bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lipid Nanoparticles as Carriers for RNAi against Viral Infections: Current Status and Future Perspectives
Authors: Torrecilla Josune , Rodríguez-Gascón Alicia , Solinís María Ángeles , del Pozo-Rodríguez Ana
Published: August 2014

The efforts made to develop RNAi-based therapies have led to productive research in the field of infections in humans, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), herpetic keratitis, human papillomavirus, or influenza virus. Naked RNAi molecules are rapidly digested by nucleases in the serum, and due to their negative surface charge, entry into the cell cytoplasm is also hampered, which makes necessary the use of delivery systems to exploit the full potential of RNAi therapeutics. Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) represent one of the most widely used delivery systems forin vivoapplication of RNAi due to their relative safety and simplicity of production, joint with the enhanced payload and protection of encapsulated RNAs. Moreover, LNP may be functionalized to reach target cells, and they may be used to combine RNAi molecules with conventional drug substances to reduce resistance or improve efficiency. This review features the current application of LNP in RNAi mediated therapy against viral infections and aims to explore possible future lines of action in this field.
Sequential Uniformly Reweighted Sum-Product Algorithm for Cooperative Localization in Wireless Networks
Authors: Li Wei , Yang Zhen , Hu Haifeng
Published: August 2014

Graphical models have been widely applied in solving distributed inference problems in wireless networks. In this paper, we formulate the cooperative localization problem in a mobile network as an inference problem on a factor graph. Using a sequential schedule of message updates, a sequential uniformly reweighted sum-product algorithm (SURW-SPA) is developed for mobile localization problems. The proposed algorithm combines the distributed nature of belief propagation (BP) with the improved performance of sequential tree-reweighted message passing (TRW-S) algorithm. We apply the SURW-SPA to cooperative localization in both static and mobile networks, and evaluate its performance in terms of localization accuracy and convergence speed.
Optical Coherence Tomography of Bilateral Nanophthalmos with Macular Folds and High Hyperopia
Authors: Helvacioglu Firat , Kapran Ziya , Sencan Sadik , Uyar Murat , Cam Ozlem
Published: August 2014

Importance.There is a conflict about the content of the macular folds in nanophthalmic eyes in the literature. Our study clearly demonstrated that papillomacular folds seen in nanophthalmos or posterior microphthalmos were only composed of neurosensory retina without involvement of retinal pigment epithelium and choroid.Observations.This is a report of two consecutive nanophthalmic patients with macular folds at Maltepe University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, from January to June 2012. Anterior segment dimensions were near normal. The axial lengths of the eyes were short with markedly shortened posterior segment. A macular fold extending from the center of the fovea towards the optic nerve head was present in all eyes. Optic coherence tomography clearly demonstrated that folds were only composed of neurosensory retina. Binocular visual acuities and refractive errors of the cases were 0.3, 0.2 and +16.00, +15.75 diopters, respectively.Conclusions and Relevance.Our study proposes a surgical option to treat these folds like serous retinal detachments by showing the true content of the folds, although there is not any surgical operation accepted for this condition yet. Further studies dealing with the surgical interventions of these folds should be performed to support this option.
An Exploration of the Triplet Periodicity in Nucleotide Sequences with a Mature Self-Adaptive Spectral Rotation Approach
Authors: Chen Bo , Ji Ping
Published: August 2014

Previously, for predicting coding regions in nucleotide sequences, a self-adaptive spectral rotation (SASR) method has been developed, based on a universal statistical feature of the coding regions, named triplet periodicity (TP). It outputs a random walk, that is, TP walk, in the complex plane for the query sequence. Each step in the walk is corresponding to a position in the sequence and generated from a long-term statistic of the TP in the sequence. The coding regions (TP intensive) are then visually discriminated from the noncoding ones (without TP), in the TP walk. In this paper, the behaviors of the walks for random nucleotide sequences are further investigated qualitatively. A slightly leftward trend (a negative noise) in such walks is observed, which is not reported in the previous SASR literatures. An improved SASR, named the mature SASR, is proposed, in order to eliminate the noise and correct the TP walks. Furthermore, a potential sequence pattern opposite to the TP persistent pattern, that is, the TP antipersistent pattern, is explored. The applications of the algorithms on simulated datasets show their capabilities in detecting such a potential sequence pattern.
Solving the Generalized Regularized Long Wave Equation Using a Distributed Approximating Functional Method
Authors: Pindza Edson , Maré Eben
Published: August 2014

The generalized regularized long wave (GRLW) equation is solved numerically by using a distributed approximating functional (DAF) method realized by the regularized Hermite local spectral kernel. Test problems including propagation of single solitons, interaction of two and three solitons, and conservation properties of mass, energy, and momentum of the GRLW equation are discussed to test the efficiency and accuracy of the method. Furthermore, using the Maxwellian initial condition, we show that the number of solitons which are generated can be approximately determined. Comparisons are made between the results of the proposed method, analytical solutions, and numerical methods. It is found that the method under consideration is a viable alternative to existing numerical methods.
Knowledge-Aided STAP Using Low Rank and Geometry Properties
Authors: Yang Zhaocheng , de Lamare Rodrigo C. , Li Xiang , Wang Hongqiang
Published: August 2014

