, the detection of apoptotic cells was significantly analyzed by flow cytometry and nuclear morphological changes by Hoechst 33258, respectively. Fatty degeneration studies showed upregulation level of the relevant hepatic markers (P< 0.01). Caspase activities expressed significant upregulation of caspase-3, caspase-9, and caspase-8. Moreover, apoptotic cells by rhein were significantly inhibited by Z-LEHD-FMK and Z-DEVD-FMK, caspase-9 inhibitor, and caspase-3 inhibitor, respectively. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by fluorometry. Additionally, NAC, a ROS scavenger, significantly attenuated rhein-induced oxidative damage in HL-7702 cells. Furthermore, real-time qPCR results showed significant upregulation of p53, PUMA, Apaf-1, and Casp-9 and Casp-3 mRNA, with no significant changes of Fas and Cytochrome-c. Immunoblotting revealed significant Cytochrome-c release from mitochondria into cytosol and no change in Fas expression.Conclusion. Taken together, these observations suggested that rhein could induce apoptosis in HL-7702 cells via mitochondria-mediated signal pathway with involvement of oxidative stress mechanism.
Implementation of TAGE Method Using Seikkala Derivatives Applied to Two-Point Fuzzy Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Dahalan A. A. , Sulaiman J.
Published: June 2015

Iterative methods particularly the Two-Parameter Alternating Group Explicit (TAGE) methods are used to solve system of linear equations generated from the discretization of two-point fuzzy boundary value problems (FBVPs). The formulation and implementation of the TAGE method are also presented. Then numerical experiments are carried out onto two example problems to verify the effectiveness of the method. The results show that TAGE method is superior compared to GS method in the aspect of number of iterations, execution time, and Hausdorff distance.
Antioxidative Role of Hatikana (Leea macrophyllaRoxb.) Partially Improves the Hepatic Damage Induced by CCl4in Wistar Albino Rats
Authors: Akhter Samina , Rahman Md. Atiar , Aklima Jannatul , Hasan Md. Rakibul , Hasan Chowdhury J. M. Kamirul
Published: June 2015

This research investigated the protective role ofLeea macrophyllaextract on CCl4-induced acute liver injury in rats. Different fractions ofLeea macrophylla(Roxb.) crude extract were subjected to analysis for antioxidative effects. Rats were randomly divided into four groups as normal control, hepatic control, and reference control (silymarin) group and treatment group. Evaluations were made for the effects of the fractions on serum enzymes and biochemical parameters of CCl4-induced albino rat. Histopathological screening was also performed to evaluate the changes of liver tissue before and after treatment. Different fractions ofLeea macrophyllashowed very potent 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect, FeCl3reducing effect, superoxide scavenging effect, and iron chelating effect. Carbon tetrachloride induction increased the level of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and other biochemical parameters such as lipid profiles, total protein, and CK-MB. In contrast, treatment ofLeea macrophyllareduced the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as biochemical parameters activities.L. macrophyllapartially restored the lipid profiles, total protein, and CK-MB. Histopathology showed the treated liver towards restoration. Results evidenced thatL. macrophyllacan be prospective source of hepatic management in liver injury.
Synovial Chondromatosis of the Ankle Joint: Clinical, Radiological, and Intraoperative Findings
Authors: Sedeek Sedeek Mohamed , Choudry Q. , Garg S.
Published: June 2015

Synovial chondromatosis, also termed synovial osteochondromatosis, is a rare benign disorder characterized by the presence of cartilaginous nodules in the synovium of the joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae. It most commonly involves large joints, such as the knee, hip, and shoulder, but its presence in smaller joints has also been reported. Nevertheless, ankle involvement is unusual. The diagnosis is commonly made following a thorough history, clinical, physical, and radiographic examination. We report a case of a young patient with primary synovial chondromatosis of the ankle joint and present the clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative findings.
Effect of Baffles on the Sloshing in Road Tankers Carrying LPG: A Comparative Numerical Study
Authors: Bautista-Jacobo J. L. , Rodríguez-Morales E. , Montes-Rodríguez J. J. , Gámez-Cuatzín H.
Published: June 2015

