bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Existence and Uniqueness of Solution of Generalized Capillarity Problem
Authors: Wei Li , Duan Liling , Zhou Haiyun
Published: December 2012

By using the perturbation theories on sums of ranges of nonlinear accretive mappings of Calvert and Gupta (1978), the abstract result on the existence and uniqueness of the solution in Lp(Ω) of the generalized Capillarity equation with nonlinear Neumann boundary value conditions, where 2N/(N + 1) < p < +∞ and
N(≥1) denotes the dimension of RN, is studied. The equation discussed in this paper and the methods here are a continuation of and a complement to the previous corresponding results. To obtain the results, some new techniques are used in this paper.
Deep Vein Thrombosis, Raynaud's Phenomenon, and Prinzmetal Angina in a Patient with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia
Authors: Nurden Alan , Mercié Patrick , Zely Pascal , Nurden Paquita
Published: December 2012

Patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia fail to form large platelet thrombi due to mutations that affect the biosynthesis and/or function of theαIIbβ3 integrin. The result is a moderate to severe bleeding syndrome. We now report unusual vascular behaviour in a 55-year-old woman with classic type I disease (with no plateletαIIbβ3 expression) and a homozygousITGA2Bmissense mutation (E324K) affecting the terminalβ-propeller domain ofαIIb. While exhibiting classic bleeding symptoms as a child, in later life this woman first developed deep vein thrombosis after a long air flight then showed vascular problems characteristic of Raynaud’s phenomenon, and finally this year she presented with chest pains suggestive of coronary heart disease. Yet while coronary angiography first showed a stenosis, this was not seen on a second examination when she was diagnosed with coronary spastic angina and Prinzmetal phenomenon. It is significant that the absence of platelet aggregation with physiologic agonists had not prevented any of the above cardiovascular or vascular diseases.
Management of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Laryngeal and Hypopharyngeal Cancer
Authors: Granell Jose , Garrido Laura , Millas Teresa , Gutierrez-Fonseca Raimundo
Published: December 2012

On considering a function-preserving treatment for laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer, swallowing is a capital issue. For most of the patients, achieving an effective and safe deglutition will mark the difference between a functional and a dysfunctional outcome. We present an overview of the management of dysphagia in head and neck cancer patients. A brief review on the normal physiology of swallowing is mandatory to analyze next the impact of head and neck cancer and its treatment on the anatomic and functional foundations of deglutition. The approach proposed underlines two leading principles: a transversal one, that is, the multidisciplinary approach, as clinical aspects to be managed in the oncologic patient with oropharyngeal dysphagia are diverse, and a longitudinal one; that is, the concern for preserving a functional swallow permeates the whole process of the diagnosis and treatment, with interventions required at multiple levels. We further discuss the clinical reports of two patients who underwent a supracricoid laryngectomy, a function-preserving surgical technique that particularly disturbs the laryngeal mechanics, and in which swallowing rehabilitation dramatically conditions the functional results.
An Unusual Case of Madelung's Disease with Multiple Atypical Fractures
Authors: Tufan Abdurrahman , Mercan Ridvan , Kaya Arif , Tezcan Mehmet Engin , Bitik Berivan , Ozturk Mehmet Akif , Haznedaroğlu Seminur , Goker Berna
Published: December 2012

Madelung's disease is a rare acquired disorder of fat metabolism characterized by multiple symmetric lipomas with typical distribution mainly around the upper trunk, neck, and shoulders. The condition is strongly associated with chronic alcohol use and has various systemic manifestations like polyneuropathy, muscle weakness, and small bone fractures. Herein, we report a 56-year-old male patient with Madelung's disease and multiple fractures and discuss possible underlying factors leading to multiple fractures.
Omega-3 Status and the Relationship between Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Suspected Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Borgeraas Heidi , Strand Elin , Ringdal Pedersen Eva , Dierkes Jutta , Ueland Per Magne , Seifert Reinhard , Wilberg Eirik Rebnord , Bohov Pavol , Berge Rolf K. , Nilsen Dennis W. T. , Nygård Ottar
Published: December 2012

Background. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. A previous rat study revealed an ADMA lowering effect following treatment with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). We sought to examine if an association between plasma ADMA and risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was modified by serum n-3 PUFA status.Methods. The cohort included 1364 patients who underwent coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease in 2000-2001. Fatal and nonfatal AMI events were registered until December 31, 2006. Risk associations with AMI were estimated across ADMA quartiles (linear trend) and the upper decile.Results. No association between concentration of any n-3 PUFA and ADMA was observed. Only ADMA levels in upper decile were significantly associated with AMI with a multivariate adjusted hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) versus the rest of the population of 2.11 (1.34, 3.32). The association was strengthened among patients with below median levels ofα-linolenic acid (ALA) (HR 3.12 (1.64, 5.93)), but was only influenced by longer chain n-3 PUFA after additional adjustments for HbA1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and hypercholesterolemia.Conclusions. The association of ADMA with risk of AMI is influenced by serum n-3 PUFA and particularly ALA.
Temperature Dependence of the Tilt Angle for the Smectic A-Smectic Transition in a Mixture of C7-70PDOB Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals near the Tricritical Point
Authors: Kurt Mustafa , Yurtseven Hamit
Published: December 2012