This paper presents knowledge-aided space-time adaptive processing (KA-STAP) algorithms that exploit the low-rank dominant clutter and the array geometry properties (LRGP) for airborne radar applications. The core idea is to exploit the clutter subspace that is only determined by the space-time steering vectors, by employing the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization approach to compute the clutter subspace. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithms.
The Serum Glycome to Discriminate between Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer and Benign Ovarian Diseases
Authors: Biskup Karina , Braicu Elena Iona , Sehouli Jalid , Tauber Rudolf , Blanchard Véronique
Published: August 2014

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the sixth most common cause of cancer deaths in women because the diagnosis occurs mostly when the disease is in its late-stage. Current diagnostic methods of EOC show only a moderate sensitivity, especially at an early-stage of the disease; hence, novel biomarkers are needed to improve the diagnosis. We recently reported that serum glycome modifications observed in late-stage EOC patients by MALDI-TOF-MS could be combined as a glycan score named GLYCOV that was calculated from the relative areas of the 11 N-glycan structures that were significantly modulated. Here, we evaluated the ability of GLYCOV to recognize early-stage EOC in a cohort of 73 individuals comprised of 20 early-stage primary serous EOC, 20 benign ovarian diseases (BOD), and 33 age-matched healthy controls. GLYCOV was able to recognize stage I EOC whereas CA125 values were statistically significant only for stage II EOC patients. In addition, GLYCOV was more sensitive and specific compared to CA125 in distinguishing early-stage EOC from BOD patients, which is of high relevance to clinicians as it is difficult for them to diagnose malignancy prior to operation.
The Interval-Valued Trapezoidal Approximation of Interval-Valued Fuzzy Numbers and Its Application in Fuzzy Risk Analysis
Authors: Gong Zengtai , Hai Shexiang
Published: August 2014

Taking into account that interval-valued fuzzy numbers can provide more flexibility to represent the imprecise information and interval-valued trapezoidal fuzzy numbers are widely used in practice, this paper devotes to seek an approximation operator that produces an interval-valued trapezoidal fuzzy number which is the nearest one to the given interval-valued fuzzy number, and the approximation operator preserves the core of the original interval-valued fuzzy number with respect to the weighted distance. As an application, we use the interval-valued trapezoidal approximation to handle fuzzy risk analysis problems, which overcome the drawback of existing fuzzy risk analysis methods.
Relating Education, Brain Structure, and Cognition: The Role of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Authors: Mortby Moyra E. , Burns Richard , Janke Andrew L. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Anstey Kaarin J. , Cherbuin Nicolas
Published: August 2014

The protective effect of education on cognitive and brain health is well established. While the direct effects of individual cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors (i.e., hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and obesity) on cerebral structure have been investigated, little is understood about the possible interaction between the protective effect of education and the deleterious effects of CVD risk factors in predicting brain ageing and cognition. Using data from the PATH Through Life study(N=266), we investigated the protective effect of education on cerebral structure and function and tested a possible mediating role of CVD risk factors. Higher education was associated with larger regional grey/white matter volumes in the prefrontal cortex in men only. The association between education and cognition was mediated by brain volumes but only for grey matter and only in relation to information processing speed. CVD risk factors did not mediate the association between regional volumes and cognition. This study provides additional evidence in support for a protective effect of education on cerebral structures and cognition. However, it does not provide support for a mediating role of CVD risk factors in these associations.
Oxidative Damage to Nucleic Acids and Benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide-DNA Adducts and Chromosomal Aberration in Children with Psoriasis Repeatedly Exposed to Crude Coal Tar Ointment and UV Radiation
Authors: Borska Lenka , Andrys Ctirad , Krejsek Jan , Palicka Vladimir , Chmelarova Marcela , Hamakova Kvetoslava , Kremlacek Jan , Fiala Zdenek
Published: August 2014

The paper presents a prospective cohort study. Observed group was formed of children with plaque psoriasis (n=19) treated by Goeckerman therapy (GT). The study describes adverse (side) effects associated with application of GT (combined exposure of 3% crude coal tar ointment and UV radiation). After GT we found significantly increased markers of oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and 8-hydroxyguanine), significantly increased levels of benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) DNA adducts (BPDE-DNA), and significantly increased levels of total number of chromosomal aberrations in peripheral lymphocytes. We found significant relationship between (1) time of UV exposure and total number of aberrated cells and (2) daily topical application of 3% crude coal tar ointment (% of body surface) and level of BPDE-DNA adducts. The findings indicated increased hazard of oxidative stress and genotoxic effects related to the treatment. However, it must be noted that the oxidized guanine species and BPDE-DNA adducts also reflect individual variations in metabolic enzyme activity (different extent of bioactivation of benzo[a]pyrene to BPDE) and overall efficiency of DNA/RNA repair system. The study confirmed good effectiveness of the GT (significantly decreased PASI score).
Numerical Simulation of Vertical Random Vibration of Train-Slab Track-Bridge Interaction System by PEM
Authors: Zeng Zhi-ping , Yu Zhi-wu , Zhao Yan-gang , Xu Wen-tao , Chen Ling-kun , Lou Ping
Published: August 2014

