bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isokinetic testing of muscle performance: New concepts for strength assessment
Authors: Manca Andrea , Solinas Giuliana , Dragone Daniele , Deriu Franca
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Peak torque (PT) is considered the most representative parameter of muscle performance in isokinetic dynamometry while other computable parameters such as mean peak torque (MPT), maximal work (maxW) and mean work (meanW) are generally neglected.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study reassessed whether PT is the only necessary parameter in isokinetic testing and weighed the contribution of each variable to muscle performance.

METHODS: Thirty apparently healthy volunteers underwent isokinetic assessment of the ankle dorsiflexors of both legs at 45 and 90°/s. Bivariate relationships and multivariate associations between PT, MPT, maxW and meanW were examined employing Pearson's analysis and principal component analysis (PCA), respectively.

RESULTS: At both velocities, Pearson's coefficients were very high between PT and MPT as well as between maxW and meanW (r > 0.9; p< 0.0001) and fair-to-good (r= 0.65-0.73; p < 0.0001) between torque and work measures. At 90°/s the PT and MPT mostly contributed to muscle performance while at 45°/s, MPT and meanW exhibited the highest component loadings, whereas PT performed poorly.

CONCLUSIONS: Isokinetic variables contributed with different loadings to muscle performance of ankle dorsiflexors, depending on the angular velocity employed. In particular, work measures may usefully complement the conventional PT-only analysis, especially in rehabilitative settings where low speeds are recommended.
Local concentric muscle fatigue of the ankle dorsiflexors and plantar flexors: A reproducibility study
Authors: Mattes Klaus , Eldin Ali Hazzaa Walaa , Schaffert Nina , Manzer Stefanie
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Fatigue due to running or local muscle exhaustion is a causative factor for running injuries. Standardized local muscle fatigue can be produced and assessed with isokinetic devices.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the absolute and relative reproducibility of local muscle fatigue of the ankle dorsiflexors (DF) and plantar flexors(PF).

METHODS: Using a test-retest design, 29 male runners (height: 181.4 ± 4.7 cm, mass: 79.4 ± 9.3 kg, age: 26.6 ± 4.3 years) were twice assessed, isometrically and isokinetically, at 60°/s. Reproducibility was determined by an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland-Altmann method.

RESULTS: For the isometric test, the ICC values ranged from 0.90-0.99, whereas for the isokinetic fatigue protocol and index, they ranged from 0.87-0.97 and 0.76-0.96, respectively. Absolute reproducibility of the PM in the isometric test was 3.1% and 6.4%, for the DF and PF, respectively. The mean of the PM in the isokinetic fatigue protocol was 6.2% and 10.7% and in the fatigue index 12.3% and 21.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Using the protocol and instrument described in this paper, local muscle fatigue of the ankle DF and PF may be reproducibly measured.
Relationship between lower extremity isokinetic strength and anaerobic power in weightlifters, basketball and soccer players
Authors: Harbili Sultan
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the comparative relationships between knee muscles strength and anaerobic power in weightlifters, basketball and soccer players, popular sports that rely on lower extremity muscles strength.

METHODS: Ten weightlifters, 12 basketball and 19 soccer players participated in the study. Concentric peak torque of hamstring (H) and quadriceps (Q) of the dominant (D) and non-dominant leg (ND) was evaluated at 60 and 240°/s. Subjects also performed Wingate Anaerobic Test(WAnT) 48 h after isokinetic measurements.

RESULTS: Normalized peak moment of the hamstring (NPMh) of D in soccer players was significantly greater than in basketball players and weightlifters at 60 and 240°/s. At 60°/s, weightlifters presented a greater NPMq when compared to soccer players in D. Significant correlations were observed between NPMq of both legs and peak and mean power at 60 and 240°/s in basketball. In soccer, significant correlations were found between the bilateral NPM of both muscles and the peak and mean power at 240°/s.

CONCLUSIONS: Knee flexion strength plays a more decisive role in soccer due to the fast movement pattern while knee extension strength is more important in basketball and weightlifting due to vertical movement patterns.
Comparison of muscle activation of hip belt squat and barbell back squat techniques
Authors: Gulick Dawn T. , Fagnani James A. , Gulick Colleen N.
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Hip belt squats are believed to have been introduced in 1970. By removing the load from the shoulders and upper trapezius, the hip belt squat places emphasis on the legs with less load on the spine. No peer-reviewed research exists on the muscle recruitment patterns of a hip belt squat, or how it compares in muscle activation to other squatting activities.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine lower extremity muscle activation in a hip belt squat (SquatMax = MD) in comparison with a barbell back squat.

METHODS: Thirteen participants performed four repetitions of an 8-RM squat using three different techniques: hip belt squat without a band, hip belt squat with a band, and barbell back squat. Electromyographic data were collected from six muscles: quadriceps, biceps femoris, hip adductors, hip abductors, gluteus maximus, and gastrocnemius.

