bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Searching for a new family of high energy explosives by introducing N atoms, N-oxides, and NO2 into a cage adamantane
Authors: Xiang Dong , Chen Hao , Zhu Weihua , Xiao Heming
Published: May 2016

A design strategy that including N atoms, N-oxides, and nitro groups into a cage azaadamantane at the same time was used to design 10 polyazaoxyadamantanes (PAOAs) and eight polynitroazaoxyadamantanes (PNTAOAs). First, four stable azaadamantanes were built by replacing the tertiary C atoms of an adamantane with N atoms. Then, 10 PAOAs were designed by introducing one to four N-oxides into the four azaadamantanes. After that, eight PNTAOAs were formed when the H atoms of four N-oxide-substituted azaadamantanes were replaced with different numbers of nitro groups. Finally, their heats of formation, densities, detonation properties, and impact sensitivity were estimated by using density functional theory. Among the eight PNTAOAs, seven compounds had better detonation performances than CL-20, the outstanding, novel, high-energy, and relatively insensitive cage explosive. Two compounds had higher detonation performance and lower sensitivity than CL-20 and HMX, suggesting that their overall performances are outstanding and they may be considered as the potential candidate of high-energy explosives.
Methods for evaluating the utilities of local and global maps for increasing the precision of estimates of subtropical forest area
Authors: McRoberts Ronald E. , Vibrans Alexander C. , Sannier Christophe , Næsset Erik , Hansen Matthew C. , Walters Brian F. , Lingner Débora V.
Published: May 2016

For a study area in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, the utilities of local and global forest maps in combination with poststratified and model-assisted estimators for increasing the precision of estimates of forest area were compared. Auxiliary information was in the form of local maps, the recent Global Forest Change map, and combinations of these maps. The poststratified estimators produced estimates of greater precision than the model-assisted regression estimators for maps of categorical variables, but the model assisted estimators produced estimates of greater precision for maps of continuous variables. The Global Forest Change map was the least accurate of all the maps, but it produced estimates of forest area that were similar to those for the other maps and that were more precise than if the map had not been used. Thus, the Global Forest Change map may be an attractive option if local maps are not available or cannot be constructed. The primary contributions of the study are two-fold. First, this is one of the first case studies that rigorously assess the utility of global maps for national estimation. After accumulation of a few more such studies, broader generalizations should be forthcoming. Second, a statistical basis is provided for the previously unexplained greater precision for poststratified estimators than for model-assisted estimators.
Anxiety-related behavior in hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine nutritional overload in rats: role of the brain oxidative stress
Authors: Hrncic Dragan , Mikić Jelena , Rasic-Markovic Aleksandra , Velimirović Milica , Stojković Tihomir , Obrenović Radmila , Rankov-Petrović Bojana , Šušić Veselinka , Djuric Dragan , Petronijević Nataša , Stanojlovic Olivera
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a methionine-enriched diet on anxiety-related behavior in rats and to determine the role of the brain oxidative status in these alterations. Adult male Wistar rats were fed from the 30th to 60th postnatal day with standard or methionine-enriched diet (double content comparing with standard diet: 7.7 g/kg). Rats were tested in open field and light–dark tests and afterwards oxidative status in the different brain regions were determined. Hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine-enriched diet in this study decreased the number of rearings, as well as the time that these animals spent in the center of the open field, but increased index of thigmotaxy. Oxidative status was selectively altered in the examined regions. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the cortex and nc. caudatus of rats developing hyperhomocysteinemia, but unaltered in the hippocampus and thalamus. Based on the results of this research, it could be concluded that hyperhomocysteinemia induced by methionine nutritional overload increased anxiety-related behavior in rats. These proanxiogenic effects could be, at least in part, a consequence of oxidative stress in the rat brain.
Resveratrol and curcumin as protective agents in an experimental rat model of intestinal ischemia and reperfusion
Authors: Cucolas Cristina , Daneasa Alexandra Ioana , Olteanu Diana , Decea Nicoleta , Moldovan Remus , Tabaran Flaviu , Filip Gabriela Adriana
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of resveratrol and curcumin in an experimental rat model of intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R). Forty-eight adult Wistar rats were used: 12 animals undergoing the sham surgery and 36 animals undergoing laparotomy, with 15 min of mesentric artery clamping. The animals from the latter group (n = 12) were pretreated, for 1 week, with vehicle (CTR), resveratrol (RES), and curcumin (CUR). After 1 h and 6 h of reperfusion, respectively, cyclooxigenase (COX)-2, mucin-1, E-cadherin, nuclear factor (NK)-κB expressions, and tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) were assessed in the small intestine. Oxidative stress markers were determined in tissue homogenate and serum, and histopathological analysis was performed. Pretreatment with RES decreased the expression of COX-2 and NF-κB at both intervals and increased E-cadherin (p < 0.05) and mucin-1 production after 1 h. CUR had a beneficial effect on COX-2, NF-κB, and E-cadherin expressions, both after 1 h and after 6 h (p < 0.0001). The two compounds increased TRAIL levels and had a protective effect on oxidative stress and histopathological lesions, both after 1 h and after 6 h. Our results suggested that RES and CUR had beneficial effects in intestinal I/R and may represent a promising option for complementary treatment of this pathological condition.
CHINA’S EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM REFORM: TWO POTENTIAL MISTAKES AND THE RECOMMENDED LONG-TERM SYSTEM
Authors: YIP PAUL S. L.
Published: May 2016

