bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Profile of Tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection: Insights from Expanded HIV Surveillance at a Tuberculosis Facility in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Perumal Rubeshan , Padayatchi Nesri , Naidoo Kogieleum , Knight Stephen
Published: April 2014

Background. Expanded HIV surveillance in TB patients forms part of the World Health Organization framework for strategic collaborative activity. Surveillance helps understand the epidemiology of the local dual epidemic and enables design of a tailored response to these challenges. Methods. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study of anonymous unlinked HIV testing for 741 consecutive TB suspects attending an urban TB facility during a seven-week period in 2008. Results. A total of 512 patients were found to have TB. The mean age was 35.7 years, and 63% were male. The prevalence of HIV was 72.2% (95% CI: 68.2–75.9) in all TB cases, 69.8% (95% CI: 65.3–74.2) in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), 81.6% (95% CI: 72.9–90.3) in extrapulmonary disease, and 66.8% (95% CI: 60.7–72.9) in those without TB disease. HIV prevalence in TB patients was higher in females than males and in younger age groups (18–29 years). The sex ratio of PTB patients correlated with the sex ratio of the prevalence of HIV in the respective age groups P<0.05. Conclusion. The use of a rapid HIV test performed on sputum anonymously provides an opportunity for HIV surveillance in this high-burdened setting, which has the potential to lend valuable insight into the coepidemics.
p16INK4Aand p14ARFGene Promoter Hypermethylation as Prognostic Biomarker in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review
Authors: Al-Kaabi A. , van Bockel L. W. , Pothen A. J. , Willems S. M.
Published: April 2014

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a heterogeneous group of tumors with each subtype having a distinct histopathological and molecular profile. Most tumors share, to some extent, the same multistep carcinogenic pathways, which include a wide variety of genetic and epigenetic changes. Epigenetic alterations represent all changes in gene expression patterns that do not alter the actual DNA sequence. Recently, it has become clear that silencing of cancer related genes is not exclusively a result of genetic changes such as mutations or deletions, but it can also be regulated on epigenetic level, mostly by means of gene promoter hypermethylation. Results from recent studies have demonstrated that DNA methylation patterns contain tumor-type-specific signatures, which could serve as biomarkers for clinical outcome in the near future. The topic of this review discusses gene promoter hypermethylation in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The main objective is to analyse the available data on gene promoter hypermethylation of the cell cycle regulatory proteinsp16INK4Aandp14ARFand to investigate their clinical significance as novel biomarkers in OSCC. Hypermethylation of both genes seems to possess predictive properties for several clinicopathological outcomes. We conclude that the methylation status ofp16INK4Ais definitely a promising candidate biomarker for predicting clinical outcome of OSCC, especially for recurrence-free survival.
HIV-1 Tropism Test Evaluation: Assessment and Clinical Implications
Authors: Chiappetta Stefania , Pogliaghi Manuela , Ripa Marco , Lazzarin Adriano , Tambussi Giuseppe , Nozza Silvia
Published: April 2014

CCR5 and CXCR4 chemokines receptors are critical coreceptors for the binding of HIV to specific host cells. Guidelines recommend its assessment in case of virological failure or before prescription of CCR5 inhibitors. Strategies to assess viral tropism may be divided into phenotypic and genotypic assays; registrative trials of CCR5 inhibitors used phenotypic assay, but recently genotypic ones have been used in clinical practice. The presence of CXCR4 is increasing in naïve patients, with both acute and chronic HIV-1 infections; this coreceptor usage is associated with CD4 depletion. The assessment of viral tropism should be considered in every stage of HIV-1 infection.
The Identification of Convex Function on Riemannian Manifold
Authors: Zou Li , Wen Xin , Karimi Hamid Reza , Shi Yan
Published: April 2014

The necessary and sufficient condition of convex function is significant in nonlinear convex programming. This paper presents the identification of convex function on Riemannian manifold by use of Penot generalized directional derivative and the Clarke generalized gradient. This paper also presents a method for judging whether a point is the global minimum point in the inequality constraints. Our objective here is to extend the content and proof the necessary and sufficient condition of convex function to Riemannian manifolds.
Inhibitory Effects of 658 nm Laser Irradiation on Skin Temperature in Anesthetized Rats: Preliminary Results from a Controlled Study
Authors: Litscher Daniela , Wang Xiaoyu , Schneider Miriam , Friemel Chris M. , Litscher Gerhard
Published: April 2014

Red laser light stimulation can have many physiological effects. The goal of this animal experimental study was to investigate how red laser stimulation influences the temperature of anesthetized rats at different acupuncture points and nonacupoints. For that reason 12 adult male Wistar Han rats (300–380 g) were investigated. Six anesthetized rats underwent red laser stimulation (wavelength 658 nm, output power 40 mW, diameter 500 µm, and duration 10 min) at the Baihui (GV20) acupoint, the Zusanli acupoint (ST36, bilateral), and a control point on the forelimb. The other six rats underwent the same procedure; however, the laser remained switched off. Significant decreases in temperature were found at the acupoints Baihui, Zusanli left, and Zusanli right. In addition there was no significant temperature effect at a control point. During placebo laser irradiation (deactivated laser) there were also significant temperature changes. The mechanism underlying the results is currently unknown, but brain stimulation (via laser or mechanical pressure) and mainly direct central mechanisms may be responsible for the local and peripheral temperature decrease.
Effect of Environmental Disturbance on the Population of Sandflies andLeishmaniaTransmission in an Endemic Area of Venezuela
Authors: Nieves Elsa , Oraá Luzmary , Rondón Yorfer , Sánchez Mireya , Sánchez Yetsenia , Rojas Masyelly , Rondón Maritza , Rujano Maria , González Nestor , Cazorla Dalmiro
Published: April 2014

