bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TRAFFIC SIGN DETECTION AND RECOGNITION: REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
Authors: Mohd Ali Nursabillilah , Karis Mohd Safirin , Zainal Abidin Amar Faiz , Bakri Bahzifadhli , Shair Ezreen Farina , Abdul Razif Nur Rafiqah
Published: December 2015

Over the years, traffic sign detection and recognition systems gives extra value to driver assistance when driving, leading to more user-friendly driving experience and much improved safety for passengers. As part of Advanced Driving Systems (ADAS) one can be benefitted by using this system especially with driving incapacities by alerting and aid them about the existence of traffic signs to minimized unwanted circumstances during driving such as fatigue, poor sight and adverse weather conditions. Though a various number of traffic sign detection systems have been revised in literature; the need of design with a robust algorithm still remains open for further research. This paper purposes to design a system capable of performing traffic sign detection while considering variations of challenges such as color illumination, computational difficulty and functional constraints existed. Traffic sign detection is divided into three main parts namely; Pre-processing, Color segmentation and Thresholding. The color segmentation method is vital as it presents a detailed investigation of vision based color spaces in this case RGB, HSV and CMYK considering varying illumination conditions under different environments. This paper further highlights possible improvements to the proposed approaches for traffic sign detection.
NON-PARAMETRIC IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES FOR INTELLIGENT PNEUMATIC ACTUATOR
Authors: A. A. Emhemed Abdulrahman , Mamat Rosbi , Mohd Faudzi Ahmad ‘Athif
Published: December 2015

The aim of this paper is to present experimental, empirical and analytic identification techniques, known as non-parametric techniques. Poor dynamics and high nonlinearities are parts of the difficulties in the control of pneumatic actuator functions, which make the identification technique very challenging. Firstly, the step response experimental data is collected to obtain real-time force model of the intelligent pneumatic actuator (IPA). The IPA plant and Personal Computer (PC) communicate through Data Acquisition (DAQ) card over MATLAB software. The second method is approximating the process by curve reaction of a first-order plus delay process, and the third method uses the equivalent n order process with PTn model parameters. The obtained results have been compared with the previous study, achieved based on force system identification of IPA obtained by the (Auto-Regressive model with eXogenous) ARX model. The models developed using non-parameters identification techniques have good responses and their responses are close to the model identified using the ARX system identification model. The controller approved the success of the identification technique with good performance. This means the Non-Parametric techniques are strongly recommended, suitable, and feasible to use to analyze and design the force controller of IPA system. The techniques are thus very suitable to identify the real IPA plant and achieve widespread industrial acceptance.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF RH2000 CYBERNATICS HAND
Authors: Ali Fariz , Jamaluddin Herman , Abas Norafizah , Miskon Muhammad Fahmi , Shukor Ahmad Zaki , Norizan Muhammad Alif , Juhari Mohammad Fakri
Published: December 2015

Recently, the number of patients with wrist and forearm amputations increased tremendously due to trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery. The amputees experienced lots of problems, especially in dealings with their daily life activities. Thus, as a solution, a prototype called as RH2000 Cybernetics Hand is designed. Early design of bionic hand comprises of 14 motors with 14 degree of freedom which caused the bionic hand to be costly and complex to control. In this research, design of a bionic hand that has 10 degrees of freedom with 5 motors attached to mechanical linkages is proposed. The bionic hand designs in SolidWorks that resembled the function and size of an actual human hand. It is fabricated using aluminum 6061 as it is light in weight and durable. As for the sensor, V3 muscle sensor is utilized to identify a signal generated from the human muscle and amplified it as the primary control signal to control the movement of the bionic hand. The performance of bionic hand is tested in terms of repeatability and accuracy. Repeatability accuracy test is divided into two phases, the first test is constructed to analyze the repeatability of angular movement for each finger while the second test is constructed to analyze the repeatability of wrist movement. Similarly, the accuracy test is also divided into two phases where the first test is conducted to analyze the accuracy of finger press while the second test is to analyze the accuracy of hand grasp. The results are compared with the natural human force and yielded acceptable results. Finally, the hand is tested in term of canonical hand posture and manage to emulate actual human hand.
REDUCING THE SEARCH SPACE AND TIME COMPLEXITY OF NEEDLEMAN-WUNSCH ALGORITHM (GLOBAL ALIGNMENT) AND SMITH-WATERMAN ALGORITHM (LOCAL ALIGNMENT) FOR DNA SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT
Authors: Muhamad F. N. , Ahmad R. B. , Mohd. Asi S. , Murad M. N.
Published: December 2015

The fundamental procedure of analyzing sequence content is sequence comparison. Sequence comparison can be defined as the problem of finding which parts of the sequences are similar and which parts are different, namely comparing two sequences to identify similarities and differences between them. A typical approach to solve this problem is to find a good and reasonable alignment between the two sequences. The main research in this project is to align the DNA sequences by using the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm for global alignment and Smith-Waterman algorithm for local alignment based on the Dynamic Programming algorithm. The Dynamic Programming Algorithm is guaranteed to find optimal alignment by exploring all possible alignments and choosing the best through the scoring and traceback techniques. The algorithms proposed and evaluated are to reduce the gaps in aligning sequences as well as the length of the sequences aligned without compromising the quality or correctness of results. In order to verify the accuracy and consistency of measurements obtained in Needleman-Wunsch and Smith-Waterman algorithms the data is compared with Emboss (global) and Emboss (local) with 600 strands test data.
SOCIAL NETWORK NEWS SENTIMENTS AND STOCK PRICE MOVEMENT: A CORRELATION ANALYSIS
Authors: Sukprasert Anupong , Kanchymalay Kasturi , Salim Naomie , Khan Atif
Published: December 2015