Further to the author’s recommended transitory and medium-term exchange rate system reforms that was implemented in China since July 2005, this paper explains that: (1) a long-term reform towards a floating exchange rate system with free capital mobility will cause huge damages to the Chinese economy. It then proposes a long-term exchange rate system that would probably benefit China the most; and (2) there is a serious mistake in China’s latest exchange rate policy: The Chinese central bank has mistakenly allowed the renminbi exchange rate to rise with the strong rebound of the US dollar. This will cause not only a substantial drag in China’s export and GDP growth, but will also eventually make China’s financial and economic system vulnerable to a highly disruptive correction in the renminbi exchange rate.
An Efficient FPGA Architecture with High-Performance 2D DWT Processor for Medical Imaging
Authors: Arasu S. P. Valan , Baulkani S.
Published: May 2016

Medical image fusion is the process of deriving vital information from multimodality medical images. Some important applications of image fusion are medical imaging, remote control sensing, personal computer vision and robotics. For medical diagnosis, computerized tomography (CT) gives the best information about denser tissue with a lesser amount of distortion and magnetic resonance image (MRI) gives the better information on soft tissue with little higher distortion. The main scheme is to combine CT and MRI images for getting most significant information. The need is to focus on less power consumption and less occupational area in the implementations of the applications involving image fusion using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). To design the DWT processor with low power and area, a low power multiplier and shifter are incorporated in the hardware. This low power DWT improves the spatial resolution of fused image and also preserve the color appearance. Also, the adaptation of the lifting scheme in the 2D DWT process further improves the power reduction. In order to implement this 2D DWT processor in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) architecture as a very large scale integration (VLSI)-based design, the process is simulated with Xilinx 14.1 tools and also using MATLAB. When comparing the performance of this low power DWT and other available methods, this high performance processor has 24%, 54% and 53% of improvements on the parameters like standard deviation (SD), root mean square error (RMSE) and entropy. Thus, we are obtaining a low power, low area and good performance FPGA architecture suited for VLSI, for extracting the needed information from multimodality medical images with image fusion.
Study on Electronic-Nose-Based Quality Monitoring System for Coffee Under Roasting
Authors: Radi  , Rivai Muhammad , Purnomo Mauridhi Hery
Published: May 2016

Roasting process needs to be monitored and carefully controlled because it plays as the most important stage for determining flavor quality on the final product in the secondary coffee processing. Common quality monitoring method by applying parameters namely roasting time, roasting temperature and grain color may have disadvantages especially for nonuniform quality of green beans and stirring mechanism of regular roasters; therefore, an alternative quality monitoring model is necessary. Because emitted vapor during roasting may represent the occurred reaction stage, it is possible to indicate the roast degree of the coffee grain. This study evaluated the application of an electronic nose based on semiconductor sensor array for quality monitoring of coffee roasting. The electronic nose designed with gas sensor array was integrated to a mini batch coffee roaster. Data including sensor array response, vapor humidity and temperature were recorded in line to the roasting process and compared to the coffee grain color measured with a universal colorimeter. The experiment showed that the gas sensors respond to the emitted coffee flavors, from which a logarithmic profile as a function of grain color was obtained with the highest slope of [Formula: see text]1.6[Formula: see text]V/color difference of roasted coffee. Aroma patterns obtained from sensor responses were then analyzed with principle component analysis (PCA), by which a distinctive profile between initial and final phases of roasting is obtained. Although the corresponding analysis is still unable to distinguish the levels of light, medium and dark (LMD); high sensor responses indicate a further benefit of this system for developing an analogous quality monitoring system.
Flexible isotopy classification of flexible links
Authors: Björklund Johan
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we define and study flexible links and flexible isotopy in [Formula: see text]. Flexible links are meant to capture the topological properties of real algebraic links. We classify all flexible links up to flexible isotopy using Ekholm’s interpretation of Viro’s encomplexed writhe.
Virtual covers of links
Authors: Chrisman Micah
Published: May 2016

We use virtual knot theory to detect the non-invertibility of some classical links in [Formula: see text]. These links appear in the study of virtual covers. Briefly, a virtual cover associates a virtual knot [Formula: see text] to a knot [Formula: see text] in a [Formula: see text]-manifold [Formula: see text], under certain hypotheses on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Virtual covers of links in [Formula: see text] come from taking [Formula: see text] to be in the complement [Formula: see text] of a fibered link [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text] is invertible and [Formula: see text] is “close to” a fiber of [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] satisfies a symmetry condition to which some virtual knot polynomials are sensitive. We also discuss virtual covers of links [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is not fibered, but is virtually fibered (in the sense of W. Thurston).
Spinning boson stars and Kerr black holes with scalar hair: The effect of self-interactions
Authors: Herdeiro Carlos A. R. , Radu Eugen , Rúnarsson Helgi F.
Published: May 2016

