bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hyperuricemia and Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Noncardiac Vascular Events in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Kuo Daniel , Crowson Cynthia S. , Gabriel Sherine E. , Matteson Eric L.
Published: August 2014

Objective. To evaluate whether hyperuricemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods. A population-based inception cohort of patients diagnosed between 1980 and 2007 with adult-onset RA was assembled. A comparison cohort of age- and sex-matched subjects without RA (non-RA) was also assembled. All clinically obtained uric acid values were collected. CVD and noncardiac vascular events were recorded for each patient. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the impact of hyperuricemia on development of CVD, mortality, and noncardiac vascular disease.Results. In patients without RA, hyperuricemia was associated with heart failure (HR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.13–3.39) and CVD (HR: 1.59; 95% CI: 0.99–2.55). In patients with RA, hyperuricemia was not significantly associated with CVD but was significantly associated with peripheral arterial events (HR: 2.52; 95% CI: 1.17–5.42). Hyperuricemia appeared to be more strongly associated with mortality among RA patients (HR: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.45–2.65) than among the non-RA subjects (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.09–2.24).Conclusion. In patients with RA, hyperuricemia was a significant predictor of peripheral arterial events and mortality but not of CVD.
Rough Set Approach to Incomplete Multiscale Information System
Authors: Yang Xibei , Qi Yong , Yu Dongjun , Yu Hualong , Song Xiaoning , Yang Jingyu
Published: August 2014

Multiscale information system is a new knowledge representation system for expressing the knowledge with different levels of granulations. In this paper, by considering the unknown values, which can be seen everywhere in real world applications, the incomplete multiscale information system is firstly investigated. The descriptor technique is employed to construct rough sets at different scales for analyzing the hierarchically structured data. The problem of unravelling decision rules at different scales is also addressed. Finally, the reduct descriptors are formulated to simplify decision rules, which can be derived from different scales. Some numerical examples are employed to substantiate the conceptual arguments.
Software Quality Evaluation Model Based on Weighted Mutation Rate Correction Incompletion G1 Combination Weights
Authors: Ruan Chuanyang , Yang Jianhui
Published: August 2014

Aiming at the common problems of quality evaluation method, this paper first establishes a fuzzy software quality evaluation model according to the relationship of software quality subcharacteristics and indicators; furthermore, considering the uncertainty and individual deviations of expert judgment results, this paper corrects and tests the consistency of the incomplete information sorting given by the experts and obtains an integration sorting of gathering different expert opinions through the idea of circling modification; at last, this paper proposes the weighted mutation rate which is used to measure the development balance degree and determines weights of evaluation indicators via weighted mutation rate correction incompletion G1 method, which avoids the problem of integration of subjective and objective weights.
Knowledge on Hospital Waste Management among Senior Staff Nurses Working in a Selected Medical College Hospital of Bangladesh
Authors: Uddin Mohammad Nasir , Islam Mohammad Rashedul , Yesmin Khadiza
Published: August 2014

Background. Healthcare wastes include all types of wastes generated by healthcare establishments. Waste disposal problem is growing with an ever-increasing number of hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic laboratories in Bangladesh and also in Faridpur town. Aim and Objective. The outcomes of this study will contribute to increase proper waste management practice among nurses in Bangladesh. Methods. A descriptive type of cross sectional study design was used to assess the level of knowledge regarding hospital waste management among senior staff nurses working in Faridpur Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh. All respondents (n=125) were selected by random sampling. Results. In the answer of knowledge about general waste only 4% (n=5) gave all correct answers. In the answer of knowledge about infectious waste 63.2% (n=79) gave one correct answer, of knowledge about pharmaceutical waste only 8% (n=10) gave all correct answers, and of knowledge about biomedical waste only 7.2% (n=9) gave all correct answers. In the answer of knowledge about color coded bins collecting waste 53.6% (n=67) cannot give any correct answer and only 46.4% (n=58) gave all correct answers and of knowledge about the safe disposal of hospital waste 16% (n=8) could not give any correct answer. However, against all questions were 5 options. Conclusion. Knowledge about hospital waste and its management is very poor among senior staff nurses. As a recommendation to improve this situation continuous training should be made compulsory for healthcare personnel specially staff nurses working in Bangladesh.
IL-17-Expressing CD4+and CD8+T Lymphocytes in Human Toxoplasmosis
Authors: Alves Silva Jéssica Líver , Rezende-Oliveira Karine , da Silva Marcos Vinicius , Gómez-Hernández César , Crema Peghini Bethânea , Silva Neide Maria , Mineo José Roberto , Rodrigues Júnior Virmondes
Published: August 2014

