bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms and Regulation of Renal Magnesium Transport
Authors: Houillier Pascal
Published: February 2014

Magnesium's most important role is in the release of chemical energy. Although most magnesium is stored outside of the extracellular fluid compartment, the regulated value is blood magnesium concentration. Cellular magnesium and bone magnesium do not play a major role in the defense of blood magnesium concentration; the major role is played by the kidney, where the renal tubule matches the urinary magnesium excretion and the net entry of magnesium into the extracellular fluid. In the kidney, magnesium is reabsorbed in the proximal tubule, the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, and the distal convoluted tubule. Magnesium absorption is mainly paracellular in the proximal tubule and in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, whereas it is transcellular in the distal convoluted tubule. Several hormones and extracellular magnesium itself alter the distal tubular handling of magnesium, but the hormone(s) regulating extracellular magnesium concentration remains unknown.
Approximation of Bivariate Functions via Smooth Extensions
Authors: Zhang Zhihua
Published: February 2014

For a smooth bivariate function defined on a general domain with arbitrary shape, it is difficult to do Fourier approximation or wavelet approximation. In order to solve these problems, in this paper, we give an extension of the bivariate function on a general domain with arbitrary shape to a smooth, periodic function in the whole space or to a smooth, compactly supported function in the whole space. These smooth extensions have simple and clear representations which are determined by this bivariate function and some polynomials. After that, we expand the smooth, periodic function into a Fourier series or a periodic wavelet series or we expand the smooth, compactly supported function into a wavelet series. Since our extensions are smooth, the obtained Fourier coefficients or wavelet coefficients decay very fast. Since our extension tools are polynomials, the moment theorem shows that a lot of wavelet coefficients vanish. From this, with the help of well-known approximation theorems, using our extension methods, the Fourier approximation and the wavelet approximation of the bivariate function on the general domain with small error are obtained.
Establishment and Evaluation of Stable Cell Lines Inhibiting Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus by RNA Interference
Authors: Gu Yuan-xing , Gao Zong-liang , Zhou Jian-hua , Zhang Jie , Liu Yong-sheng
Published: February 2014

RNA interference (RNAi) has been proved to be a powerful tool for foot-and-mouth disease virus FMDV inhibition in vitro and in vivo. We established five stable baby hamster kidney 21 cell lines (BHK-21) containing five short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) expression plasmids (p3D1shRNA, p3D2shRNA, p3D3shRNA, p3D4shRNA, and p3D5shRNA) targeting 3D gene of FMDV. Immunofluorescent assay, virus titration, and real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) were conducted to detect the effect of shRNAs on FMDV replication. After challenged with FMDV of O/CHA/99, two cell lines (p3D1shRNA and p3D4shRNA) showed a significant reduction in the synthesis of viral protein and RNA, accompanied by a sharp decrease in viral yield, and the inhibition could last for at least thirty passages. We developed an efficient procedure for the establishment and evaluation of stable cell lines for anti-FMDV research based on RNAi technology, which can be a candidate method for anti-FMDV research.
Sun-Tanning Perceptions of a New Zealand Urban Population (1994–2005/6)
Authors: Reeder A. I. , McLeod G. F. H. , Gray A. R. , McGee R.
Published: February 2014

Background. Sun-tanning perceptions are monitored to identify changes and help refine targeting of skin cancer prevention messages.Aim. To investigate associations between perceptions of sun-tanning and demographic factors among a New Zealand urban population, 1994–2006.Methods. A telephone survey series was conducted during summer in 1994, 1997, 1999/2000, 2002/2003, and 2005/2006. Demographic and personal information (sex, age group, skin sun-sensitivity, and self-defined ethnicity) obtained from 6,195 respondents, 50.2% female, 15–69 years, was investigated in relation to six sun-tanning related statements. A total “positive perceptions of tanning” (ProTan) score was also calculated. Regression analyses modelled each component and the ProTan score against survey year and respondent characteristics.Results. Statistically significantly higher ProTan scores were found for age group (strong reverse dose-response effect), male sex, residence (highest in Auckland), ethnicity (highest among Europeans), and sun sensitivity (ann-shaped association). There was no statistically significant change in total ProTan scores from baseline.Conclusions. The development, pretesting, and evaluation of messages for those groups most likely to endorse ProTan statements should be considered for the New Zealand skin cancer prevention program. To achieve and embed significant change, mass media campaigns may require greater intensity and reinforcement with sustained contextual support for settings-based behavioural change.
In VivoAnalysis of Trapeziometacarpal Joint Kinematics during Pinch Tasks
Authors: Kuo Li-Chieh , Lin Chien-Ju , Chen Guan-Po , Jou I-Ming , Wang Chien-Kuo , Goryacheva Irina G. , Dosaev Marat Z. , Su Fong-Chin
Published: February 2014