RESULTS: ANOVA revealed no significant difference in muscle activity between devices. The only muscle group statistically different between genders was the gastrocnemius (p = 0.04). Hip adductor activity was lowest and hip abductor activity was highest when performing a hip belt squat with the band for both genders. Likewise, the adductor to hamstring ratio was lowest with the hip belt squat.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the lack of significant difference in the muscle activity between the squat techniques, one needs to look at other attributes to determine both the scientific and, consequently, the practical value. Given the placement of the belt around the pelvis, one positive attribute for the hip belt squat is the ability to unload the shoulders and spine. Another positive attribute for the hip belt squat is the higher hip abductor to adductor ratio. This could be very important for injury prevention and patella tracking. While the back squat has slightly higher hamstring recruitment, which is important in ACL injury prevention, the hip belt squat may address this by offsetting the free weight with the use of an additional band. If a free weight hip belt squat device is available, it may be a better alternative to the traditional barbell squat technique.
Effects of six weeks of resistance exercise with reciprocal contractions on knee extensors neuromuscular performance: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cardoso Euler , Bottaro Martim , Rodrigues Pâmella , Souza Igor Eduardo , Durigan João , Lima Ricardo Moreno , Júnior Silvio Assis Oliveira , Carregaro Rodrigo Luiz
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that reciprocal exercise using a pre-activation of antagonist muscles may increase the agonist neuromuscular performance.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficiency of two modalities of resistance training (with and without antagonist muscle pre-activation) during a six week program on knee extension neuromuscular performance of healthy men.

METHODS: Forty-nine men were randomly assigned into two groups: 1) reciprocal training: REC - one concentric knee flexion immediately followed by one concentric knee extension, and 2) control: CON - one concentric knee extension exercise, without pre-activation. Both training modes were characterized by three sets of 10 repetitions at 60°/s, 2 days/week. Knee extensor peak moment (PM), load range (LR), electromyographic activity (EMG) of the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris(RF), and biceps femoris (BF) co-activation were assessed pre and post 6 weeks of training. A 2 × 2 mixed factor ANOVA was applied to evaluate differences between variables.

RESULTS: Significant increases were found for PM between pre and post-evaluations for both groups. In relation to VM and RF activation, co-activation (BF/VM and BF/RF) and LR, no significant differences between groups and moments were found.

CONCLUSION: In view of the results further research is indicated in order to examine the utility of longer programs in positively affecting antagonist muscle co-activation as well as in elucidating its clinical effects in individuals with musculoskeletal dysfunction.
Identification of heart disease-prone personality using oscillometric blood pressure measurements
Authors: Jung Seungah , Shin Youngsuk
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: By using the conventional method of measuring two-points (systolic and diastolic) blood pressure, it is difficult to differentiate a heart disease-prone personality from normals. Recently, an oscillometric method that reflects the personalized trait of blood pressure was developed by one author.

OBJECTIVE: By using this new measurement technique, this study intended to test the possibility of differentiating a heart disease-prone personality (type A or type D) from normal people.

METHODS: TPA scale in MMPI-2 and DS14 were used for screening type A and D. Oscillometric waveforms created by the cuff pressure were segmented into window blocks based on a single beat at a minimum, allowing this method to extract maximal top and bottom amplitudes in each window block. Then, a spectrogram using a short-time Fourier transform was applied to discriminate between character types in extracted blood pressure patterns with linear discriminant analysis.

RESULTS: Compared to a normal personality, type A and type D personalities displayed a lower frequency response on STFT with maximum negative amplitudes than normals. In particular, the type D personality showed a lower frequency response than the type A personality.

CONCLUSION: These results could provide a new qualitative method for measuring different biological indices between type A or D personalities and normals.
BP neural network tuned PID controller for position tracking of a pneumatic artificial muscle
Authors: Fan Jizhuang , Zhong Jun , Zhao Jie , Zhu Yanhe
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Although Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM) has a promising future in rehabilitation robots, it's difficult to realize accurate position control due to its highly nonlinear properties.

OBJECTIVE: This paper deals with position control of PAM.

METHODS: To describe the hysteresis inside PAM, a polynomial based phenomenological function is developed. Based on the phenomenological model for PAM and analysis of pressure dynamics within PAM, an adaptive cascade controller is proposed. Both outer loop and inner loop employ BP Neural Network tuned PID algorithm. The outer loop is to handle high nonlinearities and unmodeled dynamics of PAM, while the inner loop is responsible for nonlinearities caused by pressure dynamics.

RESULTS: Experimental results show high tracking accuracy as compared with a convention PID controller.

CONCLUSION: The proposed controller is effective in improving performance of PAM and will be implemented in a rehabilitation robot.
A complexity-efficient and one-pass image compression algorithm for wireless capsule endoscopy
Authors: Liu Gang , Yan Guozheng , Zhao Shaopeng , Kuang Shuai
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: As an important part of the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE), the efficient compressor is crucial for image transmission and power consumption.

OBJECTIVE: In this paper, a complexity-efficient and one-pass image compression method is proposed for WCE with Bayer format images. The algorithm is modified from the standard lossless algorithm (JPEG-LS).