This study aimed to measure the synthesis of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by mononuclear cells after culture with liveT. gondiiand identified Th17 (CD4+) and Tc17 (CD8+) cells in toxoplasma-seronegative and toxoplasma-seropositive parturient and nonpregnant women. Cytometric bead arrays were used to measure cytokine levels (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10); immunophenotyping was used to characterize Th17 and Tc17 cells, and the cells were stained with antibodies against CD4+and CD8+T cells expressing IL-17. The addition of tachyzoites to cell cultures induced the synthesis of IL-5, IL-10, and TNF-αby cells from seronegative parturient women and of IL-5 and IL-10 by cells from seropositive, nonpregnant women. We observed a lower level of IL-17-expressing CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes in cultures of cells from seronegative and seropositive parturient and nonpregnant women that were stimulated with tachyzoites, whereas analysis of the CD4+and CD8+T cell populations showed a higher level of CD4+T cells compared with CD8+T cells. These results suggest that the cytokine pattern and IL-17-expressing CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes may have important roles in the inflammatory response toT. gondii, thus contributing to the maintenance of pregnancy and control of parasite invasion and replication.
Event-Centric Situation Trust Data Aggregation Mechanism in Distributed Wireless Network
Authors: Li Fangwei , Nie Yifang , Liu Fan , Zhu Jiang , Zhang Haibo
Published: August 2014

In wireless sensor networks, the characteristics of the openness and vulnerability can lead to communication failure and node capture more easily. To cope with the deviation problem caused by the compromised nodes, this paper proposes a situation data fusion mechanism which can enhance reliability and integrality. It makes a reliability assurance scheme, which not only establishes a project distinguishing purposive and purposeless acts, but also builds a trust awareness rule based on historical trust and the correlations among current nodes. Furthermore, the data integrality is ensured in three stages, respectively. Firstly, in event detection stage, the proposed mechanism detects events and pretreats data to improve accuracy through most trust majority rule after collecting data. Moreover, during data fusion stage, data filtration is adopted to extract credible data. Additionally, the fusion weights of transactions depend on trust, so that they will change with the passage of time. As a result, the final fusion data will be closer to real value. Finally, in consistency detection stage, the detection rule with lower communication traffic is utilized to judge whether the centers are credible. Theory analyses and simulation results verify that the new mechanism can reduce the deviation. Meanwhile, reliability and stability have been validly enhanced.
Fingerprint Classification Combining Curvelet Transform and Gray‐Level Cooccurrence Matrix
Authors: Luo Jing , Song Dan , Xiu Chunbo , Geng Shuze , Dong Tingting
Published: August 2014

Fingerprint classification is an important indexing scheme to reduce fingerprint matching time for a large database for efficient large‐scale identification. The abilities of Curvelet transform capturing directional edges of fingerprint images make the fingerprint suitable to be classified for higher classification accuracy. This paper presents an efficient algorithm for fingerprint classification combining Curvelet transform (CT) and gray‐level cooccurrence matrix (GLCM). Firstly, we use fast discrete Curvelet transform warping (FDCT_WARPING) to decompose the original image into five scales Curvelet coefficients and construct the Curvelet filter by Curvelet coefficients relationship at adjacent scales to remove the noise from signals. Secondly, we compute the GLCMs of Curvelet coefficients at the coarsest scale and calculate 16 texture features based on 4 GLCMs. Thirdly, we construct 49 direction features of Curvelet coefficients at the other four scales. Finally, fingerprint classification is accomplished by K‐nearest neighbor classifiers. Extensive experiments were performed on 4000 images in the NIST‐4 database. The proposed algorithm achieves the classification accuracy of 94.6 percent for the five‐class classification problem and 96.8 percent for the four‐class classification problem with 1.8 percent rejection, respectively. The experimental results verify that proposed algorithm has higher recognition rate than that of wavelet‐based techniques.
Aluminum Dimer Containing Bulky 1,2,3-Triazolate Ligand
Authors: Kobrsi Issam
Published: August 2014

The first molecular aluminum 1,2,3-triazolato complex was synthesized bearing a bulky 1,2,3-triazolate ligand. Oligomers and polymers were avoided due to the bulkiness and noncoordinating nature of the substituents. The novel Al2N4ring formed contains symmetrical Al-N bond distances unexpectedly having asymmetric Al-N-N angles of 144.55(15)° and 115.83(14)°. This asymmetry demonstrates the effect of the steric hindrance of the ligand.
Study of Antigravity in an F(R) Model and in Brans-Dicke Theory with Cosmological Constant
Authors: Oikonomou V. K. , Karagiannakis N.
Published: August 2014

We study antigravity, that is, having an effective gravitational constant with a negative sign, in scalar-tensor theories originating from F(R) theory and in a Brans-Dicke model with cosmological constant. For the F(R) theory case, we obtain the antigravity scalar-tensor theory in the Jordan frame by using a variant of the Lagrange multipliers method and we numerically study the time dependent effective gravitational constant. As we will demonstrate by using a specific F(R) model, although there is no antigravity in the initial model, it might occur or not in the scalar-tensor counterpart, mainly depending on the parameter that characterizes antigravity. Similar results hold true in the Brans-Dicke model.
Theocharis Problem Reconsidered in Differentiated Oligopoly
Authors: Matsumoto Akio , Szidarovszky Ferenc
Published: August 2014

Oligopolies with product differentiation are examined with both quantity-adjusting and price-adjusting firms. Conditions are given for the positivity of the equilibrium outputs as well as for that of the equilibrium prices. The stability of the positive equilibria is then investigated; the positivity and stability conditions are also compared. The dependence of these conditions on the number of firms, their qualifications and the degree of relation between the goods is discussed. The analysis is given by assuming both discrete- and continuous-time scales.
Uncertainty Principles and Extremal Functions for the Dunkl L2-Multiplier Operators
Authors: Soltani Fethi
Published: August 2014

