bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complementary and alternative asthma treatments and their association with asthma control: a population-based study
Authors: Chen Wenjia , FitzGerald J Mark , Rousseau Roxanne , Lynd Larry D , Tan Wan C , Sadatsafavi Mohsen
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Many patients with asthma spend time and resources consuming complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). This study explores whether CAM utilisation is associated with asthma control and the intake of asthma controller medications.

Design

Population-based, prospective cross-sectional study.

Setting

General population residing in two census areas in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Recruitment was based on random-digit dialling of both landlines and cell phones.

Participants

486 patients with self-reported physician diagnosis of asthma (mean age 52 years; 67.3% woman).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We assessed CAM use over the previous 12 months, level of asthma control as defined by the Global Initiative for Asthma and the self-reported intake of controller medications. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to study the relationship between any usage of CAMs (outcome), asthma control and controller medication usage, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 179 (36.8%) of the sample reported CAM usage in the past 12 months. Breathing exercises (17.7%), herbal medicines (10.1%) and vitamins (9.7%) were the most popular CAMs reported. After adjustment, female sex (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.09 to 2.52) and uncontrolled asthma (vs controlled asthma, OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.30 to 3.89) were associated with a higher likelihood of using any CAMs in the past 12 months. Controller medication use was not associated with CAM usage in general and in the subgroups defined by asthma control.

Conclusions

Clinicians and policy makers need to be aware of the high prevalence of CAM use in patients with asthma and its association with lack of asthma control.
‘Interception’: a model for specialist prehospital care provision when helicopters are not available
Authors: McQueen Carl , Apps Richard , Mason Fay , Crombie Nicholas , Hulme Jon
Published: September 2013

The deployment of specialist teams to incident scenes by helicopter and the delivery of critical care interventions such as Rapid Sequence Induction of anaesthesia to patients are becoming well-established components of trauma care in the UK. Traditionally in the UK, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) are limited to daylight operations only. The safety and feasibility of operating HEMS services at night is a topic of debate currently in the UK HEMS community. Within the West Midlands Major Trauma Network, the Medical Emergency Response Incident Team (MERIT) provides a physician-led prehospital care service that responds to incidents by air during daylight hours and by Rapid Response Vehicle during the hours of darkness. The MERIT service is coordinated and supported by a dedicated Major Trauma Desk manned by a HEMS paramedic in the ambulance service control room. This case illustrates the importance of coordination and integration of specialist resources within a major trauma network to ensure the expedient delivery of HEMS-level care to patients outside of normal flying hours.
Association analysis for feed efficiency traits in beef cattle using preserved haplotypes
Authors: Lu Duc , Sargolzaei Mehdi , Li Changxi , Abo-Ismail Mohammed , Vander Voort Gordon , Wang Zhiquan , Plastow Graham , Moore Stephen , Miller Stephen P.
Published: September 2013

This study reports a genome wide scan for chromosome regions and their haplotypes that significantly associated with average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), and residual feed intake (RFI) in beef cattle. The study used data from 597 Angus, 450 Charolais, and 616 crossbred beef cattle, and the Illumina Bovine SNP50 beadchip. Extended haplotype homozygosity was used to identify chromosome regions that had been recently selected for in the three groups of animals. Such regions in the crossbreds were tested for association with ADG, DMI, and RFI. At false discovery rates of 5% and 10%, there were six and eight chromosome regions showing significant associations with the traits, respectively. At nominal significance levels (at least P < 0.05), 23 regions with a total number of 31 haplotypes were found significantly associated with at least one of the three traits. The proportion of phenotypic variance explained by these 23 regions varied depending on the trait; the highest proportion for ADG, DMI, and RFI was 13.50%, 9.92%, and 2.64%, respectively. Most of the haplotypes affected single traits, except for GAA (BTA4), GCG (BTA7), and TAGT (BTA12) that affected multiple traits. Thirty-six quantitative trait loci for 16 production traits, from the current literature, covered fully or in part the 23 chromosome regions. The findings from this study might be an important contribution to the current knowledge of the beef cattle genome and to the effective identification of causative genes associated with important traits in cattle.
A KHOVANOV TYPE INVARIANT DERIVED FROM AN UNORIENTED HQFT FOR LINKS IN THICKENED SURFACES
Authors: TAGAMI KEIJI
Published: September 2013

Two link diagrams on compact surfaces are strongly equivalent if they are related by Reidemeister moves and orientation preserving homeomorphisms of the surfaces. They are stably equivalent if they are related by the two previous operations and adding or removing handles. Turaev and Turner constructed a link homology for each stable equivalence class by applying an unoriented topological quantum field theory (TQFT) to a geometric chain complex similar to Bar-Natan's one. In this paper, by using an unoriented homotopy quantum field theory (HQFT), we construct a link homology for each strong equivalence class. Moreover, our homology yields an invariant of links in the oriented I-bundle of a compact surface.
ŁOJASIEWICZ INEQUALITY ON NON-COMPACT DOMAINS AND SINGULARITIES AT INFINITY
Authors: TIEP DINH SI , KURDYKA KRZYSZTOF , LE GAL OLIVIER
Published: September 2013