The exploitation of new wilderness areas with crops is increasing and traditional crop substitution has been modified by new more productive crops. The results show the anthropogenic disturbance effect on the sandflies population andLeishmaniatransmission in endemic areas of Venezuela. Three agroecosystems with variable degrees of ecological disturbance, forest (conserved), cacao (fragmented), and orangery (disturbed), were selected. Four methods to sandfly capture were used; the specimens were identified and infected withLeishmania. Diversity, population structure, ANOVA, Tukey test, and simple correlation analysis were carried out. Shannon traps were able to capture 94.7% of the total sandflies, while CDC light traps, Sticky traps, and direct suction just captured 2.2%, 1.2%, and 0.9%, respectively. The results showed the effect of ecological disturbance degree on the composition of sandflies and population structure, revealing a dominance level increased but decreased on the diversity and richness of sandflies species in the greatest ecological disturbance area in relation to areas with less organic disturbance. Environments more disturbed cause adaptability of certain species such asLutzomyia gomeziandLutzomyia walkeri. These changes on the composition of sandflies population and structure emerging species could cause increasing of leishmaniasis transmission.
Rapid Tests versus ELISA for Screening of HIV Infection: Our Experience from a Voluntary Counselling and Testing Facility of a Tertiary Care Centre in North India
Authors: Mehra Bhanu , Bhattar Sonali , Bhalla Preena , Rawat Deepti
Published: April 2014

Early and accurate diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is essential for timely identification of patients needing antiretroviral therapy and for instituting HIV prevention strategies. The primary methodology for HIV testing has shifted from enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in recent years, especially in resource limited settings. However, the diagnostic performance of RDTs is a matter of concern. In the present study the performance of an RDT being used as the initial test in serial testing based algorithm for HIV diagnosis was compared with ELISA. Seven hundred and eighty-seven sera, tested at the voluntary counselling and testing facility employing a serial testing algorithm (based on SD Bioline HIV-1/2 3.0 as the first test), were subsequently tested with Microlisa-HIV for anti-HIV antibodies. The first test missed 9 HIV reactive samples and also registered 5 false positives. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values of the first test were 77.5%, 99.3%, and 98.8% and 86.1%, respectively, taking ELISA as the standard test. Our study highlights that RDTs fare poorly compared to ELISA as screening assays and that reactive results by RDTs need to be confirmed by western blot for a positive serodiagnosis of HIV infection.
Admissible Solutions of the Schwarzian Type Difference Equation
Authors: Chen Baoqin , Li Sheng
Published: April 2014

This paper is to investigate the Schwarzian type difference equationΔ3f/Δf-3/2Δ2f/Δf2k=Rz,f=P(z,f)/Q(z,f),whereR(z,f)is a rational function infwith polynomial coefficients,P(z,f), respectivelyQ(z,f)are two irreducible polynomials infof degreep, respectivelyq. Relationship betweenpandqis studied for some special case. Denoted=max⁡p,q. Letf(z)be an admissible solution of(*)such thatρ2(f)<1; then fors (≥2) distinct complex constantsα1,…,αs ,q+2k∑j=1sδ(αj,f)≤ 8k.In particular, ifN(r,f)=S(r,f), thend+2k∑j=1sδ (αj,f)≤4k.
Combining Haar Wavelet and Karhunen Loeve Transforms for Medical Images Watermarking
Authors: Hajjaji Mohamed Ali , Bourennane El-Bay , Ben Abdelali Abdessalem , Mtibaa Abdellatif
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a novel watermarking method, applied to the medical imaging domain, used to embed the patient’s data into the corresponding image or set of images used for the diagnosis. The main objective behind the proposed technique is to perform the watermarking of the medical images in such a way that the three main attributes of the hidden information (i.e., imperceptibility, robustness, and integration rate) can be jointly ameliorated as much as possible. These attributes determine the effectiveness of the watermark, resistance to external attacks, and increase the integration rate. In order to improve the robustness, a combination of the characteristics of Discrete Wavelet and Karhunen Loeve Transforms is proposed. The Karhunen Loeve Transform is applied on the subblocks (sized8×8) of the different wavelet coefficients (in the HL2, LH2, and HH2 subbands). In this manner, the watermark will be adapted according to the energy values of each of the Karhunen Loeve components, with the aim of ensuring a better watermark extraction under various types of attacks. For the correct identification of inserted data, the use of an Errors Correcting Code (ECC) mechanism is required for the check and, if possible, the correction of errors introduced into the inserted data. Concerning the enhancement of the imperceptibility factor, the main goal is to determine the optimal value of the visibility factor, which depends on several parameters of the DWT and the KLT transforms. As a first step, a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) has been set up and then applied to determine an initial visibility factor value. Several features extracted from the Cooccurrence matrix are used as an input to the FIS and used to determine an initial visibility factor for each block; these values are subsequently reweighted in function of the eigenvalues extracted from each subblock. Regarding the integration rate, the previous works insert one bit per coefficient. In our proposal, the integration of the data to be hidden is 3 bits per coefficient so that we increase the integration rate by a factor of magnitude 3.
Salidroside Attenuates Concanavalin A-Induced Hepatitis via Modulating Cytokines Secretion and Lymphocyte Migration in Mice
Authors: Hu Baoji , Zou Yun , Liu Shanshan , Wang Jun , Zhu Jiali , Li Jinbao , Bo Lulong , Deng Xiaoming
Published: April 2014