The stock market prediction is one of the most important issues extensively investigated in the existing academic literatures. Researchers have discovered that real–time news has much bearing on the movement of stock prices. Analysts now have to deal with vast amounts of real time, unstructured streaming data due to the advent of electronic and online news sources. This paper aims to investigate the relationship between online news and actual stock price movement.  R programming together with R package are applied to capture and analyze the online news data from Yahoo Financial. The data are plotted into graphs to analyze the relationship between the two variables. In addition, to ensure the levels of the relationship, the Pearson’s correlation and Spearman’s Rank are applied to test whether there is a statistical association between these two variables. This initial analysis of dynamic online news based on sentimental words is relatively constructive.
Mechanical stimulation and Fura‐2 fluorescence in the hair bundle of dissociated hair cells of the chick.
Authors: Ohmori H
Published: December 2015

1. Hair cells were dissociated from the inner ear of a chick and were loaded with the esterified form of the Ca2+‐sensitive dye Fura‐2. Fura‐2 fluorescence was monitored by exciting at wavelengths of 340 and 380 nm in order to monitor intensity changes related to the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. The 340 and 380 nm fluorescence images and the ratio images between them (340 nm/380 nm) gave a good representation of the general shape of the hair cell and the hair bundle. 2. Fluorescence intensities were changed following depolarization of the membrane by high‐K+ saline. The 340 nm fluorescence increased while that at 380 nm decreased. These fluorescence changes were probably due to changes in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration. 3. Fluorescence ratio images were observed while applying mechanical stimulation to the hair bundle. The intensity ratio was increased in the hair bundle and in the cell body by the depolarizing stimulation of displacing the hair bundle towards the taller stereocilium, while it was decreased by the hyperpolarizing stimulation of displacing the hair bundle towards the shorter stereocilium. 4. Manganese ions do not pass through the Ca2+ channel but carry transduction current and quench the fluorescence of Fura‐2. Quenching was most prominent within the hair bundle when mechanical stimulation was applied by a puff of Mn2+ saline. 5. Smaller‐amplitude mechanical stimulation was applied to the hair bundle by a sinusoidal stimulation. The fluorescence intensity ratio was increased about the hair bundle's insertion into the cuticular plate. 6. A belt‐shaped depression area emerged in the fluorescence ratio image near the hair bundle's insertion into the cuticular plate when Mn2+ saline was puffed from a distant location, so that the displacement of the hair bundle was produced only by the fringe of the Mn2+ flow. 7. The ratio demonstrated a peak near the hair bundle's insertion into the cuticular plate in Mn2+‐free saline exactly where a depression emerged in Mn2+ saline in the same hair cell. A sinusoidal stimulation was applied in both experiments. 8. It is concluded that the fluorescence intensity changes in the hair bundle are due to the influx of Ca2+ or Mn2+ ions through the mechano‐electrical transduction channel. The intensity ratio changes observed near the hair bundle's insertion into the cuticular plate might indicate that this is the site of the mechano‐electrical transduction.
Deadly attack on isolated tribe
Authors: Fraser Barbara
Published: December 2015

Isolated people recovering from conflict with settled neighbors in the Brazilian Amazon.
HIV/AIDS care for all—on a budget
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: December 2015

Meeting promotes ways to cut clinic visits and tests without compromising treatment.
Mind the phone
Authors: Servick Kelly
Published: December 2015

Devices that monitor and coach users bring promise and peril to the science of behavior change.
Comment on “Atlantic and Pacific multidecadal oscillations and Northern Hemisphere temperatures”
Authors: Kravtsov S. , Wyatt M. G. , Curry J. A. , Tsonis A. A.
Published: December 2015

Steinman
et al
. (Reports, 27 February 2015, p. 988) argue that appropriately rescaled multimodel ensemble-mean time series provide an unbiased estimate of the forced climate response in individual model simulations. However, their procedure for demonstrating the validity of this assertion is flawed, and the residual intrinsic variability so defined is in fact dominated by the actual forced response of individual models.
Response to Comment on “Atlantic and Pacific multidecadal oscillations and Northern Hemisphere temperatures”
Authors: Steinman B. A. , Frankcombe L. M. , Mann M. E. , Miller S. K. , England M. H.
Published: December 2015

Kravtsov
et al
. claim that we incorrectly assess the statistical independence of simulated samples of internal climate variability and that we underestimate uncertainty in our calculations of observed internal variability. Their analysis is fundamentally flawed, owing to the use of model ensembles with too few realizations and the fact that no one model can adequately represent the forced signal.
Polysialylation controls dendritic cell trafficking by regulating chemokine recognition
Authors: Kiermaier Eva , Moussion Christine , Veldkamp Christopher T. , Gerardy-Schahn Rita , de Vries Ingrid , Williams Larry G. , Chaffee Gary R. , Phillips Andrew J. , Freiberger Friedrich , Imre Richard , Taleski Deni , Payne Richard J. , Braun Asolina , Förster Reinhold , Mechtler Karl , Mühlenhoff Martina , Volkman Brian F. , Sixt Michael
Published: December 2015