Self-interacting boson stars (BSs) have been shown to alleviate the astrophysically low maximal mass of their nonself-interacting counterparts. We report some physical features of spinning self-interacting BSs, namely their compactness, the occurrence of ergo-regions and the scalar field profiles, for a sample of values of the coupling parameter. The results agree with the general picture that these BSs are comparatively less compact than the nonself-interacting ones. We also briefly discuss the effect of scalar self-interactions on the properties of Kerr black holes with scalar hair.
Determination of the pairing-strength constants in the isovector plus isoscalar pairing case
Authors: Mokhtari D. , Fellah M. , Allal N. H.
Published: May 2016

A method for the determination of the pairing-strength constants, in the neutron–proton (n–p) isovector plus isoscalar pairing case, is proposed in the framework of the BCS theory. It is based on the fitting of these constants to reproduce the experimentally known pairing gap parameters as well as the root-mean-squared (r.m.s) charge radii values. The method is applied to some proton-rich even–even nuclei. The single-particle energies used are those of a deformed Woods–Saxon mean field. It is shown that the obtained value of the ratio [Formula: see text] is of the same order as the ones, arbitrary chosen, of some previous works. The effect of the inclusion of the isoscalar n–p pairing in the r.m.s matter radii is then numerically studied for the same nuclei.
EFFECT OF NaCl SOLUTION SPRAYING ON FATIGUE LIVES OF SMOOTH AND SLIT SPECIMENS OF 0.37% CARBON STEEL
Authors: MAKABE CHOBIN , FERDOUS MD. SHAFIUL , SHIMABUKURO AKIMICHI , MURDANI ANGGIT
Published: May 2016

The fatigue crack initiation life and growth rate are affected by experimental conditions. A corrosive environment can be created in a laboratory by means of dropping salt water onto the specimen surface, spraying chloride mist into the experimental chamber, etc. In the case of smooth specimens of some metals, fatigue life is shortened and the fatigue limit disappears under such corrosive experimental conditions. In this study, the effects of intermittent spraying of 3% NaCl solution-mist on corrosion fatigue behavior were investigated. The material used was 0.37% carbon steel. This is called JIS S35C in Japan. Spraying of 3% NaCl solution-mist attacked the surface layer of the specimen. It is well known that the pitting, oxidation–reduction reaction, etc. affect the fatigue strength of metals in a corrosive environment. We carried out corrosion fatigue tests with smooth specimens, holed specimens and slit specimens. Then the effects of such specimen geometry on the fatigue strength were investigated when the NaCl solution-mist was sprayed onto the specimen surface. In the case of lower stress amplitude application in slit specimens, the fatigue life in a corrosive atmosphere was longer than that in the open air. It is discussed that the behavior is related to the crack closure which happens when the oxide builds up and clogs the crack or slit.
Dynamic 3D Foundation–Soil–Foundation Interaction on Stratified Soil
Authors: Han Zejun , Lin Gao , Li Jianbo
Published: May 2016

This paper studies the dynamic interaction between two or more adjacent foundations resting on the surface of a stratified soil. The precise integration scheme adopted ensures that the numerical results obtained are highly accurate. Only the interfaces between the foundations and the soil need to be discretized and there is no limit on the thickness or on the number of soil layers to be considered. Numerical examples are provided to verify the accuracy and computational stability of the proposed approach. A series of parametric studies have been carried out to clarify the effects of layer depth, soil damping, spacing between adjacent foundations, masses and moment inertias of supporting structures and the wave propagation velocity on the dynamic behavior of three-dimensional (3D) foundation–soil–foundation interaction (FSFI).
Causal Poisson bracket via deformation quantization
Authors: Berra-Montiel Jasel , Molgado Alberto , Palacios-García César D.
Published: May 2016

Starting with the well-defined product of quantum fields at two spacetime points, we explore an associated Poisson structure for classical field theories within the deformation quantization formalism. We realize that the induced star-product is naturally related to the standard Moyal product through an appropriate causal Green’s functions connecting points in the space of classical solutions to the equations of motion. Our results resemble the Peierls–DeWitt bracket that has been analyzed in the multisymplectic context. Once our star-product is defined, we are able to apply the Wigner–Weyl map in order to introduce a generalized version of Wick’s theorem. Finally, we include some examples to explicitly test our method: the real scalar field, the bosonic string and a physically motivated nonlinear particle model. For the field theoretic models, we have encountered causal generalizations of the creation/annihilation relations, and also a causal generalization of the Virasoro algebra for the bosonic string. For the nonlinear particle case, we use the approximate solution in terms of the Green’s function, in order to construct a well-behaved causal bracket.
Reduced D-Kaup–Newell soliton hierarchies from sl(2,ℝ) and so(3,ℝ)
Authors: Ma Wen-Xiu , Zhou Yuan
Published: May 2016

