bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Designing Multicore-Aware Simulators for Systems Biology Endowed with OnLine Statistics
Authors: Aldinucci Marco , Calcagno Cristina , Coppo Mario , Damiani Ferruccio , Drocco Maurizio , Sciacca Eva , Spinella Salvatore , Torquati Massimo , Troina Angelo
Published: June 2014

The paper arguments are on enabling methodologies for the design of a fully parallel, online, interactive tool aiming to support the bioinformatics scientists .In particular, the features of these methodologies, supported by the FastFlow parallel programming framework, are shown on a simulation tool to perform the modeling, the tuning, and the sensitivity analysis of stochastic biological models. A stochastic simulation needs thousands of independent simulation trajectories turning into big data that should be analysed by statistic and data mining tools. In the considered approach the two stages are pipelined in such a way that the simulation stage streams out the partial results of all simulation trajectories to the analysis stage that immediately produces a partial result. The simulation-analysis workflow is validated for performance and effectiveness of the online analysis in capturing biological systems behavior on a multicore platform and representative proof-of-concept biological systems. The exploited methodologies include pattern-based parallel programming and data streaming that provide key features to the software designers such as performance portability and efficient in-memory (big) data management and movement. Two paradigmatic classes of biological systems exhibiting multistable and oscillatory behavior are used as a testbed.
Effects of Wonli Acupuncture Procedure in Patients with LSS: A Clinical, Retrospective Study
Authors: Lee Geon-Mok , Lee Eun-Yong , Han Jong-Hyun , Cho Kyong-Ha , Kang Se-Rin , Yoon Sang-Hoon
Published: June 2014

Background. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a disease with increasing prevalence due to prolongation of average life span. Despite various treatment methods, many limitations remain unsolved. Objective. We are reporting cases of patients who have been treated with Wonli Acupuncture, a method of treating LSS by directly approaching the intervertebral foramen and interlaminar space with acupuncture needles different from those used in original acupuncture. Methods. A total of 82 patients with LSS were treated with Wonli Acupuncture, and out of those, 47 patients without exclusion criteria were selected for the following research. We compared the pretreatment VAS and ODI scores based on 1‐year follow‐up measurements. Results. The ODI value dropped by 15.3 ± 24.8 on average (from 35.2 ± 19.9 at the baseline to 19.8 ± 20.6 at the reading) (P < 0.01) and the average VAS also dropped by 19.2 ± 37.2 (from 60.7 ± 23.1 at baseline to 41.5 ± 31.9 at the reading) (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Wonli Acupuncture was found to have clinical efficacy for lumbar spinal stenosis.
Plant-Derived Antimicrobials ReduceE. coliO157:H7 Virulence Factors Critical for Colonization in Cattle Gastrointestinal TractIn Vitro
Authors: Ananda Baskaran Sangeetha , Venkitanarayanan Kumar
Published: June 2014

This study investigated the effect of subinhibitory concentrations (SIC) of five plant-derived antimicrobials (PDAs), namely, trans cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, andβ-resorcylic acid, onE. coliO157:H7 (EHEC) attachment and invasion of cultured bovine colonic (CO) and rectoanal junction (RAJ) epithelial cells. In addition, PDAs’ effect on EHEC genes critical for colonization of cattle gastrointestinal tract (CGIT) was determined in bovine rumen fluid (RF) and intestinal contents (BICs). Primary bovine CO and RAJ epithelial cells were established and were separately inoculated with three EHEC strains with or without (control) SIC of each PDA. Following incubation, EHEC that attached and invaded the cells were determined. Furthermore, the expression of EHEC genes critical for colonization in cattle was investigated using real-time, quantitative polymerase chain reaction in RF and BICs. All the PDAs decreased EHEC invasion of CO and RAJ epithelial cells (P<0.05). The PDAs also downregulated (P<0.05) the expression of EHEC genes critical for colonization in CGIT. Results suggest that the PDAs could potentially be used to control EHEC colonization in cattle; however follow-upin vivostudies in cattle are warranted.
Potential ProbioticEscherichia coli16 Harboring theVitreoscillaHemoglobin Gene Improves Gastrointestinal Tract Colonization and Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
Authors: Kumar Prasant , Ranawade Ayush V. , Kumar Naresh G.
Published: June 2014

The present study describes the beneficial effects of potential probioticE. coli16 (pUC8:16gfp) expressingVitreoscillahemoglobin (vgb) gene, associated with bacterial respiration under microaerobic condition, on gastrointestinal (GI) colonization and its antioxidant activity on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced toxicity in Charles Foster rats.In vitro, catalase activity inE. coli16 (pUC8:16gfp) was 1.8 times higher compared toE. coli16 (pUC-gfp) control.In vivo,E. coli16 (pUC8:16gfp) not only was recovered in the fecal matter after 70 days of oral administration but also retained antibacterial activities, whereasE. coli16 (pUC-gfp) was not detected. Oral administration of 200 and 500 μL/kg body weight of CCl4to rats at weekly interval resulted in elevated serum glutamyl pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamyl oxalacetate transaminase (SGOT) levels compared to controls. Rats prefed withE. coli16 (pUC8:16gfp) demonstrated near to normal levels for SGPT and SGOT, whereas the liver homogenate catalase activity was significantly increased compared to CCl4treated rats. Thus, pUC8:16gfpplasmid encodingvgbimproved the growth and GI tract colonization ofE. coli16. In addition, it also enhanced catalase activity in rats harboringE. coli16 (pUC8:16gfp), thereby preventing the absorption of CCl4to GI tract.
Apathy and Emotion-Based Decision-Making in Amnesic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Bayard Sophie , Jacus Jean-Pierre , Raffard Stéphane , Gely-Nargeot Marie-Christine
Published: June 2014