A chemokine's sugary release

As immune cells survey the body for pathogens, they circulate through the blood and migrate through the lymphatic system. The latter route allows for tissues and lymph nodes—the central hubs of the immune system—to communicate. Kiermaier
et al.
reveal the importance of the monosaccharide sialic acid in keeping immune cells in motion. Multiple sialic acids decorate the surface CCR7 on immune cells. CCR7 recognizes proteins called chemokines, which direct where cells move in the body. Sialic acids on CCR7 release one such chemokine present on lymph node endothelial cells from an inhibited state, allowing immune cells to enter lymph nodes.

Science
, this issue p.
186
Viscosity jump in Earth’s mid-mantle
Authors: Rudolph Maxwell L. , Lekić Vedran , Lithgow-Bertelloni Carolina
Published: December 2015

A mysterious mid-mantle slowdown

The viscosity of Earth's deep interior plays a key role in mediating plate tectonics. Rudolph
et al.
combined several geophysical data sets to model the viscosity of the mantle. Mantle viscosity abruptly increases below 1000 km. The increase could explain the stalling of subducting slabs and the deflections of hot upwelling plumes around this depth. Although the viscosity increase explains some recent unexpected observations, the origin of the jump itself remains a mystery.

Science
, this issue p.
1349
RNA polymerase II–associated factor 1 regulates the release and phosphorylation of paused RNA polymerase II
Authors: Yu Ming , Yang Wenjing , Ni Ting , Tang Zhanyun , Nakadai Tomoyoshi , Zhu Jun , Roeder Robert G.
Published: December 2015

“Please release me, let me go.”

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is the principal protein complex required for gene transcription in metazoan cells. Many genes have a “paused” Pol II near their promoters, waiting to be released so they can start messenger RNA synthesis. Yu
et al.
show that Pol II–associated factor 1 (PAF1) plays a central role in regulating the activation of these paused Pol II complexes. The positive transcription elongation factor b helps recruit PAF1 to the paused Pol II. This facilitates the phosphorylation of Pol II on its C-terminal domain, freeing it to start transcription in earnest.

Science
, this issue p.
1383
Microbial community assembly and metabolic function during mammalian corpse decomposition
Authors: Metcalf Jessica L. , Xu Zhenjiang Zech , Weiss Sophie , Lax Simon , Van Treuren Will , Hyde Embriette R. , Song Se Jin , Amir Amnon , Larsen Peter , Sangwan Naseer , Haarmann Daniel , Humphrey Greg C. , Ackermann Gail , Thompson Luke R. , Lauber Christian , Bibat Alexander , Nicholas Catherine , Gebert Matthew J. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Reed Sasha C. , Gilbert Jack A. , Lynne Aaron M. , Bucheli Sibyl R. , Carter David O. , Knight Rob
Published: December 2015

Decomposition spawns a microbial zoo

The death of a large animal represents a food bonanza for microorganisms. Metcalfet al.monitored microbial activity during the decomposition of mouse and human cadavers. Regardless of soil type, season, or species, the microbial succession during decomposition was a predictable measure of time since death. An overlying corpse leaches nutrients that allow soil- and insect-associated fungi and bacteria to grow. These microorganisms are metabolic specialists that convert proteins and lipids into foul-smelling compounds such as cadaverine, putrescine, and ammonia, whose signature may persist in the soil long after a corpse has been removed.

Science, this issue p.158
Dissecting diversity in the social brain
Authors: Robinson Gene E.
Published: December 2015

Male prairie voles with poor memory skills are less faithful to their partners

[Also see Report by

Okhovat
et al.

]
Contrasting Patterns of Serologic and Functional Antibody Dynamics to Plasmodium falciparum Antigens in a Kenyan Birth Cohort
Authors: Dent Arlene E. , Malhotra Indu , Wang Xuelie , Babineau Denise , Yeo Kee Thai , Anderson Timothy , Kimmel Rhonda J. , Angov Evelina , Lanar David E. , Narum David , Dutta Sheetij , Richards Jack , Beeson James G. , Crabb Brendan S. , Cowman Alan F. , Horii Toshihiro , Muchiri Eric , Mungai Peter L. , King Christopher L. , Kazura James W.
Published: December 2015

