bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of Colistin Methanesulfonate and Formed Colistin in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Receiving Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Koomanachai Pornpan , Landersdorfer Cornelia B. , Chen Gong , Lee Hee Ji , Jitmuang Anupop , Wasuwattakul Somkiat , Sritippayawan Suchai , Li Jian , Nation Roger L. , Thamlikitkul Visanu
Published: November 2013

Colistin, administered intravenously as its inactive prodrug colistin methanesulfonate (CMS), is increasingly used as last-line therapy to combat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. CMS dosing needs to be adjusted for renal function. The impact of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on the pharmacokinetics of both CMS and colistin has not been studied. No CMS dosing recommendations are available for patients receiving CAPD. Eight CAPD patients received a single intravenous CMS dose (150 mg colistin base activity [CBA]) over 30 min. Serial blood and dialysate samples, and cumulative urine where applicable, were collected over 25 h. CMS and colistin concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Population pharmacokinetic modeling and Monte Carlo simulations were conducted. The total body clearance of CMS (excluding CAPD clearance) was 1.77 liters/h (44%) [population mean (between-subject variability)], while CAPD clearance was 0.088 liter/h (64%). The population mean terminal half-life of CMS was 8.4 h. For colistin, the total clearance/fraction of CMS metabolized to colistin (fm) (excluding CAPD clearance) was 2.74 liters/h (50%), the CAPD clearance was 0.101 liter/h (34%), and the mean terminal half-life was 13.2 h. Monte Carlo simulations suggested a loading dose of 300 mg CBA on day 1 and a maintenance dose of either 150 mg or 200 mg CBA daily to achieve a target average steady-state plasma colistin concentration of 2.5 mg/liter. Clearance by CAPD was low for both CMS and formed colistin. Therefore, CMS doses should not be increased during CAPD. Modeling and simulation enabled us to propose the first evidence-based CMS dosage regimen for CAPD patients.
Geno- and Phenotypic Characterization of Human Cytomegalovirus Mutants SelectedIn Vitroafter Letermovir (AIC246) Exposure
Authors: Goldner Thomas , Hempel Christine , Ruebsamen-Schaeff Helga , Zimmermann Holger , Lischka Peter
Published: November 2013

Letermovir is a novel antiviral compound currently in clinical development for the prevention of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. In contrast to all currently approved anti-HCMV drugs that target the viral DNA polymerase, letermovir acts via a distinct mode of action involving the viral terminase subunit pUL56. To extend our understanding of potential letermovir resistance mechanisms, we used marker transfer to characterize mutations identified in letermovir-resistant HCMV variants that were selected in cell culture.
Versatile Roles of CspA Orthologs in Complement Inactivation of Serum-Resistant Lyme Disease Spirochetes
Authors: Hammerschmidt Claudia , Koenigs Arno , Siegel Corinna , Hallström Teresia , Skerka Christine , Wallich Reinhard , Zipfel Peter F. , Kraiczy Peter
Published: November 2013

CspA of the Lyme disease spirocheteBorrelia burgdorferirepresents a key molecule in immune evasion, protecting borrelial cells from complement-mediated killing. As previous studies focused almost exclusively on CspA ofB. burgdorferi, here we investigate the different binding capacities of CspA orthologs ofBorrelia burgdorferi,B. afzelii, andB. spielmaniifor complement regulator factor H and plasminogen and their ability to inhibit complement activation by either binding these host-derived plasma proteins or independently by direct interaction with components involved in formation of the lethal, pore-like terminal complement complex. To further examine their function in serum resistancein vivo, a serum-sensitiveB. gariniistrain was used to generate spirochetes, ectopically producing functional CspA orthologs. Irrespective of their species origin, all three CspA orthologs impart resistance to complement-mediated killing when produced in a serum-sensitiveB. gariniisurrogate strain. To analyze the inhibitory effect on complement activation and to assess the potential to inactivate C3b by binding of factor H and plasminogen, recombinant CspA orthologs were also investigated. All three CspA orthologs simultaneously bound factor H and plasminogen but differed in regard to their capacity to inactivate C3b via bound plasmin(ogen) and inhibit formation of the terminal complement complex. CspA ofB. afzeliibinds plasmin(ogen) and inhibits the terminal complement complex more efficiently than CspA ofB. burgdorferiandB. spielmanii. Taken together, CspA orthologs of serum-resistant Lyme disease spirochetes act as multifunctional evasion molecules that inhibit complement on two central activation levels, C3b generation and assembly of the terminal complement complex.
Functional Roles for C5a and C5aR but Not C5L2 in the Pathogenesis of Human and Experimental Cerebral Malaria
Authors: Kim Hani , Erdman Laura K. , Lu Ziyue , Serghides Lena , Zhong Kathleen , Dhabangi Aggrey , Musoke Charles , Gerard Craig , Cserti-Gazdewich Christine , Liles W. Conrad , Kain Kevin C.
Published: November 2013