Background. Apathy and reduced emotion-based decision-making are two behavioral modifications independently described in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).Objectives. The aims of this study were to investigate decision-making based on emotional feedback processing in AD and aMCI and to study the impact of reduced decision-making performances on apathy.Methods. We recruited 20 patients with AD, 20 participants with aMCI, and 20 healthy controls. All participants completed the Lille apathy rating scale (LARS) and the Iowa gambling task (IGT).Results. Both aMCI and AD participants had reduced performances on the IGT and were more apathetic compared to controls without any difference between aMCI and AD groups. For the entire sample, LARS initiation dimension was related to IGT disadvantageous decision-making profile.Conclusions. We provide the first study showing that both aMCI and AD individuals make less profitable decisions than controls, whereas aMCI and AD did not differ. Disadvantageous decision-making profile on the IGT was associated with higher level of apathy on the action initiation dimension. The role of an abnormal IGT performance as a risk factor for the development of apathy needs to be investigated in other clinical populations and in normal aging.
Evidence for the Absence of Worker Behavioral Subcastes in the Sociobiologically Primitive Australian AntNothomyrmecia macropsClark (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmeciinae)
Authors: Taylor Robert W.
Published: June 2014

Activity in three colonies of the nocturnally foraging Australian antNothomyrmecia macropsis investigated. Workers apprehended while foraging were marked, released, and later recaptured within nests following excavation.Everyforager in each nest was encountered and marked. It was expected that unmarked, nonforaging, domestic-specialist workers would be discovered in the nests. This was unexpectedly not the case as all workers, apart from one or two in each colony, had been marked, and therefore had foraged at least once during the three-night experiment. The few unmarked individuals are considered to have been temporarily residential nest-entrance guards. Behavioral subcastes comprising “domestic”versus“foraging” workers were thus not indicated, evidencing absence of worker caste polyethism inNothomyrmecia. The experiment predated emergence in the nests of adult workers from cocoon-enclosed pupae at a season when large feeding larvae of the current annual brood were still being provisioned by foragers. BecauseNothomyrmeciais univoltine and emergence of current-brood adults had not yet occurred, all workers present were from preceding annual broods and defined as “postjuvenile.” A previous laboratory study separately evidenced absence of polyethism inNothomyrmecia. Relevance of the apparent absence of food sharing inN. macropsis discussed.
Boundary Recognition by Simulating a Diffusion Process in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Gu De , Wang Jishuai , Li Ji
Published: June 2014

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) are becoming increasingly promising in practice. As the predeployment design and optimization are usually unpractical in random deployment scenarios, the global optimum of the WSN’s performance is achievable only if the topology dependent self-organizing process acquires the overview of the WSN, in which the boundary is the most important. The idea of this paper comes from the fact that contours only break on the geometrical boundary and the WSN are discrete sampling systems of real environments. By simulating a diffusion process in discrete form, the end point of semi-contours suggests the boundary nodes of a WSN. The simulation cases show the algorithm is well worked in WSN with average degree higher than 10. The boundary recognition could be very valuable for other algorithms dedicated to optimize the overall performance of WSN.
Research on Power Producer’s Bidding Behavior Based on the Best-Response Dynamic Model
Authors: Sun Jingqi , Zhang Xiaochun , Guo Sen
Published: June 2014

As China’s electricity market is facing many problems, the research on power producer’s bidding behavior can promote the healthy and sustainable development of China’s electricity market. As a special commodity, the “electricity” possesses complicated production process. The instable market constraint condition, nonsymmetric information, and a lot of random factors make the producer’s bidding process more complex. Best-response dynamic is one of the classic dynamic mechanisms of the evolutionary game theory, which applies well in the repeated game and strategy evolution that happen among a few bounded rational players with a quick learning capability. The best-response dynamic mechanism is employed to study the power producer’s bidding behavior in this paper, the producer’s best-response dynamic model is constructed, and how the producers would engage in bidding is analyzed in detail. Taking two generating units in South China regional electricity market as the example, the producer’s bidding behavior by following the producer’s best-response dynamic model is verified. The relationships between the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) of power producer’s bidding and the market demand, and ceiling and floor price as well as biding frequency are discussed in detail.
Convergence in Bucket Brigades in a Tree-Shaped Picking System
Authors: Xu Xiangbin , Xu Caige , Shi Feng
Published: June 2014