IgG antibodies to
Plasmodium falciparum
are transferred from the maternal to fetal circulation during pregnancy, wane after birth, and are subsequently acquired in response to natural infection. We examined the dynamics of malaria antibody responses of 84 Kenyan infants from birth to 36 months of age by (i) serology, (ii) variant surface antigen (VSA) assay, (iii) growth inhibitory activity (GIA), and (iv) invasion inhibition assays (IIA) specific for merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP1) and sialic acid-dependent invasion pathway. Maternal antibodies in each of these four categories were detected in cord blood and decreased to their lowest level by approximately 6 months of age. Serologic antibodies to 3 preerythrocytic and 10 blood-stage antigens subsequently increased, reaching peak prevalence by 36 months. In contrast, antibodies measured by VSA, GIA, and IIA remained low even up to 36 months. Infants sensitized to
P. falciparum in utero
, defined by cord blood lymphocyte recall responses to malaria antigens, acquired antimalarial antibodies at the same rate as those who were not sensitized
in utero
, indicating that fetal exposure to malaria antigens did not affect subsequent infant antimalarial responses. Infants with detectable serologic antibodies at 12 months of age had an increased risk of
P. falciparum
infection during the subsequent 24 months. We conclude that serologic measures of antimalarial antibodies in children 36 months of age or younger represent biomarkers of malaria exposure rather than protection and that functional antibodies develop after 36 months of age in this population.
Contrasting Adult and Infant Immune Responses to HIV Infection and Vaccination
Authors: Martinez David R. , Permar Sallie R. , Fouda Genevieve G.
Published: December 2015

Extensive studies have demonstrated that infant immune responses are distinct from those of adults. Despite these differences, infant immunization can elicit protective immune responses at levels comparable to or, in some cases, higher than adult immune responses to many vaccines. To date, only a few HIV vaccine candidates have been tested in infant populations, and none of them evaluated vaccine efficacy. Recent exciting studies showing that HIV-infected infants can develop broad neutralizing antibody responses and that some HIV vaccine regimens can elicit high levels of potentially protective antibodies in infants provide support for the development and testing of HIV vaccines in pediatric populations. In this review, we discuss the differences in adult and infant immune responses in the setting of HIV infection and vaccination.
The Immunologic Complexity of Growing Up with Malaria—Is Scientific Understanding Coming of Age?
Authors: Laurens Matthew B.
Published: December 2015

In the current issue of
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
, Mandala et al. report changes in lymphocyte populations in children with uncomplicated malaria, severe malarial anemia, and cerebral malaria compared to controls (W. L. Mandala et al., Clin Vaccine Immunol 23:95–103, 2016,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00564-15
). This commentary discusses the importance of understanding both helpful and detrimental aspects of the antimalarial immune response that are critical to malaria vaccine development and considers how these responses may relate to antimalarial vaccine safety and efficacy.
Complete Genome Sequences of Hepatitis B Virus from North India Using Ion Torrent
Authors: Prakash Shantanu , Jain Amita , Seth Akanksha , Jain Bhawana
Published: December 2015

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is among the most common causes of liver cirrhosis. We report the full-genome sequences of seven molecular clones of HBV genotype A, amplified from an HBV-infected North Indian patient. This is probably the first report of the HBV genome sequencing using Ion Torrent from India.
Genome Sequence of a Chromium-Reducing Strain, Bacillus cereus S612
Authors: Wang Dongping , Boukhalfa Hakim , Ware Doug S. , Reimus Paul W. , Daligault Hajnalka E. , Gleasner Cheryl D. , Johnson Shannon L. , Li Po-E
Published: December 2015

We report here the genome sequence of an effective chromium-reducing bacterium,Bacillus cereusstrain S612. The size of the draft genome sequence is approximately 5.4 Mb, with a G+C content of 35%, and it is predicted to contain 5,450 protein-coding genes.
Complete Genome Sequences of an Escherichia coli Laboratory Strain and Trimethoprim-Resistant (TMP32XR) Mutant Strains
Authors: Mohan Abhilash , Bhosle Amrisha , Chandra Nagasuma
Published: December 2015

We report the whole-genome sequences of an
Escherichia coli
laboratory wild-type strain and trimethoprim-resistant strains (two biological replicates, TMP32XR1 and TMP32XR2). Compared to the U00096.3 strain, a widely used strain in laboratory experiments, the laboratory wild-type strain and the drug-resistant strains evolved from this (TMP32XR1 and TMP32XR2) are 13, 24, and 37 bp longer, respectively.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus plantarum WLPL04, Isolated from Human Breast Milk
Authors: Tao XueYing , Jiang Meiling , Zhang Feng , Xu Feng , Wei Hua
Published: December 2015

Lactobacillus plantarum
WLPL04, a novel strain, was isolated from a breast milk sample from a healthy woman and demonstrated several probiotic functions. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of this strain, which contains 3,192,587 bp, a G+C content of 44.52%, 3,158 protein-coding genes, and 53 tRNA genes.
The Draft Genome Sequence of
Xanthomonas
sp. Strain Mitacek01 Expands the Pangenome of a Genus of Plant Pathogens
Authors: Couger M. B. , Hanafy Radwa A. , Mitacek Rachel M. , Budd Connie , French Donald P. , Hoff Wouter D. , Elshahed Mostafa S. , Youssef Noha H.
Published: December 2015

We report the draft genome sequence of
Xanthomonas
sp. strain Mitacek01, isolated from an indoor environment vending machine surface with frequent human use in Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, as part of the Student-Initiated Microbial Discovery project. The genome has a total size of 3,617,426 bp and a contig
N
50
of 1,906,967 bp.
MAGnesium-oral supplementation to reduce PAin in patients with severe PERipheral arterial occlusive disease: the MAG-PAPER randomised clinical trial protocol
Authors: Venturini Monica Aida , Zappa Sergio , Minelli Cosetta , Bonardelli Stefano , Lamberti Laura , Bisighini Luca , Zangrandi Marta , Turin Maddalena , Rizzo Francesco , Rizzolo Andrea , Latronico Nicola
Published: December 2015

Introduction

Magnesium exerts analgaesic effects in several animal pain models, as well as in patients affected by acute postoperative pain and neuropathic chronic pain. There is no evidence that magnesium can modulate pain in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). We describe the protocol of a single-centre randomised double-blind clinical trial aimed at assessing the efficacy of oral magnesium supplementation in controlling severe pain in patients with advanced PAOD.