We study some class of Dunkl L2-multiplier operators; and related to these
operators we establish the Heisenberg-Pauli-Weyl uncertainty principle and Donoho-Stark’s uncertainty principle. We give also an application of the theory of reproducing
kernels to the Tikhonov regularization on the Sobolev-Dunkl spaces.
SiO2Antireflection Coatings Fabricated by Electron-Beam Evaporation for Black Monocrystalline Silicon Solar Cells
Authors: Li Minghua , Shen Hui , Zhuang Lin , Chen Daming , Liang Xinghua
Published: August 2014

In this work we prepared double-layer antireflection coatings (DARC) by using the SiO2/SiNx:H heterostructure design. SiO2thin films were deposited by electron-beam evaporation on the conventional solar cell with SiNx:H single-layer antireflection coatings (SARC), while to avoid the coverage of SiO2on the front side busbars, a steel mask was utilized as the shelter. The thickness of the SiNx:H as bottom layer was fixed at 80 nm, and the varied thicknesses of the SiO2as top layer were 105 nm and 122 nm. The results show that the SiO2/SiNx:H DARC have a much lower reflectance and higher external quantum efficiency (EQE) in short wavelengths compared with the SiNx:H SARC. A higher energy conversion efficiency of 17.80% was obtained for solar cells with SiO2(105 nm)/SiNx:H (80 nm) DARC, an absolute conversion efficiency increase of 0.32% compared with the conventional single SiNx:H-coated cells.
Relationship between the Prevalence of Thyroid Nodules and Metabolic Syndrome in the Iodine-Adequate Area of Hangzhou, China: A Cross-Sectional and Cohort Study
Authors: Yin Junhua , Wang Changchun , Shao Qin , Qu Dihong , Song Zhenya , Shan Pengfei , Zhang Tao , Xu Jun , Liang Qin , Zhang Songzhao , Huang Jian
Published: August 2014

Objective. The association between thyroid nodule (TN) prevalence and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has only rarely been examined in iodine-adequate areas and needs further clarification. We investigated correlations between MetS and TN prevalence in the iodine-adequate area of Hangzhou, China.Material and Method. A cross-sectional study that screened and recruited individuals for cohort research 3 years later. The 13522 subjects (8926 men, 4596 women) were screened in 2009 for all MetS components, thyroid ultrasound (US), and thyroid function. Cohort research recruited 1610 subjects who were screened in both 2009 and 2012, of whom 1061 underwent follow-up research.Results. The prevalence of TN was higher in the MetS (+) group than in the MetS (−) group (χ2= 69.63,P< 0.001) and higher in women than in men (χ2= 11.65,P= 0.001). Waist circumference (WC) was positively related to the prevalence of TN (OR = 1.022,P< 0.001). Individuals with greater WC in 2009 were more likely to suffer from TN in 2012 (RR = 1.434,P= 0.024). Elevated triglyceride level was a risk factor for developing new TN (RR = 1.001,P= 0.035).Conclusion. Both greater WC and elevated triglycerides are risk factors for new TN in this iodine-adequate area in China.
Effect of Staurosporine in the Morphology and Viability of Cerebellar Astrocytes: Role of Reactive Oxygen Species and NADPH Oxidase
Authors: Olguín-Albuerne Mauricio , Domínguez Guadalupe , Morán Julio
Published: August 2014

Cell death implies morphological changes that may contribute to the progression of this process. In astrocytes, the mechanisms involving the cytoskeletal changes during cell death are not well explored. Although NADPH oxidase (NOX) has been described as being a critical factor in the production of ROS, not much information is available about the participation of NOX-derived ROS in the cell death of astrocytes and their role in the alterations of the cytoskeleton during the death of astrocytes. In this study, we have evaluated the participation of ROS in the death of cultured cerebellar astrocytes using staurosporine (St) as death inductor. We found that astrocytes express NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4. Also, St induced an early ROS production and NOX activation that participate in the death of astrocytes. These findings suggest that ROS produced by St is generated through NOX1 and NOX4. Finally, we showed that the reorganization of tubulin and actin induced by St is ROS independent and that St did not change the level of expression of these cytoskeletal proteins. We conclude that ROS produced by a NOX is required for cell death in astrocytes, but not for the morphological alterations induced by St.
Information Experiences and Needs in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension or Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
Authors: Ivarsson Bodil , Ekmehag Björn , Sjöberg Trygve
Published: August 2014