Salidroside, isolated from the medicinal plantRhodiola, was reported to serve as an “adaptogen.” This study was designed to explore the protective effect of salidroside on concanavalin A- (Con A-) induced hepatitis in mice and investigate potential mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, Con A group, and salidroside group. Salidroside (50 mg/kg) was injected intravenously followed by Con A administration. The levels of ALT, AST, inflammatory cytokines and CXCL-10 were examined. The pathological damage of livers was assessed, the amounts of phosphorylated IκBαand p65 were measured, and the numbers of CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes in the blood, spleen and infiltrated in the liver were calculated. Our results showed that salidroside pretreatment reduced the levels of ALT, AST dramatically and suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines through downregulating the activity of NF-κB partly. Salidroside altered the distribution of CD4+and CD8+T lymphocyte in the liver and spleen through regulating CXCL-10 and decreased the severity of liver injuries. In conclusion, these results confirm the efficacy of salidroside in the prevention of immune mediated hepatitis in mice.
Completed Local Ternary Pattern for Rotation Invariant Texture Classification
Authors: Rassem Taha H. , Khoo Bee Ee
Published: April 2014

Despite the fact that the two texture descriptors, the completed modeling of Local Binary Pattern (CLBP) and the Completed Local Binary Count (CLBC), have achieved a remarkable accuracy for invariant rotation texture classification, they inherit some Local Binary Pattern (LBP) drawbacks. The LBP is sensitive to noise, and different patterns of LBP may be classified into the same class that reduces its discriminating property. Although, the Local Ternary Pattern (LTP) is proposed to be more robust to noise than LBP, however, the latter’s weakness may appear with the LTP as well as with LBP. In this paper, a novel completed modeling of the Local Ternary Pattern (LTP) operator is proposed to overcome both LBP drawbacks, and an associated completed Local Ternary Pattern (CLTP) scheme is developed for rotation invariant texture classification. The experimental results using four different texture databases show that the proposed CLTP achieved an impressive classification accuracy as compared to the CLBP and CLBC descriptors.
Shower and Slow Particle Productions in Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions at High Energy
Authors: Fakhraddin S. , Rahim Magda A. , Zayd Hamdy M. M.
Published: April 2014

The multiplicity distributions of shower, grey, and black particles produced in interactions of4He,12C,16O,22Ne, and28Si with emulsion (Em) at 4.1–4.5 A GeV/c beam energies, and their dependence on target groups (H, CNO, and AgBr) is presented and has been reproduced by multisource thermal model. The multiplicity and the angular distributions of the three types of particles have been investigated. The experimental results are compared with the corresponding ones from the model. We found that the experimental data agrees with theoretical calculations using multisource thermal model.
The Solutions to Matrix EquationAX=Bwith Some Constraints
Authors: Dong Chang-Zhou , Zhang Yu-Ping
Published: April 2014

LetPbe a given Hermitian matrix satisfyingP2=I. Using the eigenvalue decomposition ofP, we consider the least squares solutions to the matrix equationAX=Bwith the constraintsPX=XPandX*=X. A similar problem of this matrix equation with generalized constrained is also discussed.
Damage Identification of Wind Turbine Blades Using Piezoelectric Transducers
Authors: Choi Seong-Won , Farinholt Kevin M. , Taylor Stuart G. , Light-Marquez Abraham , Park Gyuhae
Published: April 2014

This paper presents the experimental results of active-sensing structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques, which utilize piezoelectric transducers as sensors and actuators, for determining the structural integrity of wind turbine blades. Specifically, Lamb wave propagations and frequency response functions at high frequency ranges are used to estimate the condition of wind turbine blades. For experiments, a 1 m section of a CX-100 blade is used. The goal of this study is to assess and compare the performance of each method in identifying incipient damage with a consideration given to field deployability. Overall, these methods yielded a sufficient damage detection capability to warrant further investigation. This paper also summarizes the SHM results of a full-scale fatigue test of a 9 m CX-100 blade using piezoelectric active sensors. This paper outlines considerations needed to design such SHM systems, experimental procedures and results, and additional issues that can be used as guidelines for future investigations.
Nonlinear Super Integrable Couplings of Super Classical-Boussinesq Hierarchy
Authors: Xing Xiuzhi , Wu Jingzhu , Geng Xianguo
Published: April 2014