This work presents a comparative numerical study of the effect of using baffles, and its design, on the behavior of sloshing in a partially filled road tanker carrying LPG. Navier-Stokes equations and standardk-εturbulence model are used to simulate fluid movement; the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is used to track the liquid-gas interface. Velocity distributions, sloshing stabilization times, and contours of turbulent kinetic energy, which are of high importance in choosing the best design of baffles, are shown. The results show sloshing stabilization times of 22 and 21 s for road tankers with cross-shaped (Type I) and X-shaped (Type II) baffles, respectively, finding lower values of turbulent kinetic energy for Type II design, being, therefore, the best design of baffles for damping of sloshing and vehicle control among studied ones.
Robust Exponential Synchronization for a Class of Master-Slave Distributed Parameter Systems with Spatially Variable Coefficients and Nonlinear Perturbation
Authors: Yang Chengdong , Qiu Jianlong , Yi Kejia , Chen Xiangyong , Zhang Ancai , Chen Xiao , Yang Liuqing
Published: June 2015

This paper addresses the exponential synchronization problem of a class of master-slave distributed parameter systems (DPSs) with spatially variable coefficients and spatiotemporally variable nonlinear perturbation, modeled by a couple of semilinear parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). With a locally Lipschitz constraint, the perturbation is a continuous function of time, space, and system state. Firstly, a sufficient condition for the robust exponential synchronization of the unforced semilinear master-slave PDE systems is investigated for all admissible nonlinear perturbations. Secondly, a robust distributed proportional-spatial derivative (P-sD) state feedback controller is desired such that the closed-loop master-slave PDE systems achieve exponential synchronization. Using Lyapunov’s direct method and the technique of integration by parts, the main results of this paper are presented in terms of spatial differential linear matrix inequalities (SDLMIs). Finally, two numerical examples are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods applied to the robust exponential synchronization problem of master-slave PDE systems with nonlinear perturbation.
A Forward Dynamic Modelling Investigation of Cause-and-Effect Relationships in Single Support Phase of Human Walking
Authors: McGrath Michael , Howard David , Baker Richard
Published: June 2015

Mathematical gait models often fall into one of two categories: simple and complex. There is a large leap in complexity between model types, meaning the effects of individual gait mechanisms get overlooked. This study investigated the cause-and-effect relationships between gait mechanisms and resulting kinematics and kinetics, using a sequence of mathematical models of increasing complexity. The focus was on sagittal plane and single support only. Starting with an inverted pendulum (IP), extended to include a HAT (head-arms-trunk) segment and an actuated hip moment, further complexities were added one-by-one. These were a knee joint, an ankle joint with a static foot, heel rise, and finally a swing leg. The presence of a knee joint and an ankle moment (during foot flat) were shown to largely influence the initial peak in the vertical GRF curve. The second peak in this curve was achieved through a combination of heel rise and the presence of a swing leg. Heel rise was also shown to reduce errors in the horizontal GRF prediction in the second half of single support. The swing leg is important for centre-of-mass (CM) deceleration in late single support. These findings provide evidence for the specific effects of each gait mechanism.
A Rare Entity: Bilateral First Rib Fractures Accompanying Bilateral Scapular Fractures
Authors: Gulbahar Gultekin , Kaplan Tevfik , Turker Hasan Bozkurt , Gundogdu Ahmet Gokhan , Han Serdar
Published: June 2015

First rib fractures are scarce due to their well-protected anatomic locations. Bilateral first rib fractures accompanying bilateral scapular fractures are very rare, although they may be together with scapular and clavicular fractures. According to our knowledge, no case of bilateral first rib fractures accompanying bilateral scapular fractures has been reported, so we herein discussed the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of bone fractures due to thoracic trauma in bias of this rare entity.
Predicting Preterm Labour: Current Status and Future Prospects
Authors: Georgiou Harry M. , Di Quinzio Megan K. W. , Permezel Michael , Brennecke Shaun P.
Published: June 2015

Preterm labour and birth are a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Despite modern advances in obstetric and neonatal management, the rate of preterm birth in the developed world is increasing. Yet even though numerous risk factors associated with preterm birth have been identified, the ability to accurately predict when labour will occur remains elusive, whether it is at a term or preterm gestation. In the latter case, this is likely due to the multifactorial aetiology of preterm labour wherein women may display different clinical presentations that lead to preterm birth. The discovery of novel biomarkers that could reliably identify women who will subsequently deliver preterm may allow for timely medical intervention and targeted therapeutic treatments aimed at improving maternal and fetal outcomes. Various body fluids including amniotic fluid, urine, saliva, blood (serum/plasma), and cervicovaginal fluid all provide a rich protein source of putative biochemical markers that may be causative or reflective of the various pathophysiological disorders of pregnancy, including preterm labour. This short review will highlight recent advances in the field of biomarker discovery and the utility of single and multiple biomarkers for the prediction of preterm birth in the absence of intra-amniotic infection.
Stem Cell-Based Therapies in Chagasic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Campos de Carvalho Antonio Carlos , Bastos Carvalho Adriana
Published: June 2015