Background. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) are fatal, noncurable, but treatable diseases that strongly affect the patients.Objective. To describe patients’ experience of information relating to PAH or CTEPH.Methods. A qualitative method using content analysis was applied. Seventeen patients (thirteen women and four men) aged 28–73 years from a regional PAH centre were individually interviewed.Results. Three categories that describe patients’ experiences of information emerged: handling of information, struggling with feelings that also affect others, and vulnerability associated with uncertainty. The patients would have welcomed more information to relatives from the healthcare professionals. Shortcomings on communicating a prognosis were experienced. The mediated information and knowledge gave the patients insight into physical or psychosocial problems. Mutual exchange of information between patients and healthcare professionals were marred by different experiences of attitudes, behaviour, and ownership.Conclusions. In the future, healthcare organizations must struggle to achieve a holistic healthcare by making it more person-centred, and they must also promote cooperation between PAH centres and local healthcare providers. It is essential to determine the most appropriate and valuable path of information and communication and, thereby, the most cost-effective management of PAH or CTEPH.
Health Technology Assessment of Belimumab: A New Monoclonal Antibody for the Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Specchia Maria Lucia , de Waure Chiara , Gualano Maria Rosaria , Doria Andrea , Turchetti Giuseppe , Pippo Lara , Di Nardo Francesco , Capizzi Silvio , Cadeddu Chiara , Kheiraoui Flavia , Iaccarino Luca , Pierotti Francesca , Palla Ilaria , Veneziano Maria Assunta , Gliubizzi Daniela , Sferrazza Antonella , Nicolotti Nicola , Porcasi Rolando , La Torre Giuseppe , Di Pietro Maria Luisa , Ricciardi Walter
Published: August 2014

Objective.Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is treated with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs and off-label biologics. Belimumab is the first biologic approved after 50 years as an add-on therapy for active disease. This paper summarizes a health technology assessment performed in Italy.Methods.SLE epidemiology and burden were assessed using the best published international and national evidences and efficacy and safety of belimumab were synthesized using clinical data. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed by a lifetime microsimulation model comparing belimumab to standard of care (SoC). Organizational and ethical implications were discussed.Results.Literature review showed that SLE affects 47 per 100,000 people for a total of 28,500 patients in Italy, 50% of whom are affected by active form of the disease despite SoC. These patients, if autoantibodies and anti-dsDNA positive with low complement, are eligible for belimumab. SLE determines work disability and a 2–5-fold increase in mortality. Belimumab with SoC may prevent 4,742 flares in three years being cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €32,859 per quality adjusted life year gained. From the organizational perspective, the development of clear and comprehensive clinical pathways is crucial.Conclusions.The assessment supports the use of belimumab into the SLE treatment paradigm in Italy.
Antenna Miniaturization with MEMS Tunable Capacitors: Techniques and Trade-Offs
Authors: Caporal Del Barrio Samantha , Morris Art , Pedersen Gert F.
Published: August 2014

In today’s mobile device market, there is a strong need for efficient antenna miniaturization. Tunable antennas are a very promising way to reduce antenna volume while enlarging its operating bandwidth. MEMS tunable capacitors are state-of-the-art in terms of insertion loss. Their characteristics are used in this investigation. This paper uses field simulations to highlight the trade-offs between the design of the tuner and the design of the antenna, especially the impact of the location of the tuner and the degree of miniaturization. Codesigning the tuner and the antenna is essential to optimize radiated performance.
Mechanical Decoupling Algorithm Applied to Electric Drive Test Bed
Authors: Qiang Song , Lin Luo
Published: August 2014

New approach and analysis are proposed in this paper to enhance the steady and rapidity of the electric drive test bed. Based on a basic drive motor dynamometer system (DMDS) test bed, detailed mathematical model and process control are established and analyzed. Relative gain array (RGA) method and diagonal matrix method are used to analyze the mechanical coupling caused by mechanical connection on the DMDS test bed, and the structure and algorithm of dynamic decoupling are proposed. Simulation and experiment all indicate that the designed decoupling method can efficiently improve the control accuracy and response speed.
Soil Phosphorus Storage Capacity for Environmental Risk Assessment
Authors: Nair Vimala D. , Harris Willie G.
Published: August 2014

Reliable techniques must be developed to predict phosphorus (P) storage and release from soils of uplands, ditches, streams, and wetlands in order to better understand the natural, anthropogenic, and legacy sources of P and their impact on water quality at a field/plot as well as larger scales. A concept called the “safe” soil phosphorus storage capacity (SPSC) that is based on a threshold phosphorus saturation ratio (PSR) has been developed; the PSR is the molar ratio of P to Fe and Al, and SPSC is a PSR-based calculation of the remaining soil P storage capacity that captures risks arising from previous loading as well as inherently low P sorption capacity of a soil. Zero SPSC amounts to a threshold value below which P runoff or leaching risk increases precipitously. In addition to the use of the PSR/SPSC concept for P risk assessment and management, and its ability to predict isotherm parameters such as the Langmuir strength of bonding,KL, and the equilibrium P concentration, EPC0, this simple, cost-effective, and quantitative approach has the potential to be used as an agronomic tool for more precise application of P for plant uptake.
Osteonecrosis of Femoral Head Occurred after Stent Placement of Femoral Artery
Authors: Shimatani Akiyoshi , Inori Fumiaki , Yoshida Taku , Tohyama Masahiko , Konishi Sadahiko , Ohashi Hirotsugu
Published: August 2014