Nonlinear integrable couplings of super classical-Boussinesq hierarchy based upon an enlarged matrix Lie super algebra were constructed. Then, its super Hamiltonian structures were established by using super trace identity. As its reduction, nonlinear integrable couplings of the classical integrable hierarchy were obtained.
Metal-Containing Ionic Liquids: Highly Effective Catalysts for Degradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate)
Authors: Yue Qun Feng , Yang Hua Guang , Zhang Mi Lin , Bai Xue Feng
Published: April 2014

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste from local market was depolymerized by ethylene glycol (EG) in the presence of metal-containing ionic liquids, and the qualitative analysis showed that the bis(hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) was the main product in this process. Compared with other metal-containing ionic liquids, [Bmim]ZnCl3was considered the best catalyst in the glycolysis of PET. When the reaction temperature was 180°C, the conversion of PET reached 97.9% and the BHET was yielded to 83.3% within 5 h. At the same time, [Bmim]ZnCl3could be reused for six times without obvious decrease in the yield of BHET. Additional, the effects of waste PET’s source and size were investigated.
Objective Attributes Weights Determining Based on Shannon Information Entropy in Hesitant Fuzzy Multiple Attribute Decision Making
Authors: Zhang Yingjun , Wang Yizhi , Wang Jingping
Published: April 2014

Hesitant fuzzy set has been an important tool in dealing with multiple attribute decision making (MADM) problems, especially for the decision making situation when only some values of membership are possible for an alternative on attributes. However, determining attributes weights in hesitant fuzzy MADM is still an open problem. In this paper, we propose an objective weighting approach based on Shannon information entropy, which expresses the relative intensities of attribute importance to signify the average intrinsic information transmitted to the decision maker. Furthermore, we construct a hesitant fuzzy MADM approach based on the TOPSIS method and a weighted correlation coefficient proposed in this paper. Finally, we utilize a supplier selection example to validate the objective attributes weights determining method and the proposed hesitant fuzzy MADM approach.
Wheel Slip Control of Vehicle ABS Using Piezoactuator-Based Valve System
Authors: Jeon Juncheol , Choi Seung-Bok , Lee Yang-Sub
Published: April 2014

This paper presents a novel piezoactuator-based valve for vehicle ABS. The piezoactuator located in one side of a rigid beam makes a displacement required to control the pressure at a flapper-nozzle of the pneumatic valve. In order to obtain the wide control range of the pressure, a pressure modulator comprised of dual-type cylinder and piston is proposed. The governing equation of the piezovalve system which consists of the proposed piezoactuator-based valve and the pressure modulator is obtained. The longitudinal vehicle dynamics and the wheel slip condition are then formulated. In order to evaluate the performance of the proposed piezovalve system from the viewpoint of the vehicle ABS, a sliding mode controller is designed for wheel slip control. The tracking control performances for the desired wheel slip rate are evaluated and the braking performances in terms of braking distance are then presented on different road conditions (dry asphalt, wet asphalt, and wet jennite). It is clearly shown that the desired wheel slip rate is well achieved and the braking distance and braking time can be significantly reduced by using the proposed piezovalve system associated with the slip rate controller.
Multiple Sclerosis and Pregnancy: Current Considerations
Authors: Buraga Ioan , Popovici Roxana-Elena
Published: April 2014

Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease of young adults that causes major disability. In Romania, it is estimated that this disease has a prevalence of 35–40 per 100,000 inhabitants. It is a disease that begins at the age of 20–40 years and is 2-3 times more common in women than in men. More than half of patients with MS develop the disease in their fertile period of life; therefore, MS patients use contraceptive methods while being under our treatment. Since several therapeutic options have been implemented with good efficiency in the disease stabilization, increasingly more patients begin to wonder about the possibility of having a child and about the possible risks of pregnancy. The evolution during pregnancy and the lactation period has been favorable, with lower relapses and side effects comparable to those in the general population. In addition, babies born to mothers with MS have not had a significantly different mean gestational age or birth weight compared to babies born to healthy mothers.
Some Integral Type Fixed Point Theorems for Non-Self-Mappings Satisfying Generalized(ψ,φ)-Weak Contractive Conditions in Symmetric Spaces
Authors: Kutbi Marwan Amin , Imdad Mohammad , Chauhan Sunny , Sintunavarat Wutiphol
Published: April 2014

The aim of this paper is to obtain some new integral type fixed point theorems for nonself weakly compatible mappings in symmetric spaces satisfying generalized(ψ,φ)-contractive conditions employing the common limit range property. We furnish some interesting examples which support our main theorems. Our results generalize and extend some recent results contained in Imdad et al. (2013) to symmetric spaces. Consequently, a host of metrical common fixed theorems are generalized and improved. In the process, we also derive a fixed point theorem for four finite families of mappings which can be utilized to derive common fixed point theorems involving any number of finite mappings.
Kallikreins as Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Hong Sung Kyu
Published: April 2014