The host immune response plays an important role in the onset and progression of cerebral malaria (CM). The complement system is an essential component of the innate immune response to malaria, and its activation generates the anaphylatoxin C5a. To test the hypothesis that C5a signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of CM, we investigated a causal role for the C5a receptors C5aR and C5L2 in a mouse model of experimental CM (ECM) induced by
Plasmodium berghei
ANKA infection, and using a case-control design, we examined levels of C5a in plasma samples from Ugandan children presenting with CM or uncomplicated malaria (UM). In the ECM model,
C5aR
−/−
mice displayed significantly improved survival compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts (
P
= 0.004), whereas
C5L2
−/−
mice showed no difference in survival from WT mice. Improved survival in
C5aR
−/−
mice was associated with reduced levels of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) and the chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) (CCL2). Furthermore, endothelial integrity was enhanced, as demonstrated by increased levels of angiopoietin-1, decreased levels of angiopoietin-2 and soluble ICAM-1, and decreased Evans blue extravasation into brain parenchyma. In the case-control study, the median levels of C5a at presentation were significantly higher in children with CM versus those in children with UM (43.7 versus 22.4 ng/ml;
P
< 0.001). These findings demonstrate that C5a is dysregulated in human CM and contributes to the pathogenesis of ECM via C5aR-dependent inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
Severe hypoalphalipoproteinaemia in a child with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN)
Authors: Alayli Mohammad B , Sanjad Sami A
Published: November 2013

We describe a child with acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN), who developed a very low plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (α-lipoprotein) in association with transient but massive proteinuria. The hypoalphalipoproteinaemia resolved spontaneously concomitant with the remission in proteinuria and the patient had a complete clinical recovery. Urinary loss of apolipoprotein A1 may have contributed to the hypoalphalipoproteinaemia. To our knowledge, this has not been reported previously in APSGN.
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a patient with bacterial meningitis
Authors: Kinoshita Kensuke , Tsunoda Yoshiya , Watanabe Shigeyuki , Tokuda Yasuharu
Published: November 2013

A 40-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of the acute onset of fever and headache, which were attributed to bacterial meningitis. Antibiotic treatment was initiated and his condition gradually improved. On day 5 after admission, immediately after masturbation, he developed abrupt onset of severe chest pain and cold sweat and the ECG suggested acute anterior myocardial infarction. Immediate coronary angiography revealed spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending artery. After conservative management, his cardiac function improved. Acute coronary syndrome may be rarely caused by spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Sepsis was considered as a probable trigger for spontaneous coronary artery dissection, possibly through vascular damage from increased nitric oxide and sympathetic nervous over-activation.
Ruptured aneurysm of an aberrant left hepatic artery
Authors: Lynch Jeremy , Montgomery Alison , Shelmerdine Susan , Taylor Jeremy
Published: November 2013

Although rare, the high mortality associated with visceral artery aneurysms highlights the importance of their prompt diagnosis and treatment. This report details the acute presentation, diagnosis and management of a 51-year-old man with a non-traumatic ruptured aneurysm of an aberrant left hepatic artery. This is just the second case of a rupture of this aberrant artery reported in the literature, and the only one to be treated using endovascular techniques. An up-to-date review of the investigation and surgical/endovascular management of visceral aneurysms in relation to this case is included.
Radiologically isolated syndrome: an uncommon finding at a university clinic in a high-prevalence region for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Granberg Tobias , Martola Juha , Aspelin Peter , Kristoffersen-Wiberg Maria , Fredrikson Sten
Published: November 2013

Objective

The improved availability of MRI in medicine has led to an increase in incidental findings. Unexpected brain MRI findings suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS) without typical symptoms of MS were recently defined as radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS). The prevalence of RIS is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of RIS at a university hospital in a region with a high prevalence for MS and describe the long-term prognosis of the identified patients.

Design

Retrospective cohort study conducted in 2012.

Setting

All brain MRI examinations performed at Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden during 2001 were retrospectively screened by a single rater for findings fulfilling the Okuda criteria. The sample year was chosen in order to establish the long-term prognosis of the patients identified. The examinations of interest were re-evaluated according to the Barkhof criteria by a neuroradiologist with long experience in MS.

Participants

In total 2105 individuals were included in the study. Ages ranged from 0 to 90 years with a median age of 48 years. Only one patient with RIS was identified, equivalent to a prevalence of 0.05% in the studied population, or 0.15% among patients aged 15–40 years. The patient with RIS developed symptoms consistent with MS within 3 months accompanied with radiological progression and was diagnosed with MS.

Conclusions

RIS, according to present criteria, is an uncommon finding in a tertiary hospital setting in a high-prevalence region for MS where awareness and clinical suspicion of MS is common. In order to study the prognosis of RIS, multicentre studies, or case–control studies are recommended.
At cancer diagnosis: a ‘window of opportunity’ for behavioural change towards physical activity. A randomised feasibility study in patients with colon and breast cancer
Authors: Møller Tom , Lillelund Christian , Andersen Christina , Ejlertsen Bent , Nørgaard Lone , Christensen Karl Bang , Vadstrup Eva , Diderichsen Finn , Hendriksen Carsten , Bloomquist Kira , Adamsen Lis
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Challenges exist in identifying, recruiting and motivating sedentary patients with cancer to initiate physical activity towards recommended levels. We hypothesise that the onset period of adjuvant chemotherapy can be ‘the open window of opportunity’ to identify and motivate sedentary patients with breast and colon cancers, at risk for developing coronary heart disease, to initiate and sustain lifestyle changes.