This study investigated how the posture of the thumb while performing common pinch movements and the levels of pinch force applied by the thumb affect the arthrokinematics of the trapeziometacarpal jointin vivo. Fifteen subjects performed the pinch tasks at the distal phalange (DP), proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, and metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint of the index finger with 0%, 50%, and 80% of maximal pinch forces by a single-axis load cell. 3D images of the thumb were obtained using the computed tomography. The results show that the reference points moved from the central region to the dorsal-radial region when changing from pinching the DP to the MP joint without pinching force being applied. Pinching with 80% of the maximum pinching force resulted in reference points being the closest to the volar-ulnar direction. Significant differences were seen between 0% and 50% of maximum pinch force, as well as between 0% and 80%, when pinching the MP joint in the distal-proximal direction. The effects of posture of the thumb and applied pinch force on the arthrokinematics of the joint were investigated with a 3D model of the trapeziometacarpal joint. Pinching with more than 50% of maximum pinch force might subject this joint to extreme displacement.
Direct-Write Ion Beam Lithography
Authors: Joshi-Imre Alexandra , Bauerdick Sven
Published: February 2014

Patterning with a focused ion beam (FIB) is an extremely versatile fabrication process that can be used to create microscale and nanoscale designs on the surface of practically any solid sample material. Based on the type of ion-sample interaction utilized, FIB-based manufacturing can be both subtractive and additive, even in the same processing step. Indeed, the capability of easily creating three-dimensional patterns and shaping objects by milling and deposition is probably the most recognized feature of ion beam lithography (IBL) and micromachining. However, there exist several other techniques, such as ion implantation- and ion damage-based patterning and surface functionalization types of processes that have emerged as valuable additions to the nanofabrication toolkit and that are less widely known. While fabrication throughput, in general, is arguably low due to the serial nature of the direct-writing process, speed is not necessarily a problem in these IBL applications that work with small ion doses. Here we provide a comprehensive review of ion beam lithography in general and a practical guide to the individual IBL techniques developed to date. Special attention is given to applications in nanofabrication.
Effects of Selenium‐Enriched Protein from Ganoderma lucidum on the Levels of IL‐1β and TNF‐α, Oxidative Stress, and NF‐κB Activation in Ovalbumin‐Induced Asthmatic Mice
Authors: Min-chang Guan , Wei-hong Tang , Zhen Xu , Jie Sun
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect and toxicity of organic selenium (Pro‐Se) with inorganic selenium (IOSe) in preventing asthma in ovalbumin‐induced asthmatic mice. After the mice were treated orally with Pro‐Se and IOSe, respectively, the plasma Se levels, Se accumulation in liver and kidney, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β), oxidative stress, and NF‐κB activation in lung were examined. The results showed that the serumal Se levels in the mice fed the Pro‐Se were significant (P < 0.01) elevations. It results in restoration of the level of endogenous antioxidant enzyme, lower levels of TNF‐α and IL‐1β, and activated NF‐κB in the asthmatic mice. Our experiments have demonstrated profound differences between the activities of organic selenium and inorganic selenium in experimental conditions. These data provide an important proof of the concept that organic selenium might be a new potential therapy for the management of childhood asthma in humans.
Partial Differential Equations of an Epidemic Model with Spatial Diffusion
Authors: Lotfi El Mehdi , Maziane Mehdi , Hattaf Khalid , Yousfi Noura
Published: February 2014

The aim of this paper is to study the dynamics of a reaction-diffusion SIR epidemic model with specific nonlinear incidence rate. The global existence, positivity, and boundedness of solutions for a reaction-diffusion system with homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions are proved. The local stability of the disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium is obtained via characteristic equations. By means of Lyapunov functional, the global stability of both equilibria is investigated. More precisely, our results show that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the basic reproduction number is less than or equal to unity, which leads to the eradication of disease from population. When the basic reproduction number is greater than unity, then disease-free equilibrium becomes unstable and the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable; in this case the disease persists in the population. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate our theoretical results.
Fiber Optic Projection-Imaging System for Shape Measurement in Confined Space
Authors: Chen Lujie , Bavigadda Viswanath , Kofidis Theodoros , Howe Robert D.
Published: February 2014

A fiber-based projection-imaging system is proposed for shape measurement in confined space. Owing to the flexibility of imaging fibers, the system can be used in special scenarios that are difficult for conventional experimental setups. Three experiments: open space, closed space, and underwater are designed to demonstrate the strength and weakness of the system. It is shown that when proper alignment is possible, relatively high accuracy can be achieved; the error is less than 2% of the overall height of a specimen. In situations where alignment is difficult, significantly increased error is observed. The error is in the form of gross-scale geometrical distortion; for example, flat surface is reconstructed with curvature. In addition, the imaging fibers may introduce fine-scale noise into phase measurement, which has to be suppressed by smoothing filters. Based on results and analysis, it is found that although a fiber-based system has its unique strength, existing calibration and processing methods for fringe patterns have to be modified to overcome its drawbacks so as to accommodate wider applications.
Systematic Review on Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatment of Type II Odontoid Fractures in the Elderly
Authors: Robinson Yohan , Robinson Anna-Lena , Olerud Claes
Published: February 2014

