bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND HALF-METALLICITY OF HEUSLER ALLOY Mn2RhAl
Authors: LI SONGTAO , LIU YANG , REN ZHI , ZHANG XIAOHONG , LIU GUODONG
Published: September 2013

The site preference, electronic structure and magnetic properties of Mn 2 RhAl have been studied by first-principles calculations. Both the Cu 2 MnAl -structure and the Hg 2 CuTi -type have been tested. For the compound Mn 2 RhAl , the Hg 2 CuTi structure is the more stable one with a lattice parameter of 5.80 Å. The Mn 2 RhAl alloy is predicted to be a half-metal with 100% spin polarization of the conduction electrons at the Fermi level (EF). The calculated total magnetic moment is 2.00 μB per unit cell, which is in line with the Slater–Pauling curve of Mt = Zt-24. The Mn (A) and Mn (B) atom-projected spin moments are -1.54 μB and 3.16 μB, respectively. The resulting moment is mainly determined by the antiparallel aligned Mn (A) and Mn (B) spin moment. Whereas, the small spin magnetic moment of Rh is small and only 0.38 μB and the Al atom is almost nonmagnetic. Such an alloy may be a promising material for future spintronics devices.
QUALITATIVE ASPECTS OF THE PHASE DIAGRAM OF J1–J2 MODEL ON THE CUBIC LATTICE
Authors: SALMON OCTAVIO D. R. , CROKIDAKIS NUNO , NETO MINOS A. , PADILHA IGOR T. , ROBERTO VIANA J. , RICARDO DE SOUSA J.
Published: September 2013

The qualitative aspects of the phase diagram of the Ising model on the cubic lattice, with ferromagnetic (F) nearest-neighbor interactions (J1) and antiferromagnetic (AF) next-nearest-neighbor couplings (J2) are analyzed in the plane temperature versus α, where α = J2/|J1| is the frustration parameter. We used the original Wang–Landau sampling (WLS) and the standard Metropolis algorithm to confront past results of this model obtained by the effective-field theory (EFT) for the cubic lattice. Our numerical results suggest that the predictions of the EFT are in general qualitatively correct, but the low-temperature re-entrant behavior, observed in the frontier separating the F and the collinear order, is an artifact of the EFT approach and should disappear when we consider Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of the model. In addition, our results indicate that the continuous phase transition between the F and the paramagnetic (P) phases, that occurs for 0.0 ≤α< 0.25, belongs to the universality class of the three-dimensional pure Ising Model.
DARK ENERGY
Authors: POLARSKI DAVID
Published: September 2013

Dark energy models account for the present accelerated expansion of the universe. Many models were suggested and investigated, based on very different physical principles. We will review some representative models emphasizing similarities and differences between these various approaches.
TWO-PHOTON LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF ANTIPROTONIC HELIUM
Authors: HORI MASAKI
Published: September 2013

The ASACUSA collaboration of CERN has recently carried out two-photon laser spectroscopy of antiprotonic helium atoms. Some nonlinear two-photon transitions of the antiproton at the deep UV wavelengths λ = 139.8–197.0 nm were excited by irradiating the atom with two counterpropagating laser beams. This reduced the thermal Doppler broadening in the observed spectral lines. Three transition frequencies were thus determined with fractional precisions of 2.3–5 parts in 109. By comparing the results with three-body quantum electrodynamics calculations, the antiproton-to-electron mass ratio was derived as 1836.1526736(23). In this paper, we briefly review these recent experimental results.
Ultra low-power signal processing in wearable monitoring systems
Authors: Ghasemzadeh Hassan , Jafari Roozbeh
Published: September 2013

Advances in technology have led to the development of wearable sensing, computing, and communication devices that can be woven into the physical environment of our daily lives, enabling a large variety of new applications in several domains, including wellness and health care. Despite their tremendous potential to impact our lives, wearable health monitoring systems face a number of hurdles to become a reality. The enabling processors and architectures demand a large amount of energy, requiring sizable batteries. In this article, we propose a granular decision-making architecture for physical movement monitoring applications. The module can be viewed as a tiered wake-up circuitry. This decision-making module, in combination with a low-power microcontroller, allows for significant power saving through an ultra low-power processing architecture. The significant power saving is achieved by performing a preliminary ultra low-power signal processing, and hence, keeping the microcontroller off when the incoming signal is not of interest. The preliminary signal processing is performed by a set of special-purpose functional units, also called screening blocks, that implement template matching functions. We formulate and solve an optimization problem for selecting screening blocks such that the accuracy requirements of the signal processing are accommodated while the total power is minimized. Our experimental results on real data from wearable motion sensors show that the proposed algorithm achieves 63.2% energy saving while maintaining a sensitivity of 94.3% in recognizing transitional actions.
20 Obstacles to Scalability
Authors: Hull Sean
Published: September 2013

Web applications can grow in fits and starts. Customer numbers can increase rapidly, and application usage patterns can vary seasonally. This unpredictability necessitates an application that is scalable. What is the best way of achieving scalability?
The Balancing Act of Choosing Nonblocking Features
Authors: Michael Maged M.
Published: September 2013