The introduction of testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a member of the fifteen-gene family of kallikrein-related peptidases and also known as kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3), in blood has revolutionized both the detection and management of prostate cancer. Given the similarities between PSA and otherKLKgene family members along with limitations of PSA as a biomarker for prostate cancer mainly in reference to diagnostic specificity, the potential roles of other members of this gene family as well as PSA derivatives and isoforms in the management of prostate cancer have been studied extensively. Of these, approaches to measure distinct molecular forms of PSA (free, intact, complexed PSA, and pro-PSA) combined with kallikrein-related peptidase 2 (KLK2), also known as hK2, have been considered holding particular promise in enhancing the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Recently, an integrated approach of applying a panel of four kallikrein markers has been demonstrated to enhance accuracy in predicting the risk of prostate cancer at biopsy. This review presents an overview of kallikreins, starting with the past and current status of PSA, summarizing published data on the evaluations of variousKLKsas biomarkers in the diagnosis, prognostication, and monitoring of prostate cancer.
Adaptive Compensation for Time-Slotted Synchronization in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Chang Tengfei , Wang Qin
Published: April 2014

Since time division multiple access (TDMA) is employed to reduce power consumption, time synchronization is critically important for wireless sensor networks. Packet-based clock correction is one of main methods to maintain synchronization among nodes. However, in many real cases, such as industrial equipment monitoring and diagnosis, there is no need to exchange messages during relatively long time, while highly accurate time synchronization has to be maintained, which results in that additional packets have to be exchanged specifically for synchronization purpose. For addressing this problem, an adaptive compensation method is proposed in this paper to achieve a high synchronization precision without exchanging message frequently. We proved that the adaptive compensation method can achieve a high synchronization precision with much fewer packet exchanges. In addition, the performance of the proposed scheme has been evaluated in three different experimental settings. In the indoor experiment, compared with the synchronization method without using compensation, 98% of the synchronizing packets can be eliminated while maintaining synchronization precision at 100  μs. In the outdoor experiment with higher temperature fluctuation, 80% of the packets can be eliminated with 100  μs synchronization precision. In the case of sudden temperature changes of more than [Formula: see text]C, the proposed compensation packet frequency regresses to the frequency of the synchronization method without compensation.
Numerical Study of Wave Overtopping Based on Local Method of Approximate Particular Solution Method
Authors: Jingbo Su , Feng Zhu , Ying Geng , Xingye Ni
Published: April 2014

In order to study the wave overtopping process, this paper establishes a two-dimensional numerical wave flume based on a meshless algorithm, local method of approximate particular solution (the LMAPS method), and the technology of momentum source wave. It calculates the climbing and overtopping process under regular waves on a typical slope, results of which are more consistent with the physical model test results. Finally, wave action simulation is carried out on six different structural forms of wave walls (vertical wave wall, 1/4 arc wave wall, reversed-arc wave wall, smooth surface wave wall with 1: 3 slope ratio, smooth surface wave wall with 1: 1.5 slope ratio and stepped surface wave wall with 1: 1.5 slope ratio). Numerical results of the simulation accurately describe the wave morphological changes in the interaction of waves and different structural forms of wave walls, in which, average error of wave overtopping is roughly 6.2% compared with the experimental values.
Fractal Theory and Contact Dynamics Modeling Vibration Characteristics of Damping Blade
Authors: Yuan Ruishan , Zhou Qin , Zhang Qiang , Xie Yonghui
Published: April 2014

The contact surface structure of dry friction damper is complicate, irregular, and self-similar. In this paper, contact surface structure is described with the fractal theory and damping blade is simplified as 2-DOF cantilever beam model with lumped masses. By changing the position of the damper, lacing and shroud structure are separately simulated to study vibration absorption effect of damping blade. The results show that both shroud structure and lacing could not only dissipate energy but also change stiffness of blade. Under the same condition of normal pressure and contact surface, the damping effect of lacing is stronger than that of shroud structure. Meanwhile, the effect on changing blade stiffness of shroud structure is stronger than that of lacing. This paper proposed that there is at least one position of the blade, at which the damper dissipates the most vibration energy during a vibration cycle.
Fe + NNoncompensated Codoping TiO2Nanowires: The Enhanced Visible Light Photocatalytic Properties
Authors: Zhou Zhongpo , Wang Haiying
Published: April 2014

TheFe + Ncodoped nanowire samples are prepared by hydro-thermal method and annealed in NH3atmosphere. The XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning electron microscope), UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and BET (Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller) results indicate that the samples are pure anatase nanowires. TheFe + Ncodoped samples have the highest specific surface area, the largest red-shift, and the largest absorption enhancement in the visible light range compared with Fe doped, N doped, and undoped nanowires. The measurements of XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) show that N content ofFe + Ncodoped TiO2is about two times as large as that of the N doped TiO2. It is assumed that nitrogen doping plays a very important role for the photocatalytic activity increase and hence theFe + Ncodoped nanowire TiO2shows the most effective photocatalytic activity under the visible light irradiation.
Feasibility, Acceptability, and Programme Effectiveness of Misoprostol for Prevention of Postpartum Haemorrhage in Rural Bangladesh: A Quasiexperimental Study
Authors: Quaiyum Abdul , Gazi Rukhsana , Hossain Shahed , Wirtz Andrea , Saha Nirod Chandra
Published: April 2014