We present a case of osteonecrosis of femoral head (ONFH) that occurred after stent angiography of femoral artery for the treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) of left inferior limb in a 76-year-old woman. No case of late collapse of femoral head as a complication of endovascular procedure such as stent placement has been previously documented. We considered that ONFH occurred after detaining stent at a junction of left deep femoral artery for the treatment of the ischemia of left lateral and medial femoral circumflex artery.
Quantitative Characterization of Nut Yield and Fruit Components in Indigenous Coconut Germplasm in Sri Lanka
Authors: Perera S. A. C. N. , Dissanayaka H. D. M. A. C. , Herath H. M. N. B. , Meegahakumbura M. G. M. K. , Perera L.
Published: August 2014

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a tropical palm offering multiple uses. Conservation of coconut germplasm has been undertaken globally in view of its economic importance. This research was designed to evaluate nine Sri Lankan indigenous coconut germplasm representing the three varieties Typica, Nana, and Aurantiaca. Total annual nut yield and the weights of fresh nut, husked nut, split nut, and fresh and dry kernel were scored and analyzed with analysis of variance. The annual average number of bunches varied from 14.9 to 16.8 which is significantly higher than the generally accepted 12–14 bunches in tall coconuts. The high potential of phenotypes Ran thembili and Gon thembili for kernel production was revealed. The high potential of Gon thembili, Sri Lanka Tall, and Ran thembili to produce fibre was also identified. Phenotypes Ran thembili and Gon thembili displayed their potential as pure cultivars and as parents in hybridization. King coconut, Red dwarf, and Bodiri were shown to be suitable as beverage coconuts due to the high production of nuts, bunches, and the quantity of nut water. This study reiterated the importance of conservation and characterization of indigenous coconut varieties globally for their effective use in the genetic improvement of the coconut palm.
Thermodynamic Analysis of a Rankine Cycle Powered Vapor Compression Ice Maker Using Solar Energy
Authors: Hu Bing , Bu Xianbiao , Ma Weibin
Published: August 2014

To develop the organic Rankine-vapor compression ice maker driven by solar energy, a thermodynamic model was developed and the effects of generation temperature, condensation temperature, and working fluid types on the system performance were analyzed. The results show that the cooling power per square meter collector and ice production per square meter collector per day depend largely on generation temperature and condensation temperature and they increase firstly and then decrease with increasing generation temperature. For every working fluid there is an optimal generation temperature at which organic Rankine efficiency achieves the maximum value. The cooling power per square meter collector and ice production per square meter collector per day are, respectively, 126.44 W m−2and 7.61 kg m−2 day−1at the generation temperature of 140°C for working fluid of R245fa, which demonstrates the feasibility of organic Rankine cycle powered vapor compression ice maker.
A Proteomics Analysis to Evaluate Cytotoxicity in NRK-52E Cells Caused by Unmodified Nano-Fe3O4
Authors: Lin Yi-Reng , Kuo Chao-Jen , Lin Hugo You-Hsien , Wu Chin-Jen , Liang Shih-Shin
Published: August 2014

We synthesized unmodified Fe3O4nanoparticles (NPs) with particles size from 10 nm to 100 nm. We cultured NRK-52E cell lines (rat, kidney) and treated with Fe3O4NPs to investigate and evaluate the cytotoxicity of NPs for NRK-52E cells. Through global proteomics analysis using dimethyl labeling techniques and liquid phase chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS), we characterized 435 proteins including the programmed cell death related proteins, ras-related proteins, glutathione related proteins, and the chaperone proteins such as heat shock proteins, serpin H1, protein disulfide-isomerase A4, endoplasmin, and endoplasmic reticulum resident proteins. From the statistical data of identified proteins, we believed that NPs treatment causes cell death and promotes expression of ras-related proteins. In order to avoid apoptosis, NRK-52E cell lines induce a series of protective effects such as glutathione related proteins to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS), and chaperone proteins to recycle damaged proteins. We suggested that, in the indigenous cellular environment, Fe3O4NPs treatment induced an antagonistic effect for cell lines to go to which avoids apoptosis.
Time Pattern Locking Scheme for Secure Multimedia Contents in Human-Centric Device
Authors: Kim Hyun-Woo , Kim Jun-Ho , Park Jong Hyuk , Jeong Young-Sik
Published: August 2014

Among the various smart multimedia devices, multimedia smartphones have become the most widespread due to their convenient portability and real-time information sharing, as well as various other built-in features. Accordingly, since personal and business activities can be carried out using multimedia smartphones without restrictions based on time and location, people have more leisure time and convenience than ever. However, problems such as loss, theft, and information leakage because of convenient portability have also increased proportionally. As a result, most multimedia smartphones are equipped with various built-in locking features. Pattern lock, personal identification numbers, and passwords are the most used locking features on current smartphones, but these are vulnerable to shoulder surfing and smudge attacks, allowing malicious users to bypass the security feature easily. In particular, the smudge attack technique is a convenient way to unlock multimedia smartphones after they have been stolen. In this paper, we propose the secure locking screen using time pattern (SLSTP) focusing on improved security and convenience for users to support human-centric multimedia device completely. The SLSTP can provide a simple interface to users and reduce the risk factors pertaining to security leakage to malicious third parties.
Existence of Sign-Changing Solutions to Equations Involving the One-Dimensional p-Laplacian
Authors: Ma Ruyun , Jiang Lingfang
Published: August 2014