What is nonblocking progress? Consider the simple example of incrementing a counter C shared among multiple threads. One way to do so is by protecting the steps of incrementing C by a mutual exclusion lock L (i.e., acquire(L); old := C ; C := old+1; release(L);). If a thread P is holding L, then a different thread Q must wait for P to release L before Q can proceed to operate on C. That is, Q is blocked by P.
Renal ammonium excretion after an acute acid load: blunted response in uric acid stone formers but not in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Bobulescu I. Alexandru , Maalouf Naim M. , Capolongo Giovanna , Adams-Huet Beverley , Rosenthal Tara R. , Moe Orson W. , Sakhaee Khashayar
Published: September 2013

Idiopathic uric acid nephrolithiasis is characterized by elevated urinary net acid excretion and insufficient buffering by ammonium, resulting in excessively acidic urine and titration of the relatively soluble urate anion to insoluble uric acid. Patients with type 2 diabetes have similar changes in urinary pH, net acid excretion, and ammonium in 24-h urine collections at baseline, even after controlling for dietary factors, and are at increased risk for uric acid nephrolithiasis. However, not all patients with type 2 diabetes develop kidney stones, suggesting that uric acid stone formers may have additional urinary defects, perhaps not apparent at baseline. We performed a metabolic study of 14 patients with idiopathic uric acid nephrolithiasis, 13 patients with type 2 diabetes, and 8 healthy control subjects of similar body mass index. After equilibration on a fixed diet for 5 days, subjects were given a single oral acid load (50 meq ammonium chloride), and urine was collected hourly for 4 h. Uric acid stone formers had a lower ammonium excretory response to acute acid loading compared with diabetic and nondiabetic nonstone formers, suggesting that an ammonium excretory defect unique to uric acid stone formers was unmasked by the acid challenge. The Zucker diabetic fatty rat also did not show impaired urinary ammonium excretion in response to acute acid challenge. A blunted renal ammonium excretory response to dietary acid loads may contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic uric acid nephrolithiasis.
Genome scan for meat quality traits in Nelore beef cattle
Authors: Tizioto P. C. , Decker J. E. , Taylor J. F. , Schnabel R. D. , Mudadu M. A. , Silva F. L. , Mourão G. B. , Coutinho L. L. , Tholon P. , Sonstegard T. S. , Rosa A. N. , Alencar M. M. , Tullio R. R. , Medeiros S. R. , Nassu R. T. , Feijó G. L. D. , Silva L. O. C. , Torres R. A. , Siqueira F. , Higa R. H. , Regitano L. C. A.
Published: September 2013

Meat quality traits are economically important because they affect consumers' acceptance, which, in turn, influences the demand for beef. However, selection to improve meat quality is limited by the small numbers of animals on which meat tenderness can be evaluated due to the cost of performing shear force analysis and the resultant damage to the carcass. Genome wide-association studies for Warner-Bratzler shear force measured at different times of meat aging, backfat thickness, ribeye muscle area, scanning parameters [lightness, redness (a*), and yellowness] to ascertain color characteristics of meat and fat, water-holding capacity, cooking loss (CL), and muscle pH were conducted using genotype data from the Illumina BovineHD BeadChip array to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) in all phenotyped Nelore cattle. Phenotype count for these animals ranged from 430 to 536 across traits. Meat quality traits in Nelore are controlled by numerous QTL of small effect, except for a small number of large-effect QTL identified for a*fat, CL, and pH. Genomic regions harboring these QTL and the pathways in which the genes from these regions act appear to differ from those identified in taurine cattle for meat quality traits. These results will guide future QTL mapping studies and the development of models for the prediction of genetic merit to implement genomic selection for meat quality in Nelore cattle.
Targeting the endothelial progenitor cell surface proteome to identify novel mechanisms that mediate angiogenic efficacy in a rodent model of vascular disease
Authors: Kaczorowski Catherine C. , Stodola Timothy J. , Hoffmann Brian R. , Prisco Anthony R. , Liu Pengyuan Y. , Didier Daniela N. , Karcher Jamie R. , Liang Mingyu , Jacob Howard J. , Greene Andrew S.
Published: September 2013

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote angiogenesis, and clinical trials suggest autologous EPC-based therapy may be effective in treatment of vascular diseases. Albeit promising, variability in the efficacy of EPCs associated with underlying disease states has hindered the realization of EPC-based therapy. Here we first identify and characterize EPC dysfunction in a rodent model of vascular disease (SS/Mcwi rat) that exhibits impaired angiogenesis. To identify molecular candidates that mediate the angiogenic potential of these cells, we performed a broad analysis of cell surface protein expression using chemical labeling combined with mass spectrometry. Analysis revealed EPCs derived from SS/Mcwi rats express significantly more type 2 low-affinity immunoglobulin Fc-gamma (FCGR2) and natural killer 2B4 (CD244) receptors compared with controls. Genome-wide sequencing (RNA-seq) and qt-PCR confirmed isoforms of CD244 and FCGR2a transcripts were increased in SS/Mcwi EPCs. EPCs with elevated expression of FCGR2a and CD244 receptors are predicted to increase the probability of SS/Mcwi EPCs being targeted for death, providing a mechanistic explanation for their reduced angiogenic efficacy in vivo. Pathway analysis supported this contention, as “key” molecules annotated to cell death paths were differentially expressed in the SS/Mcwi EPCs. We speculate that screening and neutralization of cell surface proteins that “tag” and impair EPC function may provide an alternative approach to utilizing incompetent EPCs in greater numbers, as circulating EPCs are depleted in patients with vascular disease. Overall, novel methods to identify putative targets for repair of EPCs using discovery-based technologies will likely provide a major advance in the field of regenerative medicine.
Sporadic Occurrence of Jarcho-Levin Syndrome in an Ivorian Newborn
Authors: Odéhouri-Koudou Thierry Hervé , Yaokreh Jean-baptiste , Tembély Samba , Dick Rufin Kobinan
Published: September 2013

