bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of premedication and other factors on the occurrence of acute transfusion reactions in dogs
Authors: Bruce Joshua A. , Kriese‐Anderson Lisa , Bruce Ashley M. , Pittman Jennifer R.
Published: June 2015

Objective

To evaluate the effect of premedication on transfusion reactions (TRs) within 24 hours after blood product transfusions in dogs.

Design

Retrospective study between 2008 and 2011.

Setting

Private veterinary referral hospital.

Animals

Nine hundred and thirty‐five transfusion events in 558 dogs.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Medical records of dogs receiving blood product transfusions were reviewed. Information collected included signalment, weight, transfusion product type, reason for transfusion, first or subsequent transfusion, whether an acute reaction occurred, type of reaction, whether the reaction was treated, premedication prior to the transfusion and the premedication used, other medications the animal was given, whether the animal had an immune‐mediated process, and whether the transfusion was administered in the perioperative period. A total of 144 (15%) acute TRs were documented in 136 dogs. The most common TRs were fever alone (77/144 [53%]) and vomiting alone (26/144 [18%]). Six dogs died due to the TR (4%). TR was not associated with age (P= 0.257), sex (P= 0.754), weight (P= 0.829), or premedication (P= 0.312). The type of blood product transfused (P< 0.001) was significantly associated with TRs, with packed RBCs most likely associated with a TR, and plasma least likely. Immune disease (P= 0.015) was significantly associated with occurrence of a TR. Significantly fewer reactions were documented following transfusions given in the perioperative period (P= 0.023).

Conclusions

While most TRs were mild, there were some serious reactions observed including hemolysis, dyspnea, and 6 deaths. Immune‐mediated disease was associated with development of a TR, while transfusion during the perioperative period was associated with lower likelihood of reaction. Packed RBC transfusions were associated with development of acute TRs. Overall occurrence of TR was not significantly altered with premedication; however, when evaluated alone, antihistamines decreased the incidence of acute allergic reactions.
COMPARISON OF LUNG ATTENUATION AND HETEROGENEITY BETWEEN CATS WITH EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED ALLERGIC ASTHMA, NATURALLY OCCURRING ASTHMA AND NORMAL CATS
Authors: Masseau Isabelle , Banuelos Alina , Dodam John , Cohn Leah A. , Reinero Carol
Published: June 2015

Airway remodeling is a prominent feature of feline allergic asthma but requires biopsy for characterization. Computed tomography (CT) has appeal as a minimally invasive diagnostic test. The purpose of this prospective case–control study was to compare indices of airway remodeling between cats with experimentally induced, spontaneous asthma and healthy unaffected cats using CT. We hypothesized that experimental and spontaneous feline asthma would have similar CT airway remodeling characteristics and that these would be significantly different in healthy cats. Experimentally induced asthmatic research cats (n = 5), spontaneously asthmatic pet cats (n = 6), and healthy research cats (n = 5) were scanned unrestrained using a 64‐detector row CT scanner. Inspiratory breath‐hold CT scans were also performed in experimentally induced asthmatic and healthy cats. Mean ± extent variation of lung attenuation for each cat was determined using an airway inspector software program and CT images were scored for lung heterogeneity by a board‐certified veterinary radiologist who was unaware of cat group status. Groups were compared using one‐way ANOVA (unrestrained scans) and the Student's t‐test (anesthetized scans) with significance defined as P < 0.10. Experimentally asthmatic and spontaneously asthmatic cats had significantly (P = 0.028 and P = 0.073, respectively) increased lung attenuation compared to healthy cats. Heterogeneity scores were higher in experimentally induced asthmatic cat than in healthy cats. Objective quantification of lung heterogeneity and lung volume did not differ among the three groups (P = 0.311, P = 0.181, respectively). Findings supported our hypothesis. Inspiratory breath‐hold anesthetized CT scans facilitated discrimination between asthmatic and healthy cats in comparison to unrestrained CT scans.
Increased gravitational force reveals the mechanical, resonant nature of physiological tremor
Authors: Lakie M. , Vernooij C. A. , Osler C. J. , Stevenson A. T. , Scott J. P. R. , Reynolds R. F.
Published: June 2015

Key points

Physiological hand tremor has a clear peak between 6 and 12 Hz, which has been attributed to both neural and resonant causes.

A reduction in tremor frequency produced by adding an inertial mass to the limb has usually been taken as a method to identify the resonant component.

However, adding mass to a limb also inevitably increases the muscular force required to maintain the limb's position against gravity, so ambiguous results have been reported.

Here we measure hand tremor at different levels of gravitational field strength using a human centrifuge, thereby increasing the required muscular force to preserve limb position without changing the limb's inertia.

By comparing the effect of added mass (inertia + force) versus solely added force upon hand acceleration, we conclude that tremor frequency can be almost completely explained by a resonant mechanical system.