Two reduced D-Kaup–Newell spectral problems from sl(2,[Formula: see text]) and so(3,[Formula: see text]) are considered, and the corresponding soliton hierarchies are generated by using the zero curvature formulation. The resulting systems are shown to be bi-Hamiltonian and their hereditary recursion operators are explicitly computed.
Fully Coupling Chemomechanical Yield Theory Based on Evolution Equations
Authors: Liu Wenyuan , Xia Wei , Shen Shengping
Published: May 2016

Coupling chemomechanical yield is one of the key issues in the oxidation of metal and polymer matrix materials. In this paper, the evolving equations for fully coupled thermal–chemical–mechanical processes were derived using the theory of thermodynamics. Then, the coupled chemomechanical yield condition and flow rule were directly obtained from the evolution equations by extending the von Mises theory of plasticity. The coupled yield condition reveals that only the chemical reactions or diffusions may lead to the yield of material even without the mechanical stress, which significantly differs from the previous works. In addition, the currently proposed yield condition combined with the flow rule as a new criterion, may be applicable in predicting the durability of materials within the allowed plastic deformation resulted from time dependent diffusion and chemical reactions. Particular attention is paid to the isothermal systems and isotropic materials for simplicity. Finally, three examples on how the deformation and reaction evolves simultaneously were given to show the applications of the present theory.
Preparation of ZnO@void@SiO2 Rattle Type Core–Shell Nanoparticles via Layer-by-Layer Method
Authors: Wang Xiaoman , Song Junda , Chen Hongling
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we prepared the rattle type nanoparticles ZnO@void@SiO2 by two successive coating processes, followed by heat treatment. The carbon layer was formed over ZnO surface with the aid of the hydrothermal treatment of glucose. Then the resulting composite was used to fabricate a silica shell on the surface by sol–gel method. Finally, ZnO particles were released but still trapped inside the silica hollow after calcination, that is, ZnO@void@SiO2. The composites were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscope, N2 adsorption experiment, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV-Vis absorption spectra. The rattle type structure was conformed and the sphere-like structure with the average size of 70 nm and hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure were also observed. The measurement results of optical properties showed even though ZnO@C@SiO2 presented no photocatalysis, ZnO@void@SiO2 showed high activity even the ZnO core was encapsulated with the SiO2 hollow.
Preparation of Ag3PO4/BiOCOOH Composite Photocatalysts with High Photocatalytic Performances Under Visible Light Irradiation
Authors: Meng Xiaoting , Cheng Xiaofang , Zhuang Dongrong , Yang Shaogui , Sun Cheng
Published: May 2016

A series of Ag3PO4/BiOCOOH composite photocatalysts have been successfully synthesized by a simple in situ ion precipitation method. The crystallinity, morphology, microstructure, composition and optical property were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrophotometer (DRS). The as-prepared catalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of RhB and MB under visible light irradiation, the 2:1 Ag3PO4/BiOCOOH exhibited the best photocatalytic activity. By adding different free radical scavengers, the catalytic mechanism was discussed. In the process of degradation of RhB, holes (h[Formula: see text] is the main active species, [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] played a certain active role, [Formula: see text]OH played a small role. In the process of degradation MB, holes (h[Formula: see text] is the main active species too, [Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] also played a certain active role, [Formula: see text]OH almost does not work.
Splitting a contraction of a simple curve traversed m times
Authors: Chambers Gregory R. , Liokumovich Yevgeny
Published: May 2016

Suppose that [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-dimensional oriented Riemannian manifold, and let [Formula: see text] be a simple closed curve on [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] denote the curve formed by tracing [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] times. We prove that if [Formula: see text] is contractible through curves of length less than [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text] is contractible through curves of length less than [Formula: see text].

In the last section we state several open questions about controlling length and the number of self-intersections in homotopies of curves on Riemannian surfaces.
Structural properties and presence of protons in Ba0.9Gd0.1Zr1−x−ySnxInyO3−(y−0.1)∕2 perovskites
Authors: Skubida Wojciech , Świerczek Konrad
Published: May 2016

In this work, structural characterization of selected perovskite-type compounds from Ba[Formula: see text]Gd[Formula: see text]Zr[Formula: see text]SnxInyO[Formula: see text] group is given, including high temperature XRD measurements. An evidence of water incorporation into the crystal structure of the materials in a form of OH[Formula: see text] is discussed on a basis of thermogravimetric studies, with mass spectroscopy analysis of the gases released from samples on heating/cooling. As expected, oxygen non-stoichiometry was found to play a dominant role concerning possibility of water uptake. In addition, a rather strong affinity of the materials towards CO2 was documented, which seems to be a problem concerning possible application of the compounds as proton conducting solid electrolytes.
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Drainage without Fluoroscopic Guidance for Extraluminal Complicated Cysts
Authors: Nam Hyeong Seok , Kim Hyung Wook , Kang Dae Hwan , Choi Cheol Woong , Park Su Bum , Kim Su Jin , Ryu Dae Gon , Jeon Joon Ho
Published: May 2016