We give a version of the Łojasiewicz inequality for the real polynomials on non-compact domains. The inequality takes in account not only distance to a fiber, but also distance to a polar set. It improves the recent results of [D. S. Tiep, H. H. Vui and N. T. Thao, Łojasiewicz inequality for polynomial functions on non-compact domains, Int. J. Math.23(4) (2012), Article ID: 1250033, 28 pp., doi:10.1142/S0129167X12500334], since we consider a distance to a smaller set. Then we use this new version of the inequality to obtain a sufficient condition for the existence of a vanishing component at infinity for real polynomials in several variables.
THE GENERATION MODEL OF PARTICLE PHYSICS AND GALACTIC DARK MATTER
Authors: ROBSON B. A.
Published: September 2013

Galactic dark matter is matter hypothesized to account for the discrepancy of the mass of a galaxy determined from its gravitational effects, assuming the validity of Newton's law of universal gravitation, and the mass calculated from the "luminous matter", stars, gas, dust, etc. observed to be contained within the galaxy. The conclusive observation from the rotation curves of spiral galaxies that the mass discrepancy is greater, the larger the distance scales involved implies that either Newton's law of universal gravitation requires modification or considerably more mass (dark matter) is required to be present in each galaxy. Both the modification of Newton's law of gravitation and the hypothesis of the existence of considerable dark matter in a galaxy are discussed. It is shown that the Generation Model (GM) of particle physics, which leads to a modification of Newton's law of gravitation, is found to be essentially equivalent to that of Milgrom's modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) theory, with the GM providing a physical understanding of the MOND theory. The continuing success of MOND theory in describing the extragalactic mass discrepancy problems constitutes a strong argument against the existence of undetected dark matter haloes, consisting of unknown nonbaryonic matter, surrounding spiral galaxies.
THE OXYGEN CORE INSIDE THE MAGNESIUM ISOTOPES
Authors: BHUYAN M.
Published: September 2013

We have studied the ground state bulk properties of magnesium isotopes using axially symmetric relativistic mean field formalism. The BCS pairing approach is employed to take care of the pairing correlation for the open shell nuclei. The contour plot of the nucleons distribution are analyzed at various parts of the nucleus, where clusters are located. The presence of an 16 O core along bubble like α-particle(s) and few nucleons are found in the Mg isotopes.
Threats to Foreign Equity Investments in International Capital Markets: Nationalism and Militarism
Authors: Kuvvet Emre
Published: September 2013

Even though financial markets have become more integrated and international capital now moves more freely across borders, we argue that access to foreign equity investments still remains a political decision, and this policy decision is a function of the country's nationalistic and militaristic sentiments. We use military spending as a proxy for militarism and nationalism, and show that countries with high militaristic sentiments have lower foreign equity investments. We also look at bilateral equity flows and find that a pair of countries simultaneously having greater increases in militarism has lower bilateral equity investments.
The Moderating Effect of Industry Concentration on the Relations Between External Attributes and the Properties of Analyst Earnings Forecast
Authors: Chen Yu-Cheng , Huang Chiung-Yao , Chou Pei-I
Published: September 2013

Based on the work of earlier studies, the main objective of this study is to determine whether the properties of analyst earnings forecast are related to the interaction effects of external attributes and industry concentration that were not the focus of previous research. Specifically, this study examines the relations between external attributions and the properties of analyst earnings forecasts. Furthermore, we explore the moderating effect of industry concentration on the relations between external attributions and the properties of analyst earnings forecasts. Using data from Compustat and I/B/E/S, we provide evidence that analysts' earnings forecast accuracy is lower and the forecast dispersion is larger for firms with more earnings surprise. Firms with more analysts' forecasts covering are associated with higher forecast accuracy, but not necessarily higher forecast dispersion. The moderating effects of industry concentration on the relationships between earnings surprise, the number of estimates covering the company and forecast accuracy are particularly strong. In addition, the moderating effects of industry concentration on the relationship between earnings surprise, the number of estimates covering the company and the forecast dispersion are partially supported. Overall, the industrial concentration factor either magnifies or alleviates the effect of external attributions on analyst's forecast accuracy and forecast dispersion.
BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION: A LEGITIMACY-BASED VIEW
Authors: AHN MARK J. , YORK ANNE S. , SOHN SO YOUNG , BENYAMINI PAYAM
Published: September 2013

Disruptive technology platforms from emerging companies hold great promise for exploiting innovation, but often face legitimacy hurdles due to their liability of newness. Nascent firms must learn new roles with limited precedent, and establish ties with an environment that may not fully understand or value their existence. Using a legitimacy-based lens in the context of the biotechnology industry, we posit a sequential construct — cognitive, regulative, and normative legitimacy — to evaluate emergent technology platforms. Our model of biotechnology platform emergence may provide insights for understanding how breakthroughs achieve legitimacy in the scientific community, mobilize resources and talent, and attain commercial success.
THE FRICTIONAL CONTACT ANALYSIS BETWEEN A TACTILE SENSOR AND ATRIAL TISSUE IN VISCOELASTICITY
Authors: SHEN JING JIN , LI CHENG GANG , WU HONG TAO , KALANTARI MASOUD
Published: September 2013