Human physiological hand tremor has a resonant component. Proof of this is that its frequency can be modified by adding mass. However, adding mass also increases the load which must be supported. The necessary force requires muscular contraction which will change motor output and is likely to increase limb stiffness. The increased stiffness will partly offset the effect of the increased mass and this can lead to the erroneous conclusion that factors other than resonance are involved in determining tremor frequency. Using a human centrifuge to increase head‐to‐foot gravitational field strength, we were able to control for the increased effort by increasing force without changing mass. This revealed that the peak frequency of human hand tremor is 99% predictable on the basis of a resonant mechanism. We ask what, if anything, the peak frequency of physiological tremor can reveal about the operation of the nervous system.
Osmosensation in TRPV2 dominant negative expressing skeletal muscle fibres
Authors: Zanou Nadège , Mondin Ludivine , Fuster Clarisse , Seghers François , Dufour Inès , de Clippele Marie , Schakman Olivier , Tajeddine Nicolas , Iwata Yuko , Wakabayashi Shigeo , Voets Thomas , Allard Bruno , Gailly Philippe
Published: June 2015

Key points

Increased plasma osmolarity induces intracellular water depletion and cell shrinkage (CS) followed by activation of a regulatory volume increase (RVI).

In skeletal muscle, the hyperosmotic shock‐induced CS is accompanied by a small membrane depolarization responsible for a release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools.

Hyperosmotic shock also induces phosphorylation of STE20/SPS1‐related proline/alanine‐rich kinase (SPAK).

TRPV2 dominant negative expressing fibres challenged with hyperosmotic shock present a slower membrane depolarization, a diminished Ca2+ response, a smaller RVI response, a decrease in SPAK phosphorylation and defective muscle function.

We suggest that hyperosmotic shock induces TRPV2 activation, which accelerates muscle cell depolarization and allows the subsequent Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, activation of the Na+–K+–Cl− cotransporter by SPAK, and the RVI response.

Increased plasma osmolarity induces intracellular water depletion and cell shrinkage followed by activation of a regulatory volume increase (RVI). In skeletal muscle, this is accompanied by transverse tubule (TT) dilatation and by a membrane depolarization responsible for a release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools. We observed that both hyperosmotic shock‐induced Ca2+ transients and RVI were inhibited by Gd3+, ruthenium red and GsMTx4 toxin, three inhibitors of mechanosensitive ion channels. The response was also completely absent in muscle fibres overexpressing a non‐permeant, dominant negative (DN) mutant of the transient receptor potential, V2 isoform (TRPV2) ion channel, suggesting the involvement of TRPV2 or of a TRP isoform susceptible to heterotetramerization with TRPV2. The release of Ca2+ induced by hyperosmotic shock was increased by cannabidiol, an activator of TRPV2, and decreased by tranilast, an inhibitor of TRPV2, suggesting a role for the TRPV2 channel itself. Hyperosmotic shock‐induced membrane depolarization was impaired in TRPV2‐DN fibres, suggesting that TRPV2 activation triggers the release of Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum by depolarizing TTs. RVI requires the sequential activation of STE20/SPS1‐related proline/alanine‐rich kinase (SPAK) and NKCC1, a Na+–K+–Cl− cotransporter, allowing ion entry and driving osmotic water flow. In fibres overexpressing TRPV2‐DN as well as in fibres in which Ca2+ transients were abolished by the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA, the level of P‐SPAKSer373 in response to hyperosmotic shock was reduced, suggesting a modulation of SPAK phosphorylation by intracellular Ca2+. We conclude that TRPV2 is involved in osmosensation in skeletal muscle fibres, acting in concert with P‐SPAK‐activated NKCC1.
Principles and standards for reporting animal experiments in The Journal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology
Authors: Grundy David
Published: June 2015

The Journal of Physiology and Experimental Physiology have always used UK legislation as the basis of their policy on ethical standards in experiments on non‐human animals. However, for international journals with authors, editors and referees from outside the UK the policy can lack transparency and is sometimes cumbersome, requiring the intervention of a Senior Ethics Reviewer or advice from external experts familiar with UK legislation. The journals have therefore decided to set out detailed guidelines for how authors should report experimental procedures that involve animals. As well as helping authors, this new clarity will facilitate the review process and decision making where there are questions regarding animal ethics.
Identification of a New Class of Antifungals Targeting the Synthesis of Fungal Sphingolipids
Authors: Mor Visesato , Rella Antonella , Farnoud Amir M. , Singh Ashutosh , Munshi Mansa , Bryan Arielle , Naseem Shamoon , Konopka James B. , Ojima Iwao , Bullesbach Erika , Ashbaugh Alan , Linke Michael J. , Cushion Melanie , Collins Margaret , Ananthula Hari Krishna , Sallans Larry , Desai Pankaj B. , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Fothergill Annette W. , Kirkpatrick William R. , Patterson Thomas , Wong Lai Hong , Sinha Sunita , Giaever Guri , Nislow Corey , Flaherty Patrick , Pan Xuewen , Cesar Gabriele Vargas , de Melo Tavares Patricia , Frases Susana , Miranda Kildare , Rodrigues Marcio L. , Luberto Chiara , Nimrichter Leonardo , Del Poeta Maurizio
Published: June 2015

Recent estimates suggest that >300 million people are afflicted by serious fungal infections worldwide. Current antifungal drugs are static and toxic and/or have a narrow spectrum of activity. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of new antifungal drugs. The fungal sphingolipid glucosylceramide (GlcCer) is critical in promoting virulence of a variety of human-pathogenic fungi. In this study, we screened a synthetic drug library for compounds that target the synthesis of fungal, but not mammalian, GlcCer and found two compounds [
N
′-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-methylbenzohydrazide (BHBM) and its derivative, 3-bromo-
N
′-(3-bromo-4-hydroxybenzylidene) benzohydrazide (D0)] that were highly effective
in vitro
and
in vivo
against several pathogenic fungi. BHBM and D0 were well tolerated in animals and are highly synergistic or additive to current antifungals. BHBM and D0 significantly affected fungal cell morphology and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular vesicles. Deep-sequencing analysis of drug-resistant mutants revealed that four protein products, encoded by genes
APL5
,
COS111
,
MKK1
, and
STE2
, which are involved in vesicular transport and cell cycle progression, are targeted by BHBM.