Background. Endoscopic ultrasound- (EUS-) guided drainage is generally performed under fluoroscopic guidance. However, improvements in endoscopic and EUS techniques and experience have led to questions regarding the usefulness of fluoroscopy. This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of EUS-guided drainage of extraluminal complicated cysts without fluoroscopic guidance.Methods. Patients who had undergone nonfluoroscopic EUS-guided drainage of extraluminal complicated cysts were enrolled. Drainage was performed via a transgastric, transduodenal, or transrectal approach. Single or double 7 Fr double pigtail stents were inserted.Results. Seventeen procedures were performed in 15 patients in peripancreatic fluid collections (n=13) and pelvic abscesses (n=4). The median lesion size was 7.1 cm (range: 2.8–13.0 cm), and the mean time spent per procedure was26.2±9.8minutes (range: 16–50 minutes). Endoscopic drainage was successful in 16 of 17 (94.1%) procedures. There were no complications. All patients experienced symptomatic improvement and revealed partial to complete resolution according to follow-up computed tomography findings. Two patients developed recurrent cysts that were drained during repeat procedures, with eventual complete resolution.Conclusion. EUS-guided drainage without fluoroscopic guidance is a technically feasible, safe, and effective procedure for the treatment of extraluminal complicated cysts.
Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of “Transfer-Out” Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Gondar, Ethiopia
Authors: Belayneh Tadesse , Kassu Afework , Tigabu Desalgne , Asmare Gashaw , Tilaye Sofanit , Klinkenberg Eveline
Published: May 2016

Background. During tuberculosis treatment, patients may transfer to continue treatment at another health facility. To ensure adherence until treatment completion, keeping track of patients is paramount. This study aimed to investigate treatment outcomes of patients who transferred out from the University of Gondar Hospital.Methods. This was a retrospective cohort evaluation of patients registered from 2009 to 2013. Treatment outcomes were collected from the TB registers of receiving units using a standardized data capture format.Results. During the study period 3,707 patients initiated treatment and 47.5% (1,760) transferred out. The study evaluated the outcome of 26% (457/1,760) patients, of whom 403 (88%) arrived in the receiving units. Overall, 79% were successfully treated and 13.8% transferred out for a second time. For all transferred-out cases, treatment outcomes were not reported to the referring unit.Conclusion and Recommendation. About half of the patients were transferred out to complete treatment elsewhere. Although successful treatment outcome was obtained in 79% of patients, these results were not fed back to the referring unit. Implementing a clear mechanism to communicate the arrival of and treatment outcome for transfer-out patients and appropriate patient education on treatment unit selection before treatment and during transfer-out are recommended.
Helminthic Infection and Nutritional Studies among Orang Asli Children in Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Legap, Perak
Authors: Wong Weng Kin , Foo Phiaw Chong , Roze Mohamad Noor Mohamad , Pim Chau Dam , Subramaniam Puvaneswari , Lim Boon Huat
Published: May 2016

Background. Orang Asli (aborigine) children are susceptible to soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections due to their lifestyle and substandard sanitation system.Objectives.This study aimed to examine the helminthic and nutritional status of Orang Asli school children in Sekolah Kebangsaan Pos Legap, a remote primary school at Kuala Kangsar District in the state of Perak, Malaysia. In addition, the sensitivities of four STH stool examination techniques were also compared.Methods.Demography and anthropometry data were collected by one-to-one interview session. Collected stools were examined with four microscopy techniques, namely, direct wet mount, formalin ether concentration (FEC), Kato-Katz (KK), and Parasep™.Results.Anthropometry analysis showed that 78% (26/33) of children in SK Pos Legap were malnourished and 33% (11/33) of them were stunted. Stool examinations revealed almost all children (97%) were infected by either one of the three commonest STHs. FEC was the most sensitive method in detection of the three helminth species.Conclusion. This study revealed that STH infections and nutritional status still remain a health concern among the Orang Asli children. These communal problems could be effectively controlled by regular monitoring of STH infection loads, administration of effective antihelminthic drug regimen, and also implementation of effective school nutritional programs.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Alouatta spp. Feces to Essential Oils
Authors: Lara Valéria Maria , Carregaro Adriano Bonfim , Santurio Deise Flores , Sá Mariangela Facco de , Santurio Janio Moraes , Alves Sydney Hartz
Published: May 2016

This study evaluated the in vitro antibacterial activity of essential oils from Lippia graveolens (Mexican oregano), Origanum vulgaris (oregano), Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Cymbopogon nardus (citronella), Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), and Eucalyptus citriodora (eucalyptus) against Escherichia coli (n = 22) strains isolated from Alouatta spp. feces. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined for each isolate using the broth microdilution technique. Essential oils of Mexican oregano (MIC mean = 1818 μg mL−1; MBC mean = 2618 μg mL−1), thyme (MIC mean = 2618 μg mL−1; MBC mean = 2909 μg mL−1), and oregano (MIC mean = 3418 μg mL−1; MBC mean = 4800 μg mL−1) showed the best antibacterial activity, while essential oils of eucalyptus, rosemary, citronella, and lemongrass displayed no antibacterial activity at concentrations greater than or equal to 6400 μg mL−1. Our results confirm the antimicrobial potential of some essential oils, which deserve further research.
Visual Timing of Structured Dance Movements Resembles Auditory Rhythm Perception
Authors: Su Yi-Huang , Salazar-López Elvira
Published: May 2016