We report on an isolated chest-wall asymmetry with imaging findings of multiple vertebral and related rib defects in an Ivorian male newborn. He was born of a healthy and young couple without parental lineage, neither family malformative history nor teratogen exposure. This clinical presentation advocates Jarcho-Levin syndrome, a rare sporadic or familial disorder inherited as autosomal dominant or recessive mode and manifested by extensive vertebral segmentation defects with distinctive rib structural and morphological anomalies. According to our belief, this disorder has not been previously traced in the sub-Saharan African area.
Biomarker Selection and Classification of “-Omics” Data Using a Two-Step Bayes Classification Framework
Authors: Assawamakin Anunchai , Prueksaaroon Supakit , Kulawonganunchai Supasak , Shaw Philip James , Varavithya Vara , Ruangrajitpakorn Taneth , Tongsima Sissades
Published: September 2013

Identification of suitable biomarkers for accurate prediction of phenotypic outcomes is a goal for personalized medicine. However, current machine learning approaches are either too complex or perform poorly. Here, a novel two-step machine-learning framework is presented to address this need. First, a Naïve Bayes estimator is used to rank features from which the top-ranked will most likely contain the most informative features for prediction of the underlying biological classes. The top-ranked features are then used in a Hidden Naïve Bayes classifier to construct a classification prediction model from these filtered attributes. In order to obtain the minimum set of the most informative biomarkers, the bottom-ranked features are successively removed from the Naïve Bayes-filtered feature list one at a time, and the classification accuracy of the Hidden Naïve Bayes classifier is checked for each pruned feature set. The performance of the proposed two-step Bayes classification framework was tested on different types of -omicsdatasets including gene expression microarray, single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNParray), and surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (SELDI-TOF) proteomic data. The proposed two-step Bayes classification framework was equal to and, in some cases, outperformed other classification methods in terms of prediction accuracy, minimum number of classification markers, and computational time.
Research on the Comparison Analyses of Three-Phase Discrete and Integrated LC Filters in Three-Phase PV Inverter
Authors: Jiang Ying , Li Jianguo , Pan Sanbo , Zhang Xi , Hu Peng , Zhang Haiyan
Published: September 2013

In three-phase photovoltaic (PV) system, three-phase filter inductors are important part for the output electrical power quality. The comparison analyses of three-phase discrete filter inductors and two kinds of three-phase integrated filter inductors in three-phase PV inverter are proposed. Firstly, the three-phase PV inverter operation with discrete filter inductors is analyzed, and the design of discrete filter inductors is given; then operation of the three-phase PV inverter with three-phase integrated five-limb magnetic core filter inductors is analyzed, the design of integrated filter inductors with five-limb magnetic core is given, then the operation of three-phase PV inverter with three-phase integrated three-limb magnetic core filter inductors is analyzed, and the design of integrated filter inductors with three limbs magnetic core is given. The conclusion of comparison between three-phase discrete filter inductors and two kinds of three-phase integrated filter inductors is done; it means that the three-phase discrete filter inductors can achieve better output electrical power quality with lower power density and three-phase integrated filter inductors can achieve higher power density with lower output electrical power quality. Finally, the experiment results are given to compare the volume and filter effect of three kinds of filter inductors in three-phase PV inverter.
Potential Utility of Sodium Selenate as an Adjunct to Metformin in Treating Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Rats: A Perspective on Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase
Authors: Salama Rania M. , Schaalan Mona F. , Elkoussi Alaaeldin A. , Khalifa Amani E.
Published: September 2013

Metformin is widely regarded as the standard first-line antidiabetic agent, in terms of efficacy and safety profiles. However, in most patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), it was found that metformin alone is not enough to adequately control hyperglycemia. Thus, we designed this study with the aim to investigate the effect of sodium selenate, a protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitor, individually and as an adjunct to metformin, on a rat model that simulates the metabolic characteristics of human T2DM. T2DM model was achieved by feeding the rats with high-fat, high-fructose diet (HFFD) for 8 weeks followed by a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg/day, i.p.). Changes in serum glucose, insulin, adiponectin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and the lipid profile were assessed. In addition, the level of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activity of PTP were determined in the liver. Results showed that the addition of sodium selenate to metformin was able to restore hepatic GSH back to normal levels. Also, this combination therapy corrected the altered serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and adiponectin levels. In conclusion, additive therapeutic effect was recorded when sodium selenate was used as an adjunct to metformin.
Complexity and Health Coaching: Synergies in Nursing
Authors: Mitchell Gail J. , Cross Nadine , Wilson Michelle , Biernacki Shauna , Wong Winnie , Adib Behnam , Rush Danica
Published: September 2013