This paper discusses the effect of friction in tool–tissue interaction of surgical simulation. The focus of this research is on mitral valve repair by robot-assisted surgery (RAS) method with tactile feedback. Heart tissue is considered to be touched by a tactile sensor with considering the friction effect. A regularized Coulomb law analogous to elastoplastic theory is used to represent the friction. Since the heart tissue is subjected to repeated loading condition, a generalized standard solid chain is chosen for modeling the heart tissue. To implement the generalized standard solid chain in finite element analysis (FEA), a new splitting strategy is presented. The splitting strategy avoids the complicated conversion procedure from creep function to relaxation function by dividing the total problem into several subproblems. The penalty method is used in the derivation of continuum model for the interaction between the tactile sensor and the tissue. By performing linearization for the continuum model, the discrete model for the FEA is obtained. Numerical results are obtained by using the constitutive parameters of tissue and friction coefficient, which were found experimentally.
Electrocaloric and electrostrictive effect of polar P(VDF–TrFE–CFE) terpolymers
Authors: Lu Sheng-Guo , Xiong Hui , Wei Aixiang , Li Xinyu , Zhang Qiming
Published: September 2013

The electrocaloric effect (ECE) is the adiabatic temperature change or isothermal entropy change caused by the polarization change of a dielectric material when subjected to a change of external electric field. The electrostrictive effect is a form of elastic deformation of a dielectric induced by an electric field, associated with those components of strain which are independent of reversal field direction. It was found that both the ECE, e.g., adiabatic temperature change, and the electrostrictive strain in poly(vinylidene fluoride–trifluoroethylene–chlorofluoroethylene) (P(VDF–TrFE–CFE)) terpolymers are proportional to the square of the electric field. The adiabatic temperature change ΔT of ECE versus electric field can be illustrated using a modified Belov–Goryaga equation. ΔT is proportional to E2 when E is small. For electrostrictive effect, the rigid-ion model assumes that the anharmonic movement of the ions leads to the quadratic strain–electric field relation. The quotient of electrostrictive coefficient Q over the phenomenological coefficient β is empirically a constant, indicating that the larger the electrostrictive coefficient, the larger the ECE, which opens a new way to find out new electrocaloric materials.
Extracellular Ca2+ and Mg2+ modulate aminoglycoside blockade of mechanotransducer channel-mediated Ca2+ entry in zebrafish hair cells: an in vivo study with the SIET
Authors: Lin Li-Yih , Pang Wei , Chuang Wei-Min , Hung Giun-Yi , Lin Yuan-Hsiang , Horng Jiun-Lin
Published: September 2013

Zebrafish lateral-line hair cells are an in vivo model for studying hair cell development, function, and ototoxicity. However, the molecular identification and properties of the mechanotransducer (MET) channel in hair cells are still controversial. In this study, a noninvasive electrophysiological method, the scanning ion-electrode technique (SIET), was applied for the first time to investigate properties of MET channels in intact zebrafish embryos. With the use of a Ca2+-selective microelectrode to deflect hair bundles and simultaneously record the Ca2+ flux, the inward Ca2+ flux was detected at stereocilia of hair cells in 2- to ∼4-day postfertilization embryos. Ca2+ influx was blocked by MET channel blockers (BAPTA, La3+, Gd3+, and curare). In addition, 10 μM aminoglycoside antibiotics (neomycin and gentamicin) were found to effectively block Ca2+ influx within 10 min. Elevating the external Ca2+ level (0.2–2 mM) neutralized the effects of neomycin and gentamicin. However, elevating the Mg2+ level up to 5 mM neutralized blockade by gentamicin but not by neomycin. This study demonstrated MET channel-mediated Ca2+ entry at hair cells and showed that the SIET to be a sensitive approach for functionally assaying MET channels in zebrafish.
Protection against high intravascular pressure in giraffe legs
Authors: Petersen Karin K. , Hørlyck Arne , Østergaard Kristine H. , Andresen Joergen , Broegger Torbjoern , Skovgaard Nini , Telinius Niklas , Laher Ismael , Bertelsen Mads F. , Grøndahl Carsten , Smerup Morten , Secher Niels H. , Brøndum Emil , Hasenkam John M. , Wang Tobias , Baandrup Ulrik , Aalkjaer Christian
Published: September 2013

The high blood pressure in giraffe leg arteries renders giraffes vulnerable to edema. We investigated in 11 giraffes whether large and small arteries in the legs and the tight fascia protect leg capillaries. Ultrasound imaging of foreleg arteries in anesthetized giraffes and ex vivo examination revealed abrupt thickening of the arterial wall and a reduction of its internal diameter just below the elbow. At and distal to this narrowing, the artery constricted spontaneously and in response to norepinephrine and intravascular pressure recordings revealed a dynamic, viscous pressure drop along the artery. Histology of the isolated median artery confirmed dense sympathetic innervation at the narrowing. Structure and contractility of small arteries from muscular beds in the leg and neck were compared. The arteries from the legs demonstrated an increased media thickness-to-lumen diameter ratio, increased media volume, and increased numbers of smooth muscle cells per segment length and furthermore, they contracted more strongly than arteries from the neck (500 ± 49 vs. 318 ± 43 mmHg; n = 6 legs and neck, respectively). Finally, the transient increase in interstitial fluid pressure following injection of saline was 5.5 ± 1.7 times larger ( n = 8) in the leg than in the neck. We conclude that 1) tissue compliance in the legs is low; 2) large arteries of the legs function as resistance arteries; and 3) structural adaptation of small muscle arteries allows them to develop an extraordinary tension. All three findings can contribute to protection of the capillaries in giraffe legs from a high arterial pressure.
Unilateral renal denervation improves autonomic balance in conscious rabbits with chronic heart failure
Authors: Schiller Alicia M. , Haack Karla K. V. , Pellegrino Peter R. , Curry Pamela L. , Zucker Irving H.
Published: September 2013