We explored the feasibility of distributing misoprostol tablets using two strategies in prevention of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) among women residing in the Abhoynagar subdistrict of Bangladesh. We conducted a quasiexperimental study with a posttest design and nonequivalent comparison and intervention groups. Paramedics distributed three misoprostol tablets, one delivery mat (Quaiyum’s delivery mat), a packet of five standardized sanitary pads, and one lidded plastic container with detailed counseling on their use. All materials except misoprostol were also provided with counseling sessions to the control group participants. Postpartum blood loss was measured by paramedics using standardized method. This study has demonstrated community acceptability to misoprostol tablets for the prevention of PPH that reduced overall volume of blood loss after childbirth. Likewise, the delivery mat and pad were found to be useful to mothers as tools for assessing the amount of blood loss after delivery and informing care-seeking decisions. Further studies should be undertaken to explore whether government outreach health workers can be trained to effectively distribute misoprostol tablets among rural women of Bangladesh. Such a study should explore and identify the programmatic requirements to integrate this within the existing reproductive health program of the Government of Bangladesh.
Difference Equations and Sharing Values Concerning Entire Functions and Their Difference
Authors: Mao Zhiqiang , Liu Huifang
Published: April 2014

The value distribution of solutions of certain difference equations is investigated. As its applications, we investigate the difference analogue of the Brück conjecture. We obtain some results on entire functions sharing a finite value with their difference operators. Examples are provided to show that our results are the best possible.
Analog Circuit Design Optimization Based on Evolutionary Algorithms
Authors: Barari Mansour , Karimi Hamid Reza , Razaghian Farhad
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates an evolutionary‐based designing system for automated sizing of analog integrated circuits (ICs). Two evolutionary algorithms, genetic algorithm and PSO (Parswal particle swarm optimization) algorithm, are proposed to design analog ICs with practical user‐defined specifications. On the basis of the combination of HSPICE and MATLAB, the system links circuit performances, evaluated through specific electrical simulation, to the optimization system in the MATLAB environment, for the selected topology. The system has been tested by typical and hard‐to‐design cases, such as complex analog blocks with stringent design requirements. The results show that the design specifications are closely met. Comparisons with available methods like genetic algorithms show that the proposed algorithm offers important advantages in terms of optimization quality and robustness. Moreover, the algorithm is shown to be efficient.
Rational Design of a Triple Reporter Gene for Multimodality Molecular Imaging
Authors: Hsieh Ya-Ju , Hwu Luen , Ke Chien-Chih , Yeh Skye Hsin-Hsien , Lin Chien-Feng , Chen Fu-Du , Wang Hsin-Ell , Lin Kang-Ping , Chen Ran-Chou , Liu Ren-Shyan
Published: April 2014

Multimodality imaging using noncytotoxic triple fusion (TF) reporter genes is an important application for cell-based tracking, drug screening, and therapy. The firefly luciferase(fl), monomeric red fluorescence protein(mrfp), and truncated herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase SR39 mutant(ttksr39)were fused together to create TF reporter gene constructs with different order. The enzymatic activities of TF protein in vitro andin vivowere determined by luciferase reporter assay,H-FEAU cellular uptake experiment, bioluminescence imaging, and micropositron emission tomography (microPET). The TF construct expressed in H1299 cells possesses luciferase activity and red fluorescence. The tTKSR39 activity is preserved in TF protein and mediates high levels ofH-FEAU accumulation and significant cell death from ganciclovir (GCV) prodrug activation. In living animals, the luciferase and tTKSR39 activities of TF protein have also been successfully validated by multimodality imaging systems. The red fluorescence signal is relatively weak forin vivoimaging but may expedite FACS-based selection of TF reporter expressing cells. We have developed an optimized triple fusion reporter constructDsRedm-fl-ttksr39for more effective and sensitivein vivoanimal imaging using fluorescence, bioluminescence, and PET imaging modalities, which may facilitate different fields of biomedical research and applications.
Silencing miR-21 Sensitizes Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cells to Ionizing Radiation through Inhibition of PI3K/Akt
Authors: Ma Yongfu , Xia Hui , Liu Yang , Li Min
Published: April 2014

We investigated the role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in radiotherapy resistance of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) and the underlying molecular mechanism. A549 cells were transfected with anti-miR-21 or the negative control oligonucleotides and real-time PCR was applied to detect miR-21 expression level. After ionizing radiation (IR), the survival fractions, proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of phosphorylated-Akt of A549 cells were determined by clonogenic survival analysis, MTT assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting. Downregulation of miR-21 in radioresistant NSCLC A549 cells inhibited the colony-forming ability and proliferation of A549 cells after IR. Moreover, silencing miR-21 enhanced apoptosis of A549 cells induced by IR accompanied by decreased phosphorylated-Akt protein level. However, PI3K activator IGF-1 reversed suppression of phosphorylated-Akt protein level and promotion of apoptosis of A549 cells after IR caused by miR-21 knockdown. Silencing miR-21 in radioresistant NSCLC A549 cells sensitized them to IR by inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing cell apoptosis through inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This might help in sensitization of NSCLC to radiotherapy.
A Multiobjective Multi-Item Inventory Control Problem in Fuzzy-Rough Environment Using Soft Computing Techniques
Authors: Jana Dipak Kumar , Maity K. , Maiti M. , Roy T. K.
Published: April 2014