Health care professionals are increasingly aware that persons are complex and live in relation with other complex human communities and broader systems. Complex beings and systems are living and evolving in nonlinear ways through a process of mutual influence. Traditional standardized approaches in chronic disease management do not address these non-linear linkages and the meaning and changes that impact day-to-day life and caring for self and family. The RN health coach role described in this paper addresses the complexities and ambiguities for persons living with chronic illness in order to provide person-centered care and support that are unique and responsive to the context of persons’ lives. Informed by complexity thinking and relational inquiry, the RN health coach is an emergent innovation of creative action with community and groups that support persons as they shape their health and patterns of living.
Design of the Microsatellite Attitude Control System Using the Mixed Method via LMI Optimization
Authors: Pinheiro Erberson Rodrigues , de Souza Luiz Carlos Gadelha
Published: September 2013

Due to the space missions limited budget, small satellite cluster or constellation would be an economical choice. From risk-sharing viewpoint, a number of smaller satellites have a significant reliability advantage over a bigger one. Generally, one satellite is subject to two types of uncertainties: structured uncertainty that represents some satellite parameter variation and the unstructured uncertainty that represents some kind of the satellite model error. On the other hand, the Satellite Attitude Control (SAC) design becomes more vulnerable to uncertainty disturbances like model error and moment-of-inertia variation as the satellite has great decrease in size and weight. This is the case for a microsatellite with mass less than 100 kg where the ACS performance and robustness become very sensitive to both kinds of uncertainties. As a result, the design of the SAC has to deal with both types of uncertainties which is associated with the drawback between controller performance and robustness. The purpose of this work is to model a microsatellite taking into account the uncertainties and to perform the Control System Design based on the mixed methodology via LMI optimization.
Asymptotic Periodicity for Strongly Damped Wave Equations
Authors: Cuevas Claudio , Lizama Carlos , Soto Herme
Published: September 2013

This work deals with the existence and uniqueness of asymptotically almost-periodic mild solutions for a class of strongly damped semilinear wave equations.
Giant Renal Artery Aneurysms: Decision-Making Dilemmas
Authors: Ramdass Michael J.
Published: September 2013

A case of a 10 cm giant renal artery aneurysm in an 81-year-old lady is herein reported. The patient presented as an incidental finding on an abdominal ultrasound with an aneurysm which was large, soft, egg-shell-like, and bilobular with a cauliflower-type pattern invading the parenchyma of the renal substance and extending caudally. A right nephrectomy was carried out, and the patient made an uneventful recovery. This paper reviews the options for treatment of giant renal artery aneurysms and highlights the benefit of a planned nephrectomy once there is adequate renal reserve in the opposite kidney using a midline approach for right-sided giant renal artery aneurysms and a left-sided flank approach for left-sided aneurysms.
The Use of Porous Scaffold as a Tumor Model
Authors: Zhang Mei , Boughton Philip , Rose Barbara , Lee C. Soon , Hong Angela M.
Published: September 2013

Background. Human cancer is a three-dimensional (3D) structure consisting of neighboring cells, extracellular matrix, and blood vessels. It is therefore critical to mimic the cancer cells and their surrounding environment duringin vitrostudy. Our aim was to establish a 3D cancer model using a synthetic composite scaffold.Methods. High-density low-volume seeding was used to promote attachment of a non-small-cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H460) to scaffolds. Growth patterns in 3D culture were compared with those of monolayers. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to compare the expression of Ki67, CD44, and carbonic anhydrase IX.Results. NCI-H460 readily attached to the scaffold without surface pretreatment at a rate of 35% from a load of 1.5 × 106cells. Most cells grew vertically to form clumps along the surface of the scaffold, and cell morphology resembled tissue origin; 2D cultures exhibited characteristics of adherent epithelial cancer cell lines. Expression patterns of Ki67, CD44, and CA IX varied markedly between 3D and monolayer cultures.Conclusions. The behavior of cancer cells in our 3D model is similar to tumor growthin vivo. This model will provide the basis for future study using 3D cancer culture.
Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products and Its Involvement in Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Chuah Yaw Kuang , Basir Rusliza , Talib Herni , Tie Tung Hing , Nordin Norshariza
Published: September 2013

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a transmembrane receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, capable of binding a broad repertoire of ligands. RAGE-ligands interaction induces a series of signal transduction cascades and lead to the activation of transcription factor NF-κB as well as increased expression of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. These effects endow RAGE with the role in the signal transduction from pathogen substrates to cell activation during the onset and perpetuation of inflammation. RAGE signaling and downstream pathways have been implicated in a wide spectrum of inflammatory-related pathologic conditions such as arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, acute respiratory failure, and sepsis. Despite the significant progress in other RAGE studies, the functional importance of the receptor in clinical situations and inflammatory diseases still remains to be fully realized. In this review, we will summarize current understandings and lines of evidence on the molecular mechanisms through which RAGE signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of the aforementioned inflammation-associated conditions.
Partial Refactorization in Sparse Matrix Solution: A New Possibility for Faster Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Song Qi , Chen Pu , Sun Shuli
Published: September 2013