Chagas disease is caused byTrypanosoma cruziand can lead to a dilated cardiomyopathy decades after the prime infection by the parasite. As with other dilated cardiomyopathies, conventional pharmacologic therapies are not always effective and as heart failure progresses patients need heart transplantation. Therefore alternative therapies are highly desirable and cell-based therapies have been investigated in preclinical and clinical studies. In this paper we review the main findings of such studies and discuss future directions for stem cell-based therapies in chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy.
Quantification of Unimolecular Photoreaction Kinetics: Determination of Quantum Yields and Development of Actinometers—The Photodegradation Case of Cardiovascular Drug Nisoldipine
Authors: Maafi Mounir , Maafi Wassila
Published: June 2015

The lack of integrated rate-laws for photoreactions has led to carry out the treatment of drugs photodegradation kinetic data using the classical zeroth-, first-, and second-order kinetics that were originally developed for thermal reactions. The recent developments of Φ-order kinetic models has opened new perspectives in the treatment of photoreaction kinetics of systems involving a photolabile molecule (A) transforming into a photochemically and thermally stable product (B), that is, the AB(1Φ) photoreaction systems. Within this framework, the kinetics of cardiovascular and photosensitive drug nisoldipine (NIS) has been rationalised. Continuous and monochromatic irradiation of NIS in ethanol obeyed Φ-order kinetics with a sigmoid-shaped quantum yield variation with irradiation wavelength (0.0041–0.35 within 235–390 nm spectral region). Both NIS initial concentration-induced self-photostabilisation effect and the photostabilisation by absorption competitors were quantified (up 70%) and related to a reduction of the photokinetic factor. Finally, the Φ-order kinetics also served to demonstrate the actinometric potential of NIS for the 320–400 nm dynamic range.
Production of Kaon andΛin Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions at Ultrarelativistic Energy from a Blast-Wave Model
Authors: Zhang S. , Ma Y. G. , Chen J. H. , Zhong C.
Published: June 2015

The particle production of Kaon andΛis studied in nucleus-nucleus collisions at relativistic energy based on a chemical equilibrium blast-wave model. The transverse momentum spectra of Kaon andΛat the kinetic freeze-out stage from our model are in good agreement with the experimental results. The kinetic freeze-out parameters of temperatureTkinand radial flow parameterρ0are presented for the FOPI, RHIC, and LHC energies. And the resonance decay effect is also discussed. The systematic study for beam energy dependence of the strangeness particle production will help us to better understand the properties of the matter created in heavy-ion collisions at the kinetic freeze-out stage.
Optimal Lunar Landing Trajectory Design for Hybrid Engine
Authors: Cho Dong-Hyun , Kim Donghoon , Leeghim Henzeh
Published: June 2015

The lunar landing stage is usually divided into two parts: deorbit burn and powered descent phases. The optimal lunar landing problem is likely to be transformed to the trajectory design problem on the powered descent phase by using continuous thrusters. The optimal lunar landing trajectories in general have variety in shape, and the lunar lander frequently increases its altitude at the initial time to obtain enough time to reduce the horizontal velocity. Due to the increment in the altitude, the lunar lander requires more fuel for lunar landing missions. In this work, a hybrid engine for the lunar landing mission is introduced, and an optimal lunar landing strategy for the hybrid engine is suggested. For this approach, it is assumed that the lunar lander retrofired the impulsive thruster to reduce the horizontal velocity rapidly at the initiated time on the powered descent phase. Then, the lunar lander reduced the total velocity and altitude for the lunar landing by using the continuous thruster. In contradistinction to other formal optimal lunar landing problems, the initial horizontal velocity and mass are not fixed at the start time. The initial free optimal control theory is applied, and the optimal initial value and lunar landing trajectory are obtained by simulation studies.
Characteristics of Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma Patients with Long Survival: Prognostic Significance of Skin Lesions and Possible Beneficial Role of Valproic Acid
Authors: Yves Plumelle , Stephane Michel , Rishika Banydeen , Christine Delaunay , Gérard Panelatti
Published: June 2015