IMPORTANCE
Fungal infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current antifungal drugs suffer from various drawbacks, including toxicity, drug resistance, and narrow spectrum of activity. In this study, we have demonstrated that pharmaceutical inhibition of fungal glucosylceramide presents a new opportunity to treat cryptococcosis and various other fungal infections. In addition to being effective against pathogenic fungi, the compounds discovered in this study were well tolerated by animals and additive to current antifungals. These findings suggest that these drugs might pave the way for the development of a new class of antifungals.
Treating the Host Response to Ebola Virus Disease with Generic Statins and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Authors: Fedson David S. , Jacobson Jeffrey R. , Rordam Ole Martin , Opal Steven M.
Published: June 2015

Treatments targeting the Ebola virus may eventually be shown to work, but they will not have an impact on overall Ebola mortality in West Africa. Endothelial dysfunction is responsible for the fluid and electrolyte imbalances seen in Ebola patients. Because inexpensive generic statins and angiotensin receptor blockers restore endothelial barrier integrity, they can be used to treat the host response in these patients. In Sierra Leone, approximately 100 Ebola patients were treated with this combination, and reports indicate that survival was greatly improved.
Aspects saisonniers de la fixation de l’épifaune benthique de l’étage infralittoral de l’estuaire du Saint-Laurent
Authors: Bourget E. , Lacroix G.
Published: June 2015

This work conducted during two seasons (May–October 1969, 1970) was designed to study the dynamic aspects of the settlement of benthic epifauna on hard substrata. The stations were distributed on a 200-km distance, the salinity gradient ranging from 15 to 27‰. Although over 60 species were identified on the plates, the analysis shows that only three of these are abundant: Polydora ciliata, Balanus balanoides, and Balanus crenatus. In general, the settlement period of the species is very short and most of the settling processes are concentrated in June, July, and August. The populations reached a peak of abundance during settlement and decreased regularly afterwards. This decrease is due mainly to intraspecific and interspecific competition for space, accumulation of sediment, and hydrodynamic factors in autumn. The marked physical seasonality of this subarctic environment, more than true biotic succession, is reflected in the development of the community: during the summer, the community is biologically accommodated, whereas in autumn and winter it is physically controlled.
Some Comparisons in the Thermal Structure of Lakes Wood, Kalamalka, Okanagan, Skaha, and Osoyoos, British Columbia
Authors: Blanton J. O.
Published: June 2015

The rate of change of heat contents in the lakes and the relative ability of each lake to transfer heat vertically to warm its hypolimnion was investigated. Rates of warming of hypolimnion water ranged from 0.06 C/month in Okanagan to 0.54 C/month in the north basin of Osoyoos. All lakes reached maximum static stability through the thermocline in late August except for Osoyoos (N), which reached its maximum somewhat earlier. Maximum heat content ranged from 18,100 cal/cm2 in Wood Lake to 33,300 cal/cm2 in Lake Okanagan. Maximum values of heat content were observed in late August in all lakes.There is a direct relation between the hypolimnetic warming rates and the maximum observed stability in the thermocline regions of all the lakes. However, the relatively low rate of Lake Wood indicates that there is an external cooling source such as groundwater influx. The late summer increase in volume of the epilimnion in Wood and the corresponding entrainment of nutrients from the hypolimnion to the epilimnion appear to control the amount of production observed at that time.
Observed Liver Changes in Rainbow Trout (Salmo gairdneri) Fed Varying Levels of a Casein–Gelatin Mixture and Herring Oil in Experimental Diets
Authors: Lee D. J. , Wales J. H.
Published: June 2015

Young rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were fed semipurified diets containing varying levels of herring oil, casein–gelatin (70–30), and starch for 18 weeks. Fish fed diets containing 53% protein and fat levels of 8 and 16% developed livers with abnormal nuclei, bile duct proliferation, and some parenchymal cell injury. The same level of protein with 24% herring oil did not produce these liver changes. Increasing protein levels with concurrent lowering of starch content produced large livers that were high in glycogen. This effect was not as pronounced at the high level (24%) of fat. The liver abnormalities apparently did not impair growth since weight gains were unrelated to the condition of the liver histology.
An Error in Logic in Estimating Stream Populations of Premigrant Trout from Stream Survival Rates and Lake Populations
Authors: Power G. , Saunders Lloyd H.
Published: June 2015