This paper proposes a partial refactorization for faster nonlinear analysis based on sparse matrix solution, which is nowadays the default solution choice in finite element analysis and can solve finite element models up to millions degrees of freedom. Among various fill-in’s reducing strategies for sparse matrix solution, the graph partition is in general the best in terms of resultant fill-ins and floating-point operations and furthermore produces a particular graph of sparse matrix that prevents local change of entries from wide spreading in factorization. Based on this feature, an explicit partial triangular refactorization with local change is efficiently constructed with limited additional storage requirement in row-sparse storage scheme. The partial refactorization of the changed stiffness matrix inherits a big percentage of the original factor and is carried out only on partial factor entries. The proposed method provides a new possibility for faster nonlinear analysis and is mainly suitable for material nonlinear problems and optimization problems. Compared to full factorization, it can significantly reduce the factorization time and can make nonlinear analysis more efficient.
Improved ()-Expansion Method for the Space and Time Fractional Foam Drainage and KdV Equations
Authors: Akgül Ali , Kılıçman Adem , Inc Mustafa
Published: September 2013

The fractional complex transformation is used to transform nonlinear partial differential equations to nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The improved ()-expansion method is suggested to solve the space and time fractional foam drainage and KdV equations. The obtained results show that the presented method is effective and appropriate for solving nonlinear fractional differential equations.
Isolated Spherophakia and Glaucoma
Authors: Pikkel Joseph , Irena Epstein
Published: September 2013

We report a case of spherophakia that caused glaucoma and describe the characteristics and the ultrasound biomicroscopy findings as well as the mechanism and management of glaucoma in spherophakia. We suggest considering lens extraction to manage glaucoma in spherophakia and discuss the surgical considerations and possible complications of such an intervention.
Achieving Relative Time Synchronization in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Ahmed Salman , Xiao Feng , Chen Tongwen
Published: September 2013

Time synchronization is required for a variety of distributed control applications in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, a novel distributed time synchronization technique for WSNs is presented. The proposed technique does not require all the sensor nodes to have the same time periods or starting times. Furthermore, the communication topology of the WSN is not assumed to be static; it can change with time. The WSN is modeled by a time-varying discrete-time system. The objective is to design local control inputs to achieve relative time synchronization by using the neighbor sensor nodes information. By employing tools from nonnegative matrix and graph theories, the convergence analysis is presented. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocol.
Well-Posedness, Blow-Up Phenomena, and Asymptotic Profile for a Weakly Dissipative Modified Two-Component Camassa-Holm Equation
Authors: Mi Yongsheng , Mu Chunlai
Published: September 2013

We study the Cauchy problem of a weakly dissipative modified two-component Camassa-Holm equation. We firstly establish the local well-posedness result. Then we present a precise blow-up scenario. Moreover, we obtain several blow-up results and the blow-up rate of strong solutions. Finally, we consider the asymptotic behavior of solutions.
Influence of Peripheral Artery Disease and Statin Therapy on Apolipoprotein Profiles
Authors: Gardner Andrew W. , Alaupovic Petar , Parker Donald E. , Montgomery Polly S. , Esponda Omar L. , Casanegra Ana I.
Published: September 2013

Apolipoprotein B is a stronger predictor of myocardial infarction than LDL cholesterol, and it is inversely related to physical activity and modifiable with exercise training. As such, apolipoprotein measures may be of particular relevance for subjects with PAD and claudication. We compared plasma apolipoprotein profiles in 29 subjects with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and intermittent claudication and in 39 control subjects. Furthermore, we compared the plasma apolipoprotein profiles of subjects with PAD either treated (n=17) or untreated (n=12) with statin medications. For the apolipoprotein subparticle analyses, subjects with PAD had higher age-adjusted Lp-B:C (P<0.05) and lower values of Lp-A-I:A-II (P<0.05) than controls. The PAD group taking statins had lower age-adjusted values for apoB (P<0.05), Lp-A-II:B:C:D:E (P<0.05), Lp-B:E + Lp-B:C:E (P<0.05), Lp-B:C (P<0.05), and Lp-A-I (P<0.05) than the untreated PAD group. Subjects with PAD have impaired apolipoprotein profiles than controls, characterized by Lp-B:C and Lp-A-I:A-II. Furthermore, subjects with PAD on statin medications have a more favorable risk profile, particularly noted in multiple apolipoprotein subparticles. The efficacy of statin therapy to improve cardiovascular risk appears more evident in the apolipoprotein sub-particle profile than in the more traditional lipid profile of subjects with PAD and claudication. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT00618670.
Immunotherapy Treatments of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Authors: Liu Bainan , Gu Wangang
Published: September 2013

Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (WAIHA) is one of four clinical types of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), with the characteristics of autoantibodies maximally active at body temperature. It produces a variable anemia—sometimes mild and sometimes severe. With respect to the absence or presence of an underlying condition, WAIHA is either idiopathic (primary) or secondary, which determines the treatment strategies in practice. Conventional treatments include immune suppression with corticosteroids and, in some cases, splenectomy. In recent years, the number of clinical studies with monoclonal antibodies and immunosuppressants in the treatment of WAIHA increased as the knowledge of autoimmunity mechanisms extended. This thread of developing new tools of treating WAIHA is well exemplified with the success in using anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, Rituximab. Following this success, other treatment methods based on the immune mechanisms of WAIHA have emerged. We reviewed these newly developed immunotherapy treatments here in order to provide the clinicians with more options in selecting the best therapy for patients with WAIHA, hoping to stimulate researchers to find more novel immunotherapy strategies.
H∞Control for Linear Positive Discrete-Time Systems
Authors: Zhang Youmei , Zhang Qingling , Tanaka Tamaki
Published: September 2013

This paper is concerned withH∞control for linear positive discrete-time systems. Positive systems are characterized by nonnegative restriction on systems’ variables. This restriction results in some remarkable results which are available only for linear positive systems. One of them is the celebrated diagonal positive definite matrix solutions to some existed well-known results for linear systems without nonnegative restriction. We provide an alternative proof for criterion ofH∞norm by using separating hyperplane theorem and Perron-Frobenius theorem for nonnegative matrices. We also considerH∞control problem for linear positive discrete-time systems via state feedback. Necessary and sufficient conditions for such problem are presented under controller gain with and without nonnegative restriction, and then the desired controller gains can be obtained from the feasible solutions.
A Case Report of Iatrogenic Pulmonary Artery Injury due to Chest-Tube Insertion Repaired under Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Authors: Gabriel Ciss Amadou , Adama Dieng Papa , Salmane Ba Papa , Magaye Gaye , Souleymane Diatta , Mohamed Leye , Lamine Fall , Birame Sene Etienne , Assane N’diaye , Oumar Diarra , Oumar Kane , Mouhamadou N’diaye
Published: September 2013

The authors presented a case of a 50-year-old patient with multiple trauma who suffered from the inadvertent cannulation of the main pulmonary artery at the second attempt of left chest drainage. Pulmonary artery injury has been suspected because early chest tube production was 2300 mL of blood. CT scan showed injury of the trunk of the pulmonary artery, left hemothorax, and suspect damage of the right branch of the pulmonary artery. That chest tube touched the posterior wall of ascending aorta. Surgical approach was median sternotomy. Exploration showed a perforation of the trunk of pulmonary artery without lesion of the right pulmonary branch and the posterior wall of the ascending aorta. The lesion was repaired under normothermic partial cardiopulmonary bypass. Postoperative period was free of events. Review of the literatures for this rare case report has been done.
Stability Analysis for Neutral Delay Markovian Jump Systems with Nonlinear Perturbations and Partially Unknown Transition Rates
Authors: Liu Xinghua , Xi Hongsheng
Published: September 2013

The problem of exponential stability for the uncertain neutral Markovian jump systems with interval time-varying delays and nonlinear perturbations is investigated in this paper. This study starts from the corresponding nominal systems with known and partially unknown transition rates, respectively. By constructing a novel augmented Lyapunov functional which contains triple-integral terms and fully utilizes the bound of the delay, the delay-range-dependent and rate-dependent exponential stability criteria are developed by the Lyapunov theory, reciprocally convex lemma, and free weighting matrices. Then, the results about nominal systems are extended to the uncertain case. Finally, numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
A Comparison of Ice Cold Water Pretreatment and α‐Bromonaphthalene Cytogenetic Method for Identification of Papaver Species
Authors: Rezaei Osalou Amir , Daneshvar Rouyandezagh Sheida , Alizadeh Behrouz , Er Celal , Sevimay Cafer Sirri
Published: September 2013

The plants belonging to many species in genus Papaver are very similar and have very small chromosomes that make identification very difficult. The study aimed to compare the effects of α‐bromonaphtalene and ice cold water pretreatment to identify chromosomes of Papaver species collected from different areas of Iranian West Azerbaijan and Turkish Van, Agri and, Hakkari provinces. The seeds were germinated in Jacobson trays at 24°C under continuous light. Thereafter, roots from 1.5 cm long plantlets were pretreated with α bromonaphtalene for 15, 30, and 45 min or at 0°C in ice cold water for 24 h before fixing, hydrolyzation, and feulgen staining. The ice cold water pretreatment was more appropriate and easy to determine chromosomes. Seeds from seven samples did not germinate. Sixty samples out of the rest of 62 samples were identified as P. pseudo orientale, one sample was identified as P. bracteatum, and another as P. orientale. This is the first study that used ice cold water to determine the chromosomes in papaver species. It is hoped that it will also facilitate to determine chromosome number and identify other papver species.
High Temperature Vacuum Annealing and Hydrogenation Modification of Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets
Authors: Li Xiaobing , Biswas Sanjib , Drzal Lawrence T.
Published: September 2013