Methods and analysis

Adult patients affected by PAOD at stages III and IV of Lèriche-Fontaine classification, who are opioid-naïve, and who have been admitted to our Acute Pain Service for intractable pain, will be eligible. Patients will be randomised to the control group, treated with standard therapy (oxycodone and pregabalin) plus placebo for 2 weeks, or to the experimental group (standard therapy plus magnesium oxide). Patients will be evaluated on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 14; the following information will being collected: daily oxycodone dose; average and maximum pain (Numerical Rating Scale); pain relief (Pain Relief Scale); characteristics of the pain (Neuropathic Pain Scale); impact of pain on the patient's daily activities (Brief Pain Inventory). The primary outcome will be oxycodone dosage needed to achieve satisfactory analgaesia on day 14. Secondary outcomes will be pain relief on day 2, time needed to achieve satisfactory analgaesia and time needed to achieve a pain reduction of 50%. A sample size calculation was performed for the primary outcome, which estimated a required sample size of 150 patients (75 per group).

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval of the study protocol has been obtained from Comitato Etico Provinciale di Brescia, Brescia, Italy. Trial results will be disseminated through scientific journal manuscripts and scientific conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT02455726.
Motor hypertonia and lack of locomotor coordination in mutant mice lacking DSCAM
Authors: Lemieux Maxime , D. Laflamme Olivier , Thiry Louise , Boulanger-Piette Antoine , Frenette Jérôme , Bretzner Frédéric
Published: December 2015

Down syndrome cell adherence molecule (DSCAM) contributes to the normal establishment and maintenance of neural circuits. Whereas there is abundant literature regarding the role of DSCAM in the neural patterning of the mammalian retina, less is known about motor circuits. Recently, DSCAM mutation has been shown to impair bilateral motor coordination during respiration, thus causing death at birth. DSCAM mutants that survive through adulthood display a lack of locomotor endurance and coordination in the rotarod test, thus suggesting that the DSCAM mutation impairs motor control. We investigated the motor and locomotor functions of DSCAM2J mutant mice through a combination of anatomical, kinematic, force, and electromyographic recordings. With respect to wild-type mice, DSCAM2J mice displayed a longer swing phase with a limb hyperflexion at the expense of a shorter stance phase during locomotion. Furthermore, electromyographic activity in the flexor and extensor muscles was increased and coactivated over 20% of the step cycle over a wide range of walking speeds. In contrast to wild-type mice, which used lateral walk and trot at walking speed, DSCAM2J mice used preferentially less coordinated gaits, such as out-of-phase walk and pace. The neuromuscular junction and the contractile properties of muscles, as well as their muscle spindles, were normal, and no signs of motor rigidity or spasticity were observed during passive limb movements. Our study demonstrates that the DSCAM mutation induces dystonic hypertonia and a disruption of locomotor gaits.
Biological Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Cell-Free Extract ofSpirulina platensis
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Jasuja Nakuleshwar Dut , Kumar Manoj , Ali Mohammad Irfan
Published: December 2015

The present study explores biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the cell-free extract ofSpirulina platensis. Biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised by UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, and FTIR analysis and finally evaluated for antibacterial activity. Extracellular synthesis using aqueous extract ofS. platensisshowed the formation of well scattered, highly stable, spherical AgNPs with an average size of 30–50 nm. The size and morphology of the nanoparticles were confirmed by SEM and TEM analysis. FTIR and UV-Vis spectra showed that biomolecules, proteins and peptides, are mainly responsible for the formation and stabilisation of AgNPs. Furthermore, the synthesised nanoparticles exhibited high antibacterial activity against pathogenic Gram-negative, that is,Escherichia coli, MTCC-9721;Proteus vulgaris, MTCC-7299;Klebsiella pneumoniae, MTCC-9751, and Gram-positive, that is,Staphylococcus aureus, MTCC-9542;S. epidermidis, MTCC-2639;Bacillus cereus, MTCC-9017, bacteria. The AgNPs had shown maximum zone of inhibition (ZOI) that is31.3±1.11inP. vulgaris. Use of such a microalgal system provides a simple, cost-effective alternative template for the biosynthesis of nanomaterials of silver in a large scale that could be of great use in biomedical applications.
Congenital Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts: Spectrum of Findings on Ultrasound, Computed Tomography, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Gupta Pankaj , Sinha Anindita , Sodhi Kushaljit Singh , Lal Anupam , Debi Uma , Thapa Babu R. , Khandelwal Niranjan
Published: December 2015

