bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular Involvement in Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Amaya-Amaya Jenny , Montoya-Sánchez Laura , Rojas-Villarraga Adriana
Published: July 2014

Autoimmune diseases (AD) represent a broad spectrum of chronic conditions that may afflict specific target organs or multiple systems with a significant burden on quality of life. These conditions have common mechanisms including genetic and epigenetics factors, gender disparity, environmental triggers, pathophysiological abnormalities, and certain subphenotypes. Atherosclerosis (AT) was once considered to be a degenerative disease that was an inevitable consequence of aging. However, research in the last three decades has shown that AT is not degenerative or inevitable. It is an autoimmune-inflammatory disease associated with infectious and inflammatory factors characterized by lipoprotein metabolism alteration that leads to immune system activation with the consequent proliferation of smooth muscle cells, narrowing arteries, and atheroma formation. Both humoral and cellular immune mechanisms have been proposed to participate in the onset and progression of AT. Several risk factors, known as classic risk factors, have been described. Interestingly, the excessive cardiovascular events observed in patients with ADs are not fully explained by these factors. Several novel risk factors contribute to the development of premature vascular damage. In this review, we discuss our current understanding of how traditional and nontraditional risk factors contribute to pathogenesis of CVD in AD.
δ-Cut Decision-Theoretic Rough Set Approach: Model and Attribute Reductions
Authors: Ju Hengrong , Dou Huili , Qi Yong , Yu Hualong , Yu Dongjun , Yang Jingyu
Published: July 2014

Decision-theoretic rough set is a quite useful rough set by introducing the decision cost into probabilistic approximations of the target. However, Yao’s decision-theoretic rough set is based on the classical indiscernibility relation; such a relation may be too strict in many applications. To solve this problem, aδ-cut decision-theoretic rough set is proposed, which is based on theδ-cut quantitative indiscernibility relation. Furthermore, with respect to criterions of decision-monotonicity and cost decreasing, two different algorithms are designed to compute reducts, respectively. The comparisons between these two algorithms show us the following: (1) with respect to the original data set, the reducts based on decision-monotonicity criterion can generate more rules supported by the lower approximation region and less rules supported by the boundary region, and it follows that the uncertainty which comes from boundary region can be decreased; (2) with respect to the reducts based on decision-monotonicity criterion, the reducts based on cost minimum criterion can obtain the lowest decision costs and the largest approximation qualities. This study suggests potential application areas and new research trends concerning rough set theory.
Progress and Prospects in Human Genetic Research into Age-Related Hearing Impairment
Authors: Uchida Yasue , Sugiura Saiko , Sone Michihiko , Ueda Hiromi , Nakashima Tsutomu
Published: July 2014

Age-related hearing impairment (ARHI) is a complex, multifactorial disorder that is attributable to confounding intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The degree of impairment shows substantial variation between individuals, as is also observed in the senescence of other functions. This individual variation would seem to refute the stereotypical view that hearing deterioration with age is inevitable and may indicate that there is ample scope for preventive intervention. Genetic predisposition could account for a sizable proportion of interindividual variation. Over the past decade or so, tremendous progress has been made through research into the genetics of various forms of hearing impairment, including ARHI and our knowledge of the complex mechanisms of auditory function has increased substantially. Here, we give an overview of recent investigations aimed at identifying the genetic risk factors involved in ARHI and of what we currently know about its pathophysiology. This review is divided into the following sections: (i) genes causing monogenic hearing impairment with phenotypic similarities to ARHI; (ii) genes involved in oxidative stress, biologic stress responses, and mitochondrial dysfunction; and (iii) candidate genes for senescence, other geriatric diseases, and neurodegeneration. Progress and prospects in genetic research are discussed.
Prevalence of Psychiatric Morbidities in Acute Coronary Heart Disease
Authors: Shoja shafti Saeed
Published: July 2014

Introduction. Psychiatric problems and stresses may deteriorate the prognosis of patients with IHD. So evaluating their frequency possibly will promote our perspective regarding their vital importance in the field of consultation-liaison psychiatry. Method and Materials. One hundred and one (101) patients with IHD were interviewed in CCU of a general hospital by a psychiatrist to find whether there was any relationship between cardiac events and psychiatric problems or stresses. Results. Cardiac events were significantly more prevalent among patients with both psychiatric problems and biological risk factors (P<0.05). Also, the number of patients suffering from psychiatric problems was significantly more than cases without that (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between male and female patients regarding the type of stress (P<0.01). 79% of total stresses were experienced by patients who had as well psychiatric problems (P<0.0001). In addition, there was significantly more dysthymic disorder in the acute group of patients in comparison with major or minor depressive disorder in the chronic group (P<0.001). Conclusion. The high prevalence of psychiatric problems and psychosocial stresses among patients with IHD deserves sufficient attention by clinicians for detection, monitoring, and management of them.
Reducing the Cost of Laparoscopy: Reusable versus Disposable Laparoscopic Instruments
Authors: Manatakis Dimitrios K. , Georgopoulos Nikolaos
Published: July 2014