The temperature dependence of the tilt angle is studied in the smectic phase near the smectic A-smectic tricritical point for a mixture of 70PD0B in the ferroelectric liquid crystal C7 (). The mean-field models with the biquadratic ( is the spontaneous polarization) and (bilinear) coupling terms in the free energy expansion are used to analyze the experimental data for the tilt angle in this binary mixture. From our analysis, the coefficients given in the free energy expansion of the mean-field models are determined. Our results show that the mean-field theory explains adequately the observed behaviour of the C7-70PD0B mixture near the tricritical point.
Geoneutrinos
Authors: Šrámek Ondřej , McDonough William F. , Learned John G.
Published: December 2012

Neutrino geophysics is an emerging interdisciplinary field with the potential to map the abundances and distribution of radiogenic heat sources in the continental crust and deep Earth. To date, data from two different experiments quantify the amount of Th and U in the Earth and begin to put constraints on radiogenic power in the Earth available for driving mantle convection and plate tectonics. New improved detectors are under construction or in planning stages. Critical testing of compositional models of the Earth requires integrating geoneutrino and geological observations. Such tests will lead to significant constraints on the absolute and relative abundances of U and Th in the continents. High radioactivity in continental crust puts limits on land-based observatories' capacity to resolve mantle models with current detection methods. Multiple-site measurement in oceanic areas away from continental crust and nuclear reactors offers the best potential to extract mantle information. Geophysics would benefit from directional detection and the detectability of electron antineutrinos from potassium decay.
Predicting Mathematical Performance: The Effect of Cognitive Processes and Self-Regulation Factors
Authors: Musso Mariel , Kyndt Eva , Cascallar Eduardo , Dochy Filip
Published: December 2012

A substantial number of research studies have investigated the separate influence of working memory, attention, motivation, and learning strategies on mathematical performance and self-regulation in general. There is still little understanding of their impact on performance when taken together, understanding their interactions, and how much each of them contributes to the prediction of mathematical performance. With the emergence of new methodologies and technologies, such as the modelling with predictive systems, it is now possible to study these effects with approaches which use a wide range of data, including student characteristics, to estimate future performance without the need of traditional testing (Boekaerts and Cascallar, 2006). This research examines the different cognitive patterns and complex relations between cognitive variables, motivation, and background variables associated with different levels of mathematical performance using artificial neural networks (ANNs). A sample of 800 entering university students was used to develop three ANN models to identify the expected future level of performance in a mathematics test. These ANN models achieved high degree of precision in the correct classification of future levels of performance, showing differences in the pattern of relative predictive weight amongst those variables. The impact on educational quality, improvement, and accountability is highlighted.
The Mathematical Study of Pest Management Strategy
Authors: Fu Jinbo , Wang Yanzhen
Published: December 2012

The theory of impulsive state feedback control is used to establish a mathematical model in the pest management strategy. Then, the qualitative analysis of the mathematical model was provided. Here, a successor function in the geometry theory of differential equations is used to prove the sufficient conditions for uniqueness of the 1‐periodic solution. It proved the orbital asymptotic stability of the periodic solution. In addition, numerical analysis is used to discuss the application significance of the mathematical model in the pest management strategy.
Beneficial Effect of Shikonin on Experimental Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium in Balb/C Mice
Authors: Andújar Isabel , Ríos José Luis , Giner Rosa María , Miguel Cerdá José , Recio María del Carmen
Published: December 2012

The naphthoquinone shikonin, a major component of the root ofLithospermum erythrorhizon, now is studied as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Acute UC was induced in Balb/C mice by oral administration of 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The disease activity index was evaluated, and a histologic study was carried out. Orally administered shikonin reduces induced UC in a dose-dependent manner, preventing the shortening of the colorectum and decreasing weight loss by 5% while improving the appearance of feces and preventing bloody stools. The disease activity index score was much lower in shikonin-treated mice than in the colitic group, as well as the myeloperoxidase activity. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was reduced by 75%, activation of NF-κB was reduced by 44%, and that of pSTAT-3 by 47%, as well as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 production. Similar results were obtained in primary macrophages culture. This is the first report of shikonin’s ability to attenuate acute UC induced by DSS. Shikonin acts by blocking the activation of two major targets: NF-κB and STAT-3, and thus constitutes a promising potential therapeutic agent for the management of the inflammatory bowel disease.
Primitive Zero‐Symmetric Sign Pattern Matrices with Zero Diagonal Attaining the Maximum Base
Authors: Zhang Ling , Huang Ting-Zhu , Li Zhongshan
Published: December 2012

The base set of primitive zero‐symmetric sign pattern matrices with zero diagonal is {1, 2, …, 2n − 1}. In this paper, the primitive zero‐symmetric sign pattern matrices with zero diagonal attaining the maximal base 2n − 1 are characterized.
Herbal Medicine in Primary Healthcare in Germany: The Patient's Perspective
Authors: Joos Stefanie , Glassen Katharina , Musselmann Berthold
Published: December 2012