not available
Power spectra of totally asymmetric exclusion processes on lattices with a junction
Authors: Wang Dong-Xiang , Jiang Rui , Hu Mao-Bin , Wu Qing-Song
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we have studied the power spectra of the entire particle occupancy in the totally asymmetric exclusion processes on lattices with a junction, at which two lanes I and II merge into lane III. We have performed the investigations, utilizing both Monte Carlo simulations and theoretical analysis based on linearized Langevin equations. The effect of lane length, particle entry rates at lanes I and II, and particle exit rate at lane III have been discussed. The transition from damped periodic oscillation to irregular oscillation as well as disappearance of oscillation has been observed. In particular, when lanes I, II, III are simultaneously in low density (LD) state or high density (HD) state, and the length [Formula: see text] of lane I is not remarkably different from the length [Formula: see text] of lane II, the damped periodic oscillations could be observed and the minima of the power spectra could be calculated via weighted average. However, when [Formula: see text] is notably different from [Formula: see text], the oscillation becomes irregular.
Canonical quantum gravity on noncommutative space–time
Authors: Kober Martin
Published: June 2015

In this paper canonical quantum gravity on noncommutative space–time is considered. The corresponding generalized classical theory is formulated by using the Moyal star product, which enables the representation of the field quantities depending on noncommuting coordinates by generalized quantities depending on usual coordinates. But not only the classical theory has to be generalized in analogy to other field theories. Besides, the necessity arises to replace the commutator between the gravitational field operator and its canonical conjugated quantity by a corresponding generalized expression on noncommutative space–time. Accordingly the transition to the quantum theory has also to be performed in a generalized way and leads to extended representations of the quantum theoretical operators. If the generalized representations of the operators are inserted to the generalized constraints, one obtains the corresponding generalized quantum constraints including the Hamiltonian constraint as dynamical constraint. After considering quantum geometrodynamics under incorporation of a coupling to matter fields, the theory is transferred to the Ashtekar formalism. The holonomy representation of the gravitational field as it is used in loop quantum gravity opens the possibility to calculate the corresponding generalized area operator.
An Initialization Method for Clustering Mixed Numeric and Categorical Data Based on the Density and Distance
Authors: Ji Jinchao , Pang Wei , Zheng Yanlin , Wang Zhe , Ma Zhiqiang
Published: June 2015

Most of the initialization approaches are dedicated to the partitional clustering algorithms which process categorical or numerical data only. However, in real-world applications, data objects with both numeric and categorical features are ubiquitous. The coexistence of both categorical and numerical attributes make the initialization methods designed for single-type data inapplicable to mixed-type data. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, in the existing partitional clustering algorithms designed for mixed-type data, the initial cluster centers are determined randomly. In this paper, we propose a novel initialization method for mixed data clustering. In the proposed method, both the distance and density are exploited together to determine initial cluster centers. The performance of the proposed method is demonstrated by a series of experiments on three real-world datasets in comparison with that of traditional initialization methods.
Volume and geometry of homogeneously adequate knots
Authors: Bartholomew Paige , McQuarrie Shane , Purcell Jessica S. , Weser Kai
Published: June 2015

We bound the hyperbolic volumes of a large class of knots and links, called homogeneously adequate knots and links, in terms of their diagrams. To do so, we use the decomposition of these links into ideal polyhedra, developed by Futer, Kalfagianni and Purcell. We identify essential product disks in these polyhedra.
ENTROPY PRODUCTION OF ENTIRELY DIFFUSIONAL LAPLACIAN TRANSFER AND THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF FRAGMENTATION OF THE BOUNDARIES
Authors: KARAMANOS K. , MISTAKIDIS S. I. , MASSART T. J. , MISTAKIDIS I. S.
Published: June 2015

The entropy production and the variational functional of a Laplacian diffusional field around the first four fractal iterations of a linear self-similar tree (von Koch curve) is studied analytically and detailed predictions are stated. In a next stage, these predictions are confronted with results from numerical resolution of the Laplace equation by means of Finite Elements computations. After a brief review of the existing results, the range of distances near the geometric irregularity, the so-called "Near Field", a situation never studied in the past, is treated exhaustively. We notice here that in the Near Field, the usual notion of the active zone approximation introduced by Sapoval et al. [M. Filoche and B. Sapoval, Transfer across random versus deterministic fractal interfaces, Phys. Rev. Lett. 84(25) (2000) 5776;1 B. Sapoval, M. Filoche, K. Karamanos and R. Brizzi, Can one hear the shape of an electrode? I. Numerical study of the active zone in Laplacian transfer, Eur. Phys. J. B. Condens. Matter Complex Syst. 9(4) (1999) 739-753.]2 is strictly inapplicable. The basic new result is that the validity of the active-zone approximation based on irreversible thermodynamics is confirmed in this limit, and this implies a new interpretation of this notion for Laplacian diffusional fields.
MICROSTRUCTURE EVOLUTION OF GOLD ATOMIC AGGREGATES FABRICATED ON SILICONE OIL SURFACE
Authors: FENG YUANXIN , ZHANG CHUHANG
Published: June 2015