Highly active defect sites on the edges of graphene automatically capture oxygen from air to form various oxygen groups. A two-step procedure to remove various oxygen functional groups from the defect sites of exfoliated graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) has been developed to reduce the atomic oxygen concentration from 9.5% to 4.8%. This two-step approach involves high temperature vacuum annealing followed by hydrogenation to protect the reduced edge carbon atoms from recombining with the atmospheric oxygen. The reduced GNPs exhibit decreased surface resistance and graphitic potential-dependent capacitance characteristics compared to the complex potential-dependent capacitance characteristics exhibited by the unreduced GNPs as a result of the removal of the oxygen functional groups present primarily at the edges. These reduced GNPs also exhibit high electrochemical cyclic stability for electrochemical energy storage applications.
Therapeutic Roles of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Metabolic Diseases: Curcumin and Resveratrol Analogues as Possible Inducers of Heme Oxygenase-1
Authors: Son Yong , Lee Ju Hwan , Chung Hun-Taeg , Pae Hyun-Ock
Published: September 2013

Metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and obesity, are associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammatory stress), oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Because the integration of these stresses is critical to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, agents and cellular molecules that can modulate these stress responses are emerging as potential targets for intervention and treatment of metabolic diseases. It has been recognized that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role in cellular protection. Because HO-1 can reduce inflammatory stress, oxidative stress, and ER stress, in part by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, HO-1 has been suggested to play important roles in pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. In the present review, we will explore our current understanding of the protective mechanisms of HO-1 in metabolic diseases and present some emerging therapeutic options for HO-1 expression in treating metabolic diseases, together with the therapeutic potential of curcumin and resveratrol analogues that have their ability to induce HO-1 expression.
Chronic Mild Hyperglycemia in GCK-MODY Patients Does Not Increase Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Authors: Pruhova Stepanka , Dusatkova Petra , Kraml Pavel J. , Kulich Michal , Prochazkova Zdena , Broz Jan , Zikmund Jaroslav , Cinek Ondrej , Andel Michal , Pedersen Oluf , Hansen Torben , Lebl Jan
Published: September 2013

Aim.GCK-MODY is an autosomal dominant form of diabetes caused by heterozygous mutations in the glucokinase gene leading to a lifelong mild hyperglycemia. The risk of macrovascular complications is considered low, but studies are limited. We, therefore, investigated the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as an indicator of macrovascular complications in a group of patients with GCK-MODY.Methods.Twenty-seven GCK mutation carriers and 24 controls recruited among their first-degree relatives were compared, all aging over 35 years. The CIMT was tested using a high-resolution B-mode carotid ultrasonography. Medical history, anthropometry, and biochemical blood workup were obtained.Results.The mean CIMT was 0.707 ± 0.215 mm (mean ± SD) in GCK mutation carriers and 0.690 ± 0.180 mm in control individuals. When adjusted for age, gender, and family status, the estimated mean difference in CIMT between the two groups increased to 0.049 mm (P=0.19). No difference was detected for other characteristics, with the exception of fasting blood glucose (GCK-MODY 7.6 mmol/L ± 1.2 (136.4 mg/dL); controls 5.3 mmol/L ± 0.3 (95.4 mg/dL);P<0.0001) and glycated hemoglobin HbA1c(GCK-MODY 6.9% ± 1.0%, 52 mmol/mol ± 10; controls 5.7% ± 0.4%, 39 mmol/mol ± 3;P<0.0001). The frequency of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke did not differ between groups.Conclusion.Our data indicate that the persistent hyperglycemia in GCK-MODY is associated with a low risk of developing diabetic macrovascular complications.
Determination of Total Germanium in Chinese Herbal Remedies by Square-Wave Catalytic Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry at an Improved Bismuth Film Electrode
Authors: Zhong Shangwei , Su Jiali , Chen Liang , Tong Jiefeng , Jia Wenfang , Li Xiangjun , Zou Hong
Published: September 2013

A catalytic adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetric method on an improved bismuth film electrode (BiFE) for the determination of trace germanium in the presence of pyrogallol has been investigated. A well-defined and sensitive stripping peak of Ge(IV)-pyrogallol complex was observed at −0.79 V (versus SCE) in a 0.1 M acetate buffer solution (pH 4.8) at a deposition potential of −0.34 V. The reduction current is catalytically enhanced by adding KBrO3. The experimental variables and potential interference were studied. Compared with the BiFE plated in the solution prepared based on HAc-NaAc without trisodium citrate, the improved BiFE electrodeposited in the solution of HAc-NaAc containing trisodium citrate displayed a better electroanalytical performance for the determination of germanium(IV). Under the optimized conditions, the detection limit of Ge(IV) was 60 ng L−1, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 3.73% at 5 μg L−1level (n=9). This method was successfully applied to determine the total germanium in several Chinese herbal remedies.
Application of Three Bioinspired Optimization Methods for the Design of a Nonlinear Mechanical System
Authors: Borges Romes Antonio , Lobato Fran Sérgio , Steffen Valder
Published: September 2013