Aims

To investigate the feasibility of oncologists/nurses screening for physical inactivity, in order to identify and recruit an at-risk population of sedentary patients with breast or colon cancer at the onset of adjuvant chemotherapy. Furthermore, the study will examine the adherence to one of two multimodal exercise interventions lasting 12 weeks; (1) hospital-based, high intensity, group exercise intervention (2) home-based, low intensity, individual, pedometer intervention. Both arms will be compared with a control group.

Methods and analyses

All newly referred patients will be screened for sedentary behaviour, using national recommendations. Testing at baseline, 6, 12 and 39 weeks will include; (1) physiological testing (VO2-peak, one repetition maximum muscle strength and lung function (2) fasting full body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (3) fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipids and cholesterols, (4) psychometric questionnaires (general well-being, quality of life, anxiety and depression, motivational readiness). The randomised controlled trial feasibility design is selected in order to examine barriers for recruitment, programme adherence, safety aspects and potential efficacy to the interventions during adjuvant chemotherapy.

Ethics and dissemination

The Scientific Committee of the Capital Region (case No. H-1-2011-131) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (j. No. 2011-41-6349) approved the study. Data will be entered and locked into a database hosted by the Copenhagen Trial Unit, Rigshosptialet. Data will be available for analyses to project members and the trial statistician after the 45 included patients have completed the 12-week test. Results will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Trial registration

Current Controlled TrialsISRCTN24901641.
Liraglutide efficacy and action in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (LEAN): study protocol for a phase II multicentre, double-blinded, randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Armstrong Matthew J , Barton Darren , Gaunt Piers , Hull Diana , Guo Kathy , Stocken Deborah , Gough Stephen C L , Tomlinson Jeremy W , Brown Rachel M , Hübscher Stefan G , Newsome Philip N ,   on behalf of the LEAN trial team
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is now the commonest cause of chronic liver disease. Despite this, there are no universally accepted pharmacological therapies for NASH. Liraglutide (Victoza), a human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue, has been shown to improve weight loss, glycaemic control and liver enzymes in type 2 diabetes. There is currently a lack of prospective-controlled studies investigating the efficacy of GLP-1 analogues in patients with NASH.

Methods and analysis

Liraglutide efficacy and action in NASH (LEAN) is a phase II, multicentre, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial designed to investigate whether a 48-week treatment with 1.8 mg liraglutide will result in improvements in liver histology in patients with NASH. Adult, overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) patients with biopsy-confirmed NASH were assessed for eligibility at five recruitment centres in the UK. Patients who satisfied the eligibility criteria were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive once-daily subcutaneous injections of either 1.8 mg liraglutide or liraglutide-placebo (control). Using A'Hern's single stage phase II methodology (significance level 0.05; power 0.90) and accounting for an estimated 20% withdrawal rate, a minimum of 25 patients were randomised to each treatment group. The primary outcome measure will be centrally assessed using an intention-to-treat analysis of the proportion of evaluable patients achieving an improvement in liver histology between liver biopsies at baseline and after 48 weeks of treatment. Histological improvement will be defined as a combination of the disappearance of active NASH and no worsening in fibrosis.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the National Research Ethics Service (East Midlands—Northampton committee; 10/H0402/32) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Recruitment into the LEAN started in August 2010 and ended in May 2013, with 52 patients randomised. The treatment follow-up of LEAN participants is currently ongoing and is due to finish in July 2014. The findings of this trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and international presentations.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.govNCT01237119.
Direct puncture sclerotherapy of a thoracic duct cyst presenting as an enlarging left supraclavicular mass
Authors: Kadkhodayan Yasha , Yano Motoyo , Cross DeWitte T
Published: November 2013

A 58-year-old woman presented with a palpable mass at the base of the left neck which she had first noticed 12 years previously, shortly after abdominal surgery. The mass had progressively enlarged, resulting in dysphagia, dyspnea and occasional pain. Imaging showed a septated but otherwise simple cystic mass extending into the mediastinum and containing lymphocytic fluid on aspiration. A diagnosis of the rare entity of a thoracic duct cyst with supraclavicular extension was made. The patient opted for percutaneous sclerotherapy of the lesion, which was performed using glacial acetic acid. This resulted in complete resolution of the mass with one treatment. After exclusion of other causes of cystic left supraclavicular masses including cystic neoplasms and pseudoaneurysms of the carotid or subclavian arteries, direct puncture sclerotherapy can be safe and effective.
Forest valuation under the generalized Faustmann formula
Authors: Chang Sun Joseph
Published: November 2013