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt (CEPS) is a rare disorder characterised by partial or complete diversion of portomesenteric blood into systemic veins via congenital shunts. Type I is characterised by complete lack of intrahepatic portal venous blood flow due to an end to side fistula between main portal vein and the inferior vena cava. Type II on the other hand is characterised by partial preservation of portal blood supply to liver and side to side fistula between main portal vein or its branches and mesenteric, splenic, gastric, and systemic veins. The presentation of these patients is variable. Focal liver lesions, most commonly nodular regenerative hyperplasia, are an important clue to the underlying condition. This pictorial essay covers imaging characteristics in abdominopelvic region.
Bayesian-OverDBC: A Bayesian Density-Based Approach for Modeling Overlapping Clusters
Authors: Mirzaie Mansooreh , Barani Ahmad , Nematbakkhsh Naser , Mohammad-Beigi Majid
Published: December 2015

Although most research in density-based clustering algorithms focused on finding distinct clusters, many real-world applications (such as gene functions in a gene regulatory network) have inherently overlapping clusters. Even with overlapping features, density-based clustering methods do not define a probabilistic model of data. Therefore, it is hard to determine how “good” clustering, predicting, and clustering new data into existing clusters are. Therefore, a probability model for overlap density-based clustering is a critical need for large data analysis. In this paper, a new Bayesian density-based method (Bayesian-OverDBC) for modeling the overlapping clusters is presented. Bayesian-OverDBC can predict the formation of a new cluster. It can also predict the overlapping of cluster with existing clusters. Bayesian-OverDBC has been compared with other algorithms (nonoverlapping and overlapping models). The results show that Bayesian-OverDBC can be significantly better than other methods in analyzing microarray data.
A Urachal Cyst Case with Painful Mass Locates at Ileal Mesentery
Authors: Okur Selahattin Koray , Pülat Hüseyin , Karaköse Oktay , Zihni Ismail , Özçelik Kazım Çağlar , Eroğlu Hasan Erol
Published: December 2015

Urachal cyst is an unusual clinical condition, which is usually asymptomatic. In some adult cases, it may lead to complications. The cyst is between umbilicus and urinary bladder. It is diagnosed via ultrasonography and computed tomography. However, in some cases, the diagnosis is made by means of surgical exploration and histopathological evaluation. In this paper, we report a case of a 17-year-old female presenting with painful abdominal mass. At the first evaluation, the case was diagnosed as a mesenteric cyst because the mass located in the mesentery, and final histopathological report revealed the urachal cyst.
Photodynamic Antimicrobial Chemotherapy for Root Canal System Asepsis: A Narrative Literature Review
Authors: Diogo P. , Gonçalves T. , Palma P. , Santos J. M.
Published: December 2015

Aim.The aim of this comprehensive literature review was to address the question: Does photodynamic therapy (PDT) improve root canal disinfection through significant bacterial reduction in the root canal system?Methodology.A comprehensive narrative literature review was performed to compare PDT effect with sodium hypochlorite as the comparative classical irrigant. Two reviewers independently conducted literature searches using a combination of medical subject heading terms and key words to identify relevant studies comparing information found in 7 electronic databases from January 2000 to May 2015. A manual search was performed on bibliography of articles collected on electronic databases. Authors were contacted to ask for references of more research not detected on the prior electronic and manual searches.Results.The literature search provided 62 titles and abstracts, from which 29 studies were related directly to the search theme. Considering all publications, 14 (48%) showed PDT to be more efficient in antimicrobial outcome than NaOCl (0.5–6% concentration) used alone and 2 (7%) revealed similar effects between them. Toluidine blue and methylene blue are the most used photosensitizers and most commonly laser has 660 nm of wavelength with a 400 nm diameter of intracanal fiber.Conclusions.PDT has been used without a well-defined protocol and still remains at an experimental stage waiting for further optimization. The level of evidence available in clinical studies to answer this question is low and at high risk of bias.
Design and Implementation of Improved Electronic Load Controller for Self‐Excited Induction Generator for Rural Electrification
Authors: Kathirvel C. , Porkumaran K. , Jaganathan S.
Published: December 2015

This paper offers an alternative technique, namely, Improved Electronic Load Controller (IELC), which is proposal to improve power quality, maintaining voltage at frequency desired level for rural electrification. The design and development of IELC are considered as microhydroenergy system. The proposed work aims to concentrate on the new schemes for rural electrification with the help of different kinds of hybrid energy systems. The objective of the proposed scheme is to maintain the speed of generation against fluctuating rural demand. The Electronic Load Controller (ELC) is used to connect and disconnect the dump load during the operation of the system, and which absorbs the load when consumer are not in active will enhance the lifestyle of the rural population and improve the living standards. Hydroelectricity is a promising option for electrification of remote villages in India. The conventional methods are not suitable to act as standalone system. Hence, the designing of a proper ELC is essential. The improved electronic load control performance tested with simulation at validated through hardware setup.
Nonlinear Tunneling of Surface Plasmon Polaritons in Periodic Structures Containing Left-Handed Metamaterial Layers
Authors: Ali Munazza Zulfiqar
Published: December 2015