Herbal medicine (HM) is one of the most widely used Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies throughout the world. The WHO has recognized HM as an essential component of primary healthcare. The aim of this study was to explore patients' attitudes towards using HM, their sources of information and the role of costs. Within a qualitative research approach, semi-standardized interviews with 18 patients using HM were conducted and analyzed according to Mayring's content analysis. Patients highlighted their active role and perceived autonomy choosing HM. Most interviewees experienced HM as better, with more sustainable effects and fewer side effects compared to conventional medicine. All media, family, friends, and healthcare professionals were reported as sources of information. Some patients complained that doctors and pharmacists have insufficient knowledge of HM. Most patients expressed their regret that HM is not reimbursed by statutory health insurances but also their general willingness to pay extra for HM. The main challenge for German primary care, besides the reintroduction of reimbursement, is the promotion of knowledge and skill development in HM. This is to ensure patient safety and work in partnership with patients. Appropriate strategies for education must be tailored to the specific needs of health professional groups.
Exponential Extinction of Nicholson′s Blowflies System with Nonlinear Density‐Dependent Mortality Terms
Authors: Wang Wentao
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a new generalized Nicholson’s blowflies system with patch structure and nonlinear density‐dependent mortality terms. Under appropriate conditions, we establish some criteria to guarantee the exponential extinction of this system. Moreover, we give two examples and numerical simulations to demonstrate our main results.
Uniqueness in Inverse Electromagnetic Conductive Scattering by Penetrable and Inhomogeneous Obstacles with a Lipschitz Boundary
Authors: Qu Fenglong
Published: December 2012

This paper is concerned with the problem of scattering of time‐harmonic electromagnetic
waves by a penetrable, inhomogeneous, Lipschitz obstacle covered with a thin layer of high
conductivity. The well posedness of the direct problem is established by the variational method. The
inverse problem is also considered in this paper. Under certain assumptions, a uniqueness result is
obtained for determining the shape and location of the obstacle and the corresponding surface parameter λ(x) from the knowledge of the near field data, assuming that the incident fields are electric
dipoles located on a large sphere with polarization p ∈ ℝ3. Our results extend those in the paper by F. Hettlich (1996) to the
case of inhomogeneous Lipschitz obstacles.
Phylogeny and Phylogeography ofMyrmica rubraComplex (Myrmicinae) in the Japanese Alps
Authors: Ueda Shouhei , Nozawa Taito , Matsuzuki Tetsuya , Seki Ryo-ichi , Shimamoto Shinya , Itino Takao
Published: December 2012

We investigated the genetic diversification of the mountain ant,Myrmica kotokui, in the Japanese Alps by using molecular phylogenetic analyses.Myrmica kotokuiis widely distributed in Japan, and in the central Japanese Alps it is found only between elevations of approximately 1000 to 2000 m. We hypothesized that genetically distinct clades of this ant species might inhabit different mountain ranges in central Japan. To test this hypothesis, we reconstructed a molecular phylogeny using the DNA sequences of the mitochondrialcytochrome oxidase Igene and the nuclearlong-wavelength rhodopsingene ofM. kotokuispecimens collected from six mountain ranges in the Japanese Alps. The phylogeny showed four highly differentiated clades. However, the correspondence between the clades and morphological species was a little confusing. Two clades were composed only ofM. kotokuispecimens, whereas the other two clades were composed of multispecies, suggesting the possibility of multispecies composition of putativeM. kotokui. The distribution pattern of these clades did not support our hypothesis of geographical differentiation, because two were distributed across all ranges, and a third was distributed in five of the six ranges. On the other hand, we found a pattern in the altitudinal distribution of the clades: one clade was distributed only at higher elevations, and the others were distributed at lower elevations. Thus, the ant clades do not show geographical segregation by mountain range, but they do show altitudinal differences.
Patient’s Knowledge and Attitude towards Tuberculosis in an Urban Setting
Authors: Tasnim Saria , Rahman Aminur , Hoque F. M. Anamul
Published: December 2012

Tuberculosis is a public health problem in Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge of TB patients about symptoms, ways of transmission and treatment of tuberculosis, and their perception of the illness. Between March and August 2008, 762 adult TB patients were interviewed at selected DOTS centre of Dhaka city. Male and female distribution was 55.6% and 44.4%, respectively. One quarter of them were illiterate, and more than half had extended family and live in a congested situation. Night fever was the most common symptom known (89.9%), and 56% were aware that it could spread through sneezing/coughing. Television was mentioned as a source of information about TB. The majority expressed a helping attitude towards other TB patients. Although most of them were positive about getting family support, 46.6% mentioned discrimination of separate utensils for food or drink. About 50.5% expressed increased sadness, 39.8% had fear of loss of job/wedges, and 21.4% felt socially neglected. Along with drug treatment the psychosocial reactions of TB patients should be addressed at DOTS centers for better control of the disease.
Potential Antiosteoporotic Agents from Plants: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Jia Min , Nie Yan , Cao Da-Peng , Xue Yun-Yun , Wang Jie-Si , Zhao Lu , Rahman Khalid , Zhang Qiao-Yan , Qin Lu-Ping
Published: December 2012