METHODS: Firstly, a causal interpolation is used to acquire the context template of a current pixel to be encoded, thus determining different encoding modes. Secondly, a gradient predictor, instead of the median predictor, is designed to improve the accuracy of the predictions. Thirdly, the gradient context is quantized to obtain the context index (Q). Eventually, the encoding process is achieved in different modes.

RESULTS: The experimental and comparative results show that our proposed near-lossless compression method provides a high compression rate(2.315) and a high image quality (46.31 dB) compared with other methods.

CONCLUSION: It performs well in the designed wireless capsule system and could be applied in other image fields.
Research on an anti-motion interference algorithm of blood oxygen saturation based on AC and DC analysis
Authors: Yan Jiayun , Bin Guangyu
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: There is an urgent need for blood oxygen saturation(SpO2) tests when participants are ambulatory, as in daily activity monitoring, sleep monitoring, or even athletes' cardiovascular function tests. In such situations, measuring equipment needs to be wearable. This restricts the processor volume, and the corresponding algorithm should be microprocessor compatible.

OBJECTIVE: This article proposes an anti-motion interference blood oxygen saturation algorithm for the microcontroller based on AC and DC analysis, named de-trended FFT.

METHODS: An experiment was conducted to compare the de-trended FFT algorithm with two other algorithms commonly used in the time and frequency domains. In the experiment, participants' oxygen saturation levels were calculated from Photoplethysmography (PPG) signals that were recorded continuously. Meantime, five types of hand motions were conducted, including hand trembling movements, horizontal hand movements, vertical hand movements, finger tapping, and finger bending, with each state lasting 2 minutes.

RESULTS: Results show significant performance of de-trended FFT in SpO2 calculation (P < 0.05), in both accuracy and stability.

CONCLUSION: De-trended FFT stands out in both mean deviation and variance by eliminating trending influence when compared with the other two algorithms. The motion interference's influence on SpO2 calculation mainly comes from the AC component, not the DC.
Can continuous scans in orthogonal planes improve diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography for breast lesions?
Authors: Yang Pan , Peng Yulan , Zhao Haina , Luo Honghao , Jin Ya , He Yushuang
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Static shear wave elastography (SWE) is used to detect breast lesions, but slice and plane selections result in discrepancies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the intraobserver reproducibility of continuous SWE, and whether quantitative elasticities in orthogonal planes perform better in the differential diagnosis of breast lesions.

METHOD: One hundred and twenty-two breast lesions scheduled for ultrasound-guided biopsy were recruited. Continuous SWE scans were conducted in orthogonal planes separately. Quantitative elasticities and histopathology results were collected. Reproducibility in the same plane and diagnostic performance in different planes were evaluated.

RESULTS: The maximum and mean elasticities of the hardest portion, and standard deviation of whole lesion, had high inter-class correlation coefficients (0.87 to 0.95) and large areas under receiver operation characteristic curve (0.887 to 0.899). Without loss of accuracy, sensitivities had increased in orthogonal planes compared with single plane(from 73.17% up to 82.93% at most). Mean elasticity of whole lesion and lesion-to-parenchyma ratio were significantly less reproducible and less accurate.

CONCLUSION: Continuous SWE is highly reproducible for the same observer. The maximum and mean elasticities of the hardest portion and standard deviation of whole lesion are most reliable. Furthermore, the sensitivities of the three parameters are improved in orthogonal planes without loss of accuracies.
Is the Glut expression related to FDG uptake in PET/CT of non-small cell lung cancer patients?
Authors: Choi Woo Hee , Yoo Ie Ryung , O Joo Hyun , Kim Tae Jung , Lee Kyo Young , Kim Young Kyoon
Published: June 2015

Though18F-FDG PET/CT scans are widely used in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the mechanism of FDG uptake by lung cancer cells has not yet been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the relationship between FDG uptake and the expression of glucose transporters in NSCLC. Sixty-four NSCLC patients who underwent both preoperative18F-FDG PET/CT scanning and thoracotomy were included. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary lung cancer was compared to the immunohistochemistry results for Glut expression and tumor size. In all the NSCLC cases, degree of FDG uptake significantly correlated with both Glut-1 and Glut-3 expression. When stratified by the histology, squamous cell carcinomas showed higher mean SUVmax, Glut-1 expression intensity, and percentage of area positive for Glut-1 expression than adenocarcinomas. Glut-1 and Glut-3 expressions correlated with SUVmax in adenocarcinomas, but there was no significant correlation in squamous cell carcinomas. No significant correlation was observed between tumor size and FDG uptake or Glut expression. These results show that Glut expression was significantly correlated with SUVmax in NSCLC, especially in adenocarcinomas, and that neither FDG uptake nor the expression of Glut was associated with tumor size.
The study of medical image enhancement based on curvelet\footnote{This work is supported by Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (No. GFQQ2440501411).}
Authors: Guo Qi , Su Xiaoyun
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a tumor that begins in the breast tissue and is largely identified through X-ray imaging; however, human tissue, illumination, noise and other factors make the image's calcifications and masses unclear, which in turn affects the doctors' identification of lesions and normal tissue through X-ray imaging. Therefore, the rate of misdiagnoses can be reduced through the enhancement of X-ray images that make the images' calcifications and masses more prominent.