Previous works on the dynamics of bucket brigades have mainly focused on linear production systems or tree-shaped assembly systems with insignificant walk-back time, but this assumption is invalid for most city picking systems. We propose a two-truck bucket brigade tree-shaped picking system when truck walk-back time is significant and analyze the dynamics of the system in each region of the parameter space, showing that relatively complex picking systems can enjoy the benefit of self-balance with minimal managerial intervention and provide insights and operating principles for the implementation and management of the bucket brigade picking system.
Poststroke Neuropsychiatric Symptoms: Relationships with IL-17 and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Swardfager W. , Herrmann N. , Andreazza A. C. , Swartz R. H. , Khan M. M. , Black S. E. , Lanctôt K. L.
Published: June 2014

Stroke variably activates interleukin- (IL-) 17 expression, reduces regulatory T cells, and induces oxidative stress, which may support neurodegeneration. Ischemic stroke patients were screened for depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D)) and cognitive status (Mini Mental State Examination). Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IL-23, and interferon- [IFN-]γ), anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, and lipid hydroperoxide (LPH), a measure of oxidative stress, were assayed from fasting serum. Of 47 subjects (age 71.8 ± 14.4 years, 36% female), 19 had depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16), which was associated with poorer cognitive status (F1,46=8.44,P=0.006). IL-17 concentrations did not differ between subjects with and without depressive symptoms (F1,46=8.44,P=0.572); however, IL-17 was associated with poorer cognitive status in subjects with depressive symptoms (F1,46=9.29,P=0.004). In those subjects with depressive symptoms, IL-17 was associated with higher LPH (ρ=0.518,P=0.023) and lower IL-10 (ρ=-0.484,P=0.036), but not in those without. In conclusion, poststroke depressive symptoms may be associated with cognitive vulnerability to IL-17 related pathways, involving an imbalance between proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory activity and increased oxidative stress.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Pkn1, a Novel Potential Immunogen, inChlamydia trachomatis-InfectedMacaca nemestrinaand Human Patients
Authors: Patel Achchhe L. , Mishra Prashant K. , Sachdev Divya , Chaudhary Uma , Patton Dorothy L. , Saluja Daman
Published: June 2014

Chlamydia trachomatis(CT) is an important cause of sexually transmitted genital tract infections (STIs) and trachoma. Despite major research into chlamydial pathogenesis and host immune responses, immunoprotection has been hampered by the incomplete understanding of protective immunity in the genital tract. Characterized vaccine candidates have shown variable efficacy ranging from no protection to partial protectionin vivo. It is therefore a research priority to identify novel chlamydial antigens that may elicit protective immune responses against CT infection. In the present study we assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against protein kinase1 (Pkn1), DNA ligaseA (LigA), and major outer membrane protein A (OmpA) following natural CT infection in humans and in experimentally induced CT infection inMacaca nemestrina. Antigenic stretches of Pkn1, LigA, and OmpA were identified using bioinformatic tools.Pkn1,LigA, andOmpAgenes were cloned in bacterial expression vector and purified by affinity chromatography. Our results demonstrate significantly high seroprevalence of antibodies against purified Pkn1 and OmpA in sera obtained from the macaque animal model and human patients infected with CT. In contrast no significant seroreactivity was observed for LigA. The seroprevalence of antibodies against Pkn1 suggest that nonsurface chlamydial proteins could also be important for developing vaccines forC. trachomatis.
Path Planning Method for UUV Homing and Docking in Movement Disorders Environment
Authors: Yan Zheping , Deng Chao , Chi Dongnan , Chen Tao , Hou Shuping
Published: June 2014

Path planning method for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) homing and docking in movement disorders environment is proposed in this paper. Firstly, cost function is proposed for path planning. Then, a novel particle swarm optimization (NPSO) is proposed and applied to find the waypoint with minimum value of cost function. Then, a strategy for UUV enters into the mother vessel with a fixed angle being proposed. Finally, the test function is introduced to analyze the performance of NPSO and compare with basic particle swarm optimization (BPSO), inertia weight particle swarm optimization (LWPSO, EPSO), and time-varying acceleration coefficient (TVAC). It has turned out that, for unimodal functions, NPSO performed better searching accuracy and stability than other algorithms, and, for multimodal functions, the performance of NPSO is similar to TVAC. Then, the simulation of UUV path planning is presented, and it showed that, with the strategy proposed in this paper, UUV can dodge obstacles and threats, and search for the efficiency path.
Synthesis of Nitrogen Doped Carbon and Its Enhanced Electrochemical Activity towards Ascorbic Acid Electrooxidation
Authors: Mutyala Sankararao , Jayaraman Mathiyarasu
Published: June 2014

Nitrogen doped carbon, synthesized by a novel way of carbonizing polyaniline in an inert atmosphere at a constant temperature of800°C, exhibits several unique features. The carbon: nitrogen ratio is found to increase with the treatment duration up to 120 minutes and a mass reduction of 60 wt% is observed with an interesting observation of the retention of the bulk polymer morphology, surprisingly, even after the carbonization process. The electrochemical activity evaluated with potassium hexacyanoferrate and hexamine ruthenium redox systems at a regular time interval helps to tune the catalytic activity. This type of nitrogen doped carbon prepared from polyaniline base exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity as illustrated by the oxidation of ascorbic acid in neutral medium.
Concomitant Alpha- and Gamma-Sarcoglycan Deficiencies in a Turkish Boy with a Novel Deletion in the Alpha-Sarcoglycan Gene
Authors: Diniz Gulden , Tosun Yildirim Hulya , Gokben Sarenur , Serdaroglu Gul , Hazan Filiz , Yararbas Kanay , Tukun Ajlan
Published: June 2014