Cost-effectiveness in health care management is critical. The situation in debt-stricken Greece is further aggravated by the financial crisis and constant National Health System expense cut-downs. In an effort to minimize the cost of laparoscopy, our department introduced reusable laparoscopic instruments in December 2011. The aim of this study was to assess potential cost reduction of laparoscopic operations in the field of general surgery. Hospital records, invoice lists, and operative notes between January 2012 and December 2013, were retrospectively reviewed and data were collected on laparoscopic procedures, instrument failures, and replacement needs. Initial acquisition cost of 5 basic instrument sets was €21,422. Over the following 24 months, they were used in 623 operations, with a total maintenance cost of €11,487. Based on an average retail price of €490 per set, projected cost with disposable instruments would amount to €305,270, creating savings of €272,361 over the two-year period under study. Despite the seemingly high purchase price, each set amortized its acquisition cost after only 9 procedures and instrument cost depreciated to less than €55 per case. Disposable instruments cost 9 times more than reusable ones, and their high price would almost equal the total hospital reimbursement by social security funds for many common laparoscopic procedures.
Effect of Prenatal Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure on Birth Outcomes: The Polish Mother and Child Cohort Study
Authors: Polanska Kinga , Dettbarn Gerhard , Jurewicz Joanna , Sobala Wojciech , Magnus Per , Seidel Albrecht , Hanke Wojciech
Published: July 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of PAH exposure on various anthropometric measures of birth outcomes. The study population consisted of 210 nonsmoking pregnant women. Urine samples collected between 20th and 24th week of pregnancy were used for analysis of the following PAH metabolites: 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 9-OH-PHE), 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR), 1,6 + 1,8-dihydroxypyrene (DI-OH-PYR), phenanthrenetrans-1,2-dihydrodiol (PHE-1,2-diol), and phenanthrenetrans-9,10-dihydrodiol (PHE-9,10-diol) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) was assessed by cotinine level in saliva using a stable isotope dilution LC-ESI-MS/MS method. The mean PAH metabolite concentrations were in the range of 0.15 µg/g creatinine for 9-OH-PHE to 5.9 µg/g creatinine for PHE-9,10-diol. It was shown that none of the individual PAH exposure markers demonstrate a statistically significant influence on birth outcomes. Interestingly a statistically significant association was found between the sum of OH-PHE along with cotinine level and the cephalization index after adjusting for potential confounders (P=0.04). This study provides evidence that combined exposure of pregnant women to common environmental pollutants such as PAH and ETS might adversely affect fetal development. Thus, reduction of human exposure to these mixtures of hazardous compounds would in particular result in substantial health benefits for newborns.
Iranian Patients Require More Pertinent Care to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Complications
Authors: Shaghaghi Abdolreza , Ahmadi Ali , Matlabi Hossein
Published: July 2014

Background. Accurate care of patients with type 2 diabetes may reduce risk of complications. This study was conducted to envisage current status of cares that are provided for a sample of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes and highlight the domains that need to be focused on in the country’s national type 2 diabetes care program.Methods. Behavioral risk factors and diabetes related complications were investigated among 234 randomly selected type 2 diabetic patients residing in the city of Khoy, Northwest of Iran. Data were collected by a semistructured questionnaire in face to face or telephone interview. Proportions and confidence intervals of the observed difference were calculated by the Confidence Interval Analysis (CIA) software version 2.2.0.Results. Diabetes complications were evident amongst 67.2% of the patients. Inappropriate dietary pattern, insufficient physical activity, and anxiety were reported by 26.5%, 74.8%, and 69.7% of the respondents. Quality of life was reported to be affected in 94.6% of the respondents but its burden was significantly greater in females (P< 0.001, 95% CI of the difference: −0.75 to −0.53).Conclusions. The findings reflect discrepancies in providing the required care for the studied Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes to prevent their disease’s complications.
Kinetics of Mushroom Tyrosinase and Melanogenesis Inhibition byN-Acetyl-pentapeptides
Authors: Lien Ching-Yi , Chen Ching-Yu , Lai Shih-Ting , Chan Chin-Feng
Published: July 2014

We investigated the kinetics of 4N-acetyl-pentapeptides, Ac-P1, Ac-P2, Ac-P3, and Ac-P4, regarding inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity. The peptides sequences of Ac-P1, Ac-P2, Ac-P3, and Ac-P4 were Ac-RSRFK, Ac-KSRFR, Ac-KSSFR, and Ac-RSRFS, respectively. The 4N-acetyl-pentapeptides were able to reduce the oxidation ofL-DOPA by tyrosinase in a dose-dependent manner. Of the 4N-acetyl-pentapeptides, only Ac-P4 exhibited lag time (80 s) at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. The tyrosinase inhibitory effects of Ac-P4 (IC500.29 mg/mL) were more effective than those of Ac-P1, Ac-P2, and Ac-P3, in which IC50s were 0.75 mg/mL, 0.78 mg/mL, and 0.81 mg/mL, respectively. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that all 4N-acetyl-pentapeptides were mixed-type tyrosinase inhibitors. Furthermore, 0.1 mg/mL of Ac-P4 exhibited significant melanogenesis inhibition on B16F10 melanoma cells and was more effective than kojic acid. The melanogenesis inhibition of Ac-P4 was dose-dependent and did not induce any cytotoxicity on B16F10 melanoma cells.
On the Coupling of Two Models of the Human Immune Response to an Antigen
Authors: Quintela Bárbara de M. , dos Santos Rodrigo Weber , Lobosco Marcelo
Published: July 2014