The paper describes the numerical simulation of the vertical random vibration of train-slab track-bridge interaction system by means of finite element method and pseudoexcitation method. Each vehicle is modeled as four-wheelset mass-spring-damper system with two-layer suspension systems. The rail, slab, and bridge girder are modeled by three-layer elastic Bernoulli-Euler beams connected with each other by spring and damper elements. The equations of motion for the entire system are derived according to energy principle. By regarding rail irregularity as a series of multipoint, different-phase random excitations, the random load vectors of the equations of motion are obtained by pseudoexcitation method. Taking a nine-span simply supported beam bridge traveled by a train consisting of 8 vehicles as an example, the vertical random vibration responses of the system are investigated. Firstly, the suitable number of discrete frequencies of rail irregularity is obtained by numerical experimentations. Secondly, the reliability and efficiency of pseudoexcitation method are verified through comparison with Monte Carlo method. Thirdly, the random vibration characteristics of train-slab track-bridge interaction system are analyzed by pseudoexcitation method. Finally, applying the 3σrule for Gaussian stochastic process, the maximum responses of train-slab track-bridge interaction system with respect to various train speeds are studied.
A Novel Data-Driven Terminal Iterative Learning Control with Iteration Prediction Algorithm for a Class of Discrete-Time Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Jin Shangtai , Hou Zhongsheng , Chi Ronghu
Published: August 2014

A data-driven predictive terminal iterative learning control (DDPTILC) approach is proposed for discrete-time nonlinear systems with terminal tracking tasks, where only the terminal output tracking error instead of entire output trajectory tracking error is available. The proposed DDPTILC scheme consists of an iterative learning control law, an iterative parameter estimation law, and an iterative parameter prediction law. If the partial derivative of the controlled system with respect to control input is bounded, then the proposed control approach guarantees the terminal tracking error convergence. Furthermore, the control performance is improved by using more information of predictive terminal outputs, which are predicted along the iteration axis and used to update the control law and estimation law. Rigorous analysis shows the monotonic convergence and bounded input and bounded output (BIBO) stability of the DDPTILC. In addition, extensive simulations are provided to show the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Prognostic Factors in Acute Methadone Toxicity: A 5-Year Study
Authors: Aghabiklooei Abbas , Edalatparvar Maryam , Zamani Nasim , Mostafazadeh Babak
Published: August 2014

Background. Delayed or recurrent profound respiratory depression, ventricular dysrhythmias, acute lung injury, and death are the major complications of MTD overdose. We aimed to clarify the prognostic factors in MTD toxicity.Materials and Methods. Retrospectively, medical files of all patients poisoned by MTD and older than 12 years of age who had presented to Loghman Hakim Poison Center between 2007 and 2012 were evaluated. The data was compared between survivors and nonsurvivors.Results. Twenty-eight out of 322 patients died (mortality rate = 8.7%). MTD-related death was higher in patients with acute on chronic toxicity who were on daily dose of MTD and had ingested higher doses (in comparison to those with acute toxicity due to first-time exposure; 13% versus 6%). Renal failure was the most common medical complication related to deaths due to MTD toxicity.Conclusions. Based on previous researches, the most common cause of MTD overdose-related deaths is respiratory impairment; however, in our study, acute renal failure with or without rhabdomyolysis was the main delayed cause of deaths in MTD-poisoned patients. Antidotal therapy, early recognition, and treatment of hemodynamic compromise and rhabdomyolysis can be life-saving in these patients.
A Weak Limit Theorem for Galton-Watson Processes in Varying Environments
Authors: Gao Zhenlong , Zhang Yanhua
Published: August 2014

We extend Donsker’s theorem and the central limit theorem of classical Galton-Watson process to the Galton-Watson processes in varying environment.
Long-Term Outcomes after Dialysis-Requiring Acute Kidney Injury
Authors: Wu Vin-Cent , Shiao Chih-Chung , Chang Chia-Hsuin , Huang Tao-Min , Lai Chun-Fu , Lin Meng-Chun , Chiang Wen-Chih , Chu Tzong-Shinn , Wu Kwan-Dun , Ko Wen-Je , Wang Cheng-Yi , Wang Shuo-Meng , Chen Likwang
Published: August 2014

AKI-dialysis patients had a higher incidence of long-term ESRD and mortality than the patients without AKI. The patients who recovered from dialysis were associated with a lower incidence of long-term ESRD and mortality than in the patients who still required dialysis.
The Effect of Age, Gender, and Insertion Site on Marginal Bone Loss around Endosseous Implants: Results from a 3-Year Trial with Premium Implant System
Authors: Negri Massimiliano , Galli Carlo , Smerieri Arianna , Macaluso Guido M. , Manfredi Edoardo , Ghiacci Giulia , Toffoli Andrea , Bonanini Mauro , Lumetti Simone
Published: August 2014