We consider the equations involving the one-dimensional p-Laplacian (P):  (u′tp-2u′(t))′+λf(u(t))=0, 0<t<1, and
u(0)=u(1)=0, where p>1,λ>0,f∈C1(R;R),f(s)s>0, and
s≠0. We show the existence of sign-changing solutions under the assumptions f∞=lim|s|→∞⁡(fs/sp-1)=+∞ and f0=lim|s|→0(f(s)/sp-1)∈[0,∞]. We also show that (P) has exactly one solution having specified nodal properties for λ∈(0,λ*) for some λ*∈(0,∞). Our main results are based on quadrature method.
A Numerical Solution for Hirota-Satsuma Coupled KdV Equation
Authors: Ismail M. S. , Ashi H. A.
Published: August 2014

A Petrov-Galerkin method and product approximation technique are used to solve numerically the Hirota-Satsuma coupled Korteweg-de Vries equation, using cubicB-splines as test functions and a linearB-spline as trial functions. The implicit midpoint rule is used to advance the solution in time. Newton’s method is used to solve the block nonlinear pentadiagonal system we have obtained. The resulting schemes are of second order accuracy in both directions, space and time. The von Neumann stability analysis of the schemes shows that the two schemes are unconditionally stable. The single soliton solution and the conserved quantities are used to assess the accuracy and to show the robustness of the schemes. The interaction of two solitons, three solitons, and birth of solitons is also discussed.
Research on Wavelet Singularity Detection Based Fault-Tolerant Federated Filtering Algorithm for INS/GPS/DVL Integrated Navigation System
Authors: Cheng Jianhua , Chen Daidai , Landry Jr. Rene , Zhao Lin , Guan Dongxue
Published: August 2014

Soft faults in navigation sensors will lead to the degradation of the accuracy and reliability of integrated navigation system. To solve this problem, a wavelet analysis and signal singularities based soft fault detection method are given out. To find signal singularities and detect the faults, the modulus maxima values are calculated after the wavelet transform of original signal. By calculating the Lipschitz exponent using the modulus maxima value at the fault point, the fault types are distinguished. Then, a fault-tolerant federated filtering algorithm for the calibration of INS/GPS/DVL integrated navigation system is proposed. Simulations are conducted and results show that sensor soft faults can be detected accurately. By effectively isolating the fault and refactoring information, the accuracy and reliability of navigation system are improved.
A “Salt and Pepper” Noise Reduction Scheme for Digital Images Based on Support Vector Machines Classification and Regression
Authors: Gómez-Moreno Hilario , Gil-Jiménez Pedro , Lafuente-Arroyo Sergio , López-Sastre Roberto , Maldonado-Bascón Saturnino
Published: August 2014

We present a new impulse noise removal technique based on Support Vector Machines (SVM). Both classification and regression were used to reduce the “salt and pepper” noise found in digital images. Classification enables identification of noisy pixels, while regression provides a means to determine reconstruction values. The training vectors necessary for the SVM were generated synthetically in order to maintain control over quality and complexity. A modified median filter based on a previous noise detection stage and a regression-based filter are presented and compared to other well-known state-of-the-art noise reduction algorithms. The results show that the filters proposed achieved good results, outperforming other state-of-the-art algorithms for low and medium noise ratios, and were comparable for very highly corrupted images.
Oxidative Stress and NO Signalling in the Root Apex as an Early Response to Changes in Gravity Conditions
Authors: Mugnai Sergio , Pandolfi Camilla , Masi Elisa , Azzarello Elisa , Monetti Emanuela , Comparini Diego , Voigt Boris , Volkmann Dieter , Mancuso Stefano
Published: August 2014

Oxygen influx showed an asymmetry in the transition zone of the root apex when roots were placed horizontally on ground. The influx increased only in the upper side, while no changes were detected in the division and in the elongation zone. Nitric oxide (NO) was also monitored after gravistimulation, revealing a sudden burst only in the transition zone. In order to confirm these results in real microgravity conditions, experiments have been set up by using parabolic flights and drop tower. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also monitored. Oxygen, NO, and ROS were continuously monitored during normal and hyper- and microgravity conditions in roots of maize seedlings. A distinct signal in oxygen and NO fluxes was clearly detected only in the apex zone during microgravity, with no significant changes in normal and in hypergravity conditions. The same results were obtained by ROS measurement. The detrimental effect of D’orenone, disrupting the polarised auxin transport, on the onset of the oxygen peaks during the microgravity period was also evaluated. Results indicates an active role of NO and ROS as messengers during the gravitropic response, with probable implications in the auxin redistribution.
Subsurface Scattering‐Based Object Rendering Techniques for Real‐Time Smartphone Games
Authors: Lee Won-Sun , Kim Seung-Do , Chin Seongah
Published: August 2014