Temporal mechanisms for processing auditory musical rhythms are well established, in which a perceived beat is beneficial for timing purposes. It is yet unknown whether such beat-based timing would also underlie visual perception of temporally structured, ecological stimuli connected to music: dance. In this study, we investigated whether observers extracted a visual beat when watching dance movements to assist visual timing of these movements. Participants watched silent videos of dance sequences and reproduced the movement duration by mental recall. We found better visual timing for limb movements with regular patterns in the trajectories than without, similar to the beat advantage for auditory rhythms. When movements involved both the arms and the legs, the benefit of a visual beat relied only on the latter. The beat-based advantage persisted despite auditory interferences that were temporally incongruent with the visual beat, arguing for the visual nature of these mechanisms. Our results suggest that visual timing principles for dance parallel their auditory counterparts for music, which may be based on common sensorimotor coupling. These processes likely yield multimodal rhythm representations in the scenario of music and dance.
Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Nanoreinforced Epoxy Composites
Authors: Kostagiannakopoulou C. , Fiamegkou E. , Sotiriadis G. , Kostopoulos V.
Published: May 2016

The present study attempts to investigate the influence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) on thermal conductivity (TC) of nanoreinforced polymers and nanomodified carbon fiber epoxy composites (CFRPs). Loading levels from 1 to 3% wt. of MWCNTs and from 1 to 15% wt. of GNPs were used. The results indicate that TC of nanofilled epoxy composites increased with the increase of GNP content. Quantitatively, 176% and 48% increase of TC were achieved in nanoreinforced polymers and nanomodified CFRPs, respectively, with the addition of 15% wt. GNPs into the epoxy matrix. Finally, micromechanical models were applied in order to predict analytically the TC of polymers and CFRPs. Lewis-Nielsen model with optimized parameters provides results very close to the experimental ones in the case of polymers. As far as the composites are concerned, the Hashin and Clayton models proved to be sufficiently accurate for the prediction at lower filler contents.
Fast Direct Solution of Electromagnetic Scattering from Left-Handed Materials Coated Target over Wide Angle
Authors: Wang Guo-hua , Geng Ying-bao
Published: May 2016

When solving the electromagnetic scattering problems over wide angle, the traditional method of moments (MoM) needs to repeat the solving process of dense systems of linear equations using the iteration method at each incident angle, which proved to be quite inefficient. To circumvent this problem, a fast numerical method based on block LDLT factorization accelerated by adaptive cross approximation (ACA) algorithm is presented to analyze the electromagnetic scattering of left-handed materials (LHM) coated target. The ACA algorithm is applied to impedance matrix filling and all steps of block LDLT factorization process, which can accelerate the computation process and reduce the memory consumption. The numerical results proved that the proposed method is efficient in calculating monostatic RCS of LHM coated target with many required sampling angles. Compared with the traditional MoM, computation time and memory consumption are reduced effectively.
Psychosis or Obsessions? Clozapine Associated with Worsening Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms
Authors: Leung Jonathan G. , Palmer Brian A.
Published: May 2016

One underrecognized adverse event of clozapine is the emergence or worsening of obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS). OCS, particularly violent thoughts, can be inaccurately described as psychosis and result in a misdiagnosis. We report a case of a 42-year-old man, initially diagnosed with schizoaffective, who was placed on clozapine for the management of “violent delusions.” However, clozapine led to a worsening of these violent thoughts resulting in suicidal ideation and hospitalization. After exploration of the intrusive thoughts and noting these to be egodystonic, clearly disturbing, and time consuming, an alternative diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) was made. Clozapine was inevitably discontinued resulting in a significant reduction of the intrusive thoughts without emergence of psychosis or adverse events. While an overlapping phenomenology between OCD and psychotic disorders has been described, clozapine and other antiserotonergic antipsychotics have been implicated with the emergence or worsening of OCS. Unique to our case is that the patient’s obsessions had been treated as psychosis leading to the inadequate treatment of his primary illness, OCD. This case highlights the potential for OCD to masquerade as a psychotic disorder and reminds clinicians that clozapine may worsen OCS.
The Use of Glycomacropeptide in Dietary Management of Phenylketonuria
Authors: Zaki Osama K. , El-Wakeel Lamia , Ebeid Yasmin , Ez Elarab Hanan S. , Moustafa Aisha , Abdulazim Nayera , Karara Hala , Elghawaby Ahmed
Published: May 2016