Odontoid fractures type II according to Anderson and d’Alonzo are not uncommon in the elderly patients. Still, due to the paucity of evidence the published treatment guidelines are far from equivocal. This systematic review focuses on the published results of type II odontoid fracture treatment in the elderly with regard to survival, nonunion, and complications. After a systematic literature research 38 publications were included. A cumulative analysis of 1284 published cases found greater survival if elderly patients with odontoid fractures type II received surgical treatment (RR = 0.64). With regard to nonunion in 669 published cases primary posterior fusion had the best fusion results. The systematic literature review came to the following conclusions. (1) Surgical stabilisation of odontoid fractures type II improves survival in patients between 65 and 85 years of age compared to nonsurgical treatment. (2) Posterior atlantoaxial fusion for odontoid fractures type II in the elderly has the greatest bony union rate. (3) Odontoid nonunion is not associated with worse clinical or functional results in the elderly. (4) The complication rate of nonsurgical treatment is similar to the complication rate of surgical treatment of odontoid fractures type II in the elderly.
Mandibular Canine Dimorphism in Establishing Sex Identity in the Lebanese Population
Authors: Ayoub Fouad , Shamseddine Loubna , Rifai Mohamad , Cassia Antoine , Diab Randa , Zaarour Ibrahim , Saadeh Maria , Rouhana Georges
Published: February 2014

Background and Objective.In forensic investigations, mandibular canines provide excellent materials to identify gender since they are more likely to survive disasters. The objective of this study was to investigate gender dimorphism by comparing the mesiodistal width of mandibular permanent canines and intercanine distance in a group of Lebanese population.Methods.Participants consisted of undergraduate students from the School of Dentistry, Lebanese University, for two academic years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Canine widths and intercanine distance were measured by one operator directly on dental casts using a digital caliper.Results.One hundred thirty-three Lebanese dental students (54 males and 69 females) aged 18–25 were included in the study. The intercanine distance was significantly greater in males (Pvalue < 0.0001). The right and the left canine widths were significantly greater in males than in females (Pvalue < 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found between left and right canines for males (Pvalue > 0.05) and females (Pvalue > 0.05). The mean width of canine was greater than 7.188 mm for males.Conclusion.The parameters measured in the present study are of great help in sex identification in forensic investigations in the Lebanese adult population.
Detect AD Patients by Using EEG Coherence Analysis
Authors: Ho Ming-Chung , Chen Tsung-Ching , Huang Chin-Fei , Yu Cheng-Hsieh , Chen Jhih-Ming , Huang Ray-Ying , Ho Hsing-Chung , Liu Chia-Ju
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this study is to discriminate mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients from the normal aging. The EEG coherence was applied to analyze the data from auditory oddball paradigm to discriminate the differences of corticocortical connections between mild AD patients and healthy subjects. The results showed that the lower values of coherence were performed in mild AD patients than in the normal aging subjects, especially in theta band. The implications and suggestions are shown in this study.
Zagreb Eccentricity Indices of the Generalized Hierarchical Product Graphs and Their Applications
Authors: Luo Zhaoyang , Wu Jianliang
Published: February 2014

LetGbe a connected graph. The first and second Zagreb eccentricity indices ofGare defined asM1*(G)=∑v∈V(G)‍εG2(v)andM2*(G)=∑uv∈E(G)‍εG(u)εG(v), whereεG(v)is the eccentricity of the vertexvinGandεG2(v)=(εG(v))2. Suppose thatG(U)⊓H(∅≠U⊆V(G))is the generalized hierarchical product of two connected graphsGandH. In this paper, the Zagreb eccentricity indicesM1*andM2*ofG(U)⊓Hare computed. Moreover, we present explicit formulas for theM1*andM2*ofS-sum graph, Cartesian, cluster, and corona product graphs by means of some invariants of the factors.
Nondestructive Discrimination of Lead (Pb) in Preserved Eggs (Pidan) by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics
Authors: Xu Lu , Yan Si-Min , Cai Chen-Bo , Yu Xiao-Ping
Published: February 2014

A major safety concern with pidan (preserved eggs) has been the usage of lead (II) oxide (PbO) during its processing. This paper develops a rapid and nondestructive method for discrimination of lead (Pb) in preserved eggs with different processing methods by near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and chemometrics. Ten batches of 331 unleaded eggs and six batches of 147 eggs processed with usage of PbO were collected and analyzed by NIR spectroscopy. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was used as a reference method for Pb identification. The Pb contents of leaded eggs ranged from 1.2 to 12.8 ppm. Linear partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) and nonlinear least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM) were used to classify samples based on NIR spectra. Different preprocessing methods were studied to improve the classification performance. With second-order derivative spectra, PLSDA and LS-SVM obtained accurate and reliable classification of leaded and unleaded preserved eggs. The sensitivity and specificity of PLSDA were 0.975 and 1.000, respectively. Because the strictest safety standard of Pb content in traditional pidan is 2 ppm, the proposed method shows the feasibility for rapid and nondestructive discrimination of Pb in Chinese preserved eggs.
A Survey of Recent Results for the Generalizations of Ordinary Differential Equations
Authors: Biles Daniel C. , Federson Márcia , Pouso Rodrigo López
Published: February 2014