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D (LGMD-2D) is caused by autosomal recessive defects in the alpha-sarcoglycan gene located on chromosome 17q21. In this study, we present a child with alpha-sarcoglycanopathy and describe a novel deletion in the alpha-sarcoglycan gene. A 5-year-old boy had a very high serum creatinine phosphokinase level, which was determined incidentally, and a negative molecular test for the dystrophin gene. Muscle biopsy showed dystrophic features. Immunohistochemistry showed that there was diminished expression of alpha- and gamma-sarcoglycans. DNA analysis revealed a novel 7 bp homozygous deletion in exon 3 of the alpha-sarcoglycan gene. His parents were consanguineous heterozygous carriers of the same deletion. We believe this is the first confirmed case of primary alpha-sarcoglycanopathy with a novel deletion in Turkey. In addition, this study demonstrated that both muscle biopsy and DNA analysis remain important methods for the differential diagnosis of muscular dystrophies because dystrophinopathies and sarcoglycanopathies are so similar.
Effects of Parathyroid Hormone on Calcium Ions in Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Chen Yushu , Bai Bo , Zhang Shujiang , Ye Jing , Chen Yi , Zeng Yanjun
Published: June 2014

The present study was conducted in order to explore the mechanisms whereby parathyroid hormone (PTH) maintainsin vitroproliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Bone marrow was isolated from Sprague Dawley (SD) rat femurs, culturedin vitro, and passaged using a cell adherent culture method. The BMSC proliferation was evaluated by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and the fluorescence intensity of calcium ions in BMSCs was analyzed by laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). Our results show that BMSC proliferation in the experimental group treated with PTH was more significant than controls. The calcium ion fluorescence intensity in BMSCs was significantly higher for the experimental group as compared to the control group. For each group, there was significant difference in the fluorescence intensity of calcium ions in BMSCs between 7 d and 14 d. In conclusion, parathyroid hormone increased the fluorescence intensity of calcium ions in BMSCs, which might represent a key mechanism whereby BMSC proliferation is maintained.
DFDP: A Distributed Algorithm for Finding Disjoint Paths in Wireless Sensor Networks with Correctness Guarantee
Authors: Zhang Kejia , Yin Guisheng , Han Qilong , Lin Junyu
Published: June 2014

In wireless sensor networks, routing messages through multiple (node) disjoint paths between two sensor nodes is a promising way to increase robustness, throughput, and load balance. This paper proposes an efficient distributed algorithm named distributedly finding disjoint paths (DFDP) to find k disjoint paths connecting two given nodes s and t. A set of paths connecting s and t are disjoint if any two of them do not have any common nodes except s and t. Unlike the existing distributed algorithms, DFDP guarantees correctness; that is, it will output k disjoint paths if there exist k disjoint paths in the network or the maximum number of disjoint paths otherwise. Compared with the centralized algorithms which also guarantee correctness, DFDP is shown to have much better efficiency and load balance by theory analysis and simulation results.
Does the Use of Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine in Treating Patients with Uncomplicated falciparum Malaria Reduce the Risk for Recurrent New falciparum Infection More Than Artemether-Lumefantrine?
Authors: Akpaloo Wisdom , Purssell Edward
Published: June 2014

Malaria contributes significantly to the global disease burden. The World Health Organization recommended the use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria a decade ago in response to problems of drug resistance. This review compared two of the ACTs—Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine (DP) and Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) to provide evidence which one has the ability to offer superior posttreatment prophylaxis at 28 and 42 days posttreatment. Four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Database and Global Health) were searched on June 2, 2013 and a total of seven randomized controlled trials conducted in sub-Sahara Africa were included. Results involving 2, 340 participants indicates that reduction in risk for recurrent new falciparum infections (RNIs) was 79% at day 28 in favour of DP [RR, 0.21; 95% CI: 0.14 to 0.32, P<0.001], and at day 42 was 44% favouring DP [RR, 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.90; P=0.02]. No significant difference was seen in treatment failure rates between the two drugs at days 28 and 42. It is concluded that use of DP offers superior posttreatment prophylaxis compared to AL in the study areas. Hence DP can help reduce malaria cases in such areas more than AL.
The Establishment of Metabolic Syndrome Model by Induction of Fructose Drinking Water in Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Mamikutty Norshalizah , Thent Zar Chi , Sapri Shaiful Ridzwan , Sahruddin Natasya Nadia , Mohd Yusof Mohd Rafizul , Haji Suhaimi Farihah
Published: June 2014