OBJECTIVE: Enhancing the breast image would highlight the calcifications and masses.

METHODS: One such way to do so is to use a curvelet that can detect curves and can, therefore, enhance the tumor characteristics. Essentially, existing methods perform a curvelet transform on each sub-image simultaneously; as the curvelet is based on the Radon transform, it involves complex computation and can easily result in difficulties. Based on this information, this article improved the algorithm that detects edges by curvelet and refines edges by wavelet. Simulation experiments using mammography X-ray images are implemented through Matlab.

RESULTS: The results suggest that, after implementation of the improved algorithm, the image's edges and textures are clear, the calcifications are independent, and there is no caking.

CONCLUSIONS: The curvelet method is imporved in efficacy with respect to the wavelet method.
Feature study of hysterical blindness EEG based on FastICA with combined-channel information
Authors: Qin Xuying , Wang Wei , Hu Lintao , Wang Xu , Yuan Xiaojie
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: An appropriate feature study of hysteria electroencephalograms (EEG) would provide new insights into neural mechanisms of the disease, and also make improvements in patient diagnosis and management.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to provide an explanation for what causes a particular visual loss, by associating the features of hysterical blindness EEG with brain function.

METHODS: An idea for the novel feature extraction for hysterical blindness EEG, utilizing combined-channel information, was applied in this paper. After channels had been combined, the sliding-window-FastICA was applied to process the combined normal EEG and hysteria EEG, respectively. Kurtosis features were calculated from the processed signals. As the comparison feature, the power spectral density of normal and hysteria EEG were computed.

RESULTS: According to the feature analysis results, a region of brain dysfunction was located at the occipital lobe, O1 and O2. Furthermore, new abnormality was found at the parietal lobe, C3, C4, P3, and P4, that provided us with a new perspective for understanding hysterical blindness.

CONCLUSIONS: Indicated by the kurtosis results which were consistent with brain function and the clinical diagnosis, our method was found to be a useful tool to capture features in hysterical blindness EEG.
Changes of pelvis control with subacute stroke: A comparison of body-weight- support treadmill training coupled virtual reality system and over-ground training
Authors: Mao Yurong , Chen Peiming , Li Lifang , Li Le , Huang Dongfeng
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Gait recovery is very important to stroke survivors to regain their independence in activity of daily life.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR) coupled body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) on pelvic control at the early stage of stroke.

METHODS: Kinematic and kinetic changes of pelvic motion were evaluated by a 3D gait analysis system and were compared to the results from over-ground walking training. Twenty-four patients having unilateral hemiplegia with subacute stroke were recruited to a VR coupled BWSTT group (n= 12) and a conventional therapy (CT) group (n= 12). Both of the groups received training of 20-40 min/day, 5 days/week, for 3 weeks.

RESULTS: The results showed the tilt of pelvis in sagittal plane improved significantly (P= 0.038) after treatment in the BWSTT+VR group, in terms of decreased amplitude of anterior peak (mean, from 10.99° to 6.25°), while there were no significant differences in the control group.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that VR coupled BWSTT gait training could decrease anterior tilt of pelvis in early hemiparetic persons following a modest intervention dose, and the training may have advantages over conventional over-ground gait training and can assist the therapists in correcting abnormal gait pattern of stroke survivors.
Computer-aided King classification of scoliosis
Authors: Zhang Junhua , Li Hongjian , Lv Liang , Shi Xinling , Zhang Yufeng
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVE: Surgical planning for scoliosis relies on the classification of spinal curve pattern. The widely used King classification is subject to human measurement and judgment errors. To reduce the variability of King classification, a computer-aided method is proposed and its reliability is evaluated in this study.

METHODS: At the first step, endplate inclination and position of each vertebra are measured by a computerized system on the posteroanterior radiograph. Based on these measurements, the apical and end vertebrae are identified and then the Cobb angles are calculated automatically. The system subsequently classifies the curve types automatically based on the computerized Cobb measurements, the vertebral inclination, and the analysis of the relationship between the center sacral vertical line, and the apical lumbar vertebra. Five observers participated in the experiments. The kappa statistic was used to evaluate the variability.

RESULTS: Classifications of 105 scoliotic cases by the five observers showed that with the aid of our system, the average intraobserver and interobserver kappa values improved from 0.75 to 0.90 and from 0.66 to 0.86, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Results indicate that the proposed computerized system can assist a surgeon with the King classification of scoliosis.
Android based self-diagnostic electrocardiogram system for mobile healthcare
Authors: Choo Kan-Yeep , Ling Huo-Chong , Lo Yew-Chiong , Yap Zuo-Han , Pua Jun-Sheng , Phan Raphael C.-W. , Goh Vik-Tor
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide and are characterized by arrhythmia (i.e. irregular rhythm of heartbeat). Arrhythmia occasionally happens under certain conditions, such as stress. Therefore, it is difficult to be diagnosed using electrocardiogram (ECG) devices available in hospitals for just a few minutes. Constant diagnosis and monitoring of heartbeat is required to reduce death caused by cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Mobile healthcare system has emerged as a potential solution to assist patients in monitoring their own heart condition, especially those who are isolated from the reference hospital. This paper proposes a self-diagnostic electrocardiogram system for mobile healthcare that has the capability to perform a real-time ECG diagnostic.