The present work focuses on the optimal design of nonlinear mechanical systems by using heuristic optimization methods. In this context, the nonlinear optimization problem is devoted to a two-degree-of-freedom nonlinear damped system, constituted of a primary mass attached to the ground by a linear spring and a secondary mass attached to the primary system by a nonlinear spring. This arrangement forms a nonlinear dynamic vibration absorber (nDVA), which is used in this contribution as a representative example of a nonlinear mechanical system. The sensitivity analysis of the suppression bandwidth, namely, the frequency range over which the ratio of the main mass displacement amplitude to the amplitude of the forcing function is less than unity, with respect to the design variables that characterize the nonlinear system based on the first order finite differences is presented. For illustration purposes the optimization problem is written as to maximize the suppression bandwidth by using three recent bioinspired optimization methods: Bees Colony Algorithm, Firefly Colony Algorithm, and Fish Swarm Algorithm. The results are compared with other evolutionary strategies.
Immobilization of Simulated Borate Radioactive Waste Solution in Cement-Poly(methylmethacrylate) Composite: Mechanical and Chemical Characterizations
Authors: Saleh H. M. , Shatta H. A.
Published: September 2013

Solidified cured cement blocks containing different concentrations of the borate waste simulate were impregnated using methyl methacrylate monomer having 0.3% by weight benzoyl peroxide as initiator. Then, the polymerization process was completed by heating the impregnated blocks at ≈40°C. To define the suitability, range of applicability, and compatibility of the inert matrix used, relevant to the borate waste immobilized, the final radioactive borate waste forms are evaluated on the basis of their mechanical and chemical properties. Some factors that may affect the characterization of the obtained final waste form, for example, concentration of the incorporated borate waste solution simulate, aging of the solid waste form, before immersion, immersion in various leachants, and time of immersion, were followed systematically. It could be stated that cement-poly(methylmethacrylate) composite exhibited better mechanical and chemical characters compared to the cement as a unique matrix for immobilization of borate waste concentrates.
Developing and Testing the Effectiveness of a Novel Health Qigong for Frail Elders in Hong Kong: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Tsang Hector W. H. , Lee Janet L. C. , Au Doreen W. H. , Wong Karen K. W. , Lai K. W.
Published: September 2013

Eight-Section Brocades and Yijin Jing consist of some routine movements that are too difficult for frail elders. A novel health qigong protocol was developed and its effectiveness for frail elders was examined using a randomized clinical trial (RCT). An expert panel performed functional anatomy analysis and safety field test prior to the RCT. The experimental group (n=61,83±6 yr) was given a 12-week qigong exercise program, while the comparison group (n=55,84±6 yr) participated in a newspaper reading program with the same duration and frequency. Pre-, mid-, post-, and follow-up assessments were conducted. At 12 weeks, the qigong group had significant improvements in thinking operations (F=4.05,P=.02) and significant reduction of resting heart rate (F=3.14,P=.045) as compared to the newspaper reading group. A trend of improvements in grip strength and a decreasing trend of depression levels were observed among the qigong group. Significant perceived improvements in physical health (F=13.01,P=.001), activities of daily living (F=5.32,P=.03), and overall health status (F=15.26,P=.0001) were found. There are improvements in some aspects of psychosocial, cognitive, physical, and physiological domains. Clinical applications and possibilities for further research are discussed.
New Cancer Paradigm and New Treatment: The Example of METABLOC
Authors: Schwartz Laurent , Summa Mireille , Steyaert Jean Marc , Guais-Vergne Adeline , Baronzio Gian Franco
Published: September 2013

Hyperthermia has long been known to interfere with the tumor metabolism. The goal of this
paper is to review the potential of metabolic therapy and to suggest that its combination with
hyperthermia may be of interest.
Multilocular Unicystic Ameloblastoma of Mandible
Authors: Bajpai Manas , Agarwal Deshant , Bhalla Anindya , Kumar Malay , Garg Rakesh , Kumar Manish
Published: September 2013

Introduction. We report a rare case of unicystic ameloblastoma (UA) of mandible which showed multilocular radiolucency on the left side of mandible on radiographic examination which is very unusual, and the majority of the cases of UAs till date has been reported of unilocular radiolucency. On histopathological examination, an odontogenic cystic lining that proliferates that intraluminally resembling ameloblastomatous epithelium was observed, leading to a definitive diagnosis of unicystic ameloblastoma.Case Presentation. A 42-year-old male patient presented with a swelling on the left side of the mandible extending from 33 to 36. Radiographically, it showed a multilocular radiolucent lesion resembling odontogenic cyst; however, the final diagnosis was made on histopathological ground with the inclusion of radiological and clinical features.Conclusion. It can be concluded that at present, histopathologic examination is the most sensitive tool for differentiating between odontogenic cysts and UAs. However, both clinical and radiologic findings share equal contribution to the final diagnosis.
A Prediction-Correction Dynamic Method for Large-Scale Generalized Eigenvalue Problems
Authors: Luo Xin-long , Lin Jia-ru , Wu Wei-ling
Published: September 2013

This paper gives a new prediction-correction method based on the dynamical system of differential-algebraic equations for the smallest generalized eigenvalue problem. First, the smallest generalized eigenvalue problem is converted into an equivalent-constrained optimization problem. Second, according to the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker conditions of this special equality-constrained problem, a special continuous dynamical system of differential-algebraic equations is obtained. Third, based on the implicit Euler method and an analogous trust-region technique, a prediction-correction method is constructed to follow this system of differential-algebraic equations to compute its steady-state solution. Consequently, the smallest generalized eigenvalue of the original problem is obtained. The local superlinear convergence property for this new algorithm is also established. Finally, in comparison with other methods, some promising numerical experiments are presented.