We describe the clinical and biological features of ten patients with a survival superior to ten years (long survival), out of 175 patients diagnosed with Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma (ATL) in Martinique (1983–2013). There were 5 lymphoma and 5 chronic subtypes. Five of them (3 chronic, 2 lymphoma) had been treated with valproic acid (VA) for neurological disorders developed before or after ATL diagnosis, suggesting a beneficial role for VA as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI) in ATL treatment. Total duration of uninterrupted VA treatment ranged from 8 to 37 years. Overall, the 175 incident ATL cases presented with a median survival of 5.43 months. The five VA-treated (VA+) patients presented with longer survival compared to VA treatment-free patients (VA−). For chronic subtypes, survival periods were of 213 months for 3 VA+ patients and of 33 months for 11 VA− patients (p=0.023). For lymphoma subtypes, survival periods were of 144 months for 2 VA+ patients versus 6 months for 49 VA− patients (p=0.0046). ATL cases with skin lesions, particularly lymphoma subtypes, had a longer survival (13.96 months) compared to those without skin lesions (6.06 months, p=0.002). Eight out of the 10 patients presenting with long survival had skin lesions.
Potential Mechanisms Responsible for the Antinephrolithic Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Fructus Aurantii
Authors: Li Xiaoran , Liang Qiang , Sun Yunji , Diao Long , Qin Ze , Wang Wei , Lu Jianzhong , Fu Shengjun , Ma Baoliang , Yue Zhongjin
Published: June 2015

The potential effects of Fa extract on the prevention and treatment of CaOx nephrolithiasis were analyzed in an ethylene glycol- (EG-) induced CaOx crystallization model in rats and anin vitroassay. Multiple biochemical variables were measured in the urine and kidney. Kidney sections were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. Urolithiasis-related osteopontin (OPN) was evaluated by Western blotting. Thein vitroassay revealed the significant inhibition of crystal formation (3.50±1.43) and dilution of formed crystals (12.20±3.35) in the group treated with 1 mg/mL Fa extract compared with the control group (52.30±4.71and53.00±4.54, resp.) (p<0.05). Thein vivoexperiments showed that prophylactic treatment with Fa aqueous extract significantly prevented EG-induced renal crystallization and pathological alterations compared with nephrolithic rats (p<0.05). Significantly lower levels of oxidative stress, oxalate, and OPN expression as well as increased citrate and urine output levels were observed in both the low- and high-dose prophylactic groups (p<0.05). However, in the low- and high-dose therapeutic groups, none of these indexes were significantly improved (p>0.05) except for urinary oxalate in the high-dose therapeutic groups (p<0.05). Fa extract prevented CaOx crystallization and promoted crystal dissolutionin vitro. Additionally, it was efficacious in preventing the formation of CaOx nephrolithiasis in rats.
Mixed-Mode Oscillations in Nonautonomous Modified Chua’s Circuit
Authors: Ji Ying , Hua Tingting , Wang Yawei
Published: June 2015

A nonautonomous system revised from Chua’s circuit with a cubic nonlinearity which could exhibit slow-fast effect is investigated in this paper. Inspired by slow-fast dynamical analysis, the external excitation is considered as a modulation parameter, which changes slowly and periodically. By introducing “transformed phase space,” bifurcation analysis of typical periodic mixed-mode oscillations induced by periodic excitation has been described to reveal the associated dynamical mechanisms.
Performance Analysis of Multihop AF Relaying Systems in the Presence of Cochannel Interferences
Authors: Mou Weifeng , Fang Fang , Xu Xiaoming , Yang Weiwei , Cai Yueming
Published: June 2015

This paper investigates the performance of N-hop ([Formula: see text]) amplify-and-forward (AF) relaying systems with both relays and the destination subject to independent and not necessarily identically distributed multiple cochannel interferences (CCIs). Based on a new class of upper bound of the equivalent signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) which is the harmonic mean of the minimum of the first [Formula: see text] hop SIRs and the minimum of the remaining [Formula: see text] hop SIRs, new approximate closed-form expressions of the outage probability and the ergodic capacity are derived. Furthermore, we derive the asymptotic expression of outage probability which accurately reveals the achievable coding gain and diversity gain. Finally, numerical results validate the correctness of the derived expressions.
Perspectives on the Market Globalization of Korean Herbal Manufacturers: A Company-Based Survey
Authors: Kim Dongsu , Ahn Miyoung , Jung Jeeyoun , Kwon Soohyun , Park Eun-Ji , Koo Ki Hoon , Woo Jong-Min
Published: June 2015