METHODS: The self-diagnostic capability of a real-time ECG signal is achieved by implementing a detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) method. The result obtained from DFA is used to display the patient's health condition on a smartphone anytime and anywhere. If the health condition is critical, the system will alert the patient and his medical practitioner for further diagnosis.

RESULTS: Experimental results verified the validity of the developed ECG diagnostic application on a smartphone.

CONCLUSION: The proposed system can potentially reduce death caused by cardiovascular diseases by alerting the patient possibly undergoing a heart attack.
Detection of genioglossus myoelectric activity using ICA of multi-channel mandible sEMG
Authors: Song Tianyi , Meng Baowen , Chen Baoming , Zhao Di , Cao Zhengtao , Ye Jingying , Yu Mengsun
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Genioglossus myoelectric activity is of great significance in evaluating clinical respiratory function. However, there is a tradeoff in genioglossus EMG measurement with respect to accuracy versus convenience.

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents a way to separate the characteristics of genioglossus myoelectric activity from multi-channel mandible sEMG through independent component analysis.

METHODS: First, intra-oral genioglossus EMGgenioglossus EMG and three-channel mandible sEMG were recorded simultaneously. The FastICA algorithm was applied to three independent components from the sEMG signals. Then the independent components with the intra-oral genioglossus EMG were compared by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient between them.

RESULTS: An examination of 60 EMG samples showed that the FastICA algorithm was effective in separating the characteristics of genioglossus myoelectric activity from multi-channel mandible sEMG. The results of analysis were coincident with clinical diagnosis through intra-oral electrodes.

CONCLUSIONS: Genioglossus myoelectric activity can be evaluated accurately by multi-channel mandible sEMG, which is non-invasive and easy to record.
Development of multi-colored LED system for therapeutic application
Authors: Kim Ji-Sun , Jung Gu-In , Choi Ju-Hyeon , Lee Tae-Hee , Kim A-Hee , Oh Han-Byeol , Kwon Yuri , Lee Eun-Suk , Cho Yeong Bin , Jun Jae-Hoon
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: The evaluation and control of lighting is crucial in physiological, biomedical, and industrial fields. Many kinds of lighting techniques based on LED have been developed due to its advantages.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop the multi-colored LED system for healing purposes.

METHODS: Light source with three-color chip LEDs was investigated to detect the dominant wavelength.

RESULTS: The results show that the additive principle by three-color LEDs can be successfully applied to lighting system by generating a variety of colors.

CONCLUSIONS: The results are expected to be useful in the field of light therapy and medicine. Applications of the developed light system are lighting therapies such as stimulating blood circulation and digestive processes, and controlling inflammation.
Biomechanical analysis of the circular friction hand massage
Authors: Ryu Jeseong , Son Jongsang , Ahn Soonjae , Shin Isu , Kim Youngho
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: A massage can be beneficial to relieve muscle tension on the neck and shoulder area. Various massage systems have been developed, but their motions are not uniform throughout different body parts nor specifically targeted to the neck and shoulder areas.

OBJECTIVE: Pressure pattern and finger movement trajectories of the circular friction hand massage on trapezius, levator scapulae, and deltoid muscles were determined to develop a massage system that can mimic the motion and the pressure of the circular friction massage.

METHODS: During the massage, finger movement trajectories were measured using a 3D motion capture system, and finger pressures were simultaneously obtained using a grip pressure sensor.

RESULTS: Results showed that each muscle had different finger movement trajectory and pressure pattern. The trapezius muscle experienced a higher pressure, longer massage time (duration of pressurization), and larger pressure-time integral than the other muscles.

CONCLUSIONS: These results could be useful to design a better massage system simulating human finger movements.
The respiratory ciliary motion produced by dynein activity alone: A computational model of ciliary ultrastructure
Authors: Chen Duanduan , Ren Jun , Mei Yuqian , Xu Yuanqing
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Respiratory ciliary motion is enabled by dynein/microtubule activity. Current observation techniques can hardly capture the dynein activation pattern in moving cilia. Here we introduce a computational model to mimic the ciliary ultrastructure and simulate the dynein-driven ciliary motion.

METHODS: A three-dimensional model is established to mimic the ``9 + 2'' ciliary ultrastructure. The dynein force is simulated as point loads embedded along the microtubules. The dynein-triggered ciliary motion is solved by using the Finite Element Method along with grid deformation techniques.

RESULTS: By comparing the simulated ciliary movement to the observation results, the rationality of different dynein activity hypotheses are evaluated and the dynein activation pattern that can produce the planar beating of lung cilia is proposed. The results also reveal that the dynein force alone can only generate longitudinal microtubule sliding and ciliary bending; to produce the ciliary `curl-up' movement, transverse forces(possibly induced by radial spokes) need to be considered.