The development of mathematical models of the immune response allows a better understanding of the multifaceted mechanisms of the defense system. The main purpose of this work is to present a scheme for coupling distinct models of different scales and aspects of the immune system. As an example, we propose a new model where the local tissue inflammation processes are simulated with partial differential equations (PDEs) whereas a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is used as a model for the systemic response. The simulation of distinct scenarios allows the analysis of the dynamics of various immune cells in the presence of an antigen. Preliminary results of this approach with a sensitivity analysis of the coupled model are shown but further validation is still required.
Large Eddy Simulation of the Subcritical Flow over a U-Grooved Circular Cylinder
Authors: Alonzo-García A. , Gutiérrez-Torres C. del C. , Jiménez-Bernal J. A.
Published: July 2014

With the aim of numerically replicating a drag reduction phenomenon induced by grooves presence, this paper presents a comparative large eddy simulation study of the flow over a smooth circular cylinder, and the flow over a U-grooved cylinder, at Re = 140,000, which is near transition between the subcritical and critical flow regimes. The grid densities were 2.6 million cells and 20.7 million cells for the smooth and the U-grooved cylinder, respectively. Both meshes were composed of hexahedral cells disposed in a structured form with additional refinements in near-wall regions, in order to obtain y+< 5 values. The cases were simulated during 25 vortex shedding cycles with the purpose of obtaining significant statistic data through the commercial software FLUENT V.12.1, which solved the Navier-Stokes equations in their unsteady and incompressible forms. Regarding the U-grooved cylinder flow, parameters such as the drag coefficient, lengths of recirculation, the transition from subcritical to critical flow, and the formation of a wake formed by secondary vortices of smaller sizes were predicted satisfactorily by the LES technique. From the manner in which the flow separates at different angles for both valleys and peaks of the U-grooves, a distinctive transitional mechanism induced by grooves presence is conjectured.
Bilateral Atypical Femoral Fractures in a Patient with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Intravenous Bisphosphonate Therapy
Authors: Tonogai Ichiro , Goto Tomohiro , Hamada Daisuke , Iwame Toshiyuki , Yoshioka Shinji , Tsutsui Takahiko , Goda Yuichiro , Egawa Hiroshi , Sairyo Koichi
Published: July 2014

Bisphosphonates are currently the standard approach to managing bone disease in multiple myeloma. Bisphosphonates have high bone affinity that inhibits osteoclastic activity and additionally reduces the growth factors released from malignant or osteoblastic cells, thereby impairing abnormal bone remodeling which leads to osteolysis. However, patients of multiple myeloma may be at a higher risk of atypical femoral fractures because the treatment for malignant myeloma requires notably higher cumulative doses of bisphosphonates. Here we present a patient with bilateral atypical femoral fractures and multiple myeloma treated with intravenous bisphosphonate therapy.
Global Well-Posedness and Long Time Decay of Fractional Navier-Stokes Equations in Fourier-Besov Spaces
Authors: Xiao Weiliang , Chen Jiecheng , Fan Dashan , Zhou Xuhuan
Published: July 2014

We study the Cauchy problem of the fractional Navier-Stokes equations in critical Fourier-Besov spacesFB˙p,q1-2β+3/p′. Some properties of Fourier-Besov spaces have been discussed, and we prove a general global well-posedness result which covers some recent works in classical Navier-Stokes equations. Particularly, our result is suitable for the critical caseβ=1/2. Moreover, we prove the long time decay of the global solutions in Fourier-Besov spaces.
Cytochrome c: A Multifunctional Protein Combining Conformational Rigidity with Flexibility
Authors: Schweitzer-Stenner Reinhard
Published: July 2014

Cytochrome has served as a model system for studying redox reactions, protein folding, and more recently peroxidase activity induced by partial unfolding on membranes. This review illuminates some important aspects of the research on this biomolecule. The first part summarizes the results of structural analyses of its active site. Owing to heme-protein interactions the heme group is subject to both in-plane and out-of-plane deformations. The unfolding of the protein as discussed in detail in the second part of this review can be induced by changes of pH and temperature and most prominently by the addition of denaturing agents. Both the kinetic and thermodynamic folding and unfolding involve intermediate states with regard to all unfolding conditions. If allowed to sit at alkaline pH (11.5) for a week, the protein does not return to its folding state when the solvent is switched back to neutral pH. It rather adopts a misfolded state that is prone to aggregation via domain swapping. On the surface of cardiolipin containing liposomes, the protein can adopt a variety of partially unfolded states. Apparently, ferricytochrome c can perform biological functions even if it is only partially folded.
Application of Binary Diagnostic Ratios of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons for Identification of Tsunami 2004 Backwash Sediments in Khao Lak, Thailand
Authors: Pongpiachan Siwatt
Published: July 2014