A hallmark of chronic heart failure (CHF) is an increased sympathetic tone resulting in autonomic imbalance. Renal denervation (DNx) in CHF patients has resulted in symptomatic improvement, but the protective mechanisms remain unclear. We hypothesized in CHF, unilateral renal DNx would improve cardiac autonomic balance. The present study used conscious, chronically instrumented New Zealand White rabbits undergoing renal DNx prior to pacing-induced CHF. Four treatment groups were used: nonpace, non-DNx [Sham-Innervated (Sham-INV)], nonpace DNx (sham-DNx), pace non-DNx (CHF-INV) or pace DNx (CHF-DNx). We examined several markers indicative of autonomic balance. Baroreflex sensitivity and time domain heart rate variability (HRV) were both decreased in the CHF-INV group compared with sham-INV and were restored to sham levels by renal DNx. Power spectral analysis indicated an increase in low-frequency/high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio in the CHF-INV compared with the sham-INV, which was normalized to sham levels by DNx. To assess whether this was due to a withdrawal of sympathetic tone or an increase in parasympathetic tone, the heart rate response was measured after an intravenous bolus of metoprolol or atropine. Bradycardia induced by intravenous metoprolol (indicative of cardiac sympathetic tone) was exacerbated in CHF-INV rabbits compared with sham-INV but was normalized in CHF-DNx. Conversely, the tachycardia in response to intravenous atropine (indicative of cardiac vagal tone) was not improved in CHF-DNx vs. CHF-INV animals. Renal DNx also prevented the increase in circulating plasma NE seen in CHF-INV rabbits. These results suggest renal DNx improves cardiac autonomic balance in CHF by a reduction of sympathetic tone.
ANG II and baroreflex control of heart rate in embryonic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)
Authors: Mueller Casey A. , Burggren Warren W. , Crossley Dane A.
Published: September 2013

ANG II alters the short-term blood pressure buffering capacity of the baroreflex in many adult animals. In embryonic chickens, high plasma ANG II levels contribute to baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP, kPa) without changing heart rate (ƒH, beats/min). We hypothesized, on the basis of these features, that an ANG II-induced reduction in baroreflex sensitivity is present in embryonic chickens as in adults. We examined baroreflex function in day 19 embryonic chickens ( Gallus gallus domesticus) after chronic depletion of endogenous ANG II via angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition with captopril (5 mg/kg) from days 5–18 of incubation. The correlation between MAP and ƒHwas assessed using increasing doses of sodium nitroprusside, a vasodilator, and phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor. We used two analytical methods to evaluate baroreflex function: a conventional “static” method, in which maximal MAP and ƒHresponses were examined, and a “dynamic” method that assessed beat-to-beat changes during the response to pharmacological manipulation. Captopril-treated embryos were hypotensive by 19% with baroreflex slopes ∼40% steeper and normalized gains ∼50% higher than controls, and differences across treatments were similar using either analytical method. Furthermore, reintroduction of ANG II via infusion raised MAP back to control levels and decreased the baroreflex gain in captopril-treated embryos. Therefore, during typical chicken development, ANG II dampens the baroreflex regulatory capacity and chicken embryos can be used as a natural model of elevated ANG II for studying developmental cardiovascular function. This study is the first to demonstrate that reduction of embryonic ANG II alters normal baroreflex function.
Cerebrovascular autoregulation after rewarming from hypothermia in a neonatal swine model of asphyxic brain injury
Authors: Larson Abby C. , Jamrogowicz Jessica L. , Kulikowicz Ewa , Wang Bing , Yang Zeng-Jin , Shaffner Donald H. , Koehler Raymond C. , Lee Jennifer K.
Published: September 2013

After hypoxic brain injury, maintaining blood pressure within the limits of cerebral blood flow autoregulation is critical to preventing secondary brain injury. Little is known about the effects of prolonged hypothermia or rewarming on autoregulation after cardiac arrest. We hypothesized that rewarming would shift the lower limit of autoregulation (LLA), that this shift would be detected by indices derived from near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and that rewarming would impair autoregulation during hypertension. Anesthetized neonatal swine underwent sham surgery or hypoxic-asphyxic cardiac arrest, followed by 2 h of normothermia and 20 h of hypothermia, with or without rewarming. Piglets were further divided into cohorts for cortical laser-Doppler flow (LDF) measurements during induced hypotension or hypertension. We also tested whether indices derived from NIRS could identify the LDF-derived LLA. The LLA did not differ significantly among groups with sham surgery and hypothermia (29 ± 8 mmHg), sham surgery and rewarming (34 ± 7 mmHg), arrest and hypothermia (29 ± 10 mmHg), and arrest and rewarming (38 ± 11 mmHg). The LLA was not affected by arrest ( P = 0.60), temperature ( P = 0.08), or interaction between arrest and temperature ( P = 0.73). The NIRS-derived indices detected the LLA accurately, with the area under the receiver-operator characteristic curves of 0.81–0.96 among groups. In groups subjected to arrest and hypothermia, with or without rewarming, the slope of LDF relative to cerebral perfusion pressure during hypertension was not significantly different from zero ( P > 0.10). In conclusion, rewarming did not shift the LLA during hypotension or affect autoregulation during hypertension after asphyxic cardiac arrest. The NIRS-derived autoregulation indices identified the LLA accurately.
Evaluation of Antioxidant, Immunomodulatory, and Cytotoxic Action of Fractions from Eugenia uniflora L. and Eugenia malaccensis L.: Correlation with Polyphenol and Flavanoid Content
Authors: Figueirôa Evellyne de Oliveira , Nascimento da Silva Luís Cláudio , de Melo Cristiane Moutinho Lagos , Neves Juliana Kelle de Andrade Lemoine , da Silva Nicácio Henrique , Pereira Valéria Rêgo Alves , Correia Maria Tereza dos Santos
Published: September 2013