Gold atomic aggregates are fabricated by vapor-depositing Au atoms onto a silicone oil surface and the microstructure evolution is investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation. It is found that the Au aggregates are composed of Au circular nanoparticles with diameter around 45 nm, which is independent with the nominal film thickness d. As d increases from 1 nm to 15 nm, the height of the nanoparticles increases from 15 nm to 25 nm, indicating the geometric shape of the Au nanoparticles evolves from plateau to spherical. Furthermore, the roughness analysis shows that the mean surface roughness increases linearly with d in the range of 1 nm–15 nm, which is quite different from the findings in Ag system. The anomalous microstructure evolution of Au aggregates suggests that the growth of Au aggregates may be dominated by the shadowing effect.
Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Properties of Lithium Titanate Nanorods
Authors: Pei L. Z. , Liu H. D , Lin N. , Yu H. Y.
Published: June 2015

Lithium titanate nanorods have been synthesized via the hydrothermal process using lithium acetate, titanium butoxide and ethylenediamine as raw materials. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that lithium titanate nanorods are composed of orthorhombic Li 2 Ti 3 O 7 phase. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that the diameter and the length of lithium titanate nanorods are about 40–150 nm and 1 μm, respectively. UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectrum indicates that the bandgap of the lithium titanate nanorods is 3.63 eV. Ethylenediamine plays an essential role in the formation of lithium titanate nanorods. Ethylenediamine-assisted nucleation and crystalline growth process have been proposed to explain the formation and growth of lithium titanate nanorods. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye over the lithium titanate nanorods has been investigated under UV-Vis light irradiation. MB solution with the initial concentration of 2.5 mgL-1 can be degraded totally using 10 mg lithium titanate nanorods in 10 mL MB solution.
Unitary vector fields are Fermi–Walker transported along Rytov–Legendre curves
Authors: Crasmareanu Mircea , Frigioiu Camelia
Published: June 2015

Fix ξ a unitary vector field on a Riemannian manifold M and γ a non-geodesic Frenet curve on M satisfying the Rytov law of polarization optics. We prove in these conditions that γ is a Legendre curve for ξ if and only if the γ-Fermi–Walker covariant derivative of ξ vanishes. The cases when γ is circle or helix as well as ξ is (conformal) Killing vector filed or potential vector field of a Ricci soliton are analyzed and an example involving a three-dimensional warped metric is provided. We discuss also K-(para)contact, particularly (para)Sasakian, manifolds and hypersurfaces in complex space forms.
Curvatures and discrete Gauss–Codazzi equation in (2 + 1)-dimensional loop quantum gravity
Authors: Ariwahjoedi Seramika , Kosasih Jusak Sali , Rovelli Carlo , Zen Freddy P.
Published: June 2015

We derive the Gauss–Codazzi equation in the holonomy and plane-angle representations and we use the result to write a Gauss–Codazzi equation for a discrete (2 + 1)-dimensional manifold, triangulated by isosceles tetrahedra. This allows us to write operators acting on spin network states in (2 + 1)-dimensional loop quantum gravity, representing the 3-dimensional intrinsic, 2-dimensional intrinsic, and 2-dimensional extrinsic curvatures.
Complete lift of vector fields and sprays to T∞M
Authors: Suri Ali , Rastegarzadeh Somaye
Published: June 2015

In this paper for a given Banach, possibly infinite dimensional, manifold M we focus on the geometry of its iterated tangent bundle TrM, r ∈ ℕ ∪ {∞}. First we endow TrM with a canonical atlas using that of M. Then the concepts of vertical and complete lifts for functions and vector fields on TrM are defined which they will play a pivotal role in our next studies i.e. complete lift of (semi)sprays. Afterward we supply T∞M with a generalized Fréchet manifold structure and we will show that any vector field or (semi)spray on M, can be lifted to a vector field or (semi)spray on T∞M. Then, despite of the natural difficulties with non-Banach modeled manifolds, we will discuss about the ordinary differential equations on T∞M including integral curves, flows and geodesics. Finally, as an example, we apply our results to the infinite-dimensional case of manifold of closed curves.
Extended Supersymmetric Structures in Gapped and Superconducting Graphene
Authors: Oikonomou V. K.
Published: June 2015

In view of the many quantum field theoretical descriptions of graphene in 2 + 1 dimensions, we present another field theoretical feature of graphene, in the presence of defects. Particularly, we shall be interested in gapped graphene in the presence of a domain wall and also for superconducting graphene in the presence of a vortex. As we explicitly demonstrate, the gapped graphene electrons that are localized on the domain wall are associated with four N = 2 one-dimensional supersymmetries, with each pair combining to form an extended N = 4 supersymmetry with non-trivial topological charges. The case of superconducting graphene is more involved, with the electrons localized on the vortex being associated with n one-dimensional supersymmetries, which in turn combine to form an N = 2n extended supersymmetry with non-trivial topological charges. As we shall prove, all supersymmetries are unbroken, a feature closely related to the number of the localized fermions and also to the exact form of the associated operators. In addition, the corresponding Witten index is invariant under compact and odd perturbations.
Fraud Detection Life Cycle Model: A Systematic Fuzzy Approach to Fraud Management
Authors: Arora Rajiv , Gupta Daya , Pahwa Payal
Published: June 2015