Background. Metabolic syndrome can be caused by modification of diet by means of consumption of high carbohydrate and high fat diet such as fructose.Aims. To develop a metabolic syndrome rat model by induction of fructose drinking water (FDW) in male Wistar rats.Methods. Eighteen male Wistar rats were fed with FDW 20% and FDW 25% for a duration of eight weeks. The physiological changes with regard to food and fluid intake, as well as calorie intake, were measured. The metabolic changes such as obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and hyperglycaemia were determined. Data was presented in mean ± SEM subjected to one-way ANOVA.Results. Male Wistar rats fed with FDW 20% for eight weeks developed significant higher obesity parameters compared to those fed with FDW 25%. There was hypertrophy of adipocytes in F20 and F25. There were also systolic hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and hyperglycemia in both groups.Conclusion. We conclude that the metabolic syndrome rat model is best established with the induction of FDW 20% for eight weeks. This was evident in the form of higher obesity parameter which caused the development of the metabolic syndrome.
Migrating into Genomics with the Neural Crest
Authors: Bronner Marianne E.
Published: June 2014

Neural crest cells are a fascinating embryonic cell type, unique to vertebrates, which arise within the central nervous system but emigrate soon after its formation and migrate to numerous and sometimes distant locations in the periphery. Following their migratory phase, they differentiate into diverse derivatives ranging from peripheral neurons and glia to skin melanocytes and craniofacial cartilage and bone. The molecular underpinnings underlying initial induction of prospective neural crest cells at the neural plate border to their migration and differentiation have been modeled in the form of a putative gene regulatory network. This review describes experiments performed in my laboratory in the past few years aimed to test and elaborate this gene regulatory network from both an embryonic and evolutionary perspective. The rapid advances in genomic technology in the last decade have greatly expanded our knowledge of important transcriptional inputs and epigenetic influences on neural crest development. The results reveal new players and new connections in the neural crest gene regulatory network and suggest that it has an ancient origin at the base of the vertebrate tree.
Henry-Gronwall Integral Inequalities with “Maxima” and Their Applications to Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Thiramanus Phollakrit , Tariboon Jessada , Ntouyas Sotiris K.
Published: June 2014

Some new weakly singular Henry-Gronwall type integral inequalities with “maxima” are established in this paper. Applications to Caputo fractional differential equations with “maxima” are also presented.
Allele Frequency of ABO Blood Group Antigen and the Risk of Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Kumar Narender , Kapoor Akhil , Kalwar Ashok , Narayan Satya , Singhal Mukesh Kumar , Kumar Akhender , Mewara Abhishek , Bardia Megh Raj
Published: June 2014

Background. ABO blood group and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus have been reported by many studies, but there is no discipline that had provided association with the genotype and gene frequency by population statics.Methods. We conducted a case-control study on 480 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and 480 noncancer patients. ABO blood group was determined by presence of antigen with the help of monoclonal antibody. Chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by statistical methods, and gene frequencies were calculated by Hardy-Weinberg model.Results. We observed significant associations between ABO genotype and squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus. OR (95% CIs) was 1.69 (1.31–2.19) for presence of B antigen allele relative to its absence (P<0.0001); in female subgroup OR (95% CIs) observed at 1.84 (1.27–2.65) was statistically significant (P=0.001). SCC of esophagus shows significant difference in comparison to general population; blood group B is found to be higher in incidence (P=0.0001). Increased risk of cancer was observed with absence of Rh antigen (P=0.0001). Relatively increased gene frequency ofq[B] allele is observed more significantly in female cancer patients (P=0.003).Conclusion. Statistically significant association between squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and ABO and Rh genotype is identified by this study. Sex and anatomical site of cancer also present with statistically significant relative association. However, larger randomised trials are required to establish the hypothesis.
Fermentation Process Modeling with Levenberg‐Marquardt Algorithm and Runge‐Kutta Method on Ethanol Production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Liu Dengfeng , Xu Ling , Xiong Weili , Zhang Hong-Tao , Lin Chi-Chung , Jiang Lihua , Xu Baoguo
Published: June 2014

The core of the Chinese rice wine making is a typical simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process. In order to control and optimize the SSF process of Chinese rice wine brewing, it is necessary to construct kinetic model and study the influence of temperature on the Chinese rice wine brewing process. An unstructured kinetic model containing 12 kinetics parameters was developed and used to describe the changing of kinetic parameters in Chinese rice wine fermentation at 22, 26, and 30°C. The effects of substrate and product inhibitions were included in the model, and four variable, including biomass, ethanol, sugar and substrate were considered. The R‐square values for the model are all above 0.95 revealing that the model prediction values could match experimental data very well. Our model conceivably contributes significantly to the improvement of the industrial process for the production of Chinese rice wine.
Signal Processing Algorithms for Down-Stream Traffic in Next Generation 10 Gbit/s Fixed-Grid Passive Optical Networks
Authors: Asif Rameez , Basir Rabeea , Ahmad Ramshah
Published: June 2014