Identification of Tsunami deposits has long been a controversial issue among geologists. Although there are many identification criteria based on the sedimentary characteristics of unequivocal Tsunami deposits, the concept still remains ambiguous. Apart from relying on some conventional geological, sedimentological, and geoscientific records, geologists need some alternative “proxies” to identify the existence of Tsunami backwash in core sediments. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of very stable organic molecules, which can usually be presented as complex mixtures of several hundred congeners; one can assume that the “Tsunami backwash deposits” possess different fingerprints of PAHs apart from those of “typical marine sediments.” In this study, three-dimensional plots of PAH binary ratios successfully identify the Tsunami backwash deposits in comparison with those of global marine sediments. The applications of binary ratios of PAHs coupled with HCA are the basis for developing site-specific Tsunami deposit identification criteria that can be applied in paleotsunami deposits investigations.
The Interplay between Reproductive Social Stimuli and Adult Olfactory Bulb Neurogenesis
Authors: Peretto Paolo , Schellino Roberta , De Marchis Silvia , Fasolo Aldo
Published: July 2014

Adult neurogenesis is a striking form of structural plasticity that adapts the brain to the changing world. Accordingly, new neuron production is involved in cognitive functions, such as memory, learning, and pattern separation. Recent data in rodents indicate a close link between adult neurogenesis and reproductive social behavior. This provides a key to unravel the functional meaning of adult neurogenesis in biological relevant contexts and, in parallel, opens new perspectives to explore the way the brain is processing social stimuli. In this paper we will summarize some of the major achievements on cues and mechanisms modulating adult neurogenesis during social behaviors related to reproduction and possible role/s played by olfactory newborn neurons in this context. We will point out that newborn interneurons in the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) represent a privileged cellular target for social stimuli that elicit reproductive behaviors and that such cues modulate adult neurogenesis at two different levels increasing both proliferation of neuronal progenitors in the germinative regions and integration of newborn neurons into functional circuits. This dual mechanism provides fresh neurons that can be involved in critical activities for the individual fitness, that is, the processing of social stimuli driving the parental behavior and partner recognition.
A Case of the Nutcracker Syndrome Developed after Delivery
Authors: Tsumura Koji , Yoshida Kanae , Yamamoto Sachi , Takahashi Sayuri , Iida Katsuyuki , Enomoto Yutaka
Published: July 2014

We report a case of nutcracker syndrome that developed after delivery. A 32-year-old woman visited our clinic complaining of gross hematuria 4 months after delivery. Urethrocystoscopic examination failed to show hematuria coming from the ureteral orifice; however, enhanced computed tomography revealed the compression of the left renal vein between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery. Therefore, we diagnosed her with nutcracker syndrome and conservatively observed her. The macrohematuria disappeared by itself after 1 month. This is the first report to describe a case of nutcracker syndrome that developed after delivery.
Effect of Codon Optimisation on the Production of Recombinant Fish Growth Hormone inPichia pastoris
Authors: Rothan Hussin A. , Ser Huy Teh , Mohamed Zulqarnain
Published: July 2014

This study was established to test the hypothesis of whether the codon optimization of fish growth hormone gene (FGH) based onP. pastorispreferred codon will improve the quantity of secreted rFGH in culture supernatant that can directly be used as fish feed supplements. The optimizedFGHcoding sequence (oFGH) and native sequence (nFGH) of giant grouper fish (Epinephelus lanceolatus) were cloned intoP. pastorisexpression vector (pPICZαA) downstream ofalcohol oxidasegene (AOX1) for efficient induction of extracellular rFGH by adding 1% of absolute methanol. The results showed that recombinantP. pastoriswas able to produce2.80±0.27 mg of oFGH compared to1.75±0.25of nFGH in one litre of culture supernatant. The total body weight of tiger grouper fingerlings fed with oFGH increased significantly at third (P<0.05) and fourth weeks (P<0.01) of four-week experiment period compared to those fed with nFGH. Both oFGH and nFGH significantly enhanced the final biomass and fish survival percentage. In conclusion, codon optimization ofFGHfragment was useful to increase rFGH quantity in the culture supernatant ofP. pastoristhat can be directly used as fish feed supplements. Further studies are still required for large scale production of rFGH and practical application in aquaculture production.
A Novel Prediction Method about Single Components of Analog Circuits Based on Complex Field Modeling
Authors: Zhou Jingyu , Tian Shulin , Yang Chenglin
Published: July 2014

Few researches pay attention to prediction about analog circuits. The few methods lack the correlation with circuit analysis during extracting and calculating features so that FI (fault indicator) calculation often lack rationality, thus affecting prognostic performance. To solve the above problem, this paper proposes a novel prediction method about single components of analog circuits based on complex field modeling. Aiming at the feature that faults of single components hold the largest number in analog circuits, the method starts with circuit structure, analyzes transfer function of circuits, and implements complex field modeling. Then, by an established parameter scanning model related to complex field, it analyzes the relationship between parameter variation and degeneration of single components in the model in order to obtain a more reasonable FI feature set via calculation. According to the obtained FI feature set, it establishes a novel model about degeneration trend of analog circuits’ single components. At last, it uses particle filter (PF) to update parameters for the model and predicts remaining useful performance (RUP) of analog circuits’ single components. Since calculation about the FI feature set is more reasonable, accuracy of prediction is improved to some extent. Finally, the foregoing conclusions are verified by experiments.
An Efficient Parallel Algorithm for Multiple Sequence Similarities Calculation Using a Low Complexity Method
Authors: Marucci Evandro A. , Zafalon Geraldo F. D. , Momente Julio C. , Neves Leandro A. , Valêncio Carlo R. , Pinto Alex R. , Cansian Adriano M. , de Souza Rogeria C. G. , Shiyou Yang , Machado José M.
Published: July 2014