Advancements in science and technology have impacted the global scenario significantly in each and every sphere of life. Unfortunately, this has also caused an increase in the number of frauds in various fields. Fraudsters are making an illegal access to the users' account in parallel with the users without being detected which results in heavy losses in terms of money, data and time. Therefore, detection of frauds has become an important need for the organizations not only to prevent the misuse but also to detect and report any such access as and when it is made. In this paper, a fraud detection life cycle model is proposed which reveals the detection of fraudulent behavior of customers. The objective of this life cycle model is to minimize the frauds occurring in different areas which are sensitive to fraudulent behavior such as telecommunication, credit card, finance industry and so on. We have presented a case study of Public Sector Telecommunication Company to demonstrate the life cycle model and further shown how our proposed life cycle model works on it by using some fuzzy-based inference rules for efficient detection of frauds.
Asymptotic evaluations for some double sums in number theory
Authors: Bănescu Magdalena , Popa Dumitru
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we indicate a method to obtain asymptotic evaluations for double sums from the asymptotic evaluations of a single sum. As applications, we show that all results in the recent paper [New extensions of some classical theorems in number theory, J. Number Theory133(13) (2013) 3771–3795] can be used to obtain some asymptotic evaluations for double sums. Further, we give asymptotic evaluations for double sums which involve the divisor and the Euler totient function.
Multifractal analysis on the level sets described by moving averages
Authors: Chen Haibo , Wang Xiaohua , Wen Zhixiong
Published: June 2015

In this paper, the Hausdorff dimensions of level sets described by two kinds of moving averages are determined. The dissimilar results complement the work of Pfaffelhuber [Moving shift averages for ergodic transformation, Metrika22 (1975) 97–101] and del Junco and Steele [Moving averages of ergodic processes, Metrika24 (1977) 35–43], and reveal simultaneously that the two moving averages are of different convergence processes in the ergodic theory.
A strange partition theorem related to the second Atkin–Garvan moment
Authors: Patkowski Alexander E.
Published: June 2015

This paper contains results on a strange smallest parts function related to the second Atkin–Garvan moment. Some new identities are discovered in relation to Andrews spt function as well as one of Borweins' two-dimensional theta functions.
Titanium Dioxide/Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Heterostructure Containing Single One Carbon Nanotube and Its Electromagnetic Properties
Authors: Huang Xu , Jia Kun , Liu Xiaobo
Published: June 2015

TiO 2@MWCNT heterostructure containing single one carbon nanotube has been successfully prepared via solvothermal method. X-ray diffration (XRD) analysis shows that TiO 2 nanocrystals only contain highly crystallized tetragonal anatase phase. Interestingly, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) results show that most of the TiO 2 nanocrystals are perpendicular to the surface of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and only single one carbon nanotube is coated by TiO 2 crystals. The electromagnetic (EM) characteristics are investigated at 0.5–18.0 GHz range. The EM properties show that both the permittivity and the permeability present a typical resonance behavior at 11.0 GHz and 12.0 GHz, respectively. Besides, the TiO 2@MWCNT heterostructures exhibit a broadband absorption throughout the whole Ku wave bands (12.0–18.0 GHz). Interestingly, the reflection loss (RL) of the TiO 2@MWCNT heterostructures change slightly as the thickness of the heterostructures increase from 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm in the 8.0–13.0 GHz range.
Stability analysis for delayed viral infection model with multitarget cells and general incidence rate
Authors: Wang Jinliang , Tian Xinxin , Wang Xia
Published: June 2015

In this paper, the sharp threshold properties of a (2n + 1)-dimensional delayed viral infection model are investigated. This model combines with n classes of uninfected target cells, n classes of infected cells and nonlinear incidence rate h(x, v). Two kinds of distributed time delays are incorporated into the model to describe the time needed for infection of uninfected target cells and virus replication. Under certain conditions, it is shown that the basic reproduction number is a threshold parameter for the existence of the equilibria, uniform persistence, as well as for global stability of the equilibria of the model.
On the ℤq-Simplex codes and its weight distribution for dimension 2
Authors: Durairajan C. , Mahalakshmi J. , Pandian P. Chella
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we have defined ℤq-linear code and constructed some new codes. In particular, we have introduced the concept of ℤq-Simplex codes and proved that it is a [Formula: see text]-linear code for any integer q ≥ 2 and k ≥ 3 where p is the least order element in ℤq. We have given the weight distribution of ℤq-Simplex codes of dimension 2 when q is a prime power and when q is a product of distinct primes.
Aging Mechanisms of Electrode Materials in Lithium-Ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Lin Cheng , Tang Aihua , Mu Hao , Wang Wenwei , Wang Chun
Published: June 2015

Electrode material aging leads to a decrease in capacity and/or a rise in resistance of the whole cell and thus can dramatically affect the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the aging phenomena are extremely complicated to describe due to the coupling of various factors. In this review, we give an interpretation of capacity/power fading of electrode-oriented aging mechanisms under cycling and various storage conditions for metallic oxide-based cathodes and carbon-based anodes. For the cathode of lithium-ion batteries, the mechanical stress and strain resulting from the lithium ions insertion and extraction predominantly lead to structural disordering. Another important aging mechanism is the metal dissolution from the cathode and the subsequent deposition on the anode. For the anode, the main aging mechanisms are the loss of recyclable lithium ions caused by the formation and increasing growth of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the mechanical fatigue caused by the diffusion-induced stress on the carbon anode particles. Additionally, electrode aging largely depends on the electrochemical behaviour under cycling and storage conditions and results from both structural/morphological changes and side reactions aggravated by decomposition products and protic impurities in the electrolyte.
Experimental and Simulation Analysis for the Impact of a Two-Link Chain with Granular Matter
Authors: Banu Eliza A. , Marghitu Dan B.
Published: June 2015