The transmission of surface plasmon polaritons through a one-dimensional periodic structure is considered theoretically by using the transfer matrix approach. The periodic structure is assumed to have alternate left-handed metamaterial and dielectric layers. Both transverse electric and transverse magnetic modes of surface plasmon polaritons exist in this structure. It is found that, for nonlinear wave propagation, tunneling structures are formed to transform nontransmitting frequencies into transmitting frequencies and hence transmission bistability is observed. It is further observed that the structure shows sensitivity with respect to the polarization of the electromagnetic field for this phenomenon.
Effect of Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction on Left Atrial Mechanics in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Williams Lynne K. , Chan Raymond H. , Carasso Shemy , Durand Miranda , Misurka Jimmy , Crean Andrew M. , Ralph-Edwards Anthony , Gruner Christiane , Woo Anna , Lesser John R. , Maron Barry J. , Maron Martin S. , Rakowski Harry
Published: December 2015

Left atrial (LA) volumes are known to be increased in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and are a predictor of adverse outcome. In addition, LA function is impaired and is presumed to be due to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction as a result of hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis. In the current study, we assess the incremental effect of outflow tract obstruction (and concomitant mitral regurgitation) on LA function as assessed by LA strain. Patients with HCM (50 obstructive, 50 nonobstructive) were compared to 50 normal controls. A subset of obstructive patients who had undergone septal myectomy was also studied. Utilising feature-tracking software applied to cardiovascular magnetic resonance images, LA volumes and functional parameters were calculated. LA volumes were significantly elevated and LA ejection fraction and strain were significantly reduced in patients with HCM compared with controls and were significantly more affected in patients with obstruction. LA volumes and function were significantly improved after septal myectomy. LVOT obstruction and mitral regurgitation appear to further impair LA mechanics. Septal myectomy results in a significant reduction in LA volumes, paralleled by an improvement in function.
Role of FTO in Adipocyte Development and Function: Recent Insights
Authors: Merkestein Myrte , Sellayah Dyan
Published: December 2015

In 2007,FTOwas identified as the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) gene associated with obesity in humans. Since then, various animal models have served to establish the mechanistic basis behind this association. Many earlier studies focussed on FTO’s effects on food intake via central mechanisms. Emerging evidence, however, implicates adipose tissue development and function in the causal relationship between perturbations in FTO expression and obesity. The purpose of this mini review is to shed light on these new studies of FTO function in adipose tissue and present a clearer picture of its impact on obesity susceptibility.
Vocal Fold Augmentation with Beta Glucan Hydrogel Cross-Linked byγIrradiation for Enhanced Duration of Effect:In VivoAnimal Study
Authors: Lim Youn-Mook , Kim Bo Hae , Kim Hee-Bok , Park EunJi , Park Seok-Won , Park Jong-Seok , Choi Se In , Kwon Tack-Kyun , Kwon Seong Keun
Published: December 2015

This study explored a novel strategy to restore the vocal gap by using cross-linkedβ-glucan hydrogel byγ-irradiation. An aqueous solution of 5 wt%β-glucan was prepared and cross-linked using60Coγirradiation. Ten nude mice were injected with 0.8 mL of irradiatedβ-glucan on the left back and the same volume of nonirradiatedβ-glucan on the right back for comparison. The mice were sacrificed at 1 and 2 weeks after injection and histological evaluations were performed. Irradiatedβ-glucan demonstrated a significantly larger volume than nonirradiatedβ-glucan in the back of nude mice with less inflammatory reaction. After unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve section in New Zealand White rabbits, irradiated and nonirradiatedβ-glucan were injected into paralyzed vocal folds. Irradiatedβ-glucan remained at the paralyzed vocal fold without definite inflammatory signs on endoscopy. High-speed recordings of vocal fold vibration showed decreased vocal gap in irradiated group compared to nonirradiated group. Histologically, the laryngeal epithelium and lamina propria remained intact, without inflammatory cell infiltration. Our newly developed injection material, irradiatedβ-glucan, showed excellent biocompatibility and remained longer than nonirradiatedβ-glucanin vivo, suggesting irradiated hydrogels as a new therapeutic approach that may be useful for the long-term treatment of vocal fold palsy.
Brain Parenchymal Fraction: A Relatively Simple MRI Measure to Clinically Distinguish ALS Phenotypes
Authors: Rajagopalan Venkateswaran , Pioro Erik P.
Published: December 2015

Even though neuroimaging and clinical studies indicate that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) manifests with distinct clinical phenotypes, no objective test exists to assess upper motor degeneration in ALS. There is great interest in identifying biomarkers of ALS to allow earlier diagnosis and to recognize disease subtypes. Current quantitative neuroimaging techniques such as T2 relaxometry and diffusion tensor imaging are time-consuming to use in clinical settings due to extensive postprocessing requirements. Therefore, we aimed to study the potential role of brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) as a relatively simple quantitative measure for distinguishing ALS phenotypes. T1-weighted MR images of brain were obtained in 15 neurological controls and 88 ALS patients categorized into 4 distinct clinical phenotypes, upper motor neuron- (UMN-) predominant ALS patients with/without corticospinal tract (CST) hyperintensity on T2/PD-weighted images, classic ALS, and ALS with frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD). BPF was calculated using intracranial grey matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid volumes obtained in control and ALS subgroups using SPM8 software. Only ALS-FTD patients had significant reduction in BPF when compared to controls and nondemented ALS patients. Correlation of clinical measures such as disease duration with BPF further supports the view that the BPF could be a potential biomarker for clinical diagnosis of ALS-FTD patients.
Downregulation of miR-221 Inhibits Cell Migration and Invasion through Targeting Methyl-CpG Binding Domain Protein 2 in Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
Authors: He Shuqi , Lai Renfa , Chen Dan , Yan Wangxiang , Zhang Zhaoqiang , Liu Zhiguo , Ding Xueqiang , Chen Yu
Published: December 2015