With the advance of genomic researches, the number of sequences involved in comparative methods has grown immensely. Among them, there are methods for similarities calculation, which are used by many bioinformatics applications. Due the huge amount of data, the union of low complexity methods with the use of parallel computing is becoming desirable. Thek-merscounting is a very efficient method with good biological results. In this work, the development of a parallel algorithm for multiple sequence similarities calculation using thek-merscounting method is proposed. Tests show that the algorithm presents a very good scalability and a nearly linear speedup. For 14 nodes was obtained 12x speedup. This algorithm can be used in the parallelization of some multiple sequence alignment tools, such as MAFFT and MUSCLE.
Development of Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Silicon-Germanium Alloys for Improving Long-Wavelength Absorption in Si-Based Thin-Film Solar Cells
Authors: Huang Yen-Tang , Hsu Hung-Jung , Liang Shin-Wei , Hsu Cheng-Hang , Tsai Chuang-Chuang
Published: July 2014

Hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon-germanium (μc-Si1-xGex:H) alloys were developed for application in Si-based thin-film solar cells. The effects of thegermane concentration(RGeH4)and thehydrogen ratio(RH2)on theμc-Si1-xGex:H alloys and the corresponding single-junction thin-film solar cells were studied. The behaviors of Ge incorporation in a-Si1-xGex:H andμc-Si1-xGex:H were also compared. Similar to a-Si1-xGex:H, the preferential Ge incorporation was observed inμc-Si1-xGex:H. Moreover, a higherRH2significantly promoted Ge incorporation for a-Si1-xGex:H, while the Ge content was not affected byRH2inμc-Si1-xGex:H growth. Furthermore, to eliminate the crystallization effect, the 0.9 μm thick absorbers with a similar crystalline volume fraction were applied. With the increasingRGeH4, the accompanied increase in Ge content ofμc-Si1-xGex:H narrowed the bandgap and markedly enhanced the long-wavelength absorption. However, the bias-dependent EQE measurement revealed that too much Ge incorporation in absorber deteriorated carrier collection and cell performance. With the optimization ofRH2andRGeH4, the single-junctionμc-Si1-xGex:H cell achieved an efficiency of 5.48%, corresponding to the crystalline volume fraction of 50.5% and Ge content of 13.2 at.%. Compared toμc-Si:H cell, the external quantum efficiency at 800 nm had a relative increase by 33.1%.
A Biological Hierarchical Model Based Underwater Moving Object Detection
Authors: Shen Jie , Fan Tanghuai , Tang Min , Zhang Qian , Sun Zhen , Huang Fengchen
Published: July 2014

Underwater moving object detection is the key for many underwater computer vision tasks, such as object recognizing, locating, and tracking. Considering the super ability in visual sensing of the underwater habitats, the visual mechanism of aquatic animals is generally regarded as the cue for establishing bionic models which are more adaptive to the underwater environments. However, the low accuracy rate and the absence of the prior knowledge learning limit their adaptation in underwater applications. Aiming to solve the problems originated from the inhomogeneous lumination and the unstable background, the mechanism of the visual information sensing and processing pattern from the eye of frogs are imitated to produce a hierarchical background model for detecting underwater objects. Firstly, the image is segmented into several subblocks. The intensity information is extracted for establishing background model which could roughly identify the object and the background regions. The texture feature of each pixel in the rough object region is further analyzed to generate the object contour precisely. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method gives a better performance. Compared to the traditional Gaussian background model, the completeness of the object detection is 97.92% with only 0.94% of the background region that is included in the detection results.
Proximity-Based Robust Event Detection in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Hong Chan-O , Choi Yoon-Hwa
Published: July 2014

This paper presents a proximity-based event detection scheme for wireless sensor networks. It is a hybrid scheme in the sense that it takes advantage of both neighbor-based and cluster-based schemes in distinguishing events from false alarms due to faulty nodes. It gives more weights to alarms in closer proximity, while making event decisions at the cluster heads to reduce the communication overhead. The proposed scheme can effectively reduce false alarms while accurately detecting events even for a relatively small event region. Simulation results show that it greatly lessens the tradeoff between event detection accuracy and false alarm rate. Further improvements in performance can be made by removing identified faulty nodes from the network during normal operation.
Light to Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Protective for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Normal Weight and Overweight Individuals but Not the Obese
Authors: Metcalf Patricia A. , Scragg Robert K. R. , Jackson Rod
Published: July 2014