Subsurface scattering that simulates the path of a light through the material in a scene is one of the advanced rendering techniques in the field of computer graphics society. Since it takes a number of long operations, it cannot be easily implemented in real‐time smartphone games. In this paper, we propose a subsurface scattering‐based object rendering technique that is optimized for smartphone games. We employ our subsurface scattering method that is utilized for a real‐time smartphone game. And an example game is designed to validate how the proposed method can be operated seamlessly in real time. Finally, we show the comparison results between bidirectional reflectance distribution function, bidirectional scattering distribution function, and our proposed subsurface scattering method on a smartphone game.
Laser-Induced Point Defects in Fused Silica Irradiated by UV Laser in Vacuum
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyan , Zhou Xinda , Huang Jin , Cheng Qiang , Wang Fengrui , Ye Xin , Jiang Xiaodong , Wu Weidong
Published: August 2014

High-purity fused silica irradiated by third harmonic of the Nd:YAG laser in vacuum with different laser pulse parameters was studied experimentally. Laser-induced defects are investigated by UV spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectra and correlated to the structural modifications in the glass matrix through Raman spectroscopy. Results show that, for laser fluence below laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT), the absorbance and intensity of fluorescence bands increase with laser energies and/or number of laser pulses, which indicates that laser-induced defects are enhanced by laser energies and/or number of laser pulses in vacuum. The optical properties of these point defects were discussed in detail.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 in Bone Marrow-Derived Cells Contributes to the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Wang Hui , Shi Haojun , Zhang Jing , Wang Guoliang , Zhang Jinxiang , Jiang Fagang , Xiao Qing
Published: August 2014

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication in diabetics, and its mechanism is not fully understood. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of the inflammatory state during DR, and the deletion of TLR4 eventually alleviates the diabetic inflammatory state. To further elucidate the mechanism of DR, we used bone marrow transplantation to establish reciprocal chimeric animals of TLR4 mutant mice and TLR4 WT mice combined with diabetes mellitus (DM) induction by streptozotocin (STZ) treatment to identify the role of TLR4 in different cell types in the development of the proinflammatory state during DR. TLR4 mutation did not block the occurrence of high blood glucose after STZ injection compared with WT mice but did alleviate the progression of DR and alter the expression of the small vessel proliferation-related genes, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α). Grafting bone marrow-derived cells from TLR4 WT mice into TLR4 mutant mice increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and MIP-2 and increased the damage to the retina. Similarly, VEGF and HIF-1αexpression were restored by the bone marrow transplantation. These findings identify an essential role for TLR4 in bone marrow-derived cells contributing to the progression of DR.
Habitat Preference and Population Ecology of Limpets Cellana karachiensis (Winckworth) and Siphonaria siphonaria (Sowerby) at Veraval Coast of Kathiawar Peninsula, India
Authors: Faladu Julee , Vakani Bhavik , Poriya Paresh , Kundu Rahul
Published: August 2014

Present study reports the habitat preference and spatiotemporal variations in the population abundance of limpets Cellana karachiensis and Siphonaria siphonaria inhabiting rocky intertidal zones of Veraval coast, Kathiawar Peninsula, India. The entire intertidal zone of the Veraval coast was divided into five microsampling sites based on their substratum type and assemblage structure. Extensive field surveys were conducted every month in these microsampling sites and the population abundance of two limpet species was analyzed using belt transect method. The results revealed that C. karachiensis was the dominating species at microsampling Site-1 (having rocky substratum) possibly due to its ability to tolerate high desiccation, salinity, and temperature fluctuations, while the S. siphonaria was found to be the most dominating species at microsampling Site-2 (having rocky substratum with abundant algal population) possibly due to their preference for the perpetual wet areas. The study also indicated that S. siphonaria preferred upper littoral zone where the green algae were abundant while C. karachiensis preferred the spray zone, where it faces almost no competition for space and food with other molluscs. The condition of the spray zone is very harsh for other species to survive.
A Generalizedq-Grüss Inequality Involving the Riemann-Liouville Fractionalq-Integrals
Authors: Secer Aydin , Purohit S. D. , Selvakumaran K. A. , Bayram Mustafa
Published: August 2014

The aim of this paper is to establishq-extension of the Grüss type integral inequality related to the integrable functions whose bounds are four integrable functions, involving Riemann-Liouville fractionalq-integral operators. The results given earlier by Zhu et al. (2012) and Tariboon et al. (2014) follow the special cases of our findings.
A Hybrid MCDM Model for Improving GIS-Based Solar Farms Site Selection
Authors: Chen Chao-Rong , Huang Chi-Chen , Tsuei Hung-Jia
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this research is to establish a decision model for improving the performance of solar farms. To investigate the interdependent interrelationship and influential weights among criteria for solar farms site selection, a hybrid MCDM model including decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and DEMATEL-based analytic network process (DANP) based on geographical information systems (GIS) is utilized. The empirical results display that there are interdependence and self-effect relationships among criteria via DEMATEL technique. According to the influential network relation map (INRM), the dimension that administrators of solar energy industry should improve first when enhancing the performance of solar farms is orography. In the ten criteria, solar radiation is the most important criterion impacting solar farms site selection, followed by average temperature and distance to villages.
Further Study of MultigranulationT-Fuzzy Rough Sets
Authors: Li Wentao , Zhang Xiaoyan , Sun Wenxin
Published: August 2014