This paper attempts to address the question of how the value of the forest, the land, and the standing timber should be determined under the generalized Faustmann formula when the beginning and ending value of the land may be different. First, the formulas to determine the value of the forest and the land under such a situation were derived. These formulas were then used to separate the value of the trees from that of the forest. A comparison of the correctly determined valuations of the land against those obtained through a frequently used approximation method showed that at interest rates commonly used, the approximation method overestimates the land value and underestimates the value of the standing timber. Sensitivity analyses showed that higher future land value tends to affect the value of the land less at the beginning of the rotation and more at the end. Its impact on the value of the standing timber may or may not be affected, depending on whether the optimal harvest age is affected or not. Higher final harvest value and higher interest rate affect both the value of the land and the value of the standing timber throughout the entire rotation. Lastly, higher regeneration at the beginning of the rotation simply re-allocates the forest value between that of the land and that of the standing timber, reducing the former while increasing the latter.
Neuregulin-1 alpha, the underestimated molecule: emerging new roles in normal brain function and the pathophysiology of schizophrenia?
Authors: Bernstein Hans-Gert , Bogerts Bernhard
Published: November 2013

We comment here, from a schizophrenia research perspective, on a recent paper of Ghahramani Seno et al., which clearly shows that the splice variant neuregulin-1 alpha is able to regulate multiple genes involved in phosphorylation, acetylation, and generation of splice variants.
STABLE SELF-INTERACTING PAIS–UHLENBECK OSCILLATOR
Authors: PAVŠIČ MATEJ
Published: November 2013

It is shown that the interacting Pais–Uhlenbeck (PU) oscillator necessarily leads to a description with a Hamiltonian that contains positive and negative energies associated with two oscillators. Descriptions with a positive definite Hamiltonians, considered by some authors, can hold only for a free PU oscillator. We demonstrate that the solutions of a self-interacting PU oscillator are stable on islands in the parameter space, as already observed in the literature. If we slightly modify the system, by considering a sine interaction term, and/or by taking unequal masses of the two oscillators, then the system is stable on the continents that extend from zero to infinity in the parameter space. Therefore, the PU oscillator is quite acceptable physical system.
A New Metric for Modeling the Uneven Sleeping Problem in Coordinated Sensor Node Scheduling
Authors: Fan Gaojuan , Zhang Chongsheng
Published: November 2013

Monitoring performance and energy constraint are two conflicting aspects in wireless sensor networks. In order to save battery power in very dense sensor networks, some redundant sensors can be put into the sleep state while other sensor nodes remain active for the sensing and communication tasks. However, if the energy consumptions for some nodes are more than those of the others, these nodes would lose effectiveness earlier than the remaining ones, which subsequently causes the coverage holes. Because of the uneven node scheduling problem in the sensing areas and the partitions of communication network, the coverage holes further influence the sensing and communication qualities and the network life. In this work, we propose the uneven sleeping problem (USP) happening in the coordinated node scheduling in wireless sensor networks. We analyze the key factors that may lead to USP. We design a new metric which can better measure and evaluate USP. This new metric takes the influence of the boundary effects on node schedule into consideration. We experimentally evaluate the performance of our proposal. The results show that our metric can effectively identify the boundary sensor nodes that deserve equal chances of sleep; it thus reduces the number of dead sensors and can help achieve a longer network lifetime than existing methods.
3D Analysis of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Kinematics during Flexion
Authors: Hess Florian , Fürnstahl Philipp , Gallo Luigi-Maria , Schweizer Andreas
Published: November 2013

Background. Dynamic joint motion recording combined with CT-based 3D bone and joint surface data is accepted as a helpful and precise tool to analyse joint. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of these techniques for quantitative motion analysis of the interphalangeal joint in 3D.Materials and Method. High resolution motion data was combined with an accurate 3D model of a cadaveric index finger. Three light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were used to record dynamic data, and a CT scan of the finger was done for 3D joint surface geometry. The data allowed performing quantitative evaluations such as finite helical axis (FHA) analysis, coordinate system optimization, and measurement of the joint distances in 3D.Results. The FHA varies by4.9±1.7° on average. On average, the rotation in adduction/abduction and internal/external rotation were0.3±0.91° and0.1±0.97°, respectively. During flexion, a translational motion between 0.06 mm and 0.73 mm was observed.Conclusions. The proposed technique and methods appear to be feasible for the accurate assessment and evaluation of the PIP joint motion in 3D. The presented method may help to gain additional insights for the design of prosthetic implants, rehabilitation, and new orthotic devices.
Assessment of Regulatory T Cells in Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Authors: Mazzucco Karina L. M. , Junior Lauro M. , Lemos Natália E. , Wieck Andréa , Pezzi Annelise , Laureano Alvaro M. , Amorin Bruna , Valim Vanessa , Silla Lucia , Daudt Liane E. , Marostica Paulo J. C.
Published: November 2013