Objective. To examine the association between alcohol consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) overall and by body mass index.Methods. Cross-sectional study of employed individuals. Daily alcohol intakes were calculated from a self-administered food frequency questionnaire by 5,512 Maori, Pacific Island, and European workers (3,992 men, 1520 women) aged 40 years and above.Results. There were 170 new cases of T2DM. Compared to the group with no alcohol consumption and adjusting for age, sex, and ethnicity, the group consuming alcohol had relative risks of T2DM of 0.23 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.65) in normal weight individuals, 0.38 (0.18, 0.81) in overweight individuals, and 0.99 (0.59, 1.67) in obese individuals. After further adjusting for total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, smoking habit, physical activity, socioeconomic status, body mass index, and hypertension, the relative risks of T2DM were 0.16 (0.05, 0.50) in normal weight individuals, 0.43 (0.19, 0.97) in overweight individuals, and 0.92 (0.52, 1.60) in overweight individuals. Across the categories of alcohol consumption, there was an approximate U-shaped relationship for new cases of T2DM. There was no significant association between alcohol consumption and IGT.Conclusions. Alcohol consumption was protective against diagnosis of T2DM in normal and overweight individuals but not in the obese.
A Novel Approach for Blast-Induced Flyrock Prediction Based on Imperialist Competitive Algorithm and Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Marto Aminaton , Hajihassani Mohsen , Jahed Armaghani Danial , Tonnizam Mohamad Edy , Makhtar Ahmad Mahir
Published: July 2014

Flyrock is one of the major disturbances induced by blasting which may cause severe damage to nearby structures. This phenomenon has to be precisely predicted and subsequently controlled through the changing in the blast design to minimize potential risk of blasting. The scope of this study is to predict flyrock induced by blasting through a novel approach based on the combination of imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) and artificial neural network (ANN). For this purpose, the parameters of 113 blasting operations were accurately recorded and flyrock distances were measured for each operation. By applying the sensitivity analysis, maximum charge per delay and powder factor were determined as the most influential parameters on flyrock. In the light of this analysis, two new empirical predictors were developed to predict flyrock distance. For a comparison purpose, a predeveloped backpropagation (BP) ANN was developed and the results were compared with those of the proposed ICA-ANN model and empirical predictors. The results clearly showed the superiority of the proposed ICA-ANN model in comparison with the proposed BP-ANN model and empirical approaches.
On Analyzing LDPC Codes over Multiantenna MC‐CDMA System
Authors: Suresh Kumar S. , Rajaram M.
Published: July 2014

Multiantenna multicarrier code‐division multiple access (MC‐CDMA) technique has been attracting much attention for designing future broadband wireless systems. In addition, low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) code, a promising near‐optimal error correction code, is also being widely considered in next generation communication systems. In this paper, we propose a simple method to construct a regular quasicyclic low‐density parity‐check (QC‐LDPC) code to improve the transmission performance over the precoded MC‐CDMA system with limited feedback. Simulation results show that the coding gain of the proposed QC‐LDPC codes is larger than that of the Reed‐Solomon codes, and the performance of the multiantenna MC‐CDMA system can be greatly improved by these QC‐LDPC codes when the data rate is high.
Occipital Artery Function during the Development of 2-Kidney, 1-Clip Hypertension in Rats
Authors: Chelko Stephen P. , Schmiedt Chad W. , Lewis Tristan H. , Robertson Tom P. , Lewis Stephen J.
Published: July 2014

This study compared the contractile responses elicited by angiotensin II (AII), arginine vasopressin (AVP), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in isolated occipital arteries (OAs) from sham-operated (SHAM) and 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K-1C) hypertensive rats. OAs were isolated and bisected into proximal segments (closer to the common carotid artery) and distal segments (closer to the nodose ganglion) and mounted separately on myographs. On day 9, 2K-1C rats had higher mean arterial blood pressures, heart rates, and plasma renin concentrations than SHAM rats. The contractile responses to AII were markedly diminished in both proximal and distal segments of OAs from 2K-1C rats as compared to those from SHAM rats. The responses elicited by AVP were substantially greater in distal than in proximal segments of OAs from SHAM rats and that AVP elicited similar responses in OA segments from 2K-1C rats. The responses elicited by 5-HT were similar in proximal and distal segments from SHAM and 2K-1C rats. These results demonstrate that continued exposure to circulating AII and AVP in 2K-1C rats reduces the contractile efficacy of AII but not AVP or 5-HT. The diminished responsiveness to AII may alter the physiological status of OAsin vivo.
Human Endogenous Retrovirus W Activity in Cartilage of Osteoarthritis Patients
Authors: Bendiksen Signy , Martinez-Zubiavrra Inigo , Tümmler Conny , Knutsen Gunnar , Elvenes Jan , Olsen Elisabeth , Olsen Randi , Moens Ugo
Published: July 2014

The etiology of viruses in osteoarthritis remains controversial because the prevalence of viral nucleic acid sequences in peripheral blood or synovial fluid from osteoarthritis patients and that in healthy control subjects are similar. Until now the presence of virus has not been analyzed in cartilage. We screened cartilage and chondrocytes from advanced and non-/early osteoarthritis patients for parvovirus B19, herpes simplex virus-1, Epstein Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, human herpes virus-6, hepatitis C virus, and human endogenous retroviruses transcripts. Endogenous retroviruses transcripts, but none of the other viruses, were detected in 15 out the 17 patients. Sequencing identified the virus as HERV-WE1 and E2. HERV-W activity was confirmed by high expression levels of syncytin, dsRNA, virus budding, and the presence of virus-like particles in all advanced osteoarthritis cartilages examined. Low levels of HERV-WE1, but not E2 envelope RNA, were observed in 3 out of 8 non-/early osteoarthritis patients, while only 3 out of 7 chondrocytes cultures displayed low levels of syncytin, and just one was positive for virus-like particles. This study demonstrates for the first time activation of HERV-W in cartilage of osteoarthritis patients; however, a causative role for HERV-W in development or deterioration of the disease remains to be proven.
A Hybrid Optimized Weighted Minimum Spanning Tree for the Shortest Intrapath Selection in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Saravanan Matheswaran , Madheswaran Muthusamy
Published: July 2014