CONCLUSION: This model provides a platform to investigate various assumptions of dynein activity, facilitating us to evaluate their rationality and propose possible dynein activation patterns.
Design study of dedicated brain PET with polyhedron geometry
Authors: Shi Han , Du Dong , Xu JianFeng , Su Zhihong , Peng Qiyu
Published: June 2015

BACKGROUND: Despite being the conventional choice, whole body PET cameras with a 76 cm diameter ring are not the optimal means of human brain imaging.

OBJECTIVE: In fact, a dedicated brain PET with a better geometrical structure has the potential to achieve a higher sensitivity, a higher signal-to-noise ratio, and a better imaging performance.

METHODS: In this study, a polyhedron geometrical dedicated brain PET (a dodecahedron design) is compared to three other candidates via their geometrical efficiencies by calculating the Solid Angle Fractions (SAF); the three other candidates include a spherical cap design, a cylindrical design, and the conventional whole body PET.

RESULTS: The spherical cap and the dodecahedron have an identical SAF that is 58.4% higher than that of a 30 cm diameter cylinder and 5.44 times higher than that of a 76 cm diameter cylinder. The conceptual polygon-shape detectors (including pentagon and hexagon detectors based on the PMT-light-sharing scheme instead of the conventional square-shaped block detector module) are presented for the polyhedron PET design. Monte Carlo simulations are performed in order to validate the detector decoding.

CONCLUSIONS: The results show that crystals in a pentagon-shape detector can be successfully decoded by Anger Logic. The new detector designs support the polyhedron PET investigation.
Study on water sorption isotherm of summer onion
Authors: Alam Md Masud , Islam Md Nazrul
Published: June 2015

The water sorption characteristics of dehydrated onion and onion solutes composite by vacuum drying (VD) and air drying (AD) were developed at room temperature using vacuum desiccators containing saturated salt solutions at various relative humidity levels (11-93%). From moisture sorption isotherm data, the monolayer moisture content was estimated by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) equation using data up to a water activity of 0.52 and 0.93 respectively. Results showed that in case of non treated samples the monolayer moisture content values (Wo) of BET gave slightly higher values than GAB (9.7 vs 8.2) for VD, while GAB gave higher value than BET (11.0 vs 9.8) for AD. It is also seen that the treated and non treated onion slice and onion powder absorbed approximately the same amount of water at water activities below about 0.44 and above 0.44 the treated samples begin to absorb more water than the non treated samples. It was observed that 10-20% added of sugar gave no change in water sorption capacity while the amount of sorbed water increases with increasing amount added salt for mix onion product.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(1): 35-51, March 2015
Field performance and fruit quality of strawberry genotypes under subtropical climate
Authors: Rahman M Moshiur , Rahman MM , Hossain MM , Mian MA Khaleque , Khaliq QA
Published: June 2015

Thirteen strawberry genotypes collected from different sources were evaluated at the Fruit Research Field of Pomology Division, HRC, BARI, Gazipur, Bangladesh during the winter season of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 for yield, yield contributing characters and nutrient components of fruit. Among the 13 genotypes studied, the plants of FA 005 produced the maximum number of fruits (43.50 plant-1) followed by FA 006 and FA 007 (37.50 plant-1), while FA 009 and FA 013 produced the minimum number of fruits (9.00 plant-1). The heaviest fruits were produced by FA 006 (18.73 g) followed by FA 007 (17.40 g) and FA 005 (16.96 g) which were statistically similar, while the lightest fruit was found in FA 014 (5.11 g). The fruit yield plant-1 of different genotypes varied from 52.00 to 737.70 g and plants of FA 005 produced the maximum yield followed by FA 006 (702.30 g plant-1) and these were significantly higher than those of others. The minimum yield plant-1 was recorded in FA 013 and FA 014. The TSS content was highest in FA 007 (8.50 %) followed by FA 017 (8.17 %), whereas the lowest was in FA 009 (6.33 %). The TSS to acid ration was maximum in FA 006 (11.32) followed by FA 017 (11.24), FA 007 (10.80) and FA 005 (10.62), while the lowest was in FA 011 (6.95). The sugar to acid ratio significantly ranging from 3.60 to 5.98, and it was maximum in FA 006 (5.98). Plants of FA 005 contained the maximum amount of ascorbic acid (77.33 mg 100g-1) followed by FA 006 (76.00 mg 100g-1), while the minimum in FA 010 (53.00 mg 100g-1).Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(1): 137-151, March 2015
Determination of maturity indices of BER (Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.) Var. BARI Kul-2
Authors: Islam MN , Molla MM , Nasrin TAA , Uddin ASM M , Kobra K
Published: June 2015