This study had the objective to assess the frequency of Tregs in children newly diagnosed with ITP and ascertain whether an association exists between Tregs and platelet counts, by means of a comparison with healthy controls. This case-control study included 19 patients newly diagnosed with ITP—whose blood samples were collected at four points in time: before any therapy and 1, 3, and 6 months after diagnosis—and 19 healthy controls. Tregs (CD4+ CD25+Foxp3 T cells) were evaluated by flow cytometry. There was a statistically significant difference in platelet count between the case and control groups. There were no significant differences in Treg counts between cases and controls at any point during the course of the study and no difference in Treg counts between the chronic and nonchronic groups and no significant correlation between Tregs and platelet counts in the case and control groups. The findings of this study did not show any statistically significant correlation between Tregs and number of platelets in the case and control groups. Treg cells did not play a role in the regulation of autoimmunity in children with ITP.
Factors Affecting Isoflavone Content in Soybean Seeds Grown in Thailand
Authors: Teekachunhatean Supanimit , Hanprasertpong Nutthiya , Teekachunhatean Thawatchai
Published: November 2013

Soybeans are the most common source of isoflavones in human foods. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of Thai soybean variety, planting date, physical seed quality, storage condition, planting location, and crop year on isoflavone content, as well as to analyze the relationship between seed viability and isoflavone content in soybean seeds grown in Thailand. Isoflavone content in Thai soybeans varied considerably depending on such factors as variety, physical seed quality, crop year, planting date (even in the same crop year), and planting location. Most varieties (except for Nakhon Sawan 1 and Sukhothai 1) had significantly higher isoflavone content when planted in early rather than in late dry season. Additionally, seed viability as well as long-term storage at10∘Cor at ambient condition seemed unlikely to affect isoflavone content in Thai soybean varieties. Isoflavone content in soybean seeds grown in Thailand depends on multiple genetic and environmental factors. Some varieties (Nakhon Sawan 1 and Sukhothai 1) exhibited moderately high isoflavone content regardless of sowing date. Soybeans with decreased seed viability still retained their isoflavone content.
Safety Assessment and Biological Effects of a New Cold Processed SilEmulsion for Dermatological Purpose
Authors: Raposo Sara , Salgado Ana , Gonçalves Lídia , Pinto Pedro C. , Urbano Manuela , Ribeiro Helena M.
Published: November 2013

It is of crucial importance to evaluate the safety profile of the ingredients used in dermatological emulsions. A suitable equilibrium between safety and efficacy is a pivotal concern before the marketing of a dermatological product. The aim was to assess the safety and biological effects of a new cold processed silicone-based emulsion (SilEmulsion). The hazard, exposure, and dose-response assessment were used to characterize the risk for each ingredient. EpiSkin assay and human repeat insult patch tests were performed to compare the theoretical safety assessment toin vitroandin vivodata. The efficacy of the SilEmulsion was studied using biophysical measurements in human volunteers during 21 days. According to the safety assessment of the ingredients, 1,5-pentanediol was an ingredient of special concern since its margin of safety was below the threshold of 100 (36.53). EpiSkin assay showed that the tissue viability after the application of the SilEmulsion was 92 ± 6% and, thus considered nonirritant to the skin. The human studies confirmed that the SilEmulsion was not a skin irritant and did not induce any sensitization on the volunteers, being safe for human use. Moreover, biological effects demonstrated that the SilEmulsion increased both the skin hydration and skin surface lipids.
A Jigsaw-Based Sensor Placement Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Huang Shih-Chang , Chang Hong-Yi , Wu Kun-Lin
Published: November 2013

Current deterministic sensor deploying methods always include the uncovered space greedily to reduce the number of deployed sensors. Because the sensing area of each sensor is circle-like, these greedily methods often divide the region of interest to multiple tiny and scattered regions. Therefore, many additional sensors are deployed to cover these scattered regions. This paper proposes a Jigsaw-based sensor placement (JSP) algorithm for deploying sensors deterministically. Sensors are placed at the periphery of the region of interest to prevent separating the region of interest to isolated regions. An enhanced mechanism is also proposed to improve the time complexity of the proposed method. The scenarios with and without obstacles are evaluated. The simulation results show that the proposed method can cover the whole region of interest with fewer deployed sensors. The effective coverage ratio of JSP method is less than 2. It is better than the maximum coverage method and the Delaunay triangulation method. The deploying sensors have more efficient coverage area, and the distribution of the incremental covered area is close to normal distribution.
Deterministic Sensing Matrices in Compressive Sensing: A Survey
Authors: Nguyen Thu L. N. , Shin Yoan
Published: November 2013

Compressive sensing is a sampling method which provides a new approach to efficient signal compression and recovery by exploiting the fact that a sparse signal can be suitably reconstructed from very few measurements. One of the most concerns in compressive sensing is the construction of the sensing matrices. While random sensing matrices have been widely studied, only a few deterministic sensing matrices have been considered. These matrices are highly desirable on structure which allows fast implementation with reduced storage requirements. In this paper, a survey of deterministic sensing matrices for compressive sensing is presented. We introduce a basic problem in compressive sensing and some disadvantage of the random sensing matrices. Some recent results on construction of the deterministic sensing matrices are discussed.
Common Force Field Thermodynamics of Cholesterol
Authors: Giangreco Francesco , Yamamoto Eiji , Hirano Yoshinori , Hodoscek Milan , Knecht Volker , di Giosia Matteo , Calvaresi Matteo , Zerbetto Francesco , Yasuoka Kenji , Narumi Tetsu , Yasui Masato , Höfinger Siegfried
Published: November 2013