This is a review paper on recent results for different types of generalized ordinary differential equations. Its scope ranges from discontinuous equations to equations on time scales. We also discuss their relation with inclusion and highlight the use of generalized integration to unify many of them under one single formulation.
Generalized Uniqueness Theorem for Ordinary Differential Equations in Banach Spaces
Authors: Hassan Ezzat R. , Alhuthali M. Sh. , Al-Ghanmi M. M.
Published: February 2014

We consider nonlinear ordinary differential equations in Banach spaces. Uniqueness criterion for the Cauchy problem is given when any of the standard dissipative-type conditions does apply. A similar scalar result has been studied by Majorana (1991). Useful examples of reflexive Banach spaces whose positive cones have empty interior has been given as well.
Blood Politics, Ethnic Identity, and Racial Misclassification among American Indians and Alaska Natives
Authors: Haozous Emily A. , Strickland Carolyn J. , Palacios Janelle F. , Solomon Teshia G. Arambula
Published: February 2014

Misclassification of race in medical and mortality records has long been documented as an issue in American Indian/Alaska Native data. Yet, little has been shared in a cohesive narrative which outlines why misclassification of American Indian/Alaska Native identity occurs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a summary of the current state of the science in racial misclassification among American Indians and Alaska Natives. We also provide a historical context on the importance of this problem and describe the ongoing political processes that both affect racial misclassification and contribute to the context of American Indian and Alaska Native identity.
A Parameter Property of Classical Solutions of Cauchy Problems
Authors: He Min
Published: February 2014

This work is concerned with the abstract Cauchy problems that depend on parameters. The goal is to study continuity in the parameters of the classical solutions of the Cauchy problems. The situation considered in this work is when the operator of the Cauchy problem is not densely defined. By applying integrated semigroup theory and the results on continuity in the parameters ofC0-semigroup and integrated semigroup, we obtain the results on the existence and continuity in parameters of the classical solutions of the Cauchy problems. The application of the obtained abstract results in a parabolic partial differential equation is discussed in the last section of the paper.
Five-Month Observation of Persistent Diabetic Macular Edema after Intravitreal Injection of Ozurdex Implant
Authors: Zalewski Dominik , Raczyńska Dorota , Raczyńska Krystyna
Published: February 2014

Aims. This retrospective analysis was aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of treatment of persistent diabetic macular edema with intravitreal injections of 0.7 mg dexamethasone implant Ozurdex. The study comprised three male patients (6 eyes).Results. The average thickness of the retina at baseline was 632 μm, the medial BCVA was 0.8 logMAR, and corrected intraocular pressure was 13.7 mmHg. The maximum decrease in mean retinal thickness was observed at four weeks following the treatment and was 365 μm (−267 μm) and visual acuity improved by an average of two lines and was 0.6 logMAR. The largest increase in mean retinal thickness to average of 528 μm (+164 μm) occurred at 16 weeks and the average BCVA was 0.614 lines BCVA logMAR. In one eye, there was a steroid cataract development after the third dose of dexamethasone implant of 0.7 mg.Conclusions. The intravitreal dexamethasone implant treatment of patients with persistent diabetic macular edema in whom laser photocoagulation proved to be ineffective and as a result they required a monthly injection of anti-VEGF factors (Ranibizumab, Bevacizumab) may be a good alternative to extending the interval of injections. However, reinjections involve a high risk of developing poststeroid cataracts, which is not without significance in middle-aged patients.
Total Internal Reflection-Based High Efficiency Grating Design for a Metal-Free Polarizing Filter Applications Using Hybrid Optimization Procedure
Authors: Lee ChaBum
Published: February 2014

This paper presents a fast and rigorous design method for grating-based metal-free polarizing filter applications using two-step hybrid optimization techniques. Grating structures utilizing the total internal reflection in a lamellar configuration were used to achieve metal-free solution, which is a key technology in the chirped pulse amplification for high power laser system. Here two polarizing filters were designed: polarization sensitive and polarization insensitive. Those polarization performances were characterized by the rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA), and the design parameters of grating structures, pitch, depth, and filling factor were optimized by two-step hybrid optimization procedure because the diffraction characteristics of grating-based polarizing filters are highly sensitive to small changes in design parameters. The Taguchi method is incorporated into selection process in the genetic algorithm, which indicates that the Taguchi method optimizes the design parameters in a coarse manner, and then, coarsely optimized parameters are finely optimized using the genetic algorithm. Therefore the proposed method could solve global numerical optimization problems with continuous variables. The proposed two-step hybrid optimization algorithm could effectively optimize the grating structures for the purpose of polarization filter applications, and the optimized grating structures could selectively filter the incident light up to 99.8% as to TE or TM waves.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndromes for Essential Hypertension: A Literature Analysis of 13,272 Patients
Authors: Wang Jie , Xiong Xingjiang , Liu Wei
Published: February 2014