An increasing number of biological activities presented by medicinal plants has been investigated over the years, and they are used in the search for new substances with lower side effects. Eugenia uniflora L. and Eugenia malaccensis L. (Myrtaceae) have many folk uses in various countries. This current study was designed to quantify the polyphenols and flavonoids contents and evaluate the immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and cytotoxic potentials of fractions from E. uniflora L. and E. malaccensis L. It was observed that the polyphenol content was higher in ethyl acetate fractions. These fractions have high antioxidant potential. E. malaccensis L. seeds showed the largest DPPH radical scavenger capacity (EC50 = 22.62). The fractions of E. malaccensis L. leaves showed lower antioxidant capacity. The samples did not alter the profile of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide release. The results indicate that species of the family Myrtaceae are rich in compounds with antioxidant capacity, which can help reduce the inflammatory response.
Fuel Cell Electrodes Based on Carbon Nanotube/Metallic Nanoparticles Hybrids Formed on Porous Stainless Steel Pellets
Authors: Khantimerov S. M. , Kukovitsky E. F. , Sainov N. A. , Suleimanov N. M.
Published: September 2013

The preparation of carbon nanotube/metallic particle hybrids using pressed porous stainless steel pellets as a substrate is described. The catalytic growth of carbon nanotubes was carried out by CVD on a nickel catalyst obtained by impregnation of pellets with a highly dispersive colloidal solution of nickel acetate tetrahydrate in ethanol. Granular polyethylene was used as the carbon source. Metallic particles were deposited by thermal evaporation of Pt and Ag using pellets with grown carbon nanotubes as a base. The use of such composites as fuel cell electrodes is discussed.
Identification of Contaminated Cells with Viruses, Bacteria, or Fungi by Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy
Authors: Erukhimovitch V. , Huleihil M. , Huleihel M.
Published: September 2013

Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIR-M) can detect small molecular changes in cells and therefore was previously applied for the identification of different biological samples. In the present study, FTIR spectroscopy was used for the identification and discrimination of Vero cells infected with herpes viruses or contaminated with bacteria or fungi in cell culture. Vero cells in culture were infected herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or contaminated withE. colibacteria orCandida albicansfungi and analyzed by FTIR microscopy at 24 h postinfection/contamination. Specific different spectral changes were observed according to the infecting or contaminating agent. For instance, both pure fungi and cell culture contaminated with this fungi showed specific peaks at 1030 cm−1and at 1373 cm−1regions, while pureE. coliand cell culture contaminated with this bacteria showed a specific and unique peak at 1657 cm−1. These results support the potential of developing FTIR microspectroscopy as a simple, reagent free method for identification and discrimination between different tissue infection or contamination with various pathogens.
A Routing Algorithm for WiFi-Based Wireless Sensor Network and the Application in Automatic Meter Reading
Authors: Li Li , Hu Xiaoguang , Zhang Baochang
Published: September 2013

The Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) network for the next generation Smart Grid is required to possess many essential functions, such as data reading and writing, intelligent power transmission, and line damage detection. However, the traditional AMR network cannot meet the previous requirement. With the development of the WiFi sensor node in the low power cost, a new kind of wireless sensor network based on the WiFi technology can be used in application. In this paper, we have designed a new architecture of WiFi-based wireless sensor network, which is suitable for the next generation AMR system. We have also proposed a new routing algorithm called Energy Saving-Based Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (E-HWMP) on the premise of current algorithm, which can improve the energy saving of the HWMP and be suitable for the WiFi-based wireless sensor network. The simulation results show that the life cycle of network is extended.
Comparison of Spheroidal Carbonaceous Particle Data with Modelled Atmospheric Black Carbon Concentration and Deposition and Air Mass Sources in Northern Europe, 1850–2010
Authors: Ruppel Meri , Lund Marianne T. , Grythe Henrik , Rose Neil L. , Weckström Jan , Korhola Atte
Published: September 2013

Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP) are a well-defined fraction of black carbon (BC), produced only by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as coal and oil. Their past concentrations have been studied using environmental archives, but, additionally, historical trends of BC concentration and deposition can be estimated by modelling. These models are based on BC emission inventories, but actual measurements of BC concentration and deposition play an essential role in their evaluation and validation. We use the chemistry transport model OsloCTM2 to model historical time series of BC concentration and deposition from energy and industrial sources and compare these to sedimentary measurements of SCPs obtained from lake sediments in Northern Europe from 1850 to 2010. To determine the origin of SCPs we generated back trajectories of air masses to the study sites. Generally, trends of SCP deposition and modelled results agree reasonably well, showing rapidly increasing values from 1950, to a peak in 1980, and a decrease towards the present. Empirical SCP data show differences in deposition magnitude between the sites that are not captured by the model but which may be explained by different air mass transport patterns. The results highlight the need for numerous observational records to reliably validate model results.
Navigation Facility for High Accuracy Offline Trajectory and Attitude Estimation in Airborne Applications
Authors: Renga A. , Fasano G. , Accardo D. , Grassi M. , Tancredi U. , Rufino G. , Simonetti A.
Published: September 2013

The paper focuses on a navigation facility, relying on commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology, developed to generate high-accuracy attitude and trajectory measurements in postprocessing. Target performance is cm-level positioning with tenth of degree attitude accuracy. The facility is based on the concept of GPS-aided inertial navigation but comprises carrier-phase differential GPS (CDGPS) processing and attitude estimation based on multiantenna GPS configurations. Expected applications of the system include: (a) performance assessment of integrated navigation systems, developed for general aviation aircraft and medium size unmanned aircraft systems (UAS); (b) generation of reference measurements to evaluate the flight performance of airborne sensors (e.g., radar or laser); and (c) generation of reference trajectory and attitude for improving imaging quality of airborne remote sensing data. The paper describes system architecture, selected algorithms for data processing and integration, and theoretical performance evaluation. Experimental results are also presented confirming the effectiveness of the implemented approach.
Synthesis and Single Crystal X‐Ray Structure of New (2E)‐2‐[3‐(1H‐Imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐phenylpropylidene]‐N‐phenylhydrazinecarboxamide
Authors: Attia Mohamed I. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , El-Azzouny Aida A. , Al-Deeb Omar A. , Almutairi Maha S. , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: September 2013

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and X‐ray crystal structure of a new (2E)‐2‐[3‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)‐1‐phenylpropylidene]‐N‐phenylhydrazinecarboxamide (4) are reported. The stereochemistry of the title compound 4, C19H19N5O, about the imine bond [1.296 (4) Å] was assigned to have (E)‐configuration. In the urea moiety, the N–H entities are trans to each other, and one of these forms is an intramolecular N–H⋯H hydrogen bond. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 5.8093 (2) Å, b = 20.5575 (6) Å, c = 14.0355 (5) Å, α = 90.00°, β = 97.365° (2), γ = 90.00°, V = 1662.36 (10) Å3, and Z = 4. The molecules are packed in crystal structure by weak intermolecular hydrogen interactions.
A Comparison Study of the Blood Component Quality of Whole Blood Held Overnight at 4°C or Room Temperature
Authors: Wang Shichun , Wang Tiantian , Fan Yahan , Huang Shan , Yi Zhongmei , Li Ruiqing , Zhao Shuming
Published: September 2013

Background. The use of plasma frozen within 24 hrs is likely to increase. Whole blood (WB) and buffy coats (BCs) can be held for a few hrs or overnight before processing.
Methods. Twenty-four bags of WB for plasma and 12 bags for platelet (PLT) concentrates were collected. The fresh frozen plasma (FFP) was prepared within 6 hrs. I-FP24 and II-FP24 samples were prepared either from leukodepleted WB that was held overnight or from WB that was held overnight before leukodepletion. The PLT concentrates (PCs) were prepared from BCs within 6 hrs (PC1) and within 18 to 24 hrs (PC2). The typical coagulation factors and some biochemical parameters were determined.
Results. Compared to the FFP samples, the levels of FVII and FVIII in the I-FP24 and II-FP24 samples decreased significantly. The pH, Na+, LDH, and FHb levels differed significantly between II-FP24 and FFP. Compared to PC1, PC2 exhibited lower pH, pO2, and Na+ levels, a higher PLT count, and increased pCO2, K+, Lac, and CD62P expression levels.
Conclusion. FP24 is best prepared from WB that was stored overnight at 4°C and then leukodepleted and separated within 24 hrs. PCs are best produced from BCs derived from WB that was held overnight at room temperature.
Consensusabilization for Continuous-Time High-Order Multiagent Systems with Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Zhu Huayong , Cong Yirui , Wang Xiangke , Zhang Daibing , Zhang Qingjie
Published: September 2013

For the consensus problems of high-order linear multiagent systems with time-varying delays in directed topologies, the LMI based-consensus criterion and NLMI-based consensusabilization (protocol parameters design that makes the multiagent systems achieve consensus) are investigated. Improved Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional is used for establishing the consensus convergence criteria and deriving the corresponding consensus protocol. In order to reduce the conservativeness, some proper free-weighting matrices are added into the derivative of Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional and that only keeps one necessary zoom. The numerical and simulation examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. Compared with existing literatures, the convergence criterion and protocol design proposed have lower conservativeness.
Empirical Modelling of Nonmonotonous Behaviour of Shear Viscosity
Authors: David J. , Filip P. , Kharlamov A. A.
Published: September 2013