Objectives.The goal of this study was to evaluate bone changes around endosseous implants in partially edentulous patients.Materials and Methods.A total of 632 two-stage implants were placed in 252 patients. The implants had straight emergence profile, ZirTi surface, 3.3 to 5 mm diameter, and 8.5 to 13 mm length. Bone levels were assessed on orthopantomography immediately after surgery and after 36 months and marginal bone loss (MBL) was calculated from their difference.Results.Cumulative survival rate was 98.73%. Overall MBL was 0.8 mm ± 0.03 (mean ± SEM). Higher MBL was observed around implants in the maxilla than in the mandible (P<0.007). A relation between implant diameter and MBL (P<0.0001) was observed in male and, more limitedly, female patients. Older patients had higher MBL in the maxilla, but not in the mandible (P<0.0001). MBL progressively increased with age in male patients, but reached a peak already in the 50–60 years age group in the female subset (P<0.001).Conclusions.The overall MBL is consistent with the available literature. Site difference and patient age and gender appear to significantly affect MBL, representing important factors to be considered during implant placement.
Evaluation of Novel Tools to Facilitate the Detection and Characterization of Leprosy Patients in China
Authors: Wen Yan , You Yuan Gang , Yuan Lian-Chao , Yuan You Hua , Zhang Ying , Duthie Malcolm S. , Li Huan-Ying
Published: August 2014

Leprosy is the disabling outcome of chronic infection withMycobacterium leprae. The disease often evades early detection, particularly now that fewer clinicians are able to confidently diagnose the disease following the integration of leprosy control measures within general health services in many countries. Although leprosy is officially eliminated in China, endemic regions remain in some difficult-to-reach, underdeveloped areas in Southwest China. In order to better understand the extent ofM. lepraeinfection and identify new leprosy cases in a timely manner, simple tools that can detect infection and the early disease are required. In this report we evaluated the performance of antigen-specific ELISA, the NDO-LID rapid diagnostic test, and antigen-specific whole blood assays (WBA) as potential diagnostic tools. Our data support the use of antibody detection tests and WBA to facilitate the diagnosis of multibacillary and paucibacillary leprosy, respectively. These tools could be invaluable for increased, but simplified, monitoring of individuals in order to provide referrals for clinical exam and early leprosy diagnosis.
Retrograde Positive Contrast Urethrocystography of the Fish Urogenital System
Authors: Macrì Francesco , Passantino Annamaria , Pugliese Michela , Pietro Simona Di , Zaccone Daniele , Giorgianni Pietro , Bonfiglio Rossella , Marino Fabio
Published: August 2014

The radiological differences between the urinary tract of  Dicentrarchus labrax,Sparus aurata,Tinca tinca, andCyprinus carpioare shown. In fresh water teleosts the urinary bladder is sigmoid and a short urethra leads to the urinary pore. Genital and anal pores are present. InSparus auratathe urinary bladder has a globoid shape. InDicentrarchus labraxthe urinary bladder is smaller and elongate. In both marine teleosts a single urogenital pore is visible. Positive contrast was used to survey the urogenital system and evaluate shape and size of the bladder, urethra, ureter, and gonadal ducts. Results demonstrate the morphological variability of the urinary bladder and the craniodorsal entry of the ureters into the bladder. It is envisaged that this work will provide baseline information for further imaging studies for investigating the urogenital morphology and can be applied to identify disorders in fishes. Furthermore, the main interest of this study is that it demonstrates the morphological variability of the lower urinary system that exists between different species of fishes.
A Study of the Uptake of Heavy Metals by Plants near Metal-Scrap Dumpsite in Zaria, Nigeria
Authors: Yashim Zakka Israila , Kehinde Israel Omoniyi , Hannatu Musa
Published: August 2014

The research work investigates the metal uptake of the plantsLycopersicon esculentum(tomato),Rumex acetosa(sorrel), andSolanum melongena(garden egg) collected from experimental sites and a control area in Zaria, Nigeria. The concentrations of Cd, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Zn in different parts of each of the plant species grown on the experimental and control soils were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The experimental levels of the metals were higher than those at the control site and the limits recommended by Food and Agricultural Organisation/World Health Organisation (FAO/WHO).Solanum melongenashowed bioaccumulation factor (BF) and transfer factor (TF) greater than 1 for Cd, Pb, and Mn;Rumex acetosashowed BF and TF greater than 1 for Mn and Zn, and TF was greater than 1 for Cu and Fe;Lycopersicon esculentumhad only the TF for Fe, Pb, Mn, and Zn greater than 1. This results implies thatSolanum melongenaandRumex acetosaplants can be effectively used for phytoremediation of Cd, Pb, Mn, and Zn from the dumpsite. Pearson’s correlation coefficient values(r)were greater than 0.75 for all the metals studied which indicated that the high metal level in the experimental soil was a result of the metal-scrap.
Optimal Sixteenth Order Convergent Method Based on Quasi-Hermite Interpolation for Computing Roots
Authors: Zafar Fiza , Hussain Nawab , Fatimah Zirwah , Kharal Athar
Published: August 2014

We have given a four-step, multipoint iterative method without memory for solving nonlinear equations. The method is constructed by using quasi-Hermite interpolation and has order of convergence sixteen. As this method requires four function evaluations and one derivative evaluation at each step, it is optimal in the sense of the Kung and Traub conjecture. The comparisons are given with some other newly developed sixteenth-order methods. Interval Newton’s method is also used for finding the enough accurate initial approximations. Some figures show the enclosure of finitely many zeroes of nonlinear equations in an interval. Basins of attractions show the effectiveness of the method.
Prediction of S-Nitrosylation Modification Sites Based on Kernel Sparse Representation Classification and mRMR Algorithm
Authors: Huang Guohua , Lu Lin , Feng Kaiyan , Zhao Jun , Zhang Yuchao , Xu Yaochen , Zhang Ning , Li Bi-Qing , Huang Weiping , Cai Yu-Dong
Published: August 2014