Background. To simplify traditional Chinese medicine syndrome differentiation and allow researchers to master syndrome differentiation for hypertension, this paper retrospectively studied the literature and analyzed syndrome elements corresponding to hypertension syndromes. Methods. Six databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Bio‐Medical Literature Database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, and Wan‐fang Data were searched from 1/January/2003 to 30/October/2013. We included all clinical literature testing hypertension syndromes and retrospectively studied the hypertension literature published from 2003 to 2013. Descriptive statistics calculated frequencies and percentages. Results. 13,272 patients with essential hypertension were included. Clinical features of hypertension could be attributed to 11 kinds of syndrome factors. Among them, seven syndrome factors were excess, while four syndrome factors were deficient. Syndrome targets were mainly in the liver and related to the kidney and spleen. There were 33 combination syndromes. Frequency of single‐factor syndromes was 31.77% and frequency of two‐factor syndromes was 62.26%. Conclusions. Excess syndrome factors of hypertension patients include yang hyperactivity, blood stasis, phlegm turbidity, internal dampness, and internal fire. Deficient syndrome factors of hypertension patients are yin deficiency and yang deficiency. Yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, phlegm‐dampness retention, and deficiency of both yin and yang were the three most common syndromes in clinical combination.
The Burden of Blood-Pressure-Related Cardiovascular Mortality in Mexico
Authors: Cortés-Hernández Dora E. , Lundelin Krista J. , Picazzo-Palencia Esteban , de la Cruz Juan J. , Sánchez José J. , Banegas José R.
Published: February 2014

This study shows that in Mexico, a country at an advanced stage in the epidemiologic transition, with the national burden of disease dominated by noncommunicable diseases, elevated blood pressure is a major clinical and public health problem. 31.7% of the Mexican individuals aged 50 and over had systolic hypertension, and 47.3% were at systolic prehypertensive levels. Also, approximately half of all cardiovascular deaths that occurred annually in the population of Mexico aged ≥50 years are attributable to above optimal levels of systolic blood pressure. We think these estimates may help order health priorities in Mexico (and other middle-income countries) at a time when the costs of medical care take a considerable share of the gross national product in most countries.
The Optimal Licensing Contract in a Differentiated Stackelberg Model
Authors: Hong Xianpei , Yang Lijun , Zhang Huaige , Zhao Dan
Published: February 2014

This paper extends the work of Wang (2002) by considering a differentiated Stackelberg model, when the leader firm is an inside innovator and licenses its new technology by three options, that is, fixed-fee licensing, royalty licensing, and two-part tariff licensing. The main contributions and conclusions of this paper are threefold. First of all, this paper derives a very different result from Wang (2002). We show that, with a nondrastic innovation, royalty licensing is always better than fixed-fee licensing for the innovator; with a drastic innovation, royalty licensing is superior to fixed-fee licensing for small values of substitution coefficientd; however whendbecomes closer to 1, neither fee nor royalty licensing will occur. Secondly, this paper shows that the innovator is always better off in case of two-part tariff licensing than fixed-fee licensing no matter what the innovation size is. Thirdly, the innovator always prefers to license its nondrastic innovation by means of a two-part tariff instead of licensing by means of a royalty; however, with a drastic innovation, the optimal licensing strategy can be either a two-part tariff or a royalty, depending upon the differentiation of the goods.
Numerical Analysis of Supersonic Film Cooling in Supersonic Flow in Hypersonic Inlet with Isolator
Authors: Zhang Silong , Qin Jiang , Bao Wen , Zhang Long
Published: February 2014

Supersonic film cooling is an efficient method to cool the engine with extremely high heat load. In order to study supersonic film cooling in a real advanced engine, a two-dimensional model of the hypersonic inlet in a scramjet engine with supersonic film cooling in the isolator is built and validated through experimental data. The simulation results show that the cooling effect under different coolant injection angles does not show clear differences; a small injection angle can ensure both the cooling effect and good aerodynamic performances (e.g., flow coefficient) of the hypersonic inlet. Under selected coolant injection angle and inlet Mach number, the cooling efficiency increases along with the injection Mach number of the coolant flow, only causing a little total pressure loss in the isolator. Along with the increase of the inlet Mach number of the hypersonic inlet, the cooling efficiency does not present a monotonic change because of the complex shock waves. However, the wall temperature shows a monotonic increase when the inlet Mach number increases. The mass flow rate of coolant flow should be increased to cool the engine more efficiently according to the mass flow rate of the main stream when the inlet Mach number increases.
Sexual Well-Being in Adult Male Patients with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Authors: Dudzińska Bogna , Leubner Jonas , Ventz Manfred , Quinkler Marcus
Published: February 2014

Introduction.Men with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency show impaired fecundity due to testicular adrenal rest tumors and/or suppression of the gonadal axis. Sexual well-being might be an additional factor; however, no data exists.Patients and Methods.Prospective longitudinal monocentric study included 20 male CAH patients (14 salt wasting, 6 simple virilizing; age 18–49 yr). Clinical assessment, testicular ultrasound, biochemical and hormonal parameters, three validated self-assessment questionnaires (SF-36, GBB-24, and HADS), and male Brief Sexual Function Inventory (BSFI) were analyzed at baseline and after two years.Results.Basal LH and testosterone levels suggested normal testicular function. LH and FSH responses to GnRH were more pronounced in patients with a good therapy control according to androstenedione/testosterone ratio < 0.2. This group had significant higher percentage of patients on dexamethasone medication. GBB-24, HADS, and SF-36 showed impairedz-scores and no changes at follow-up. BSFI revealed impairments in dimensions “sexual drive,” “erections,” and “ejaculations,” whereas “problem assessment” and “overall satisfaction” revealed normalz-scores. Androstenedione levels correlated (P=0.036) inversely withz-scores for “sexual drive” with higher levels associated with impaired “sexual drive.”Conclusion.Male CAH patients showed a partly impaired sexual well-being which might be an additional factor for reduced fecundity.
Actuator Fault Diagnosis in a Boeing 747 Model via Adaptive Modified Two-Stage Kalman Filter
Authors: Caliskan Fikret , Zhang Youmin , Wu N. Eva , Shin Jong-Yeob
Published: February 2014