Four different force fields are examined for dynamic
characteristics using cholesterol as a case study. The
extent to which various types of internal degrees
of freedom become thermodynamically relevant is
evaluated by means of principal component analysis.
More complex degrees of freedom (angle bending,
dihedral rotations) show a trend towards force
field independence. Moreover, charge assignments
for membrane‐embedded compounds are revealed to be
critical with significant impact on biological reasoning.
Approximate Single‐Diode Photovoltaic Model for Efficient I‐V Characteristics Estimation
Authors: Ma Jieming , Man Ka Lok , Ting T. O. , Zhang Nan , Guan Sheng-Uei , Wong Prudence W. H.
Published: November 2013

Precise photovoltaic (PV) behavior models are normally described by nonlinear analytical equations. To solve such equations, it is necessary to use iterative procedures. Aiming to make the computation easier, this paper proposes an approximate single‐diode PV model that enables high‐speed predictions for the electrical characteristics of commercial PV modules. Based on the experimental data, statistical analysis is conducted to validate the approximate model. Simulation results show that the calculated current‐voltage (I‐V) characteristics fit the measured data with high accuracy. Furthermore, compared with the existing modeling methods, the proposed model reduces the simulation time by approximately 30% in this work.
Acute Toxicity and Genotoxic Activity of Avocado Seed Extract (Persea americana Mill., c.v. Hass)
Authors: Padilla-Camberos Eduardo , Martínez-Velázquez Moisés , Flores-Fernández José Miguel , Villanueva-Rodríguez Socorro
Published: November 2013

The use of vegetal extracts requires toxicological and genotoxic evaluations to establish and verify safety before being added to human cosmetic, pharmaceutical medicine, or alimentary products. Persea americana seeds have been used in traditional medicine as treatment for several diseases. In this work, the ethanolic seed extract of Persea americana was evaluated with respect to its genotoxic potential through micronucleus assay in rodents. The frequency of micronuclei in groups of animals treated with avocado seed extract showed no differences compared to the negative control (vehicle); therefore, it is considered that the avocado seed extract showed no genotoxic activity in the micronucleus test.
EAP-Based Group Authentication and Key Agreement Protocol for Machine-Type Communications
Authors: Jiang Rong , Lai Chengzhe , Luo Jun , Wang Xiaoping , Wang Hong
Published: November 2013

Machine to machine (M2M) communications, also called machine-type communications (MTC), has widely been utilized in applications such as telemetry, industrial, automation, and SCADA systems. The group-based MTC, especially when MTC devices belong to non-3GPP network, will face new challenge of access authentication. In this paper, we propose a group authentication and key agreement protocol, called EG-AKA, for machine-type communications combining elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) based on EAP framework. Compared with conventional EAP-AKA, our protocol guarantees stronger security and provides better performance. Detailed security analysis has shown that the proposed EG-AKA protocol is secure in terms of user and group identity protection and resistance to several attacks. Furthermore, formal verification implemented in AVISPA proves that the proposed protocol is secure against various malicious attacks. Moreover, performance evaluation demonstrates its efficiency in terms of the signaling overhead, the bandwidth consumption, and the transmission cost.
A Feasibility Study for Microwave Breast Cancer Detection Using Contrast-Agent-Loaded Bacterial Microbots
Authors: Chen Yifan , Kosmas Panagiotis , Martel Sylvain
Published: November 2013

We propose a new approach to microwave breast tumor sensing and diagnosis based on the use of biocompatible flagellated magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) adapted to operate in human microvasculature. It has been verified experimentally by Martel et al. that externally generated magnetic gradients could be applied to guide the MTB along preplanned routes inside the human body, and a nanoload could be attached to these bacterial microbots. Motivated by these useful properties, we suggest loading a nanoscale microwave contrast agent such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or ferroelectric nanoparticles (FNPs) onto the MTB in order to modify the dielectric properties of tissues near the agent-loaded bacteria. Subsequently, we propose a novel differential microwave imaging (DMI) technique to track simultaneously multiple swarms of MTB microbots injected into the breast. We also present innovative strategies to detect and localize a breast tissue malignancy and estimate its size via this DMI-trackable bacterial microrobotic system. Finally, we use an anatomically realistic numerical breast phantom as a platform to demonstrate the feasibility of this tumor diagnostic method.
Medium-Level Laser in Chronic Tinnitus Treatment
Authors: Dejakum K. , Piegger J. , Plewka C. , Gunkel A. , Thumfart W. , Kudaibergenova S. , Goebel G. , Kral F. , Freysinger W.
Published: November 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of medium-level laser therapy in chronic tinnitus treatment. In a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled trial, either active laser (450 mW, 830 nm combined Ga-Al-As diode laser) or placebo irradiation was applied through the external acoustic meatus of the affected ear towards the cochlea. Fourty-eight patients with chronic tinnitus were studied. The main outcome was measured using the Goebel tinnitus questionnaire, visual analogue scales measuring the perceived loudness of tinnitus, the annoyance associated with tinnitus, and the degree of attention paid to tinnitus as well as psycho-acoustical matches of tinnitus pitch and loudness. The results did show only very moderate temporary improvement of tinnitus. Moreover, no statistically relevant differences between laser and placebo group could be found. We conclude that medium-level laser therapy cannot be regarded as an effective treatment of chronic tinnitus in our therapy regime considering the limited number of patients included in our study.
Some New Locally Optimal Control Laws for Sailcraft Dynamics in Heliocentric Orbits
Authors: Abd El-Salam F. A.
Published: November 2013