Dietary therapy is the most common therapy applied in treatment of Phenylketonuria (PKU) with restriction of intake of most natural proteins that are rich in Phenylalanine (Phe). Recently, it has been claimed that caseinoglycomacropeptide (GMP), derived of whey, may be used to replace the amino acid formulae (AAF).The Aim of Work. To study the feasibility of use of GMP for partial replacement of artificial formula in treatment of children with PKU.Methods. Ten patients with PKU were included in the study. They received the recommended daily allowances of protein in the form of AAF or a combination of AAF and GMP. The percent of intake of GMP in phases 1 and 2 was 50% and zero%, respectively.Results. The median and interquartiles of phenyl alanine Phe levels phase were not significantly different in phases I and II, 376 (167–551) μmol/L versus 490 (289–597) μmol/L, respectively. Phenylalanine/tyrosine ratio, amino acids, and other laboratory data showed no significant difference between the two phases.Conclusion. GMP may be used to replace 50% of the protein intake to improve the nutritive value and palatability of diet and to provide a more satisfactory diet. No toxicity or side effects were reported in patients on that regimen.
Reliable Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty by the Use of an iPod-Based Navigation System
Authors: Koenen Paola , Schneider Marco M. , Fröhlich Matthias , Driessen Arne , Bouillon Bertil , Bäthis Holger
Published: May 2016

Axial alignment is one of the main objectives in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Computer-assisted surgery (CAS) is more accurate regarding limb alignment reconstruction compared to the conventional technique. The aim of this study was to analyse the precision of the innovative navigation system DASH® by Brainlab and to evaluate the reliability of intraoperatively acquired data. A retrospective analysis of 40 patients was performed, who underwent CAS TKA using the iPod-based navigation system DASH. Pre- and postoperative axial alignment were measured on standardized radiographs by two independent observers. These data were compared with the navigation data. Furthermore, interobserver reliability was measured. The duration of surgery was monitored. The mean difference between the preoperative mechanical axis by X-ray and the first intraoperatively measured limb axis by the navigation system was 2.4°. The postoperative X-rays showed a mean difference of 1.3° compared to the final navigation measurement. According to radiographic measurements, 88% of arthroplasties had a postoperative limb axis within ±3°. The mean additional time needed for navigation was 5 minutes. We could prove very good precision for the DASH system, which is comparable to established navigation devices with only negligible expenditure of time compared to conventional TKA.
A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method in Treating Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Ou Jiao Ying , Huang Di , Wu Yan Sheng , Xu Lin , He Fei , Wang Hui Ling , Shi Li Qiang , Wan Qiang , He Li Qun , Dong Gao Jian
Published: May 2016

Objective. The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method for diabetic nephropathy. Methods. 11 electronic databases, through September 2015, were searched to identify randomized controlled trials of Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method for diabetic nephropathy. The quality of the included trials was assessed using the Jadad scale. Results. 26 randomized controlled trials were included in our review. Of all the included trials, most of them were considered as high quality. The aggregated results suggested that Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method is beneficial to diabetic nephropathy in bringing down the microalbuminuria (SMD = −0.98, 95% CI −1.22 to −0.74), serum creatinine (SMD = −0.56, 95% CI −0.93 to −0.20), beta‐2 microglobulin (MD = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.12), fasting plasma glucose (MD = −0.35, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.08), and 2‐hour postprandial blood glucose (MD = 1.13, 95% CI 0.07 to 2.20), but not in decreasing blood urea nitrogen (SMD = −0.72, 95% CI −1.47 to 0.02) or 2‐hour postprandial blood glucose (SMD = −0.48, 95% CI −1.01 to 0.04). Conclusions. Yiqi Yangyin Huoxue Method should be a valid complementary and alternative therapy in the management of diabetic nephropathy, especially in improving UAER, serum creatinine, fasting blood glucose, and beta‐2 microglobulin. However, more studies with long follow‐up are warrant to confirm the current findings.
Rhus javanica Gall Extract Inhibits the Differentiation of Bone Marrow‐Derived Osteoclasts and Ovariectomy‐Induced Bone Loss
Authors: Kim Tae-Ho , Park Eui Kyun , Huh Man-Il , Kim Hong Kyun , Kim Shin-Yoon , Lee Sang-Han
Published: May 2016

Inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption is a therapeutic strategy for the management of postmenopausal bone loss. This study investigated the effects of Rhus javanica (R. javanica) extracts on bone marrow cultures to develop agents from natural sources that may prevent osteoclastogenesis. Extracts of R. javanica (eGr) cocoons spun by Rhus javanica (Bell.) Baker inhibited the osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. The effects of aqueous extract (aeGr) or 100% ethanolic extract (eeGr) on ovariectomy‐ (OVX‐) induced bone loss were investigated by various biochemical assays. Furthermore, microcomputed tomography (µCT) was performed to study bone remodeling. Oral administration of eGr (30 mg or 100 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks) augmented the inhibition of femoral bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and other factors involved in bone remodeling when compared to OVX controls. Additionally, eGr slightly decreased bone turnover markers that were increased by OVX. Therefore, it may be suggested that the protective effects of eGr could have originated from the suppression of OVX‐induced increase in bone turnover. Collectively, the findings of this study indicate that eGr has potential to activate bone remodeling by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and bone loss.
Progressed Multivessel Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection That Naturally Healed in a Male Patient with Non-ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Haraki Tatsuo , Uemura Ryota , Masuda Shin-ichiro , Lee Takeshi
Published: May 2016