An adaptive modified two-stage linear Kalman filtering algorithm is utilized to identify the loss of control effectiveness and the magnitude of low degree of stuck faults in a closed-loop nonlinear B747 aircraft. Control effectiveness factors and stuck magnitudes are used to quantify faults entering control systems through actuators. Pseudorandom excitation inputs are used to help distinguish partial loss and stuck faults. The partial loss and stuck faults in the stabilizer are isolated and identified successfully.
Three-Year Successful Cinacalcet Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in a Patient with X-Linked Dominant Hypophosphatemic Rickets: A Case Report
Authors: Grove-Laugesen Diana , Rejnmark Lars
Published: February 2014

Hypophosphatemic rickets (HR) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by a classic rickets phenotype with low plasma phosphate levels and resistance to treatment with vitamin D. Development of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) as a direct consequence of treatment is a frequent complication and a major clinical challenge, as this may increase risk of further comorbidity. Cinacalcet, a calcimimetic agent that reduces the secretion of PTH from the parathyroid glands, has been suggested as adjuvant treatment to SHPT in patients with HR. However, only two papers have previously been published and no data are available on effects of treatment for more than six months. We now report a case of 3-year treatment with cinacalcet in a patient with HR complicated by SHPT. A 53-year-old woman with genetically confirmed X-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets developed SHPT after 25 years of conventional treatment with alfacalcidol and phosphate supplements. Cinacalcet was added to her treatment, causing a sustained normalization of PTH. Ionized calcium decreased, requiring reduction of cinacalcet, though asymptomatical. Level of phosphate was unchanged, but alkaline phosphatase increased in response to treatment. Cinacalcet appeared to be efficient, safe, and well tolerated. We recommend close control of plasma calcium to avoid hypocalcemia.
Light and Darkness: Prevalence of Hepatitis E Virus Infection among the General Population
Authors: Echevarría José-Manuel
Published: February 2014

Human hepatitis E virus (HHEV) spreads early in life among the population in areas endemic for genotype 1 and infects mainly adults in areas endemic for genotype 3, where it would be responsible for about 10% of cases of suspected acute viral hepatitis of unknown etiology and for a number of subclinical, unrecognized infections. The overall prevalence of antibody to HHEV is high in most of the former areas and low in most of the later ones, but wide regional differences have been recorded in both cases. “Hot spots” of HHEV infection would exist for both types of strains in particular regions or among particular populations of the world. Studies on pork derivatives, shellfish bivalves, and vegetables for HHEV contamination at the sale point need to be extended for evaluating the impact of the agent on food safety, and the meaning of the finding of HHEV genotype 1 genomes in urban sewage from developed countries should be established through active surveillance. Consensus about technical issues in regard to anti-HEV testing would improve the knowledge of the HHEV epidemiology. Studies in particular regions and populations, and introduction of molecular diagnosis in the clinical setting as a routine tool, would also be required.
Electronic Structure of Ferrocene-Substituted Cavitands: A QTAIM and NBO Study
Authors: Kégl Tímea R. , Kollár László , Kégl Tamás
Published: February 2014

Ferrocene-substituted tetrakis(methyl)resorcin[4]arenes have been investigated by means of DFT calculations employing the gradient-corrected PBEPBE functional. In comparison with ferrocene and simple ansa-ferrocenes containing 2–4 bridging methylene groups, it was found that the tilt angle of the functionalized cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings strongly influences the electron density distribution of the ferrocenyl moieties. According to NBO analyses, the iron atoms in the cavitands are more positive in comparison to those in ferrocene, whereas they are less positive in ansa-ferrocenes. The partial charges of carbon atoms belonging to Cp rings show some correlation with the tilt angle.
Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Ghrelin and Obestatin Levels in Obesity or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Rat Model
Authors: Zhou Donglei , Jiang Xun , Ding Weixing , Zhang Dingyu , Yang Lei , Zhen Chengzhu , Lu Liesheng
Published: February 2014