The concept of solar sailing and its developing spacecraft is presented. The gravitational and solar radiation forces are considered. The effect of source of radiation pressure and the force due to coronal mass ejections and solar wind on the sailcraft configurations is modeled. Some analytical control laws with some mentioned input constraints for optimizing sailcraft dynamics in heliocentric orbit using lagrange’s planetary equations are obtained. Optimum force vector in a required direction is maximized by deriving optimal sail cone angle. Ignoring the absorbed and diffusely reflected parts of the radiation, some special cases are obtained. New control laws that maximize thrust to obtain certain required maximization in some particular orbital element are obtained.
System-Level Design Considerations for Carbon Nanotube Electromechanical Resonators
Authors: Kauth Christian , Pastre Marc , Sallese Jean-Michel , Kayal Maher
Published: November 2013

Despite an evermore complete plethora of complex domain-specific semiempirical models, no succinct recipe for large-scale carbon nanotube electromechanical systems design has been formulated. To combine the benefits of these highly sensitive miniaturized mechanical sensors with the vast functionalities available in electronics, we identify a reduced key parameter set of carbon nanotube properties, nanoelectromechanical system design, and operation that steers the sensor’s performance towards system applications, based on open- and closed-loop topologies. Suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes are reviewed in terms of their electromechanical properties with the objective of evaluating orders of magnitude of the electrical actuation and detection mechanisms. Open-loop time-averaging and 1ωor 2ωmixing methods are completed by a new 4ωactuation and detection technique. A discussion on their extension to closed-loop topologies and system applications concludes the analysis, covering signal-to-noise ratio, and the capability to spectrally isolate the motional information from parasitical feedthrough by contemporary electronic read-out techniques.
A Study on the Effect of Metabolic Heat Generation on Biological Tissue Freezing
Authors: Singh Sonalika , Kumar Sushil
Published: November 2013

The effect of metabolic heat generation on the freezing of biological tissue has been studied. Quasi‐steady approximation is used to solve the Pennes bioheat equation in tissues. Temperature profile and motion of freezing interfaces are obtained for different values of metabolic heat generation. It is observed that metabolism has a significant effect on freezing of biological tissues during cryosurgery.
Positive Almost Periodic Solutions for a Discrete Competitive System Subject to Feedback Controls
Authors: Wang Qinglong , Liu Zhijun , Li Zuxiong
Published: November 2013

This paper concerns a discrete competitive system subject to feedback controls. By using Lyapunov function and some preliminary lemmas, the existence and uniformly asymptotic stability of unique positive almost periodic solution of the system are investigated. Numerical simulations suggest the feasibility of our theoretical results.
Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery and Venous Hypertension in Early Hemodialysis Patients without Amyloid Deposits
Authors: Kocyigit Ismail , Unal Aydin , Guney Ahmet , Mavili Ertugrul , Deniz Kemal , Kocyigit Merva , Sipahioglu Murat , Eroglu Eray , Tokgoz Bulent , Gunal Ali Ihsan , Oymak Oktay
Published: November 2013

Aim. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the frequent problems of the patients who underwent hemodialysis (HD). The role of venous hypertension due to arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has not been clarified completely; therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of venous hypertension due to AVF in hemodialysis patients who had CTS. Patients and Methods. We included 12 patients who had been receiving HD treatment for less than 8 years and the newly diagnosed CTS patients with the same arm of AVF. All patients were diagnosed clinically and the results were confirmed by both nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Open carpal tunnel release surgery was performed on all of them. Venous pressure was measured in all patients before and after two weeks of surgery. Results. There were significant differences before and after the surgery with regard to pressures (P > 0.05). After the surgery, all carpal ligament specimens of the patients were not stained with Congo red for the presence of amyloid deposition. Conclusion. Increased venous pressure on the same arm with AVF could be responsible for CTS in hemodialysis patients. Carpal tunnel release surgery is the main treatment of this disease by reducing the compression on the nerve.
Gastroprotective Effects of Lion’s Mane MushroomHericium erinaceus(Bull.:Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract against Ethanol-Induced Ulcer in Rats
Authors: Wong Jing-Yang , Abdulla Mahmood Ameen , Raman Jegadeesh , Phan Chia-Wei , Kuppusamy Umah Rani , Golbabapour Shahram , Sabaratnam Vikineswary
Published: November 2013