Protein S-nitrosylation plays a very important role in a wide variety of cellular biological activities. Hitherto, accurate prediction of S-nitrosylation sites is still of great challenge. In this paper, we presented a framework to computationally predict S-nitrosylation sites based on kernel sparse representation classification and minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance algorithm. As much as 666 features derived from five categories of amino acid properties and one protein structure feature are used for numerical representation of proteins. A total of 529 protein sequences collected from the open-access databases and published literatures are used to train and test our predictor. Computational results show that our predictor achieves Matthews’ correlation coefficients of 0.1634 and 0.2919 for the training set and the testing set, respectively, which are better than those of k-nearest neighbor algorithm, random forest algorithm, and sparse representation classification algorithm. The experimental results also indicate that 134 optimal features can better represent the peptides of protein S-nitrosylation than the original 666 redundant features. Furthermore, we constructed an independent testing set of 113 protein sequences to evaluate the robustness of our predictor. Experimental result showed that our predictor also yielded good performance on the independent testing set with Matthews’ correlation coefficients of 0.2239.
Some New Results on the Lotka-Volterra System with Variable Delay
Authors: Hu Yangzi , Wu Fuke , Huang Chengming
Published: August 2014

This paper discusses the stochastic Lotka-Volterra system with time-varying delay. The nonexplosion, the boundedness, and the polynomial pathwise growth of the solution are determined once and for all by the same criterion. Moreover, this criterion is constructed by the parameters of the system itself, without any uncertain one. A two-dimensional stochastic delay Lotka-Volterra model is taken as an example to illustrate the effectiveness of our result.
Adaptive Control of the Chaotic System via Singular System Approach
Authors: Li Yudong , Zhang Tianyu , Zhang Yujun
Published: August 2014

This paper deals with the control problem of the chaotic system subject to disturbance. The sliding mode surface is designed by singular system approach, and sufficient condition for convergence is given. Then, the adaptive sliding mode controller is designed to make the state arrive at the sliding mode surface in finite time. Finally, Lorenz system is considered as an example to show the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Satellite Fault Diagnosis Using Support Vector Machines Based on a Hybrid Voting Mechanism
Authors: Yin Hong , Yang Shuqiang , Zhu Xiaoqian , Jin Songchang , Wang Xiang
Published: August 2014

The satellite fault diagnosis has an important role in enhancing the safety, reliability, and availability of the satellite system. However, the problem of enormous parameters and multiple faults makes a challenge to the satellite fault diagnosis. The interactions between parameters and misclassifications from multiple faults will increase the false alarm rate and the false negative rate. On the other hand, for each satellite fault, there is not enough fault data for training. To most of the classification algorithms, it will degrade the performance of model. In this paper, we proposed an improving SVM based on a hybrid voting mechanism (HVM-SVM) to deal with the problem of enormous parameters, multiple faults, and small samples. Many experimental results show that the accuracy of fault diagnosis using HVM-SVM is improved.
Hepatic Necrosis and Degenerative Myopathy Associated with Cassava Feeding in Pigs
Authors: Daniel-Igwe Gloria
Published: August 2014

Forty-three deaths were recorded among pigs fed boiled cassava meal at a private piggery over a period of two years. There were signs of sudden death in some cases with blood exuding from the external nares, vomiting, muscular weakness and pain or reluctance to move, emaciation, and stunted growth. The necropsy lesions included skeletal and cardiac muscle degeneration and necrosis, icterus, hepatic necrosis, and oedema of the dependent parts. The deaths and clinical signs are thought to be due to a non cyanide toxic principle in cassava, possibly the coumarins (scopoletin), which is found in high levels in cassava diet even after heat treatment. Therefore, the use of proper processing technology to obtain cassava products of high quality is recommended.
Reverses of the Jensen-Type Inequalities for Signed Measures
Authors: Jakšić Rozarija , Pečarić Josip , Rodić Lipanović Mirna
Published: August 2014

In this paper we derive refinements of the Jensen type inequalities in the case of real Stieltjes measuredλ, not necessarily positive, which are generalizations of Jensen's inequality and its reverses for positive measures. Furthermore, we investigate the exponential and logarithmic convexity of the difference between the left-hand and the right-hand side of these inequalities and give several examples of the families of functions for which the obtained results can be applied. The outcome is a new class of Cauchy-type means.
E-Cadherin and Gastric Cancer: Cause, Consequence, and Applications
Authors: Liu Xin , Chu Kent-Man
Published: August 2014