We have analyzed the impact of digital and optical signal processing algorithms, that is, Volterra equalization (VE), digital backpropagation (BP), and optical phase conjugation with nonlinearity module (OPC-NM), in next generation 10 Gbit/s (also referred to as XG) DP-QPSK long haul WDM (fixed-grid) passive optical network (PON) without midspan repeaters over 120 km standard single mode fiber (SMF) link for downstream signals. Due to the compensation of optical Kerr effects, the sensitivity penalty is improved by 2 dB by implementing BP algorithm, 1.5 dB by VE algorithm, and 2.69 dB by OPC-NM. Moreover, with the implementation of NL equalization technique, we are able to get the transmission distance of 126.6 km SMF for the 1 : 1024 split ratio at 5 GHz channel spacing in the nonlinear region.
Admission Cell Free DNA as a Prognostic Factor in Burns: Quantification by Use of a Direct Rapid Fluorometric Technique
Authors: Shoham Yaron , Krieger Yuval , Perry Zvi H. , Shaked Gad , Bogdanov-Berezovsky Alexander , Silberstein Eldad , Sagi Amiram , Douvdevani Amos
Published: June 2014

Background. Despite great advances in the treatment of burn patients, useful prognostic markers are sparse. During the past years there has been increasing interest in circulating plasma cell free DNA as a potential marker for tissue injury. We have developed a rapid direct fluorescent assay for cell free DNA quantification that allows obtaining accurate, fast, and inexpensive measurements.Objective. To use this technique for measuring plasma cell free DNA levels in burn patients and to further explore the use of cell free DNA as a potential marker of patient outcome in burns.Methods. Cell free DNA levels obtained from 14 burn victims within 6 hours of injury and 14 healthy controls were quantified by a direct rapid fluorometric assay.Results. Patient admission cell free DNA levels were significantly elevated compared with that of controls (1797 ± 1523 ng/mL versus 374 ± 245 ng/mL,P=0.004). There are statistically significant correlations between cell free DNA admission levels and burn degree (Spearman’s correlation = 0.78,P=0.001), total body surface area (Spearman’s correlation = 0.61,P=0.02), and total burn volume (Spearman’s correlation = 0.64,P=0.014).Conclusions. Admission cell free DNA levels can serve as a prognostic factor in burns and future routine use can be made possible by use of our direct rapid fluorometric assay.
Emotional Regulation and Depression: A Potential Mediator between Heart and Mind
Authors: Compare Angelo , Zarbo Cristina , Shonin Edo , Van Gordon William , Marconi Chiara
Published: June 2014

A narrative review of the major evidence concerning the relationship between emotional regulation and depression was conducted. The literature demonstrates a mediating role of emotional regulation in the development of depression and physical illness. Literature suggests in fact that the employment of adaptive emotional regulation strategies (e.g., reappraisal) causes a reduction of stress-elicited emotions leading to physical disorders. Conversely, dysfunctional emotional regulation strategies and, in particular, rumination and emotion suppression appear to be influential in the pathogenesis of depression and physiological disease. More specifically, the evidence suggests that depression and rumination affect both cognitive (e.g., impaired ability to process negative information) and neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis overactivation and higher rates of cortisol production). Understanding the factors that govern the variety of health outcomes that different people experience following exposure to stress has important implications for the development of effective emotion-regulation interventional approaches (e.g., mindfulness-based therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and emotion regulation therapy).
Mechanistic Features of Nanodiamonds in the Lapping of Magnetic Heads
Authors: Jiang Xionghua , Chen Zhenxing , Wolfram Joy , Yang Zhizhou
Published: June 2014

Nanodiamonds, which are the main components of slurry in the precision lapping process of magnetic heads, play an important role in surface quality. This paper studies the mechanistic features of nanodiamond embedment into a Sn plate in the lapping process. This is the first study to develop mathematical models for nanodiamond embedment. Such models can predict the optimum parameters for particle embedment. From the modeling calculations, the embedded pressure satisfiesp0=3/2·W/πa2and the indentation depth satisfiesδ=k1P/HV. Calculation results reveal that the largest embedded pressure is 731.48 GPa and the critical indentation depthδis 7 nm. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) were used to carry out surface quality detection and analysis of the disk head. Both the formation of black spots on the surface and the removal rate have an important correlation with the size of nanodiamonds. The results demonstrate that an improved removal rate (21 nm·min−1) can be obtained with 100 nm diamonds embedded in the plate.
Middle Ear Adenoma: Case Report and Discussion
Authors: Isenring D. , Pezier T. F. , Vrugt B. , Huber A. M.
Published: June 2014

Introduction. Despite modern radiological workup, surgeons can still be surprised by intraoperative findings or by the pathologist’s report.Materials & Methods. We describe the case of a 52-year-old male who was referred to our clinic with a single sided conductive hearing loss. He ultimately underwent middle ear exploration and excision of a middle ear tumour followed by second look and ossiculoplasty a year later.Results. Though preoperative CT and MRI scanning were suggestive of a congenital cholesteatoma, the pathologist’s report diagnosed a middle ear adenoma.Discussion. Middle ear glandular tumors are extremely rare and, despite numerous histological techniques, continue to defy satisfactory classification. Most surgeons advocate surgical excision though evidence of the tumour’s natural course and risk of recurrence is lacking.
Improvement of Fuzzy Image Contrast Enhancement Using Simulated Ergodic Fuzzy Markov Chains
Authors: Fathi-Vajargah Behrouz , Gharehdaghi Maryam
Published: June 2014