The optimal production and advertising policies for an inventory control system of multi-item
multiobjective problem under a single management are formulated as an optimal control problem with resource
constraints under inflation and discounting in fuzzy rough (Fu-Ro) environment. The objectives
and constraints in Fu-Ro are made deterministic using fuzzy rough expected values method (EVM). Here,
the production and advertisement rates are unknown and considered as control (decision) variables. The
production, advertisement, and demand rates are functions of time t. Maximization of the total proceed from
perfect and imperfect units and minimization of the total cost consisting of production, holding, and advertisement
costs are formulated as optimal control problems and solved directly using multiobjective genetic
algorithm (MOGA). In another method for solution, membership functions of the objectives are derived and
the multi-objective problems are transformed to a single objective by the convex combination of the membership
functions and then the problem is solved by generalized reduced gradient (GRG) method. Finally, numerical experiment
and graphical representation are provided to illustrate the system.
Investigation of Adsorption Behavior of Cu2O Submicro‐Octahedra towards Congo Red
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhang Ying , Wang Dong , Qu Fengyu
Published: April 2014

Perfect cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanocrystals with octahedron shape were successfully synthesized by a facile route without chemical additive in a short time. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The adsorption ability of the products towards congo red (CR) as the pollutant was investigated and FTIR spectroscopy was employed to identify the adsorbed species. The adsorption behavior was analyzed based on the microstructure of Cu2O submicro‐octahedra.
Biological Safety of Fish (Tilapia) Collagen
Authors: Yamamoto Kohei , Igawa Kazunari , Sugimoto Kouji , Yoshizawa Yuu , Yanagiguchi Kajiro , Ikeda Takeshi , Yamada Shizuka , Hayashi Yoshihiko
Published: April 2014

Marine collagen derived from fish scales, skin, and bone has been widely investigated for application as a scaffold and carrier due to its bioactive properties, including excellent biocompatibility, low antigenicity, and high biodegradability and cell growth potential. Fish type I collagen is an effective material as a biodegradable scaffold or spacer replicating the natural extracellular matrix, which serves to spatially organize cells, providing them with environmental signals and directing site-specific cellular regulation. This study was conducted to confirm the safety of fish (tilapia) atelocollagen for use in clinical application. We performedin vitroandin vivobiological studies of medical materials to investigate the safety of fish collagen. The extract of fish collagen gel was examined to clarify its sterility. All present sterility tests concerning bacteria and viruses (including endotoxin) yielded negative results, and all evaluations of cell toxicity, sensitization, chromosomal aberrations, intracutaneous reactions, acute systemic toxicity, pyrogenic reactions, and hemolysis were negative according to the criteria of the ISO and the http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003478 Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The present study demonstrated that atelocollagen prepared from tilapia is a promising biomaterial for use as a scaffold in regenerative medicine.
Study on Influencing Factors of Carbon Emissions from Energy Consumption of Shandong Province of China from 1995 to 2012
Authors: Song Jiekun , Song Qing , Zhang Dong , Lu Youyou , Luan Long
Published: April 2014

Carbon emissions from energy consumption of Shandong province from 1995 to 2012 are calculated. Three zero-residual decomposition models (LMDI, MRCI and Shapley value models) are introduced for decomposing carbon emissions. Based on the results, Kendall coordination coefficient method is employed for testing their compatibility, and an optimal weighted combination decomposition model is constructed for improving the objectivity of decomposition. STIRPAT model is applied to evaluate the impact of each factor on carbon emissions. The results show that, using 1995 as the base year, the cumulative effects of population, per capita GDP, energy consumption intensity, and energy consumption structure of Shandong province in 2012 are positive, while the cumulative effect of industrial structure is negative. Per capita GDP is the largest driver of the increasing carbon emissions and has a great impact on carbon emissions; energy consumption intensity is a weak driver and has certain impact on carbon emissions; population plays a weak driving role, but it has the most significant impact on carbon emissions; energy consumption structure is a weak driver of the increasing carbon emissions and has a weak impact on carbon emissions; industrial structure has played a weak inhibitory role, and its impact on carbon emissions is great.
Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Stem Cells Improve Heat Tolerance and Hypothalamic Damage in Heat Stressed Mice
Authors: Tseng Ling-Shu , Chen Sheng-Hsien , Lin Mao-Tsun , Lin Ying-Chu
Published: April 2014