The optimistic multigranulationT-fuzzy rough set model was established based on multiple granulations underT-fuzzy approximation space by Xu et al., 2012. From the reference, a natural idea is to consider pessimistic multigranulation model inT-fuzzy approximation space. So, in this paper, the main objective is to make further studies according to Xu et al., 2012. The optimistic multigranulationT-fuzzy rough set model is improved deeply by investigating some further properties. And a complete multigranulationT-fuzzy rough set model is constituted by addressing the pessimistic multigranulationT-fuzzy rough set. The full important properties of multigranulationT-fuzzy lower and upper approximation operators are also presented. Moreover, relationships between multigranulation and classicalT-fuzzy rough sets have been studied carefully. From the relationships, we can find that theT-fuzzy rough set model is a special instance of the two new types of models. In order to interpret and illustrate optimistic and pessimistic multigranulationT-fuzzy rough set models, a case is considered, which is helpful for applying these theories to practical issues.
Generalized Contractive Mappings and Weaklyα-Admissible Pairs inG-Metric Spaces
Authors: Hussain N. , Parvaneh V. , Hoseini Ghoncheh S. J.
Published: August 2014

The aim of this paper is to present some coincidence and common fixed point results for generalized (ψ,φ)-contractive mappings using partially weaklyG-α-admissibility in the setup ofG-metric space. As an application of our results, periodic points of weakly contractive mappings are obtained. We also derive certain new coincidence point and common fixed point theorems in partially orderedG-metric spaces. Moreover, some examples are provided here to illustrate the usability of the obtained results.
Approximate Sparse Regularized Hyperspectral Unmixing
Authors: Deng Chengzhi , Zhang Yaning , Wang Shengqian , Zhang Shaoquan , Tian Wei , Wu Zhaoming , Hu Saifeng
Published: August 2014

Sparse regression based unmixing has been recently proposed to estimate the abundance of materials present in hyperspectral image pixel. In this paper, a novel sparse unmixing optimization model based on approximate sparsity, namely, approximate sparse unmixing (ASU), is firstly proposed to perform the unmixing task for hyperspectral remote sensing imagery. And then, a variable splitting and augmented Lagrangian algorithm is introduced to tackle the optimization problem. In ASU, approximate sparsity is used as a regularizer for sparse unmixing, which is sparser than regularizer and much easier to be solved than regularizer. Three simulated and one real hyperspectral images were used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm in comparison to regularizer. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is more effective and accurate for hyperspectral unmixing than state‐of‐the‐art regularizer.
Ultrasound-Mediated Local Drug and Gene Delivery Using Nanocarriers
Authors: Zhou Qiu-Lan , Chen Zhi-Yi , Wang Yi-Xiang , Yang Feng , Lin Yan , Liao Yang-Ying
Published: August 2014

With the development of nanotechnology, nanocarriers have been increasingly used for curative drug/gene delivery. Various nanocarriers are being introduced and assessed, such as polymer nanoparticles, liposomes, and micelles. As a novel theranostic system, nanocarriers hold great promise for ultrasound molecular imaging, targeted drug/gene delivery, and therapy. Nanocarriers, with the properties of smaller particle size, and long circulation time, would be advantageous in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Nanocarriers can pass through blood capillary walls and cell membrane walls to deliver drugs. The mechanisms of interaction between ultrasound and nanocarriers are not clearly understood, which may be related to cavitation, mechanical effects, thermal effects, and so forth. These effects may induce transient membrane permeabilization (sonoporation) on a single cell level, cell death, and disruption of tissue structure, ensuring noninvasive, targeted, and efficient drug/gene delivery and therapy. The system has been used in various tissues and organs (in vitro or in vivo), including tumor tissues, kidney, cardiac, skeletal muscle, and vascular smooth muscle. In this review, we explore the research progress and application of ultrasound-mediated local drug/gene delivery with nanocarriers.
Database Constraints Applied to Metabolic Pathway Reconstruction Tools
Authors: Vilaplana Jordi , Solsona Francesc , Teixido Ivan , Usié Anabel , Karathia Hiren , Alves Rui , Mateo Jordi
Published: August 2014

Our group developed two biological applications,Biblio-MetReSandHomol-MetReS, accessing the same database of organisms with annotated genes.Biblio-MetReSis a data-mining application that facilitates the reconstruction of molecular networks based on automated text-mining analysis of published scientific literature.Homol-MetReSallows functional (re)annotation of proteomes, to properly identify both the individual proteins involved in the process(es) of interest and their function. It also enables the sets of proteins involved in the process(es) in different organisms to be compared directly. The efficiency of these biological applications is directly related to the design of the shared database. We classified and analyzed the different kinds of access to the database. Based on this study, we tried to adjust and tune the configurable parameters of the database server to reach the best performance of the communication data link to/from the database system. Different database technologies were analyzed. We started the study with a public relationalSQLdatabase,MySQL.Then, the same database was implemented by aMapReduce-based database namedHBase.The results indicated that the standard configuration ofMySQLgives an acceptable performance for low or medium size databases. Nevertheless, tuning database parameters can greatly improve the performance and lead to very competitive runtimes.