The resistance force of the granular matter is modeled as a linear superposition of a static (quadratic depth-dependent) resistance force and a dynamic (quadratic velocity-dependent) frictional force. The impact is defined from the moment the end point of the system comes in contact with the granular matter surface until the vertical linear velocity of the end point is zero. The variables of interest are the final depth at the end of the penetration phase and the stopping time. The results for a two-link kinematic chain with two points of contact were compared to the results obtained by applying the resistance force formulation developed to corresponding CAD simulation models. The results revealed that the final displacement increases with initial velocity, while the stopping time decreases. The sensitivity to the initial velocity was studied and an improvement to the resistance force formulated as a result. A series of expressions are proposed for the resistance force coefficients.
Severe Ketoacidosis (pH ≤ 6.9) in Type 2 Diabetes: More Frequent and Less Ominous Than Previously Thought
Authors: Rodríguez-Gutiérrez René , Cámara-Lemarroy Carlos R. , Quintanilla-Flores Dania L. , González-Moreno Emanuel I. , González-Chávez Juan Manuel , Lavalle-González Fernando Javier , González-González Jose Gerardo , Caballero A. Enrique
Published: June 2015

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening acute metabolic complication of uncontrolled diabetes. Severe cases of DKA (pH ≤ 7.00, bicarbonate level ≤ 10.0, anion gap > 12, positive ketones, and altered mental status) are commonly encountered in patients with type 1 diabetes and are thought to carry an ominous prognosis. There is not enough information on the clinical course of severely acidotic type 2 diabetes (pH ≤ 6.9) patients with DKA, possibly because this condition is rarely seen in developed countries. In this series, we present 18 patients with type 2 diabetes, DKA, and a pH ≤ 6.9 that presented to a tertiary university hospital over the past 11 years. The objective was to describe their clinical characteristics, the triggering cause, and emphasis on treatment, evolution, and outcomes. The majority of the patients were female (61%). Mean age was 40.66 years (23–59). The patients had been first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes on average 5.27 ± 3.12 years before admission. Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) antibodies were negative in all patients. The origin of DKA could be attributed to two main causes: treatment omission in 8 (44.4%) patients and infections in 7 (38.8%) patients. The most common symptoms described were general malaise, dyspnea, altered mental status, and abdominal pain. Mean serum glucose on admission was 613.8 ± 114.5 mg/dL. Mean venous pH was 6.84 ± 0.03 with an anion gap of 30.3 ± 2.9 and a venous HCO3level of 3.62 ± 1.35 mmol/L. All patients had acute renal failure on admission, with a mean serum creatinine of 1.57 ± 0.35 mg/dL compared to 0.55 ± 0.21 mg/dL at discharge. All patients received regular insulin infusion, aggressive fluid repletion, and 12 patients (66%) received bicarbonate infusion. Mean total insulin infusion dose was 181.7 ± 90.4 U (on average 0.14 ± 0.05 U/Kg/h). Mean time on infusion was 24.4 ± 12.6 hours. We recorded no mortality in this case series. Mean in-hospital stay was 5.0 ± 4.1 days. In conclusion, very severe DKA in type 2 diabetes is not uncommon in our population, shares many features with non-very-severe cases of DKA (bicarbonate therapy did not make a difference in mortality), and can be managed following standard published or institutional guidelines.
Short-Term High Fat Intake Does Not Significantly Alter Markers of Renal Function or Inflammation in Young Male Sprague-Dawley Rats
Authors: Crinigan Catherine , Calhoun Matthew , Sweazea Karen L.
Published: June 2015

Chronic high fat feeding is correlated with diabetes and kidney disease. However, the impact of short-term high fat diets (HFD) is not well-understood. Six weeks of HFD result in indices of metabolic syndrome (increased adiposity, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperleptinemia, and impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation) compared to rats fed on standard chow. The hypothesis was that short-term HFD would induce early signs of renal disease. Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either HFD (60% fat) or standard chow (5% fat) for six weeks. Morphology was determined by measuring changes in renal mass and microstructure. Kidney function was measured by analyzing urinary protein, creatinine, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentrations, as well as plasma cystatin C concentrations. Renal damage was measured through assessment of urinary oxDNA/RNA concentrations as well as renal lipid peroxidation, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Despite HFD significantly increasing adiposity and renal mass, there was no evidence of early stage kidney disease as measured by changes in urinary and plasma biomarkers as well as histology. These findings suggest that moderate hyperglycemia and inflammation produced by short-term HFD are not sufficient to damage kidneys or that the ketogenic HFD may have protective effects within the kidneys.
Hematopoietic Origin of Murine Lung Fibroblasts
Authors: McDonald Lindsay T. , Mehrotra Meenal , LaRue Amanda C.
Published: June 2015