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the most frequent of all oral cancers, is a type of highly malignant tumors with a high capacity to invade locally and form distant metastases. An increasing number of studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in regulating cancer metastasis and invasion. In the present study, we detected the expression of miR-221 in two highly metastatic OSCC cell lines and two OSCC cell lines that are less metastatic using quantitative real-time PCR analysis (qRT-PCR). The qRT-PCR results indicate that miR-221 is upregulated in highly metastatic OSCC cell lines. Then, miR-221 expression was knocked down by transfection with miR-221 inhibitor, and UM1 cell migration and invasion were assessed using transwell migration and invasion assays. The results indicate that inhibition of miR-221 suppressed migration and invasion of UM1 cells. Furthermore, methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-221. Additionally, MBD2 silencing could partly reverse the effect of miR-221 on cell migration and invasion. In conclusion, downregulation of miR-221 inhibits cell migration and invasion at least partially through targeting MBD2 in the human OSCC cell line UM1.
Revision Surgery in Permanent Patellar Dislocation in DiGeorge Syndrome
Authors: Berruto Massimo , Parente Andrea , Ferrua Paolo , Pasqualotto Stefano , Uboldi Francesco , Usellini Eva
Published: December 2015

A 29-year-old patient, suffering from DiGeorge syndrome, came to our attention with a history of persistent pain and patellar instability in the left knee after failure of arthroscopic lateral release and Elmslie-Trillat procedure. The patient was unable to walk without crutches and severely limited in daily living activities. Because of arthritic changes of the patellofemoral joint and the failure of previous surgeries it was decided to perform only an open lateral release and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using a biosynthetic ligament in order to obtain patellofemoral stability. At one year post-op range of motion (ROM) was 0–120 with a firm end point at medial patellar mobilization; patella was stable throughout the entire ROM. All the scores improved and she could be able to perform daily activity without sensation of instability. Bilateral patellar subluxation and systemic hyperlaxity are characteristics of syndromic patients and according to literature can be also present in DiGeorge syndrome. MPFL reconstruction with lateral release was demonstrated to be the correct solution in the treatment of patellar instability in this complex case. The choice of an artificial ligament to reconstruct the MPFL was useful in this specific patient with important tissue laxity due to her congenital syndrome.
Chronic Comorbidities Contribute to the Burden and Costs of Persistent Asthma
Authors: Kauppi Paula , Linna Miika , Jantunen Juha , Martikainen Jaana E. , Haahtela Tari , Pelkonen Anna , Mäkelä Mika
Published: December 2015

Background. We aimed to study the prevalence of chronic comorbidities in asthma patients and the costs of health care use associated with asthma with comorbidities. Material and Methods. We analysed the prevalence of the four most common chronic diseases in asthma patients in 2008–2014 in Finland. Prevalence of coronary artery disease, diabetes and dyslipidaemia, hypertension, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatic diseases, and severe psychiatric disease was studied by register of the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The costs of health care services were collected from the registries maintained by the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Results. Prevalence of asthma was 4.6% in 2014. Diabetes was among the four most common comorbidities in all the age groups. The other common comorbidities were hypertension (≥46 years; 12.9–37.6%), severe psychiatric disorders (age groups of 16–59 years; 1.4–3.5%), and ischaemic heart disease (≥60 years; 10–25%). In patients with both asthma and diabetes, the costs of hospitalization were approximately 169% compared with patients with asthma alone. Conclusions. Prevalence of asthma increases by tenfold when aging. The comorbidity diversity and rate are age‐dependent. Prevalence of diabetes as comorbidity in asthma has increased. Costs of hospitalizations in asthma approximately double with chronic comorbidities.
Berberine in Combination with Insulin Has Additive Effects on Titanium Implants Osseointegration in Diabetes Mellitus Rats
Authors: Lu Li , Zhijian Huang , Lei Li , Wenchuan Chen , Zhimin Zhu
Published: December 2015

This study evaluated the effects of berberine in combination with insulin on early osseointegration of implants in diabetic rats. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: healthy rats were used as control (HC), and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with insulin, berberine, berberine + insulin (IB), or no treatment. Each rat received one machined-surface cp-Ti implant into the right tibia and was given insulin injection and/or gavage feeding with berberine daily for 8 weeks until being sacrificed. Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid-containing protein (BGP) were analyzed in each group. Peri-implant mineral apposition was marked by fluorochrome double-labeling and osseointegration was histomorphologically examined. The ALP and BGP levels decreased in diabetic rats but were successfully corrected by insulin and berberine combined treatment. Moreover, untreated diabetic rats had less labeled mineral apposition and impaired osseointegration. In contrast, Groups I, B, and IB were observed with increased peri-implant bone formation. The combination treatment of insulin and berberine was more effective than each administrated as a monotherapy. These results suggest that berberine combined with insulin could promote osseointegration in diabetic rats, thereby highlighting its potential application to patients, though further studies are needed.