Almost all hitherto proposed empirical models used for characterization of shear viscosity of non-Newtonian liquids describe only its monotonous course. However, the onset of new materials is accompanied by more complicated characteristics of their behaviour including nonmonotonous course of shear viscosity. This feature is reflected not only in an existence of one extreme point (maximum or minimum), but also it can appear in both extreme points; that is, this shear viscosity initially exhibits shear thinning; after attaining a local minimum, it converts to shear thickening, and again after reaching a local maximum, it has a shear-thinning character. It is clear that, for an empirical description of this complex behaviour, a hitherto, used number of parameters (four, five) in classical monotonous models (such as Cross or Carreau-Yasuda) are no longer tenable. If more parameters are applied, there should be given an emphasis on a relatively simple algebraic form of the proposed models, unambiguity of the involved parameters, and their sound interpretation in the whole modelling. This contribution provides an overview of the existing empirical nonmonotonous models and proposes a new 10-parameter model including a demonstration of its flexibility using various experimental data.
Prediction of Effective Drug Combinations by Chemical Interaction, Protein Interaction and Target Enrichment of KEGG Pathways
Authors: Chen Lei , Li Bi-Qing , Zheng Ming-Yue , Zhang Jian , Feng Kai-Yan , Cai Yu-Dong
Published: September 2013

Drug combinatorial therapy could be more effective in treating some complex diseases than single agents due to better efficacy and reduced side effects. Although some drug combinations are being used, their underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. Therefore, it is of great interest to deduce a novel drug combination by their molecular mechanisms in a robust and rigorous way. This paper attempts to predict effective drug combinations by a combined consideration of: (1) chemical interaction between drugs, (2) protein interactions between drugs’ targets, and (3) target enrichment of KEGG pathways. A benchmark dataset was constructed, consisting of 121 confirmed effective combinations and 605 random combinations. Each drug combination was represented by 465 features derived from the aforementioned three properties. Some feature selection techniques, including Minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance and Incremental Feature Selection, were adopted to extract the key features. Random forest model was built with its performance evaluated by 5-fold cross-validation. As a result, 55 key features providing the best prediction result were selected. These important features may help to gain insights into the mechanisms of drug combinations, and the proposed prediction model could become a useful tool for screening possible drug combinations.
Performance of Photovoltaic Modules of Different Solar Cells
Authors: Gaur Ankita , Tiwari G. N.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, an attempt of performance evaluation of semitransparent and opaque photovoltaic (PV) modules of different generation solar cells, having the maximum efficiencies reported in the literature at standard test conditions (STC), has been carried out particularly for the months of January and June. The outdoor performance is also evaluated for the commercially available semitransparent and opaque PV modules. Annual electrical energy, capitalized cost, annualized uniform cost (unacost), and cost per unit electrical energy for both types of solar modules, namely, semitransparent and opaque have also been computed along with their characteristics curves. Semitransparent PV modules have shown higher efficiencies compared to the opaque ones. Calculations show that for the PV modules made in laboratory, CdTe exhibits the maximum annual electrical energy generation resulting into minimum cost per unit electrical energy, whereas a-Si/nc-Si possesses the maximum annual electrical energy generation giving minimum cost per unit electrical energy when commercially available solar modules are concerned. CIGS has shown the lowest capitalized cost over all other PV technologies.
Diagnostic Utility of Transbronchial Needle Aspiration in Malignant Endobronchial Lesions: Relevance to Lesions’ Characteristics
Authors: Mohamed Sherif A. A. , Ahmed Yousef , Hussein Khaled , Abd El-Aziz Nashwa M. A. , Gamal Yasser
Published: September 2013

In this prospective study, we aimed to report our experience with the diagnostic utility of transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in patients with malignant endobronchial lesions detected during routine bronchoscopy. Ninety-four patients were enrolled. TBNA and conventional diagnostic techniques (CDTs: forceps biopsy, brushing, and washing) were performed in all patients. Endobronchial lesions were classified into exophytic mass lesions (EMLs), submucosal disease (SD), and peribronchial disease (PD). The diagnostic yields of TBNA and CDT alone and together were compared according to the lesions’ types, histopathology, and locations. During 3-year period, the addition of TBNA to CDT improved bronchoscopic sensitivity from 70.2% to 94.7% in all lesion types. Addition of TBNA to CDT increased the diagnostic success from 74% to 95% and from 50% to 94% in NSCLC and SCLC, respectively. The diagnostic success was increased in all localizations by the addition of TBNA to CDT, particularly for lesions located at the trachea, main bronchi, and upper lobes. We conclude that the addition of TBNA to CDT increases the diagnostic yield in patients with visible malignant endobronchial lesions, particularly in peribronchial disease, and improves the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy, in both NSCLC and SCLC and in all bronchoscopic locations, particularly in central and upper lobar lesions.
Sleeptalking! Sleepwalking! Side Effects of Montelukast
Authors: Alkhuja Samer , Gazizov Natalya , Alexander Mary Ellen
Published: September 2013