We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy on weight control by different bariatric surgeries and investigate the ghrelin and obestatin changes after these surgeries in obesity and nonobese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. Obese rats were randomly assigned to receive sleeve gastrectomy (SG,n=8), minigastric bypass (MGBP,n=8), roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP,n=8), and sham operation (SO,n=4). Another 4 rats served as control. Besides, Goto-Kakisaki (GK) rats were also randomly divided into similar groups except for total gastrectomy (TG,n=8) group. The results showed that in obese rats, weigh loss in RYGBP group was similar to that in MGBP group but larger than that in SG group. Ghrelin significantly increased in RYGB group, but obestatin increased in MGBP group. Ghrelin/obestatin ratio significantly decreased in SG group. In GK rats, weight loss was most obvious in TG group. Postoperatively, ghrelin was significantly increased in MGBP and RYGB groups but decreased in TG group. Obestatin also showed an increase in MGBP and RYGB groups. Ghrelin/obestatin in TG group decreased significantly. In conclusion, RYGB and MGBP may be more suitable for obese rats, but TG may be the best strategy for T2DM rats to control weight with different mechanisms.
Superconvergence for General Convex Optimal Control Problems Governed by Semilinear Parabolic Equations
Authors: Dai Yongquan , Chen Yanping
Published: February 2014

We will investigate the superconvergence for the semidiscrete finite element approximation of distributed convex optimal control problems governed by semilinear parabolic equations. The state and costate are approximated by the piecewise linear functions and the control is approximated by piecewise constant functions. We present the superconvergence analysis for both the control variable and the state variables.
Recurrent Wernicke s Encephalopathy in a 16-Year-Old Girl with Atypical Clinical and Radiological Features
Authors: Lamdhade S. , Almulla A. , Alroughani R.
Published: February 2014

Background. Wernicke’s Encephalopathy (WE) is a clinical diagnosis with serious neurological consequences. Its occurrence is underestimated in nonalcoholics and is uncommon in adolescents. We aim to draw the attention to a rare case, which had additional clinical and radiological features.Case. A 16-year-old girl presented with three-week history of vomiting secondary to intestinal obstruction. She developed diplopia soon after hospitalization. Neurological evaluation revealed restriction of bilateral lateral recti with horizontal nystagmus, and bilateral limb dysmetria. Brain MRI was normal. She had prompt improvement to thiamine. Four months later, she presented with headache, bilateral severe deafness, and tinnitus. Clinically, she had severe sensorineural hearing loss, bilateral lateral recti paresis, and gait ataxia. CT head showed bilateral caudate nucleus hypodensities. MRI brain revealed gadolinium enhancement of mamillary bodies and vermis. She had significant improvement after IV thiamine. Headache completely resolved while the ocular movements, hearing, and tinnitus improved partially in 72 hours.Conclusions. Recurrent WE in adolescence is uncommon. Headache, tinnitus, and deafness are rare clinical features. Although MRI study shows typical features of WE, the presence of bilateral caudate nuclei hypodensities on CT scan is uncommon. Prompt treatment with thiamine is warranted in suspected cases to prevent permanent neurological sequelae.
Capillary Dilation and Rarefaction Are Correlated with Intracapillary Inflammation in Antibody-Mediated Rejection
Authors: Li Xue , Sun Qiquan , Zhang Mingchao , Xie Kenan , Chen Jinsong , Liu Zhihong
Published: February 2014

Antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) remains one of the major causes of graft loss after renal transplantation. It is dominated by endothelial damage in microcirculation. Clarifying the mechanism of microcirculating damage is obviously a key step to understand the pathogenesis of ABMR. Here we characterized capillary variation in ABMR and its possible mechanisms. Compared with T cell-mediated rejection and stable grafts, there was a significant dilation and rarefaction in peritubular capillaries (PTCs) of the ABMR group; Image-Pro Plus revealed a significantly larger intra-PTC area. Interestingly, the dilation of PTCs was strongly correlated with the intra-PTC cell counting. Moreover, peritubular capillary inflammation is correlated within situT-bet expression, and there was a good correlation between the intra-PTC expression of T-bet and the PTC diameter. HIF-1αup-regulation could be observed in ABMR but it was not necessary for capillary dilation. In general, ABMR is characterized with early capillary dilation and rarefaction; our data confirmed that the dilation is strongly correlated with intracapillary inflammation, which in turn is correlated within situT-bet expression. T-bet plays an important role in the development of microcirculating injury, and thus it is a potential target for the treatment of ABMR.
Simultaneous Determination and Pharmacokinetic Comparisons of Multi-Ingredients after Oral Administration ofRadix Salviae MiltiorrhizaeExtract, Hawthorn Extract, and a Combination of Both Extracts to Rats
Authors: Liu Yu-Qiang , Cai Qian , Liu Chang , Bao Feng-Wei , Zhang Zhen-Qiu
Published: February 2014

A simple and sensitive HPLC method was developed for simultaneous determination of danshensu (DSS), rosmarinic acid (RA), lithospermic acid (LA), salvianolic acid B (SAB), and hyperoside (HP) in rat plasma. This method validated was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of the main active ingredients after oral administration ofRadix Salviae Miltiorrhizaeextract (SME), hawthorn extract (HTE), and a combination of both extracts (2.5 : 1) to rats. The results indicated that there have been great differences in pharmacokinetics between a single extract and a combination of both extracts. A combination of both extracts can enhance their bioavailabilities and delay the elimination of SAB and DSS in rats.
The c-MYC Protooncogene Expression in Cholesteatoma
Authors: Palkó Enikő , Póliska Szilárd , Csákányi Zsuzsanna , Katona Gábor , Karosi Tamás , Helfferich Frigyes , Penyige András , Sziklai István
Published: February 2014