Wireless sensor network (WSN) consists of sensor nodes that need energy efficient routing techniques as they have limited battery power, computing, and storage resources. WSN routing protocols should enable reliable multihop communication with energy constraints. Clustering is an effective way to reduce overheads and when this is aided by effective resource allocation, it results in reduced energy consumption. In this work, a novel hybrid evolutionary algorithm called Bee Algorithm‐Simulated Annealing Weighted Minimal Spanning Tree (BASA‐WMST) routing is proposed in which randomly deployed sensor nodes are split into the best possible number of independent clusters with cluster head and optimal route. The former gathers data from sensors belonging to the cluster, forwarding them to the sink. The shortest intrapath selection for the cluster is selected using Weighted Minimum Spanning Tree (WMST). The proposed algorithm computes the distance‐based Minimum Spanning Tree (MST) of the weighted graph for the multihop network. The weights are dynamically changed based on the energy level of each sensor during route selection and optimized using the proposed bee algorithm simulated annealing algorithm.
Description of a Novel Adhesin ofMycobacterium aviumSubsp.paratuberculosis
Authors: Viale Mariana Noelia , Echeverria-Valencia Gabriela , Romasanta Pablo , Mon María Laura , Fernandez Marisa , Malchiodi Emilio , Romano María Isabel , Gioffré Andrea Karina , Santangelo María de la Paz
Published: July 2014

The binding and ingestion ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis(MAP) by host cells are fibronectin (FN) dependent. In several species of mycobacteria, a specific family of proteins allows the attachment and internalization of these bacteria by epithelial cells through interaction with FN. Thus, the identification of adhesion molecules is essential to understand the pathogenesis of MAP. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize FN binding cell wall proteins of MAP. We searched for conserved adhesins within a large panel of surface immunogenic proteins of MAP and investigated a possible interaction with FN. For this purpose, a cell wall protein fraction was obtained and resolved by 2D electrophoresis. The immunoreactive spots were identified by MALDI-TOF MS and a homology search was performed. We selected elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) as candidate for further studies. We demonstrated the FN-binding capability of EF-Tu using a ligand blot assay and also confirmed the interaction with FN in a dose-dependent manner by ELISA. The dissociation constant of EF-Tu was determined by surface plasmon resonance and displayed values within theμM range. These data support the hypothesis that this protein could be involved in the interaction of MAP with epithelial cells through FN binding.
TGFβ Inhibition Prior to Hypofractionated Radiation Enhances Efficacy in Preclinical Models
Authors: Young Kristina H. , Newell Pippa , Cottam Benjamin , Friedman David , Savage Talicia , Baird Jason R. , Akporiaye Emmanuel , Gough Michael J. , Crittenden Marka
Published: July 2014

The immune infiltrate in colorectal cancer has been correlated with outcome, such that individuals with higher infiltrations of T cells have increased survival independent of the disease stage. For patients with lower immune infiltrates, overall survival is limited. Because the patients with colorectal cancer studied have received conventional cancer therapies, these data may indicate that the pretreatment tumor environment increases the efficacy of treatments such as chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that an improved immune environment in the tumor at the time of treatment will increase the efficacy of radiotherapy. We demonstrate that inhibition of TGFβ using the orally available small-molecule inhibitor SM16 improved the immune environment of tumors in mice and significantly improved the efficacy of subsequent radiotherapy. This effect was not due to changes in radiosensitivity, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, or changes in vascular function in the tumor; rather, this effect was dependent on adaptive immunity and resulted in long-term protective immunity in cured mice. These data demonstrate that immunotherapy is an option to improve the immune status of patients with poor tumor infiltrates and that pretreatment improves the efficacy of radiotherapy. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(10); 1011–22. ©2014 AACR.
Characterizing the Inflammatory Tissue Response to Acute Myocardial Infarction by Clinical Multimodality Noninvasive Imaging
Authors: Wollenweber Tim , Roentgen Philipp , Schäfer Andreas , Schatka Imke , Zwadlo Caroline , Brunkhorst Thomas , Berding Georg , Bauersachs Johann , Bengel Frank M.
Published: July 2014

Background—

Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers a systemic inflammatory response which determines subsequent healing. Experimentally, cardiac positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been used successfully to obtain mechanistic insights. We explored the translational potential in patients early after MI.