A 16-year-old Caucasian female presented to the pulmonary clinic for a followup on her asthma. Due to the worsening of allergy-related symptoms, therapy with montelukast 10 mg daily was started and resulted in good relief of the patient’s symptoms. In the nights following initiating therapy with montelukast, the patient’s mother reported daily parasomnias in the form of sleeptalking and sleepwalking. Montelukast was discontinued, and that resulted in absence of the parasomnias. In a second attempt montelukast was reinstituted to control the patient’s symptoms. Parasomnias were immediately reported after resuming therapy. Montelukast was then discontinued indefinitely. Our patient has never had any history of parasomnias, and since the discontinuation of montelukast, parasomnias were never reported again. Parasomnias in the form of sleeptalking or sleepwalking were not previously reported as adverse effects of montelukast. Alternative modalities to treat allergy-related symptoms in patients, who develop parasomnias while receiving montelukast, should be explored.
Nimesulide Based Novel Glycolamide Esters: Their Design, Synthesis, and Pharmacological Evaluation
Authors: Kankanala Kavitha , Reddy Vangala Ranga , Devi Yumnam Priyadarshini , Mangamoori Lakshmi Narasu , Mukkanti Khagga , Pal Sarbani
Published: September 2013

The nimesulide based novel glycolamide esters were designed and synthesized for the first time via a three‐step method starting from nimesulide. Structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis. All the synthesized compounds were examined for their cytotoxic effects in vitro, some of which showed significant cytotoxic activities against HCT‐15 human colon cancer cell line.
Autonomous Navigation of a Surveillance Robot in Harsh Outdoor Road Environments
Authors: Shin Youjin , Kim Donghyeon , Lee Hyunsuk , Park Jooyoung , Chung Woojin
Published: September 2013

This paper deals with the autonomous navigation problem of a mobile robot in outdoor road environments. The target application is surveillance in petroleum storage bases. Although there have been remarkable technological achievements recently in the area of outdoor navigation, robotic systems are still expensive due to a large number of high cost sensors. This paper proposes the reliable extraction algorithm of traversable regions using a single onboard Laser Range Finder (LRF) in outdoor road environments. The traversable regions are derived from the classifications of the road surfaces, curbs, and obstacles. The proposed scheme was experimentally tested in success. Since there are many potential applications that require autonomous service robots to move in semistructured road environments, the proposed scheme can be widely used as a low-cost practical solution.
Three-Dimensional Mathematical Investigation of Dynamic and Hydrostatic Pressure Distributions on Planing Hulls
Authors: Ghadimi Parviz , Tavakoli Sasan , Dashtimanesh Abbas , Djeddi Seyed Reza
Published: September 2013

A mathematical model is utilized in order to calculate three-dimensional pressure distributions on planing hulls. This type of modeling is able to determine the hydrodynamic and hydrostatic pressures acting on the bottom of these hulls. As a result, the total 3-dimensional pressure exerted on the planing hull as a sum of hydrostatic and hydrodynamic pressures can be evaluated. Empirical equations introduced in previous works have been used as the fundamentals for the present mathematical modeling method. The obtained results are compared against available experimental results and results of empirical equations in order to validate the proposed method. The outcome of the -squared tests conducted on these comparisons shows favorable accuracy of the results. After evaluation of hydrodynamic pressure, the effects of trim and deadrise angles and wetted length on the 3-dimensional pressure distribution are analyzed. Finally, the total pressure on planing hull and the effect of velocity coefficients are studied.
Renal Effects of DPP-4 Inhibitors: A Focus on Microalbuminuria
Authors: Haluzík Martin , Frolík Jan , Rychlík Ivan
Published: September 2013

Incretin-based therapies represent one of the most promising options in type 2 diabetes treatment owing to their good effectiveness with low risk of hypoglycemia and no weight gain. Other numerous potential beneficial effects of incretin-based therapies have been suggested based mostly on experimental and small clinical studies including its beta-cell- and vasculo-protective actions. One of the recently emerged interesting features of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors is its possible protective effect on the diabetic kidney disease. Here, we review the renal effects of DPP-4 inhibitors with special focus on its influence on the onset and progression of microalbuminuria, as presence of microalbuminuria represents an important early sign of kidney damage and is also associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia and cardiovascular complications. Mechanisms underlying possible nephroprotective properties of DPP-4 inhibitors include reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation and improvement of endothelial dysfunction. Effects of DPP-4 inhibitors may be both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) dependent and independent. Ongoing prospective studies focused on the nephroprotective effects of DPP-4 inhibitors will further clarify its possible role in the prevention/attenuation of diabetic kidney disease beyond its glucose lowering properties.
Knowledge-Based Approach to Assembly Sequence Planning for Wind-Driven Generator
Authors: Wu Meiping , Zhao Yi , Wang Chenxin
Published: September 2013

Assembly sequence planning plays an essential role in the manufacturing industry. However, there still exist some challenges for the research of assembly planning, one of which is the weakness in effective description of assembly knowledge and information. In order to reduce the computational task, this paper presents a novel approach based on engineering assembly knowledge to the assembly sequence planning problem and provides an appropriate way to express both geometric information and nongeometric knowledge. In order to increase the sequence planning efficiency, the assembly connection graph is built according to the knowledge in engineering, design, and manufacturing fields. Product semantic information model could offer much useful information for the designer to finish the assembly (process) design and make the right decision in that process. Therefore, complex and low-efficient computation in the assembly design process could be avoided. Finally, a product assembly planning example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Initial experience with the approach indicates the potential to reduce lead times and thereby can help in completing new product launch projects on time.