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition that may have a serious outcome because of acute coronary syndrome. The condition especially affects young women. We evaluated a middle-aged male patient with a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by multivessel SCAD. The SCAD had occurred in the distal right coronary artery (RCA), the mid left anterior descending artery (LAD), and the distal LAD at the same time. His culprit lesion was in the distal RCA, but the SCAD had progressed more proximally within the RCA 12 days later with no clinical symptoms. We treated the mid LAD with implantation of a drug-eluting stent on admission and the SCAD had not progressed 12 days later. Moreover, the SCAD in the distal RCA and distal LAD healed spontaneously 12 days later. He had no recurrent attack, and all SCAD lesions of the RCA and LAD had completely healed 6 months later. Given that SCAD appears in various forms over the clinical course, a strategy of intervention needs careful consideration.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficiency in an Exon 3 Deletion Mouse Model Promotes Hematopoietic Stem Cell Proliferation and Impacts Endosteal Niche Cells
Authors: Unnisa Zeenath , Singh Kameshwar P. , Henry Ellen C. , Donegan Catherine L. , Bennett John A. , Gasiewicz Thomas A.
Published: May 2016

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand‐activated transcription factor belonging to the Per‐Arnt‐Sim (PAS) family of proteins. The AHR is involved in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) functions including self‐renewal, proliferation, quiescence, and differentiation. We hypothesize that AHR impacts HSC functions by influencing genes that have roles in HSC maintenance and function and that this may occur through regulation of bone marrow (BM) niche cells. We examined BM and niche cells harvested from 8‐week‐old AHR null‐allele (KO) mice in which exon 3 was deleted in the Ahr gene and compared these data to cells from B6 control mice; young and old (10 months) animals were also compared. We report changes in HSCs and peripheral blood cells in mice lacking AHR. Serial transplantation assays revealed a significant increase in long term HSCs. There was a significant increase in mesenchymal stem cells constituting the endosteal BM niche. Gene expression analyses of HSCs revealed an increase in expression of genes involved in proliferation and maintenance of quiescence. Our studies infer that loss of AHR results in increased proliferation and self‐renewal of long term HSCs, in part, by influencing the microenvironment in the niche regulating the balance between quiescence and proliferation in HSCs.
A Novel Printable Watermarking Method in Dithering Halftone Images
Authors: Lee Hui-Lung , Chen Ling-Hwei
Published: May 2016

Halftone images are commonly printed on books, newspapers, and magazines. How to protect the copyright of these printed halftone images becomes an important issue. Digital watermarking provides a solution for copyright protection. In this paper, we will propose a novel printable watermarking method for dithering halftone images. Based on downsampling and the property of a dispersed dithering screen, the method can resist cropping, tampering, and print-and-scan process attacks. In addition, comparing to Guo et al.’s method, the experimental results show that the proposed method provides higher robustness for the above-mentioned attacks and better visual quality in the high-frequency regions of halftone images.
Classification of Motor Imagery EEG Signals with Support Vector Machines and Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Ma Yuliang , Ding Xiaohui , She Qingshan , Luo Zhizeng , Potter Thomas , Zhang Yingchun
Published: May 2016

Support vector machines are powerful tools used to solve the small sample and nonlinear classification problems, but their ultimate classification performance depends heavily upon the selection of appropriate kernel and penalty parameters. In this study, we propose using a particle swarm optimization algorithm to optimize the selection of both the kernel and penalty parameters in order to improve the classification performance of support vector machines. The performance of the optimized classifier was evaluated with motor imagery EEG signals in terms of both classification and prediction. Results show that the optimized classifier can significantly improve the classification accuracy of motor imagery EEG signals.
Use of Serotonergic Drugs in Canada for Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders: Results of a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Kidane Biniam , Manji Farouq , Lam Jennifer , Taylor Brian M.
Published: May 2016

Background.Surgery for GI dysmotility is limited to those with severe refractory disease. Though effective, use of serotonergic promotility drugs has been restricted in Canada due to adverse events. We aimed to investigate utilization of promotility serotonergic drugs in patients under consideration for surgical management.Methods.A retrospective cohort study was conducted using prospectively collected data. The study population included consecutive patients referred to a motility clinic for consideration of bowel resection at a Canadian tertiary hospital (1996–2011). Univariable tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess predictors of serotonergic drug use.Results.Of 128 patients, the majority (n=98, 76.6%) had constipation-dominant symptoms. Only 25% (n=32) had tried serotonergic promotility drugs. There was no association between use of these drugs and severity of constipation nor was there an association between serotonergic drug use and presence of diffuse dysmotility (allp>0.05). The majority of patients (n=97, 75.8%) underwent some type of surgical resection, which was associated with considerable morbidity (n=13, 13.4%).Conclusions.Surgical management of GI dysmotility results in serious morbidity. Serotonergic promotility drugs may allow patients to avoid surgery but disease severity does not predict use of these drugs.