E-cadherin (epithelial-cadherin), encoded by theCDH1gene, is a transmembrane glycoprotein playing a crucial role in maintaining cell-cell adhesion. E-cadherin has been reported to be a tumor suppressor and to be down regulated in gastric cancer. Besides genetic mutations inCDH1gene to induce hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (HDGC), epigenetic factors such as DNA hypermethylation also contribute to the reduction of E-cadherin in gastric carcinogenesis. In addition, expression of E-cadherin could be mediated by infectious agents such asH. pylori (Helicobacter pylori).As E-cadherin is vitally involved in signaling pathways modulating cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and migration, dysregulation of E-cadherin leads to dysfunction of gastric epithelial cells and contributes to gastric cancer development. Moreover, changes in its expression could reflect pathological conditions of gastric mucosa, making its role in gastric cancer complicated. In this review, we summarize the functions of E-cadherin and the signaling pathways it regulates. We aim to provide comprehensive perspectives in the molecular mechanism of E-cadherin and its involvement in gastric cancer initiation and progression. We also focus on its applications for early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy in gastric cancer in order to open new avenues in this field.
Repetitive Myocardial Infarctions Secondary to Delirium Tremens
Authors: Schwartzberg David , Shiroff Adam
Published: August 2014

Delirium tremens develops in a minority of patients undergoing acute alcohol withdrawal; however, that minority is vulnerable to significant morbidity and mortality. Historically, benzodiazepines are given intravenously to control withdrawal symptoms, although occasionally a more substantial medication is needed to prevent the devastating effects of delirium tremens, that is, propofol. We report a trauma patient who required propofol sedation for delirium tremens that was refractory to benzodiazepine treatment. Extubed prematurely, he suffered a non-ST segment myocardial infarction followed by an ST segment myocardial infarction requiring multiple interventions by cardiology. We hypothesize that his myocardial ischemia was secondary to an increased myocardial oxygen demand that occurred during his stress-induced catecholamine surge during the time he was undertreated for delirium tremens. This advocates for the use of propofol for refractory benzodiazepine treatment of delirium tremens and adds to the literature on the instability patients experience during withdrawal.
Exterior Dirichlet Problem for Translating Solutions of Gauss Curvature Flow in Minkowski Space
Authors: Ju Hongjie
Published: August 2014

We prove the existence of solutions to a class of Monge-Ampère equations on exterior domains inℝn(n≥2)and the solutions are close to a cone. This problem comes from the study of the flow by powers of Gauss curvature in Minkowski space.
Modified Finite Difference Schemes on Uniform Grids for Simulations of the Helmholtz Equation at Any Wave Number
Authors: Wajid Hafiz Abdul , Ahmed Naseer , Iqbal Hifza , Arshad Muhammad Sarmad
Published: August 2014

We construct modified forward, backward, and central finite difference schemes, specifically for the Helmholtz equation, by using the Bloch wave property. All of these modified finite difference approximations provide exact solutions at the nodes of the uniform grid for the second derivative present in the Helmholtz equation and the first derivative in the radiation boundary conditions for wave propagation. The most important feature of the modified schemes is that they work for large as well as low wave numbers, without the common requirement of a very fine mesh size. The superiority of the modified finite difference schemes is illustrated with the help of numerical examples by making a comparison with standard finite difference schemes.
Physical and Chemical Components of Cuba’s Rain: Effects on Air Quality
Authors: Préndez Margarita , López Rosemary , Carrillo Ernesto
Published: August 2014

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of the physical and chemical components of rain affecting air quality in Cuba. Samples were obtained from pollution monitoring stations throughout Cuba. Different chemical analyses including elements and ions were conducted. Meteorological data was also included for the analysis. Results show that the pH was slightly basic for most stations, except those of the eastern region which exhibit pH values below 5.6. The major anthropogenic sources of ions are the burning of fossil fuel by power plants, cement factories, and nickel-processing industries and the burning of biomass through poor agricultural practices. The western region exhibited increased concentrations of NO3- and SO42- during the dry season, most likely due to the long-range transport of pollutants from the northeastern United States as well as local pollutants. Marine aerosols clearly influence Cuba’s rain. Only a small fraction of the potentially acidic ions contributes to the free acidity of Cuba’s rainwater, mainly due to the neutralizing capacity of some ions such as Cl-, Na+, Ca+2, and NH4+. The implementation of abatement techniques for SO2 and NOX and some elements emissions from major stationary sources will be an effective measure to improve air quality in Cuba.
Analysis of Time of Day Fare Discounts on Urban Mass Transit Travel Behavior, Crowding, and Waiting Time
Authors: Guo Xiao , Sun Huijun
Published: August 2014

Every morning, commuters select the regularly dispatched urban mass transit for traveling from a residential area to a workplace. This paper aims to find an optimal discount fare and time intervals on morning peak hour. As a direct and flexible traffic economic instrument, fares can influence commuters’ behavior. Therefore, fare discount has been proposed to regulate traffic flow in different time. Two models have been analyzed to describe it with schedule delay because of the travel demand size. The first objective function is constructed on pressure equalization when the travel demand is small. The other objective function is to minimize total waiting time when the travel demand is large. In the end, numerical examples based on an artificial network are performed to characterize fare discount models.
Enhancement of Biodegradation of Palm Oil Mill Effluents by Local Isolated Microorganisms
Authors: Soleimaninanadegani Mohammadreza , Manshad Soheila
Published: August 2014