This paper presents a novel fuzzy enhancement technique using simulated ergodic fuzzy Markov chains for low contrast brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The fuzzy image contrast enhancement is proposed by weighted fuzzy expected value. The membership values are then modified to enhance the image using ergodic fuzzy Markov chains. The qualitative performance of the proposed method is compared to another method in which ergodic fuzzy Markov chains are not considered. The proposed method produces better quality image.
The Steady‐State System Size Distribution for a Modified D‐Policy Geo/G/1 Queueing System
Authors: Liu Renbin , Deng Zhaohui
Published: June 2014

This paper examines a discrete‐time modified
D‐policy Geo/G/1 queue with Bernoulli feedback. Using a
decomposition method, the steady‐state system size distribution at
epoch n+ is obtained. Moreover, the steady‐state system size
distributions at epochs n− and n are also derived. Two
special cases are given. Finally, a wireless local area network is
numerically presented to validate the applicability of steady‐state
system size distribution and its important application in system
capacity design.
Spectral Separation for Multispectral Image Reproduction Based on Constrained Optimization Method
Authors: Sun Bangyong , Liu Han , Zhou Shisheng
Published: June 2014

The constrained optimization method is employed to calculate the colorant values of the multispectral images. Because the spectral separation from the 31-dimensional spectral reflectance to low dimensional colorant values is very complex, an inverse process based on spectral Neugebauer model and constrained optimization method is performed. Firstly, the spectral Neugebauer model is applied to predict the colorants’ spectral reflectance values, and it is modified by using the Yule-Nielsenn-value and the effective area coverages. Then, the spectral reflectance root mean square (RRMS) error is established as the objective function for the optimization method, while the colorant values are constrained to 0~1. At last, when the nonlinear constraints and related parameters are set appropriately, the colorant values are accurately calculated for the multispectral images corresponding to the minimum RRMS errors. In the experiment, the colorant errors of the cyan, magenta and yellow inks are all below 2.5% and the average spectral error is below 5%, which indicate that the precision of the spectral separation method in this paper is acceptable.
Application of Coupled Fixed Point Technique in Solving Integral Equations on Modified Intuitionistic Fuzzy Metric Spaces
Authors: Deshpande Bhavana , Handa Amrish
Published: June 2014

We establish a common coupled fixed point theorem for weakly compatible mappings on modified intuitionistic fuzzy metric spaces. As an application of our result, we study the existence and uniqueness of the solution to a nonlinear Fredholm integral equation. We also give an example to demonstrate our result.
Hematological and Biochemical Markers of Iron Status in a Male, Young, Physically Active Population
Authors: Nunes Lázaro Alessandro Soares , Grotto Helena Zerlotti W. , Brenzikofer René , Macedo Denise Vaz
Published: June 2014

The aim of this study was to establish reference intervals (RIs) for the hemogram and iron status biomarkers in a physically active population. The study population included male volunteers (n=150) with an average age of 19 ± 1 years who had participated in a regular and controlled exercise program for four months. Blood samples were collected to determine hematological parameters using a Sysmex XE-5000 analyzer (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan). Iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation and ferritin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in serum samples were measured using commercial kits (Roche Diagnostics, GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) and a Roche/Hitachi 902 analyzer. The RIs were established using the RefVal program 4.1b. The leucocyte count, TIBC, and CRP and ferritin concentrations exhibited higher RIs compared with those in a nonphysically active population. Thirty volunteers (outliers) were removed from the reference population due to blood abnormalities. Among the outliers, 46% exhibited higher CRP concentrations and lower concentrations of iron and reticulocyte hemoglobin compared with the nonphysically active population (P<0.001). Our results showed that it is important to establish RIs for certain laboratory parameters in a physically active population, especially for tests related to the inflammatory response and iron metabolism.
Evaluating and Enhancing Three‐Dimensional Printing Service Providers for Rapid Prototyping Using the DEMATEL Based Network Process and VIKOR
Authors: Liao Shin , Wu Ming-Jenn , Huang Chi-Yo , Kao Yu-Sheng , Lee Teng-Hsiang
Published: June 2014

During the past years, the three‐dimensional printing (3DP) has become a dominant rapid prototyping (RP) technology due to its very viable process in terms of cost, speed, and sales of related equipment. Nowadays, numerous 3DP based RP services are available. Because of the capability, service quality, and pricing of the services varies, how to select a suitable 3DP based RP service provider is very critical to the companies being engaged in new product developments. However, the issue was seldom studied. To resolve this problem, a hybrid multiple‐criteria decision making (HMCDM) framework for evaluating and enhancing an appropriate 3DP based RP service provider based on the Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) based Network Process (DNP) as well as VIKOR (VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) was proposed. The analytic framework was verified as feasible by an empirical study based on the opinions being provided by 3DP and RP experts. The well‐verified framework can serve as the basis of future evaluation, selection, and enhancement of 3DP based RP service providers.
Anti‐Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Untreated, Germinated, and Fermented Mung Bean Aqueous Extract
Authors: Ali Norlaily Mohd , Mohd Yusof Hamidah , Yeap Swee-Keong , Ho Wan-Yong , Beh Boon-Kee , Long Kamariah , Koh Soo-Peng , Abdullah Mohd Puad , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu
Published: June 2014