Cholesteatoma is an epidermoid cyst, which is most frequently found in the middle ear. The matrix of cholesteatoma is histologically similar to the matrix of the epidermoid cyst of the skin (atheroma); their epithelium is characterized by hyperproliferation. The c-MYC protooncogene located on chromosome 8q24 encodes a transcription factor involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies have found aneuploidy of chromosome 8, copy number variation of c-MYC gene, and the presence of elevated level c-MYC protein in cholesteatoma. In this study we have compared the expression of c-MYC gene in samples taken from the matrix of 26 acquired cholesteatomas (15 children and 11 adults), 15 epidermoid cysts of the skin (atheromas; head and neck region) and 5 normal skin samples (retroauricular region) using RT-qPCR, providing the first precise measurement of the expression of c-MYC gene in cholesteatoma. We have found significantly elevated c-MYC gene expression in cholesteatoma compared to atheroma and to normal skin samples. There was no significant difference, however, in c-MYC gene expression between cholesteatoma samples of children and adults. The significant difference in c-MYC gene expression level in cholesteatoma compared to that of atheroma implies a more prominent hyperproliferative phenotype which may explain the clinical behavior typical of cholesteatoma.
Cluster Analysis Based on Bipartite Network
Authors: Zhang Dawei , Xie Fuding , Wang Dapeng , Zhang Yong , Sun Yan
Published: February 2014

Clustering data has a wide range of applications and has attracted considerable attention in data mining and artificial intelligence. However it is difficult to find a set of clusters that best fits natural partitions without any class information. In this paper, a method for detecting the optimal cluster number is proposed. The optimal cluster number can be obtained by the proposal, while partitioning the data into clusters by FCM (Fuzzy c‐means) algorithm. It overcomes the drawback of FCM algorithm which needs to define the cluster number c in advance. The method works by converting the fuzzy cluster result into a weighted bipartite network and then the optimal cluster number can be detected by the improved bipartite modularity. The experimental results on artificial and real data sets show the validity of the proposed method.
Uptake of Etoposide in CT-26 Cells of Colorectal Cancer Using Folate Targeted Dextran Stearate Polymeric Micelles
Authors: Varshosaz Jaleh , Hassanzadeh Farshid , Sadeghi-Aliabadi Hojjat , Firozian Farzin
Published: February 2014

Targeted drug delivery using folate receptors is one of the most interesting chemotherapeutic research areas over the past few years. A novel folate targeted copolymer was synthesized using dextran stearate coupled to folic acid. FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy were used to confirm successful conjugation. Micelles prepared using this copolymer were characterized for their particle size, zeta potential, critical micelle concentration (CMC), drug loading capacity, and release efficiency. Cytotoxicity and cellular uptake of the micelles were estimated using CT-26 colorectal carcinoma cell line. FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy confirmed production of folate grafted dextran stearate copolymer. Low CMC value indicates that the copolymers are suitable for preparation of stable micelles useful in parenteral dosage forms. Particle size and zeta potential of the targeted nanoparticles were105.5±2.0 nm and −21.2 mV, respectively. IC50of etoposide loaded in folate grafted dextran stearate enhanced about 20-fold compared to the pure drug (0.49±0.11 μg/mL versus9.41±0.52 μg/mL). It seems that etoposide loaded in micelles of folate grafted dextran stearate copolymer is promising in reducing drug resistance of colorectal cancer by boosting etoposide cellular uptake.
Characterization of the Wine Grape Thermohydrological Conditions in the Tropical Brazilian Growing Region: Long-Term and Future Assessments
Authors: de Castro Teixeira Antônio Heriberto , Tonietto Jorge , Pereira Giuliano Elias , Hernandez Fernando Braz Tangerino
Published: February 2014

Over the last years, Brazil has appeared among the new tropical wine producing countries. The joined effect of rising air temperature and decreasing precipitation makes it important to quantify the trend of the thermohydrological conditions of the commercial vineyards. The aims of the current research were to classify and delimit these conditions for the winemaking processes under different time scenarios in the Brazilian Northeastern region. Bioclimatic indicators were used together with long-term weather data and projections of the IPCC emission scenarios under simulated pruning dates. The results showed that decreasing of precipitation should be good for wine production when irrigation water is available, but rising air temperature will affect the wine quality and stability mainly for pruning done from November to March. The best pruning periods are around May for any time scenario considered. In general, more care should be taken for pruning happening in other periods of the year, regarding the effect of increasing thermal conditions on wine quality. The classification and delimitation done, joined with other ecological characteristics, are important for a rational planning of the commercial wine production expansion, mainly in situations of climate and land use changes together with rising water competition.
Scheduling Projects with Multiskill Learning Effect
Authors: Zha Hong , Zhang Lianying
Published: February 2014

We investigate the project scheduling problem with multiskill learning effect. A new model is proposed to deal with the problem, where both autonomous and induced learning are considered. In order to obtain the optimal solution, a genetic algorithm with specific encoding and decoding schemes is introduced. A numerical example is used to illustrate the proposed model. The computational results show that the learning effect cannot be neglected in project scheduling. By means of determining the level of induced learning, the project manager can balance the project makespan with total cost.