Multiple origins, including the bone marrow, have been suggested to contribute to fibroblast populations in the lung. Using bone marrow reconstitution strategies, the present study tested the hypothesis that the bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gives rise to lung tissue fibroblastsin vivo. Data demonstrate that the nonadherent bone marrow fraction is enriched for CD45+HSC-derived cells and was able to reconstitute hematopoiesis in lethally irradiated animals. Analysis of peripheral blood and lung tissues from engrafted mice demonstrated the ability of this population to give rise to CD45+/Discoidin-Domain Receptor-2+(DDR2) circulating fibroblast precursors (CFPs) in blood and fibroblast populations in lung. An HSC origin for lung fibroblasts was confirmed using a novel clonal cell transplantation method in which the bone marrow is reconstituted by a clonal population derived from a single HSC. Together, these findings provide evidence for an HSC contribution to lung fibroblasts and demonstrate a circulating intermediate through the CD45+/DDR2+HSC-derived CFP.
Comparison of Modifications in Flap Anastomosis Patterns and Skin Incision Types for External Dacryocystorhinostomy: Anterior‐Only Flap Anastomosis with W Skin Incision versus Anterior and Posterior Flap Anastomosis with Linear Skin Incision
Authors: Dirim Burcu , Sendul Selam Yekta , Demir Mehmet , Ergen Erdem , Acar Zeynep , Olgun Ali , Tiryaki Semra , Sensoz Hakan , Guven Dilek
Published: June 2015

Purpose. To compare the outcomes of external dacryocystorhinostomy (E‐DCR) by using two different flap anastomosis patterns and skin incision types. Methods. This study included 79 patients (88 eyes) with lacrimal drainage system disorders who underwent E‐DCR surgery. Fifty eyes of 44 patients (group A) underwent E‐DCR by suturing anterior and posterior flaps (H‐flap) of the lacrimal sac with curvilinear skin incision whereas in 38 eyes of 35 patients (group B) DCR was performed by suturing only anterior flaps (U‐flap) with W skin incision. Results. The success rate was evaluated according to lacrimal patency and scar assessment scores. Patency was achieved in 78 patients (88.6%). In terms of groups, patency was 44 eyes (88.0%) in group A and 34 eyes (89.5%) in group B. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rates of lacrimal patency between the two groups. Further, there was no statistically significant difference concerning cutaneous scar scores. Conclusion. Our study suggests that anastomoses of only anterior flaps or both anterior and posterior flaps have similar success rates; suturing only anterior flaps is easier to perform and shortens the operative time. In addition, W skin incision is a reasonable alternative to curvilinear incision for reducing scar formation.
Impact of Ion Irradiation upon Structure and Magnetic Properties of NANOPERM‐Type Amorphous and Nanocrystalline Alloys
Authors: Miglierini Marcel , Hasiak Mariusz
Published: June 2015

Structural modifications and their impact upon magnetic properties are studied in amorphous and nanocrystalline NANOPERM‐type 57Fe75Mo8Cu1B16 alloy. They are introduced by irradiation with 130 keV N+ ions to the total fluencies of up to 2.5 × 1017 ions/cm2 under different cooling conditions. Increased temperature during the irradiation triggers formation of nanocrystallites of bcc‐Fe in those subsurface regions that are affected by bombarding ions. No crystallization occurs when good thermal contact between the irradiated sample and a sample holder is assured. Instead, structural rearrangement which favours development of magnetically active regions was determined by the local probe methods of Mössbauer spectrometry. Dipole magnetic interactions dominate in subsurface regions on that side of the ribbons which was exposed to ion irradiation. Nevertheless, structural modifications demonstrate themselves also via macroscopic magnetic parameters such as temperature dependence of magnetization, Curie temperature, and hysteresis loops. Impact of only the temperature itself to the observed effects is assessed by the help of samples that were subjected just to heat treatment, that is, without ion irradiation.
WSNs Microseismic Signal Subsection Compression Algorithm Based on Compressed Sensing
Authors: Liu Zhouzhou , Wang Fubao
Published: June 2015

For wireless network microseismic monitoring and the problems of low compression ratio and high energy consumption of communication, this paper proposes a segmentation compression algorithm according to the characteristics of the microseismic signals and the compression perception theory (CS) used in the transmission process. The algorithm will be collected as a number of nonzero elements of data segmented basis, by reducing the number of combinations of nonzero elements within the segment to improve the accuracy of signal reconstruction, while taking advantage of the characteristics of compressive sensing theory to achieve a high compression ratio of the signal. Experimental results show that, in the quantum chaos immune clone refactoring (Q-CSDR) algorithm for reconstruction algorithm, under the condition of signal sparse degree higher than 40, to be more than 0.4 of the compression ratio to compress the signal, the mean square error is less than 0.01, prolonging the network life by 2 times.
A Stable Hankel Transforms Algorithm Based on Haar Wavelet Decomposition for Noisy Data
Authors: Zhang Huaiqing , Zhu Chuanbao , Su Xiangfeng , Nie Xin
Published: June 2015

We proposed the combination of signal denoising technology and Hankel transforms algorithm which were both based on Haar wavelet decomposition. Therefore, one can achieve above two purposes simultaneously while the wavelet decomposition is carried out just for once. The principle and its derivation of the Haar wavelet method for Hankel transforms were put forward. Numerical examples and engineering application showed that the precision of Haar wavelet method is about magnitude of1.0E-4and1.0E-5; it can maintain good accuracy when using fewer wavelet coefficients. Moreover, it has better anti-noise performance and better computational stability than the filter method, so it can be applied to the Hankel transforms with noisy data.