The growth of herbal markets has increased substantially in South Korea, but the worldwide market share remains small despite significant governmental efforts. This study aimed to characterize manufacturing employment and identify employees’ general perceptions of market expansion. A survey study covering 567 companies was conducted using face-to-face interviews in 2012. Data were analyzed using comparisons among three manufacturing groups (i.e., the herbal dietary supplement manufacturing group, the herbal medicine manufacturing group, and the personal care product manufacturing group) or among the manufacturers themselves. We found that the majority of the manufacturing employee respondents were regular permanent and production workers. The domestic distributors were primarily chain stores/direct outlets or retailers/wholesalers, and the dominant product was red ginseng (hongsam). Although the responding companies exhibited a variety of perspectives, “advertisement/public relations” was cited as the most important factor in the development of the herbal industry. In contrast, “low manpower/seeking business partners” were the most crucial limiting and challenging factors for market globalization. Our results can be used to design a proper national plan by reducing the gaps in perspective between herbal product producers and policy makers.
Kingella kingaeCausing Septic Arthritis of the Knee in anImmunocompetentAdult
Authors: Ricketts J. , Rehmatullah N. N. T. , Sutton P.
Published: June 2015

The bacteriumKingella kingaeis a species of Gram-negative coccobacillus usually found in the oropharynx. This is an emerging pathogen reported to cause bacteraemia, endocarditis, and osteoarticular infections in children and endocarditis in the immunocompromised adult. However, there are few cases of isolated joint infections reported in the immunocompetent adult. Due to specific isolation techniques required, delay in diagnosis can compromise patient outcome. We report a rare case of septic arthritis of the knee in an immunocompetent adult caused byK. kingae.
Network Coding-Based Real-Time Retransmission Scheme in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Zhu Chang , Zhu Yanqin , Li Lingzhi
Published: June 2015

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), wireless links are unreliable and sensor nodes may be in sleep mode. Thus, many applications which require reliable broadcast cannot work properly if they lost some packets. In order to make sure every sensor node in the network receives all packets completely and correctly, retransmission of lost packets is indispensable. Many retransmission methods with network coding have been proposed but they do not catch coding opportunity. In this paper, real-time retransmission algorithm based on network coding (NCRR) is proposed to make the average number of transmissions as less as possible. During the transmission of original packets, we detect whether a certain time slot is suitable for retransmitting a coded packet based on recovery ratio. We analyze the number of transmissions with traditional retransmission and with network coding. Compared with existing approaches, simulation results show that our algorithm can effectively reduce the average number of transmissions and improve the transmission efficiency.
Elevated Urinary Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Diabetic Nephropathy Is Caused by Local Production and Tubular Dysfunction
Authors: Gerritsen Karin G. F. , Leeuwis Jan Willem , Koeners Maarten P. , Bakker Stephan J. L. , van Oeveren Willem , Aten Jan , Tarnow Lise , Rossing Peter , Wetzels Jack F. M. , Joles Jaap A. , Kok Robbert Jan , Goldschmeding Roel , Nguyen Tri Q.
Published: June 2015

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; CCN2) plays a role in the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Urinary CTGF (uCTGF) is elevated in DN patients and has been proposed as a biomarker for disease progression, but it is unknown which pathophysiological factors contribute to elevated uCTGF. We studied renal handling of CTGF by infusion of recombinant CTGF in diabetic mice. In addition, uCTGF was measured in type 1 DN patients and compared with glomerular and tubular dysfunction and damage markers. In diabetic mice, uCTGF was increased and fractional excretion (FE) of recombinant CTGF was substantially elevated indicating reduced tubular reabsorption. FE of recombinant CTGF correlated with excretion of endogenous CTGF. CTGF mRNA was mainly localized in glomeruli and medullary tubules. Comparison of FE of endogenous and recombinant CTGF indicated that 60% of uCTGF had a direct renal source, while 40% originated from plasma CTGF. In DN patients, uCTGF was independently associated with markers of proximal and distal tubular dysfunction and damage. In conclusion, uCTGF in DN is elevated as a result of both increased local production and reduced reabsorption due to tubular dysfunction. We submit that uCTGF is a biomarker reflecting both glomerular and tubulointerstitial hallmarks of diabetic kidney disease.
CompartmentalizedHistoplasma capsulatumInfection of the Central Nervous System
Authors: Eid Albert J. , Leever John D. , Husmann Kathrin
Published: June 2015