Evaluation of anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of untreated mung bean (MB), germinated mung bean (GMB), and fermented mung bean (FMB) was performed on both in vitro (inhibition of inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide(NO)) and in vivo (inhibition of ear oedema and reduction of response to pain stimulus) studies. Results showed that both GMB and FMB aqueous extract exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in a dose‐dependent manner. In vitro results showed that GMB and FMB were potent inflammatory mediator (NO) inhibitors at both 2.5 and 5 mg/mL. Further in vivo studies showed that GMB and FMB aqueous extract at 1000 mg/kg can significantly reduce ear oedema in mice caused by arachidonic acid. Besides, both 200 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg concentrations of GMB and FMB were found to exhibit potent antinociceptive effects towards hotplate induced pain. With these, it can be concluded that GMB and FMB aqueous extract exhibited potential anti‐inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.
Simplified Technique for Sealing Corneal Perforations Using a Fibrin Glue-Assisted Amniotic Membrane Transplant-Plug
Authors: Kara Selcuk , Arikan Sedat , Ersan Ismail , Taskiran Comez Arzu
Published: June 2014

Purpose. To describe a surgical technique using amniotic membrane transplant (AMT) with fibrin glue (FG) for treating smaller corneal perforations more practically and appropriately filling the defect.Method. A patient with noninfectious central corneal perforation, in 1 mm in diameter, was treated with FG-assisted AMT-plug. An AMT was folded in on itself twice by using FG then a small piece of this FG-AMT mixture was cut to maintain an appropriate plug for the site of the corneal perforation. The FG-assisted AMT-plug was placed in the perforation area by using FG. An amniotic membrane patch was placed over the plug, which was then secured by a bandage contact lens.Result. Surgery to restore corneal stromal thickness without recurrence of perforation.Conclusion. The FG-assisted AMT-plug allowed a successful repair of 1 mm in diameter corneal perforation. This technique was easily performed, thus seeming to be a good alternative to treat corneal perforations with restoring corneal thickness.
Road Network Vulnerability Analysis Based on Improved Ant Colony Algorithm
Authors: Wang Yunpeng , Feng Yuqin , Li Wenxiang , Fulcher William Case , Zhang Li
Published: June 2014

We present an improved ant colony algorithm‐based approach to assess the vulnerability of a road network and identify the critical infrastructures. This approach improves computational efficiency and allows for its applications in large‐scale road networks. This research involves defining the vulnerability conception, modeling the traffic utility index and the vulnerability of the road network, and identifying the critical infrastructures of the road network. We apply the approach to a simple test road network and a real road network to verify the methodology. The results show that vulnerability is directly related to traffic demand and increases significantly when the demand approaches capacity. The proposed approach reduces the computational burden and may be applied in large‐scale road network analysis. It can be used as a decision‐supporting tool for identifying critical infrastructures in transportation planning and management.
Terminal‐Dependent Statistical Inference for the FBSDEs Models
Authors: Song Yunquan
Published: June 2014

The original stochastic differential equations (OSDEs) and forward‐backward stochastic differential equations (FBSDEs) are often used to model complex dynamic process that arise in financial, ecological, and many other areas. The main difference between OSDEs and FBSDEs is that the latter is designed to depend on a terminal condition, which is a key factor in some financial and ecological circumstances. It is interesting but challenging to estimate FBSDE parameters from noisy data and the terminal condition. However, to the best of our knowledge, the terminal‐dependent statistical inference for such a model has not been explored in the existing literature. We proposed a nonparametric terminal control variables estimation method to address this problem. The reason why we use the terminal control variables is that the newly proposed inference procedures inherit the terminal‐dependent characteristic. Through this new proposed method, the estimators of the functional coefficients of the FBSDEs model are obtained. The asymptotic properties of the estimators are also discussed. Simulation studies show that the proposed method gives satisfying estimates for the FBSDE parameters from noisy data and the terminal condition. A simulation is performed to test the feasibility of our method.
Dynamic Metabolic Changes during the First 3 Months after90Y-Ibritumomab Tiuxetan Radioimmunotherapy
Authors: Takahashi Miwako , Momose Toshimitsu , Koyama Keitaro , Ichikawa Motoshi , Kurokawa Mineo , Ohtomo Kuni
Published: June 2014

Objective. To elucidate the time course of tumor metabolism during the first 3 months after90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy (RIT) in patients with refractory malignant lymphoma.Materials and Methods. Seven patients with recurrent follicular lymphoma underwent FDG-PET imaging before and after 1-, 4-, and 12-week RIT with90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan. Tumor metabolic activity on FDG-PET scans was assessed as the maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax).Results. Decrease in metabolism was detected 1 week after RIT. In the most decreased lesion, SUVmax decreased to 20% of the baseline value during the first week. Most lesions continued to decrease for up to 4 weeks. Some lesions showed increased metabolism from 4 to 12 weeks, while the level of FDG accumulations at 12 weeks was still lower than the baseline.Conclusions. Tumor response to RIT could be observed as early as 1 week after the administration of RIT. After tumor activity decreases, the metabolism may increase at least between 4 and 12 weeks. It suggests that the metabolic changes should be carefully evaluated during this period.