Hericium erinaceusis a famous tonic in oriental medicine. The gastroprotective effects of aqueous extract ofH. erinaceusagainst ethanol-induced ulcers inSprague Dawleyrats were investigated. The possible involvements of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were also investigated. Acute toxicity study was performed. The effects of aqueous extract ofH. erinaceuson the ulcer areas, ulcer inhibition, gastric wall mucus, gross and histological gastric lesions, antioxidant levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were evaluated in ethanol-induced ulcerin vivo. In acute toxicity study, a high dose of 5 g/kg did not manifest any toxicological signs in rats. The extract promoted ulcer protection as ascertained by a significant reduction of the ulcer area. Furthermore, it exhibited a significant protection activity against gastric mucosal injury by preventing the depletion of antioxidant enzymes. The level of MDA was also limited in rat stomach tissues when compared with the ulcer control group. Immunohistochemistry showed upregulation of HSP70 protein and downregulation of BAX protein in rats pretreated with the extract. The aqueous extract ofH. erinaceusprotected gastric mucosa in ourin vivomodel. It is speculated that the bioactive compounds present in the extract may play a major role in gastroprotective activity.
Geometry Optimization Calculations for the Elasticity of Gold at High Pressure
Authors: Güler E. , Güler M.
Published: November 2013

We present embedded atom method based geometry optimization aspects of pressure effect on some elastic and mechanical properties of gold. During study, we determined the pressure dependency of equilibrium volume, typical cubic elastic constants, bulk modulus, shear modulus, young modulus, and elastic wave velocities of the considered metal with varying pressure between 0 GPa and 1000 GPa. Finally, we carried out a benchmark between our results and other available theoretical calculations and experimental data. The results of the study mutually agree with the previous findings and provide a deeper outlook for high pressure behavior of the studied metal.
A Fractal Model for the Maximum Droplet Diameter in Gas-Liquid Mist Flow
Authors: Tan Xiao-Hua , Liu Jian-Yi , Li Xiao-Ping , Zhang Guang-Dong , Tang Chuan
Published: November 2013

Distribution characteristics of liquid droplet size are described using the fractal theory for liquid droplet size distribution in gas-liquid mist flow. Thereby, the fractal expression of the maximum droplet diameter is derived. The fractal model for maximum droplet diameter is obtained based on the internal relationship between maximum droplet diameter and the droplet fractal dimension, which is obtained by analyzing the balance between total droplet surface energy and total gas turbulent kinetic energy. Fractal model predictions of maximum droplet diameter agree with the experimental data. Maximum droplet diameter and droplet fractal dimension are both found to be related to the superficial velocity of gas and liquid. Maximum droplet diameter decreases with an increase in gas superficial velocity but increases with an increase in liquid superficial velocity. Droplet fractal dimension increases with an increase in gas superficial velocity but decreases with an increase in liquid superficial velocity. These are all consistent with the physical facts.
Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Enhancement of Optoelectronic Properties of PFO‐Based Light Emitting Diode
Authors: Al-Asbahi Bandar Ali , Haji Jumali Mohammad Hafizuddin , Yap Chi Chin , Mat Salleh Muhamad
Published: November 2013

Improvement on optoelectronic properties of poly (9,9′‐di‐n‐octylfluorenyl‐2.7‐diyl)‐ (PFO‐) based light emitting diode upon incorporation of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) is demonstrated. The PFO/TiO2 nanocomposites with different weight ratios between 5 and 35 wt.% were prepared using solution blending method before they were spin coated onto Indium Tin Oxide substrate. Then a thin Al layer was deposited onto the nanocomposite layer to act as top electrode. The nanocomposites were tested as emissive layer in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). The TiO2 NPs played the most crucial role in facilitating charge transport and electrical injection and thus improved device performance in terms of turn‐on voltage, electroluminescence spectra (EL), luminance, and luminance efficiency. The best composition was OLED with 5 wt.% TiO2 NPs content having moderate surface roughness and well distribution of NPs. The device performance was reduced at higher TiO2 NPs content due to higher surface roughness and agglomeration of TiO2 NPs. This work demonstrated the importance of optimum TiO2 NPs content with uniform distribution and controlled surface roughness of the emissive layer for better device performance.
LIRT: A Lightweight Scheme for Indistinguishability, Reachability, and Timeliness in Wireless Sensor Control Networks
Authors: Ren Wei , Ma Liangli , Ren Yi
Published: November 2013

Wireless sensor control networks (WSCNs) are important scenarios and trends in mobile wireless sensor networks. Compared with traditional wireless sensor networks, WSCNs have two specific characteristics: entities in networks are extended from passive sensors to active sensors (e.g., actuators and actors) and the transmitting messages are extended from data only to data plus (e.g., data and control instructions). Thus new security problems arises. In this paper, we make the first attempt to specify the security requirements for WSCNs, namely, indistinguishability, reachability, and timeliness. In addition, several new attacks in WSCN, distinguishing risks, dropping attacks, and disordering attacks, are pointed out at the first time. A lightweight scheme LIRT is proposed with tailored design to guarantee the indistinguishability, reachability, and timeliness in WSCNs. Extensive and rigorous analysis on LIRT justifies its security strength and performance measures.