Osteoporosis is a major health hazard and is a disease of old age; it is a silent epidemic affecting more than 200 million people worldwide in recent years. Based on a large number of chemical and pharmacological research many plants and their compounds have been shown to possess antiosteoporosis activity. This paper reviews the medicinal plants displaying antiosteoporosis properties including their origin, active constituents, and pharmacological data. The plants reported here are the ones which are commonly used in traditional medical systems and have demonstrated clinical effectiveness against osteoporosis. Although many plants have the potential to prevent and treat osteoporosis, so far, only a fraction of these plants have been thoroughly investigated for their physiological and pharmacological properties including their mechanism of action. An attempt should be made to highlight plant species with possible antiosteoporosis properties and they should be investigated further to help with future drug development for treating this disease.
Some Curvature Conditions on a Para-Sasakian Manifold with Canonical Paracontact Connection
Authors: Acet Bilal Eftal , Kılıç Erol , Yüksel Perktaş Selcen
Published: December 2012

We study canonical paracontact connection on a para-Sasakian manifold. We prove that a Ricci-flat para-Sasakian manifold with respect to canonical paracontact connection is anη-Einstein manifold. We also investigate some properties of curvature tensor, conformal curvature tensor,W2-curvature tensor, concircular curvature tensor, projective curvature tensor, and pseudo-projective curvature tensor with respect to canonical paracontact connection on a para-Sasakian manifold. It is shown that a concircularly flat para-Sasakian manifold with respect to canonical paracontact connection is of constant scalar curvature. We give some characterizations for pseudo-projectively flat para-Sasakian manifolds.
Alumina and Hafnia ALD Layers for a Niobium-Doped Titanium Oxide Photoanode
Authors: Al Dahoudi Naji , Zhang Qifeng , Cao Guozhong
Published: December 2012

Niobium-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were used as a photoanode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs). They showed a high photocurrent density due to their higher conductivity; however, a low open-circuit voltage was exhibited due to the back-reaction of photogenerated electrons. Atomic layer deposition is a useful technique to form a conformal ultrathin layer of Al2O3and HfO, which act as an energy barrier to suppress the back electrons from reaching the redox medium. This resulted in an increase of the open-circuit voltage and therefore led to higher performance. HfO showed an improvement of the light-to-current conversion efficiency by 74%, higher than the 21% enhancement obtained by utilizing Al2O3layers.
A Comparison of Cholesterol Uptake and Storage in Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Martin Breonna J. , van Golen Kenneth L.
Published: December 2012

Although there are many subtypes of breast cancer, inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is arguably the deadliest. Research over the past decade has demonstrated that IBC is a distinct entity from other forms of breast cancer. Important risk factors that have been associated with the development of aggressive breast cancers, such as IBC, include obesity and diet, which are evident in the United States, where the overconsumption of high-fat foods continues to contribute to obesity in the nation. Here we investigate differences in cholesterol uptake and storage between IBC, non-IBC, and mammary epithelial cell lines. Our results demonstrate that compared with human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs), both IBC and non-IBC cells have increased cholesterol content. IBC cells retain intracellular cholesterol esters, free cholesterol, and triglycerides in lipid-deficient environments. In contrast, we observe in cell-type-of-origin-matched non-IBC a significant decrease in lipid content under the same lipid-deficient conditions. These data suggest that cholesterol storage may be affected by the cholesterol content of the environment where the tumor cell was isolated. Here, we suggest that breast cancer cells may migrate when they are unable to obtain cholesterol from their extracellular environments.
Advances in Haptics, Tactile Sensing, and Manipulation for Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery, Noninvasive Surgery, and Diagnosis
Authors: Hamed Abbi , Tang Sai Chun , Ren Hongliang , Squires Alex , Payne Chris , Masamune Ken , Tang Guoyi , Mohammadpour Javad , Tse Zion Tsz Ho
Published: December 2012

The developments of medical practices and medical technologies have always progressed concurrently. The relatively recent developments in endoscopic technologies have allowed the realization of the “minimally invasive” form of surgeries. The advancements in robotics facilitate precise surgeries that are often integrated with medical image guidance capability. This in turn has driven the further development of technology to compensate for the unique complexities engendered by this new format and to improve the performance and broaden the scope of the procedures that can be performed. Medical robotics has been a central component of this development due to the highly suitable characteristics that a robotic system can purport, including highly optimizable mechanical conformation and the ability to program assistive functions in medical robots for surgeons to perform safe and accurate minimally invasive surgeries. In addition, combining the robot-assisted interventions with touch-sensing and medical imaging technologies can greatly improve the available information and thus help to ensure that minimally invasive surgeries continue to gain popularity and stay at the focus of modern medical technology development. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of robotic systems for minimally invasive and noninvasive surgeries, precise surgeries, diagnoses, and their corresponding technologies.
A Review on Analysis and Synthesis of Nonlinear Stochastic Systems with Randomly Occurring Incomplete Information
Authors: Dong Hongli , Wang Zidong , Chen Xuemin , Gao Huijun
Published: December 2012