Methods and Results—

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance were performed in 15 patients <7 days after first MI. Cardiac magnetic resonance showed regional transmural late gadolinium enhancement and edema exceeding the area of late gadolinium enhancement. Using F-18 deoxyglucose with heparin pretreatment, metabolic rate of glucose (MRGlc) was significantly increased in infarct versus remote myocardium (median, 2.0 versus 0.4 mg/min per 100 mL;
P
=0.0001). MRGlc in infarct correlated with remote myocardium (ρ=0.64;
P
=0.01), spleen (ρ=0.82;
P
=0.0002), and bone marrow(ρ=0.57;
P
=0.03), but not with muscle or liver. Regionally, F-18 deoxyglucose score was highest in segments with late gadolinium enhancement versus edema only and remote (median, 2.0 versus 1.8 versus 0.4;
P
<0.0001). Patients requiring repeat intervention during preliminary follow-up of 11±5 months tended to have higher early post-MI MRGlc. Five patients with chronic, stable MI served as controls. Opposite to acute MI, MRGlc was lower in infarct (median infarct/remote ratio, 0.6 versus 3.2 for acute MI;
P
=0.001), and there was no correlation with bone marrow or spleen MRGlc.

Conclusions—

Increased glucose utilization after heparin-induced suppression of myocyte uptake appears to mostly reflect inflammatory activity in damaged myocardium early after MI. Consistent with prior preclinical observations, and in contrast to chronic MI, this is associated with activity in spleen and bone marrow as sources of inflammatory cells. Positron emission tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance multimodality characterization of the acutely infarcted, inflamed myocardium may provide multiparametric end points for clinical studies aiming at support of infarct healing.
Creative Craft-Based Textile Activity in the Age of Digital Systems and Practices
Authors: Kenning Gail
Published: July 2014

Domestic craft-based textile activities, such as knitting, crochet, hand weaving and lace making, are often viewed as being of limited creative potential. The perceived lack of creativity arises, in part, out of the extent to which these activities copy, reproduce and re-create existing pattern forms and use preexisting templates. This paper reports on the findings of an experimental research project that explored the creative potential of crochet lace making using digital media, technologies and practices. It provides critical analysis of how new technologies, practices and theoretical frameworks have implications for ongoing domestic craft-based textile activities.
Generation of Kandinsky Art
Authors: Zhang Kang , Yu Jinhui
Published: July 2014

The authors present a programmed experiment to automatically generate art in the style of Kandinsky during his Bauhaus years. The program the authors developed analyzes the artist’s paintings based on his art theories and the authors’ own understanding and observations of his artworks. The authors describe the generation process in detail and share and discuss sample generated images styled according to four of Kandinsky’s paintings. By pseudorandomizing various parameters, the program is able to make each styled image it generates unique. The authors’ approach is highly scalable, limited only by the memory space set in the programming language Processing, which is used for the generation. Potential impacts of the authors’ approach are also discussed.
Movement characteristics of American beavers (Castor canadensis)
Authors: McClintic Lance F. , Wang Guiming , Taylor Jimmy D. , Jones Jeanne C.
Published: July 2014

Physiological states and foraging behaviors may shape movement patterns of animals. Optimal foraging theory and what we term the deliberate movement hypothesis predict that, to reduce predation risk, central place foragers should move faster with smaller turning angles the further they are from their central place. The complementary bimodal foraging trip hypothesis predicts that the distribution of foraging distances exhibited by central place foragers should be bimodal due to a trade-off between provisioning offspring and self-feeding. We used radio-telemetry to test these hypotheses for American beavers (Castor canadensis) in northern Alabama, United States. American beavers moved faster with increasing distance from lodges in wetland land cover but not in terrestrial land covers, partially supporting the deliberate movement hypothesis. Hourly distances moved from lodges were distributed bimodally during the breeding season, which supports the bimodal foraging trip hypothesis. Therefore, central place foraging may be a determinant of movement characteristics of American beavers.
Personality correlates with contextual plasticity in a free-living, long-lived seabird
Authors: Grace Jacquelyn K. , Anderson David J.
Published: July 2014

Despite a rapid increase in animal personality research, critical gaps remain. We have little knowledge of the long-term (as opposed to short-term) consistency of personality and the relationships between personality and behavioural flexibility in wild, free-living animals. This study investigates personality (i.e., consistent inter-individual differences in behaviour) and contextual plasticity (i.e., plasticity in behaviour between contexts) of these traits in the Nazca booby (Sula granti), a long-lived, free-living seabird. We tested birds for personality in the field, during incubation, using a human intruder test, two novel object tests, and a social stimulus test (mirror), and determined repeatability of behavioural traits both within-season (short-term) and between several years (long-term). We found high short- and long-term repeatability of aggressive and anxiety-related behaviours when confronted with a nest intruder and novel objects, but lower repeatability during social stimulation. Contextual plasticity was highly repeatable across years for aggressive behaviours, and low for anxiety-related behaviours. Plasticity did not correlate across behaviours into a ‘meta-personality’ trait. Contextual plasticity in behavioural traits was highly correlated with the expression of those traits, suggesting that individuals are able to both react strongly and modify their behaviour depending on context, perhaps due to consistent differences in individual quality. Model selection exercises using structural equation models evaluated the relationships between personality factors, indicating a behavioural syndrome in which anxiety- or agitation-related behaviours covary strongly and positively, and both covary weakly and negatively with aggression.