This study was designed to investigate the microorganisms associated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) in Johor Bahru state, Malaysia. Biodegradation of palm oil mill effluents (POME) was conducted to measure the discarded POME based on physicochemical quality. The bacteria that were isolated areMicrococcusspecies,Bacillusspecies,Pseudomonasspecies, andStaphylococcus aureus, while the fungi that were isolated areAspergillus niger,Aspergillus fumigatus,Candidaspecies,Fusariumspecies,Mucorspecies, andPenicilliumspecies. The autoclaved and unautoclaved raw POME samples were incubated for 7 days and the activities of the microorganisms were observed each 12 hours. The supernatants of the digested POME were investigated for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), color (ADMI), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) at the end of each digestion cycle. The results showed that the unautoclaved raw POME sample degraded better than the inoculated POME sample and this suggests that the microorganisms that are indigenous in the POME are more effective than the introduced microorganisms. This result, however, indicates the prospect of isolating indigenous microorganisms in the POME for effective biodegradation of POME. Moreover, the effective treatment of POME yields useful products such as reduction of BOD, COD, and color.
Numerical Analysis of Pressure Pulsation for a Bidirectional Pump under Positive and Reverse Operation
Authors: Ma Pengfei , Wang Jun , Li Hui
Published: August 2014

Bidirectional pump holds great promise in a wide range of applications since it could realize the function of drainage and irrigation simultaneously. A bidirectional pump with high specific speed was designed and 10 groups of performance tests, under different setting angles, including both positive and negative directions, were conducted. Numerical simulations were then performed to analyze the variation principle of internal pressure pulsation in flow passage and both the front and the back sides of the blade and guide vane. Results show that the optimum operation point was shifted and the performance declined under reverse operation. The maximum pressure pulsation amplitude occurred to the vicinity of the blade's inlet edge under both positive and negative operations. The main pulsation frequency was the blade passing frequency while it was four times of shaft rotation frequency in the rotatory zone, which was equal to the number of guide vanes. The guide vane has a significant effect on the pressure pulsation variation. The pulsation amplitude had a higher value while the pump was in its negative operation rather than positive. These results could provide valuable insight for reducing the pressure amplitudes in the bidirectional pump.
Helicobacter pyloriin Vegetables and Salads: Genotyping and Antimicrobial Resistance Properties
Authors: Yahaghi Emad , Khamesipour Faham , Mashayekhi Fatemeh , Safarpoor Dehkordi Farhad , Sakhaei Mohammad Hossein , Masoudimanesh Mojtaba , Khameneie Maryam Khayyat
Published: August 2014

From a clinical and epidemiological perspective, it is important to know which genotypes and antibiotic resistance patterns are present inH. pyloristrains isolated from salads and vegetables. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to find this purpose. Three hundred eighty washed and unwashed vegetable samples and fifty commercial and traditional salad samples were collected from Isfahan, Iran. Samples were cultured and those found positive forH. pyloriwere analyzed using PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion method. Seven out of 50 (14%) salad and 52 out of 380 (13.68%) vegetable samples harboredH. pylori. In addition, leek, lettuce, and cabbage were the most commonly contaminated samples (30%). The most prevalent virulence genes wereoipA(86.44%) andcagA(57.625).VacA s1a(37.28%) andiceA1(47.45%) were the most prevalent genotypes. Forty different genotypic combinations were recognized. S1a/cagA+/iceA1/oipA+ (33.89%), s1a/cagA+/iceA2/oipA (30.50%), and m1a/cagA+/iceA1/oipA+ (28.81%) were the most prevalent combined genotypes. Bacterial strains had the highest levels of resistance against metronidazole (77.96%), amoxicillin (67.79%), and ampicillin (61.01%). High similarity in the genotyping pattern ofH. pyloriamong vegetable and salad samples and human specimens suggests that vegetable and salads may be the sources of the bacteria.
Forecasting Hydrological Disaster Using Environmental Thermographic Modeling
Authors: Emetere Moses E.
Published: August 2014

The concept of thermographic model is new to environmental studies. Its mode of operation is fairly synonymous to the operational technique of the regular thermography machine. The location of the study area is between latitudes 8°24′N and 9°20′N of the equator and between longitudes 7°30′E and 8°48′E of the Greenwich Meridian. The subsoil for the soil samples was identified within the particles range 63 ± 3% sand, 28 ± 5% clay, 6 ± 2% silt, 0.9 ± 0.3% organic carbon, and 1 ± 0.2% organic matter. Field work was carried out and the measurements obtained were validated using satellite data. At shallow ground depth, the thermal diffusivity is not proportional to either the increase or the decrease in the ground temperatures. Features of the temperature anomaly showed strange shifts per month within 2012. The environmental thermographic model (ETM) can be adopted by meteorological ground stations to investigate the net radiation over the land. The ability of the ETM could be extended to monitoring ground anomalies like fractures of basic rocks amongst others.
A Coupled Model of the 1D River Network and 3D Estuary Based on Hydrodynamics and Suspended Sediment Simulation
Authors: Zhang Wei , Lyu Shujie , Zhu Yuliang , Chen Xiaowen
Published: August 2014