In the context of systems and control, incomplete information refers to a dynamical system in which knowledge about the system states is limited due to the difficulties in modeling complexity in a quantitative way. The well‐known types of incomplete information include parameter uncertainties and norm‐bounded nonlinearities. Recently, in response to the development of network technologies, the phenomenon of randomly occurring incomplete information has become more and more prevalent. Such a phenomenon typically appears in a networked environment. Examples include, but are not limited to, randomly occurring uncertainties, randomly occurring nonlinearities, randomly occurring saturation, randomly missing measurements and randomly occurring quantization. Randomly occurring incomplete information, if not properly handled, would seriously deteriorate the performance of a control system. In this paper, we aim to survey some recent advances on the analysis and synthesis problems for nonlinear stochastic systems with randomly occurring incomplete information. The developments of the filtering, control and fault detection problems are systematically reviewed. Latest results on analysis and synthesis of nonlinear stochastic systems are discussed in great detail. In addition, various distributed filtering technologies over sensor networks are highlighted. Finally, some concluding remarks are given and some possible future research directions are pointed out.
Graph Products and Its Applications in Mathematical Formulation of Structures
Authors: Nouri M. , Talatahari S. , Shamloo A. Salimi
Published: December 2012

The first step in the analysis of a structure is to generate its configuration. Different means are available for this purpose. The use of graph products is an example of such tools. In this paper, the use of product graphs is extended for the formation of different types of structural models. Here weighted graphs are used as the generators and the connectivity properties of different models are expressed in terms of the properties of their generators through simple algebraic relationships. In this paper by using graph product concepts and spatial structured matrices, a new algebraic closed form is proposed for mathematical formulation and presentation of structures. For clarification some examples are included.
Robotics for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery: A Review
Authors: Wang Xiaona , Meng Max Q.-H.
Published: December 2012

Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) involves accessing the abdominal cavity via one of the bodies’ natural orifices, for example, mouth, anus, or vagina. This new surgical procedure is very appealing from patients’ perspectives because it eliminates completely abdominal wall aggression and promises to reduce postoperative pain, in addition to all other advantages brought by laparoscopic surgery. However, the constraints imposed by both the mode of access and the limited technology currently available make NOTES very challenging for the surgeons. Redesign of the instruments is imperative in order to make this emerging operative access safe and reproducible. In this paper, we survey on the state-of-the-art devices used in NOTES and introduce both the flexible instruments based on improvement of current endoscopic platforms and the revolutionary concept of robotic platforms based on the convergence of communication and micromechatronics technologies. The advantages and limitations of each category are addressed. Potential solutions are proposed to improve the existing designs and develop robust and stable robotic platforms for NOTES.
Heterotopic Ossification: An Unusual Presentation
Authors: Patil Satish G. , Siddiqua Aaisha , Joshi Udupi Krishna , Deshmukh Pallavi K. , Patil Bindu S. , Mangalgi Anand
Published: December 2012

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is usually seen after-trauma, following traumatic injuries, surgeries involving major joints, neurogenic injury, and burns; however, atraumatic cases have also been reported. HO tends to cause pain, swelling, and limitation of joint movements. HO has been reported in adults as well as in pediatric cases, however, our search in the English literature has not revealed a single case in the infratemporal region, especially in children of developing age, where HO tends to affect the development and growth of adjacent bones. We are reporting a case of HO in close proximity to TMJ affecting the development of mandible and maxilla.
Efficacy and Side Effects of Chinese Herbal Medicine for Menopausal Symptoms: A Critical Review
Authors: Xu Lian-Wei , Jia Man , Salchow Roland , Kentsch Michael , Cui Xue-Jun , Deng Hong-Yong , Sun Zhuo-Jun , Kluwe Lan
Published: December 2012

This study evaluates 23 (9 Chinese and 14 non-Chinese) randomized controlled trials for efficacy and side effects of Chinese herbal medicine on menopausal symptoms. Menopause was diagnosed according to western medicine criteria in all studies while seven Chinese studies and one non-Chinese study further stratified the participants using traditional Chinese medical diagnosis “Zheng differentiation.” Efficacy was reported by all 9 Chinese and 9/14 non-Chinese papers. Side effects and adverse events were generally mild and infrequent. Only ten severe adverse events were reported, two with possible association with the therapy. CHM did not increase the endometrial thickness, a common side effect of hormone therapy. None of the studies investigated long-term side effects. Critical analysis revealed that (1) high-quality studies on efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine for menopausal syndrome are rare and have the drawback of lacking traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis (Zheng-differentiation). (2) Chinese herbal medicine may be effective for at least some menopausal symptoms while side effects are likely less than hormone therapy. (3) All these findings need to be confirmed in further well-designed comprehensive studies meeting the standard of evidence-based medicine and including Zheng-differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine.
Birth and Death Processes with Neutral Mutations
Authors: Champagnat Nicolas , Lambert Amaury , Richard Mathieu
Published: December 2012