Heatstroke is characterized by excessive hyperthermia associated with systemic inflammatory responses, which leads to multiple organ failure, in which brain disorders predominate. This definition can be almost fulfilled by a mouse model of heatstroke used in the present study. Unanesthetized mice were exposed to whole body heating (41.2°C for 1 hour) and then returned to room temperature (26°C) for recovery. Immediately after termination of whole body heating, heated mice displayed excessive hyperthermia (body core temperature ~42.5°C). Four hours after termination of heat stress, heated mice displayed (i) systemic inflammation; (ii) ischemic, hypoxic, and oxidative damage to the hypothalamus; (iii) hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis impairment (reflected by plasma levels of both adrenocorticotrophic-hormone and corticosterone); (iv) decreased fractional survival; and (v) thermoregulatory deficits (e.g., they became hypothermia when they were exposed to room temperature). These heatstroke reactions can be significantly attenuated by human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+cells therapy. Our data suggest that human umbilical cord blood-derived stem cells therapy may improve outcomes of heatstroke in mice by reducing systemic inflammation as well as hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis impairment.
Optimised ExpTime Tableaux for𝒮ℋℐ𝒩over Finite Residuated Lattices
Authors: Huang Jian , Zhao Xinye , Gong Jianxing
Published: April 2014

This study proposes to adopt a novel tableau reasoning algorithm for the description logic𝒮ℋℐ𝒩with semantics based on a finite residuated De Morgan lattice. The syntax, semantics, and logical properties of this logic are given, and a sound, complete, and terminating tableaux algorithm for deciding fuzzy ABox consistency and concept satisfiability problem with respect to TBox is presented. Moreover, based on extended and/or completion-forest with a series of sound optimization technique for checking satisfiability with respect to a TBox in the logic, a new optimized ExpTime (complexity-optimal) tableau decision procedure is presented here. The experimental evaluation indicates that the optimization techniques we considered result in improved efficiency significantly.
Projection-Reduction Approach to Optical Conductivities for an Electron-Phonon System and Their Diagram Representation
Authors: Kang Nam Lyong , Choi Sang Don
Published: April 2014

Utilizing state-dependent projection operators and the Kang-Choi reduction identities, we derive the linear, first, and second-order nonlinear optical conductivities for an electron system interacting with phonons. The lineshape functions included in the conductivity tensors satisfy “the population criterion” saying that the Fermi distribution functions for electrons and Planck distribution functions for phonons should be combined in multiplicative forms. The results also contain energy denominator factors enforcing the energy conservation as well as interaction factors describing electron-phonon interaction properly. Therefore, the phonon absorption and emission processes as well as photon absorption and emission processes in all electron transition processes can be presented in an organized manner and the results can be represented in diagrams that can model the quantum dynamics of electrons in a solid.
Beyond Obesity and Lifestyle: A Review of 21st Century Chronic Disease Determinants
Authors: Egger Garry , Dixon John
Published: April 2014

The obesity epidemic and associated chronic diseases are often attributed to modern lifestyles. The term “lifestyle” however, ignores broader social, economic, and environmental determinants while inadvertently “blaming the victim.” Seen more eclectically, lifestyle encompasses distal, medial, and proximal determinants. Hence any analysis of causality should include all these levels. The term “anthropogens,” or “…man-made environments, their by-products and/or lifestyles encouraged by these, some of which may be detrimental to human health” provides a monocausal focus for chronic diseases similar to that which the germ theory afforded infectious diseases. Anthropogens have in common an ability to induce a form of chronic, low-level systemic inflammation (“metaflammation”). A review of anthropogens, based on inducers with a metaflammatory association, is conducted here, together with the evidence for each in connection with a number of chronic diseases. This suggests a broader view of lifestyle and a focus on determinants, rather than obesity and lifestyleper seas the specific causes of modern chronic disease. Under such an analysis, obesity is seen more as “a canary in a mineshaft” signaling problems in the broader environment, suggesting that population obesity management should be focused more upstream if chronic diseases are to be better managed.
Parallel Algorithm with Parameters Based on Alternating Direction for Solving Banded Linear Systems
Authors: Ma Xinrong , Liu Sanyang , Xiao Manyu , Xie Gongnan
Published: April 2014

An efficient parallel iterative method with parameters on distributed‐memory multicomputer is investigated for solving the banded linear equations in this work. The parallel algorithm at each iterative step is executed using alternating direction by splitting the coefficient matrix and using parameters properly. Only it twice requires the communications of the algorithm between the adjacent processors, so this method has high parallel efficiency. Some convergence theorems for different coefficient matrices are given, such as a Hermite positive definite matrix or an M‐matrix. Numerical experiments implemented on HP rx2600 cluster verify that our algorithm has the advantages over the multisplitting one of high efficiency and low memory space, which has a considerable advantage in CPU‐times costs over the BSOR one. The efficiency for Example 1 is better than BSOR one significantly. As to Example 2, the acceleration rates and efficiency of our algorithm are better than the PEk inner iterative one.
Existence of Wave Front Solutions of an Integral Differential Equation in Nonlinear Nonlocal Neuronal Network
Authors: Zhang Lijun , Zhang Linghai , Yuan Jie , Khalique C. M.
Published: April 2014

An integral-differential model equation arising from neuronal networks with very general kernel functions is considered in this paper. The kernel functions we study here include pure excitations, lateral inhibition, lateral excitations, and more general synaptic couplings (e.g., oscillating kernel functions). The main goal of this paper is to prove the existence and uniqueness of the traveling wave front solutions. The main idea we apply here is to reduce the nonlinear integral-differential equation into a solvable differential equation and test whether the solution we get is really a wave front solution of the model equation.