River networks and estuaries are very common in coastal areas. Runoff from the upper stream interacts with tidal current from open sea in these two systems, leading to a complex hydrodynamics process. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the two systems as a whole to study the flow and suspended sediment transport. Firstly, a 1D model is established in the Pearl River network and a 3D model is applied in its estuary. As sufficient mass exchanges between the river network and its estuary, a strict mathematical relationship of water level at the interfaces can be adopted to couple the 1D model with the 3D model. By doing so, the coupled model does not need to have common nested grids. The river network exchanges the suspended sediment with its estuary by adding the continuity conditions at the interfaces. The coupled model is, respectively, calibrated in the dry season and the wet season. The results demonstrate that the coupled model works excellently in simulating water level and discharge. Although there are more errors in simulating suspended sediment concentration due to some reasons, the coupled model is still good enough to evaluate the suspended sediment transport in river network and estuary systems.
Comparative Study of Raw and Boiled Silver Pomfret Fish from Coastal Area and Retail Market in Relation to Trace Metals and Proximate Composition
Authors: Huque Roksana , Munshi M. Kamruzzaman , Khatun Afifa , Islam Mahfuza , Hossain Afzal , Hossain Arzina , Akter Shirin , Kabir Jamiul , Nahar Jolly Yeasmin , Islam Ashraful
Published: August 2014

Trace metals concentration and proximate composition of raw and boiled silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus) from coastal area and retail market were determined to gain the knowledge of the risk and benefits associated with indiscriminate consumption of marine fishes. The effects of cooking (boiling) on trace metal and proximate composition of silver pomfret fish were also investigated. Trace element results were determined by the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Spectrometer wherein fish samples from both areas exceeded the standard limits set by FAO/WHO for manganese, lead, cadmiumm and chromium and boiling has no significant effects on these three metal concentrations. Long-term intake of these contaminated fish samples can pose a health risk to humans who consume them.
Comparative Analysis of Selected Physicochemical Properties of Pozzolan Portland and MTA-Based Cements
Authors: Dorileo Maura Cristiane Gonçales Orçati , Villa Ricardo Dalla , Guedes Orlando Aguirre , Aranha Andreza Maria Fábio , Semenoff-Segundo Alex , Bandeca Matheus Coelho , Borges Alvaro Henrique
Published: August 2014

Physicochemical properties of pozzolan Portland cement were compared to ProRoot MTA and MTA BIO. To test the pH, the samples were immersed in distilled water for different periods of time. After the pH analysis, the sample was retained in the plastic recipient, and the electrical conductivity of the solution was measured. The solubility and radiopacity properties were evaluated according to specification 57 of the American National Standard Institute/American Dental Association (ANSI/ADA). The statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA and Tukey’s test at a 5% level of significance. Pozzolan Portland cement exhibited pH and electrical conductivity mean values similar to those of the MTA-based cements. The solubilities of all tested materials were in accordance with the ANSI/ADA standards. Only the MTA-based cements met the ANSI/ADA recommendations for radiopacity. It might be concluded that the pH and electrical conductivity of pozzolan Portland cement are similar to and comparable to those of MTA-based cements.
EHCM: A Multihop Aided Wireless Routing Protocol Based on Flow Priority in Smart Grid
Authors: Tan Xiaobin , Zheng Qin , Liu Ling
Published: August 2014

In traditional smart grid, data aggregator (DA) and distribution box (DB) send the data collected by sensors to base station (BS) through cellular interface, which is called single-hop communication mode (SCM). In smart grid, different data packets have different delay priorities and the BS cannot satisfy all the delay requirements of different data because of limited resources through SCM. In order to meet the QoS requirements of different priority data, we propose a new scheme: enhanced hybrid communication mode (EHCM), by introducing multihop communication mode (MCM) into this scenario to improve the network's performance by adding another wireless interface on each node. Our scheme EHCM consists of two parts: the intracell data transmission and the cell edge data transmission. In the first part, we propose a solution to choose a relay node according to the node's energy consumption and its residual energy and a solution to forward packets based on its priority and residual lifetime (RLT). In the second part, the tasks of data transmission can be delivered from the congested DB nodes to the adjacent idle ones to provide optimal performance. At last, the simulation shows that our scheme can satisfy the performance requirement of smart grid.
A Comparison of Moments-Based Logo Recognition Methods
Authors: Zhang Zili , Wang Xuan , Anwar Waqas , Jiang Zoe L.
Published: August 2014

Logo recognition is an important issue in document image, advertisement, and intelligent transportation. Although there are many approaches to study logos in these fields, logo recognition is an essential subprocess. Among the methods of logo recognition, the descriptor is very vital. The results of moments as powerful descriptors were not discussed before in terms of logo recognition. So it is unclear which moments are more appropriate to recognize which kind of logos. In this paper we find out the relations between logos with different transforms and moments, which moments are fit for logos with different transforms. The open datasets are employed from the University of Maryland. The comparisons based on moments are carried out from the aspects of logos with noise, and rotation, scaling, rotation and scaling.
Riesz Basicity for General Systems of Functions
Authors: Sarsenbi A. M. , Terekhin P. A.
Published: August 2014

In this paper we find the general conditions for a complete biorthogonal conjugate system to form a Riesz basis. We show that if a complete biorthogonal conjugate system is uniformly bounded and its coefficient space is solid, then the system forms a Riesz basis. We also construct affine Riesz bases as an application to the main result.