We review recent results of ours concerning branching processes with general lifetimes and neutral mutations, under the infinitely many alleles model, where mutations can occur either at the birth of particles or at a constant rate during their lives. In both models, we study the allelic partition of the population at time t. We give closed-form formulae for the expected frequency spectrum at t and prove a pathwise convergence to an explicit limit, as t→+∞, of the relative numbers of types younger than some given age and carried by a given number of particles (small families). We also provide the convergences in distribution of the sizes or ages of the largest families and of the oldest families. In the case of exponential lifetimes, population dynamics are given by linear birth and death processes, and we can most of the time provide general formulations of our results unifying both models.
Hopfield Neural Networks with Unbounded Monotone Activation Functions
Authors: Tatar Nasser-eddine
Published: December 2012

For the Hopfield Neural Network problem we consider unbounded monotone nondecreasing activation functions. We prove convergence to zero in an exponential manner provided that we start with sufficiently small initial data.
“Trench Town Rock”: Reggae Music, Landscape Inscription, and the Making of Place in Kingston, Jamaica
Authors: Rhiney Kevon , Cruse Romain
Published: December 2012

This paper examines place inscriptions in Trench Town, Jamaica, and explores the ways these are used to reinforce, shape, or challenge dominant images of this inner-city community. On one hand, Trench Town is like many of its neighbouring communities, characterised by high levels of poverty, unemployment, political and gang violence, derelict buildings, and overcrowded homes. On the other hand, Trench Town is iconic and unique as it is recognised worldwide for being the birth place of reggae music and home to a number of well-known reggae artists including reggae superstar Bob Marley. Today, Trench Town’s landscape is filled with inscriptions reminiscent of its rich cultural past. Linked to this is a conscious effort by its residents to identify themselves with reggae music and to recapture and sustain the positive legacies that have made the community popular. This is manifested in the numerous murals, statues, and graffiti seen throughout the community evoking past images of reggae music icons such as Marley and Tosh alongside renowned black leaders such as Marcus Garvey. These inscriptions are conceived as texts and are seen as part of a broader discourse on issues relating to urban spatial identity, commoditisation, exclusion, struggle, resistance, and change.
γ-Secretase-Dependent Proteolysis of Transmembrane Domain of Amyloid Precursor Protein: Successive Tri- and Tetrapeptide Release in Amyloidβ-Protein Production
Authors: Takami Mako , Funamoto Satoru
Published: December 2012

γ-Secretase cleaves the carboxyl-terminal fragment (βCTF) of APP not only in the middle of the transmembrane domain (γ-cleavage), but also at sites close to the membrane/cytoplasm boundary (ε-cleavage), to produce the amyloidβprotein (Aβ) and the APP intracellular domain (AICD), respectively. The AICD49–99 and AICD50–99 species were identified as counterparts of the long Aβspecies Aβ48 and Aβ49, respectively. We found that Aβ40 and AICD50–99 were the predominant species in cells expressing wild-type APP and presenilin, whereas the production of Aβ42 and AICD49–99 was enhanced in cells expressing familial Alzheimer’s disease mutants of APP and presenilin. These long Aβspecies were identified in cell lysates and mouse brain extracts, which suggests thatε-cleavage is the first cleavage ofβCTF to produce Aβbyγ-secretase. Here, we review the progress of research on the mechanism underlying the proteolysis of the APP transmembrane domain based on tri- and tetrapeptide release.
Uniqueness and Multiplicity of a Prey‐Predator Model with Predator Saturation and Competition
Authors: Feng Xiaozhou , Li Lifeng
Published: December 2012

We investigate positive solutions of a prey‐predator model with
predator saturation and competition under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. First,
the existence of positive solutions and some sufficient and necessary conditions is established by
using the standard fixed point index theory in cones. Second, the changes of solution branches,
multiplicity, uniqueness, and stability of positive solutions are obtained by virtue of bifurcation
theory, perturbation theory of eigenvalues, and the fixed point index theory. Finally, the exact
number and type of positive solutions are proved when k or m converges to infinity.
Oxidative Stress and Immunosenescence: Therapeutic Effects of Melatonin
Authors: Espino Javier , Pariente José A. , Rodríguez Ana B.
Published: December 2012

Age-associated deterioration in the immune system, which is referred to as immunosenescence, contributes to an increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer in the elderly. A summary of major changes associated with aging in immune system is described in this paper. In general, immunosenescence is characterized by reduced levels of peripheral naïve T cells derived from thymus and the loss of immature B lineage cells in the bone marrow. As for macrophages and granulocytes, they show functional decline with advancing age as evidenced by their diminished phagocytic activity and impairment of superoxide generation. The indole melatonin is mainly secreted in the pineal gland although it has been also detected in many other tissues. As circulating melatonin decreases with age coinciding with the age-related decline of the immune system, much interest has been focused on melatonin’s immunomodulatory effect in recent years. Here, we underlie the antioxidant and immunoenhancing actions displayed by melatonin, thereby providing evidence for the potential application of this indoleamine as a “replacement therapy” to limit or reverse some of the effects of the changes that occur during immunosenescence.
Open Personal Identity as a Service
Authors: Behan Miroslav
Published: December 2012