A study was conducted at Fruit Research Farm and Postharvest Technology Laboratory of Horticulture Research Centre, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute during the period from October 2009 to February 2010 to determine the maturity indices of ber. The ber variety BARI Kul-2 was selected for conducting the study. Ber fruits were tagged at fruit setting stage and harvested at 90, 100, 110, 120 days after fruit set (treatments). The physicochemical characters like fruit weight and size, specific gravity, TSS (%), sugar (%), acidity (%), pulpstone ratio, TSS-acid ratio, sugar-acid ratio as well as subjective sensory attributes like fruit colour and texture, and storage traits like storage life, physiological weight loss (%), ripening status and decay, browning and shriveling (%) of harvested fruits were evaluated for determining the proper stage of commercial maturity. The fruit weight, TSS (%), pulp-stone ratio, TSS/acid ratio, sugar-acid ratio and specific gravity of BARI Kul-2 were found 24.33g, 15.60, 15.66, 39.72, 16.14 and 0.98, respectively, at 110 days after fruit set. Considering all the physical and chemical characters matching with subjective parameters, fruits of BARI Kul-2 was found commercially mature after 110 days of fruit set when the fruits turned into light greenish yellow to greenish yellow colour and specific gravity less than 1.00.Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 40(1): 163-176, March 2015
The Late-Victorian ‘New Man’ and the Neo-Victorian ‘Neo-Man’
Authors: Stetz Margaret D.
Published: June 2015

The New Man was a crucial topic of discussion and a continual preoccupation in late-Victorian feminist writing, precisely because he was more often a wished-for presence than an actual one. Nevertheless, creators of neo-Victorian fiction and film repeatedly project him backwards onto the screen of literary history, representing him as having in fact existed in the Victorian age as a complement to the New Woman. What is at stake in retrospectively situating the New Man – or, as I will call him, the ‘Neo-Man’ – in the nineteenth century, through historical fiction? If one impulse behind fictional returns to the Victorian period is nostalgia, then what explains this nostalgia for The Man Who Never Was? This essay will suggest that neo-Victorian works have a didactic interest in transforming present-day readers, especially men, through depictions of the Neo-Man, which broaden the audience's feminist sympathies, queer its notions of gender relations, and alter its definition of masculinity.
On T-Characterized Subgroups of Compact Abelian Groups
Authors: Gabriyelyan Saak
Published: June 2015

A sequence \(\{ u_n \}_{n\in \omega}\) in abstract additively-written Abelian group \(G\) is called a \(T\)-sequence if there is a Hausdorff group topology on \(G\) relative to which \(\lim_n u_n =0\). We say that a subgroup \(H\) of an infinite compact Abelian group \(X\) is \(T\)-characterized if there is a \(T\)-sequence \(\mathbf{u} =\{ u_n \}\) in the dual group of \(X\), such that \(H=\{ x\in X: \; (u_n, x)\to 1 \}\). We show that a closed subgroup \(H\) of \(X\) is \(T\)-characterized if and only if \(H\) is a \(G_\delta\)-subgroup of \(X\) and the annihilator of \(H\) admits a Hausdorff minimally almost periodic group topology. All closed subgroups of an infinite compact Abelian group \(X\) are \(T\)-characterized if and only if \(X\) is metrizable and connected. We prove that every compact Abelian group \(X\) of infinite exponent has a \(T\)-characterized subgroup, which is not an \(F_{\sigma}\)-subgroup of \(X\), that gives a negative answer to Problem 3.3 in Dikranjan and Gabriyelyan (Topol. Appl. 2013, 160, 2427–2442).
Adrenal Vein Sampling for Conn’s Syndrome: Diagnosis and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: Deipolyi Amy , Bailin Alexander , Wicky Stephan , Alansari Shehab , Oklu Rahmi
Published: June 2015

Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) is the gold standard test to determine unilateral causes of primary aldosteronism (PA). We have retrospectively characterized our experience with AVS including concordance of AVS results and imaging, and describe the approach for the PA patient in whom bilateral AVS is unsuccessful. We reviewed the medical records of 85 patients with PA and compared patients who were treated medically and surgically on pre-procedure presentation and post-treatment outcomes, and evaluated how technically unsuccessful AVS results were used in further patient management. Out of the 92 AVS performed in 85 patients, AVS was technically successful bilaterally in 58 (63%) of cases. Either unsuccessful AVS prompted a repeat AVS, or results from the contralateral side and from CT imaging were used to guide further therapy. Patients who were managed surgically with adrenalectomy had higher initial blood pressure and lower potassium levels compared with patients who were managed medically. Adrenalectomy results in significantly decreased blood pressure and normalization of potassium levels. AVS can identify surgically curable causes of PA, but can be technically challenging. When one adrenal vein fails to be cannulated, results from the contralateral vein can be useful in conjunction with imaging and clinical findings to suggest further management.
Auxo-Endocrinological Approach to Celiac Children
Authors: Bozzola Mauro , Meazza Cristina , Villani Alberto
Published: June 2015

Celiac disease is a permanent genetically determined intolerance to gluten that generally presents with gastrointestinal symptoms in young children and extraintestinal manifestations (endocrinological, dermatological, neurological, etc.) later. Furthermore, many studies demonstrate the close association between celiac and endocrine diseases, including growth and pubertal disorders, type I diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroid diseases, probably due to the presence of a common genetic predisposition. Follow-up for celiac children after the start of gluten-free diet is mandatory to avoid complications such as growth hormone deficiency. The present review deals with the problem of the diagnosis of endocrine-associated diseases in celiac children and gives suggestions for correct management and follow-up of these patients.
New Hyperbolic Function Solutions for Some Nonlinear Partial Differential Equation Arising in Mathematical Physics
Authors: Baskonus Haci , Bulut Hasan
Published: June 2015