Background. Histoplasmosis is a common fungal infection in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, and central states; however, its presentation can be atypical.Case Presentation. We report a case ofHistoplasma capsulatuminfection presenting as slowly progressive weakness in the lower extremities, followed by the development of numbness below the midthoracic area, urinary incontinence, and slurred speech. Brain MRI showed leptomeningeal enhancement, predominantly linear, involving the basal cisterns, the brainstem, and spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis.Discussion. CNS histoplasmosis is usually seen in patients with disseminated histoplasmosis. Isolated CNS histoplasmosis is rarely seen, especially in immunocompetent patients.Conclusions. Histoplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients experiencing slowly progressive neurological deficit.
Neural Network-Based Adaptive Backstepping Control for Hypersonic Flight Vehicles with Prescribed Tracking Performance
Authors: Guoqiang Zhu , Jinkun Liu
Published: June 2015

An adaptive neural control scheme is proposed for a class of generic hypersonic flight vehicles. The main advantages of the proposed scheme include the following: (1) a new constraint variable is defined to generate the virtual control that forces the tracking error to fall within prescribed boundaries; (2) RBF NNs are employed to compensate for complex and uncertain terms to solve the problem of controller complexity; (3) only one parameter needs to be updated online at each design step, which significantly reduces the computational burden. It is proved that all signals of the closed-loop system are uniformly ultimately bounded. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
A Low-Complexity Block Diagonalization Algorithm for MU-MIMO Two-Way Relay Systems with Complex Lattice Reduction
Authors: Xiao Lin , Liu Shengen , Yang Dingcheng
Published: June 2015

We design a scheme of precoding matrices for two-way multiuser relay systems, where a multiantenna relay station (RS) operating in an amplify-and-forward model simultaneously receives information from all multiple-antenna users. Considering the feasibility in mathematical analysis, users are distributed in two symmetrical groups. To reduce the complexity of proposed precoding scheme, we employ the QR decomposition and complex lattice reduction (CLR) transform to replace the two times singular value decomposition (SVD) of conventional BD-based precoding algorithm by introducing a combined channel inversion to eliminate the multiple users interference (MUI). Simulation and performance analysis demonstrate that the proposed LR-MMSE algorithm has not only a better bit error rate (BER) performance, a higher sum-rate, and simple architecture, but also 89.8% and 35.5% less complexity compared to BD- and MMSE-based scheme.
Clinical Efficiency of Two Sequences of Orthodontic Wires to Correct Crowding of the Lower Anterior Teeth
Authors: Maria de Castro Serafim Cláudia , de Araújo Gurgel Júlio , Mota Tiago Carollyne , Rodolfo de Jesus Tavarez Rudys , Matos Maia Filho Etevaldo
Published: June 2015

This study compared time to correction of mandibular anterior crowding using two arch wire sequences, one with conventional nickel‐titanium (NiTi) arch wires and the other with conventional and NiTi heat‐activated arch wires. Twenty‐two boys and girls (mean age: 16.68 ± 2.66) with moderate crowding (3–6 mm) were assigned randomly to one of two groups and followed up for five months (six assessments) when arch wires were changed. Time to crowding correction was analyzed statistically using the Kaplan‐Meier method. Data were collected during the five‐month follow‐up, and time to correction was compared between groups using the log rank test. At the end of follow‐up, mandibular crowding was corrected in 100% of the cases in the group treated with the sequence that included NiTi heat‐activated arch wires, whereas about 30% of those treated with NiTi arch wires were not completely corrected. There was a significant difference in time to complete treatment between groups (log rank = 5.996; p < 0.05). In the group treated with the sequence that included heat‐activated wires, alignment and leveling of mandibular anterior teeth were completed earlier than in the group treated only with conventional NiTi arch wires. Clinical trial registration is found at RBR-7g5zng.
Can the Outputs of LGN Y-Cells Support Emotion Recognition? A Computational Study
Authors: De Cesarei Andrea , Codispoti Maurizio
Published: June 2015

It has been suggested that emotional visual input is processed along both a slower cortical pathway and a faster subcortical pathway which comprises the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), the superior colliculus, the pulvinar, and finally the amygdala. However, anatomical as well as functional evidence concerning the subcortical route is lacking. Here, we adopt a computational approach in order to investigate whether the visual representation that is achieved in the LGN may support emotion recognition and emotional response along the subcortical route. In four experiments, we show that the outputs of LGN Y-cells support neither facial expression categorization nor the same/different expression matching by an artificial classificator. However, the same classificator is able to perform at an above chance level in a statistics-based categorization of scenes containing animals and scenes containing people and of light and dark patterns. It is concluded that the visual representation achieved in the LGN is insufficient to allow for the recognition of emotional facial expression.