The mobile computing established communication environment where personal identification is a key factor which influence usability of mobile application. Open personal identity is a partial service which enables crowd resource identifications processing in online distributive unified form over secured communication channel. The service provides current fresh personal identificators which are essential in communication process.
A Decomposable Branching Process in a Markovian Environment
Authors: Vatutin Vladimir , Dyakonova Elena , Jagers Peter , Sagitov Serik
Published: December 2012

A population has two types of individuals, with each occupying an island. One of those, where individuals of type 1 live, offers a variable environment. Type 2 individuals dwell on the other island, in a constant environment. Only one-way migration () is possible. We study then asymptotics of the survival probability in critical and subcritical cases.
Fault-Tolerant Control Strategy for Steering Failures in Wheeled Planetary Rovers
Authors: Carvalho Leite Alexandre , Schäfer Bernd , de OLiveira e Souza Marcelo Lopes
Published: December 2012

Fault-tolerant control design of wheeled planetary rovers is described. This paper covers all steps of the design process, from modeling/simulation to experimentation. A simplified contact model is used with a multibody simulation model and tuned to fit the experimental data. The nominal mode controller is designed to be stable and has its parameters optimized to improve tracking performance and cope with physical boundaries and actuator saturations. This controller was implemented in the real rover and validated experimentally. An impact analysis defines the repertory of faults to be handled. Failures in steering joints are chosen as fault modes; they combined six fault modes and a total of 63 possible configurations of these faults. The fault-tolerant controller is designed as a two-step procedure to provide alternative steering and reuse the nominal controller in a way that resembles a crab-like driving mode. Three fault modes are injected (one, two, and three failed steering joints) in the real rover to evaluate the response of the nonreconfigured and reconfigured control systems in face of these faults. The experimental results justify our proposed fault-tolerant controller very satisfactorily. Additional concluding comments and an outlook summarize the lessons learned during the whole design process and foresee the next steps of the research.
Periodic Solutions of a Type of Liénard Higher Order Delay Functional Differential Equation with Complex Deviating Argument
Authors: Wang Haiqing
Published: December 2012

The author has studied the existence of periodic solutions of a type
of higher order delay functional differential equations with neutral type by using the theory of
coincidence degree, and some new sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solutions have
been obtained.
Probable Mechanisms of Needling Therapies for Myofascial Pain Control
Authors: Chou Li-Wei , Kao Mu-Jung , Lin Jaung-Geng
Published: December 2012

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) has been defined as a regional pain syndrome characterized by muscle pain caused by myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) clinically. MTrP is defined as the hyperirritable spot in a palpable taut band of skeletal muscle fibers. Appropriate treatment to MTrPs can effectively relieve the clinical pain of MPS. Needling therapies, such as MTrP injection, dry needling, or acupuncture (AcP) can effectively eliminate pain immediately. AcP is probably the first reported technique in treating MPS patients with dry needling based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory. The possible mechanism of AcP analgesia were studied and published in recent decades. The analgesic effect of AcP is hypothesized to be related to immune, hormonal, and nervous systems. Compared to slow-acting hormonal system, nervous system acts in a faster manner. Given these complexities, AcP analgesia cannot be explained by any single mechanism. There are several principles for selection of acupoints based on the TCM principles: “Ah-Shi” point, proximal or remote acupoints on the meridian, and extra-meridian acupoints. Correlations between acupoints and MTrPs are discussed. Some clinical and animal studies of remote AcP for MTrPs and the possible mechanisms of remote effectiveness are reviewed and discussed.
Search for GeV-Scale Sterile Neutrinos Responsible for Active Neutrino Oscillations and Baryon Asymmetry of the Universe
Authors: Gninenko S. N. , Gorbunov D. S. , Shaposhnikov M. E.
Published: December 2012

Standard Model fails to explain neutrino oscillations, dark matter, and baryon asymmetry of the Universe. All these problems can be solved with three sterile neutrinos added to SM. Quite remarkably, if sterile neutrino masses are well below the electroweak scale, this modification—Neutrino Minimal Standard Model (νMSM)—can be tested experimentally. We discuss a new experiment on search for decays of GeV-scale sterile neutrinos, which are responsible for the matter-antimatter asymmetry generation and for the active neutrino masses. If lighter than 2 GeV, these particles can be produced in decays of charm mesons generated by high energy protons in a target, and subsequently decay into SM particles. To fully explore this sector ofνMSM, the new experiment requires data obtained with at least1020incident protons on target (achievable at CERN SPS in future) and a big volume detector constructed from a large amount of identical single modules, with a total sterile neutrino decay length of few kilometers. The preliminary feasibility study for the proposed experiment shows that it has sensitivity which may either lead to the discovery of new particles below the Fermi scale—right-handed partners of neutrinos—or rule out seesaw sterile neutrinos with masses below 2 GeV.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin D in Cardiology
Authors: Güttler Norbert , Zheleva Kirila , Parahuleva Mariana , Chasan Ridvan , Bilgin Mehmet , Neuhof Christiane , Burgazli Mehmet , Niemann Bernd , Erdogan Ali , Böning Andreas
Published: December 2012