In this study, we investigate some new analytical solutions to the (1 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Dispersive Modified Benjamin–Bona–Mahony equation and the (2 + 1)-dimensional cubic Klein–Gordon equation by using the generalized Kudryashov method. After we submitted the general properties of the generalized Kudryashov method in Section 2, we applied this method to these problems to obtain some new analytical solutions, such as rational function solutions, exponential function solutions and hyperbolic function solutions in Section 3. Afterwards, we draw two- and three-dimensional surfaces of analytical solutions by using Wolfram Mathematica 9.
A Hybrid Physical and Maximum-Entropy Landslide Susceptibility Model
Authors: Davis Jerry , Blesius Leonhard
Published: June 2015

The clear need for accurate landslide susceptibility mapping has led to multiple approaches. Physical models are easily interpreted and have high predictive capabilities but rely on spatially explicit and accurate parameterization, which is commonly not possible. Statistical methods can include other factors influencing slope stability such as distance to roads, but rely on good landslide inventories. The maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model has been widely and successfully used in species distribution mapping, because data on absence are often uncertain. Similarly, knowledge about the absence of landslides is often limited due to mapping scale or methodology. In this paper a hybrid approach is described that combines the physically-based landslide susceptibility model “Stability INdex MAPping” (SINMAP) with MaxEnt. This method is tested in a coastal watershed in Pacifica, CA, USA, with a well-documented landslide history including 3 inventories of 154 scars on 1941 imagery, 142 in 1975, and 253 in 1983. Results indicate that SINMAP alone overestimated susceptibility due to insufficient data on root cohesion. Models were compared using SINMAP stability index (SI) or slope alone, and SI or slope in combination with other environmental factors: curvature, a 50-m trail buffer, vegetation, and geology. For 1941 and 1975, using slope alone was similar to using SI alone; however in 1983 SI alone creates an Areas Under the receiver operator Curve (AUC) of 0.785, compared with 0.749 for slope alone. In maximum-entropy models created using all environmental factors, the stability index (SI) from SINMAP represented the greatest contributions in all three years (1941: 48.1%; 1975: 35.3; and 1983: 48%), with AUC of 0.795, 0822, and 0.859, respectively; however; using slope instead of SI created similar overall AUC values, likely due to the combined effect with plan curvature indicating focused hydrologic inputs and vegetation identifying the effect of root cohesion. The combined approach––using either stability index or slope––highlights the importance of additional environmental variables in modeling landslide initiation.
Development of a Holistic Evaluation System for BIPV Façades
Authors: Schuetze Thorsten , Willkomm Wolfgang , Roos Maria
Published: June 2015

Façades with building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) have the advantage that they can produce renewable electric energy. Compared with conventional façades, BIPV façades have therefore a valuable additional property that can generally contribute to increasing the degree of sustainability of buildings. A holistic assessment system for BIPV façade systems for office and administration buildings was developed in the framework of the project “MULTIELEMENT II” at the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy and Energy System Technology (IWES) in Kassel, Germany. The aim of this research was a comparison of conventional façade systems with BIPV façade systems regarding different technical, economical, sustainability, and design criteria. This paper discusses the basic conditions for a holistic evaluation of BIPV façades in comparison with conventional façades. A method for the execution of a holistic evaluation and characteristic values for a comparison interpretation of results is presented. Façade systems are evaluated regarding both quantifiable and non-quantifiable properties by means of a Microsoft Excel-based evaluation tool. The tool facilitates the comparison and evaluation of planned or built façades with and without BIPV. The detailed evaluation results aim to facilitate the certification of BIPV façade systems in the framework of sustainable building certification systems such as the German DGNB.
Discrete Fracture Modeling of 3D Heterogeneous Enhanced Coalbed Methane Recovery with Prismatic Meshing
Authors: Zhang Yongbin , Gong Bin , Li Junchao , Li Hangyu
Published: June 2015

In this study, a 3D multicomponent multiphase simulator with a new fracture characterization technique is developed to simulate the enhanced recovery of coalbed methane. In this new model, the diffusion source from the matrix is calculated using the traditional dual-continuum approach, while in the Darcy flow scale, the Discrete Fracture Model (DFM) is introduced to explicitly represent the flow interaction between cleats and large-scale fractures. For this purpose, a general formulation is proposed to model the multicomponent multiphase flow through the fractured coal media. The S&D model and a revised P&M model are incorporated to represent the geomechanical effects. Then a finite volume based discretization and solution strategies are constructed to solve the general ECBM equations. The prismatic meshing algorism is used to construct the grids for 3D reservoirs with complex fracture geometry. The simulator is validated with a benchmark case in which the results show close agreement with GEM. Finally, simulation of a synthetic heterogeneous 3D coal reservoir modified from a published literature is performed to evaluate the production performance and the effects of injected gas composition, well pattern and gas buoyancy.