Dietary modification and supplementation play an increasingly important role in the conservative treatment of cardiovascular disease. Current interest has focused on n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and vitamin D. Clinical trial results on this subject are contradictory in many aspects. Several studies indicate that n-3 PUFA consumption improves vascular and cardiac hemodynamics, triglycerides, and possibly endothelial function, autonomic control, inflammation, thrombosis, and arrhythmia. Experimental studies show effects on membrane structure and associated functions, ion channel properties, genetic regulation, and production of anti-inflammatory mediators. Clinical trials evaluating a possible reduction in cardiovascular disease by n-3 PUFA have shown different results. Supplementation of vitamin D is common regarding prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. But vitamin D also seems to have several effects on the cardiovascular system. Vitamin D deficiency appears to be related to an increase in parathyroid hormone levels and can predispose to essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, increased insulin resistance, and eventually to atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular events. Randomized prospective clinical trials are needed to determine whether vitamin D and omega-3 FA supplementation therapy should be recommended as a routine therapy for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The Neural Pathway of Reflex Regulation of Electroacupuncture at Orofacial Acupoints on Gastric Functions in Rats
Authors: Liu Jianhua , Fu Wenbin , Yi Wei , Xu Zhenhua , Xu Nenggui
Published: December 2012

Acupuncture has a reflex regulation in gastrointestinal functions, which is characterized with segment. In the present study, the neural pathway of electroacupuncture (EA) at orofacial acupoints (ST2) on gastric myoelectric activity (GMA) in rats was investigated. The results indicated that EA at ST2 facilitated spike bursts of GMA, which is similar to EA at limbs and opposite to EA at abdomen. The excitatory effect was abolished by the transaction of infraorbital nerves, dorsal vagal complex lesion, and vagotomy, respectively. In addition, microinjection of L-glutamate into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) attenuated the excitatory effect. All these data suggest that the dorsal vagal complex is involved in the reflex regulation of EA at orofacial acupoints on gastric functions and NTS-dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMV) inhibitory connections may be essential for it.
“Segmental Necrotizing Granulomatous Neuritis”: A Rare Manifestation of Hansen Disease—Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Jayalakshmy P. S. , Prasad P. H. , Kamala V. V. , Aswathy R. , Pratap Priya
Published: December 2012

Segmental necrotizing granulomatous neuritis (SNGN) is a rare condition affecting the nerves of Hansen disease patients. This is usually seen as a complication in association with the skin lesions of Hansen disease. Though very rare, it can also be the first presenting symptom of pure neuritic leprosy. We hereby report 2 cases of SNGN—one case of pure neuritic leprosy with initial presentation as SNGN and another, a treated case of borderline tuberculoid leprosy which relapsed with skin lesions and associated SNGN in the peripheral nerve.
Stochastic Inverse Identification of Nonlinear Roll Damping Moment of a Ship Moving at Nonzero‐Forward Speeds
Authors: Han S. L. , Kinoshita Takeshi
Published: December 2012

The nonlinear responses of ship rolling motion characterized by a roll damping moment are of great interest to naval architects and ocean engineers. Modeling and identification of the nonlinear damping moment are essential to incorporate the inherent nonlinearity in design, analysis, and control of a ship. A stochastic nonparametric approach for identification of nonlinear damping in the general mechanical system has been presented in the literature (Han and Kinoshits 2012). The method has been also applied to identification of the nonlinear damping moment of a ship at zero‐forward speed (Han and Kinoshits 2013). In the presence of forward speed, however, the characteristic of roll damping moment of a ship is significantly changed due to the lift effect. In this paper, the stochastic inverse method is applied to identification of the nonlinear damping moment of a ship moving at nonzero‐forward speed. The workability and validity of the method are verified with laboratory tests under controlled conditions. In experimental trials, two different types of ship rolling motion are considered: time‐dependent transient motion and frequency‐dependent periodic motion. It is shown that this method enables the inherent nonlinearity in damping moment to be estimated, including its reliability analysis.
The Asymptotic Behavior of a Stochastic Predator‐Prey System with Holling II Functional Response
Authors: Liu Zhenwen , Shi Ningzhong , Jiang Daqing , Ji Chunyan
Published: December 2012

We discuss a stochastic predator‐prey system with Holling II functional response. First, we show that this system has a unique positive solution as this is essential in any population dynamics model. Then, we deduce the conditions that there is a stationary distribution of the system, which implies that the system is permanent. At last, we give the conditions for the system that is going to be extinct.